President Barack Obama has thrown his support behind the controversial plan to build a mosque two blocks away from "Ground Zero" in New York City. Here's the video of his remarks so you can judge for yourself before the inevitable politicking on his remarks begins. These are his complete remarks, so you can judge them in a better context then just a short snippet or one … [Read more...] about Obama Throws Support to Mosque Near Ground Zero
Hankster: Friday the 13th, Inception of a Chosen Nightmare
Welcome to Hankster Summer Early Friday -- only 4 more of these left! Even the temperature is dropping -- a little... Here's what I was thinking about this afternoon: I take a class at the East Side Institute taught by Dr. Fred Newman called Developmental Philosophy Group. Like most of the work that Newman does, it's ongoing to the extent that people want to do it or … [Read more...] about Hankster: Friday the 13th, Inception of a Chosen Nightmare
How BP Wasted A Month From Gulf Bottom Kill
If you have been following the engineering screw-ups as I have in BP’s efforts to seal the oil blowout permanently, the latest development this Friday the 13th is … is … one gigantic “HUH?” Incident commander retired Adm. Thad Allen announced the BP team will proceed to permanently kill the top capped blowout with the first relief well just feet away about 18,000 below the … [Read more...] about How BP Wasted A Month From Gulf Bottom Kill
Desecration
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Desecration
Mexican President Opens Door to Drug Legalization Debate: La Cronica de Hoy, Mexico
Last week, Mexican President Felipe Calderon for the first time said a debate over legalizing drugs should be permitted to go forward. Later that day, after meeting with U.S. lawmakers, leading Mexican lawmakers called for legalizing marijuana in both Mexico and the United States - and the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee in Mexico's Chamber of Deputies called for … [Read more...] about Mexican President Opens Door to Drug Legalization Debate: La Cronica de Hoy, Mexico
“Terror Babies”: Demonization of Illegal Immigrants Jumps a School of Whales
Do we need yet more proof that some politicians will say anything -- LITERALLY -- anything to try and demonize a group or person to try to get votes for their side? To some these days, politics is no more than The Fear Factor. In this case, just watch this attempt to demonize illegal immigrant children and also justify changes in the 14th amendment. Watch CNN's Anderson … [Read more...] about “Terror Babies”: Demonization of Illegal Immigrants Jumps a School of Whales
With Friends Like These (Guest Voice)
With Friends Like these by Eugene Robinson WASHINGTON -- The Republican Party's candidate for governor of Colorado believes that bicycle paths are "part of a greater strategy to rein in American cities under a United Nations treaty." The party's Senate candidate in Nevada wants to privatize Medicare and Social Security -- and has called for the United States to withdraw … [Read more...] about With Friends Like These (Guest Voice)
When Journalistic Bias and Lack of Objectivity Go Unnoticed and Unquestioned
Given the weeks upon weeks of endless, endless, endless self-righteous outrage and smug, preening, posturing blogospheric concern trolling about JournoList -- Ezra Klein's formerly private, now-defunct mailing list for liberal reporters and writers -- and how shocking it was that the Washington Post had hired Dave Weigel to write a column about conservatives without first … [Read more...] about When Journalistic Bias and Lack of Objectivity Go Unnoticed and Unquestioned
Waters Defends Self, Blames Bush
In perhaps the least shocking move so far, embattled Congresswoman Maxine Waters has blamed (you knew this was coming) former President Bush for her ethics issues. At this point I have not read enough of the specifics to decide whether or not she is guilty of these charges though the Washington Post is defending her, at least somewhat. Being from California I'm quite … [Read more...] about Waters Defends Self, Blames Bush
Dr. Laura Schlessinger Apologizes For Use of N Word
Talk radio is often talk radio in more ways than one: the talk on the talk radio show and the talk -- often controversy -- generated by it. And today's entry is either a career setback or attention booster, in the eyes of some. Or, perhaps, one of those controversies destined to be more of a google link and You Tube than one that will have any impact to their career or the … [Read more...] about Dr. Laura Schlessinger Apologizes For Use of N Word
Ezra Klein’s Case Against Republican Sabotage
I hate Ezra Klein. Check that. I am jealous of Ezra Klein. This guy is too young — 26 — to be so damn smart. Yes, I know he is accused and convicted of being a flaming liberal. I don’t care for the simple reason he can explain better than most others the complexities of congressional legislation. So it was with extreme interest I read his piece Friday in Newsweek wailing … [Read more...] about Ezra Klein’s Case Against Republican Sabotage
Charlie Rangel birthday blast
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There Are Comments, and then There Are ‘Comments’
When you blog, you open yourself up to some pretty intense scrutiny, some sharp criticism, oftentimes some very damning condemnation and, once in a while, to some praise. It comes with the territory and being thin skinned certainly doesn’t help things. But whether thin skinned or thick skinned, I will venture to say that to most bloggers receiving that one nice, … [Read more...] about There Are Comments, and then There Are ‘Comments’
Politico Follows Up TMV’s Bloggers Who Run For Office Storyline
Last November, I wrote about how I went from being a political blogger, to being a political candidate and then an elected official because I won my race. Alan Rosenblatt and I then worked to compile a list of similar cases and found less than two handfuls. A Politico reporter researched and wrote and Politico published, More Bloggers Throwing Hats in the Ring on Wednesday. … [Read more...] about Politico Follows Up TMV’s Bloggers Who Run For Office Storyline
UPDATED: Generic Same Sex Marriage Op-Ed
Volokh's Orin Kerr pens a Generic Op-Ed for Judge Walker’s SSM Decision. He's invited all publications to use it... Just pick the right word you want in parenthesis — conservatives pick the first word, and liberals pick the second. FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION Judge Walker’s decision on same-sex marriage is a reminder of the proper role of judges in our society. Above all … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Generic Same Sex Marriage Op-Ed
Foreclosure Pets
Foreclosure pets are companion animals left behind when their owners leave after losing their homes. I write about it here. … [Read more...] about Foreclosure Pets
Equality Returns To California
Judge Walker has lifted his stay effective Wednesday August 18th. On that date same sex couples can get married under the law. I expect opponents will appeal this ruling to the 9th Circuit (which is why the stay won't be lifted for a week) and it is possible they could impose a stay of their own but I am hopeful they will not do so. … [Read more...] about Equality Returns To California
Rachel Maddow Calls Out Obama’s Lack Of Guts On Don’t Tell Policy
I’m not gay. I did not serve in the military. Therefore, when the discussion focuses on the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy I defer to others more knowledgeable than myself. Rachel Maddow, a proud lesbian who has her own show on MSNBC, may be the most visible proponent of gay rights in our political culture. On her Wednesday night show, she took President Obama to … [Read more...] about Rachel Maddow Calls Out Obama’s Lack Of Guts On Don’t Tell Policy
California Gay Marriage Ban Lifted
Via MSNBC: Judge: Calif. gay marriages can resume Aug. 18 Unclear whether there will be a new challenge by opponents before then … [Read more...] about California Gay Marriage Ban Lifted
Blago jury deadlocked on some counts
Chicago Tribune: Blago jury deadlocked on some counts The jury in Rod Blagojevich's trial has reached verdicts on two counts, is deadlocked on others and hasn't begun discussing 11 wire fraud counts. U.S. District Judge James Zagel instructed jurors to continue working. MORE … [Read more...] about Blago jury deadlocked on some counts