I just now learned that Jon Swift has died. I'm typing those words and I can't even believe it. … [Read more...] about Incredibly Tragic News About a Wonderful Blogger
The Bunning Factor
Sen. James Bunning, R-Kentucky, is going away, mercifully, because he is retiring at the end of this legislative session. Despite his mean, selfish arrogant demeanor, he leaves an indelible stamp on national fiscal policy that will not go away. Liberals won't admit it. Only the hardest corp of Republican conservatives and Tea Partiers embrace it. "It" is the continued … [Read more...] about The Bunning Factor
Gregg Proposes Repealing Health Care Reform (before it has even passed)
Prominent Republican Senator Judd Gregg has a new battlecry: Repeal health care reform. Of course there is a teenie-weenie problem: Health care reform hasn't even passed yet. The Hill reports: A top Republican senator on Wednesday proposed the possibility of repealing any healthcare law that is passed by congressional Democrats using the reconciliation … [Read more...] about Gregg Proposes Repealing Health Care Reform (before it has even passed)
Ask the Right Questions – Get Better Answers.
We’re asking all the wrong questions, thereby incorrectly framing our national debates. It's no surprise we're getting lousy answers and really moronic debates. Let's break this dangerous impasse for the sake of our nation's survival. We won’t get good answers unless we ask the right questions. We won’t be able to work through the difficult processes of correcting the … [Read more...] about Ask the Right Questions – Get Better Answers.
“No” Country for Old Men
Jim Bunning and Charles Rangel, with nothing in common but well-styled silver hair, took over the Congressional spotlight this week by refusing to "go gentle into that night." The 79-year-old Bunning, called one of America's Five Worst Senators by Time Magazine and described by Bill Clinton as "so mean-spirited he repulsed even fellow know-nothings," made his last hurrah by … [Read more...] about “No” Country for Old Men
Obama Inches Towards Reconciliation on Health Care Reform
ABC's Jake Trapper (a highly reliable reporter who is well-sourced) reports that President Barack Obama is going to soon signal that he will back use of the controversial "reconciliation" process to pass health care reform if GOP cooperation isn't in the cards. And it looks like it isn't so... White House officials tell ABC News that in his remarks tomorrow President … [Read more...] about Obama Inches Towards Reconciliation on Health Care Reform
Running Against Success in Texas (Good Luck With That)
There's lots of commentary out this morning about incumbent Rick Perry's win over Kay Bailey Hutchison in the Texas GOP gubernatorial primary. The general take-away seems to be that Governor Perry benefited from (as Jonathan Martin puts it at the Politico) "an anti-Washington message in an already volatile political environment". Considering the overwhelming wins yesterday by … [Read more...] about Running Against Success in Texas (Good Luck With That)
What the Vancouver Olympics Meant to Canada
MUST-WATCH VIDEO BELOW! The Olympics are over, and many of us Canadians are experiencing a serious post-Olympic hangover -- it was such a high, after all, and it's hard now to adjust back to "normalcy" -- but there is no denying that the Vancouver Winter Games was a deeply meaningful event for this country. Whether there is a long-term effect remains to be seen, but I do … [Read more...] about What the Vancouver Olympics Meant to Canada
If You Want To Be A Cool Kid At School
You always watch OK Go's videos: … [Read more...] about If You Want To Be A Cool Kid At School
A Not So Greatest Hits List
As part of the launch of his new campaign web site, George Phillips (candidate for Congress in New York's 22nd district) has compiled a list of the "Top Ten Hits" of his opponent, Maurice Hinchey. (D-NY) Included are priceless video memories of the congressman calling for a takeover of the oil industry by the federal government, accusations that George Bush intentionally let … [Read more...] about A Not So Greatest Hits List
A Battle for Turkey’s Soul?
Is the world now watching a battle for Turkey's soul? Austin Bay, in a piece on RealClearWorld, argues that it is: Over the last two weeks, the Turkish police have detained and interrogated several dozen retired military officers allegedly involved in plotting an intricate coup d'etat. The government, led by the "moderate Islamist" Justice and Development Party (AKP), … [Read more...] about A Battle for Turkey’s Soul?
VIDEOS: Sarah Palin on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show and Mitt Romney on David Letterman
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made her highly-publicized appearance on The Tonight Show on Jay Leno's second day back amid ratings indicating Leno was getting a whopping re-sampling from late night viewers. Meanwhile, David Letterman had on former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Leno's audience received her warmly in the interview and her prepared jokes -- and throughout … [Read more...] about VIDEOS: Sarah Palin on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show and Mitt Romney on David Letterman
Disingenuous Quote of the Day
Regarding Democrats' threat to pass health care reform through reconciliation ... ... the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, warned that Republicans would use the health issue to bludgeon Democrats in this year’s midterm elections. If the Democrats “jam” an expansive bill through Congress, Mr. McConnell said, “it will be the issue in every single race in … [Read more...] about Disingenuous Quote of the Day
Twitter To Pass 10 Billion Tweets Today
That's exponential growth: About one year ago Twitter reached a huge milestone: one billion tweets. Four months ago, 5 billion tweets were served. And now, in about one day, Twitter should reach another very important milestone: 10 billion tweets. [...] Counting tweets is actually quite easy: just look at the URL of any tweet. The number at the end of the URL seems to be … [Read more...] about Twitter To Pass 10 Billion Tweets Today
TiVo Series 4: Broadband and Broadcast Together
We had a friend over for dinner Saturday and afterward watched a series of YouTube videos late into the night. We watched on the large living room screen with home theater sound via TiVo. Logged in to YouTube on both TiVo and my laptop, I would favorite the video we wanted to watch on the laptop and it immediately appeared in My Favorites on TiVo. Not too difficult. Still, … [Read more...] about TiVo Series 4: Broadband and Broadcast Together
The Most Delicious Song I Know
"I Want a Love That Will Last," by Renee Olstead: … [Read more...] about The Most Delicious Song I Know
Broken Washington
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Broken Washington
Talk Radio’s Michael Smerconish Quits Republican Party to become Independent
And so the ranks of independent voters who once belonged to either the Democratic party or the Republican party are now joined by a high profile media member: talk radio host Michael Smerconish. And it's a bit ironic: the highly engaging Smerconish is a member of what I call the "talk radio political culture" that has come to permeate American politics in general but he has … [Read more...] about Talk Radio’s Michael Smerconish Quits Republican Party to become Independent
Texas Primary Results
Results can be found here Statewide offices start about 1/2 way down. With about 12% of the vote counted incumbent Rick Perry not only leads but is over 50%. However that is likely to change. … [Read more...] about Texas Primary Results
Rangel To Give Up Ways And Means Committee Chair
UPDATE @TheNote 4 min ago, "Rangel plot thickens. asked by reporters if he will remain chairman, Rangel said: 'You bet your life.'" MSNBC: But sources indicated Tuesday to NBC that Rangel has been encouraged to step aside before the House votes on a bill to strip him of his chairmanship. "We don't have the votes to save him," one Democratic member said of Rangel. The … [Read more...] about Rangel To Give Up Ways And Means Committee Chair