Are the tactics now being used by the 'U.S.-led coalition' in Marjah and the rest of Afghanistan 'doomed to go the way of the Soviets'? That is the argument put forward in this strongly-worded editorial from Pakistan's Frontier Post, which paints the strategy of chasing out the Taliban and paying them off as cluelessly naive. The Frontier Post editorial says in part: The … [Read more...] about America’s ‘Dimwitted’ Marja Adventure: The Frontier Post, Pakistan
If Israel Did it, Why not the U.S.?
I have written in support of giving women in our military equal responsibilities, duty assignments and advancement opportunities as their male counterparts. (Here and here) I have also been a consistent supporter of permitting gays and lesbians to serve openly and honorably in our military. (Such as here and here) Finally, I have written admiringly of the Israel … [Read more...] about If Israel Did it, Why not the U.S.?
Cheney
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction strictly prohibited. All rights reserved. TMV runs a variety of cartoons reflecting different viewpoints. Refresh TMV to see the latest. … [Read more...] about Cheney
Senator Lautenberg In Hospital
We got word yesterday that New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg had been taken to the hospital. The information now is he has undergone surgery for a bleeding ulcer. Initial reports say he is expected to recover and be back to work soon. However when an 86 year old man has surgery you always have to take his age into account. Obviously politics plays a distant second … [Read more...] about Senator Lautenberg In Hospital
Moderate Thoughts: Un-American?
I wanted to try something new with my postings. As TMV has a wide variety of writers and readers, I wondered what ‘centrists’ feel about the use of the word “un-American” in political discussion. It has personally puzzled me because, as I see it, by its very construction the word operates on historically false ground. For example: How can a white-euro American call another … [Read more...] about Moderate Thoughts: Un-American?
How Obama Can Turn It Around
With the Capitol Hill horror show on hiatus, the President has an opening to power up and start moving Washington toward some semblance of being functional again. His strength is in a sizable approval advantage over the Congressional clowns who are back home to placate voters for whom incumbent is now a dirty word. With his numbers over 50 percent, he is well ahead of … [Read more...] about How Obama Can Turn It Around
News from Home (Guest Voice)
News From Home by David Goodloe I grew up in Conway, Ark. It was a small town when I was a child, outwardly not much different from many towns in Arkansas in those days. Today, it is at least five times, maybe six times, as large as it was then, and it is noteworthy for having been the home, even if for a short time, of some prominent people. Actress Mary Steenburgen, … [Read more...] about News from Home (Guest Voice)
Politics and the UAH Shootings
The murder of three University of Alabama at Huntsville biology professors last Friday (and the attempted murder of three other individuals) is a clear tragedy. It is especially difficult for those of us in the academy who can very easily identify with what it might be like to be sitting in a small room filled with colleagues to then be confronted with the surprising and … [Read more...] about Politics and the UAH Shootings
Evan Bayh (Video): Too Much “Brain Dead Partisanship” In Congress
Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh has now said what many independent voters have told pollsters for years: there is too much "much brain-dead partisanship, tactical maneuvering for short-term political advantage" in Congress. Here's the video with his comments on ABC's Good Morning America: … [Read more...] about Evan Bayh (Video): Too Much “Brain Dead Partisanship” In Congress
Must-Read Profile of Tea Partiers and Friends
If you read one article today, spend 15 minutes with this report from the NYT re: the so-called "Tea Party" and (loosely) associated groups. Though fueled by the rhetoric of Glenn Beck and others, many members of this movement do not articulate their gripes within a Democrat v. Republican matrix. The article contends that the most radical elements within the movement … [Read more...] about Must-Read Profile of Tea Partiers and Friends
Quote of the Day II: the Difference Between Democrats and Republicans
A meaty political Quote of the Day comes via MSNBC's must-read First Read's Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg, who make a telling observation about a trait of current behavior among Democrats: If we told you that Democrats were favored to lose about eight Senate seats (six of which are in states Obama carried in '08), lose some 30 to 40 in the … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day II: the Difference Between Democrats and Republicans
Quote of the Day: Evan Bayh’s Retirement
"... in a rational world, the idea of a middle-aged man tiring of the political system and deciding to move on should make perfect sense." -- Matthew Tully, political columnist, The Indianapolis Star, on Sen. Evan Bayh's retirement … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Evan Bayh’s Retirement
A Republican Sweep in 2010 in Maryland
Yesterday, the Vail Spot reported that MD U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski may announce her retirement in a few days. I interned from Ms. Mikluski nearly two decades ago, and while I do not see her retiring this election cycle, the thought does bring up interesting scenarios for Republicans in Maryland this year. Governor Martin O'Malley. Between a growing structural … [Read more...] about A Republican Sweep in 2010 in Maryland
Why no holiday for America’s vice presidents?
When I was a kid, my mom bought me a placemat with little portraits of all forty American presidents (which is how many there were back then). After all while, I knew all of their names and when they held office. Mostly by accident, I spent some time this afternoon consulting Wikipedia's list of America's 47 vice presidents. Half of them were total strangers to me. For … [Read more...] about Why no holiday for America’s vice presidents?
China Won’t Allow Itself to Be ‘Hijacked’ By the West or Iran: Global Times, China
Are the West and Iran out of control and poised on the brink of disaster? That's the tone of this editorial from China's state-controlled Global Times, which warns both sides that Beijing won't be pressured to choose one or the other - and that a resort to force, as far as Chinese leaders are concerned, is out of the question. The article gives good insight into Beijing's … [Read more...] about China Won’t Allow Itself to Be ‘Hijacked’ By the West or Iran: Global Times, China
Keith Olbermann Commentary (updated)
I had previously posted a statement on Keith Olbermann's latest commentary about the Tea Party movement. Although I felt my basic criticism of his stand was fair I also thought some of the language was less than precise so I am offering this newer and somewhat broader version. Just to make my own views clear, I have both agreements and disagreements with the movement. I … [Read more...] about Keith Olbermann Commentary (updated)
An Eminent Historian Looks at Obama—and at Us.
Richard Norton Smith is a distinguished presidential historian and former head of six presidential libraries. He has published numerous books and articles on our presidents and is a nationally recognized expert on “most anything and everything related to the presidency.” His books include “An Uncommon Man: The Triumph of Herbert Hoover” (1984), “The Harvard Century: The … [Read more...] about An Eminent Historian Looks at Obama—and at Us.
Taliban #2 captured in Pakistan
Mullah Baradar, the Taliban's top military commander, was captured in Karachi as part of a joint operation by US and Pakistani intelligence. Baradar was captured late last week, but the US government asked journalists to hold the information until today. In the Times, ex-CIA man and Obama adviser Bruce Riedel says Baradar's capture reflected a “sea change in Pakistani … [Read more...] about Taliban #2 captured in Pakistan
Utah Eyes Cutting 12th Grade To Save $60M
Faced with a $700 million budget shortfall, a Utah Republican state legislator has found a way he figures will cut about 8% of it by eliminating the senior year of high school. State Sen. Chris Buttars has since toned down the idea, suggesting instead that senior year become optional for students who complete their required credits early. He estimated the move could save up … [Read more...] about Utah Eyes Cutting 12th Grade To Save $60M
We See Your True Colors, Shining Through
Here is a non-graded, not-for-credit civics question: What does it mean when the House Minority Leader demands that the White House post any new health care proposal online 72 hours before the Health Care Summit on February 25, and then attacks the White House when it does exactly that? … [Read more...] about We See Your True Colors, Shining Through