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
Appeals Court: FCC Indecency Policy Has Chilled Protected Speech
You might remember that in 2004 the Republican Congress gave a willing Bush administration FCC the power to fine TV stations for individual indecent "fleeting expletives" -- profanities that get out on the airwaves before they can be bleeped. Fox was fined for Cher dropping the f-bomb during the 2002 Billboard Music Awards, and NBC for Bono doing the same at the 2003 Golden … [Read more...] about Appeals Court: FCC Indecency Policy Has Chilled Protected Speech
Shame On You HuffPo
Although I often disagree with the political views expressed on The Huffington Post that does not mean I do not enjoy reading many of the posts there. It gives me a challenge to my own opinions and often provides me with interesting information. Sometimes they even cause me to change my mind. More importantly, the HP has, for the most part, refrained from the nastier aspects … [Read more...] about Shame On You HuffPo
Dan Riehl, Stephen Green on Tonight’s Rick Moran Show
You won't want to miss tonight's Rick Moran Show, one of the most popular conservative talk shows on Blog Talk Radio. Tonight, I welcome Dan Riehl of Riehl World View and PJTV personality and Vodkapundit Stephen Green for a discussion of some hot topics making news today, including a thorough look at both sides of the Department of Justice actions that have raised questions … [Read more...] about Dan Riehl, Stephen Green on Tonight’s Rick Moran Show
Conservative Memes on Economy Are Wrong
First off: Corporations are not hoarding cash in response to the economy and the Obama administration's economic policies. It's actually part of a long-term trend, as Ezra Klein and Tyler Cowen (both via Matthew Yglesias) make clear. … [Read more...] about Conservative Memes on Economy Are Wrong
My Wake-Up Call To Senate Republicans
I spent the morning researching records of Senate Republicans who have voted in lockstep against extending unemployment benefits to some 2.5 million Americans. Although some temporary watered down version may pass, much of the blame is on the shoulders of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for screwing up the process. Rather, my focus was on the Republicans as to why … [Read more...] about My Wake-Up Call To Senate Republicans
Donkey Gone
This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Donkey Gone
Keeping Up the Heat for Nonpartisan Elections in New York City
I went downtown yesterday after work to a place called "Surrogate's Courthouse" at 31 Chambers Street for a meeting of the NYC Charter Revision Commission that was open to the public but not hearing testimony -- that starts next Monday. The task last night for the Commission was to discuss the newly released preliminary report that was issued by the Commission's staff last … [Read more...] about Keeping Up the Heat for Nonpartisan Elections in New York City
Tabloid Journalism
Over at Memeorandum this morning the top headline is Confidence in Obama reaches new low, Washington Post-ABC News poll finds. But does it really show that? Here at The Moderate Voice Pete Abel says not really.So here’s the crux of the WaPo headline generated by editors looking at the results of a joint poll commissioned by their employer and ABC News: “Confidence … [Read more...] about Tabloid Journalism
The 10 Most Obnoxious Political, Media and Cultural Phrases
Here are the top 10 most obnoxious political, media and cultural phrases: 1. “A defining moment…” A phrase as cringe worthy as chalk scratching a blackboard. So who determines a “defining” – pivotal -- moment? Once upon a time it was a great historian or newspaper pundit. Today the phrase is trotted out by anyone who feels self-important. 2. “Tried to change the subject…” … [Read more...] about The 10 Most Obnoxious Political, Media and Cultural Phrases
Does Apple Have A Toyota-Style Problem?
With Consumer Reports concluding in a report released yesterday that the iPhone 4 antenna problem is a hardware issue, not a software issue as Apple has claimed, Cult of Mac's Leander Kahney is reporting that a recall Is inevitable: “Apple will be forced to do a recall of this product,” said Professor Matthew Seeger, an expert in crisis communication. … [Read more...] about Does Apple Have A Toyota-Style Problem?
Why I Hate Polls and the Reporting of Polls
So here's the crux of the WaPo headline generated by editors looking at the results of a joint poll commissioned by their employer and ABC News: "Confidence in Obama reaches new low." Contributing writers at Chris Cillizza's WaPo blog describe it as "an erosion of confidence" in the President. While I'm no Nate Silver, I'm pretty sure these same editors and writers … [Read more...] about Why I Hate Polls and the Reporting of Polls
New British Government Keeps Ban On Conservative Talk Show Host Michael Savage From the UK
Even with a new government in power in Great Britain, one thing is remaining the same: the new government of David Cameron wants to keep the ban in place on bombastic American talk show host Michael Savage: Right-wing U.S. shock jock Michael Savage is still Britain's least wanted man. That's the word from London, where a new coalition government led by Prime Minister … [Read more...] about New British Government Keeps Ban On Conservative Talk Show Host Michael Savage From the UK