Here's one intriguing view... … [Read more...] about Who’s the King of Late Night TV?
Senate Passes Bipartisan $15 Billion Jobs Bill
Is it possible that enough members of Congress are now getting the message that voters want to see more action and less political gamesmanship/gridlock? The Senate's passage via a bipartisan vote of a $15 billion jobs bill keeps hope alive (but barely): The Senate easily passed a $15 billion jobs bill on Wednesday morning amid hope that the measure could provide a … [Read more...] about Senate Passes Bipartisan $15 Billion Jobs Bill
Welcome to the “American Idol” Abbattoir (Guest Voice)
Welcome to the "American Idol" Abbattoir by Pat Reeder It's truly bizarre to me that so many people get so caught up in “American Idol.” I watched it for the first few years, but lost interest at least four seasons ago. Still, I see flashes of it as I wander through the living room because my wife Laura is that rarest of endangered species, a professional singer with … [Read more...] about Welcome to the “American Idol” Abbattoir (Guest Voice)
Obama and Reid – Weekend at Bernies
Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obama and Reid – Weekend at Bernies
Independents and Broken Government (Video)
Here is the video of the 2/21/10 Don Lemon CNN segment on independents and broken government that included a panel I was on with historian and independent voter analyist Omar Ali, and Nicole Kurokawa of the Cato Institute, an independent analyst. The subjects: independent voter reaction to broken government, gridlock and political gamesmanship. Here is the complete … [Read more...] about Independents and Broken Government (Video)
Pew: Dems Losing Millennial Edge
That's the AP take-away from a new Pew Research report (pdf) released today. From the Executive Summary: Politically, Millennials were among Barack Obama's strongest supporters in 2008, backing him for president by more than a two-to-one ratio (66% to 32%) while older adults were giving just 50% of their votes to the Democratic nominee. This was the largest disparity between … [Read more...] about Pew: Dems Losing Millennial Edge
Iwo Jima Plus 65
A very busy work day prevented me from posting earlier but it was 65 years ago this week, on February 23, 1945, that the Marines raised the US flag over Iwo Jima. While the famous picture was re-enacted for the cameras there is no way we can deny the bravery of the Marines who fought and died there. For once we may have a post where everybody agrees that it's a week to … [Read more...] about Iwo Jima Plus 65
The CBO on the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act
That would be what most of us know as "the stimulus." Republican leaders claim it hasn't created a single job (while hastening to take credit for the jobs it's provided at ribbon-cutting ceremonies across the nation). … [Read more...] about The CBO on the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act
Why Are Democrats So Afraid of the Public Option?
The source of the fear is inside Congress, not out there in America: … [Read more...] about Why Are Democrats So Afraid of the Public Option?
Is GOP Planning Scorched Earth Response if Democrats Use Reconciliation?
Are Senate Republicans planning to essentially move towards a "scorched earth" policy if the Democrats try to shove through health care reform using the "reconciliation" process by which only 51 votes would be needed to pass it? The Politico has this tantilizing item which will make many political junkies drool -- and many independent voters cringe and shake their heads at … [Read more...] about Is GOP Planning Scorched Earth Response if Democrats Use Reconciliation?
Toyota
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Toyota
Will Women Serve aboard Submarines? The Answer May Be Yes.
Almost exactly five months ago I wrote: Women in the military have been—by tradition, by law, policy or regulation—excluded from various duties. One of the last remaining exclusions is women serving in “front-line combat jobs.” But, even here, according to the Navy Times, “combat roles have become blurred during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, in which irregular … [Read more...] about Will Women Serve aboard Submarines? The Answer May Be Yes.
FCC Reports On “Broadband” Use
The FCC has issued a report (pdf) that claims that 78 percent of adults in the U.S. access the Internet and that 67 percent have broadband at home. Before you go jumping up-and-down in excitement about these adoption rates, there are serious caveats and questions. The biggest caveat is how the FCC defined broadband: For the purposes of this report, home broadband users are … [Read more...] about FCC Reports On “Broadband” Use
Utah Bill Gives State the Right to Prosecute Women for Miscarriage and Illegal Abortions
I am too enraged right now to write any commentary on this. I tried several times, and it just isn't coming right now. So for now, this article will have to speak for itself: … [Read more...] about Utah Bill Gives State the Right to Prosecute Women for Miscarriage and Illegal Abortions
So Why Did Scott Brown Cross the Aisle?
Here are FIVE THEORIES. … [Read more...] about So Why Did Scott Brown Cross the Aisle?
An Intimate Near-Death Experience in Antarctica
A friend, who is a fellow tennis player and a bird watcher, just returned from a cruise to and around Antarctica and had some fascinating stories to tell about the “White Continent” with its spectacular ice, rugged mountais and fjords, aggressive seals and awesome whales, and—of course—the unique birds that inhabit the various islands, including the first Snow Petrel he has … [Read more...] about An Intimate Near-Death Experience in Antarctica
DUI Checkpoints Are Cash Cow For Cops, Cities
This article written by California Watch, an investigative team run by Lowell Bergman, former "60 Minutes" producer, blew my mind. It was emailed to me by a Riverside County District Attorney investigator and previous participant in the sobriety checkpoint program while a member of the National City Police Department. It is reprinted in its entirety. It is also on line at the … [Read more...] about DUI Checkpoints Are Cash Cow For Cops, Cities
Me and the Olympics; or, When Canada Rules!
Yeah, so I'm not blogging as much as usual with the Olympics on, what with such extensive coverage on three different Canadian networks. But you know what? We rule! Uh... at... uh... ice dancing? Yes! No, it's not a sport, and it's utterly ridiculous, with the performers -- it's undeniably athletic, and commentators fall all over themselves trying to justify it as a … [Read more...] about Me and the Olympics; or, When Canada Rules!
Stuff You Need To Know About The Tea Party People
This is one of those no, but, stories. I'm no great fan of polls. Too often the questions are rigged to prove a point. Often, the methodology is flawed or the demographics selected biased. I take polls for what they are: A flashpoint that may or not reflect a trend. And now the proverbial but. The Economist, published by our Brit friends across the pond, publishes a poll … [Read more...] about Stuff You Need To Know About The Tea Party People
Something Happened In The Senate Yesterday
Something happened in the Senate yesterday. No. That's not the lead for a story. That's the story. After a year of near total gridlock, something moved. There were stirrings in the chamber. The vote that took place was merely a procedural one, but one in which a Republican veto could have prevented a simple majority vote two or three days later. There was no successful … [Read more...] about Something Happened In The Senate Yesterday