Only because I mentioned in an earlier column this week that conservative David Frum had spoken out lambasting Republicans for screwing up the health reform opposition did I find it curious he has been fired. My reaction was the universally accepted “Big bad conservative think tank axes writer for criticizing GOP intransigence” as Greg Sargent is quoted in today's First Read … [Read more...] about How Obamacare Helps The Wonks
The Prudent Man’s Burden
Not being a professional literary critic I don't do too many referrals to the work of the other fine authors here at TMV, but this morning I will make an exception. In case you missed it yesterday, I would strongly suggest that you read the column by Robin Koerner, Obama; If This Is True, then Shame on You. Rarely do I run across such an exceptional piece which takes a subject … [Read more...] about The Prudent Man’s Burden
How the Pope Can End the Scandal (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- How in the name of God can the Roman Catholic Church put the pedophilia scandal behind it? I do not invoke God's name lightly. The church's problem is, above all, theological and religious. Its core difficulty is that rather than drawing on its Christian resources, the church has acted almost entirely on the basis of this world's imperatives and … [Read more...] about How the Pope Can End the Scandal (Guest Voice)
Right Dismisses Violence While Continuing To Incite It
John Hinderaker (in a post very non-incitingly titled "What Was That Line About the Tree of Liberty and the Blood of Tyrants?") sneers at concerns about the rash of violence -- almost all of which has been directed against congressional Democrats -- following Sunday night's passage of health care reform legislation: … [Read more...] about Right Dismisses Violence While Continuing To Incite It
Heath Care Reform Reconciliation Passes Senate and House: the Fixes are In
Once again -- it's getting kind of tiresome, isn't it? -- the conventional wisdom, stated with such certainty (including by yours truly) has been proven wrong: despite predictions that the health care reform bill passed by the House and signed by President Barack Obama would get bottled up in the Senate due to Republican attempts to delay or derail it, the reconciliation … [Read more...] about Heath Care Reform Reconciliation Passes Senate and House: the Fixes are In
Obama; If This Is True, then Shame on You
I can't believe what I just read in the Washington Post. Apparently, The Obama administration plans to overhaul how it is tackling the foreclosure crisis. And... The first key element is that the government will provide financial incentives to lenders that cut the balance of a borrower's mortgage. Banks and other lenders will be asked to reduce the … [Read more...] about Obama; If This Is True, then Shame on You
Mexicans Doubtful of U.S. Committment to Drug War: El Universal, Mexico
Hot on the heels of a visit by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Defense Secretary Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, this editorial from Mexico's El Universal expresses hope - but skepticism - that the Obama Administration grasps the seriousness of the Drug War in Mexico, and the threat it poses … [Read more...] about Mexicans Doubtful of U.S. Committment to Drug War: El Universal, Mexico
Tea Party Violence
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Tea Party Violence
Republican Games Are Snatching Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory
Two days ago I wrote a headline on my column reporting President Obama signing the new health overhaul legislation into law and now let the games begin. Boy, did they. My award for the most clever amendment introduced in the Senate reconciliation process to embarrass Democrats goes to Tom Coburn, the doctor from Oklahoma. Among the amendments he offered was to ban Viagra … [Read more...] about Republican Games Are Snatching Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory
The Great Health Care “Surprise” (Guest Voice)
The Great Health Care "Surprise" by The Magical Sky Father "Going on vacation with the wife I decided I could trust my teenage son with my Porsche so I left him the keys and I know he will not drive it because I told him not to. He is a good kid starting his college interviews so I am sure this will all work out just fine, I mean the kid is still a virgin and runs around … [Read more...] about The Great Health Care “Surprise” (Guest Voice)
Rep. Anthony Weiner’s Office and Several Others Evacuated In Response to Package Containing White Powder
Today, a package of white powder accompanied by a threatening letter was sent to the Queens office of Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY): … [Read more...] about Rep. Anthony Weiner’s Office and Several Others Evacuated In Response to Package Containing White Powder
Cantor Accuses Democrats of ‘Fanning Flames’
In a press event today, he was forceful in contrasting his own actions with those of Democrats who have been harassed: House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) angrily lashed out at Democratic leaders for their handling of reported threats against members of Congress Thursday, accusing them of "dangerously fanning the flames" by blaming the GOP and confiding that he has also … [Read more...] about Cantor Accuses Democrats of ‘Fanning Flames’
High Profiles: Pelosi and Palin
The two feistiest figures in politics today are doing it without a Y chromosome. On the PBS News Hour, the Speaker of the House evoked that old Feminist slogan to sell cigarettes, "You've come a long way, baby" as an energized Nancy Pelosi took a victory lap on health care. Meanwhile, in the era when a woman couldn't make it to the White House, Sarah Palin is one of the … [Read more...] about High Profiles: Pelosi and Palin
Health Care’s New Nullifiers (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli seems determined to use an attack on health care reform to bring us back to the 1830s. Cuccinelli, to cheers from the Tea Party crowd, went to court this week to overturn the new law, which he says conflicts with a Virginia statute "protecting its citizens from a government-imposed mandate to buy health … [Read more...] about Health Care’s New Nullifiers (Guest Voice)
Netanyahu’s “Invisible” White House Visit
Curious. Open to speculation (which is most assuredly going on). Here's a roundup that puts it into perspective. … [Read more...] about Netanyahu’s “Invisible” White House Visit
Arab In America – Chasing The Dream Or Living The Nightmare?
This past Sunday my wife and I had the very great honor of being invited to attend the ordination of a friend in the Orthodox Church. The ordination was conducted in three languages, English, Greek and Arabic. Often thought of as the “Greek” Orthodox Church or the “Russian” Orthodox Church, it is not always remembered that the church also extends across the Middle East. My … [Read more...] about Arab In America – Chasing The Dream Or Living The Nightmare?
Is One More “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Study Really Needed?
Guest post by Robert W.P. Wolfe A combat-tested strategic airlift pilot, Robert is a former major in the United States Air Force, serving as the Chief of Future Operations for the Director of Mobility Forces on his last deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He is currently a Robert F. Toigo fellow and a Morgan Stanley MBA fellow at Harvard … [Read more...] about Is One More “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Study Really Needed?
Save Money, Lose Money
My stock market calls have been very bad in recent months. And for this I apologize. I made the classic mistake in this realm — assuming that the obvious and inevitable would morph into stock market results in the short term. Clearly, that hasn't happened. With all the happy talk about recovery, there hasn't been one for the vast majority of Americans in the same 12 months, a … [Read more...] about Save Money, Lose Money
Step one: passage (maybe) – step 2: justification
My prediction on the health care bill(s) - this is far from over. The health care bill will last through the cherry blossom buds of Washington until the Easter break. Both parties are on unsure and politically treacherous footing in this quagmire. Democratic members have spent 14 months trying to pass a health care bill while they enjoyed a super-majority of both houses. … [Read more...] about Step one: passage (maybe) – step 2: justification
Could Threats to Democrats Start Scaring Independent Voters Away from the GOP? (UPDATED)
Could some particularly extremist members of the Republican party's talk radio political culture scare away crucial swing voters who appear to be poised to swing th GOP's way come November? If the pattern of independent voter behavior and preferences in the past is any indication, the answer is yes. The news that some House members voted for health care reform now find … [Read more...] about Could Threats to Democrats Start Scaring Independent Voters Away from the GOP? (UPDATED)