I adore the idea and goal of increasing our country's energy independence from oil and oil-producing nations as much if not more than the average American. But I also adore the Atlantic coast, having grown up on the Long Island Sound in Connecticut, working and summering in Coastal Maine and spending time on New Jersey and Massachusetts shores. The vision of oil rigs … [Read more...] about Obama Loves Sight of Oil Rigs, Okays Them for Reflecting Pool
Public still against healthcare bill
Last week, all eyes were on Gallup after it reported a startling bounce in popularity for the healthcare bill after it was passed by House Democrats. On the same day that I posted about the Gallup survey with a hint of skepticism, Michael taunted Republicans, asking "I wonder what they’ll say about this new poll." Meanwhile, Elrod described the Gallup report as "the first … [Read more...] about Public still against healthcare bill
Don’t call it the “individual mandate”
Kevin Drum:The individual mandate may be an essential part of healthcare reform, but it's also the part that's easiest to hate.One pro-reform blogger suggests you think of it this way: the government is subsidizing your health insurance, the same way that most employers would (if they offer insurance). But even if you think about it that way, what should Democrats call … [Read more...] about Don’t call it the “individual mandate”
AIPAC: The Lobby One Dare Not Name: Le Quotidien d’Oran, Algeria
Is AIPAC - the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee - as powerful as critics suggest? According to this article from Algeria's Le Quotidien d'Oran, the outcome of the recent spat between the U.S. and Israel proves that the organization has the almost unique capacity to get the world's greatest power to undermine its own interests for those of a foreign land. For Le … [Read more...] about AIPAC: The Lobby One Dare Not Name: Le Quotidien d’Oran, Algeria
April Fools
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about April Fools
Quote of the Day: Young Voters Are Increasingly Independent Voters
Our political Quote of the Day comes from John Opdycke, a graduate of University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and current chief of staff for IndependentVoting.org who, in a must-read-in-full op ed in New Jersey's The Record, notes that young voters are increasingly independent voters in a system that is dominated by the two political parties. Here's the first part of his … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Young Voters Are Increasingly Independent Voters
For determined commenters
FYI, you can still comment on my posts, which all go up at Conventional Folly as well as TMV. Each of my posts on TMV will continue to have (at the end) a link to the equivalent post on Conventional Folly. Also, I will be glad to publish e-mails from those who wants their opinions to go up on TMV. You can reach me at . Please put 'TMV' in the subject line, so the message … [Read more...] about For determined commenters
Late Night Comedians Having A Ball (and Chain) with RNC Bondage Club Visit Controversy
Just as we (easily) predicted here, late night comedians are tying themselves in knots with gags about the controversy surrounding the RNC paying for a trip for some Republicans and potential donors to a bondage themed club. Here is Chris Matthews' segment on it, complete with excerpts: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy … [Read more...] about Late Night Comedians Having A Ball (and Chain) with RNC Bondage Club Visit Controversy
Mitt Romney and Obamacare
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney and Obamacare
A Modern Passover Tradition
If you're Jewish like me, you spent the past two night partying at the SEDA CLUB! … [Read more...] about A Modern Passover Tradition
Republican Tucker Carlson’s Website The Daily Caller Is Unfair To Republicans
That's what some Republicans say about it's reporting the money spent by the RNC under RNC Chairman Michael Steel, and the website's reporting the "high concept" story about RNC money going to a bondage themed club. This is further confirmation of the trend that I've noted in many posts in TMV over the past few years. Political parties now function where each side tries to … [Read more...] about Republican Tucker Carlson’s Website The Daily Caller Is Unfair To Republicans
Afghan Civilians Still Being Killed By U.S. Troops in Shockingly High Numbers
This article, written by Richard Oppel, Jr., was published by the New York Times last week: … [Read more...] about Afghan Civilians Still Being Killed By U.S. Troops in Shockingly High Numbers
Glenn Beck and the New U.S.-Right: ‘Like a Horror Movie’ – La Jornada, Mexico
What do people in our neighbor to the south think of the fledgling U.S. Tea Party movement? Is it just a collection of well-meaning Americans defending the country, or a loud fringe group creating and feeding on fear? According to columnist Angel Luis Lara of Mexico's La Jornada, it is decidedly the latter. For La Jornada, Angel Luis Lara writes in part: Disenchanted … [Read more...] about Glenn Beck and the New U.S.-Right: ‘Like a Horror Movie’ – La Jornada, Mexico
Michael Steele Studies Latest Pole
Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Michael Steele Studies Latest Pole
The Evils of Asset Forfeiture Laws
The libertarian Institute of Justice has recently issued a comprehensive report detailing the many ways in which asset forteiture laws are abused by law enforcement offices and prosecutors. As the Institute of Justice points out, asset forfeiture laws make a mockery of the presumption of "Innocence Until Proven Guilty" and gives law enforcement offices, prosecutors, and … [Read more...] about The Evils of Asset Forfeiture Laws
Obama Taps New Off-Shore Oil Fields
On a scale of 10, I would award President Obama an 8 for opening new off-shore oil and gas exploration off the Atlantic, eastern Gulf and northern Alaska in a speech on energy security today. He missed a Bo Derek 10 because by the time any of this might happen.the president, 48, will be drawing Social Security. As outlined, Obama's plan is the best common-sense approach … [Read more...] about Obama Taps New Off-Shore Oil Fields
What Good is Latin America’s New U.S.-Free ‘Community’?: El Tiempo, Colombia
As readers of the Moderate Voice are aware, for the past few weeks Worldmeets.US has been covering the creation of the Western Hemisphere's newest international organization, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the distinguishing characteristic of which is the intentional exclusion of the United States. This article from Colombia's El Tiempo has some harsh … [Read more...] about What Good is Latin America’s New U.S.-Free ‘Community’?: El Tiempo, Colombia
Curing Universal Unhappiness
From a fertile week for pop psychology comes news that social trust is declining at a time when personal connection is more important than worldly success. As always, David Brooks draws on arcane research to prove that "countries with high social trust have happier people, better health, more efficient government, more economic growth, and less fear of crime." But where … [Read more...] about Curing Universal Unhappiness
But They’re OUR Terrorists
The Right simply cannot bring itself to apply the word "terrorism" to a plot to overthrow the U.S. government when the militants are good 'ol Michigan boys. … [Read more...] about But They’re OUR Terrorists
Obama Calls For Oil and Gas Drilling: Virginia Coast Would Be First
During the battle for health care reform, there were two strands to the narrative: Barack Obama disappointed his party's progressive wing and tried to move over towards the center to center right to attempt to win over Republican votes and the center. And now it appears to be happening once again on the issue of drilling off America's coast. But this time the issue is … [Read more...] about Obama Calls For Oil and Gas Drilling: Virginia Coast Would Be First