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)
Poll Finds 51% Favor Arizona Law
A new New York Times/CBS News poll taken April 28 through May 2 of 1,079 adults found 51% favor the anti-immigrant law enacted in Arizona on April 23. Thirty-six percent said it went too far and 9% said it did not go far enough. A whopping 78% of the respondents said the federal government could do more at the border to keep out illegal immigrants. However, 57% said … [Read more...] about Poll Finds 51% Favor Arizona Law
Primary Day in Three States
Indiana, Ohio and North Carolina voters pick candidates today for the general election. Chris Cillizza offers a summary of the contests. … [Read more...] about Primary Day in Three States
Independents Fight for Political Reform and Open Primaries
Independents Fight for Political Reform! Who are the "real independents"? Randy Miller is one of them, and you can meet plenty more grassroots activists who are working overtime (for no pay) fighting for political reforms like open primaries and nonpartisan elections all over the country! Let's hope that Charlie Crist seeks some of us out in his new independent run for gov of … [Read more...] about Independents Fight for Political Reform and Open Primaries
Bill Moyers Will Be Missed
With sanity and good sense so media rare these days, when Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck star in "The 100 Most Influential People in the World," the loss of Bill Moyers' voice on PBS every weekend is hard to bear. His retirement at 75 marks the last of a generation of 20th century journalists, inspired by Edward R. Murrow, dedicated not to getting the story first but getting it … [Read more...] about Bill Moyers Will Be Missed
Winds, Politics Blow Hard On Gulf Oil Spill Cleanup Efforts
If the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico wasn't so potentially devastating both economically and ecologically, I would offer a cynical remark that three Democratic senators are displaying their infinite wisdom by proposing legislation that would increase the cap of $75 million to $10 billion for damages liable to oil giant BP. Despite British Petroleum LCC Chief Executive Tony … [Read more...] about Winds, Politics Blow Hard On Gulf Oil Spill Cleanup Efforts
Feds Nab Inept Times Square Bomber
Federal agents and police detectives have arrested a naturalized citizen from Pakistan in the botched unexploded car bomb in Times Square. They identified the man as Faisal Shahzad of Connecticut who they said bought the 1993 Nissan Pathfinder several weeks ago through a website ad but did not register it. The unattended SUV was loaded with gasoline, propane, fireworks, … [Read more...] about Feds Nab Inept Times Square Bomber
Clinton: U.S. Has 5,113 Warheads
The Obama administration has a penchant for laying most of its cards on the table, a poker technique many experts would avoid, and they continued this strange game by telling the world we have a nuclear arsenal of 5,113 weapons. The heretofore stunning announcement by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at an arms proliferation meeting before the United Nations General … [Read more...] about Clinton: U.S. Has 5,113 Warheads
Arrest in Times Square Plot
NBC: Suspect arrested in NYC bomb attempt Man is a Connecticut resident who bought the SUV at center of probe NEW YORK - Authorities arrested a suspect in the attempted weekend car bombing in Times Square, NBC News' justice correspondent Pete Williams reported early Tuesday morning. A U.S. citizen of Pakistani descent, Shahzad Faisal, was arrested Monday night on Long … [Read more...] about Arrest in Times Square Plot
Blame game ramping up over Gulf oil spill
Nearly two weeks after an explosion on the oil rig Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico sent millions of gallons of oil streaming into the sea, government and corporate emergency teams are scrambling to contain the environmental damage as well as cover their own backsides. BP, the operator of the rig, is preparing a containment dome to cap off the undersea oil well and is … [Read more...] about Blame game ramping up over Gulf oil spill
Schwarzenegger Drops Support of Offshore Drilling: First of Many Politico Shifts On Issue?
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin may still be in effect declaring "drill baby, drill" but it looks as if California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenneger may be foreshadowing the reaction of some politicos: "spill, baby spill" -- as he revokes his once-vocal support of offshore drilling. Is this the opening salvo in some politicos inching away from supporting offshore drilling or, in … [Read more...] about Schwarzenegger Drops Support of Offshore Drilling: First of Many Politico Shifts On Issue?
Muslim World Split Over Iranian Nuclear Program
With the opening of the five-yearly U.N. conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the world is once again poised to argue about Iran's nuclear program. These two articles - one from Kuwait and another from Algeria - highlight the split within the Muslim world about what to do - and whether perceived U.S. nuclear double standards in regard to Israel and other states … [Read more...] about Muslim World Split Over Iranian Nuclear Program
Report: Likely Foreign Link in New York Times Square Bomb Plot
Intensive investigations into the attempted bombing of New Yorks's Times Square continue -- and the latest is that the administration is eying a possible international plot. In fact, the "person of interest" reportedly traveled to Pakistan -- an American ally that has in recent years become a hotbed of terrorist activity. Fox News reports: The investigation into the … [Read more...] about Report: Likely Foreign Link in New York Times Square Bomb Plot
Hey There, Georgy Girl
Lynn Redgrave -- in my opinion, one of the most underrated actresses of her time -- died today at the age of 67. Like so many others, she was felled by breast cancer. … [Read more...] about Hey There, Georgy Girl
Book Review: Dangerously Funny The Uncensored Story of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
It's now the stuff of Baby Boomer legend. Once upon a time -- specifically, 1967 -- Tom and Dick Smothers, a rising brother comedy team folks singing parody nightclub act, a big hit on Jack Paar's Tonight show, and The Jack Benny Show, were given their own TV show on Sunday nights almost as sacrificial lambs to try and take on the NBC powerhouse competition killer "Bonanza." … [Read more...] about Book Review: Dangerously Funny The Uncensored Story of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Yellow Light on Populist Financial Reform
A group of economics professors have cautioned Congress against indulging in a rush to judgment on financial reform. Focusing too much on vengeance instead of diagnosis may be causing Congressional leaders to regulate the wrong things and ignore the real systemic risks: “Until we understand what the causes were, we may be implementing ineffective and even counterproductive … [Read more...] about Yellow Light on Populist Financial Reform