Updates :: Dec 10, 2012 - Fox News Reignites Islamophobic Campaign Against The ‘Ground Zero Mosque’ :: Aug 1, 2011 - Developers of Islamic Center Try a New Strategy :: Aug 13, 2010 - The great “Ground Zero mosque” hoax Monday, I spent some time with Google. I wanted to see the neighborhood where the Islamic community center that Sarah Palin called “an intolerable … [Read more...] about Rebutting Sarah Palin: Some Facts Around The Trumped Up Mosque Controversy
Politicians Continue To Pander, But Now It’s Democrats
Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has joined forces with the voices of hyperbole -- Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani -- in demonizing a community center in New York City. Yes, Reid is singing in the Republican chorus, mouthing the words of "Strip Clubs and Bars As Hallowed Ground" and "It's An Election Year, Stupid." Reid, of course is "locked in a tight … [Read more...] about Politicians Continue To Pander, But Now It’s Democrats
A Heaping Helping of Common Sense and Sanity
Which, believe me, I expect exactly no one who is not already possessed of these qualities with regard to Cordoba House to gain as a result of this post. I put it up here only because I think it's important to be on the right side of this issue as publicly as possible as well as to pointedly distinguish myself from those who are not. … [Read more...] about A Heaping Helping of Common Sense and Sanity
Americans—Are We Less Tolerant?
I just read an excellent article by TMV colleague, Kathy Gill, titled “Burning The Qur’an, Literally and Figuratively.” The article made me reflect quite a bit on the disturbing increase in anti-Muslim, anti-Islam sentiments and rhetoric in our country, but it also reminded me of a very innocent act of 30 years ago. An act that---along with other “Saudi memories”---seems to … [Read more...] about Americans—Are We Less Tolerant?
TMV’s College for Readers
If Glenn Beck can have a college, why not TMV? Here's an educational lesson for starters. Be sure to take notes: In case you wonder, those songs are from the classic Howdy Doody Show, with Bob Smith doing the voice of himself and Howdy: … [Read more...] about TMV’s College for Readers
Why Miles Per Gallon Is An Awful Measure (Also, Hybrids Are Overrated)
Logan's recent post reminded me to highlight why MPG is a terrible measure that is severely distorting consumer and regulatory behavior. If you had to guess, which do you think saves more gas: going from 20 MPG to 30 MPG, or 30 MPG to 45 MPG? Well the latter is an increase of 15 MPG so you might be tempted to choose that, but they are both 50% increases, so maybe they are … [Read more...] about Why Miles Per Gallon Is An Awful Measure (Also, Hybrids Are Overrated)
REPORT (NOW DENIED): Muslim Leaders Will Abandon Ground Zero Mosque Plans (UPDATED
We just put up a report that so far seems to be untrue. The Ground Zero Mosque is apparently going forward. Here's our original lead, what we had and the updated material on the bottom: The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that Muslim leaders will soon announce plans to abandon building a mosque two blocks away from Ground Zero - a plan that has been inaccurately described … [Read more...] about REPORT (NOW DENIED): Muslim Leaders Will Abandon Ground Zero Mosque Plans (UPDATED
Ground Zero
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Ground Zero
Pandering Over a Mosque (Guest Voice)
Pandering Over a Mosque by Eugene Robinson WASHINGTON -- Lies, distortions, jingoism, xenophobia -- another day, another campaign issue that Republicans can use to bash President Obama and the Democrats. First it was illegal immigration. Now it's the so-called "Ground Zero mosque," which is not at all what its opponents claim. First, it's not at Ground … [Read more...] about Pandering Over a Mosque (Guest Voice)
Same Sex Marriages On Hold Until At Least 2011
A three judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court Of Appeals has put a stay on same sex marriages in California, reversing a ruling by Judge Walker that said they could proceed while the case was appealed. This means no marriages until the courts review the decision, though the panel also set the case for an expedited review, setting a hearing for December 6th to determine if … [Read more...] about Same Sex Marriages On Hold Until At Least 2011
Columnist James J. Kilpatrick Has Died
The New York Times: James J. Kilpatrick, a prominent conservative voice for half a century as a newspaper editor and columnist, author and television personality, died Sunday in Washington. He was 89. MORE … [Read more...] about Columnist James J. Kilpatrick Has Died
US Plans $60 Billion Arms Sale To Saudi Arabia
Further cementing our role as the world's largest arms dealer, the Pentagon and State Department are planning a $60 billion multi-year arms sale to Saudi Arabia. To put the size of this contract in perspective, from 2001-2008, total U.S. arms sales were $155 billion (2008 dollars); this contract exceeds annual sales every year from 2001-2008. Sales this year are estimated … [Read more...] about US Plans $60 Billion Arms Sale To Saudi Arabia
Pakistan Must Reject India Flood Aid, Meant Only to Impress U.S.: The Nation, Pakistan
We in the United States often underestimate that gulf of mistrust and suspicion that separates India from Pakistan. In the midst of the worst flooding in it's history, with a fifth of this densely populated country under water and upwards of 14 million people affected, this editorial from Pakistan's The Nation calls on the government to reject emergency aid offered by … [Read more...] about Pakistan Must Reject India Flood Aid, Meant Only to Impress U.S.: The Nation, Pakistan
Quote of the Day: Where is the GOP Heading With Mosque Issue?
Our political Quote of the Day comes from former Bush strategist Mark McKinnon for made these comments on MSNBC's Morning Joe about the use by Republicans of the controversy surrounding the building of a mosque two blocks from Ground Zero and Barack Obama's comments supporting the building, Via Think Progress: McKINNON: Usually Republicans are forthright in defending the … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Where is the GOP Heading With Mosque Issue?
Teachers Union Threatens Boycott Against Struggling LA Times
Nothing catches the attention of the media faster than a speeding bullet as the word “boycott.” And, when the president of the Los Angeles teachers union representing 40,000 teachers threatens such action again a circulation-diminishing major newspaper like the Los Angeles Times, it could get interesting. The Times has been crusading for years against poor and shoddy … [Read more...] about Teachers Union Threatens Boycott Against Struggling LA Times
Sarah Palin: Future Political Force or Facebook Flash in the Pan?
A poll finds Sarah Palin's poll numbers among Republicans is dropping -- and a reason may be the likely entry of Newt Gingrich. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin: Future Political Force or Facebook Flash in the Pan?
U.S. Combat Troops Leave Iraq: ‘What Difference Did America Really Make’?
Yesterday, on “a lazy Sunday afternoon,” I posted a humorous article about “An airline that does not take itself too seriously.” But today is Monday morning, just two weeks before all U.S. combat troops are scheduled to leave Iraq, and there are plenty of things to be taken very seriously. Perhaps foremost among those serious issues is the war in Iraq and, more … [Read more...] about U.S. Combat Troops Leave Iraq: ‘What Difference Did America Really Make’?
Pay Up, Birther
In October of 2009 Orly Taitz, lawyer, dentist and would be elected official, was fined $20,000 by a federal district judge for filing frivolous litigation. Taitz had filed a federal action on behalf of an Army captain seeking to avoid deployment to Iraq based on a claim that President Obama was not born in the United States and therefore was not legitimately the Commander in … [Read more...] about Pay Up, Birther
Obama’s Mosque Statements: Profile in Courage or Political Debacle Bungle?
Has President Barack Obama essentially stepped in it due to his statements supporting the controversial building of a mosque two blocks away from ground zero -- then seeming to qualify his initial statements one day later? On Friday night Obama seemed to threw his support behind the right of Muslims to build the mosque in the site they selected. This was surprising to many … [Read more...] about Obama’s Mosque Statements: Profile in Courage or Political Debacle Bungle?
Word Quiz 2010
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