This story is just beyond sad and outrageous. A dying woman sends a package to a favorite nephew and Federal Express manages to lose the package, does nothing to tell the recipient that the item has been damaged and leaves them in the lurch. Hopefully Federal Express will fix things for the future. … [Read more...] about Federal Express Loses Package From Dying Woman
Combatting Fat-free/ Fact-free News Media: Two Cheers for Free Speech
(Hello there: Dr. E. here, and Robert Stein, follows. As many have noted, "fat free' is also tasteless and doesnt stick to the ribs. So too what I'd call 'fat-free/ fact-free news." No nourishment there. So much of the incessant network/cable 'news' we receive 24/7 is no longer 'new' nor is it what I call 'actual-factual news' and thus over these last ten years, 'the … [Read more...] about Combatting Fat-free/ Fact-free News Media: Two Cheers for Free Speech
Quote of the Day: Barbara Bush on Sarah Palin
Our political Quote of the Day comes from former first lady Barbra Bush -- someone who many believed often would say out loud what others in her family said in private. And it sounds like she isn't a friend on Sarah Palin's Facebook page: Sarah Palin may not have the biggest fan in former first lady Barbara Bush. "I sat next to her once. Thought she was beautiful," Barbara … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Barbara Bush on Sarah Palin
Democrats Prepare for their Own Outside Group Funding for 2012
This is truly is the most predictable political story of the year -- a follow up to the previously most predictable political development. After the Supreme Court (led by John Roberts deciding in a way he suggested he would not decide by Congress) overturned literally decades of law to allow groups to use anonymous corporate donations to fund campaigns in Citizens United, it … [Read more...] about Democrats Prepare for their Own Outside Group Funding for 2012
Political Dogs And Cats
I was speaking with a good friend the other day, Kay Wood, an astute observer of American politics, and she had an insight that rang true. Democrats behave a lot like dogs, and Republicans a lot like cats. Dogs long to bond. They want to be loved, to lick your hand, to be patted in return. Getting a health care measure through a Democratic Congress illustrated this dog-like … [Read more...] about Political Dogs And Cats
Uproar in Spain Over Political Orgasm Video
Many in Spain reportedly want to say "Not tonight I have a headache" when it comes to more showings of what is becoming known as the political orgasm video. The BBC reports: Spanish politicians have criticised a video by the Young Socialists in Catalonia in which a woman simulates an orgasm while casting her vote. Both Socialist and opposition politicians have attacked … [Read more...] about Uproar in Spain Over Political Orgasm Video
The EU’s Nightmare Economic Scenario
The EU is facing a nightmare economy scenario. Is it playing out right now? … [Read more...] about The EU’s Nightmare Economic Scenario
Don’t Ask Don’t Care (Guest Voice)
Don’t Ask, Don’t Care by Michael Winship Although I grew up in a small town, I live in the West Village of Manhattan, New York City, just three blocks from Christopher Street and the Stonewall Inn, where in 1969 a police raid led to angry demonstrations that marked the start of the gay rights movement. Yet in most ways my neighborhood is just like yours. We all … [Read more...] about Don’t Ask Don’t Care (Guest Voice)
It’s Only Unethical When It’s Called ‘News’ (Guest Voice)
It’s Only Unethical When It’s Called ‘News’ by Tina Dupuy Imagine an entire 24-hour cable news network devoted to political causes. Many of their employees are future and former candidates for president, giving them a national platform to reach potential voters. Entire “movements” of political discourse are not only showcased – they’re even started on this news channel. … [Read more...] about It’s Only Unethical When It’s Called ‘News’ (Guest Voice)
2009 Transportation Act Prohibits WBI Use As Primary Screening Tool
A bipartisan amendment to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Authorization Act of 2009 "prohibits the TSA from using Whole Body Imaging (WBI) machines for primary screening." Today TSA calls this equipment Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT). The amendment was co-sponsored by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) and passed the House on a … [Read more...] about 2009 Transportation Act Prohibits WBI Use As Primary Screening Tool
Sarah Palin Under More Scrutiny from GOPers
Now that it seems highly likely that Sarah Palin will run for the 2012 Republican nomination the former Alaska Governor has made a kind of shift: what some see as her free ride from many Republicans will increasingly be over. Some are now looking at her more critically. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Under More Scrutiny from GOPers
Freedom With Feeling
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Freedom With Feeling
Department of Unintended Consequences
Opponents of health care reform are very attached to the concept of unintended consequences -- they talk about it all the time. But opponents of health care reform also tend to be supporters of raising the legal retirement age from 65 to 67, or even 70 -- and here unintended consequences are never mentioned. But of course that doesn't mean there wouldn't be any: … [Read more...] about Department of Unintended Consequences
Brazil’s Rousseff and America’s Obama: An ‘Irresistible Pair’ (El Pais, Spain)
Are Brazil's President-elect Dilma Rousseff and U.S. President Barack Obama capable and ambitious enough to create an alliance that would define the Western Hemisphere in the decades to come? According to columnist Moises Naim of Spain's El Pais, if President Obama can grab the chance that his predecessor George W. Bush passed up - the potential opportunities would be … [Read more...] about Brazil’s Rousseff and America’s Obama: An ‘Irresistible Pair’ (El Pais, Spain)
Standing Up for NPR
Really, Eric Cantor? One of the messages voters sent in the midterm elections was that NPR should be defunded? Other than the fact that federal funding of NPR is relatively minuscule (barely a drop in the budgetary bucket), this is clearly a partisan move. Republicans don't like NPR, which is for the most part a news organization that aims at objectivity and mature discourse … [Read more...] about Standing Up for NPR
The Party of Nyet
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about The Party of Nyet
“Sects, Love, and Rock & Roll” — A Critic’s Memoir of Music and the Church
One of my colleagues from the college newspaper, who introduced me to several bands I still listen to, has a hilarious new memoir exploring his musical and spiritual coming of age in the '90s and early aughts. Joel Heng Hartse, who's reviewed music in Paste, Beliefnet and Christianity Today among others, gave a reading Thursday night for Sects, Love, and Rock & Roll at the … [Read more...] about “Sects, Love, and Rock & Roll” — A Critic’s Memoir of Music and the Church
Palin Delusions of Adequacy
In her alternate universe, the kickoff of Sarah Palin's presidential campaign makes perfect sense: After backstage triumphs in the midterms, the candidate emerges to take the spotlight to the acclaim of an adoring America. We are in a "Sunset Boulevard" remake here, with a 21st century Norma Desmond taking bows for killing GOP chances to control the Senate and, after years … [Read more...] about Palin Delusions of Adequacy
GOP – The Musical (Guest Voice)
GOP – The Musical by Hart Williams The country is ruled by people who are good at making money without being good at making things. So, when the Number Two richest man in America sends a mash note to our putative rulers, we must sit up and take notice, if only to calculate when our masters will pour some more kibbles and bits into our bowls. The bell is … [Read more...] about GOP – The Musical (Guest Voice)
Off to a Good Start (Guest Voice)
Off to a Good Start by Michael Reagan If Sen. Mitch McConnell’s pledge to get behind the movement to ban the cynical practice of earmark spending is any indication that Republicans heard the message voters sent them in the recent Congressional elections, the GOP is off to a good start. It’s about time. Over the years members of Congress have acquired a lot of bad habits … [Read more...] about Off to a Good Start (Guest Voice)