Continuing with our global sampling of reaction to U.S. health reform, we have posted this article from Russia's Izvestia newspaper. In order to help his readers understand the issue, Vyacheslav Nikonov offers this primer on American politics. Here is Nikonov's outline on the differences between the two U.S. political parties: Despite all of the apparent similarities … [Read more...] about Unlike Republicans, Obama Chooses Butter over Guns: Izvestia, Russia
The Most Explosive Exhilarating Music Is Often Greeted By Total Silence
No fan of the rules around applause in classical concerts, Alex Ross says let our applause be heard: Emanuel Ax, not a showboating pianist, complains on his website: "I am always a little taken aback when I hear the first movement of a concerto which is supposed to be full of excitement, passion, and virtuoso display (like the Brahms or Beethoven Concertos), and then hear a … [Read more...] about The Most Explosive Exhilarating Music Is Often Greeted By Total Silence
A Few Thoughts Now That I’m Back
I took some weeks off from blogging on TMV to work on a variety of business and personal projects. I was also at an intellectual impasse after having written way too many posts during 2009. Over most of prior 2 years and the first quarter of 2010, I have preferred to just read the many excellent posts from the smart group of regular TMV contributors, writers and editors. … [Read more...] about A Few Thoughts Now That I’m Back
Furor Over RNC Funds Spent In Bondage Club
A new political furor is whipping around the new and old media today: just why were RNC funds used at a bondage themed club? And there are two undercurrents to the story: UNDERCURRENT ONE among GOPers: Oh, NO! Not another story somehow linked to RNC Chairman Michael Steele. UNDERCURRENT TWO among the media: It's another fun story involving Steele -- the gift to us that … [Read more...] about Furor Over RNC Funds Spent In Bondage Club
Battle Of New Orleans
The story songs of the 60's..... … [Read more...] about Battle Of New Orleans
Feds Indict Group Plotting Against U.S.
In reading the news report today that nine members of a Michigan-based Christian militia group have been indicted on sedition and weapons charges in an alleged plot to ignite an anti-government uprising, I could only hope prosecutors played it straight. Any faith I have in a fair Justice Department prosecution was tainted after watching Scott Pelly's interview with Nada … [Read more...] about Feds Indict Group Plotting Against U.S.
Political Census
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Political Census
Obama Visits Afghanistan, Challenges Karzai, and Talks Up the War
"In Afghanistan," headlines the Times, "Obama Presses Karzai to Fight Corruption." Good luck with that, Mr. President, but I suspect you'd have about as much of a chance for success pressing McConnell and Boehner to fight extremism and obstructionism in the GOP. Honestly, I'm not sure which is in worse shape, Afghanistan or the Republican Party. ********** As for … [Read more...] about Obama Visits Afghanistan, Challenges Karzai, and Talks Up the War
Channeling Identity Politics in Iraq
Guest post by Peter Henne Peter S. Henne is a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project and a doctoral candidate at Georgetown University. The recent news that Ayad Allawi won a slim majority of parliamentary seats in the recent Iraqi elections was, to say the least, surprising: a secular Shiite formerly derided as a U.S. puppet won with the support of … [Read more...] about Channeling Identity Politics in Iraq
People Believe What They Want To Believe
Harris interactive headlined, "Wingnuts" and President Obama, for a poll finding that large numbers of Americans hold extreme views of our president: It finds that 40% of adults believe he is a socialist. More than 30% think he wants to take away Americans' right to own guns and that he is a Muslim. More than 25% believe he wants to turn over the sovereignty of the United … [Read more...] about People Believe What They Want To Believe
FBI Charges Man With Threatening To Kill Rep. Eric Cantor
The FBI has charged a Philadelphia man with threatening to kill Rep. Eric Cantor. Let's just say this guy apparently has a bunch of issues, including issues with Jews. Details here. PREDICTION: The climate has gotten so hateful right now in the country, look for the FBI to take these kinds of threats very seriously -- whether the person threatened is a Democrat, Republican, … [Read more...] about FBI Charges Man With Threatening To Kill Rep. Eric Cantor
Female Suicide Bombers Kill 38 in Moscow Subway Attack: New York Subway Security Heightened
Terrorism raised its face again...this time in Moscow...this time in the Moscow subways. And this time its face was female. CNN: Russian investigators combing two subway stations attacked by female suicide bombers think Chechen rebels may have been behind the rush-hour strike that killed dozens of people. "Our preliminary assessment is that this act of terror was … [Read more...] about Female Suicide Bombers Kill 38 in Moscow Subway Attack: New York Subway Security Heightened
Internet Comments As Tragedy Of the Commons, Franklin Paradox, Society Writ Large
I am very happy to blog for TMV because I have cultivated a few online acquaintances and more importantly it makes me feel important to imagine thousands of people hanging on my every word. But yeah, pretty much the only reason I write posts is for comments, so I'm sad to see them go and which is why I am going to cross post everything at a blog with the sole purpose of having … [Read more...] about Internet Comments As Tragedy Of the Commons, Franklin Paradox, Society Writ Large
Catholic Crisis Management
Brian Fairrington, Cagle Cartoons This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Catholic Crisis Management
Quote of the Day: Health Care Reform Could Help Democrats In November (CORRECTED)
EDITOR'S NOTE: There was a major mistake on the earlier of version of this post. This quote of the Day is from a piece on David Frum's site Frum Forum. It was mistakenly referred to as having been written by Frum and it was in fact written by Arthur Greene. The headline has been corrected and rewritten and so has this post, and I've put an item on my Twitter account as well. … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Health Care Reform Could Help Democrats In November (CORRECTED)
Two Amazing Graphs About Consumer Spending
Calculated Risk has a post that must be seen to be believed. First off, look at personal consumption in February, which is back at pre-recession highs. This is quite amazing, and I admit, I am completely flabbergasted. No way did I think that consumer spending would rebound and that is a big assumption in my belief that we are going to have a double dip recession (well more to … [Read more...] about Two Amazing Graphs About Consumer Spending
Don’t Regulate, Break Up!
What would you think about a guy who runs around in the street during a rainstorm shouting: "I'm getting wet. I'm getting wet. I want to get dry? What advice would any sensible person give this guy? The answer, of course, is tell him to go inside where it's not raining. Too bad our leaders in Washington don't have that kind of sense when it comes to Wall Street. These … [Read more...] about Don’t Regulate, Break Up!
Kresky to Nader: California Open Primary Proposition 14 Helps Third Parties
"It's particularly disturbing that at a moment when millions of independents are knocking at the door of an electoral process from which they are excluded, Ralph Nader and the third party movement would want to slam it shut." (From "Should state adopt an open primary? Yes" by independent attorney Harry Kresky in Sunday's Sac Bee) Why is Ralph Nader opposing California open … [Read more...] about Kresky to Nader: California Open Primary Proposition 14 Helps Third Parties
Financial Reform: The Opacity of Hope
The glaring area in which this Administration has been Change-challenged is up next, and the question is whether the President will direct his new-found audacity at the money manipulators who have been wrecking the economy. Unlike health insurers, the financial industry has little public support after the meltdown, but obfuscation is rife and will get worse as lobbyists pour … [Read more...] about Financial Reform: The Opacity of Hope
Discontinuing Self-Published Reader Comments
While many of our readers publish comments that are constructive and well-mannered, we are experiencing a growing number of comments that are mean-spirited, foul-mouthed, ad hominem attacks. The frequency of the latter now requires approximately two hours every day of monitoring and mediation, in keeping with our comments policy. That’s too much time -- for anyone -- to spend … [Read more...] about Discontinuing Self-Published Reader Comments