Since her Nevada primary victory, once outspoken Sharron Angle has fallen strangely silent. During the Republican primary, Angle proudly proclaimed, “I am the Tea Party.” Running against Sue [chicken-in-every-doctor’s-pot] Lowden, Angle made no secret of where she stood on issues. They were proclaimed on her website and shared with reporters, all for public consumption. Now … [Read more...] about Silence Is Golden – The Sharron Angle Strategy
A Small Bite In The Political Correctness Butt
Ah, the best made plans of mice and men. I'm referring to a story in the Los Angeles Times Monday. It is a case of political correctness that has turned and bitten the mayor and city council on the butt. Just a tiny bite, mind you. The Los Angeles City Council by an overwhelming majority had voted to suspend business ties with companies in Arizona because of that state's … [Read more...] about A Small Bite In The Political Correctness Butt
Can Obama Avoid the ‘Carter Syndrome?’: Le Figaro, France
Hot on the heels of this German editorial roundup headlined Will Obama Be 21st Century Jimmy Carter?, comes this article from France's Le Figaro. It's a narrative picking up steam both here and abroad. As French columnist Pierre Rousselin points out, comparing President Obama to Jimmy Carter isn't just for U.S. neoconservatives anymore. For Le Figaro, Rousselin writes … [Read more...] about Can Obama Avoid the ‘Carter Syndrome?’: Le Figaro, France
Flaming Tap Water on Gasland on HBO Tonight
CAN YOU DO THIS WITH YOUR TAP WATER? The new documentary, Gasland, won a special jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival and premieres on HBO tonight. In it, filmmaker Josh Fox takes on a 24 state journey to examine the environmental and health consequences of natural gas drilling. His focus is Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, the process by which millions of gallons of … [Read more...] about Flaming Tap Water on Gasland on HBO Tonight
Anti-Terrorism Law Trumps Free Speech
The U. S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 today that anti-terrorism laws are constitutional even when they have an adverse impact on free speech. Justice John Paul Stevens joined the conservative majority, while Justices Breyer, Ginsberg, and Sotomayor dissented from Chief Justice Roberts’ opinion. Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project. Opinion here. At issue was 18 US Code … [Read more...] about Anti-Terrorism Law Trumps Free Speech
Poll: Republican Enthusiasm for Mid-Term Elections Vote At All Time High
A new Gallup poll has more bad news for Democrats and good news for Republicans: it shows Republicans' and Republican leaning independents' enthusiasm for voting in the mid-term elections as being at an all time high -- and Democrats' enthusiasm as seriously sagging. It's no small deal: mid-term elections traditionally have lower turnout than a general election so the name … [Read more...] about Poll: Republican Enthusiasm for Mid-Term Elections Vote At All Time High
Politics as Usual, Exponential Factor Four (Cagle Cartoons)
Politics as Usual, Exponential Factor Four by Will Durst In an age of relentless change, it’s heartening to be able to count on a few simple things. Glenn Beck and Keith Olbermann ranting and raving one pulse short of an aneurism. Water flowing downhill. Congress holding hearings whose only point is to express the indignant depths of their public outrage even though our … [Read more...] about Politics as Usual, Exponential Factor Four (Cagle Cartoons)
Jordan Is Palestine — No, Really
Geert Wilders, for anyone who does not know the name, is the head of an extremely right-wing political party in The Netherlands, called — in the standard format of the name describing the opposite of what it actually is — the Party for Freedom (which, according to Wikipedia, is the third largest political party in that country). Wilders is also a member of The … [Read more...] about Jordan Is Palestine — No, Really
BP: Shame on all of us
Long time TMV - almost three months since my last post I think. Have I missed much? It has truly been a strange experience comparing the British and American reporting of the BP oil spill. Strange is probably the wrong word, confusing is probably a more accurate description. The spill has been widely reported at this end of the pond, but not with nearly as much anger and … [Read more...] about BP: Shame on all of us
A Needy Meme
I spotted this on one of WordPress's "Freshly Pressed" featured blogs: … [Read more...] about A Needy Meme
How Obama Changed the Right
WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama's campaign promise of change did not include a pledge to transform American conservatism. But one of his presidency's major legacies may be a revolution on the American right in which older, more secular forms of politics displace religious activism. The reaction to Obama has also radicalized parts of the conservative movement, giving life to … [Read more...] about How Obama Changed the Right
A Father’s Day Message (Guest Voice)
A Father's Day Message by Michael Reagan Today most Americans will take time to reflect upon the paternal love and support received from their fathers. And for those who are fortunate enough to still have their fathers remain a part of their lives, it is a time to give a warm and personal “thanks.” However, this is a thanks that is not limited to those “birth fathers” … [Read more...] about A Father’s Day Message (Guest Voice)
A Truly Last-Minute Father’s Day Gift–And Truly Useful
There are still four hours remaining on the West Coast and one on the East Coast before we say goodbye to Father’s Day 2010. If you haven’t gotten a gift for your father yet, please hurry and read Nicholas Kristof’s article in the New York Times, full of neat ideas for a last-minute gift for that special Dad. They are unique and thoughtful gifts—probably more useful and … [Read more...] about A Truly Last-Minute Father’s Day Gift–And Truly Useful
Israel’s Latest Move on Gaza Blockade Is a Welcome First Step
Israel announced today that it planned to "ease its blockade of Gaza": … [Read more...] about Israel’s Latest Move on Gaza Blockade Is a Welcome First Step
Is Black on Black Violence A Myth?
In commenting on the high crime rate in a nearby city, a white colleague said, "but that's just black-on-black violence." Just? Say what? First, in a country that is essentially still segregated (and not necessarily by black people's choice) what race do you expect for both victim and perpetrators to be? Language like ''black-on-black violence'' effectively smacks a racial … [Read more...] about Is Black on Black Violence A Myth?
Bashing Sailor Tony Hayward Is Childish, Misplaced and Dumb
I won't mince words. The feigned outrage that CEO Tony Hayward went sailing one day after he was removed from daily operations of the BP blowout disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is childish and misplaced. What's he supposed to do? Take a BBC camera crew into the Church of England and show his repentance? Would that make the BP bashers feel better? The guy is toast. … [Read more...] about Bashing Sailor Tony Hayward Is Childish, Misplaced and Dumb
Bob Schieffer on The High Price of Gaffes
Here's CBS's Bob Schieffer on the high price of gaffes -- and why he believes Barack Obama's speech from the Oval Office fell flat: Schieffer has a point on the modern Presidency. And no matter who is President the stage is now set for frequent muliti-media and multi-platform appearances, coupled by strident talk show-ed opposition (Republicans will face the same thing … [Read more...] about Bob Schieffer on The High Price of Gaffes
Republicans Raise Possibility of Kagan Filibuster
Suddenly the issue of a GOP filibuster of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is back on the table: The top-ranking Senate Republican refused Sunday to rule out a filibuster against Elena Kagan's confirmation to the Supreme Court. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, told "FOX News Sunday" it was possible that Republicans would try to prevent a vote on … [Read more...] about Republicans Raise Possibility of Kagan Filibuster
The Dust Bowl and The Gulf Oil Disaster
In a story wondering whether the oil gushing in the Gulf is the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced, several environmental historians agreed: “The Dust Bowl is arguably one of the worst ecological blunders in world history,” said Ted Steinberg, a historian at Case Western Reserve University. Across the High Plains, stretching from the Texas Panhandle to the … [Read more...] about The Dust Bowl and The Gulf Oil Disaster
Selig Cartwright And The Deforming Of Financial Reform (Goldman Sachs washroom attendant adventure #11)
Mr. B. You're back again with another bottle of screw top sparkling wine. What's the occasion this time? BP isn't the only company that cares about small people, Selig. Goldman Sachs cares, too. And the celebration this time is for that financial reform bill Congress is finalizing. You know, Selig, for a while I thought they might actually do things that would cut strongly … [Read more...] about Selig Cartwright And The Deforming Of Financial Reform (Goldman Sachs washroom attendant adventure #11)