There are a few Democrats left in the south. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-4) is one of them. Here he's questioning Robert Willard, commander of the U.S. fleet in the Pacific, at a House Armed Services Committee hearing last week on the impact of more American troops on the island of Guam: "My fear is that the whole island would become so overly populated that it would tip over … [Read more...] about Georgia Congressman: Not An April Fools Joke
Ending Mountaintop Removal: Obama’s Biggest Accomplishment
I thought it was an April Fool's joke when I saw the Washington Post headline. But apparently it is not. President Obama's EPA head Lisa Jackson just announced new guidelines that will effectively end mountaintop removal. If this follows through and actually ends the horrid practice of blowing off mountaintops and dumping the sludge in neighboring streams and hollows then … [Read more...] about Ending Mountaintop Removal: Obama’s Biggest Accomplishment
Red Riding Hood and the Wolves
Simanca Osmani, Cagle Cartoons, Brazil This copyrighted cartoon is authorized to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Red Riding Hood and the Wolves
Sarkozy and Obama: Determined to Leave their Mark on an Era – Le Figaro, France
After all the talk of bad feeling between President Obama and French President Sarkozy, what is it that seems now to be binding them together? In the wake of what is being seen in the French press as a successful U.S. visit by Sarkozy, Le Figaro columnist Yves Threard writes that the similarities between the two men in terms of their goals and place in history far outweigh … [Read more...] about Sarkozy and Obama: Determined to Leave their Mark on an Era – Le Figaro, France
The Census Follies Continue
Nate Silver thinks yesterday's news story about significantly lower rates of Census returns in Republican areas of the country is more funny than true: … [Read more...] about The Census Follies Continue
Killing Afghan Civilians
Kathy titled her recent post Afghan Civilians Still Being Killed By US Troops in Shockingly High Numbers. She observed, McChrystal’s ground troops are wantonly killing innocent civilians who, by McChrystal’s own admission are doing nothing to provoke such action.This charge of "wanton killing" is reckless and irresponsible. Let's return to the facts. Kathy based her … [Read more...] about Killing Afghan Civilians
Poll: Democrats Losing Edge Now On Economy (Political Danger Zone)
With a spate of recent polls you could say the Democrats are "at risk" politically. With the latest CNN/Opinion Research poll now enters officially into the "danger zone." The Democrats have lost their edge on the economy: Democrats have lost their large advantage over Republicans when when Americans are asked which party would do a better job with the economy, … [Read more...] about Poll: Democrats Losing Edge Now On Economy (Political Danger Zone)
A Funny Thing Happened To Michael Steele On His Way To The Office
To hear Democrats gloat, Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, is the gift that keeps on giving. Mr. Steele is the Republican's version of Joe Biden. His mouth is never confused with his heart when he tells fellow Republicans to "shut up or fire me," or something close to that. I like Mike. Several months ago he told a flabbergasted, jaw-dropping … [Read more...] about A Funny Thing Happened To Michael Steele On His Way To The Office
Why Is Obama Drilling?
A good roundup is HERE. Note that there are policy advantages plus some political advantages in Barack Obama's decision which -- if those analyses are correct -- again go against the image some started to paint of him as a hapless, naive former law professor. If some of these analyses are correct, GOPers will underestimate him at their peril. … [Read more...] about Why Is Obama Drilling?
Vatican Outrage Might Go a Long Way
So writes Colleen Carroll Campbell on the op-ed page of today's St. Louis PD. As a new mother gazing into the innocent eyes of my two babies, marveling at their wide-open smiles and implicit trust, I feel revolted by the thought that someone could violate that trust in such unspeakable ways. Looking at them, I don't much care about caveats or context. I don't want to hear … [Read more...] about Vatican Outrage Might Go a Long Way
Glenn Beck and Keith Olbermann to Host Reality TV Show
The APF news wire reported today (April 1st) that Keith Olbermann and Glenn Beck have signed on for an experiment in reality television. For two weeks Beck and Olbermann will share a one bedroom Manhattan apartment while having all their interactions filmed by a camera crew. APF spokesman Jason Knottgnus guaranteed reporters that “Keith and Glenn are really into this idea. … [Read more...] about Glenn Beck and Keith Olbermann to Host Reality TV Show
RNC Fundraising Letter Mistakenly Gives Phone Sex Hotline
You'd have to pause and think that this bit of news is an April Fool's joke -- except it comes via AP which doesn't put out fake stories on April Fool's day: First came news that the Republican National Committee paid $1,946 for a gathering at a sex-themed Hollywood club, which a group of young Republicans had visited without RNC approval. The money is to be paid … [Read more...] about RNC Fundraising Letter Mistakenly Gives Phone Sex Hotline
Appeal to our Sensibilities (Guest Voice)
Appeal to our Sensibilities by Michael Reagan Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder was killed while serving in Iraq in 2006. His grieving father, Albert Snyder, did what too many military families have had to do over the past several years -- bury his child. But this sad story takes a cruel and despicable turn. You see, a group identified as the Westboro Baptist … [Read more...] about Appeal to our Sensibilities (Guest Voice)
1994 All Over Again?
USAT some new polling numbers. I discuss them here. … [Read more...] about 1994 All Over Again?
Supreme Court Reporting And The King’s English: Padilla v. Kentucky
First, today’s pet peeve. The past tense of the verb “plead” is “pleaded”, not pled. Fine, I’m a fuddy duddy who still uses a paper dictionary with letter tabs. And, yes, “pled” is a recognized colloquial usage. But, in the King’s English… Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued its 7-2 ruling in the case of Padilla v. Kentucky. Many sources are reporting the result … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Reporting And The King’s English: Padilla v. Kentucky
Death of Civil Discourse
Mike Lester, The Rome News-Tribune This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Death of Civil Discourse
Quote of the Day II: Karl Rove on Michael Steele, RNC Bondage Club Flap
Our second political Quote of the Day comes from "Bush's Brain" GOP political maven Karl Rove on the controversy swirling around RNC Chairman Michael Steele: "The question is not Michael Steele...The question is the management of the building and whether the procedures are in place to spend money on elections - and not to spend money on jets and bondage clubs." … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day II: Karl Rove on Michael Steele, RNC Bondage Club Flap
U.S. Faces Special Challenge in Kandahar
While the eyes of the world are focused elsewhere, and while many eyes in the United States are focused on the inevitable 24/7 political-rage squabbles, the U.S. is facing a major challenge in Afghanistan -- one perhaps a bit more complex than usual: the battle for Kandahar which will require more than just military might. David Ignatius writes: The coming battle for … [Read more...] about U.S. Faces Special Challenge in Kandahar
Sunny Charlie Crist’s Rough Water (Guest Voice)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- It was precisely the sort of event that Gov. Charlie Crist loves: a nonpartisan, non-ideological chance to boost Florida, its people and its weather. Ironically, it was also a moment rooted in partisanship, a news conference on Tuesday capping an effort by leaders from around Tampa Bay to persuade Republicans to bring their national convention … [Read more...] about Sunny Charlie Crist’s Rough Water (Guest Voice)
Warrantless Surveillance Revisited
The implications of this development strike me as rather ... um ... significant. A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the National Security Agency’s program of surveillance without warrants was illegal, rejecting the Obama administration’s effort to keep shrouded in secrecy one of the most disputed counterterrorism policies of former President George W. Bush. I've … [Read more...] about Warrantless Surveillance Revisited