China produces 97% of the global supply of rare earth metals, elements that are used in nearly every electronics component and many other advanced technologies. There has been whispering for a couple of years that they would be cutting exports on most rare earths starting this year and all rare earths by 2012 due to their domestic manufacturing demand. This will leave Taiwan, … [Read more...] about Many Manufacturing Industries In Big Trouble As China Cuts Rare Earth Exports
Nightmare Knockoffs of King’s Dream
What would he have made of these separate-but-equal travesties of his historic moment? Martin Luther King told a crowd at the Lincoln Memorial 47 years ago that "many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to … [Read more...] about Nightmare Knockoffs of King’s Dream
Mosque Construction Site in Tennessee Damaged by Arson
This is now the subject of a Federal investigation: … [Read more...] about Mosque Construction Site in Tennessee Damaged by Arson
A Grassroots Movement Built by a Bunch of Billionaires Out to Destroy Progressivism
The Koch (pronounced COKE) brothers, David and Charles who head up Koch Industries, are much in the news these days. Following up on a 10,000 word Jane Mayer essay in The New Yorker last week, Frank Rich calls them "the sugar daddies who are bankrolling" the Tea Party. From his column today: Koch Industries began with oil in the 1930s and now also spews an array of industrial … [Read more...] about A Grassroots Movement Built by a Bunch of Billionaires Out to Destroy Progressivism
The Unemployed: “On Your Own” (Guest Voice)
On Your Own by David Goodloe "You used to laugh about Everybody that was hangin' out Now you don't talk so loud Now you don't seem so proud About having to be scrounging For your next meal. "How does it feel How does it feel To be without a home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone?" Bob Dylan Like a Rolling Stone In less than a year, Bob Dylan … [Read more...] about The Unemployed: “On Your Own” (Guest Voice)
Bloody Mexico
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Bloody Mexico
The Commerce Clause: Does It Mean What You “Think” It Means?
Reason.tv recently produced a video concerning the oft invoked but seldom understood Commerce Clause: Reason Magazine Contributor Austin Bragg writes:The Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to "regulate commerce . . . among the several States," and for more than 100 years federal lawmakers invoked it for a very narrow purpose—to prevent … [Read more...] about The Commerce Clause: Does It Mean What You “Think” It Means?
Co-opting King’s Dream, Because They Lack One of Their Own
Here is the ultimate disrespect and insensitivity: standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the same day that Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his "I Have a Dream" speech 47 years ago, pretending that a political movement that hates and mistrusts government, that thinks of civil rights as "special rights," that attacks the first black President of the United States in … [Read more...] about Co-opting King’s Dream, Because They Lack One of Their Own
Wall Street Is An Unforgiving Master
'Money talks and nobody walks' is an observation that applies to a great many situations. But it doesn't quite catch the reality of the Wall Street, Washington Beltway relationship. Here, it's not a matter of talking and walking. It's more a case of bawling and crawling. For most of the last century the Republican Party was the universally recognized political mouthpiece of … [Read more...] about Wall Street Is An Unforgiving Master
Houston, We (Still) Have A (Engineering) Problem
Something rotten is going on, not in Denmark, but 5,000 at to 8,000 feet under the ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico. I know. I know. Most people think the BP blowout well is capped but the fact is it is not, at least permanently. The capping at the wellhead 5,000 feet below the old Deepwater Horizons platform is a fragile prayer holding on for dear life. The latest round … [Read more...] about Houston, We (Still) Have A (Engineering) Problem
Glenn Beck And His Messianic Rally
Glenn Beck has found religion and don’t you forget it. On this Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010, he hammered it home as a messiah from heaven. As I watch live on C-Span his rally “Restoring Honor” to our troops and our country, I honestly am conflicted with mixed emotions. Is this guy a carnival pitchman, rodeo clown, demagogue dressed in a collared polo shirt or Moses … [Read more...] about Glenn Beck And His Messianic Rally
The Tea Party as Inheritors of Dr. King’s Legacy?
To those predisposed because of ideological animus to dismiss the notion of the tea party movement being the true inheritors of Martin Luther King's dream, you might as well click away now. But if you want to engage on this issue in a reasonable manner, discussing the pros and cons rationally, you are invited to read on and ponder both the irony and the efficacy of these claims … [Read more...] about The Tea Party as Inheritors of Dr. King’s Legacy?
Live Video: Glenn Beck’s Washington Rally
Since Glenn Beck's Washington rally will be the subject of tons of posts on TMV and other weblogs and websites, here is a live video embed of the rally so you can watch it yourself and reach your own conclusions, favorable or otherwise. Feel free to leave your comments in District TMV or under other related posts here on TMV: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and … [Read more...] about Live Video: Glenn Beck’s Washington Rally
Quote of the Day: Glenn Beck’s Rally “I Have a Nightmare”?
Our Quote of the Day comes from Daily Beast and CNN centrist analyst John Avlon, from a column that ran yesterday. It sets the scene for conservative talk show host Glenn Beck's big rally today in Washington D.C. It's worth quoting and considering in detail here since it touches on some of the broader issues and places the rally in context. Some excerpts: But the ambition … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Glenn Beck’s Rally “I Have a Nightmare”?
Sign of the Future? University of Colorado Considers Closing Traditional Journalism School
In what may be a sign of things to come, the University of Colorado is considering closing its traditional journalism school and adjusting media studies and journalism to a new ear-- and the announcement some will consider spinspeak about how exciting future educational offerings to those interested in journalism will be under a new program with a new title. Some will … [Read more...] about Sign of the Future? University of Colorado Considers Closing Traditional Journalism School
Our Latest Fallen Heroes in Afghanistan
The last time I interrupted your week (or weekend) to share with you the sad statistics on the mounting number of U.S. military casualties in Afghanistan was exactly two months ago. In “The Faces behind the Drip-Drip of U.S. Casualties in Afghanistan,” I tried to point out how: [I]n the national news media, the names and the numbers of our fallen heroes are often … [Read more...] about Our Latest Fallen Heroes in Afghanistan
A Thought From Get Equal
Get Equal is a group that has a Facebook page and supports Same Sex Marriage Rights. They had an interesting post today PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE -Dick Cheney -Ted Olson -Laura Bush and Cindy McCain -Glenn Beck -Ken Mehlman PEOPLE WHO OPPOSE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE -President Obama … [Read more...] about A Thought From Get Equal
The Perils of Wealth and Glamour
Nicole John was the 17-year-old daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Thailand. She died this morning after falling from the 25th floor of a Manhattan high-rise, apparently because she climbed up on the ledge of a balcony at a very late-night party to take a photograph (a camera was found next to her body), and was too drunk to remember that when you do that you are liable to lose … [Read more...] about The Perils of Wealth and Glamour
Bogart, Sinatra and What’s His Name
Approaching 86 next month, Lauren Bacall is making news again, telling all about her life in an updated memoir and doing interviews to promote it. Well, not quite all. In an hour on TCM, there is, of course, the story of her classic coupling with Humphrey Bogart and even a few words about an affair after Bogart's death with Frank Sinatra. But not a word about Jason … [Read more...] about Bogart, Sinatra and What’s His Name
Here’s a Candidate With Class
Low class. … [Read more...] about Here’s a Candidate With Class