Our political Quote of the Day comes from Eric Boehart of Media Matters, writing on the Huffington Post. He asks when Fox News' and talk show host Rush Limbaugh become a news story? Here's the key chunk of his post: Fox News (aka the Opposition Party) openly and proudly engages in jaw-dropping episodes of demagogic race-bating, as they depict the president of the United … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: When Does What Some Consider to be Fox News “Race Baiting” Become a Story?
GOP Group Supports Repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
A Republican group is challenging the constitutionality of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law in a federal court in California this week. The Washington Post’s Ed O’ Keefe interviewed the group’s executive director. One of the questions was why the group has fought for six years to end “don’t ask, don’t tell.” The director answered: It's to directly challenge the … [Read more...] about GOP Group Supports Repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
The Only Group in History to Request to be Taxed More (Guest Voice)
The Only Group in History to Request to be Taxed More by Tina Dupuy Americans hate taxes. It’s not a right or left issue. It’s not a Democratic or Republican issue. It’s not an old or young issue. It’s strangely not even a rich or poor issue. It’s an American issue. It’s our biggest peeve. We all agree on some level: Our country is great, but we feel very cranky about … [Read more...] about The Only Group in History to Request to be Taxed More (Guest Voice)
Argentina Becomes First Latin American Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
After a 14 hour debate, the Senate voted in favor: The law, which also allows same-sex couples to adopt, had met with fierce opposition from the Catholic Church and other religious groups. The legislation, backed by President Cristina Fernandez's centre-left government, passed by 33 votes to 27 with three abstentions. David Mixner credits Argentine President Cristina … [Read more...] about Argentina Becomes First Latin American Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Inside The Minds of Suicide Bombers: Ariel Merari’s Latest Book
Ariel Merari, a retired professor of psychology at Tel Aviv University in Israel, adds yet another interesting dimension to the plethora of research work that exists to study the minds of suicide bombers. Professor Merari says in his latest book that among the suicide bombers he interviewed "none were any more militant than the average Palestinian. For many, the suicide mission … [Read more...] about Inside The Minds of Suicide Bombers: Ariel Merari’s Latest Book
The NAACP and the Tea Party’s Flag-Burners
WASHINGTON -- Good for the NAACP. We need an honest conversation about the role of race and racism in the Tea Party. Thanks to a resolution passed this week at the venerable organization's national convention, we'll get it. The minute you say there are racist elements in the Tea Party -- reflected in signs at rallies, billboards, and speeches from some of its major … [Read more...] about The NAACP and the Tea Party’s Flag-Burners
The Megyn Kelly Entertainment Spectacular
Dave Weigel has a fascinating post over at The Daily Dish about the Megyn Kelly-Kirsten Powers dust-up over allegations of voter intimidation by members of the New Black Panther Party during the 2008 presidential elections, and supposed attempts by the Obama administration to lighten the case against the Panthers. (In fact, as Adam Serwer documented here, the case was … [Read more...] about The Megyn Kelly Entertainment Spectacular
RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE? – ARE YOU KIDDING?
TMV writer and co-contributor Zill Miller Zimon recently challenged TMV bloggers and other individuals full of ideas to run for political office. I nearly died laughing at the suggestion. I could not envision most individuals who have ever written and published something thoughtful running for public office. The United States and its 50 State governments are no longer … [Read more...] about RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE? – ARE YOU KIDDING?
Crunching the Numbers
I'm not familiar with this guy or his work, but for what it's worth: … [Read more...] about Crunching the Numbers
Taxes Ain’t Fungible
Whenever I hear a candidate or aspiring candidate giving fourth with some version of the old "Read my lips, no new taxes," I have two very different reactions. One is that this is probably prudent electioneering at a time when most Americans take a dim view of paying more to governments when they are so hard-pressed themselves. The other reaction is that if this office holder … [Read more...] about Taxes Ain’t Fungible
Quote of the Day: On the “Tragedy” of John McCain
One of my favorite books on my favorite classic TV comedian Jackie Gleason had a bittersweet ending. It portrayed a Gleason who was seemingly unhappy in many ways in his final years, surprisingly angry and moody after having achieved a show business celebrity status and brand name few had achieved. In a way it was a tragedy...and our Quote of the Day comes via Dick Polman … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On the “Tragedy” of John McCain
Roman Polanski
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Roman Polanski
On the Foul Line with the Chamber of Commerce (Guest Voice)
On the Foul Line with the Chamber of Commerce by Michael Winship I may be one of the only Manhattan residents not disappointed with LeBron James’ televised announcement that, “This fall, I’m going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.” You see, when the basketball superstar was contemplating signing with the New York Knicks … [Read more...] about On the Foul Line with the Chamber of Commerce (Guest Voice)
Is It Time For Republicans to do Some Soul searching on Afghanistan War?
Amid the mini-firestorm over RNC Chairman Michael Steele calling Afghanistan Obama's war, RealClearWorld's Greg Scoblete says it's time for Republicans to soul-search on Afghanistan and be realistic: The Bush administration's decision to commit to political institution building in the country has enabled a monumental theft of American taxpayer dollars that is egregious … [Read more...] about Is It Time For Republicans to do Some Soul searching on Afghanistan War?
Case Study in How to Dig a Deeper Hole
By now, I'm assuming most of you have probably read, seen, or heard reports that the NAACP "has passed a resolution condemning racism in the Tea Party movement." On the Tea Party side, the denials and denunciations swiftly followed, including from St. Louis of all places: In response, the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition passed a resolution of its own, calling the NAACP … [Read more...] about Case Study in How to Dig a Deeper Hole
Meet Crocodile Dumb-Dee
Exactly how..ahem...intelligence challenged..can people be? How imprinted can they be by images they've grown up seeing on TV or in the movies so that the image trumps potential cruel realities? And how can some drinks REALLY alter one's perceptions of reality? And do you need further proof that not all dummies are made out of wood? For some clues to the answers I introduce … [Read more...] about Meet Crocodile Dumb-Dee
Just When You Thought the Culture Wars Were Over
Just when you thought the economy and deficits were going to be more prominent in the mid-terms than social and religious issues, you read something like this: ... that's one of the things that's most destructive about the growth of government is this taking away that freedom, the freedom, the ultimate freedom, to find your salvation, to get your salvation, and to find … [Read more...] about Just When You Thought the Culture Wars Were Over
Bush’s Unfunded Tax Cuts Did Not Increase the Deficit
You can always tell when a new political narrative is being created, because it suddenly starts to pop up everywhere. When Jon Kyl told Chris Wallace that spending has to be paid for but tax cuts do not, he caused a momentary flutter in conservative circles. But that didn't last long. This morning, lo and behold! What do we see in the Wall Street Journal? An op-ed by Brian … [Read more...] about Bush’s Unfunded Tax Cuts Did Not Increase the Deficit
Sharron Angle Says Bob Bennett “Outlived His Usefulness”
It's ironic that Nevada's ill-fated GOP Senatorial nomination hopeful Sue Lowden was lampooned (including by me) for being the "chicken lady" when it's turning out that the truly fowl foul candidate is the GOPer who got the nomination: none other than Sharron Angle, a Tea Party member totally enmeshed in the country's demonizing, polarizing talk show political culture where … [Read more...] about Sharron Angle Says Bob Bennett “Outlived His Usefulness”
Wake Up Iraqis!: The Americans Never Intend to Withdraw! – Iraq News Agency, Iraq
Frustration with democracy is growing in Iraq, where four months after nationwide elections, a new government has yet to be formed. According to this article by columnist Abd Al Aziz Al Maqaleh of the Iraq News Agency, the delay, and Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki's clinging to power, prove that U.S. plans for a 'democratic Iraq' were bogus from the start, as are its claims that … [Read more...] about Wake Up Iraqis!: The Americans Never Intend to Withdraw! – Iraq News Agency, Iraq