Amid the din and excitement surrounding the resignation of General McChrystal and the nomination of General Petraeus to replace him, I haven’t heard or read much speculation by the experts or the pundits on who will replace Petraeus at Central Command—CENTCOM. There are some exceptions. One newspaper, The Stars and Stripes, addresses the issue in an interesting … [Read more...] about Who Will Replace Petraeus at CENTCOM—If Anyone? (UPDATED)
The Best Opinion Is None At All
Rand Paul got into trouble early on when he let his positions be known. Well it would appear that he learned his lesson and/or got some new advisers because it appears that now he has no opinions at all. On McCrystal:RN: Do you agree with the president's decision to accept Gen. Stanley McChrystal's resignation? PAUL: Ultimately it is the prerogative of the … [Read more...] about The Best Opinion Is None At All
“He Said, She Said” Journalism and Climate Change
The deadline pressure felt by daily newspapers and TV's evening news is probably a contributing factor to what I call "he said, she said"* journalism. Another pressure, of course, is that of "objectivity." The former often results in superficial reporting. The later, in my opinion, in a false sense of controversy. No where is this phenomena more evident than in how U.S. … [Read more...] about “He Said, She Said” Journalism and Climate Change
Extra! Extra! Free Condoms For First Graders
Provincetown, Mass., school district now allows free condoms given to first graders upon request. This is serving a softball right up Bill O'Reilly's alley. Film at the click of your finger. … [Read more...] about Extra! Extra! Free Condoms For First Graders
America Should Rethink Self-Destructive Income Inequality: Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
Is it better to be rich in America, or in Germany, Japan and the Nordic countries? According to this article by Financial Times Deutschland columnist Thomas Fricke, recent evidence demonstrates that compared to countries with less income inequality, being rich in America can be dangerous to your health. For the Financial Times Deutschland, Thomas Fricke writes in … [Read more...] about America Should Rethink Self-Destructive Income Inequality: Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
Judge Shoots Obama In The Foot, Again, On Moratorium
In a game of chess, the Obama administration may appeal a federal judge's second order ending the government's six-month moratorium on some drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The government in effect is stalling for time as Interior Secretary Ken Salazar crafts a new moratorium that he hopes will pass the legal hurdles posed in the first one issued May 5. Fifth District … [Read more...] about Judge Shoots Obama In The Foot, Again, On Moratorium
Unemployment, the Filibuster, and the Midterm Elections
What happens when you have a political system in which the minority party in Congress can block or kill any legislation they want to -- say, oh, a desperately needed economic aid package to extend jobless benefits, help states maintain essential Medicaid services and avoid large-scale layoffs, and more -- knowing that (a) if the legislation passes it will be very popular and … [Read more...] about Unemployment, the Filibuster, and the Midterm Elections
Lots Of Luck In Afghanistan, Gen. Petraeus
Besides my computer crashing and taking care of nasty business in my drug coverage caused by cutbacks in California's Medicaid bankrupt system, I was effectively muzzled by weariness yesterday to file a column on Afghanistan. So a day late and many dollars short, I think what I began to write still holds true. Here's the first part. By naming Army Gen. David H. Petraeus … [Read more...] about Lots Of Luck In Afghanistan, Gen. Petraeus
A Choice for Security at an Unpleasant Crossroads
Guest post by Wade C. Barnes Wade Barnes is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a veteran naval officer, and a fellow at the Truman National Security Project. He is a graduate student at Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. The circumstances that culminated in the resignation of General Stanley McChrystal as … [Read more...] about A Choice for Security at an Unpleasant Crossroads
Last of South Dakota’s “Code Talkers” Dies
Many of you will remember the 2002 movie “Windtalkers.” It is a World War II movie about the use of Native Americans, such as the Navajos, in the Pacific Theater by the U.S. intelligence services to transmit secret messages using “codes” built around their ancient language. Those codes are said to have been virtually “crack-proof,” and were extremely valuable to the war … [Read more...] about Last of South Dakota’s “Code Talkers” Dies
Postcards From Blogtopia
Alison Kilkenny makes a discovery: … [Read more...] about Postcards From Blogtopia
Post of the Day on Obama Firing Stanley McChrystal
There has been a lot written on Barack Obama relieving Gen. Stanley McChrystal of command -- but Time's Mark Halperin nails it. … [Read more...] about Post of the Day on Obama Firing Stanley McChrystal
Quote of the Day: Rumor Spreading After McChrystal Firing Make President’s Point
Our Quote of the Day comes from The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder who writes about rumors that were spread after President Barack Obama fired Gen. Stanley McChrystal: Beginning in the early afternoon, a cadre of military and civilian soldiers loyal to Gen. Stanley McChrystal began to spread rumors throughout the capital city: that ground commanders in Afghanistan were … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Rumor Spreading After McChrystal Firing Make President’s Point
Exploit This Tragedy (Guest Voice)
Exploit This Tragedy by Tina Dupuy Before the tar balls had a chance to touch down on the white sands of the Gulf Coast – the message from the oil-soaked Republican Party was clear: “Don’t exploit the disaster…if you’re a Democrat.” But if you’re a member of the GOP, feel free to exploit this endless spill for political gain. Use it as a battering ram against the … [Read more...] about Exploit This Tragedy (Guest Voice)
Medals of Gold
I grew up on anti war songs in the 60s and we've had dammed few of them when we've needed them recently. They don't get the play they got in the 60s and early 70's but they are out there and here is a good one. Of course the anti war songs of the 60's may have been a bit more subtle; … [Read more...] about Medals of Gold
The Coming Republican Minority
With all the talk about how Obama is not doing well and that the Democrats are expected to lose seats in November, it's not surprising that there are a lot of Republicans thinking that everything is coming up roses for them. All the talk of a decades-long Democratic majority has dried up and the GOP seems energized by the growing Tea Party movement. The recent wins by Nikki … [Read more...] about The Coming Republican Minority
General McChrystal Resigns
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about General McChrystal Resigns
A Classic Song About a City
A link sent in by a TMV reader. A great song, done with so much pizazz -- and a great You Tube video: And here he is doing it when he's a tad younger, on TV (1982): It was originally done on the screen by a young Liza Minnelli (1977): … [Read more...] about A Classic Song About a City
Innocence Hearing Begins In Troy Anthony Davis Case
Ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court last August, the unusual hearing began today in the case of Georgia death row inmate Troy Anthony Davis. Typically such hearings are held on procedural grounds; today's hearing was to give Davis a chance to prove his innocence. The hearing came almost 20 years after a jury convicted him of killing a Savannah police officer despite no physical … [Read more...] about Innocence Hearing Begins In Troy Anthony Davis Case