That according to Gabriel Sherman at NYMagazine: One personal friend of [New York Times Chairman Arthur] Sulzberger said a final decision could come within days, and a senior newsroom source agreed, adding that the plan could be announced in a matter of weeks. (Apple's tablet computer is rumored to launch on January 27, and sources speculate that Sulzberger will strike a … [Read more...] about NYTimes Ready to Charge for Web Access
Happy Birthday Michelle Obama
She's 46 today... On Friday she celebrated with her staff (pictured). Last night the president took her to a surprise dinner bash at Restaurant Nora, an organic restaurant in Dupont Circle: [A] special lamb dish for her, and pan-seared Maine lobster and saffron risotto for him. They drank Spottswood sauvignon blanc. And after nearly four hours of partying in an upstairs … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday Michelle Obama
Heartbreak and Humanity
After four straight days of hearing what comes out of the cold hearts of pundits like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, and the demented mind of Pat Robertson, this moved me to my core. … [Read more...] about Heartbreak and Humanity
Misleading Mailer Sent Out by MA Democratic Party
Greg Sargent uncovered this story: … [Read more...] about Misleading Mailer Sent Out by MA Democratic Party
Haiti: The Unsung Heroes
As a former military, I have naturally been impressed by and have publicized the lead role taken by the U.S. military in bringing humanitarian assistance and relief to devastated Haiti. Of course, the U.S. military are not alone in performing such efforts. Many other countries, and their military, and many other governmental and non-governmental civilian and private … [Read more...] about Haiti: The Unsung Heroes
What Should We Do With the Iraqi Jewish Archives?
It's a surprisingly vexing question. … [Read more...] about What Should We Do With the Iraqi Jewish Archives?
Yet Another Hidden ATM Bank Card Fee Scam
I particularly enjoy that the president has called his “Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee” a fee. Banks know from fees... Twenty years ago Texas-based banking consultant Bill Strunk convinced banks that they should allow customers overdraw their accounts and charge them a fee to do it. He's also credited with convincing clients to make checking accounts free to entice more … [Read more...] about Yet Another Hidden ATM Bank Card Fee Scam
Three Presidents Unite: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Is Launched
In a further sign of how in times of major world crises Americans (with the exception of Rush Limbaugh) put down their partisanship and agendas to unite and serve a broader good and the larger constituency called "humanity," President Barack Obama and former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton literally stood side by side this morning to announce a major fund raising … [Read more...] about Three Presidents Unite: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Is Launched
Full Body Scanners ‘Ground’ Female Iraqi Lawmakers: Sotal Iraq, Iraq
'I KNOW, DARK COLORS MAKE ME LOOK THINNER!' The apparent attempted attack on Delta/Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on Christmas Day is not an occurrence that easily lends itself to humor. Nevertheless, this tongue-in-cheek article by Jassim al-Mutair of Iraq's Sotal Iraq newspaper takes the opportunity to make fun of, from his point of view, excessive Muslim sensitivity over … [Read more...] about Full Body Scanners ‘Ground’ Female Iraqi Lawmakers: Sotal Iraq, Iraq
Easy Target: Political Fundraising Letters
Political fundraising letters are always a great target for blog posts. Most of my political mail is from conservatives, but I still get some liberal envelopes, possibly because of my subscription to the New Republic. This week, I was very flattered to receive a letter from Bill Clinton, who addressed me as "Dear Friend." One of the most noticeable things about Bill's … [Read more...] about Easy Target: Political Fundraising Letters
In Defense Of Television
Some years back a buddy of mine boasted he never watched television. Yet, he could tell you every joke and expression and the actors on the then popular television show "Laugh In." Folks, here comes da judge. You lie. Television is the best and worst form of entertainment and information ever invented by mankind. Ever since communications commentator Marshall McCuen … [Read more...] about In Defense Of Television
Obama Vows to “Collect Every Dime” of Taxpayer Money
From the transcript of his weekly address: We want the taxpayers’ money back, and we’re going to collect every dime. That is why, this week, I proposed a new fee on major financial firms to compensate the American people for the extraordinary assistance they provided to the financial industry. And the fee would be in place until the American taxpayer is made whole. Only the … [Read more...] about Obama Vows to “Collect Every Dime” of Taxpayer Money
Ed Schultz Says He’d Cheat To Beat Brown
Here's something interesting MSNBC's Ed Schultz says "I'd cheat to keep the bastards out" No media reaction at all to the statement. Imagine if a Fox host had said something like that Weasel Zippers: Honest Democrat Ed Schultz Says ?I?d Cheat? To Keep Scott Brown From Winning... And before you ask, the reason I am linking to this blog is it's one of the few places … [Read more...] about Ed Schultz Says He’d Cheat To Beat Brown
Spain’s Communist Leader Gaspar Llamazares: Star of FBI Composite Photos for Osama bin Laden and Atiyah Abd al-Rahman
According to the lively Spanish blog Barcepundit, the FBI seems to have a kind of fixation in using parts of Spanish Communist party leader Gaspar Llamazares' head and hair in its composite photos of Al Qaeda terrorists. No, this is not a joke. DETAILS ARE HERE. … [Read more...] about Spain’s Communist Leader Gaspar Llamazares: Star of FBI Composite Photos for Osama bin Laden and Atiyah Abd al-Rahman
Massachusetts Coakley Brown Race Likely Hinges On Independents and Moderates
In the end, the deciding factor in the highly watched race to fill what many have long called "the Kennedy Senate seat" in Massachusetts between Democratic candidate Martha Coakley and Republican Scott Brown could come down to this: as both highly parties battle out a struggle that is now a surrogate for advancing/stopping President Barack Obama's agenda, the victory will … [Read more...] about Massachusetts Coakley Brown Race Likely Hinges On Independents and Moderates
Limbaugh Hating Haiti
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Limbaugh Hating Haiti
A response to Pete Abel
Pete Abel is a moderate. But earlier this week, he decided he was going to switch his registration from Independent to Democrat because he's sick and tired of partisan politics. How does that make sense? Well, if everyone became a Democrat, then the party would be so broad that it would become incoherent (and there would be no Republicans). Basically, Pete had a plan to … [Read more...] about A response to Pete Abel
Egypt arrests bloggers
Their crime? Supporting Christian-Muslim solidarity in the aftermath of religious violence. POMED (PDF) reports:The group arrested in Egypt, which includes prominent Coptic Christian and Muslim activists and bloggers, had traveled to the town of Nag Hammadi in southern Egypt to express Christian-Muslim solidarity in the wake of recent violence against Coptic Christians in that … [Read more...] about Egypt arrests bloggers
The Americanisation of British Politics
As many people outside of the UK don’t know, the British general election has unofficially began and for politico nerds such as myself, this next couple of months amounts to porn – porn which gradually gets more hardcore the closer you get to polling day. The back and forth election manoeuvrings has slowly started to take hold of the national press, political pundits … [Read more...] about The Americanisation of British Politics
National Review Online Seeking Proofreading Help
Not really, but they should be: … [Read more...] about National Review Online Seeking Proofreading Help