HI there, Dr. E here. Immigration: Many of us hear not so distant thunder indicating that there will soon arise in full sight another engagement of over the bow broadsides between the tall ships regarding the issues of immigration. Though some think the issue is illegal immigration for it shows above ground so often; that is only a speck of poppy seed in the dirt pile. … [Read more...] about GUEST VOICE: Immigrant Faces From New York
The Meaning of Passover
I'm really glad to see that a few Jewish bloggers have taken public issue with Jennifer Rubin's typically inane post branding Pres. Obama as "hyperpolitical and condescending" for suggesting that Passover has a broader meaning than just the Jewish people's liberation from slavery in Egypt three thousand (or so) years ago. … [Read more...] about The Meaning of Passover
American Missile Shield ‘Lies’: AZI, Romania
Is the American missile shield in Europe meant to defend against an Iranian missile attack, as the U.S. claims, or is it a thinly-disguised offensive weapon aimed at Russia - which endangers the nations that host it? For Romania's AZI newspaper, Razvan Voncu warns his countrymen about turning Romania into 'an American ballistic missile base.' For AZI, Razvan Voncu writes in … [Read more...] about American Missile Shield ‘Lies’: AZI, Romania
The Recession Still Hasn’t Ended According To My Favorite Indicator
Calculated Risk has a post showing the Philly Fed State Coincident Indicators which is my favorite aggregate metric because it is calculated on much more mainstreet data. "Twenty five states are showing declining three month activity. The index increased in 18 states, and was unchanged in 7." It is yet another series that shows how different this recession is: in the past the … [Read more...] about The Recession Still Hasn’t Ended According To My Favorite Indicator
Alaska More Indebted Than Any Other State
That from a NYTimes graphic accompanying their story on state debt woes growing too big to hide. Via Tim O'Reilly, "Always seems to be the ones *talking* small govt...." Continue the conversation @jwindish #TMVcomments. Or email me at joe-AT-joewindish-DOT-com. I won’t be able to respond to every email, but I will publish follow-up posts featuring reader feedback, … [Read more...] about Alaska More Indebted Than Any Other State
From Paradise To Gated Ghettos
Where I live in semi-rural Riverside County in Southern California, what once were upscale housing tracts where homeowners associations enforced beautification codes are now crime-infested gated ghettos. My son, whose job takes him throughout the county, described the malaise six months ago and I thought he was exaggerating. Not, in the least, it turns out. My area has … [Read more...] about From Paradise To Gated Ghettos
Yes, America Has Gone Socialist
I knew, of course, that passage of Obamacare would lead to socialism in this country. But even I had no idea it would go down this path so quickly. Fifteen minutes after passage of that bill in Congress the other night there was a pounding on my door. It was a gang of thugs from the local Democratic Party headquarters who came to haul away my refrigerator for their clubhouse. … [Read more...] about Yes, America Has Gone Socialist
Obama’s Today Show Interview: Confident, Determined and Chastened?
In his first interview since the passage of the landmark health care reform bill, President Barack Obama oozed confidence, reiterated his desire to work with GOPers but not at the expense of enacting change, and seemed a bit chastened by what he has learned in office about the Presidency and Washington. The interview with the Today Show's Matt Laurer was of particular … [Read more...] about Obama’s Today Show Interview: Confident, Determined and Chastened?
Some Thoughts on Change, Large and Small
There is nothing new about one's political opponent's trying to define your philosophy. This is a part of politics as old as the republic, and the more stinking and fearsome you can define how your enemy thinks, the more hay you will make with the electorate. It worked so well for movement conservatives that they have chased the designation "liberal" from public discourse, … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts on Change, Large and Small
Comment Shutdown: A Technical Perspective
Hello readers. I've been silent on this issue since Pete Abel has been spearheading the communication of this. But I'm going to offer a technical perspective as well. We have a significant amount of processing overhead with comments. Since TMV isn't funded we have limited technical resources. Almost 80% of slowdowns and associated issues (including several big hacking … [Read more...] about Comment Shutdown: A Technical Perspective
Forgive Me Child
Bill Schorr, Cagle Cartoons This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Forgive Me Child
Leadership And The Will Of The People
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