Forget politics. DC has something to be REALLY excited about. A genuine ace - perhaps the best pitcher to wear the "W" cap since Walter Johnson. Stephen Strasburg was the most hyped new pitcher since Mark Prior on the 2002 Cubs. Strasburg dominated in the minors. So how did he do in his debut tonight? Two minor negatives first: 1) The Pirates hitters - not exactly Major … [Read more...] about The Real News in DC Tonight: Stephen Strasburg
Primary Night: SC, Arkansas and Maine
Now that we are getting some clearer returns I thought I'd focus on some of the races that are getting attention from the voters. LINCOLN WINS With 75% of the vote in Lincoln holds to the same 51-49 lead. Not that the networks care, but I'm calling this one for Lincoln UPDATE #4: We've got nearly 65% of the vote counted and Lincoln is back on top 51-49 (about 4,500 … [Read more...] about Primary Night: SC, Arkansas and Maine
If It’s Good Enough For Helen
Helen Thomas was ambushed by a right wing James O'Keefe style Rabbi and was forced to retire. You have to be careful what you say and Helen probably should have retired years ago anyway. But Glenn Beck has not been ambushed but that has not stopped him from recommending crazy right winger W. Cleon Skousen and now Nazi sympathizer Elizabeth Dilling. On his radio show today, … [Read more...] about If It’s Good Enough For Helen
The Joran van der Sloot Murder Case in Ten Languages
I have been browsing the Peruvian press for breaking news about Joran van der Sloot and, as I have posted here and here, found some interesting bits and pieces. Then, realizing the nationality of van der Sloot, I decided to check the Dutch press and I believe that I hit the mother lode with “Radio Nederland Wereld Omroep (Radio Netherlands Worldwide), or RNW. Radio … [Read more...] about The Joran van der Sloot Murder Case in Ten Languages
Reid and Reid
Among states having a Primary election today is Nevada. Nevada voters were faced with two big decisions today in addition to a couple dozen local level races. The electronic ballot in some precincts was 9 pages long. While the nation has one eye on our race, it turns out that the majority of Nevadans won't even bother showing up at the polls. The headline star of the show … [Read more...] about Reid and Reid
Primary Night Part One
Today is something of a mini Super Tuesday with primaries in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, South Carolina, South Dakota and Virginia. Some of the races are pretty quiet. In North Dakota it's pretty much a coronation for the next US Senator but in other states we've got some big races. In Arkansas we could see the 3rd … [Read more...] about Primary Night Part One
Glee Speech On Tolerance
I am a huge fan of the TV show Glee but a scene in a recent episode just took my breath away. For a little background, the plot of this scene involves a gay teen (Kurt) and his widowed father (Burt) and the son's football jock friend (Finn). Bert is a mechanic, very blue collar and is dealing with his son's sexuality. Although he does not totally understand everything he has … [Read more...] about Glee Speech On Tolerance
How To Catch A Psychopath: Joran van der Sloot?
From teaching in prisons and penitentiaries for many years, I've seen psychopathic behavior up close. Some prisoners, one wonders why they are there ...for their minds are clear and hearts are good, but they made a terrible mistake somewhere, or a true injustice was created. But one kind of incarcertated person is the epitome of decay. I don't know if Joran van der Sloot … [Read more...] about How To Catch A Psychopath: Joran van der Sloot?
American Ass-Kicking
Another primary day, another occasion for voter disgust-- today's ballots will be parsed for the degree and direction of anti-incumbent rage as new polls show such passion at an all-time high. All this recalls the reaction of a social critic half a century ago to excoriation of those who produce mass entertainment as purveyors of junk: "Yes, but what about the people who … [Read more...] about American Ass-Kicking
Let’s Go to the (Original) Video Tape
I have no words. I should have seen this coming. … [Read more...] about Let’s Go to the (Original) Video Tape
Blago Promises To Twitter During Trial
Frankly, Rod and Patti Blagojevich, I don't give a damn if you Twitter during Rod and his brother's criminal trial for selling President Obama's Senate seat and shaking down a children's hospital for campaign contributions and 22 other federal corruption charges. I don't Twitter so count me out as adding to Rod's list of 819 and Patti's 121 followers, according to Politics … [Read more...] about Blago Promises To Twitter During Trial
Peruvian Newspaper: Van der Sloot Linked to Women Disappearances in Colombia? (UPDATE)
Under the headline, “Two women disappeared in Colombia during van der Sloot’s stay in that country,” the Peruvian newspaper El Comercio reports that, before arriving in Lima on May 14, Joran van der Sloot had been in Colombia since May 6. The paper asks, “What did he do in [Colombia]?” and answers, “The same as here. Visiting casinos,” It continues, “Nevertheless, his stay … [Read more...] about Peruvian Newspaper: Van der Sloot Linked to Women Disappearances in Colombia? (UPDATE)
Whose Ass to Kick
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Whose Ass to Kick
VIDEO: Jon Stewart on Helen Thomas’ Controversy and Resignation
Here's Jon Stewart on the controversy surrounding Helen Thomas' comments and her resignation. He also offers a bit of a critique for aspiring racists in a bit on South Carolina: The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Jon Stewart on Helen Thomas’ Controversy and Resignation
North Korea Border Guard Kills 3 Chinese
I confess to be a North Korea watcher only to the extent of how far this paranoid bully can go before some adult in his neighborhood slaps him silly. The latest incident is a North Korean border guard killing three Chinese citizens and wounding a fourth on the two country's border in the industrial trading town of Dandong. The guard suspected the four were crossing the … [Read more...] about North Korea Border Guard Kills 3 Chinese
Time for Americans to Lead New Way of Life: Tages Anzeiger, Switzerland
With the oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, is it time for Americans to well and truly change their lifestyles? According to Martin Laubli of Switzerland's Tages Anzeiger, President Obama needs to lead the world by pointedly rejecting George H.W. Bush's 1992 statement that 'The American way of life is non-negotiable.' For Tages Anzeiger, Martin Laubli writes in part: Obama … [Read more...] about Time for Americans to Lead New Way of Life: Tages Anzeiger, Switzerland
Obama Tells BP Exec To Take His Job And Shove It — Oops Or Ouch?
The president of the United States says he would have fired the chief executive of the world's fourth most profitable corporation if he worked for him. Ouch. With that assertion on NBC's Today Show, President Obama has stepped into the metaphoric bloviating of infamous responses such as President Coolidge saying "The business of America is business," and the dollar-a-year … [Read more...] about Obama Tells BP Exec To Take His Job And Shove It — Oops Or Ouch?
Poll: Voters Increasingly Disapprove of House Inbumbents and Tea Party Movement
There's a double whammy in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll: voters approval of their incumbent House representative is at an all time low -- and the public is increasingly uncharmed by the Tea Party movement. The bottom line of this poll would suggest that Republicans hoping to capitalize on voter ire now face a more complicated situation: more than ever, they need Tea … [Read more...] about Poll: Voters Increasingly Disapprove of House Inbumbents and Tea Party Movement
California: The Insane Asylum of American Politics
The dramatic resurgence of Republican fortunes since 2008 may be developing into an electoral steamroller in time for midterm elections. Most observers expect Democrats to lose most of their margin in the House and Senate. President Obama will definitely have to deal with Senate filibusters and a much more fiscally conservative House. At the state level, things look … [Read more...] about California: The Insane Asylum of American Politics
Video and News Roundup: Van der Sloot Confesses To Murder of Peruvian Woman After She Discovered Halloway Case On His Laptop
There's a sense of deja vu for Americans in the news from Peru. Joran van der Sloot has reportedly confessed to the murder of a 21-year-old Peruvian woman. Yet, for years he was suspected in the disappearance of Natalee Halloway. Will this be like O.J. Simpson who many Americans felt got away with murder but wound up going to jail for another crime? Van der Sloot, the 22 … [Read more...] about Video and News Roundup: Van der Sloot Confesses To Murder of Peruvian Woman After She Discovered Halloway Case On His Laptop