I wish that headline were a bad joke. But it isn't. And almost no one is writing about it. Glenn Greenwald is one of the few: … [Read more...] about Obama’s Assassination Program
Will Elliot Spitzer in the Eye of the Public?
Who says there are no glitzy second acts in politics after a popular big political show closes when it suddenly becomes a major flop? Former New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer, who had been a rising star if the Democratic party had ever seen one, is seriously contemplating a return to elected life despite having gone out in a scandal that humiliated him, his wife, his family and let … [Read more...] about Will Elliot Spitzer in the Eye of the Public?
Nicholas Carr On The iPad Luddites
Nicholas Carr pushes back at smart geek objections to the locked down iPad: If Ned Ludd had been a blogger, he would have written a post similar to Doctorow's about those newfangled locked-down mechanical looms that distance the weaver from the machine's workings, requiring the weaver to follow the programs devised by the looms' manufacturer. The design of the mechanical loom, … [Read more...] about Nicholas Carr On The iPad Luddites
NO JOKE: Airline Considers Passenger Lavatory Use Fee
First came the news that no frills airline Spirit Airlines was going to charge travelers for bringing on their own carry on luggage. That stirred a lot of outrage on talk shows: a lot of people are pissed off. And now even THAT will cost you (so to speak) if an Airline in Ireland has its way: it wants to charge for lavatory use. The phrase "if you've got go, you've got … [Read more...] about NO JOKE: Airline Considers Passenger Lavatory Use Fee
Will We Forget the Miners Again? (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- There is a dispiriting and, yes, heartbreaking sameness about how we respond to mining disasters. The catastrophe at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, W.Va., has taken at least 25 lives. An entire community stands in solidarity with the families of the victims, and hopes that some miners still trapped may yet be rescued. We celebrate the stoic … [Read more...] about Will We Forget the Miners Again? (Guest Voice)
Trust in the GOPs Dearth of Experience (Guest Voice)
Trust in the GOPs Dearth of Experience by Tina Dupuy When Republicans warn that a policy is a job-killer - Americans should listen. If any group of lawmakers and thinkers know about killing jobs it’s the Grand Old Party. In 2008, the final year of the Bush Administration, after two terms of careless deregulation implemented with bastardized pseudo-free market battle cries, … [Read more...] about Trust in the GOPs Dearth of Experience (Guest Voice)
The “Good Old Days” Trap
Looks like someone has seen Gone With the Wind maybe a few too many times: … [Read more...] about The “Good Old Days” Trap
We’re All Americans? Where’s That?
If we're all Americans, then why are some of us "Confederate Southern Americans"? If we need a box on the Census form where we can check off "American" as our race -- not white or black or Latino, etc. -- then why was (before he issued a politically necessary apology) Bob McDonnell's "Confederate History Month" intended only for Virginians who are white and whose ancestors … [Read more...] about We’re All Americans? Where’s That?
A New Shoe Bomber?
Air Marshals Stop Alleged 'Shoe Bomb' Attempt On United Jet to Denver Qatari Diplomat In Custody After Attempting to 'Light Up' His Shoes MSNBC: Man may just have been smoking on flight from D.C. to Denver … [Read more...] about A New Shoe Bomber?
Time to Pay the Piper? The First Hint of a European-Style VAT (Guest Voice)
Time to Pay the Piper? The First Hint of a European-Style VAT by Michael Reagan Democrats in Washington haven't wanted to be terribly forthcoming as to how they intend to pay for the new health care entitlement program and other massive spending programs being passed. It seems our national debt ceiling is now raised every few months, and the federal deficit is higher than … [Read more...] about Time to Pay the Piper? The First Hint of a European-Style VAT (Guest Voice)
Learn How to Draw the Pope
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Learn How to Draw the Pope
A Fool’s Errand In Search Of Gold
Buying gold is a rich man's hedge against inflation. I am not a rich man. But, I see the television ads blanketing Fox News from Goldline and Rosland Capital trumpeting the merits of precious metal investments. For the life of me, again, speaking as a pauper, I don't understand the concept of shipping gold commodities to my home where I can finger the metals and feel a sense … [Read more...] about A Fool’s Errand In Search Of Gold
Porn Star “Stormy” Daniels Switches to the G.O.P.—A Sign of the Times?
In what may be a sign of the times, the Politico and other sources are reporting that "Stormy" Daniels, the former porn star, is switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party and will possibly run for Louisiana’s Republican Senator David Vitter’s seat. She will decide on this no later than April 15. Politico: We can thank Republican National Committee … [Read more...] about Porn Star “Stormy” Daniels Switches to the G.O.P.—A Sign of the Times?
Tea Parties
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Tea Parties
Obama’s nuclear restraints hold little comfort for others
For governments that mistrust US intentions, Barack Obama’s new restraints on nuclear weapons hold little comfort in a world where “pilots” wielding joysticks as far away as Colorado launch deadly missiles from drones flying 24/7 over Pakistan’s badlands. Almost no government, not even allies like Britain, Germany and France, fully trust American intentions. Of course, … [Read more...] about Obama’s nuclear restraints hold little comfort for others
Value-added tax inches closer via Volcker
Obama economic advisor Paul Volcker spoke yesterday at a New York Historical Society event and noted that America should consider raising taxes to curb deficits and improve our financial standing. But even more interesting is the suggestion by Volcker, a former Fed chair under Bush, that Congress should enact a value-added tax (VAT) in the style of European taxation … [Read more...] about Value-added tax inches closer via Volcker
Is There Any Room in our Common Heritage for the Southern Soldier?
They were typical Americans of their time; proud, independent, industrious - and obscenely racist in their view toward the black race. They embarked on, what in hindsight, was a suicidal rebellion against the United States government and fought with uncommon courage and a determination that eventually precipitated the extermination of their way of life, and the economy upon … [Read more...] about Is There Any Room in our Common Heritage for the Southern Soldier?
Quadreplegic Prisoner Still A Threat ?
Among the many ways California is trying to resolve the budget crisis is to release certain prisoners who are either minor offenders or no longer a threat. The latter category includes some violent prisoners who have suffered illness or injury that reduce or eliminate their potential as a threat. One example is a rapist (clearly a prisoner you would not want to release) who … [Read more...] about Quadreplegic Prisoner Still A Threat ?
Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, The Mislabeled Liberal
The longest serving current justice on the United States Supreme Court, John Paul Stevens turns 90 on April 20. Widely regarded as a high intellect, Stevens graduated in 1947 with the highest GPA in the history of Northwestern University Law School . In recent years he has been unfairly nicknamed “The Chief Justice of the Liberal Supreme Court” in spite of a history that is … [Read more...] about Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, The Mislabeled Liberal
“Southern civilization cannot exist without African slavery”
Here we go again. After eight years the once-dormant "Confederate Heritage Month" declaration has returned to rear its ugly head again in my beloved former Commonwealth of Virginia. I haven't lived in Virginia for many years but I have gone to make a career of the study of the Civil War era, with a special emphasis on the Upper South from Virgina, Delaware and Maryland in the … [Read more...] about “Southern civilization cannot exist without African slavery”