"Who are the real independents?" I seem to have touched a nerve, prompting responses by email and by others on this site. But I think both miss the point: "Independent" should be more than just non-affiliation with Democrats or Republicans. When an "independent" repeats verbatim the talking points of MoveOn.org, it is hard to interpret such an expression as that of a real … [Read more...] about Real Independents II — The Debate
The ‘War’ on Terror vs. a Police Action
This blurb by Dave Neiwert at Crooks and Liars is fascinating. It is so blithely ignorant of its own irony that it could easily be construed as a child sticking its tongue out at a playmate and sneering, "So there, nyeah." The next time you hear some right-winger (most notably Dick Cheney) sneer at the Obama administration's "law enforcement approach to terrorism," … [Read more...] about The ‘War’ on Terror vs. a Police Action
Alf: The Only Openly Gay Male Athlete
Not the Alien Life Form ALF from the 1980s sitcom. The 6'3" 225 pound Welsh national rugby team star, Gareth Thomas. Alf is the nickname given to him by a friend at age 14 that stuck. Some months ago he gained the distinction of becoming the first, and only, gay man in a major team sport who's out of the closet. This week Gary Smith has a 7,000+ word profile of him in … [Read more...] about Alf: The Only Openly Gay Male Athlete
President Calderón Pledges To Help Migrants Fight Arizona Law: Excelsior, Mexico
How far can the Mexican head of state go in helping Mexicans in the United States - illegal or not - fight Arizona Law SB 1070? Continuing our coverage of reaction from the Mexican side, in this news item from Mexico's Excelsior newspaper, President Felipe Calderon, incensed by the new law, tells leaders of Mexican migrants residing in the U.S. that his government will leave no … [Read more...] about President Calderón Pledges To Help Migrants Fight Arizona Law: Excelsior, Mexico
Autopsy Vindicates Corey Haim
Forget about adding the late Corey Haim's name to the list of former child actors or older actors who died of a drug overdose. He and those who believed in him have now been vindicated: it turns out he died of natural causes, including heart damage and pneumonia. A NOTE ON THAT: More than 10 years ago, while I was performing my school assembly at schools in the Marysville, … [Read more...] about Autopsy Vindicates Corey Haim
Late Night News Roundup (EDITED AND EXPANDED)
Author's note: I have expanded and edited my coverage of the Reker news item. … [Read more...] about Late Night News Roundup (EDITED AND EXPANDED)
It’s a Pakistani Islamist Jihadi! Don’t Mirandize Him!
Oh, and by the way, it's really impressive how you law enforcement guys at the NYPD and the FBI managed to identify and apprehend Faisal Shahzad, even though the attempted bombing in Times Square was an act of war and we know that law enforcement methods don't work with things like this. … [Read more...] about It’s a Pakistani Islamist Jihadi! Don’t Mirandize Him!
Glenn Beck’s New Crusade: Against Mother’s Day?
As we've often said here, hot talk partisan talk radio is about going negative, getting people riled up and sometimes getting listeners who've riled up or who tune in to listen to an intellectual car crash. Glenn Beck has now taken his show to a new level low bycoming out against that terrible holiday that is (supposedly) being shoved down our throats: Mothers' … [Read more...] about Glenn Beck’s New Crusade: Against Mother’s Day?
Crisis of Infinite Crises
Is it just me or is there a lot going wrong these days? … [Read more...] about Crisis of Infinite Crises
How a Maine Blogger Forced a Gubernatorial Campaign Staffer to Resign Over Plagiarism Allegations
How a Maine blogger forced a gubernatorial campaign staffer to resign over plagiarism allegations by Simon Owens Les Otten is no stranger to plagiarism charges. Not long after the former American Skiing Company CEO entered the race for Maine governor last summer, his campaign was accused of ripping off Obama's iconic "O" logo and website, a situation only made worse when … [Read more...] about How a Maine Blogger Forced a Gubernatorial Campaign Staffer to Resign Over Plagiarism Allegations
Moderate Republican Howl
RJ Matson, Roll Call This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Moderate Republican Howl
American Gypsy – Dealing With The Political Center
Karl Rove rode triumphant from his Texas enclave to the nation’s capitol. With his newly elected president, shaped and molded as a compassionate conservative, the kind of guy you’d like to have a beer with, Rove carried with him what he believed were the seeds of a permanent Republican majority. Coming on the heels of a reckless attempt to impeach a president, the new … [Read more...] about American Gypsy – Dealing With The Political Center
Stupid Fan Deserves To Be Tasered
MSNBC.com is polling readers asking if it is okay to Taser a nut who runs onto a playing field as happened at a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game Monday night. I was among the 70% who said damn right. A policeman and stadium security guards chased Steve Consalvi, 17, for a frantic minute when the officer nailed the frolicking youth with a Taser and the kid dropped like a … [Read more...] about Stupid Fan Deserves To Be Tasered
Terrorism Expert Says New York Times Square Bombing Attempt Part of “Troubling Trend”
Is the U.S. still in "the crosshairs of terror?" A former CIA officer thinks so: > … [Read more...] about Terrorism Expert Says New York Times Square Bombing Attempt Part of “Troubling Trend”
Does the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Have the White House in “Panic” Mode?
We've noted here many times the fact that new and old media pundits can analyze and predict all the want but in the end much of the analysis is wrong analysis sheepishly swept under the rug due to intevereening events. An event can transform a Presidential image...for good or bad. It can change a conventional wisdom narrative, strengthen or weaken the President's party and … [Read more...] about Does the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Have the White House in “Panic” Mode?
The Miranda Conundrum in the Shahzad Arrest
John McCain is saying we shouldn't mirandize an American citizen who has been arrested for his participation in the Times Square bomb plot: It would have been a serious mistake to have read the suspect in the attempted Times Square car bombing his Miranda rights, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday. McCain, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a … [Read more...] about The Miranda Conundrum in the Shahzad Arrest
Same Old, Same Old Budget Crises Continue in California
The budget gurus who forecast California's revenues missed their April projections -- the month most families pay their state income taxes -- by 30% or $3 billion. The shortfall wiped out gains the previous four months that gave Legislators hope would ease their budget nightmare. Furthermore, the experts are clueless why they missed their projections by so … [Read more...] about Same Old, Same Old Budget Crises Continue in California
Video Busts Teacher for Stealing From Kids’ Lockers
Here's a teacher who is not....ahem...exactly a great role model: a cellphone video caught him stealing from kids' lockers. So exactly what did he REALLY teach them? … [Read more...] about Video Busts Teacher for Stealing From Kids’ Lockers
Caught in the Middle
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized use prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Caught in the Middle
A Standup Wasteland (Guest Voice)
Environmental Wasteland by Martha Randolph Carr There is something about the people and the environment of the Louisiana coastline that inspires government officials particularly on the federal level to look the other way until things have gone horribly wrong and then rush in with too little too late. Political leanings seem to make no apparent difference. It’s about to … [Read more...] about A Standup Wasteland (Guest Voice)