This weekend on This American Life, a replay of 81 Words: The story of how the American Psychiatric Association decided in 1973 that homosexuality was no longer a mental illness. In 1973 I was a young runaway still in Harrisburg, PA. After a serious auto accident that my parents used as an excuse to try to commit me, a psychiatrist threw his card on my hospital bed and said … [Read more...] about 81 Words: The Unsung Heroism of Dr. Evelyn Hooker
Women in the Military
Earlier this week, the U.S. Navy announced that it has decided to lift the ban on female submarine crew members. Defense Secretary Robert Gates signed a letter a week ago last Friday, notifying Congress of the Navy’s policy change, a change which both the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, and the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughead support. Congress can block … [Read more...] about Women in the Military
America’s ‘Operation New Dawn’ is the Same Old Sunset: Azzaman, Iraq
American troops still on patrol over Baghdad. According to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, America is changing the name of it's Iraq mission from 'Operation Iraqi Freedom' to 'Operation New Dawn' to 'send a strong signal that American forces have a new mission.' According to columnist Fatih Abdusalam of Iraq's Azzaman newspaper, the new name, just like the old one, bares … [Read more...] about America’s ‘Operation New Dawn’ is the Same Old Sunset: Azzaman, Iraq
Send Him To The Pound
I probably should not say what I want done to this guy but I do hope something happens http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/26/puppy-had-been-choked-owner-dies/?imw=Y … [Read more...] about Send Him To The Pound
In Other News The Sky Is Blue
As others have noted there have been some political developments in New York today involving Governor Paterson and Congressman Rangel. In news that is slightly less surprising than the idea that the sky is blue, grass is green and rain is wet, the reactions of the two men have been slightly hypocritical. Governor Paterson announced he won't seek re-election. In his statement … [Read more...] about In Other News The Sky Is Blue
Thoughts on the Health-Care Summit (and the Olympics)
I'm late getting to this, but, well, you know, the Olympics. Our women's hockey team shut out the U.S. for a third straight gold, our men's and women's curlers both won their semifinal matches, and Joannie Rochette, a lovely and courageous young woman, skated to the bronze in women's figure skating, with all of Canada behind her, just days after her mother's … [Read more...] about Thoughts on the Health-Care Summit (and the Olympics)
Do Not Try To Truly Understand GDP, That Way Madness Lies
[I started writing this last month but with the updated release it is even more topical.] When I was but a financial market acolyte, GDP was by far my favorite statistic. I definitely would have invited it as my date to the Econ Ball, and would have probably even proposed except for the fear that it'd lead to an onslaught of constitutional amendments, further enlightening … [Read more...] about Do Not Try To Truly Understand GDP, That Way Madness Lies
The Further Adventures Of Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant (Episode 3: Will the hectoring never end?)
Mr. B. You're late this morning. And you're looking tired, sir. Just got back from Europe, Selig. Things are going downhill very quickly over there. I'm not sure that even we'll be able to pull them back from the brink. The way you did with our own economy, sir? It was a near thing here. Had you not been willing to become a commercial bank holding company, accepted those no … [Read more...] about The Further Adventures Of Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant (Episode 3: Will the hectoring never end?)
NY Gov. David Paterson to Spend More Time With Family
As we've long been anticipating here at TMV, New York Governor David Paterson has finally announced that he won't be seeking a full term in the Governor's mansion this fall. After weathering a number of accusations and approval numbers approaching those of Al Capone, the final straw seems to be a revelation that he attempted to pressure a woman accusing one of his aides of … [Read more...] about NY Gov. David Paterson to Spend More Time With Family
Comic Relief
Consider this a break from the serious news of the day. … [Read more...] about Comic Relief
If You Can’t Lend a Hand, Then Get Out of the Way*
Greg Sargent is right: Yesterday's summit was never about the Republicans: … [Read more...] about If You Can’t Lend a Hand, Then Get Out of the Way*
God Bess The Child That’s Got His Own
Andrew Koenig appears to have completed suicide in Vancouver. My condolences to his family and friends. My heart goes out to them. A certified suicide prevention trainer, I've put suicide in the context of health care reform before. Commenters object, saying I use suicide to try to score a political point. I disagree. Going back to Kitty Dukakis and Betty Ford we have tried … [Read more...] about God Bess The Child That’s Got His Own
UK Candidates Coax Votes from ‘Octopus with Pre-Menstrual Tension,’ aka Mommy Bloggers
Contrary to the reality, at least in the U.S., that online political ads are still a small though growing portion of how candidates spend their resources to get votes, UK politicians have made an extremely high-profile foray into cyberspace via Mumsnet, a large network of mothers and mommy bloggers. From The Telegraph (which includes an interview with the Mumsnet co-founder … [Read more...] about UK Candidates Coax Votes from ‘Octopus with Pre-Menstrual Tension,’ aka Mommy Bloggers
Sen. Scrooge, Republican from Kentucky
No matter how much evidence I see every single day of the Republican Party's heartlessness and seeming lack of even a shred of compassion for millions of Americans who don't have jobs, can't find jobs, are being evicted from their apartments and foreclosed out of their houses, must rely on food stamps and food pantries for nourishment, and can't afford to see a doctor when they … [Read more...] about Sen. Scrooge, Republican from Kentucky
Chris Matthew’s Brilliant Producer and the GOP Tactic Borrowed from Senior Citizens
Tonight on MSNBC I watched a bit of the ultimate and eternally young Catholic boy, Chris Matthews who though he acts like a Royko is actually a Philly kid, and ... I dont care what anyone else says, by my sights, he zoomed to the top of the pile when he dared to start out his news program the day after Tim Russert suddenly died, by intoning The Hail Mary right off... right out … [Read more...] about Chris Matthew’s Brilliant Producer and the GOP Tactic Borrowed from Senior Citizens
The Moderate Thought: Has the American Experiment Failed?
As much as I would like to post an article about healthcare today, I won’t. I’m sure that there are individuals a lot smarter out there who are pontificating from every angle on this very subject and I’m afraid my opinion is much too biased as I am currently suffering this “awful” socialist healthcare program here in the UK. Anyway, a second installment of the Moderate … [Read more...] about The Moderate Thought: Has the American Experiment Failed?
‘Sacred Bonds’ Tiger Woods Sought to Preserve Weren’t of Marriage: Le Journal de Montreal, Canada
center> The world seems obsessed about what Tiger Woods was trying to do with his highly publicized apology. Was it more personal or was it largely public relations? Richard Martineau, a sports columnist with Le Journal de Montreal, puzzles over this odd American ritual contrition, and thinks he's come up with an answer. For Le Journal de Montreal, Richard Martineau … [Read more...] about ‘Sacred Bonds’ Tiger Woods Sought to Preserve Weren’t of Marriage: Le Journal de Montreal, Canada
How Bully the Pulpit?
Not very, although John Boehner left the Summit looking like he had been in the dentist's chair all day. Nancy Pelosi zinged as "not factual" his remarks about abortion in the House bill after the President had politely brushed off his robotalk with the observation, “Every time we get somewhere, we go back to the standard talking points.” Mitch McConnell was reduced to … [Read more...] about How Bully the Pulpit?
Health Care Summit After-Report
Steven Pearlstein of the Washington Post was quite impressed by the insincerity and lack of concern for Americans' health care needs demonstrated on the GOP side: … [Read more...] about Health Care Summit After-Report
Budget Deficits
So what do you do when you find yourself in a hole? … [Read more...] about Budget Deficits