This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. UPDATES by JG: In case you missed it, here's an ABC News report that fills you in: Update II: University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato on Twitter: Does anyone know how I can hire Paul the Octopus for UVA's Crystal Ball? Will sweeten the … [Read more...] about Octopus Picks World Cup Winner
Paul the Oracle, No More
It is not that the German psychic octopus has been turned into a recipe, or that he has met some other tragic fate. No, according to the New York Times, the famous cephalopod who correctly predicted “the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has legs -- all seven of Germany's games plus the Spain-Netherlands final -- is going to retire.” According to a spokeswoman … [Read more...] about Paul the Oracle, No More
The Debate About NYC Nonpartisan Elections and the Charter Revision Commission
Probably in anticipation of the NYC Charter Revision Commission's preliminary report that was issued last week, the Wall Street Journal made a rather strong projection in an article on Thursday evening saying nonpartisan elections will "probably not be on the ballot" in the fall. There's been lots of chatter about how much discussion there needs to be about nonpartisan … [Read more...] about The Debate About NYC Nonpartisan Elections and the Charter Revision Commission
Swiss Decide Not to Extradite Polanski to U.S.: Say He’s a “Free Man”
To those who felt director Roman Polanski had escaped justice when he fled the United States to escape charges of having unlaw sex with a minor, the news will be bitter: Switzerland has nixed U.S. requests to extradite Polanski to the United States for sentencing, with the official announcing the news declaring him a "free man.": Switzerland will not extradite the film … [Read more...] about Swiss Decide Not to Extradite Polanski to U.S.: Say He’s a “Free Man”
Michael Steele Annoys Republicans
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Michael Steele Annoys Republicans
The Next Two Years
If Republicans take control over the U.S. House, and possibly the entire U.S. Congress (Senate included) this November, what will likely occur over the next two years politically and economically in the Nation? Based upon the prior performances of Republicans during the past dozen years and the stated policy positions over last two years of the GOP and the Obama … [Read more...] about The Next Two Years
Westboro Goes To Comic Con
Ok these people often make me very mad. This one just made me laugh.... Prejudiced idiots versus nerds.... GO NERDS !! … [Read more...] about Westboro Goes To Comic Con
Where Have All The Jobs Gone?
In 2001 my job as a manufacturing engineer and the manufacturing facility I worked for went to China. At 55 I knew my career was over. I'd seen it coming and had a chance to simplify my life and pay down debt because I knew that at 55 I was on my own. I had money in a 401k and company stock and a few talents that made it possible for me to survive. Of course after the COBRA … [Read more...] about Where Have All The Jobs Gone?
Political Math and Political Passion
WASHINGTON -- If the midterm elections were held now, Republicans would likely take control of the House of the Representatives. It's as hard these days to find a Democrat who's not alarmed as it is to find a Cleveland Cavaliers fan who's cheering for LeBron James. Worse for Democrats: They face two very different challenges, and addressing one could make the other … [Read more...] about Political Math and Political Passion
Economy Kills James Bond
I always wondered if SPECTRE was really behind the bad economy... … [Read more...] about Economy Kills James Bond
Um, SUPPLEMENTAL War Spending Bill?
Earlier today, I was reading Brian Beutler's article about Democrats and Republicans in Congress coming together to plan significant changes to Social Security (specifically, raising the retirement age to 70). That is a subject that is very near and dear to my heart (for obvious reasons), but I'll have to reserve those thoughts for another post. … [Read more...] about Um, SUPPLEMENTAL War Spending Bill?
Spain Wins World Cup
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Spain Wins World Cup
Holder on “Face the Nation”
Bob Schieffer interviewed Attorney General Eric Holder on CBS's Face the Nation, and of course questioned him about the Obama administration's decision to file suit against Arizona over that state's new illegal immigration law. … [Read more...] about Holder on “Face the Nation”
A Reminder To My Tea Party Friends
Oh, you poor, maligned Tea Party advocates who want to address your grievances through means of the Second Amendment. You poor, neglected souls who want government off your back. Less rules, less taxes, less spending of your blood, sweat and tears for someone who does not look like you. You think you have it tough? Some of you have even suggested seceding from the United … [Read more...] about A Reminder To My Tea Party Friends
Robot Teachers, Companions, & Competitors
The NYTimes has been on something of a robot kick lately. Today, robot teachers: In a handful of laboratories around the world, computer scientists are developing robots like this one: highly programmed machines that can engage people and teach them simple skills, including household tasks, vocabulary or, as in the case of the boy, playing, elementary imitation and taking … [Read more...] about Robot Teachers, Companions, & Competitors
Holder To Arizona: Big Brother Is Watching
Atty. Gen. Eric Holder said Sunday the Justice Department will file a second law suit against Arizona if they find evidence of racial profiling in the multi-litigated state law aimed at prosecuting illegal immigrants. Interviewed on CBS’s “Face The Nation,” Holder said Justice will monitor the law as it is applied and sometime in the next six months to a year decide whether … [Read more...] about Holder To Arizona: Big Brother Is Watching
A Dangerous Game
As our Editor-in-Chief Mr Joe G posted earlier, the Democrats are entering precarious political waters. As we speak, all roads lead to a November thumping for the ruling party, thanks to the Republican’s scorched earth approach which has seen them reduced the once Messianic President Obama to mid-term levels of mere mortals such as President Clinton and Reagan. Someone in … [Read more...] about A Dangerous Game
Can a Little Radicalism Save America?
I don't often write in apocalyptic terms about the current administration, largely because America is too big and government too unwieldy to countenance sudden, dramatic change. However, President Obama and the Democrats in Congress have made it quite obvious that they're willing to give radicalism the old college try because America pre-Obama was not to their liking. … [Read more...] about Can a Little Radicalism Save America?
We Have Met The Enemy And He Is Us (Guest Voice)
We Have Met The Enemy And He Is Us by Ben Zuckerman and Paul Scott Years ago Pogo said: “we have met the enemy and he is us”. No truer words could apply to the horrific oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. While British Petroleum and U.S. government regulatory agencies have, deservedly, been criticized for their actions, or inactions, the cornerstone blame lies with … [Read more...] about We Have Met The Enemy And He Is Us (Guest Voice)
The Forgotten Minority (Guest Voice)
EDITOR's NOTE: This was run under the wrong headline. TMV regrets ther error. The Forgotten Minority by Jonathan Spyer On March 21, 2010, the Syrian security forces opened fire with live ammunition on a crowd of 5,000 in the northern Syrian town of al-Raqqah. The crowd had gathered to celebrate the Kurdish festival of Nowruz. Three people, including a 15-year-old … [Read more...] about The Forgotten Minority (Guest Voice)