I'm on record as being generally supportive of Health Care Reform and while I am still undecided on the current bill I do see many good aspects. I also support the concept of a mandate requiring everyone to have some basic health insurance coverage. However on Friday I was listening to a radio show while driving to the office and someone did raise an interesting point … [Read more...] about Issues With The Bronze Plan Cost
Obamas Health Care Reform
Patrick Chappatte, The International Herald Tribune This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obamas Health Care Reform
Hamas Fans Flames of Islamic Anger Following “Day of Rage” (Guest Voice)
Hamas Fans Flames of Islamic Anger Following "Day of Rage" by Jonathan Spyer Hamas leaders are seeking to escalate Palestinian unrest over the supposed Israeli threat to Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem. In addition to reflecting the movement's ideological goals, this effort makes good political sense. Hamas seeks to supplant the West Bank Palestinian Authority of Mahmoud … [Read more...] about Hamas Fans Flames of Islamic Anger Following “Day of Rage” (Guest Voice)
Game-Winning Shot
RJ Matson, Roll Call This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Game-Winning Shot
Understanding Toyota Sudden Acceleration (Guest Voice)
Understanding Toyota Sudden Acceleration by Joel S. Hirschhorn As a materials and manufacturing engineer with decades of experience with failure analysis of manufactured products, and as an owner of a Toyota vehicle, I am saddened by the lack of expertise and insight shared with Congress and the public about the sudden acceleration problem. When products fail due to … [Read more...] about Understanding Toyota Sudden Acceleration (Guest Voice)
Fall On My Sword (Guest Cartoon)
This guest cartoon is by Sarjex, who describes herself as “a lonely little wingnut in the crazy liberal mecca of San Francisco.” … [Read more...] about Fall On My Sword (Guest Cartoon)
Mad Men & Creative Anti-Smoking Ads
We're watching the first season of Mad Men, having seen all the others. A cigarette in every shot. With that in mind, I happened upon 10Steps.SG's 50 Most Creative Anti-Smoking Advertisements: Many anti-smoking ads in the past are rather gruesome with rotten body parts that terrified people. Those messages are straight forward in showing the final consequences if continue to … [Read more...] about Mad Men & Creative Anti-Smoking Ads
Whipping the Vote
From the (Albany) Times-Union: … [Read more...] about Whipping the Vote
Get A Vasectomy For March Madness ?
Seems it's a real big trend.... I suppose it make sense on some level … [Read more...] about Get A Vasectomy For March Madness ?
Goldfinger !
He's the man... the man with the Midas touch.... a spider's touch. … [Read more...] about Goldfinger !
Vote Comes Down To Stupak and Abortion
According to Firedoglake, the vote on health care reform now comes down to the Stupak block. Without them they are very unlikely to get to 216 yes votes. http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/03/19/teague-a-no-pelosi-would-have-to-run-the-table-without-stupak-bloc/ Of course to a degree the vote is more symbolic that anything else Many of the provisions won't take effect … [Read more...] about Vote Comes Down To Stupak and Abortion
For Once, Americans Should Just ‘Shut Up’!: Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
Since the global economic crisis began to ease, the U.S. has renewed its pleas to Beijing to allow the value of its currency, the yuan or remnimbi - to float freely, i.e.: to rise, which would make U.S. exports cheaper for Chinese consumers and reduce America's annual trade deficit with China. But Christiane von Hardenberg of the Financial Times Deutschland warns Americans … [Read more...] about For Once, Americans Should Just ‘Shut Up’!: Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
When ‘Security’ Obfuscates Transparency
Here's what happens when governments are not transparent, even for routine stuff as travel destinations billed taxpayers by members of the California Assembly and Senate. The excuse given by the Legislature's record-keeping officers were for "security" reasons even though the trips were already taken. The Associated Press, which has been on a crusade lately with a … [Read more...] about When ‘Security’ Obfuscates Transparency
This Bill Is About Health Care, Not Colonoscopies
Nancy Pelosi tells Bart Stupak that there will be no more deals on abortion language before the health care vote on Sunday: … [Read more...] about This Bill Is About Health Care, Not Colonoscopies
U.S. General Calls Into Question Dutch Military Effectiveness
The Dutch have a long and proud military history going back to at least the 16th century and even earlier if one considers the “Batavians”---fierce tribes who lived around the Rhine, in today’s the Netherlands---who were described by Tacitus as “the bravest of the tribes of the area, hardened in the Germanic border wars.” Dutch sailors and soldiers---straight and gay, I am … [Read more...] about U.S. General Calls Into Question Dutch Military Effectiveness
The Time Has Come The Survivor Said
This will be the most historically and monumental weekend that will answer the question of whether health care is a right or a personal responsibility since Congress passed similar safety net legislation on Social Security, Medicare, MediCaid and prescription drug subsidies for seniors. I'll defer the prestidigitation of the politics to MSNBC.com First Read whose … [Read more...] about The Time Has Come The Survivor Said
Sarah Palin’s Proposed Reality Show Now Has a Pricetag for A&E
Former Alaska Gov. and GOP political celebrity Sarah Palin apparently has A&E interested in her proposed reality show. She has reportedly put a pricetag on it: $1 million to $1.5 million per episode. (Power to the millionaire populists!) I wonder if the show could be seriously pitched at that price if it featured Eric Massa? (It would probably have to be shown on Showtime … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin’s Proposed Reality Show Now Has a Pricetag for A&E
Texas Should Be Kicked Out of the Union
Homer: And how is "education" supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home wine-making course and I forgot how to drive? Marge: That's because you were drunk! Homer: And how. ********** WaPo: Historians on Tuesday criticized proposed revisions to the Texas … [Read more...] about Texas Should Be Kicked Out of the Union
Whip Count Update
According to The Hill, the current whip count estimates put the No side just one vote short. Of course these are only estimates, and presumably the House leadership would not set a vote unless they have the votes. The key would seem to be a possible compromise on abortion language However those quiet whispers about possible delays in the vote could start coming out … [Read more...] about Whip Count Update
March Madness Day 1- No Beast in the East
I know this is primarily a political site but occasionally I like to throw into the mix something else that is topical and of interest... Yesterday was the beginning day of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament, known as "March Madness." There were some very good games on day 1. Some highlights include: The Big East got taken down a few notches with (#3) Georgetown … [Read more...] about March Madness Day 1- No Beast in the East