I missed this news item from yesterday: The Democratic senator from Missouri takes an unequivocal stand, defending the free-speech rights of those who disagree with her. For some, her decision on how to handle this matter probably won't be good enough, but I think it speaks volumes. Kudos, Senator. Well done. … [Read more...] about Good for Senator McCaskill
General McChrystal’s Inappropriate Conduct, Revisited
In a June 23 Op-Ed in the Los Angeles Times, Dr. Bruce Ackerman “banners” his piece, ”Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal's criticism of Obama administration officials symbolizes an accelerated partisanship of the officer corps,” and continues: It is tempting to compare Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal's criticism of Obama administration officials to Gen. Douglas MacArthur's … [Read more...] about General McChrystal’s Inappropriate Conduct, Revisited
Hawkins and the Tragic Flaw of the Conservative Ideologues
I would like to think that the continuing drama being played out between pragmatists and ideologues in the conservative sphere might be optioned to NBC and made into a daytime drama. Two problems arise immediately; soap operas are a dying TV genre and it would be no contest with regards to sex appeal between Sarah Palin and David Frum. That said, a fascinating incident made … [Read more...] about Hawkins and the Tragic Flaw of the Conservative Ideologues
The Medal of Honor: Finally for a Living Soldier? (UPDATED)
For acts of valor during the Vietnam War, 246 Medals of Honor—our nation’s highest military decoration—were awarded to our heroes. For acts of heroism during World War II, 464 Medals of Honor have been awarded—27 of these Medals of Honor were awarded for the single World War II battle of Iwo Jima. In contrast, after almost nine years of fierce fighting in Afghanistan and … [Read more...] about The Medal of Honor: Finally for a Living Soldier? (UPDATED)
Nancy Pelosi, The Straw Lady Republicans Love To Hate
Even before she became Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi was a lightening rod for the Republican attack machine, the epitome of a liberal, free-spending Democrat from -- gasp -- San Francisco. In my family and circle of friends in California, Pelosi is the face of all what is wrong with Democratic liberals for she is seen as an elitist, environmental tree hugger, bleeding … [Read more...] about Nancy Pelosi, The Straw Lady Republicans Love To Hate
Imperial Hubris (Guest Voice)
Imperial Hubris by David Goodloe "Mr. Obama and the Democrats have wasted the once–in–a–lifetime opportunity handed to them in the 2008 election. They did not focus on jobs, jobs, jobs as their primary mission, and they did not call on Americans to join in a bold national effort (which would have required a great deal of shared sacrifice) to solve a wide range of very … [Read more...] about Imperial Hubris (Guest Voice)
Pulling the Race Card
I realize that when liberal Democrats use the word 'racist' to characterize messages like these at Tea Party rallies, it's called 'pulling the race card,' but when conservative white Southern senators grill Elena Kagan about her association with the dangerous "outcome-oriented" judicial activism of Thurgood Marshall -- a civil rights giant who successfully argued Brown v. … [Read more...] about Pulling the Race Card
Capitol Hill Pest Control
John Boehner, who succeeded career exterminator Tom DeLay, is being bugged by insect metaphors. The House Minority Leader told a reporter the Wall Street reform bill was like using a nuclear weapon to kill an ant and was stump-jumped by the White House in Wisconsin. "He compared the financial crisis to an ant," the President told a crowd. "The same financial crisis that … [Read more...] about Capitol Hill Pest Control
Breaking with the President
As regular readers know, I'm among the President's most consistent supporters. Granted, I blinked on his early handling of the Gulf oil spill. But ultimately, I decided he was probably doing the best he could, given the circumstances and the clear limitations on what any one person, even the chief executive of the United States, can accomplish in these situations. All … [Read more...] about Breaking with the President
Which Countries are Best Weathering The Global Recession?
Which countries are best weather the global recession? RealClearWorld has been working with Gallup to find out. Here is how they explain it: Scour the headlines of just about any major newspaper these days, and you're likely to come across a story on the global economic crisis plaguing so many developed and developing nations alike. Whether it's the debt crisis roiling … [Read more...] about Which Countries are Best Weathering The Global Recession?
The Passionless Party
WASHINGTON -- One of the strangest lead sentences I have ever encountered appeared in Politico last week. It read: "John Kerry has been the most aggressive advocate of climate change legislation in the Senate this year -- so aggressive that it's rubbed some of his colleagues the wrong way." The story went on to say that Kerry's "zeal" is "making some swing-vote … [Read more...] about The Passionless Party
Ranking America’s Presidents
From Siena polls comes the most recent ranking of U. S. presidents from best to worst. The rankings are the results of polling 238 presidential scholars, considering personal qualities and accomplishments in varying policy areas. Take a look and see if you agree. … [Read more...] about Ranking America’s Presidents
Citizens Union Backs NYC Nonpartisan Elections
The New York Times reports today that Citizens Union is now backing nonpartisan elections. Here's Citizens Union's report. From the Times: In a reversal, a prominent government watchdog said Wednesday that it now supported eliminating the role of parties in city elections, adding momentum to an effort to bring the issue before voters in November. The group, Citizens … [Read more...] about Citizens Union Backs NYC Nonpartisan Elections
Attack of the Vuvuzelas
The world has now gone Vuvuzela crazy....with some calling for the plastic horn that is so hugely popular in South Africa to be banned at some events. In case you've lived on Mars and didn't hear about it, this will fill you in: They're popping up everywhere -- and I do mean everywhere: It has been propelled into world consciousness by the World Cup in South … [Read more...] about Attack of the Vuvuzelas
Happy Canada Day !
To our Canadian friends, I hope you have the happiest of holidays. Try not to eat too much ! And since HRH is visiting, both anthems this time … [Read more...] about Happy Canada Day !
Calm Heads Prevail in Arizona
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Calm Heads Prevail in Arizona
Krugman: Another Depression Is Likely
Paul Krugman thinks we're headed for a third depression -- in fact, it may already have begun: … [Read more...] about Krugman: Another Depression Is Likely
Picking A Road To Economic Recovery Blindfolded
The $787 billion stimulus package passed by Congress in 2009 did better than Republicans would have you believe and worse than the progressive Democrats maintain. The U.S. economy needs another transfusion of gigantic proportions but without the pratfalls of the last one to avoid what Kensyian economist Paul Krugman predicts a third prolonged depression since … [Read more...] about Picking A Road To Economic Recovery Blindfolded
Politics As Total War
Andrew Sullivan nails it: on so many fronts now you see how politics is no longer about the vigorous iand even aggressive debate about ideas with who have different ideas but about trying to destroy them to gain or keep power or discredit them from presenting their ideas. This is what seems to be now rewarded with ratings, audience and votes. There has always been some of this … [Read more...] about Politics As Total War
Like the Region’s Oil, Israel Has its Limits: Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah, Palestinian Territories
Has the U.S. goal in the Middle East been to fragment and even dissolve Arab nations in order to plunder their wealth? Furthermore, now that using Israel as a beachhead toward this goal has run its course, has Israel become a liability in this Western colonialist plan? Columnist Hafiz al Barghouty from Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah of the Palestinian Territories writes that Israel is … [Read more...] about Like the Region’s Oil, Israel Has its Limits: Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah, Palestinian Territories