Harry Reid is now saying that health care reform will be passed by April, using reconciliation: … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform in 60 Days Using Reconciliation?
Pick Your Poison: Premium Hike Or Tax Hike On Health Plans
In researching data as fodder for a column touting the much ballyhooed televised summit on health care legislation next Thursday between President Obama and members of both parties in the House and Senate, I was dumbstruck by urban legends that usually get in the way of a good story. It involves cost containment. For-profit insurance carriers apply a model using premiums, … [Read more...] about Pick Your Poison: Premium Hike Or Tax Hike On Health Plans
Mullah Baradar: The confusion grows
US and Pakistani agents captured the Taliban #2 in the southern port of Karachi, far from the Afghan border. We know that much, but we don't know the real story. The NY Times reports that Baradar's capture was an accident. The WaPo reports that it was the result of growing cooperation between US and Pakistani intelligence. Huh? In fact, those competing story lines may … [Read more...] about Mullah Baradar: The confusion grows
The “outrageous” left
Yes, folks, it's that time again. Another fundraising letter arrived in the mail and I'm going to quote some of its hyper-partisan excess for the purpose of general amusement. Since the previous installment in this series was about Bill Clinton, this time we turn to Steve Forbes, writing on behalf of the Heritage Foundation. Dear Fellow American, The left has been … [Read more...] about The “outrageous” left
Alexander Haig, former Secretary of State and Military Man, dead at 85
Alexander Haig, a longtime major military figure and advisor to three Presidents who had Presidential aspirations that never quite translated into popular support, is dead at 85. Haig's name was a major one for decades in the Unites States -- and beyond: a General known inside and outside of the United States. A major adviser in the Nixon administration when Richard Nixon … [Read more...] about Alexander Haig, former Secretary of State and Military Man, dead at 85
Poll: Democrats Losing Ground Among Young Voters
Here's yet another big of post 2008 election conventional wisdom that is being shattered -- and is bad new for the Democratic party: the Democrats are losing ground now among young "millenial" voters -- a pro-government, more liberal group of voters. The Pew Research Center reports this: The "Millennial Generation" of young voters played a big role in the resurgence of … [Read more...] about Poll: Democrats Losing Ground Among Young Voters
Thank Heavens, No Inflation
I've been a little worried of late because my limited income doesn't seem to go as far as it used to. This led me to think there might be some inflation afoot. But thankfully, the government's new inflation numbers have reassured me. The CPI actually decline last month for the first time since 1982. Well, not exactly declined. It only did so, according to some numbers the … [Read more...] about Thank Heavens, No Inflation
Tiger Woods Putts
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Tiger Woods Putts
Clearing the air on the CPAC “controversies”
Today the annual gathering of prominent conservatives at CPAC, in Washington, DC, will come to a close, and as usual, the media has been "discovering" all sorts of controversy in the event. I did not attend CPAC this year due to scheduling conflicts, but I have been monitoring the activities by nearly continually moderating a live, online chat from the event, receiving nearly … [Read more...] about Clearing the air on the CPAC “controversies”
Jewish Law & “Chained” Mrs Susan Zinkin
One hears a great deal about Shariah (Muslim law) and its strict code of conduct, especially with regard to women. So a recent story about an antiquated Jewish law came as an eye-opener. The Independent reports that Susan Zinkin, who divorced her husband in 1962, was forbidden from looking for new love for almost 50 years. Only when her husband died an old man this week was … [Read more...] about Jewish Law & “Chained” Mrs Susan Zinkin
Back-to-Back Dutch Government Crises: First Iraq, Now Afghanistan (Updated with Breaking News)
It seems that the Dutch government has survived the political crisis caused by the “Davids Report” on the Netherlands’ involvement in the Iraq war, to almost immediately become immersed in another crisis that threatens to topple the coalition government. This time, the crisis is over the possible extension of the Dutch military mission in Afghanistan. Back in 2007, the … [Read more...] about Back-to-Back Dutch Government Crises: First Iraq, Now Afghanistan (Updated with Breaking News)
Who are Mitt Romney’s Real Best Friends?
The answer from E.J. Dionne, Jr: Sarah Palin and Scott Brown -- and here's why. … [Read more...] about Who are Mitt Romney’s Real Best Friends?
When the Fall Is All That’s Left…?
Ouch. America has done this to herself. The US rose throughout the 19th and well into the 20th centuries by protecting liberty, and especially economic liberty. Now, by many measures, there is more economic freedom in China than there is in the USA, where on the one hand, we have socialism for the rich with the bailouts and on the other, a situation in which 53% of … [Read more...] about When the Fall Is All That’s Left…?
Let’s Get On With It, Tiger
Apology accepted, Tiger. Now return to the golf course while you still have some mojo in your bones. Frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn what others think about Tiger Woods. I have always considered Tiger what he is -- perhaps the greatest professional golfer of all time. Period. Granted, off the course he's been a jerk. Being a superstar and a jerk at the same time is … [Read more...] about Let’s Get On With It, Tiger
The Villain and His “Manifesto”—A View from Austin (UPDATED)
I have been watching and listening to the pundits and talking heads pontificate about the tragedy that struck my beautiful city yesterday---a tragedy that may have taken at least one innocent life and injured several other innocent human beings. I have also been watching these same experts wave, quote and expound on the killer’s so-called manifesto, as if it were some new … [Read more...] about The Villain and His “Manifesto”—A View from Austin (UPDATED)
A Message To The News Media… Oh Really ?
With full credit to SNL for coming up with the commentary concept I have a few thoughts on the news today. Driving home I caught the noon news and the first words I heard were "In our top story today Tiger Woods" (this on CNN Radio but I assume all are the same). So let's consider that statement. On the international scene what is going on ? War in Iraq and … [Read more...] about A Message To The News Media… Oh Really ?
Man Gives Multi Million Dollar Business To His Employees
So much for the idea that all of those capitalists/businessman/rich people are evil and greedy. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011111010_birthdaygift18.html … [Read more...] about Man Gives Multi Million Dollar Business To His Employees
FLAT-EARTH OLYMPICS
People in Washington this week are wrapping the flag around themselves as protection from most Americans who have sweated and bled for our country in good times and bad. At the annual meeting of the Conservative Political Action Committee, the defining document is "The Mount Vernon Statement," an ode of the Constitution by a list of right-wing elders headed by Edwin Meese, … [Read more...] about FLAT-EARTH OLYMPICS
Slack Does NOT Equal Waste
Listeners to NPR were treated in recent weeks to not one but two versions (and a couple follow-up blog posts) of Planet Money's adulatory veneration of a self-described "Gerber baby" look alike efficiency expert, Matt Leblanc. Planet Money explains that Matt works for a "giant global logistics company" and "it actually turns out his process is really scientific." You know, … [Read more...] about Slack Does NOT Equal Waste
Twitterstorm on Tiger Woods’ Statement Is Starting
A Twitterstorm on Tiger Woods is now starting. Here are a few that I put on my Twitter page in just a few minutes: # JoeNBC [Joe Scarborough] Tiger's apology included some of the worst acting since Ishtar. 3 minutes ago from UberTwitter Retweeted by you and 14 others * Reply * Retweeted (Undo) # HowardKurtz Tiger embraces Buddhism after saying he … [Read more...] about Twitterstorm on Tiger Woods’ Statement Is Starting