Did the Midwest primaries reveal that the tea party ain't what it was cracked up to supposed to be at the ballot box? Was it a good night for the Tea Party Movement or were there rumblings of distaste from voters that they don't entirely like the highly-touted strong political brew? On a day when conservative talk radio and blogs are trumpeting a vote in Missouri that is bad … [Read more...] about Did Republican Primary Results Show Tea Weakness Due to Moderate Candidates’ Victories?
How To Demagogue An Issue
Last Wednesday, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) announced that he was considering offering a Constitutional Amendment to end birthright citizenship. Since then Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and John McCain (R-AZ) have said that they believe hearings should be held on the subject. Well, fine. If you believe that birthright citizenship is a … [Read more...] about How To Demagogue An Issue
War of Words
That Katie Couric couldn’t pronounce Wasilla while preparing for an August 29, 2008 broadcast as seen in this "raw" "leaked" video is EXPLOSIVE breaking news over at Conservatives 4 Palin. And Couric's question, during a read-through of Sarah Pallin's kids names -- Track and Trig, “where the hell do they get these [names]?...” -- is proof of a "disdainful and contemptuous" … [Read more...] about War of Words
Weiner Explains His 9/11 Republican Outrage
Anthony Weiner, the bantam rooster Democratic House representative of Queens and Brooklyn on Wednesday explained his tirade that won him top billing on YouTube last week. Weiner’s portrayal of Jimmy Stewart playing “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” he thinks got lost in the translation to the American public by the right-leaning elements of our media. In an op-ed article … [Read more...] about Weiner Explains His 9/11 Republican Outrage
Fox and Sherrod
Charlie Crist, the Center, RINOS and Republican Conservatives
The political battle for Florida's Senate seat rages on but in recent weeks there has been a surprise twist: Governor Charlie Crist, who months ago experienced conservatives and tea party members dancing on what looked like his political grave as his poll numbers hit tanked and he announced a run as an independent, is steadily leading in polls. It's the saga of Charlie … [Read more...] about Charlie Crist, the Center, RINOS and Republican Conservatives
“War Lost In Afghanistan”: Says Pakistan President Asif Zardari
Close on the heels of the WikiLeaks comes yet another shock for the US Administration. This time from America's so-called "closest ally in its war against terror" in Afghanistan. In an interview to France-based daily newspaper Le Monde, President Asif Zardari of Pakistan had said, "the international community, of which Pakistan is a part, is losing the war against the Taliban … [Read more...] about “War Lost In Afghanistan”: Says Pakistan President Asif Zardari
Anywhere But Here (Guest Voice)
Anywhere But Here by Michael Reagan Plans to build a mosque and Islamic center just 200 meters from the former site of the World Trade Center where 3,000 people died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks are not merely inappropriate, they are an outrage. This isn’t about some sort of reconciliation between Muslims and their New York neighbors, it’s the equivalent of … [Read more...] about Anywhere But Here (Guest Voice)
Shame on ADL for opposing Mosque 2 blocks from Ground Zero (Guest Voice)
Shame on ADL for opposing Mosque 2 blocks from Ground Zero by Rabbi Michael Lerner The ADL (Anti-Defamation League) publicly opposes the construction two blocks from Ground Zero of the Cordoba House (also known as Park 51), which the planners imagine as hosting a range of activities similar to those offered at the 92nd Street Y, and including a Mosque at which Muslims … [Read more...] about Shame on ADL for opposing Mosque 2 blocks from Ground Zero (Guest Voice)
Watch Out for the Crazies
You aren't one of THEM are you? Ok, good. Because we don't like those people. … [Read more...] about Watch Out for the Crazies
A Tale of Two Flags
In August 1990, Congress passed a law recognizing a flag that had been adopted by the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia---the “POW/MIA Flag,”---and designated it "as a symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Flags
They Are Coming To Get You
As an atheist I think all organized religions are dangerous nonsense. But some things are more dangerous than others and one of those things is the bru ha ha over the Islamic Community center near ground zero in New York. Thanks to FOX - the black/brown people are coming to get you network - uninformed white people see all Muslims as evil. An unlikely source, … [Read more...] about They Are Coming To Get You
There’s A Reason Behind Reading’s Hall Of Shame
The mayor of Reading (RED-ing), Pennsylvania, (pop. 80,560 and falling) has issued a proclamation to slum landlords to clean up their property or be subject to a public flogging on his website Hall of Shame. At least 42 photographed properties, addresses and owners were listed Tuesday, most in the old sections of the town established in 1748. Mayor Tom McMahon’s efforts … [Read more...] about There’s A Reason Behind Reading’s Hall Of Shame
On Politics and Corruption
At TEDxBoston, Larry Lessig documents how money has corrupted the political process and proposes a radical solution. Definitely worth a listen. … [Read more...] about On Politics and Corruption
An Immigrant’s View of Our ‘Immigration Problem’
A major U.S. newspaper has asked immigrant readers to relate their immigration stories and experiences and, in particular, how they have been affected by illegal immigration---in 250 words or fewer. As one of those immigrants---with a story to tell---I have responded. Cross posted from The Huffington Post … [Read more...] about An Immigrant’s View of Our ‘Immigration Problem’
Zero Tolerance for Bigotry
Today's 9-0 vote by New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission against granting historic landmark status to the building near Ground Zero where a Muslim group wants to build an Islamic cultural and community center is a victory for the First Amendment and a rejection of religious bigotry: … [Read more...] about Zero Tolerance for Bigotry
The Real Story May Be In Its Placement On The Page
Sometimes the real story, the real message, in a news story or column is not in the piece itself. It is in its placement vis-a-vis other pieces on the same page. An excellent example of this appeared on the New York Times web site today. Right up top this morning, next to a Bob Herbert column headed "The Lunatics' Manual," was an op ed from Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner … [Read more...] about The Real Story May Be In Its Placement On The Page
9/11 First Responders Aid Bill
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about 9/11 First Responders Aid Bill
Palin Cozies Up to Using Sexist Rhetoric Against Politicians
Really not sure what a Mama Grizzly would say about this. Maybe Mama Grizzlies have potty mouths? But to me, it's about gender neutral punches. Gender. Neutral. If we don't lead and show how it's done, we can never be heard to expect that others stop it too. Why? Here's a collage of how bad it was against Sarah Palin herself: Watch this video - again and again - and … [Read more...] about Palin Cozies Up to Using Sexist Rhetoric Against Politicians
Changes
My colleagues have been informed and I’m now compelled to share the following news with the handful of readers who might care. In short, a series of existing and new commitments have prompted me to recognize that there's a limit to the multitasking I can manage. As a result, I am resigning from my volunteer role as TMV Managing Editor and taking a sabbatical from blogging, of … [Read more...] about Changes