Our political Quote of the Day is actually the beginning and end of a must-read-in-full post/analysis by Nate Silver on the down-to-the-wire Massachusetts special election to fill the late Teddy Kennedy's Senate seat -- an election that all sides agree could have huge implications for both political parties and President Barack Obama's agenda. Unlike a lot of poll analysis … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Why the Massachusetts Senate Race Is Too Close To Call
Help the Haiti Txt Msg Campaign Reach $20 Million By Midnight Tonight
Mashable: The Red Cross text messaging campaign has raised nearly $18 million for Haiti relief, according to the State Department’s Katie J Stanton today. Just four days ago we reported that the total had passed $5 million. Promos during the NFL playoffs helped boost donations, Stanton explains on her Twitter feed. ... The goal isn’t unreachable: simple … [Read more...] about Help the Haiti Txt Msg Campaign Reach $20 Million By Midnight Tonight
Robertson on Haiti
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Robertson on Haiti
Martha Coakley Will Win & I’d Vote For Her
Yes, I would vote for her if I was eligible to vote in Massachusetts. And yes, I do expect she will win. I could be wrong - wouldn't be the first time (I wanted Joe Biden in the 2008 primary), but that's my prediction. Regular readers can guess why: I'm a reliable left of center voter except on a few issues (I vote against casinos and am very independent when Israel is … [Read more...] about Martha Coakley Will Win & I’d Vote For Her
Haiti: Open Up Your Wallet, But Exercise Caution
It has been said that disasters, such as the Haiti earthquake, bring out the best in people. If you have been reading my posts on governmental, U.S. military, civilian and private humanitarian and relief efforts being provided by some wonderful organizations and people to the desperate survivors in Haiti, I hope you’ll agree that this is true. As a matter of fact, while … [Read more...] about Haiti: Open Up Your Wallet, But Exercise Caution
Poll: Obama Disappoints and Polarizes
As President Barack Obama campaigns in Massachusetts to try and help Democrats keep a Senate seat that could either make or break health care reform -- and possibly his entire remaining agenda -- a new Washington Post/ABC News poll underscores his present predicament: he's going to Massachusetts to use some of what pundits call his "political capital" but his problem is that … [Read more...] about Poll: Obama Disappoints and Polarizes
Pat Robertson and Haiti
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Pat Robertson and Haiti
SNL Parodies NBC, Leno, O’Brien Late Night Battle
Saturday Night Live (alive and quite clearly kicking) parodied the late night mess faced -- and created -- by NBC in which Jay Leno will go back to his old job and his Tonight Show replacement Conan O'Brien will reportedly take an expensive hike: … [Read more...] about SNL Parodies NBC, Leno, O’Brien Late Night Battle
Clinton, Bush Dismiss Talk Show Hosts’ Politicization of Haiti Earthquake
Someone had to say it and former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush said it quite well. They have rejected talk show hosts' attempt to politicize the earthquake in Haiti. The Hill reports: Bush and Clinton were asked on CNN about the statements such as that of conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, who said that Obama will see Haiti as an opportunity to … [Read more...] about Clinton, Bush Dismiss Talk Show Hosts’ Politicization of Haiti Earthquake
NYTimes Ready to Charge for Web Access
That according to Gabriel Sherman at NYMagazine: One personal friend of [New York Times Chairman Arthur] Sulzberger said a final decision could come within days, and a senior newsroom source agreed, adding that the plan could be announced in a matter of weeks. (Apple's tablet computer is rumored to launch on January 27, and sources speculate that Sulzberger will strike a … [Read more...] about NYTimes Ready to Charge for Web Access
Happy Birthday Michelle Obama
She's 46 today... On Friday she celebrated with her staff (pictured). Last night the president took her to a surprise dinner bash at Restaurant Nora, an organic restaurant in Dupont Circle: [A] special lamb dish for her, and pan-seared Maine lobster and saffron risotto for him. They drank Spottswood sauvignon blanc. And after nearly four hours of partying in an upstairs … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday Michelle Obama
Heartbreak and Humanity
After four straight days of hearing what comes out of the cold hearts of pundits like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, and the demented mind of Pat Robertson, this moved me to my core. … [Read more...] about Heartbreak and Humanity
Misleading Mailer Sent Out by MA Democratic Party
Greg Sargent uncovered this story: … [Read more...] about Misleading Mailer Sent Out by MA Democratic Party
Haiti: The Unsung Heroes
As a former military, I have naturally been impressed by and have publicized the lead role taken by the U.S. military in bringing humanitarian assistance and relief to devastated Haiti. Of course, the U.S. military are not alone in performing such efforts. Many other countries, and their military, and many other governmental and non-governmental civilian and private … [Read more...] about Haiti: The Unsung Heroes
What Should We Do With the Iraqi Jewish Archives?
It's a surprisingly vexing question. … [Read more...] about What Should We Do With the Iraqi Jewish Archives?
Yet Another Hidden ATM Bank Card Fee Scam
I particularly enjoy that the president has called his “Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee” a fee. Banks know from fees... Twenty years ago Texas-based banking consultant Bill Strunk convinced banks that they should allow customers overdraw their accounts and charge them a fee to do it. He's also credited with convincing clients to make checking accounts free to entice more … [Read more...] about Yet Another Hidden ATM Bank Card Fee Scam
Three Presidents Unite: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Is Launched
In a further sign of how in times of major world crises Americans (with the exception of Rush Limbaugh) put down their partisanship and agendas to unite and serve a broader good and the larger constituency called "humanity," President Barack Obama and former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton literally stood side by side this morning to announce a major fund raising … [Read more...] about Three Presidents Unite: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Is Launched
Full Body Scanners ‘Ground’ Female Iraqi Lawmakers: Sotal Iraq, Iraq
'I KNOW, DARK COLORS MAKE ME LOOK THINNER!' The apparent attempted attack on Delta/Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on Christmas Day is not an occurrence that easily lends itself to humor. Nevertheless, this tongue-in-cheek article by Jassim al-Mutair of Iraq's Sotal Iraq newspaper takes the opportunity to make fun of, from his point of view, excessive Muslim sensitivity over … [Read more...] about Full Body Scanners ‘Ground’ Female Iraqi Lawmakers: Sotal Iraq, Iraq
Easy Target: Political Fundraising Letters
Political fundraising letters are always a great target for blog posts. Most of my political mail is from conservatives, but I still get some liberal envelopes, possibly because of my subscription to the New Republic. This week, I was very flattered to receive a letter from Bill Clinton, who addressed me as "Dear Friend." One of the most noticeable things about Bill's … [Read more...] about Easy Target: Political Fundraising Letters
In Defense Of Television
Some years back a buddy of mine boasted he never watched television. Yet, he could tell you every joke and expression and the actors on the then popular television show "Laugh In." Folks, here comes da judge. You lie. Television is the best and worst form of entertainment and information ever invented by mankind. Ever since communications commentator Marshall McCuen … [Read more...] about In Defense Of Television