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
Our Town, The Rooster Police & How To Condition The Slasher Cock
A HEALTHY ROOSTER WITH COMB AND WATTLE INTACT Like many of you, I grew up in a small town (population 600). I like reading hometown news and sharing it with you, and that includes the most recent squall from Elkhart, Indiana. At first it seemed like another quaint "How naïve can you get?" article. But then it merges into a considerably more jolting issue that is behind … [Read more...] about Our Town, The Rooster Police & How To Condition The Slasher Cock
District Court Rules in Al-Haramain Case
Earlier this evening, I finished reading the 45-page .pdf of the District Court's decision in the Islamic charity Al-Haramain's illegal warrantless surveillance lawsuit against the U.S. government. Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the Bush administration's monitoring of the organization's phone conversations, which were conducted under the formerly secret NSA warrantless … [Read more...] about District Court Rules in Al-Haramain Case
Help For The Dad Of A Fallen Marine
The most dreaded task of a parent is burying his child. That Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder died at age 20 defending his country in Iraq on March 3, 2006, in no way made it easier for his father Al Snyder and two younger sisters when the casket arrived in their hometown of Finksburg, Maryland. "He was a hero and he was the love of my life, Albert Snyder later … [Read more...] about Help For The Dad Of A Fallen Marine
Snyder v. Phelps: The Right to Mourn with Dignity
Imagine your only son is killed in Iraq or in Afghanistan while serving his country. Imagine the day arrives for your son’s funeral and family and friends are somberly gathered for the services. Imagine a group of people appearing at your son’s funeral carrying signs proclaiming "God Hates the USA/Thank God for 9/11," "America is Doomed," "Fag Troops," "You're Going to … [Read more...] about Snyder v. Phelps: The Right to Mourn with Dignity
Georgia Congressman: Not An April Fools Joke
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