A Reuters photographer was freed today, by the U.S. military, after 17 months of imprisonment, in Iraq, without charge, and without being allowed to see the evidence against him because it was "classified." … [Read more...] about Justice By Accident, Unconscionably Delayed
John Edwards Engaged?
That's what the tabloid that broke the story of Edwards' cheating on his cancer patient wife Elizabeth (it has also been right on its later reports) reports now. And so we have it: we are seeing a politician who truly has no shame. … [Read more...] about John Edwards Engaged?
Hand Written Speech
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Hand Written Speech
Cheney’s Terrorists
Guest post by Gen. Donald Edwards (Ret.) General Edwards served in the U.S. Army for 37 years, including two tours with eight campaigns in Vietnam. He served as a congressional staffer from 1997-99. He is a resident of Maine and Ashburn, Virginia. This piece first appeared at Progressive Fix, a project of the Progressive Policy Institute. ********** Just last week, … [Read more...] about Cheney’s Terrorists
Google To Get Into Internet Access Biz
Does anyone see a pattern emerging here: Google on Wednesday introduced a plan to offer ultra-high-speed Internet access to consumers in a test intended to showcase the potential new uses of broadband networks once such speeds become commonplace. [...] Google said that over the next six weeks, it would solicit proposals from communities interested in the service, and then … [Read more...] about Google To Get Into Internet Access Biz
Ronald Reagan, Conservatism, and the Decline of the American Empire
I received an e-mail the other day from an old college friend asking me why the right has canonized Ronald Reagan. I thought about it, thought about it some more, and came up with a reply, written fairly hastily, that I reprint here. It is not meant to be a comprehensive explanation of Reagan's lofty status among conservatives and in recent U.S. history. I welcome your … [Read more...] about Ronald Reagan, Conservatism, and the Decline of the American Empire
Too Much Democracy, Ctd.
Here's a timely counter-punch, from David Harsanyi, to the Kurt Andersen article we spotlighted yesterday. Harsanyi's conclusion ... Those who contend that the ruling party isn't instilled with enough control are worried about politics, not process. And actually, regardless of which ephemeral majority happens to win the day, we should be looking for more checks on … [Read more...] about Too Much Democracy, Ctd.
Condescending Liberals, Conservatives Too
I thought Gerard Alexander's OpEd in Sunday's WaPo on Why Liberals Are So Condescending would easily generate a pile of intelligent parsing and effective responses. Instead, most of the reaction I read was along the lines of "I know you are, but what am I?" Not a thing I found is worth quoting. Maybe everyone was busy making Palin crib note jokes. I was entirely unpersuaded … [Read more...] about Condescending Liberals, Conservatives Too
We Used to Call This “Weather”
I don't remember, to be honest, whether global warming one-liners were flying around when it snowed here in the Houston area on December 4th. We were all too busy staring flabbergasted out the windows to pay much attention. I'm sure, though, that the wits were regaling everyone with their brilliance. "Hey! How 'bout that global warming eh? Hawhawhawhaw!" **nudge … [Read more...] about We Used to Call This “Weather”
Pam Geller Knows Ronald Reagan Better Than Ron Reagan, Jr (She Says)
Pam Geller, in the kind of attack mode that some partisans today now think is "debate" and/or scoring intellectual points (NEWS FLASH: volume and rage do not always equal logic or facts), made the breathtaking assertion to the late President Ronald Reagan's son that she knows what Ronald Reagan would think better than he does. She knows Ronald Reagan would just love Sarah … [Read more...] about Pam Geller Knows Ronald Reagan Better Than Ron Reagan, Jr (She Says)
Snowmageddon
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Snowmageddon
Lobbyists Retreat But Never Surrender (Guest Voice)
Lobbyists Retreat but Never Surrender by Michael Winship With George Washington's birthday comes the attendant mythology, hatchet and cherry tree, wooden teeth, throwing a silver dollar across the Potomac River - or the Rappahannock. Of course, as the old joke goes, a dollar went a lot further then. Today, if you tried to hurl a silver dollar across the … [Read more...] about Lobbyists Retreat But Never Surrender (Guest Voice)
Privatized Bureaucracy is Still Bureaucracy (Guest Voice)
Privatized Bureaucracy is Still Bureaucracy by Tina Dupuy The knee-jerk “government is bad” argument against health care reform, the jobs bill or banking regulations is always “it creates more bureaucracy.” This is mainly from Republicans who want to be called lawmakers. Yes, there are people working in the government – gladly cashing their government paychecks – whose … [Read more...] about Privatized Bureaucracy is Still Bureaucracy (Guest Voice)
Tea Party Ogre
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Tea Party Ogre
Gorbachev to NATO: ‘Learn from Our Mistakes in Afghanistan’: Rossijskaya Gazeta, Russia
Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who has seen it all before, favors a rapid demilitarization of the situation in Afghanistan. In this opinion piece from Russia's Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Mr. Gorbachev reveals some of his Afghanistan battle scars, says the allies have only a "50-50" chance of success, and tells of the advice he offered President Obama. For Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Mikhail … [Read more...] about Gorbachev to NATO: ‘Learn from Our Mistakes in Afghanistan’: Rossijskaya Gazeta, Russia
NY State Senate Expels Member
The NY State Senate voted 53-8 to expel Democrat Hiram Monserrate over a variety of issues relating to his attack on his girlfriend. Since the NY Constitution does not give the legislature the power to expel (state law does) he is going to file an appeal in the courts so this will likely drag out for some time. That could be an issue as the Democrats have a narrow … [Read more...] about NY State Senate Expels Member
PLA Wants To Attack US Via Economy
Just a sign that having massive debt might not be a good thing. And before we get into the partisan battle I blame both sides of the aisle but I am sure many will disagree. And while Rome burns.... … [Read more...] about PLA Wants To Attack US Via Economy
‘Un-European’ Obama Demonstrates Why Europe Needs Russia: Gazeta of Russia
Has Obama turned his back on 'Old Europe?' Americans may not be aware of it, but for quite some time, Russia has been promoting the idea of a new Europe-wide security organization that would exclude the United States. According to this article from Russia's Gazeta, the Obama Administration, in giving the impression that it considers Europe less important that past U.S. … [Read more...] about ‘Un-European’ Obama Demonstrates Why Europe Needs Russia: Gazeta of Russia
Misunderstandings, and Complex Thinking
It's not clear to me whether Sarah Palin really did misunderstand Pat Buchanan's column to mean that he thought Pres. Obama should bomb Iran (he was in fact making the opposite argument), or whether she was indicating that she thought it was a neat idea and was simply, in her verbally challenged way, citing Buchanan's column as the place where she first learned about the idea … [Read more...] about Misunderstandings, and Complex Thinking
They Have A Yen For Gambling
I took Monday off to join a friend help celebrate her 63rd birthday at the local Indian gambling casino here in southwest Riverside County, Calif. Now what I'm about to report is in no way considered on my part a racist comment. So, relax and take it for what it's worth. The vast preponderance of people at the slots and gaming tables were Filipinos and other Asian decent. I … [Read more...] about They Have A Yen For Gambling