As I reported here Julian Assange told Forbes that his next target would be a large US Bank. Raw Story reports that in October of 09 Assange said: "At the moment, for example, we are sitting on 5GB from Bank of America, one of the executive's hard drives," Assange told the technology site Computer World in an article published on October 9, 2009. The Wikileaks chief … [Read more...] about Target – Bank of America?
Increase in Republican Women in House Gets Boehner to OK New Girls’ Powder Room
Just sit tight and seriously - ask yourself, how would you react if Nancy Pelosi had sought to do this? From The Hill: Speaker-designate John Boehner (R-Ohio) intends to commandeer a swanky office space adjacent to the House floor and build a women's restroom for female lawmakers. For years, men have had the luxury of using facilities located adjacent to the House floor, … [Read more...] about Increase in Republican Women in House Gets Boehner to OK New Girls’ Powder Room
Happy Hanukkah
The Maccabeats, a group of Yeshiva University students, sing Candlelight and become a certified YouTube sensation. Enjoy... Background from The Jerusalem Post and The New York Post. … [Read more...] about Happy Hanukkah
“Common Ground,” Republican Style (UPDATED)
So: After regaling us with their unctious hopes that they and Democrats can now achieve "common ground" after the White House summit yesterday (was it just yesterday?!); after praising Barack Obama with sickening condescension (I saw the post-summit press briefing by GOP leaders on CNN while on my second day of jury duty yesterday, and the patronizing back-patting made me so … [Read more...] about “Common Ground,” Republican Style (UPDATED)
WikiLeaks: Is It News to Embarrass U.S. Diplomats? – Folha, Brazil
With once secret U.S. diplomatic cables washing over the world, are we getting all worked up over gossip everyone already new? According to columnist Clovis Rossi of Brazil's Folha newspaper, so far at least, there is precious little 'news' coming out of the hundreds of thousands of U.S. State Department cables doled out to some of the world's leading newspapers. For … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks: Is It News to Embarrass U.S. Diplomats? – Folha, Brazil
Section 60: Arlington
For those who don't know, section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery is where Iraq and Afghanistan war dead are laid to rest. HBO has produced a documentary about Section 60, and it is both heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. It is a must see for everyone, and leave the politics at the door. … [Read more...] about Section 60: Arlington
Dont Ask Dont Tell John McCain
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Dont Ask Dont Tell John McCain
Send in the Wikileaks Clowns
The people at PBS have a twisted sense of humor, pairing for a Wikileaks deep-dish discussion Zbigniew Brzezinski, who helped Jimmy Carter arm the Afghans we're now fighting, and Stephen Hadley, who put the claim about Iraq's nuclear material into Bush's 2003 State of the Union. As experts on diplomatic disasters, they provide perspective on the leak, with Hadley nodding … [Read more...] about Send in the Wikileaks Clowns
Most of the news media seems to be losing their minds over Wikileaks without actually reading these essays
Hello there, Dr. E. here. Our commenters at TMV occasionally leave long and interesting comments that read like a good opinion piece in and of themselves. This is one by commenter Leonidas that offers a thoughtful viewpoint. Most of the news media seems to be losing their minds over Wikileaks without actually reading these essays by Leonidas An interesting read on [the … [Read more...] about Most of the news media seems to be losing their minds over Wikileaks without actually reading these essays
The Philosophical Motivation Behind WikiLeaks
In my last post I argued that an analysis of WikiLeaks shows it is operating on anarchist principles and methods. These views were elucidated in the comments, including the point that Assange had worked on some key technical components behind the crypto-anarchist movement. As someone that has been exposed to these ideas, I readily understood the context in which Assange … [Read more...] about The Philosophical Motivation Behind WikiLeaks
The Battle is on Between the Republican Party’s “Blue Bloods” and “Hot Bloods”
The biggest political spectacular is the emerging battle for the political soul of the Republican Party which really is a battle for the political soul of the United States itself. In one corner: the Republican “Blue Bloods” (as defined by Sarah Palin), consisting of the Republican establishment and the still-powerful Bush family. In the other: the Hot Bloods (as defined by … [Read more...] about The Battle is on Between the Republican Party’s “Blue Bloods” and “Hot Bloods”
America Overwhelmingly Supports the Repeal of DADT
70% of troops. 75% of Americans. What will Republicans do? President Obama on the DADT survey: With our nation at war and so many Americans serving on the front lines, our troops and their families deserve the certainty that can only come when an act of Congress ends this discriminatory policy once and for all. The House of Representatives has already passed the necessary … [Read more...] about America Overwhelmingly Supports the Repeal of DADT
Remembering Leslie Nielsen
Remembering the great B movie, early TV actor and late career comedy actor star Leslie Nielsen -- in words and videos. … [Read more...] about Remembering Leslie Nielsen
History and Geography Lessons From Steve King
Easy answers to puzzling questions, via Steve King (R-Iowa): … [Read more...] about History and Geography Lessons From Steve King
Beijing’s Evolving Stance on the North Korea Crisis: Global Times, China
Revelations from WikiLeaks that China is running out of patience with North Korea thickens the plot on the Korean Peninsula, and makes recent editorial comment from China's state-controlled press even more interesting. Beginning over the Thanksgiving weekend, we've posted five editorials from the state-run Global Times which reflect a dual strategy on the part of the … [Read more...] about Beijing’s Evolving Stance on the North Korea Crisis: Global Times, China
Scarborough, Bloomberg, Lieberman To Launch “No Labels” on Behalf of Civility
I heard about this group, No Labels, a week or so ago. Did some digging, wasn't too sure about it, just been listening, have a friend who'll be there in NYC for the launch. And now, Howard Fineman is up with a lengthy piece about it, just this afternoon. You can read it here. Do we think Scarborough unloaded on Sarah Palin today so that he could do it before the launch of … [Read more...] about Scarborough, Bloomberg, Lieberman To Launch “No Labels” on Behalf of Civility
2012, Baby! (Moving beyond political rhetoric to a, pardon the phrase, “reality we can believe in”)Guest Voice
2012, Baby! (Moving beyond political rhetoric to a, pardon the phrase, "reality we can believe in") by Alex Hammer The world of politics is dead. Long live politics. The 2010 election represented a tipping point in American politics. No, not a second wave of a Republican revolution, but he emergence of "we the people" as a potent political force in modern times. … [Read more...] about 2012, Baby! (Moving beyond political rhetoric to a, pardon the phrase, “reality we can believe in”)Guest Voice
WikiLeaks: On Balance, Transparency Trumps Secrecy
But what struck us, and reassured us, about the latest trove of classified documents released by WikiLeaks was the absence of any real skullduggery. After years of revelations about the Bush administration’s abuses — including the use of torture and kidnappings — much of the Obama administration’s diplomatic wheeling and dealing is appropriate and, at times, downright skillful. … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks: On Balance, Transparency Trumps Secrecy
Driver Rage Is Outrageous
A school crossing guard is attacked by a motorist and his passenger while 20 children and adults watched in disbelief. Two suspects later were arrested. For the life of me, I cannot think of a penalty that would fit the crime short of the Draconian 30 lashes. Suggestions? … [Read more...] about Driver Rage Is Outrageous
All I Want For Christmas Is Civil Liberties Undies
OK, Santa, let me make it easy for you this year. Have the elves replicate it, or just buy it and pop it in your sleigh. For the civil libertarian who has everything [else], here’s news to warm the overactive constitutional cockles of your heart. Some enterprising upstart with a copy of the tattered old document in his/her closet is marketing underwear with the Fourth … [Read more...] about All I Want For Christmas Is Civil Liberties Undies