More bad news in what seems a steady flow of bad news for Democrats heading into what looks like a political Katrina of nationwide defeats: a Gallup Poll finds minority and young voters, two key parts of the coalition that elected Barack Obama President and gave Democrats their winning coalition, are not poised to go to the polls this November: Minority and young voters … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Minority, Young Voters Part of Obama’s Winning Coalition Weak for Election Day
One Born Every Minute (Guest Voice)
One Born Every Minute by Tom Purcell It could have been worse. Some years ago, I had just spent the last of my savings to have a British convertible restored. I was a master then at buying high and selling low. Nonetheless, desperate for cash, I was eager to sell. I figured I could get $4,900 for the car, but I was also a master at poor timing: Only a fool would … [Read more...] about One Born Every Minute (Guest Voice)
Tony Blair’s Memoirs
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Tony Blair’s Memoirs
Faux Change : Blackwater Hijinks
Democrats have been in control of the Pentagon -- and the CIA -- for the better part of two years. So why are we still giving Blackwater contracts -- contracts that may have been funneled through as many as 30 "shell" companies, according to the New York Times? The C.I.A.’s continuing relationship with the company, which recently was awarded a $100 million contract to … [Read more...] about Faux Change : Blackwater Hijinks
The Isolation of a Heterodox Conservative
In light of E.D. Kain's recent jump from conservatism, Conor Friedersdorf responds to my assertion that so few people seem interested in taking up the mantle of reforming conservatism: That isn't quite accurate. In my estimation there are a lot of people who are committed to reforming conservatism, and who've pursued a different path. Reihan Salam and Ross Douthat co-wrote a … [Read more...] about The Isolation of a Heterodox Conservative
Leading By Example on Human Rights
Last month, Gov. Jan Brewer objected to the Obama administration's inclusion of SB1070 in a report to the U.N. that reviewed U.S. compliance with international human rights treaties to which the United States is a party. The Obama administration is not the first to submit such a report -- three such reports were submitted while George W. Bush was president. The mention of the … [Read more...] about Leading By Example on Human Rights
Robert Schimmel Dies
The comedian has died from injuries in a car accident I was not always a fan of his humor, but he did a lot of quiet volunteer work for cancer survivors and I greatly admire that. RIP … [Read more...] about Robert Schimmel Dies
On Labor Day: Some Lie on the Beach: Others In Labor Were Laid Down
Laying down to catch the sun... These children from age infant to 13 years old were killed during a holiday party, which was held during a bitter labor strike by their parents who were copper miners in Michigan. The miners had been on strike for five months to gain more than $3.50 per day wages, lowering of 10 hours a day required work in a crouch, and to gain more … [Read more...] about On Labor Day: Some Lie on the Beach: Others In Labor Were Laid Down
Why Can’t Democrats Be More Like Republicans?
Republicans are united against any liberalizing influences in their party. Why can't Democrats unite against the conservative and regressive tendencies in their party? … [Read more...] about Why Can’t Democrats Be More Like Republicans?
We Have The World’s Finest Universities, Why Then Is America Such A Mess?
Dear Readers: Dr. E., here. This is a tag team article by myself and Shaun Mullen. Below, his article re rubble of higher education I'd preface his good writing by commenting ON MONEY how noticeable it has become: the cost of a university education is out of reach of the average middle class citizen... without encumbering oneself or one's family for many decades after … [Read more...] about We Have The World’s Finest Universities, Why Then Is America Such A Mess?
A Labor Day Speech For The Ages
Following is a text prepared for delivery on Labor Day by Republican American Tea Party U.S. Sen. Forrest Washington Flagg. Good afternoon, my fellow patriots. Thank you for that 21-gun salute. Isn’t that music to our ears? Let’s give a big round of applause to our state militia honor guard. I come to you this last day our nation will honor the proletariat working class … [Read more...] about A Labor Day Speech For The Ages
Blood and Treasure and Blackwater
James Risen and Mark Mazzetti have a piece in the New York Times (posted online yesterday) about Blackwater, the rogue private security contracting company that lost its State Department contract in Iraq after a shooting spree by Blackwater employees that killed 17 unarmed civilians in Baghdad. Risen and Mazzetti report that in the years after that incident, which occurred in … [Read more...] about Blood and Treasure and Blackwater
Jan Brewer: No More Debates As She Already Avoids Reporters
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, the Republican Tea Party favorite who froze up during an opening debate statement and gave what many consider the worst opening debate statement ever, has now announced that she has no intention of participating in future debates. That in itself would not be unusual in politics -- except for two things: 1. Other politicians throughout political … [Read more...] about Jan Brewer: No More Debates As She Already Avoids Reporters
The Economy – Too Broken To Fix
In 1982 the economy was hurting and Ronald Reagan's approval ratings were even lower than Obama's in 2010. The economy got better on it's own and so did Reagan's approval but not before the Republicans took a drubbing in the midterms. In 1994 the economy was also hurting and Clinton's approval ratings were also lower than Obama's now. The economy once again righted itself, … [Read more...] about The Economy – Too Broken To Fix
The Journalistic Perils of “Exclusive Access”
What happens when the government gives one broadcast network or news organization "exclusive access" to cover a major news event? Inevitably, the news event gets spun the way the government wants it to be spun. The flip side is that other news organizations, not so dubiously "blessed," are free to report honestly and truthfully. This is essentially what happened with the "U.S. … [Read more...] about The Journalistic Perils of “Exclusive Access”
Palin Continues To Damage Women While Others Spend Time, Money To Help Them
In a week that saw the launch of a funded, organized, coordinated effort to help us get at the roots of sexism (check out Name It. Change It), we also get Sarah Palin demonstrating the carelessness with which she's accused many others in using sexist rhetoric. From CNN Politicalticker: "Those who are impotent and limp and gutless and they go on their anonymous - sources that … [Read more...] about Palin Continues To Damage Women While Others Spend Time, Money To Help Them
A Message from God
Please remind Stephen Hawking and Glenn Beck that they owe me a royalty check. All the best, God … [Read more...] about A Message from God
Why is the Idea of a Universe Without a God So Unsettling?
This seems to be the topic du jour at TMV today so allow me to throw in my two bits. Stephen Hawking was known as something of a mischievous youth, which makes me think his latest proncunciamento on the universe was deliberately calculated to raise the ire of believers of all stripes: God did not create the universe, world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking argues in a … [Read more...] about Why is the Idea of a Universe Without a God So Unsettling?
Supreme Court – Not What You Think: Part V, New Deal Power Struggles
The Supreme Court in 1930 was not far different than the Court today. The Four Horsemen (Sutherland, Butler, McReynolds, and Van Devanter) constituted a staunchly conservative wing. Holmes, Brandeis and Stone constituted a more progressive wing, at least on social issues. New Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes and Justice Owen Roberts were swing votes. The Court was, … [Read more...] about Supreme Court – Not What You Think: Part V, New Deal Power Struggles
America’s Next Bank Bailout?
It's small potatoes by American financial rip-off standards. But the run now going on at the Kabul Bank in Afghanistan might soon lead to yet another U.S. government bailout, a new bit of fiscal idiocy to add to our country's other manic policies in the nasty pissant backwater in which we are currently drowning. The facts here are simple enough. As part of our policy-makers' … [Read more...] about America’s Next Bank Bailout?