This is a fascinating analysis by Daniel Larison, comparing a poll in 2006 that showed a fierce, anti-Bush feeling among voters, and a similar poll taken earlier this week that showed a sizable, but less widespread anti-Obama feeling. The NBC/WSJ poll that came out earlier this week has some interesting results. The midterms are just over nine months away, so it seemed … [Read more...] about The Potential Anti-Obama Vote in November
The Eeternal Cop Out
Tony Blair has just appeared before the commission set up to investigate whether getting Britain involved in Iraq was justified. We've had no such government inquiry sponsored by the ruling party in this country (currently the Democrats, at least officially). Don't ask why. The behavior of the Democratic Party since they came to power again in Washington is largely … [Read more...] about The Eeternal Cop Out
Catcher and the Upper Crust
Two writers in their nineties died this week. J.D. Salinger, a recluse in New Hampshire, produced four books in his lifetime. Louis Auchincloss lived in old-money Manhattan, practiced Wall Street law and wrote more than sixty novels, biographies and works of criticism. Apart from being published in the New Yorker, they had little in common, Auchincloss the "chronicler of New … [Read more...] about Catcher and the Upper Crust
Saturday Political Radio is Back
Today, after an extended holiday break, Mid Stream Radio returns to the airwaves (or would that be... computer waves?) at 1 pm eastern time. (Follow the link to tune in.) Today, my partner in crime and I will be covering a few different topics which include, in the first half hour, President Obama's visit to the GOP leadership this week, a new proposal to move the KSM terror … [Read more...] about Saturday Political Radio is Back
Are Rational Minds Starting to Prevail at RNC?
Perhaps ... Top Republicans have tossed a plan that would have conditioned their funding for new candidates on a so-called ideological "purity test." Party leaders gathered in Honolulu for the Republican National Committee's winter meeting on Friday ultimately nixed that resolution, which would have required prospective candidates to support eight of 10 outlined … [Read more...] about Are Rational Minds Starting to Prevail at RNC?
Obama’s Debate With House Republicans: A Game Changer (or Not)? (FULL VIDEO)
Was President Barack Obama's meeting with House Republicans at their retreat on Friday a "game changer," a sign of things to come -- or will it prove as much as a flash in the pan as when Jimmy Carter won over the nation (briefly) by wearing a sweater during his speeches? And could it be that this kind of television event could become a new kind of political event in 21st … [Read more...] about Obama’s Debate With House Republicans: A Game Changer (or Not)? (FULL VIDEO)
Barack Obama Q&A at GOP Retreat Is Judged Great Success
Author's Note: At the suggestion of a TMV reader, the title of this post has been changed. … [Read more...] about Barack Obama Q&A at GOP Retreat Is Judged Great Success
Change of Venue for 9/11 Trial
The New York Times reports that the Obama administration is abandoning plans to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other alleged Sept. 11 plotters in Lower Manhattan, “bowing to almost unanimous pressure from New York officials and business leaders to move the terrorism trial elsewhere.” The reversal on whether to try the alleged 9/11 terrorists blocks from the former … [Read more...] about Change of Venue for 9/11 Trial
Avatar: A Shameful Example of Western Cultural Imperialism: Die Zeit, Germany
Avatar's Jake Skully is a man who goes native in a big way: Is he the latest in a long line of Western cultural imperialists? Among the tremendous number of international press reactions to James Cameron's Avatar, this one stands out for two reasons: First, it was written by the publisher of Germany's prestigious Die Zeit newspaper. And second, because it goes against the … [Read more...] about Avatar: A Shameful Example of Western Cultural Imperialism: Die Zeit, Germany
In Service to ‘the Cause’, bin Laden ‘Reappears’ Just in Time!: El Watan, Algeria
Is it even remotely possible that Osama bin Laden is some kind of American tool? As we've seen in the past, this is more than mere suspicion on the minds of many Arabs. This article from Algeria's El Watan, published just after the release of the most recent recording by the terrorist mastermind, once again demonstrates the point - but paints President Obama as an unknowing … [Read more...] about In Service to ‘the Cause’, bin Laden ‘Reappears’ Just in Time!: El Watan, Algeria
Scott Roeder Murdered Dr. Tiller, But Shrinkdom Has Failed to Teach Critical ‘Heads Up’ to Public
Just a small two cents worth. A man or woman can be identified by their religion, their race, their politics, their work, their reading interests, the neighborhood they live in, but not by their mental state. It is the last politically correct white-out we have... not to know, not to notice mental illness in the extreme. Are we all neurotic? Of course. But there's a huge … [Read more...] about Scott Roeder Murdered Dr. Tiller, But Shrinkdom Has Failed to Teach Critical ‘Heads Up’ to Public
The Obama vs. Alito Legless Outrage
I'll begin this discussion with a question. Is disgruntled Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito's muttering of "not true," according to lip readers, the same as Republican Rep. Joe Wilson's shout out "you lie" during a president's speech at a joint session of Congress? No. You wouldn't know that in the wake of President Obama's State of the Union address Wednesday. … [Read more...] about The Obama vs. Alito Legless Outrage
Alito Mouthing Off
I agree with Glenn Greenwald that "the behavior of Justice Alito at [Wednesday] night's State of the Union address -- visibly shaking his head and mouthing the words 'not true' when Obama warned of the dangers of the Court's Citizens United ruling -- was a serious and substantive breach of protocol that reflects very poorly on Alito and only further undermines the credibility … [Read more...] about Alito Mouthing Off
Murderer Guilty of Murder
The man who shot and killed a Kansas abortion provider has been found guilty of first degree murder. Finally a jury who gets the right verdict. … [Read more...] about Murderer Guilty of Murder
An Afghan Strategy Progressives Could Love
Guest post by Peter Henne Peter S. Henne is a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project and a doctoral candidate at Georgetown University. In his State of the Union address, President Obama reiterated his support for the increasingly contentious U.S. presence in Afghanistan, even in the face of simmering domestic issues like health-care reform and the … [Read more...] about An Afghan Strategy Progressives Could Love
This Is A Dog Gone Story
If you love great dog stories, enjoy this one. … [Read more...] about This Is A Dog Gone Story
Quote of the Day: Obama’s Words and Realities
Our political Quote of the Day once again comes from Dick Polman who compares some of Prseident Barack Obama's words in the state of the union address with some of the cold realities of his present political context and governing in general: His speech ran for 7127 words. Yet the issue that has dominated policy and political discussions over the past year (seemingly to the … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Obama’s Words and Realities
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Opinion and Reality (UPDATED)
It wasn’t until nearly the end of his State of the Union address, when addressing civil rights, that President Obama said this: This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are. It's the right thing to do. Of course he was talking about … [Read more...] about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Opinion and Reality (UPDATED)
The Economy: Some Good News?
I am not an economist, so I cannot comment in depth as to the “real” meaning and consequences of what I believe is some real good news that I read this morning about our economy, our country. The New York Times and several other publications report that the U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in over six years during the last quarter: Gross domestic product expanded … [Read more...] about The Economy: Some Good News?
Apple iPad Savior
Brian Fairrington, Cagle Cartoons This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Apple iPad Savior