Why do Japan's leaders keep quitting? Todd Crowell, who covered Tiananmen as Chief of Correspondents for Asiaweek, gives three reasons why in a piece on RealClearWorld. Here's his intro: TOKYO - Many Western commentators on Japan's recent change of leadership focused on the extraordinary short tenure of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who resigned last week after … [Read more...] about Why Do Japan’s Leaders Keep Quitting?
Senator Blanche Lincoln Beats the Unions
A New Red Storm Rising? (Guest Voice)
A New Red Storm Rising? by Michael Reagan Last week Chinese officials brushed off U.S. Defense Secretary Gates on a proposed meeting to discuss looming military issues and bolster communication. Their reason? It was "inconvenient." I would find China's casual and indifferent response to our efforts disturbing under any circumstances. We must take care that neither … [Read more...] about A New Red Storm Rising? (Guest Voice)
The Year of the Priest is Over
During a homily in St Peter's Square delivered before 15,000 priests from around the world to conclude what was to be a year of celebrations, the pope issued his strongest apology yet. Still no specifics about what will change. Except stronger controls on choosing men who enter the priesthood: "In admitting men to priestly ministry and in their formation we will do everything … [Read more...] about The Year of the Priest is Over
Undocumented Immigrants Are Being Used in Oil Clean-Up Because “They’re Very Absorbent”
I wonder if Michael Cannon at Cato Institute will lose any speaking engagements or be asked to resign from his job for saying this: … [Read more...] about Undocumented Immigrants Are Being Used in Oil Clean-Up Because “They’re Very Absorbent”
St. Ronnie’s Legacy
What is Ronald Reagan's "real" legacy? Hint, it's not the end of the cold war! It is the destruction of the middle class in the US and since the middle class is what makes Democracy possible it resulted in the end of Democracy in this country. Dave Cohen at Decline of the Empire along with Robert Reich, Thom Hartmann and others have been talking about the decline of the … [Read more...] about St. Ronnie’s Legacy
Seeing Both Sides Means Seeing Only One Side
TMV's Dorian DeWind flagged Tony Judt's op-ed in today's New York Times as a must-read. I agree with Dorian; I just read it (independently of Dorian's recommendation; I just happened to see it at Memeorandum), and it's a tonic for the polarized discussion that is the usual fare on this subject. … [Read more...] about Seeing Both Sides Means Seeing Only One Side
The Securities & Exchange Commission of the Oil Business
An analogy with the ring of truth, from Business Week no less: This is a moment to think big and creatively. As distant as risky drilling rigs off Louisiana may seem from the New York financial laboratories where wizard bankers synthesized subprime credit derivatives, Obama could explain the important connections: how, after decades of antiregulatory fundamentalism in … [Read more...] about The Securities & Exchange Commission of the Oil Business
John Boehner Thinks Cost of Cleaning Up Oil Spill Should Be Shared By Taxpayers
Holy moly. I think John Boehner just handed the Democrats a big, fat, gift-wrapped box with a gift coupon inside it for the elections in November: … [Read more...] about John Boehner Thinks Cost of Cleaning Up Oil Spill Should Be Shared By Taxpayers
Dumbing Down Of America Sells Because We Are Lazy
I have always detested being accused of being a member of what I think is described as "herd" or "pack" journalist. I detest labels assessed by journalists on groups such as the Tea Party because even though they share a few common bonds, they are as different in South Carolina as they are in California. I detest Sean Hannity's ilk that all Democrats are liberal and even … [Read more...] about Dumbing Down Of America Sells Because We Are Lazy
Project Deliverance Arrests 2200 For Drug Trafficking
Little known to the American public, Project Deliverance is a multi-agency operation in cooperation with authorities in Mexico to target drug trafficking by Mexican cartels. U. S. agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and state and local law enforcement. The U. S. agencies worked with the anti-narcotics division of … [Read more...] about Project Deliverance Arrests 2200 For Drug Trafficking
Israel: Condemned “No Matter What We Do”
I recently noted that the cost of persistent anti-Israel bias may be to make Israel care less and less about international opinion at all. This prediction may be confirmed by some remarks from Israel's ambassador to the U.S. in an interview with a Jewish newspaper: However, if Israel’s adversaries believe that they can put Israel on the defensive by shaming it in the court of … [Read more...] about Israel: Condemned “No Matter What We Do”
A Guide Through Israel’s No-One Land (Guest Voice.
A Guide through Israel’s No-One Land by Michael Winship “Where is the balance between wisdom and force?” I’ve thought of that question several times over the last few days, as accusations and counteraccusations fly over Israel’s May 31 fatal commando operation against the flotilla of humanitarian aid ships attempting to break the … [Read more...] about A Guide Through Israel’s No-One Land (Guest Voice.
EM Forster and Facebook (Guest Voice)
EM Forster and Facebook by Tina Dupuy “Big Brother” is watching you in a very “Orwellian” way. Has been for years. People who have never heard of George Orwell know of the term “Big Brother.” In many ways his dark vision of what the year 1984 would look like is prophetic. For example, his novel 1984 takes place during a never-ending war while technology is aiding an … [Read more...] about EM Forster and Facebook (Guest Voice)
A Must-Read: “Israel Without Clichés”
For those who feel that: 1. Israel is being/should be delegitimized 2. Israel is/is not a democracy 3. Israel is/is not to blame 4. The Palestinians are/are not to blame 5. The Israel lobby is/is not to blame 6. Criticism of Israel is/is not linked to anti-Semitism, "Israel Without Clichés," by Tony Judt in today's New York Times … [Read more...] about A Must-Read: “Israel Without Clichés”
Brown Pelican warns Bald Eagle
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Brown Pelican warns Bald Eagle
Video: Turned on Mike Catches Carly Fiorina’s Unflattering Comments about Barbara Boxer and Sean Hannity (UPDATED)
Morning drive DJs, some cable news host mavens, and early morning talk show hosts of the right and left are all talking about the gem of a video you can watch below: California Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina, getting caught with an open mike getting ready for a TV appearance -- dissing her Democratic rival Barbara Boxer's hair. That has political junkies and new … [Read more...] about Video: Turned on Mike Catches Carly Fiorina’s Unflattering Comments about Barbara Boxer and Sean Hannity (UPDATED)
With Friends Like These Who Needs Enemies
After Helen Thomas quickly submitted her resignation rather than fight against the fallout from her taped remarks that appeared to many to be anti-Semitic, it would have been reasonable to expect the story would quickly disappear. After all, nasty remarks were hardly surprising from a woman who has made a career out of nasty remarks, and it she was well past her expiration … [Read more...] about With Friends Like These Who Needs Enemies
A Loss Won’t Silence the Democratic Left
WASHINGTON -- This week's primaries should have been good news for Democrats. Instead, a stray comment from an Obama aide briefly threatened a civil war in the Democratic Party, which needs all the unity it can get. The administration moved quickly to heal bad feelings that burst forth when an unnamed senior White House official disparaged organized labor's … [Read more...] about A Loss Won’t Silence the Democratic Left
BP’s Shares Fall as Oil Gushes Up Amid Bankruptcy Speculation
To some -- and not just environmentalists -- there may be some poetic justice in a new apparent trend in the Gulf oil spill story: as the oil from under the sea gushes up threatening fish, birds, the coastline and a whole way of life, British Petroleum's shares have begun to fall amid speculation that the whole sorry saga will end in the company having to declare … [Read more...] about BP’s Shares Fall as Oil Gushes Up Amid Bankruptcy Speculation