I found Obama's Oval Office speech last night adequate but not nearly enough -- adequate in the sense that it got the message across to a broad audience that the president will be tough on BP and will pursue some sort of energy agenda, much needed in these troubling times, not nearly enough in the sense that it didn't contain nearly enough of a commitment from the president … [Read more...] about Reflections on Obama’s Oval Office Speech on Energy and the Gulf Oil Spill
Hey Suckers! I Have A Political Poll Just For You
Has it occurred to anyone but me that political polling in America no longer can be considered a cottage industry and that these vultures can crunch the numbers and phrase the questions to produce answers their clients desire. I mean politicians can't go to the bathroom without taking a poll. I exaggerate, of course. But it is getting close to that. As a student of … [Read more...] about Hey Suckers! I Have A Political Poll Just For You
Want A Good Sex Life? Watch Your Weight Says French Study
Leave it to the French to spend taxpayer money studying the sex lives of people based on body mass index (BMI). Results of the study, paid for by several French government agencies, were released today by an online subgroup of the British Medical Journal. More than 12,000 French men and women were randomly chosen and interviewed for the study with the results analyzed based … [Read more...] about Want A Good Sex Life? Watch Your Weight Says French Study
Will Afghanistan’s “Newfound” Mineral Riches Change the Course of the War? The Question Remains
Numerous commentaries have already appeared on the recent announcement that Afghanistan may have as much as $1 trillion in mineral deposits, including at TMV—here, here, here and here. In my post, I asked the question, “Will the minerals discovery in Afghanistan alter the course of the war?” Of course no one can answer that question with any degree of certainty or … [Read more...] about Will Afghanistan’s “Newfound” Mineral Riches Change the Course of the War? The Question Remains
Feminism in the Wake of ‘Ladies’ Night’ is…Complicated (Guest Voice)
Feminism in the Wake of ‘Ladies’ Night’ is...Complicated by Tina Dupuy While perusing the Internet, I came across an article about how to be a more attractive woman. First on the list was to learn how to tell a funny story. “Wit is the key. Be interesting.” When have you ever heard anyone advise a woman to learn to tell a decent anecdote? Never. Encourage women to be … [Read more...] about Feminism in the Wake of ‘Ladies’ Night’ is…Complicated (Guest Voice)
Annals of Compassionate Conservatism
Millions of Americans who have lost their jobs and are struggling to get by on unemployment checks while they look for work may not realize this yet, but Sen. Orrin Hatch has their backs: … [Read more...] about Annals of Compassionate Conservatism
A Curiously Depressing Speech from the President
I was doing my radio show during the president's speech last night so I had to play catch-up this morning and read it online. I'm not sure that's such a bad idea anyway with these set-piece speeches. Speaking from the Oval Office is dramatic, but much less so than if given in front of a joint session of Congress, or some other milieu like Point du Hoc, or Oklahoma City where … [Read more...] about A Curiously Depressing Speech from the President
More Citizen Video Impact: Seattle Policeman Punches Woman In Face In Jaywalking Incident Caught On Video
A new controversy is brewing in Seattle where police are again defending the use of force. At the center of both, in addition to the debate over when force is justified, is the role of video -- which puts an action out there for all to see and interpret through their own particular prism. The latest is an incident in which a policeman stopping someone on a jaywalking … [Read more...] about More Citizen Video Impact: Seattle Policeman Punches Woman In Face In Jaywalking Incident Caught On Video
Open Primaries Coming to a State Near You
The victory in California for independent voters with Proposition 14 has strengthened the movement for open primaries around the country: Arizonans should watch closely (The Arizona Republic) Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California's outgoing Republican governor, readily acknowledged in a news conference that the goal is to reduce the power of political parties: "We wanted to … [Read more...] about Open Primaries Coming to a State Near You
BP: Victim or Culprit?
The answer to that question may depend upon which side of the Atlantic you call home. On the other side of the ocean, ink-stained fingers point to Transocean. On this side, to BP. Ironically, the two newspapers casting blame are owned by the same conglomerate: News Corp. Over at The Sunday Times this weekend, the reporter fingers Transocean, claiming it caused the "spill" … [Read more...] about BP: Victim or Culprit?
Obama Plays Tough Guy With BP, Mr. Reasonable For New Energy Law
President Barack Obama in a nationally televised speech Tuesday night on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill accused BP of "recklessness." We knew that. "We will make BP pay," he said. How much, he didn't say. He announced still another presidential commission. He called it the Gulf Coast Restoration Plan. It will be headed by former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus working in … [Read more...] about Obama Plays Tough Guy With BP, Mr. Reasonable For New Energy Law
New Problem for Nevada Republican Sharron Angle: Left Republican Party During Reagan Years
There may be new a problem for Sharron Angle, Nevada's Republican running for Senate against Democrat Harry Reid. On a day when news stories detailed how she avoided reporters in Washington, and a senior Republican official insisted that she merely needed time to prepare for the national media's questions, now the Associate Press has a story based on an investigation of Nevada … [Read more...] about New Problem for Nevada Republican Sharron Angle: Left Republican Party During Reagan Years
Live Blogging President Barack Obama’s Gulf Oil BP Oval Office Speech (UPDATED)
What follows is live blogging of President Barack Obama's Oval Office speech on the Gulf oil spill, the government's response to it, plans for dealing with the worst oil spill in U.S. history, what is expected of British Petroleum and the larger context of America's energy policy. Note that these are quick first impressions -- and in future analysis, upon reflection, I may … [Read more...] about Live Blogging President Barack Obama’s Gulf Oil BP Oval Office Speech (UPDATED)
Live Streaming Video of President Barack Obama’s Gulf Oil Spill Speech
Here's the live feed of his speech: JOIN THE LIVE CHATVISIT WHITEHOUSE.GOV … [Read more...] about Live Streaming Video of President Barack Obama’s Gulf Oil Spill Speech
Activity of Americans in Our Cities ‘Must Be Restricted’: The Nation, Pakistan
The noises coming out of the Pakistan's media are angry - both at the Pakistan government and particularly at the United States. Reasons include the perception that America favors India and its position on Kashmir, doesn't appreciate Pakistani efforts in battling terrorists, and that Washington controls Pakistan's leaders like puppets on a string. These two editorials from … [Read more...] about Activity of Americans in Our Cities ‘Must Be Restricted’: The Nation, Pakistan
You Tube Ambush
This coprighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about You Tube Ambush
AT&T Collapses On First Day Of iPhone4 Orders
From Gizmodo: AT&T's online ordering system collapsed today, with Apple and AT&T sales folks reverting to tried-and-true technology: paper. They had to write down pre-order requests. I corroborated the collapse of the online ordering system, by logging in to my AT&T account and attempting to negotiate the pre-order option. Note that AT&T is providing a … [Read more...] about AT&T Collapses On First Day Of iPhone4 Orders
The Medal of Honor: Why so Scarce?
Only six Medals of Honor have been awarded to our heroes after almost nine and after more than seven years of fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively. All have been awarded posthumously. I have written several articles on this subject and numerous more have been written by people much more knowledgeable of and with much more authority in this area. Some of my … [Read more...] about The Medal of Honor: Why so Scarce?
Yawn, Another Earthquake
Earthquakes are as common in California as tornadoes are in the Midwest. I have experienced both, and if I had my druthers, would prefer a temblor. I was born and raised in California and spent many years living on top of the San Andreas fault which means 200 miles on either side. Monday night within 10 seconds of getting into bed, I was rocked gently by Mom Nature from … [Read more...] about Yawn, Another Earthquake
Image, Money and BP: Obama’s Future is at Stake – Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
What does President Obama need to do to emerge politically alive after the worst environmental crisis in American history? According to this editorial from Germany's Financial Times Deutschland, 'it's either Obama or BP' - and if the president fails to get the job done, 'a reputation for being an indecisive dreamer will stick to Obama permanently.' The Financial Times … [Read more...] about Image, Money and BP: Obama’s Future is at Stake – Financial Times Deutschland, Germany