How many times can we be told by the experts that our economy has turned the corner before everyone but them realizes that all this corner turning is just walking us around in circles? In this country for many months, far too many times. The most recent corner turning burst of official euphoria occurred this past Friday when a new employment report found that 162,000 new jobs … [Read more...] about The Corner Turning Fandango
The Pope’s Red Herrings
On Good Friday, of all days, the Pope's priest, of all people, stirs blood memories of hatred by invoking Jews as "victims of collective violence" to bewail his spiritual leader's ordeal of criticism for failing to protect the victims of ordained pedophile predators. As quickly as the Vatican has moved to distance itself from this crackpot comparison, it reverberates in the … [Read more...] about The Pope’s Red Herrings
Quote of the Day: Did Justin Bieber Tweet His Way to the Top?
In past years, it could be said a singer "warbled" his or her way to the top, or sang like a bird to the top. But the question in the 21st century -- a legitimate one, to be sure -- is whether teen idol Justin Bieber Tweeted his way to the top. Our pop culture Quote of the Day is from a piece on The Daily Beast by Maura Johnston, American Idol columnist for Fancast.com and … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Did Justin Bieber Tweet His Way to the Top?
The Cynical Politics Of Jobs
With unemployment hovering at 9.7%, Americans got some good news on Friday as the economy added 162,000 new jobs in March. Democrats trotted out their red/blue “V” graph (above) to show the improvement from Bush’s final five quarters to Obama’s first five quarters. They crowed about how the stimulus, always designed to spend and add jobs in 2010, was working and hammered … [Read more...] about The Cynical Politics Of Jobs
The Coca Cola Column (Guest Voice)
The Coca-Cola Column by Peter Funt I'm calling this column “Coca-Cola.” Although I have little to say about Coke, it's my hope that the giant soft drink company will send me a few bucks for the naming rights. Apparently during the current economic upheaval, names are the easiest things to pawn off. New York City got $4 million by allowing Barclays to put its name on a … [Read more...] about The Coca Cola Column (Guest Voice)
Department of “No Duh”: Obama Checks “Black” on Census
The New York Times reports that Barack Obama checked "Black" on his census: The president, who was born in Hawaii and raised there and in Indonesia, had more than a dozen options in responding to Question 9, about race. He chose “Black, African Am., or Negro.” (The anachronistic “Negro” was retained on the 2010 form because the Census Bureau believes that some older blacks … [Read more...] about Department of “No Duh”: Obama Checks “Black” on Census
Why I’m Not Buying An iPad This Weekend
I own Apple stock, but I'm not lining up at my local Apple store this weekend or waiting with bated breath for the UPS or FedX guy to show up at my door. Why not? Shiny Is Not Enough I don't think I've ever bought a first generation Apple product. The novelty factor is insufficient motivation for me, and I don't lust after "new" enough to bear the costs associated with a … [Read more...] about Why I’m Not Buying An iPad This Weekend
Scott Roeder Sentenced To Life in Prison
Scott Roeder, the anti-abortion extremist who murdered Dr. George Tiller, was sentenced yesterday to a "Hard 50" -- essentially life in prison without the possibility of parole (via Tennessee Guerrilla Women): … [Read more...] about Scott Roeder Sentenced To Life in Prison
Libertarians & Political Principles
The libertarian movement should not compromise its ideals. That's the argument that was made by Prameet Kumar in an article that was published in the March 24th online edition of the University of Pennsylvania's Daily Pennsylvanian. In his article he suggested that the libertarian philosophy is becoming increasingly attractive to Americans in the 18-29 year old age range, a … [Read more...] about Libertarians & Political Principles
CBS Poll: Obama’s Approval Rating Hits Record Low
Why is President Barack Obama out on the hustings these days talking about health care reform and what parts of it will kick in immediately, pointing out that the media needs to write instant judgments before it's really prudent to do so and telling a reporter that talk radio is divisive ("NO DUH")? Perhaps because it's because in some polls he is coming up as popularity … [Read more...] about CBS Poll: Obama’s Approval Rating Hits Record Low
Why Do Arabs Obey Obama When No One Else Does?: Al-Madina, Saudi Arabia
Are Arab nations going along too easily with the demands of the Obama Administration? Israel's recent treatment of Joe Biden seems to have triggered some Arab soul-searching on the question. According to this article by columnist Yassir Al Zaatira of Saudi Arabia's Al Madina newspaper, the apparent impunity with which Israel dispenses with the will of the United States should … [Read more...] about Why Do Arabs Obey Obama When No One Else Does?: Al-Madina, Saudi Arabia
Could Refinery Blast Killing 3 Been Avoided?
Well, excuse me, but I am outraged. Reports out of Washington state say three employees were killed and four critically burned in an explosion at an oil refinery plant cited with 17 "serious" safety violations last year. Initial reports did not say whether the Tesoro Corp. corrected the violations at the company's Anacortes plant 70 miles north of Seattle on the Puget Sound. … [Read more...] about Could Refinery Blast Killing 3 Been Avoided?
Become A Hedge Fund Manager: A Primer
Don't you wish you were a hedge fund manager? Twenty-five of them made a total of more than $25 billion in 2009, at the same time that most ordinary folk in this country were out of work, worried about work, or working harder just in order to live poorer. How did these best and brightest do it? What's the secret of their titanic financial success? Great brilliance? … [Read more...] about Become A Hedge Fund Manager: A Primer
Did Obama Unfairly Criticize Limbaugh, Beck and Talk Shows?
Hold onto your horses (or are they used to it by now?): The 24/7 outrage industry is again slipping into high gear -- this time upset over President Barack Obama accusing conservative talk show and GOP titans Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh of using "troublesome" rhetoric and vitriol on their programs. In today's political climate, where anger and rage are seemingly required … [Read more...] about Did Obama Unfairly Criticize Limbaugh, Beck and Talk Shows?
Updated: Economy Added 162,000 Jobs
We're a little slow this morning at TMV. (It probably has something to do with a holiday weekend for many.) As a result, this subject is almost old news by now: The U.S. economy added an estimated 162,000 jobs last month, while the unemployment rate stuck stubbornly to 9.7 percent. Such is life. Reactions galore at Memeorandum, and Andrew Sullivan summarizes a couple … [Read more...] about Updated: Economy Added 162,000 Jobs
Mideast Muddle of Democracy
In what turns out to have been no April Fool's joke, Hamid Karzai blames fraud in Afghanistan's recent elections on "foreigners," and President Obama's national security adviser is not amused. Brushing off such allegations, retired Gen. Jim Jones tells Jim Lehrer that that the Afghan president's progress against corruption is "very embryonic," citing the people's need "to … [Read more...] about Mideast Muddle of Democracy
DADT Study May Result In More Gay Discharges
Remember that year long study that DoD was undertaking on the repeal of DADT? The study is now undeway with the report due December 1st. But apparently Secretary of the Army John McHugh, one of those leading the march to repeal, has tripped…over his tongue. Here’s what’s going on. Part of the study involves surveying the views of active military personnel. Service … [Read more...] about DADT Study May Result In More Gay Discharges
Post Office Pink Slips
Bill Schorr, Cagle Cartoons This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Post Office Pink Slips
Warrantless Surveillance, Ctd.
A story in today's NYT focuses on the challenging position the Obama administration is now in, given Wednesday's ruling by a federal judge on the warrantless surveillance issue. Challenging or not for the administration, reader "Jason Arvak" emailed yesterday, arguing that the judge's ruling "smells like a political or emotional decision ... not genuine compliance with the … [Read more...] about Warrantless Surveillance, Ctd.
Gandelman Ranked Among Top 25 Centrist Voices
John Avlon might be most recognizable from his "Wingnuts of the Week" segments on CNN's "American Morning" show. He's also a columnist for The Daily Beast, where he has published a list of whom he believes to be "The Top 25 Centrist Columnists and Commentators." There are many recognizable names: Kathleen Parker, David Brooks, Andrew Sullivan. And a few whose presence … [Read more...] about Gandelman Ranked Among Top 25 Centrist Voices