In going through some classic comedy on this July 4th holiday, I watched the classic Abbott & Costello routine below and realized: it sounds like political discussion in America today. When this skit was popular (the 40s and in this version from the early 1950s TV show) it was outrageous. Now it sounds almost like the way partisans, politicians, talk show hosts, etc. talk about … [Read more...] about Political Discussion Imitates Classic Comedy?
White House Divided On The Economy, Just As The Rest Of Us
The White House political and economic teams are split over adding more stimulus or cutting the deficit to salvage the sputtering economy. That puts them in the same boat as the rest of the country. No one knows what the hell to do. President Obama, as is his nature, is seeking a middle road of using the best options of both arguments. The split in the White House was … [Read more...] about White House Divided On The Economy, Just As The Rest Of Us
Happy Fourth of July (Guest Voice)
Happy Fourth of July by Martha Randolph Carr Take a moment this Sunday on the fourth of July as we’re gathered around picnic tables, pool sides, at the beach or in a town square or city park to say a little something about what you’re grateful for about America. Put down the hotdog and the sparkler and really give it a little thought. We have all come through so … [Read more...] about Happy Fourth of July (Guest Voice)
Fourth of July
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Fourth of July
Independence Day 2010: “Divided” Americans Have Much to Celebrate
On this Independence Day, our country is once again sharply divided as it copes with two wars, as it struggles over how to recover from an economic recession and how to reform health care, and as it wrangles over how to deal with what will probably be the worst environmental catastrophe to befall our country: the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Many point to such … [Read more...] about Independence Day 2010: “Divided” Americans Have Much to Celebrate
Sunny President in a Clouded Country
Mixed political weather for the nation's 234th birthday: Barack Obama basks in a solar future while Tea Party members gather to shake their fists at what they see as darkening skies. The President, in his weekly address, looks at Colorado, Arizona and Indiana, seeing "once-shuttered factories humming with new workers who are building solar panels and wind turbines, rolling … [Read more...] about Sunny President in a Clouded Country
Fourth of July Fireworks 4 U
It's now 9 pm on the East Coast so here are some fireworks from past years for you to enjoy: New York 2008: Disney MGM Studios: Boston 2006: FOOTNOTE: Here in San Diego, I'll be doing something at an event in my other incarnation and the fireworks will be on at 8:45 pm. … [Read more...] about Fourth of July Fireworks 4 U
Take… These Broken Wings… Independence Day 2010
The following was written by a friend who was there in war. And there. And there. Long time military man, a Colonel, USAF. Now a grand elder. More about who he is really is, at bottom of page. "The Fourth does bring back some pretty strong memories as I'm sure it does for all of us. Flying a Four Ship, Missing Man Formation over the Clark AB Parade Field in F-4s on … [Read more...] about Take… These Broken Wings… Independence Day 2010
God Bless America
May we all have a wonderful Independence Day ! Argue we might, but united we are in freedom. … [Read more...] about God Bless America
Making Sense of America’s Right to Bear Arms: Beijing Youth Daily, China
From time to time, an article in China's state-controlled press is so startling, one is prompted to wipe one's eyes. Beijing's news censors must be asleep at the switch. Fitting for Independence Day weekend in the United States, this article from China's state-run Beijing Youth Daily appears to praise the American right to bear arms as 'the last line of defense against tyranny … [Read more...] about Making Sense of America’s Right to Bear Arms: Beijing Youth Daily, China
Forgive the vulgarity embedded in the acronym…
...but I can't help but ask, WTF????? From a tweet by Representative Jack Kimble (CA-R; Twitter page here: RepJackKimble): There's a war going on between traditional America and those who would like to take Christ out of The 4th of July Excuse me? Is it that the time for the whining about the so-called "War on Christmas" too far away, or is this the loony right-wing … [Read more...] about Forgive the vulgarity embedded in the acronym…
“Someday This War Is Going To End”
In August 2010, the language the U.S. military uses to describe U.S. combat operations in Iraq will change -- but the U.S. combat operations will not: … [Read more...] about “Someday This War Is Going To End”
Instead of Celebrating July 4, Obama Should Repent for Flight 655: Kayhan, Islamic Republic of Iran
Twenty two years ago today, on July 3, 1988, everyone agrees that a U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser, the USS Vincennes, shot down a civilian airliner, Iran Air 655, killing all 290 people aboard. This editorial from Iran's state-controlled Kayhan castigates the 'Great Satan's bloodthirsty' act, and urges President Obama to finally apologize for what no one denies was a … [Read more...] about Instead of Celebrating July 4, Obama Should Repent for Flight 655: Kayhan, Islamic Republic of Iran
DNC Attacks Michael Steele With GOP Talking Points
Greg Sargent spotlights the DNC's incredibly lame stupid response to RNC chairman Michael Steele's comments yesterday about Afghanistan, which have gotten him into boiling hot water with Republican leaders: … [Read more...] about DNC Attacks Michael Steele With GOP Talking Points
Vampire Nation (Guest Voice)
Vampire Nation by Will Durst Taking a breather from our Gulf Coast miasma in order to focus on an even ghastlier blight of cultural crude washing up on American shores. No, this is not about Lady Gaga. Although, I do intend to address walking parasites. Demon fiends. Bloodsucking vermin. The Ushers at the Gates of Hell themselves, of which we are experiencing a veritable … [Read more...] about Vampire Nation (Guest Voice)
Larry King Retires
Mr. Steele: Sadly, You Proved My Point
Kathy just wrote about the incredibly insensitive, stupid and, most of all, disingenuous comments RNC Chairman Michael Steele made about the war in Afghanistan and the Obama administration’s role in that war. What is particularly tragic is that Steele made those remarks on the eve of our Independence Day celebration, when--at least this one day in the year--Americans should … [Read more...] about Mr. Steele: Sadly, You Proved My Point
The Capitol Steps: Politics Takes A Holiday
A few times a year, we can enjoy musical political comedy by The Capitol Steps. The 4th of July is one of these times. Listen online at: Fourth of July 2010 Edition: Politics Takes A Holiday! Recorded live at the Ronald Reagan Building in DC. (One half hour: 4.5 MB) or check the schedule of these fine public radio stations. … [Read more...] about The Capitol Steps: Politics Takes A Holiday
Hugo Chávez and Bashar Al Assad Announce New ‘Axis of Evil’: El Aragueno, Venezuela
For those who haven't heard, the world has a new 'Axis of Evil,' except this time, the members are using the term to refer to themselves. President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and his Syrian counterpart, President Bashar Al-Assad, have decided to create a new group of nations called the Movement of Free Allies, or 'MAL' - which in Spanish means 'evil,' apparently as way to … [Read more...] about Hugo Chávez and Bashar Al Assad Announce New ‘Axis of Evil’: El Aragueno, Venezuela
The Inhumanity Of Being Hacked
Joe Gandelman, my brother Larry, my sister-in-law of another brother, my cousin Pete Ellsworth and longtime friend Steve Casey all called me this morning asking what the hell was I doing in Scotland and asking for $1,500 to get home. Well, sports fans, I got hacked. For those of you on my email address book who got the strange email written by some foreigner not versed in … [Read more...] about The Inhumanity Of Being Hacked