Harry Truman risked the permanent division of the Democratic Party, watching Dixiecrats walk out of the convention to form their own party in 1948. He stood by his convictions on desegregation with his own reelection at stake. In an act of politicallly suicidal patriotism, Gerald Ford knowingly threw away his chances to be elected President in his own right when he pardoned … [Read more...] about Leadership And The Will Of The People
Al Jazeera: A Voice for the Voiceless
A fairly effective comeback to those who say Al Jazera is biased: We are not, definitely, like channels whereby we mix comment and opinion with the news. I have been watching the debate about the health care in this country, and I can tell you frankly that a lot of channels, when they are debating this issue, it’s very clear for me, who’s coming from outside this country, that … [Read more...] about Al Jazeera: A Voice for the Voiceless
In Case You Missed the News …
We announced yesterday that, starting this evening, we will discontinue readers’ self-published comments on a three-month trial basis. Out of the 8,000-plus visits (and nearly 15,000 page views) registered at this blog yesterday, we received more than 130 comments on that decision. The verdict was ... mixed: Some thought it was the end of TMV as we know it. Others … [Read more...] about In Case You Missed the News …
Those Awful, Violent Activists
They're rude. They're crude. They show up precisely where they're not wanted and shout inappropriate, vulgar things. They not only make threats of violence, but engage in it as their preferred method of exercising their free speech rights. You know the type, right? What have they been up to lately? When a political author hosts a book signing and speech, they shout him down, … [Read more...] about Those Awful, Violent Activists
Life After Self-Published Comments
Yeah, I'm just as bummed out about this as everyone else is. I hate change. I mean, I really hate change. And I can't quite believe how overwhelmed I've been feeling as I realize how much I've grown to depend on, and draw strength and comfort and inspiration, from the relationships I've formed over time with so many commenters here. It's very strange how one can come to feel … [Read more...] about Life After Self-Published Comments
I’ll Miss You, But You Know Where To Find Me
When I quit the newspaper racket in 1985, the information highway was a pipe dream. The only way we received feedback from our readers was an occasional letter and a handful of telephone calls. Most were negative. Considering the paper's circulation was about 135,000, the interaction was barely a blip on the radar screen. When I created The Remmers Report, my Google-driven … [Read more...] about I’ll Miss You, But You Know Where To Find Me
Why We Need a Torture Commission, And Why We Won’t Get One
The true Bush legacy: 54% of us believe torture is justified to "gain information from terror suspects": Harper's Index, April 2010. No wonder, then, that the Obama Administration has, according to Scott Horton's latest report "The Guantanamo 'Suicides'," actively covered up the deaths of three prisoners that took place in June 2006. Go buy the magazine or subscribe. Harper's … [Read more...] about Why We Need a Torture Commission, And Why We Won’t Get One
Just Think, Health Care for All
The night the Health Care Reform bill passed, our Speaker Nancy Pelosi inspired this cartoon. For that, I say "thank you". … [Read more...] about Just Think, Health Care for All
Report: It Wasn’t Michael Steele Who Was Bondage Club Patron
I had JUST posted a post with my Michael Steel jokes in anticipation of the field day late night comedians were going to have and then I saw the report below: THIS JUST IN...the Republican who used RNC money to go to a bondage themed club was not Steele: – The Republican Party official reimbursed for nearly $2,000 spent at an LA fetish club was a member of the RNC, not … [Read more...] about Report: It Wasn’t Michael Steele Who Was Bondage Club Patron
Unlike Republicans, Obama Chooses Butter over Guns: Izvestia, Russia
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