Facebook was launched six years ago today, on February 4, 2004. Originally called “Thefacebook” and located at thefacebook.com, it was founded by Mark Zuckerberg with some Harvard pals as a network for Harvard students. It opened first to other universities and later to everyone. 175 million people now log into Facebook every day. That's more than 200 million unique visitors … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday Facebook
Don’t Lecture Germans About Dependence on the State!: Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
The backlash against decades of American lecturing of Europe about the evils of state intervention into the free market shows no sign of abating. This article by columnist Thomas Fricke of Germany's Financial Times Deutschland provides fresh ammunition for Germans who want their friends in the U.S and Britain to shut up once and for all. For the Financial Times … [Read more...] about Don’t Lecture Germans About Dependence on the State!: Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
The Ethics of ‘Walking Away” From Your Mortgage
It should be clear to all of us by now that the single driving factor in this economic downturn was the meltdown in home values. All the talk about how the big banks screwed us over is relevant only as it relates to the massive devaluation of our largest personal asset; our homes. If home values had stayed relatively stable, or come down at a reasonable rate, the bank crisis … [Read more...] about The Ethics of ‘Walking Away” From Your Mortgage
Jackson Doctor May Plea On Manslaughter Charges
Word is that Michael Jackson's doctor is going to surrender on Friday to authorities as part of a plea bargin on charges of manslaughter. He could face up to 4 years in jail though presumably a plea would be for less time. -------------------- pix/ dr.e/ed. … [Read more...] about Jackson Doctor May Plea On Manslaughter Charges
Mel Gibson on the Offensive about alleged Anti-semitism
Is Mel Gibson beyond a p.r. handler's help? He's a great actor whose work seems to improve the older he gets, but someone whose real life is likely to cut down on some of his box office draw. To wit: , Gibson has issues. Note his comment to reporter Sam Rubin (who happens to be Jewish): Attn. Mel: There are people who "have a dog in this fight" who will refrain from … [Read more...] about Mel Gibson on the Offensive about alleged Anti-semitism
Who Blinks First Iran or Israel?
Tension is building between Iran and Israel. One sign of the tensions is this piece in Ha'aretz in Israel: In the sea of brainwashing, intimidation and cliches surrounding us, it's sometimes worthwhile to listen to a voice from the outside, a voice no less proficient than the Israeli "experts" on security matters and Iran. The voice of reason. Such was the voice of the … [Read more...] about Who Blinks First Iran or Israel?
This Just In!
Jay Leno is taking over this blog starting February 15th. (We're looking into posting on the Fox News site.) --------------- image added/ dr.e/ (I loved this image of Jay, captures his wild soul, I think) … [Read more...] about This Just In!
Toyota: the Car that Drives Itself
Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Toyota: the Car that Drives Itself
No Child Shoved Aside
While it hasn't garnered much national attention, what with all of the other sexy stories out there, the President recently proposed going back to the drawing board on education issues and taking another look at No Child Left Behind. We could get into another long, drawn out debate here about unfunded mandates, propping up an entrenched and frequently failing public school … [Read more...] about No Child Shoved Aside
Mullen Says All That Needs Saying on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
From the New York Times' coverage of hearings related to the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy related to whether gays and lesbians serve in the U.S. military: On one thing, Mr. Gates, Admiral Mullen and Republicans on the committee agreed: many gay men and lesbians are serving honorably and effectively in the military today, despite a policy that has led to more than … [Read more...] about Mullen Says All That Needs Saying on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Give us Prime Minister Obama!
In a great follow on to President Obama's engagement with the House GOP, a coalition of writers who span the political spectrum are calling for Question Time with the President to become an American institution. Politico reports: A politically diverse group of bloggers, commentators, techies and politicos on Wednesday will launch an online campaign, Demand Question Time, … [Read more...] about Give us Prime Minister Obama!
Obama Budget Heavyweight
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obama Budget Heavyweight
The Hidden Issue of 2010 (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- Vice President Joe Biden is tired of seeing the Obama administration's economic stimulus plan demeaned, derided and dismissed, and he wanted to talk about it. But a funny thing happened in the course of an interview at Biden's White House office on Tuesday afternoon. The vice president's passions poured forth not when he was offering his point-by-point … [Read more...] about The Hidden Issue of 2010 (Guest Voice)
Taiwan Arms Sales a Gut Check for United States: Die Tageszeitung, Germany
Continuing with our theme today of global reaction to the latest U.S.-China sparring, this article from Germany's Die Tageszeitung ponders the question, just how committed to the defense of democratic Taiwan is the United States? According to columnist Jutta Lietsch, whether the U.S. approves the deal to sell $6.4 billion in weapons to what was once called "America's … [Read more...] about Taiwan Arms Sales a Gut Check for United States: Die Tageszeitung, Germany
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Changes of Mind but not of Integrity
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appeared yesterday before the Senate Armed Services Committee to call for an end to the 16-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” law. While the Admiral’s words were eloquent, heartfelt and powerful, I doubt that the appearance and the words of our highest ranking active-duty … [Read more...] about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Changes of Mind but not of Integrity
PC vs. Expletive Deleted Warfare
The great B.T. Collins, a Viet Nam war hero and confidant of former California Gov. Jerry Brown, had one personal quirk that followed him to the grave. His obituary as reported by a female colleague of mine on the old San Diego Evening Tribune started with these words: "B.T. Collins, the foul-mouthed ..." Rahm Emmanuel, President Obama's chief of staff, be warned here … [Read more...] about PC vs. Expletive Deleted Warfare
Jon Stewart Drops the Ball on Brian Williams’ Self-Important Bloviating
When I saw Brian Williams was going to be the guest on last night's Daily Show, I checked to see if I was watching a rerun -- Williams has been on that many times before. The NBC Nightly News anchor is an affable fellow and he and Stewart clearly enjoy each others company. But I was brought to the point of yelling at the screen early on when, on the topic of Haiti, Williams … [Read more...] about Jon Stewart Drops the Ball on Brian Williams’ Self-Important Bloviating
MOSTLY CRAPPY JOBS IN OUR FUTURE
The U.S. economy has shed an unprecedented number of jobs during the past 2 years and it will probably continue losing a steady stream of jobs over the next decade in all industries. Most of these jobs will never return because of changing technology, increased robotics and massive outsourcing overseas. The U.S. private sector will inevitably create some new jobs so the … [Read more...] about MOSTLY CRAPPY JOBS IN OUR FUTURE
China Feels Her Oats at America’s Expense: Rceczpospolita, Poland
More chilling than the Chinese sword of Damocles hanging over Washington's head may be the reaction of other countries, particularly our NATO allies, to the obvious shift of global influence in the direction of Beijing. From NATO ally Poland, Piotr Gillert writes for the newspaper Rceczpospolita: Obama's attempts to begin a deep and intimate dialog with Beijing can now be … [Read more...] about China Feels Her Oats at America’s Expense: Rceczpospolita, Poland
Bedtime for Bonzo Bankers
Ronald Reagan's Fed Chairman Paul Volcker is back to bash bankers--and not a moment too soon--as he tells a Senate hearing that the solution for bailouts is "to arrange an orderly liquidation or merger--in other words, euthanasia, not a rescue.” This drastic solution unnerves outgoing Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd into warning that the Obama White House is “getting … [Read more...] about Bedtime for Bonzo Bankers