Much is made of the generals. Much is made of those who never were at the front lines. Much is made of those who sent the young directly to their deaths, straight into downhill fire on beaches, straight up over the foxholes into downhill artillery, straight into unmapped jungles filled with cave snipers... all knowingly decimating the front lines of the young. And the young, … [Read more...] about The Venerable Teenager of WWII, Korea, Nam and Now
Washington On Political Parties
In his farewell address (1796), President George Washington warned his countrymen (women could not yet vote) of the dangers inherent in an antagonistic party system. His words come from a Yale archive; emphasis added: I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State ... [let me] warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the … [Read more...] about Washington On Political Parties
Looking Back In Sadness
I have, on more than one occasion, expressed my admiration for the work of James Travers. On this Remembrance Day, he wrote of his father who "learned to be a soldier at Kingston's Royal Military College" and his uncle who "died soon after wearing pilot's wings for the first time." They would, he wrote, not recognize the Canada of 2010. "They wouldn't understand a country … [Read more...] about Looking Back In Sadness
The Morning After: What Independents Want
As results continue to dribble in from extremely tight local and state elections across the country, all about independent voters, independents have already moved on -- or stayed the course, depending on your POV. Let's turn our attention to some important propositions that were put to the ballot this year: California continues to lead the way in political reform. Back in … [Read more...] about The Morning After: What Independents Want
Veterans Day—I Fibbed
In my most recent post on this solemn day, I implicitly promised that it would be my last one on the subject of Veterans and Veterans Day. However, there have been such great comments and additional posts by those who either they or their fathers were part of “The Greatest Generation” and served in World War II, that I feel I have to add one more post---this one really only … [Read more...] about Veterans Day—I Fibbed
My Favorite Adulterer
Political sex scandals have expiration dates now. Eliot Spitzer, who resigned as New York Governor in 2008 for consorting with a call girl, is now a CNN anchor while Louisiana last week easily reelected Sen. David Vitter, who was the DC Madam's best customer a year earlier. Sexual commerce aside, my favorite adulterer is South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, now resurfacing … [Read more...] about My Favorite Adulterer
Do Only Conservative Victories Count?
WASHINGTON -- In 2008, the largest number of voters in American history gave the Democrats their largest share of the presidential vote in 44 years and big majorities in the House and Senate. How did Republicans react? They held their ideological ground, refused to give an inch to the new president, and insisted that persistent opposition would eventually yield them … [Read more...] about Do Only Conservative Victories Count?
Long-Term Economy And National Debt Solution Not A Part of Modern American DNA (Guest Voice)
Long-Term Economy And National Debt Solution Not A Part of Modern American DNA by Johnny Byrd On Election Day last week I attended a tax seminar, one of many held this time of year, purposed to get me up to speed on the latest federal and state tax law changes and hot topics. One presenter devoted some time to the potential impacts of the election results on current and … [Read more...] about Long-Term Economy And National Debt Solution Not A Part of Modern American DNA (Guest Voice)
Sarah Palin Tutors Ben Bernanke
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Tutors Ben Bernanke
Saving the Golden State (Guest Voice)
Saving the Golden State Saving the Golden State by Michael Reagan The late psychic Edgar Cayce was famed for predicting that in the not-too-distant future the entire state of California would collapse into the Pacific Ocean and disappear beneath the sea. That may be a questionable forecast, but the collapse of the Golden State into a sea of debt is already upon us, … [Read more...] about Saving the Golden State (Guest Voice)
‘A Child-lover’s Code of Conduct.’ Shame on you Amazon.
Amazon is selling on-line a self-published book on pedophilia, "The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child-lover’s Code of Conduct.” According to the “author,” Philip R. Greaves II: I wrote the book to establish guidelines so that people would behave in a manner that is non-injurious to each other, for one, and, for two, to communicate the fact that these … [Read more...] about ‘A Child-lover’s Code of Conduct.’ Shame on you Amazon.
The Lawyers Said It Was Okay
Mustang Bobby, blogging at The Reaction, passes on former President Bush's response when Matt Lauer asked him to explain, in an interview that was part of Bush's promotion tour for his book, Decision Points, why he believed waterboarding was legal. Bush replied, "Because the lawyer said it was. He said it did not fall within the Anti-Torture Act. I'm not a lawyer, but you … [Read more...] about The Lawyers Said It Was Okay
Veterans Day
A time that always calls up love of country and pride in a member of the so-called "The Greatest Generation" is overlaid today with sadness for what has been lost. We celebrate community, connection and self-sacrifice only a week after an election marked by selfish and bitter complaints about how the United States is damaging me, me, me with barely a word about the multitude … [Read more...] about Veterans Day
Samsung’s New Galaxy Tab
The first real iPad competitor runs Android, has a 7" screen, a white plastic back, front and rear cameras with a flash, video, exposure controls and special effects and it plays [cough] Flash videos. And it weighs 13 ounces compared with 1.5 pounds for the iPad. David Pogue: the dawn of the would-be iPad is upon us. But the Android tablet concept represents more than just … [Read more...] about Samsung’s New Galaxy Tab
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me
One of Elton John's finest songs, and this live version with George Michael and Elton John is spine-tingling: … [Read more...] about Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me
“We Cannot Say We Live Under the Rule of Law”
That's Marcy Wheeler, at Firedoglake, commenting on Tuesday's announcement by the Justice Department that the federal prosecutor assigned to investigate the destruction of C.I.A. videotapes showing two high-level detainees being tortured during hours of interrogation in a secret C.I.A. facility in Thailand will not file criminal charges against C.I.A. officials responsible for … [Read more...] about “We Cannot Say We Live Under the Rule of Law”
U.S. Air Strikes — and Civilian Casualties — Increase Sharply in Afghanistan
From Noah Shachtman, at Wired's Danger Room blog: … [Read more...] about U.S. Air Strikes — and Civilian Casualties — Increase Sharply in Afghanistan
Kristallnacht, and the Lessons of History
Author's Note: I wrote and posted this piece yesterday, but the Community Boulevard forum software had the title as a generic topic number, and placed it on the second screen of posts even right after it was published. I don't claim to understand why the software does so many weird things so much of the time (like posting blog posts in duplicate, which has happened to mine … [Read more...] about Kristallnacht, and the Lessons of History
To Our Veterans, One More Time
On the occasion of Veterans Day, I usually post or link to one or two articles honoring our veterans in general, or honoring veterans who have gone that extra mile for our country. I have done so again this year, here and here, and was going to leave it at that. However, I just read the article by our colleague, Ron Beasley, recalling and honoring the World War II … [Read more...] about To Our Veterans, One More Time
Veterans Day
My father passed away about eight years ago. He was a veteran who served in India during WWII. He was 26 when he was drafted. He was an aircraft mechanic and received the Bronze Star for going behind the enemy lines Burma to repair a downed plane. My father is the second from the left in the above picture. I too am a veteran but I have no medals. I was drafted after … [Read more...] about Veterans Day