The Two-Handed Wedgie by Will Durst Just when you think we got enough to worry about, along comes a big, old raging controversy over airports utilizing full-body scanning machines that can see through fliers’ clothing all the way down to our naughty bits. Let me tell you where I stand on this brouhaha: I don’t care. Haha. In the whole modesty versus safety argument, you can … [Read more...] about The Two-Handed Wedgie (Guest Voice)
Haiti: Some Still Enjoying Its Beaches in Luxury
The Guardian reports that cruise ships are still docking at private beaches some 60 miles from Haiti's devastated earthquake zone, where “passengers enjoy jetski rides, parasailing and rum cocktails delivered to their hammocks.” Apparently Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines struggled over “a difficult decision over whether to dock as per itinerary at Labadee Beach, Haiti after … [Read more...] about Haiti: Some Still Enjoying Its Beaches in Luxury
What’s In A Name?
I was watching football on TV yesterday. The Vikings trouncing the Cowboys. I really enjoyed the game because I'm a Philadelphia Eagles fan and the Eagles got trounced by the Cowboys the previous week. A petty revenge, sure, but you take what you can get. There was an unusual number of commercials during this event, It's like that on television these days. When they don't … [Read more...] about What’s In A Name?
The Red Votes Are Coming (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 The Red Votes Are Coming (Guest Cartoonist)
Let’s All Keep Moving Toward the Promised Land
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968) In remembrance, from the full text of his last speech: You know, several years ago, I was in New York City autographing the first book that I had written. And while sitting there autographing books, a demented black woman came up. The only question I heard from her was, “Are you Martin Luther King?” And I was … [Read more...] about Let’s All Keep Moving Toward the Promised Land
A tongue-in-cheek debate about microenterprise
How can you oppose lending $50 to a Third World entrepreneur to get a small business off the ground? Well, let me tell you how. Microenterprise is one of the more serious subjects given shallow treatment on my new site, Cultural Imperialist, co-written with Los Angeles screenwriter Jeremiah Lewis. It's our guide to intelligent discourse on the can-miss topics of the day, … [Read more...] about A tongue-in-cheek debate about microenterprise
Scott Brown Shoving Democrats Toward a Cliff
Unlike the flurry of confetti tossing which has been flooding my twitter feed for days now, I remain unconvinced that the Senate race in Massachusetts is a done deal at this point. Yes, I've seen the flurry of polls, some from new upstarts and some from better known entities which show Scott Brown with a growing lead outside the margins. But I also keep an eye on Nate Silver, … [Read more...] about Scott Brown Shoving Democrats Toward a Cliff
The Texas-ization of American Public Education
Every 10 years, the Texas State Board of Education rewrites the textbook standards for all of the public school districts in Texas -- and, as a practical matter, for the entire nation, because Texas is the textbook publishing industry's biggest market. This year, the Board is effectively controlled by a group of fringe-right Christianists who are in the process of conforming … [Read more...] about The Texas-ization of American Public Education
The Worst Is Getting Worse
Jake Tapper, via Digby: … [Read more...] about The Worst Is Getting Worse
The Bay State Lesson (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- In June 2008, before the financial implosions that would come a few months later, I asked two smart financiers who happened to be Republicans about the future of the seemingly shaky American economy. Defying the moment's conventional predictions that we would somehow muddle through, one of them offered a dire and uncannily accurate forecast. He explained … [Read more...] about The Bay State Lesson (Guest Voice)
Why Is Haiti So Poor?
Sometimes I really envy our elite class, because it's so easy for them to answer questions like this. All they have to do is pull out a slip of paper from their bag of self-serving bromides. … [Read more...] about Why Is Haiti So Poor?
Quote of the Day: Why the Massachusetts Senate Race Is Too Close To Call
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