In the wake of the horrific human tragedy in Haiti, there has been an outpouring of support for the victims, including the prayers of millions. And, in the face of such unfathomable pain and suffering, it is understandable that some desperate Haitians would think that God is angry at them or that God has “really got it in for Haiti." That is exactly what Pooja Bhatia … [Read more...] about Is God Angry at Haiti?
Limbaugh, Brooks Offer Study in Contrasts in Conservatism
I don't think you'll find a more persuasive example of the difference between thoughtful and flippant conservatism. Earlier this week, Rush Limbaugh seemed to suggest we should not send aid to Haiti in the wake of that country's devastating earthquake because we've already sent them enough taxpayer money and that money never seems to do any good. To be clear, I'm not … [Read more...] about Limbaugh, Brooks Offer Study in Contrasts in Conservatism
2010 Threats
Guest post by Jared Stancombe Jared Stancombe, a 2009 graduate of Indiana University, is currently an analyst for a U.S. government agency responsible for national security. He is also in the officer selection process for the U.S. Marine Corps. He lives in Washington, D.C. With the turn of the decade into 2010, many Americans are hopeful with respect to what the new … [Read more...] about 2010 Threats
California, Here We Come (Guest Voice)
California, Here We Come by Michael Winship A number of years ago, when I would travel to California on business with my friend the late journalist and comedy writer Eliot Wald, we always carved out time to visit a couple of those massive Los Angeles grocery chains, like Ralph's or Vons. It wasn't because we had a lust for retail or a massive munchie … [Read more...] about California, Here We Come (Guest Voice)
McGwire Calls His Shot
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about McGwire Calls His Shot
God Responds to Pat Robertson’s Remarks on Haiti
Rush Limbaugh Doubles Down
I've run out of adjectives to characterize this kind of behavior, so I am just going to blog it and let it speak for itself. … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh Doubles Down
An Open Letter to Umar Farouk Abdul Muttalab: Hespress, Morocco
As should be clear, the attempted Christmas Day terrorist attack by Umar Farouk Abdul Muttalab has further tarnished the image of Islam and all of those who believe in it. Some have criticized Islamic leaders for not being more vocal about disagreeing with al-Qaeda and those who share the group's ghoulish credo. So stepping into the breach on behalf of his fellow Muslims is … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to Umar Farouk Abdul Muttalab: Hespress, Morocco
Haiti: A Country in Need of Our Help (Guest Voice)
Haiti: A Country in Need of Our Help by Michael Reagan As you have no doubt heard, a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near her capital of Port-Au-Prince on Tuesday afternoon. It was the strongest earthquake to hit Haiti since 1770, and two of its aftershocks were nearly as intense. The damage is horrific, and has only worsened in the wake of the … [Read more...] about Haiti: A Country in Need of Our Help (Guest Voice)
Haiti Cries For Help
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Haiti Cries For Help
Tracking A Twitter Meme, Arguing For Digital Literacy
The Twitter meme about American Airlines flying doctors and nurses to Haiti coupled with a phone number to the Haiti Consulate in New York is a case study highlighting a desperate need for digital media literacy. Twitter is vulnerable to hoaxes and misinformation in part because of the brevity of messages, in part because we humans are motivated by emotional appeals, in part … [Read more...] about Tracking A Twitter Meme, Arguing For Digital Literacy
Radley Balko on Freedom Watch
Those of you who know me know that I am not a big fan of Fox News. However, if there is anything good that can be said of Fox News, it's that it features Judge Andrew Napolitano. A former New Jersey Superior Court Judge and now a legal analyst for Fox News, Napolitano is probably the only libertarian (with the possible exception of John Stossel) to have his own show on a … [Read more...] about Radley Balko on Freedom Watch
Liberal Sirens Call For Filibuster Ax
Liberal Democrats are becoming more vocal in their efforts to can super majority rule in the U.S. Senate which now calls for three-fifths or 60 senators to kill a filibuster. It reminds me of an old farm adage that what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Or for you younger city folks, watch out what you wish for. My assessment is that liberals are becoming … [Read more...] about Liberal Sirens Call For Filibuster Ax
Did Conan’s Lawyers Screw Up ?
While TMV is mostly a news and politics site I think a little variety of stories is helpful and given the horrors of the recent week a little fluff might be nice. As we all know there is a battle between Conan, Jay and NBC over the late night lineup. Now reports are emerging that Mr. O'Brien's contract did NOT specify when the show would be aired, simply that he would … [Read more...] about Did Conan’s Lawyers Screw Up ?
Red Cross Estimates 50,000 Dead In Haiti
Who would have ever thought we'd see a headline like this and part of us would be relieved about the good news. Obviously 50,000 dead is a horrible tragedy but with other figures approaching ten times that much it might actually be a relief. … [Read more...] about Red Cross Estimates 50,000 Dead In Haiti
Still not Ready for Prime Time
Sarah Palin talks to Glenn Beck: This clip, which is remarkably similar to many others of Palin, made me think of the following quip from John Cole: This is like one of those awkward moments in school when a student is giving a presentation they are completely unprepared for, and the teacher knows it, the student knows it, and everyone watching knows it, yet you … [Read more...] about Still not Ready for Prime Time
Haiti Should Be A No Politics Zone
As we watch the tragedy in Haiti and the amazing efforts of the world community (led as is often the case by the United States) I hope that for once we can avoid the partisanship that seems to flow in to almost any story these days. So just to make it clear. This is not the time for those on the right to try and attack Obama for not doing enough or for spending money … [Read more...] about Haiti Should Be A No Politics Zone
Confession, Ctd.
Author's Note: This post is the second in a series. Part one is linked below; part three is here, conceding errors in the position I attempt to defend below. ------------------- Tuesday, I acknowledged I was contemplating a change to my political affiliation, from Independent to Democrat. My rationale: Because political parties distort the political process, we … [Read more...] about Confession, Ctd.
Reports on the Death of Culture 11 Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
This is the second and final part of my effort to explain why much of conservatism has lost touch with reality. Part I is here. When I was a younger man, living and working in the early years of Reagan's Washington, I fell in with a group of guys who mixed penny ante poker nights with discussions of politics and political philosophy. We were not the Algonquin Round Table, … [Read more...] about Reports on the Death of Culture 11 Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
The End of Wall Street Liberalism (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- If you held a contest to pick the worst thing a politician could be called at this moment, my nominee would be Wall Street Liberal. That label has everything. I personally despise the way the noble liberal idea has been devalued, but face it: Conservatives have had great success in discrediting liberalism, to the point that most liberals dare not call … [Read more...] about The End of Wall Street Liberalism (Guest Voice)