Earlier this month, in the wake of the Prop8 ruling, I learned that the linkage of "marriage" and religious norms is an artifact of the Catholic Church's fight for its life in the 16th century. I had no idea that I would soon be plunged into another politico-religious controversy where understanding history would be essential. If I were a student of former history professor … [Read more...] about A Case For Religious History Classes, Take 2 : Newt Gingrich On “The Mosque”
The War in Iraq: America’s ‘Seven Inglorious Years’ – La Stampa of Italy
Continuing with our coverage of the global reaction to America's departure from Iraq, this article by columnist Lucia Annunziata of Italy's La Stampa warns that 'America's decline' since the war began has brought into question 'the entire notion that the American people have an ethical mission in the world.' For La Stampa, Lucia Annunziata writes in part: "Between the … [Read more...] about The War in Iraq: America’s ‘Seven Inglorious Years’ – La Stampa of Italy
Monsanto’s 2010 lobbying bill: $4.74 million (Jan-June)
The AP article provides no detail other than this: Monsanto spent $2.18 million in the second quarter and $2.56 million in the first quarter. The issues: antitrust and patent law. Monsanto is a global player in the genetically modified foods arena. Just last week, a Monsanto variety banned in Europe was found growing in an Irish-government test plot. According to a press … [Read more...] about Monsanto’s 2010 lobbying bill: $4.74 million (Jan-June)
When You Start Cheering The Other Guy…
Woe is me. What have I become? How did this come to pass? What bizarre, terrifying confluence of circumstances have led me to actually agree with House Republican leader John Boehner? The other day Representative Boehner said that President Obama should immediately get rid of his top two economic policy advisors, Tim Geithner and Larry Summers. And instead of hissing at the … [Read more...] about When You Start Cheering The Other Guy…
Obama Making Everybody Angry (Guest Voice)
Obama Making Everybody Angry by Michael Reagan It’s almost as if President Obama’s agenda includes provoking anger at himself. And it’s not just Republicans he’s provoking. It’s just about anybody who crosses his path, even his party’s deranged left wing. Long-time liberal Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel is a case in point. The veteran Harlem congressman reacted to … [Read more...] about Obama Making Everybody Angry (Guest Voice)
McCain Wins
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Reversal of the Alaska-Arizona Axis
In the scramble to make sense out of this week's primaries, a sidebar shows how far and how fast American politics has gone downhill in two years. To keep the Republican nomination for a Senate seat he has held forever in Arizona, John McCain, who won nearly 60 million votes for president in 2008, had to spend $20 million, move far rightward on issues such as immigration and … [Read more...] about Reversal of the Alaska-Arizona Axis
It Gets Competitive Among MSNBC Talk Show Hosts
One talk show host star reportedly gets upset on the set. … [Read more...] about It Gets Competitive Among MSNBC Talk Show Hosts
A Mehlman Sampler
Is anyone surprised? Marc Ambinder got the get: Mehlman is the most powerful Republican in history to identify as gay. Because his tenure as RNC chairman and his time at the center of the Bush political machine coincided with the Republican Party's attempts to exploit anti-gay prejudices and cement the allegiance of social conservatives, his declaration to the world is at … [Read more...] about A Mehlman Sampler
Nate Silver: Democrats Could Lose the Senate
Nate Silver, a political prognosticator whose analysis of polls and data is considered about as solid as you can find, has more bad news for Democrats: he has concluded that if trends continue the Democrats could lose their majority in the Senate -- during a year when many already believe the Dems will lose control of the House: The Democratic majority is in increasing … [Read more...] about Nate Silver: Democrats Could Lose the Senate
Troy Anthony Davis Loses Challenge
A very sad day for those of us who believe he is an innocent man. AJC: In a 172-page order, U.S. District Judge William T. Moore Jr. said Davis failed to prove his innocence during an extraordinary hearing in June ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court. Davis, on death row for 19 years, now has one final appeal before his death sentence can be carried out. … [Read more...] about Troy Anthony Davis Loses Challenge
‘No Doubt’ India and U.S. are Behind Pakistan Flood Disaster: Pak Tribune, Pakistan
Could it be that India - with American backing and Afghan connivance - has engineered the worst flooding in Pakistan's history? And to what end? Most would call it a conspiracy theory, but columnist Ahmed Quraishi of Pakistan's Pak Tribune is dead serious as he outlines how India, by opening up dams it controls up-river from Pakistan, is intentionally causing flooding that has … [Read more...] about ‘No Doubt’ India and U.S. are Behind Pakistan Flood Disaster: Pak Tribune, Pakistan
The Primary Differences
WASHINGTON -- Republicans are in the midst of an insurrection. Democrats are not. This vast gulf between the situations of the two parties -- not some grand revolt against "the establishment" or "incumbents" -- explains the year's primary results, including Tuesday's jarring outcomes in Florida and Alaska. The agitation among Republicans is not surprising, given the … [Read more...] about The Primary Differences
A Word From Obama Crashes Jerry Brown’s Website
For those of you who hear and believe President Obama’s job approval ratings are tanking, that his personal popularity is ebbing and his cadre of zealot young supporters are disillusioned, that memo hasn’t reached California. On the campaign trail supporting Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, Team Obama sent an email calling for money and support for Democratic candidate for … [Read more...] about A Word From Obama Crashes Jerry Brown’s Website
Chris Matthews Obliterates Rick Lazio on the “Ground Zero Mosque”
I saw this yesterday live and it was like watching a car hurtle off a cliff: Hardball's Chris Matthews -- who conducts some of his on the air interviews like "old school' reporters do, not allowing the subject to state inaccuracies -- obliterates Rick Lazio, who's running for Governor in New York. Watch it for yourself. My reaction? Matthews nails down the distortions Lazio has … [Read more...] about Chris Matthews Obliterates Rick Lazio on the “Ground Zero Mosque”
Corporate Electioneering Is Bribery, Not Free Speech
In a Survey USA poll conducted between August 3 and August 5, 77% of respondents agree with the statement “corporate election spending is an attempt to bribe politicians,” while only 19% believe that “corporate election spending is a form of free speech, so there should be no limit on how much corporations can spend to influence elections.” That number includes 70% of … [Read more...] about Corporate Electioneering Is Bribery, Not Free Speech
I Thank G-d for Giving Me Polio
Hello there, Dr. E. here. We no longer call people 'crip' unless a person nicknamed themselves that... we no longer call people 'that poor crippled person' ... and until we find a better phrase, we say people who need accommodations to have full access to life, 'people with special needs.' I'm one of the Commissioners for the first Special Needs District of Boy Scouts of … [Read more...] about I Thank G-d for Giving Me Polio
Marines Refuse To Attend Honors Funeral Of Convicted Murderer
In 1981 Raymond R. Sawyer strangled his second wife, Francis Sawyer, to death in cold blood in the couple’s home. It took police 26 years to solve the case. In 2007, Sawyer, while being interviewed at his home in Arvada, Colorado, gave information only the killer could have known. He was arrested and charged with first degree murder. In 2008 as part of a plea deal, the … [Read more...] about Marines Refuse To Attend Honors Funeral Of Convicted Murderer
Treading Water in Sri Lanka
Guest post by Peter Henne Peter S. Henne is a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project and a doctoral candidate at Georgetown University. He is a frequent contributor to TMV. Last week, a commission began investigating the final phase of a horrendous decades-long civil war. This war, which ended last year, caused tens of thousands of deaths, prompted … [Read more...] about Treading Water in Sri Lanka
Talk Radio Fueled Rage
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Talk Radio Fueled Rage