The 100-year-old woman who died this week takes something with her that is being lost in this century of hatreds on the rise everywhere--a human compassion that could persist at the risk of her own survival. Miep Gies, who sheltered Anne Frank and her family, was known for giving the world a gifted young girl's diary of a life never to be fulfilled, but her own longevity is … [Read more...] about Staying Human in Hard Times
“Did Republicans already win in Massachusetts?”
ABC’s Rick Klein asks “Did Republicans already win in Massachusetts?” He immediately backs off the question by stating he doesn’t mean actually winning the seat, stating “few observers really think that’s winnable even now, no matter how toxic the environment for Democrats these days.” Rather, he argues the fact that this is a race at all -- or, at least, the fact … [Read more...] about “Did Republicans already win in Massachusetts?”
Sarah Palin Interview
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Interview
Quote of the Day: Steele Tripping on RNC Message and Operation
Our political quote of the day is the beginning of a must-read in The Daily Caller (Tucker Carlson's new site) by James Richardson, who notes that RNC Chairman Michael Steele is proving to be MORE than a perpetual media sound byte machine. He's also felt to be seriously tripping on RNC's message and interfering with its smooth operation: Defecting to the GOP Hill campaign … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Steele Tripping on RNC Message and Operation
Jon on John, Stewart on Yoo
Jon Stewart apparently felt the sting of critics of his Monday night interview (here and here) of John Yoo, who authored many of the Bush administration's torture memos while serving as deputy assistant attorney general in the Bush administration's Office of Legal Counsel. In the opening to last night's show, Stewart essentially cops to the critique, "I was going to nail … [Read more...] about Jon on John, Stewart on Yoo
Independence of the Missouri Senate Delegation
If you're impressed by party defiance, as I am, you should appreciate this ... For Democrats, the CQ analysis for 2009 showed that Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., voted against the Democratic majority 28.1 percent of the time — the third highest behind Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska (37.1%) and Evan Bayh of Indiana (36.4%). Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, R-Mo., who is retiring … [Read more...] about Independence of the Missouri Senate Delegation
Legal Pot One Step Closer in California
Christian Science Monitor: As part of the continued push to legalize marijuana in California, the state Assembly’s public safety committee approved a bill Tuesday to tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. It's the farthest that efforts to legalize marijuana have got in the state. [...] Reaction to the 4-3 committee vote has been swift and strong on both … [Read more...] about Legal Pot One Step Closer in California
Conan O’Brien Rejects Hosting “Tonight Show” After New Leno 11:35 Show
NBC's beset -- and from his standpoint most assuredly betrayed -- late night talk show host Conan O'Brien has in effect announced that he's walking away from "The Tonight Show" job after being effectively given a take-it-or-leave-it offer of hosting the show a half hour later so that NBC could find a way to still use the ratings-challenged Jay Leno in late night. His … [Read more...] about Conan O’Brien Rejects Hosting “Tonight Show” After New Leno 11:35 Show
Google in China Reaction Round-Up
I was a supporter of Google going into China; I support their new approach. I will be very interested to see how China reacts. Color me hopeful. Though the NYTimes adds some troubling detail: Google did not publicly link the Chinese government to the cyber attack, but people with knowledge of Google’s investigation said they had enough evidence to justify its actions. A … [Read more...] about Google in China Reaction Round-Up
Haiti Update: Thousands May Be Dead
Update: A stunning picture in the NY Times That is the National Palace, in essence the equivalent of the US White House Reports are getting worse. They now fear thousands of fatalities but nothing will be clear until morning. A long dark night for the people of Haiti. … [Read more...] about Haiti Update: Thousands May Be Dead
The “Dutch Word” on the Davids Report on Early Dutch Iraq Policy (UPDATES)
This is the third post on today’s big news in the Netherlands, the release of the Davids Commission report on its investigation into the Dutch government’s decision-making process and policies during the run-up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. My previous posts were based on my own translations of Dutch reports in the Dutch newspaper the NRC Handeslblad. In translating … [Read more...] about The “Dutch Word” on the Davids Report on Early Dutch Iraq Policy (UPDATES)
Coakley Can’t Spel ?
In the category of minor but bemusing. A new attack ad from Senate candidate Martha Coakley misspelled the word... Massachusetts. Or as they tried it Massachusettes. Oooooooooooooooooooops. Story here … [Read more...] about Coakley Can’t Spel ?
Major Quake Rocks Haiti
A 7.0 earthquake has struck and reportedly 'shattered' the capital city of Haiti and the surrounding region. Reports indicate that parts of the Presidential residence have collapsed along with many other buildings. With millions living on the impoverished island the death toll could be horrible. Details here You can also check out reports on USGS quake site which … [Read more...] about Major Quake Rocks Haiti
Google Threatens Pullout of China Over Breach
NYTimes Bits Blog: In a calm and understated blog post, Google said Tuesday that it had recently come under an unusual cyberattack from China. The Web giant said the attack was very different from previous ones because it was aimed at Chinese dissidents’ Gmail accounts, dozens of which were compromised. From that Google blog post: We have taken the unusual step of sharing … [Read more...] about Google Threatens Pullout of China Over Breach
Teaching Conformity
In Mesquite (Texas) Independent School District, independence is not allowed. How do we know this? We know because a 4-year-old boy has been indefinitely suspended from school in said school district for refusing to conform his hair length to the school district's definition of "standard for boys." … [Read more...] about Teaching Conformity
Simple Solutions
Don’t expect the Federal and State governments to create many new jobs in the public or private sectors this year or this decade. Don’t expect the Private sector to care about hiring the tens of millions of Americans when new technologies have made many U.S. jobs obsolete, the remaining employees can be coerced to work even harder out of fear, and the other good jobs have been … [Read more...] about Simple Solutions
Obama Sinking
Patrick Corrigan, The Toronto Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obama Sinking
More Fallout on Dutch Commission’s Report on Iraq
Under the heading, “Blankenende [the Dutch Prime Minister] had no grasp on Iraq policy,” the Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad publishes additional comments and reactions to today’s unveiling of the Davids Commission report on the Dutch government’s policies leading up to the Iraq invasion. The following are some translated excerpts. The entire translation will be available … [Read more...] about More Fallout on Dutch Commission’s Report on Iraq
Immigration: U.S. vs. France
This is a tale of two countries groping with the complexities of immigration reform. In France, conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy has launched a national dialogue on what constitutes a French person's identity. Liberals in the French Parliament oppose his every move. In the United States, President Barack Obama is quietly securing support from Latinos, in particular, … [Read more...] about Immigration: U.S. vs. France
Brown, Coakley, and a Confession
Author's Note: Though not planned when it was published, this post ended up the first in a series. Here are links to parts two and three. In the second part, I defend the suggestion at the end of this first installment; in the third, I acknowledge that the suggestion is flawed. ------------------- So Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown and Democrat Martha Coakley … [Read more...] about Brown, Coakley, and a Confession