Now that the U.S. has admitted to performing deadly syphilis experiments on unknowing Guatemalans, a debate in Guatemala has erupted about why and who in the Guatemalan government might have approved them in the first place. According to this news item from Guatemala's El Periodico, some Guatemalans suspect that the 'gringos' are planning to pin blame for the crime on former … [Read more...] about Doubts Over Guatemalan Complicity with ‘Nazi-Like’ U.S. Syphilis Experiments: El Periodico, Guatemala
Americans See Congress As ‘Bickering,’ And Unproductive
Almost four-in-five Americans "think Republicans and Democrats in Washington have been bickering and opposing each other more than usual," according to the latest Society for Human Resource Management/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll, conducted with the Pew Research Center. This is the most critical Americans have been of Congressional "bickering" since Pew began … [Read more...] about Americans See Congress As ‘Bickering,’ And Unproductive
Print Media Defections Grow: Howard Kurtz Joins The Daily Beast
Add the Washington Post's respected media columnist Howard Kurtz to the list of prominent formerly print journalists who've dabbled in cable and are now jumping the print-publication ship to work for one publications: The Daily Beast today announces that Howard Kurtz will join as Washington Bureau Chief. In this new role, Kurtz will oversee the two-year-old site’s … [Read more...] about Print Media Defections Grow: Howard Kurtz Joins The Daily Beast
Fired CNN Anchor Rick Sanchez Apologizes to Jon Stewart (UPDATED)
Fired CNN anchor Rick Sanchez has apologized to comedian Jon Stewart, according to a post on his wife's Facebook page which raises a point I made to some people in New Hampshire this weekend: if Sanchez tried to walk back or explain his comments and it was accepted by some key media players it was highly likely that despite the conventional wisdom, his career was most assuredly … [Read more...] about Fired CNN Anchor Rick Sanchez Apologizes to Jon Stewart (UPDATED)
Christine O’Donnell’s Campaign Candor
Apologies may be in order for calling the Delaware senatorial candidate "a content-free politician" as she starts filling in some of the blanks in her contested resume. In the first campaign ad, she tells voters, "I am not a witch. I'm nothing you've heard...I am you." So much for previous statements about "dabbling" in witchcraft. Her father straightens out family … [Read more...] about Christine O’Donnell’s Campaign Candor
The De Facto Third Party
Tom Friedman wrote another column Sunday talking about the rise of a centrist third party. Not surprisingly, a number of pundits have piled on Friedman. In some case, I can understand why pundits grow tired of other pundits saying that a major third party is just around the corner again and again and again. History has taught us that third parties are hard to grow in … [Read more...] about The De Facto Third Party
2010 Election
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about 2010 Election
A Growing Civilian-Military Divide
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates delivered a lecture at Duke University last week on the all-volunteer force. The separation between the "narrow sliver of our population" that serves and the rest of us is growing: We should not ignore the broader, long-term consequences of waging these protracted military campaigns employing - and re-employing - such a small portion of our … [Read more...] about A Growing Civilian-Military Divide
Paying For Services
Judging from the blog reactions I'm on the wrong side according my peers on the left but I don't have a problem with this. Tennessee County’s Subscription-Based Firefighters Watch As Family Home Burns Down As ThinkProgress has noted, there are currently two competing visions of governance in the United States. One, the conservative vision, believes in the on-your-own … [Read more...] about Paying For Services
NYT’s Room For Debate Asks: What’s Ohio’s Doom, Gloom Mean For Midterms?
Earlier today I was asked to write a 300 word oped on Ohio, our voters, our economy and what the heck do we want done with it all as part of the New York Times' Room For Debate platform. You can see my thoughts next to those of five others here. Question for my fellow co-bloggers here and the community that reads us: What do you think about the Room For Debate format? … [Read more...] about NYT’s Room For Debate Asks: What’s Ohio’s Doom, Gloom Mean For Midterms?
More Poor in America than China? Think Again!: Global Times, People’s Republic of China
It's the battle of the titans - but one that neither side wants to win. Who has more poor people: the United States or China? And who's poor are worse off? For the state-controlled Global Times, columnist Chiang Meng writes that despite recent statistics from the Chinese themselves, China's poor are more numerous and far worse off than their American counterparts. For the … [Read more...] about More Poor in America than China? Think Again!: Global Times, People’s Republic of China
Tea Party Movement Candidates Continue To Verbally Stun
When some said they'd shake things up...they most certainly are. The question then has an answer that depends on your political outlook: If the tree is shaken will it help it grow? (If you are a Tea Party movement fan). Or if the tree is shaken will some nuts fall to the ground? (If you're not). One thing is for sure: political junkies, the news media, bloggers and … [Read more...] about Tea Party Movement Candidates Continue To Verbally Stun
Reflections on Six Years of Blogging
Before the parade passes by Before it goes on, and only I'm left Before the parade passes by I've gotta get in step while there's still time left I'm ready to move out in front Life without life has no reason or rhyme left With the rest of them With the best of them I wanna hold my head up high I need got a goal again I need got a drive again I wanna feel my heart … [Read more...] about Reflections on Six Years of Blogging
As Sure As Death, Taxes, And Trickle Down Economics
A headline in today's New York Times read: "Cheap debt for corporations fails to spur the economy." A line in this story goes on to explain: "The situation underscores the limits of Washington policy makers' power to stimulate the economy." Not true. What is underscored here is these policy makers' endless and mindless commitment to trickle down economics. Cheap debt … [Read more...] about As Sure As Death, Taxes, And Trickle Down Economics
Palin Perfected
Sarah Palin took us halfway there, and now her Delaware clone is the final product--the completely content-free politician. Disappearing for three weeks after a primary victory, Christine O'Donnell emerges at an invitation-only crowd of 100 supporters and, in a no-cal interview with AP, "vows to control her political message." Decades ago, when Marshall McLuhan asserted … [Read more...] about Palin Perfected
I mean, REALLY Folks…
I mean, REALLY, folks: hasn't politics in this country now gotten to where it looks like a Mad Magazine article? And don't people who say things like this lose ALL credibility. G.A.L. (Get A Life). … [Read more...] about I mean, REALLY Folks…
Anti-Gay Bullying is a Theological Issue
Before this most recent spate of media attention to anti-gay bullying, Dan Savage set up a YouTube channel aimed at young lgbt people. The It Gets Better project invites anyone with a YouTube account who wants to share their experiences in order to give hope to teens facing discrimination and bullying. Dan and his husband shared their own experiences in the first … [Read more...] about Anti-Gay Bullying is a Theological Issue
Moments Matter: The Tyler Clementi Tragedy
Moments matter. That's the first of many lessons we are likely to derive from the suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi this past September 22. If allegations made by local law enforcement officials are correct, Clementi's tragic death followed the filming and webcasting of a sexual encounter involving Clementi and another person in a college dorm room. It's alleged … [Read more...] about Moments Matter: The Tyler Clementi Tragedy
Whose Populism?
As tens of thousands of Americans gathered on the National Mall this past weekend, Frank Rich -- in the New York Times -- warned them and their supporters not to underestimate the "useful idiocy" of the Tea Party's most recent star, Christine O'Donnell. For comedians -- particularly Bill Mahar -- she is the gift which keeps on giving. But, Rich wrote: O'Donnell is … [Read more...] about Whose Populism?
Some Like It Not
Some Like It Not by Tom Watson Tony Curtis would have made a terrific Rahm Emanuel. I can see him as a tortured, angry chief of staff in a tense fin de siècle drama of rising shadows in a White House under siege. Just as easily, I can picture Curtis joyfully elbowing his way through a comical role as Emanuel the Picaresque, jabbing lefty bloggers with glee and keeping his … [Read more...] about Some Like It Not