Much to the consternation of the United States, there are large numbers of people on the Latin American left who are certain that U.S. forces on the ground in the ill-fated country of Haiti are up to no good. So what is their reasoning in making such a charge? For the El Sol de Mexico, Miguel Angel Ferrer writes in part: Now, however, under the pretext of … [Read more...] about The United States Makes a ‘Military Base’ Out of Haiti: El Sol de Mexico, Mexico
Why The Anger At Tebow For Choosing ?
In case you've missed it there is a brewing controversy over a coming Super Bowl ad featuring college football star Tim Tebow and his mother. The ad is paid for by a conservative religious group (Focus on The Family) and recounts the fact that when Mrs. Tebow was pregnant with Tim that she got sick with dystenery and was advised to abort the fetus. For personal religious … [Read more...] about Why The Anger At Tebow For Choosing ?
What a Wonderful World
It's hard to really feel the truth of this much (or most) of the time -- which is why it's good to be reminded: … [Read more...] about What a Wonderful World
FCC to Google, Why That “Equipment Recovery Fee”?
The FCC is asking the major wireless carriers — AT&T, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless — to explain their Early Termination Fees. And from Google, they want to know why it's charging an "Equipment Recovery Fee" for the Nexus One, over and above the ETF charged by T-Mobile: Google’s introduction of the Nexus One handset presents consumers with new options for … [Read more...] about FCC to Google, Why That “Equipment Recovery Fee”?
Americans ‘Blind’ to ‘Extraordinary Progress’ Under President Obama: Estadao of Brazil
Why has President Obama fallen short after his first year in office? According to Brazilian newspaper Estadao, it all comes down to a failure to communicate. Estadao's editorial on the president's first year in office says in part: Cerebral, averse to confrontation, forgetful that the political polarization of the United States is profound and long-lasting, and … [Read more...] about Americans ‘Blind’ to ‘Extraordinary Progress’ Under President Obama: Estadao of Brazil
Only 35 Subscribers to Newsday’s Paid Website After Three Months
The big news recently was that the New York Times let it be known that in the future it's website will llikely be a paid website. No more news freebies for Internet surfers. The wave of the future? If Newsday's experience is any indication, then it won't put food on the Times' owners' table, although it might buy a few cups of coffee at Starbucks: In late October, … [Read more...] about Only 35 Subscribers to Newsday’s Paid Website After Three Months
Higginbotham’s Recusal Opinion and the Politically-Active Jew
Judge A. Leon Higginbotham is one of the more prominent figures in American history, known primarily as one of the earliest Black federal judges and a sterling advocate for civil rights. Once, in a case called Pennsylvania v. Local Union 542, Int'l Union of Operating Eng'rs, these qualities resulted in defendants in an employment discrimination action to request he recuse … [Read more...] about Higginbotham’s Recusal Opinion and the Politically-Active Jew
Anti-ACORN Activist Arrested in Alleged Bugging of Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu’s Office
Is the bar about to be lowered again on what is acceptable research, journalism and opinion-based film? The news that a famous anti-ACORN conservative activist popular with Fox News and conservative websites was arrested while allegedly trying to bug Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu's office takes these issues to a higher -- or lower -- level. It'll be interested to see how … [Read more...] about Anti-ACORN Activist Arrested in Alleged Bugging of Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu’s Office
Obama and Democrats on Health Care Reform (Guest Cartoonist)
This guest cartoon is by Sarjex, who describes herself as “a lonely little wingnut in the crazy liberal mecca of San Francisco.” … [Read more...] about Obama and Democrats on Health Care Reform (Guest Cartoonist)
Andy Dick
Is (fill in the missing word...) (But such is how some people can make big bucks in 21st century America..) … [Read more...] about Andy Dick
John Yoo’s Secret Class
It turns out that Berkeley Law Professor John Yoo’s spring semester California Constitution class is being held in an undisclosed location: Yoo, who has been criticized for memos he wrote under the Bush administration justifying alleged torture practices, was scheduled to begin his first class of the semester Tuesday night and is the only professor in the law school whose … [Read more...] about John Yoo’s Secret Class
Déja Vu Again and Again and Again
Ezra Klein made this point on Countdown last night: … [Read more...] about Déja Vu Again and Again and Again
Will The Real Barack Obama Stand Up
Will the real Barack Obama, who appeared as Everyman during his presidential campaign, step up and govern for crying out loud. I'm growing disenchanted with the president who suddenly has donned the cloak of a populist which is akin to David Dukes joining the NAACP. Taxing banks and capping salaries is a bogus effort circumventing the real issues. Whatever the president … [Read more...] about Will The Real Barack Obama Stand Up
Senate Health Bill: Will Fear Trump Logic?
Andrew Sullivan continues adding to his "Pass. The. Damn. Bill" series, encouraging a majority of House Democrats to embrace the Senate's version of health-care reform. I appreciate Andrew's effort, in particular his link to this persuasive take on the issue by Jonathan Rauch.* Even then, I think the odds of convincing the swing votes in the House to accept the Senate … [Read more...] about Senate Health Bill: Will Fear Trump Logic?
Haiti: While Americans Approve of Longer Stay, U.S. Military Envisage Exit
As the number of U.S. troops arriving in Haiti was quickly mounting during the early days of the humanitarian relief effort, there were scattered wails that the U.S. was invading and trying to occupy that country. Those who had such worries may want to read recent reports where some officials with extensive experience in humanitarian relief and peacekeeping now express … [Read more...] about Haiti: While Americans Approve of Longer Stay, U.S. Military Envisage Exit
Tomorrow’s News as Old News
Headlines from the President's State of the Union speech have been leaking all week--a three-year spending freeze on domestic programs today following yesterday's package of tax credits for child care, caps on student loan payments and automatic retirement savings for employees. After whatever revelation the White House is saving for tomorrow morning, by the time Barack … [Read more...] about Tomorrow’s News as Old News
The Spending “Freeze” Is By Far Obama’s Worst Politicial Decision To Date
Normally I don't like to devote much time to punditry about political tactics because a) it's almost always just a tempest in a million teapots and b) I like to preserve my naivete that the quality of policy ideas matters at all. Also I'm far too masochistic to debate short term issues that resolve quickly and far prefer talking about long term structural issues that will take … [Read more...] about The Spending “Freeze” Is By Far Obama’s Worst Politicial Decision To Date
Libertarian Roundup
Those of us who have been here long enough know that one of TMV's greatest strengths is its diversity of views. Sometimes we have rather passionate debates with those with whom we disagree on political matters, but hopefully by hearing differing political views, we become that much more informed. And here at TMV, we strive to give you the opportunity to hear viewpoints that … [Read more...] about Libertarian Roundup
A Pointless Loss
Sometimes losing is winning. Sometimes the way you lose, and the way the loss is perceived, turn it into the precondition for later victories. If one appreciates this political truism, the real tragedy of the Obama loss on health care reform becomes obvious. What was on view here? A principled leader determined to bring about long overdue change? A fighter against entrenched … [Read more...] about A Pointless Loss
Macroeconomics: Hayek vs. Keynes Rap
Well, here's something you don't see everday . . . a debate between the Austrian and Keynesian schools of economics . . . in rap. I thought it was pretty amusing, if not informative. Who says you can't learn anything useful on Youtube? … [Read more...] about Macroeconomics: Hayek vs. Keynes Rap