Dear Independent’s Eye: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there was a time when Arizona Senator John McCain was admirable. Papa says, “If McCain says ‘My friends’ it must be so.” I saw Senator McCain on TV talking in the Senate and he looked so angry he gave me nightmares. Tell me the truth: was there a time when John McCain was admirable? Virginia … [Read more...] about Yes Virginia, There was a Time When John McCain Was Admirable
Obama’s Lack of Sportsmanship at World Cup Bidding Insults Arabs: Al Madina, Saudi Arabia
First - I want to wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the entire Moderate Voice community from all the people of Worldmeets.US. As one of the Net's great efforts to provide a platform for all viewpoints, the Moderate Voice makes a contribution to building a better world, and we are proud to play our part. As we have seen quite frequently over the past few years, … [Read more...] about Obama’s Lack of Sportsmanship at World Cup Bidding Insults Arabs: Al Madina, Saudi Arabia
Breaking: Census Releases Reapportionment Map
The U.S. Census has released a U.S. map (pdf) reflecting reapportionment for the House of Representatives. Here's the Cliff Notes edition of the changes: Plus 4: Texas Plus 2: Florida Plus 1: Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, Washington Minus 1: Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania Minus 2: New York, … [Read more...] about Breaking: Census Releases Reapportionment Map
Independents Applaud California Supreme Court Decision on Proposition 14
The following statement was issued today by Jackie Salit, President & Harry Kresky, Legal Counsel, IndependentVoting.Org: The decision by the California Supreme Court to reject an attempt to block the implementation of Proposition 14, the open primary, top two initiative passed by voters last June, is a positive and timely development. The voters made a clear statement … [Read more...] about Independents Applaud California Supreme Court Decision on Proposition 14
Breaking: FCC Passes Net Neutrality Rules
Update 2, 11.35 am Pacific: On a 3-2 vote, the FCC passed "controversial" rules on net neutrality today. From Politico: Led by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the Democrats on the panel voted Tuesday to approve the first enforceable Net neutrality rules, which will prohibit Internet service providers such as AT&T, Verizon and Comcast from blocking access to lawful … [Read more...] about Breaking: FCC Passes Net Neutrality Rules
Total Recall? Forget It!
What would it be like to remember everything that happened to you in detail over the years? This science-fiction premise comes to life on 60 Minutes with people who have been laboratory-tested and diagnosed with "superior autobiographical memory." This is no parlor trick, watching men and women instantly reach back 20, 30 years or more for a randomly chosen date and bring it … [Read more...] about Total Recall? Forget It!
Golf And The Law – Yelling “Fore” Unnecessary
The New York Courts of Appeals, the highest court in New York State and the equivalent of other states’ Supreme Court, has ruled that a golfer need not yell “Fore” on a mis-hit shot. According to the Court of Appeals, those participating in sporting and recreational events assume the risks associated with the activity. In the case of golf, that includes getting hit with an … [Read more...] about Golf And The Law – Yelling “Fore” Unnecessary
People Tell Actors “Break A Leg”
But they aren't telling them to take it literally.. … [Read more...] about People Tell Actors “Break A Leg”
START Treaty May Get Enough Republicans to Pass
The latest news from a surprisingly productive lame duck Congress is that the START Treaty -- a treaty backed by all living former U.S. Presidents and many key Republican policymakers of past administrations -- looks like it's going to pass. The surprise is that it was at risk at all. But depending on your political viewpoint (choose your perception) it looked like it would … [Read more...] about START Treaty May Get Enough Republicans to Pass
2010 Census Clearly Reveals Reasons For Social Security and Medicare Angst
I just compared age demographic data from the 2010 Census with data from the 2000 Census. And the numbers very clearly reveal the coming economic challenges that will be experienced by both Social Security and Medicare. Overall, the percentage of the population between 65 and 85-plus grew from 21 percent in 2000 to 23.4 percent in 2010. A small part of this growth was in … [Read more...] about 2010 Census Clearly Reveals Reasons For Social Security and Medicare Angst
Jingle Cats Silent Night
DESPITE popular requests, here it is: And in case you want more: … [Read more...] about Jingle Cats Silent Night
South Carolina’s Moment of Clarity
There will be many moments in the coming years to examine and discuss the issues that tore our nation apart 150 years ago. Tonight is the 150th anniversary of one of the most important precipitating events in the secession crisis, which led to the American Civil War: the secession of South Carolina from the Union. Over the years a debate has ensued over exactly why South … [Read more...] about South Carolina’s Moment of Clarity
Why Progessives Need CEOs — Really
WASHINGTON -- The central question in our politics is whether we can break out of formulaic discussions that always end up in the same place. Here's one major test: Can progressives change their way of thinking about business? We are already seeing a dreary replay of the old argument. Self-styled centrists say that President Obama has really ticked off business leaders … [Read more...] about Why Progessives Need CEOs — Really
DADT Has Been Repealed, But What Do the Troops Say?
Several of our TMV contributors (yours truly included) have said our two-cents worth on the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Judging from some of the comments---“enough already”---we have probably said more than dos centavos worth. But, hey, inflation and all that… But what do the troops have to say? Those men and women on the front lines, in combat around the … [Read more...] about DADT Has Been Repealed, But What Do the Troops Say?
Three Cartoonists’ Views of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal
Cartoonists are starting to weigh in on the Senate's repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. Here are three examples: … [Read more...] about Three Cartoonists’ Views of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal
Love Is Forever
For most teenagers love means trips to the movies, stolen kisses behind the bleachers and the heartbreak of that first breakup. For Sabrina Parker and Matt Scozzari it means a whole lot more. The two began dating after Matt, in his own words, got up the nerve to ask her out. Over the next three months things seemed perfect to them, but Matt noticed that Sabrina seemed … [Read more...] about Love Is Forever
Merry Christmas
Out here in the warm, desert sun, it is quite possible to visualize the original setting of the birth of Jesus Christ. It can get uncomfortably cold at night in the desert but the days are replete with sun and relative warmth in comparison to much of the Northern Hemisphere. Considering the three great monotheistic global religions all originated in the desert, the modern-day … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas
Ugandan Homophobia and American Evangelicalism
Against a backdrop of intense and overt homophobia in Uganda -- a bill that would impose the death penalty for sexual activity between consenting same sex adults who are "serial offenders" will be considered early next year — a judge is expected to decide tomorrow whether a tabloid can continue to out gay men and lesbians. The publication ran a front page headline in … [Read more...] about Ugandan Homophobia and American Evangelicalism
Foursquare Goes For Flash Rather Than Functionality
Foursquare is going "social." Foursquare adds photos and comments, Techmeme tells me this morning. Color me unimpressed; I'd much prefer the developers focus on functionality. Here's why. … [Read more...] about Foursquare Goes For Flash Rather Than Functionality
DVD Movie Review: This Wretched Life (2010)
One of the glories of aspiring filmmakers is that if they can just get some good equipment, a solid script, first-class actors, and use their creativity plus what they've learned studying other films, they can make an independent film providing they can can raise the money and are willing to stick with the project. In the end is there a payoff? Many often point to the Blair … [Read more...] about DVD Movie Review: This Wretched Life (2010)