Whatever your view of John Maynard Keynes, or Keynesianism (mine is quite favorable) last week Planet Money did a terrific, brief but wonderfully complete and insightful piece on the origins of his thinking. Their guest: As great figures from history go, John Maynard Keynes should consider himself lucky, at least when it comes to his biography. His biographer, Lord Robert … [Read more...] about John Maynard Keynes Had A Plan
There You Go Again, Pat Robertson
Why is it whenever there is a natural or man-made tragedy, Evangelical preacher Pat Robertson uses his television podium to claim God is punishing us for tolerating abortions and homosexuality and in the devastating ruins of Haiti a "pact to the Devil." Risking God striking me with a bolt of lightening for saying this: Mr. Preacher Man, you are a disgrace to your religion … [Read more...] about There You Go Again, Pat Robertson
Jesus Christ and the Movie ‘Avatar’: BolPress, Bolivia
The global commentary about the movie Avatar keeps on coming - and one might say, getting stranger. Along with reports that Russian communists want to have James Cameron arrested for pilfering the work of Russian science fiction writers, this article from Bolivia likens the film's main character to Jesus Christ. For the BolPress of Bolivia, columnist Huascar Vega Ledo writes … [Read more...] about Jesus Christ and the Movie ‘Avatar’: BolPress, Bolivia
When You Lie Down With the Devil….
Pat Robertson explains why Haiti just lost thousands of people to a natural disaster: "Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it," he said on Christian Broadcasting Network's "The 700 Club." "They were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III, or whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, … [Read more...] about When You Lie Down With the Devil….
Videos: Aftermath of Haiti’s Earthquake
Here's some video of the aftermath of the earthquake. Truly catastrophic: Here's a video that tells you how you can help earthquake victims: Here's a rescue from the top of a toppled building: These three were CBS News raw videos. Some videos from other sources: The earthquake leaves a town in dust: Sky News' initial report: … [Read more...] about Videos: Aftermath of Haiti’s Earthquake
Simon Cowell Judges American Tonight Show Idol
RJ Matson, The New York Observer This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Simon Cowell Judges American Tonight Show Idol
What Can One Write?
Haiti has been struck by another terrible natural disaster. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere has had many prior political, economic and climatic disasters. The U.S. and other nations quickly will respond with the normal flurry of humanitarian aid. Then we inevitably leave without making this nation any better able to meet the next disaster or even able to … [Read more...] about What Can One Write?
New poll shows broad public support for health-care reform, even as Obama’s approval ratings suffer
At The Plum Line, Greg Sargent, delving into a CBS poll on the health-care reform bill currently in Congress, makes a great point about popular support for reform -- and for Obama. Allow me to quote his post in full: Could Obama's dip to new lows on health care be driven partly by the fact that the reform proposal isn't ambitious enough? The internals of the new CBS poll … [Read more...] about New poll shows broad public support for health-care reform, even as Obama’s approval ratings suffer
Good for Conan
For me, "late-night" television means The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, sports, the Food Network, reruns of my favourite shows (Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Family Guy), movies, and pretty much anything else that isn't on U.S. network TV. Which is to say, no Letterman (or rarely), no Conan, no Fallon, no Ferguson, and, when he was hosting The Tonight Show, absolutely no Leno, whom … [Read more...] about Good for Conan
Haiti Death Toll Could Be Massive
Obviously at this point any speculation about the death toll in the Haitian earthquake is just that, speculation. But reports from the Haitian government are talking about hundreds of thousands of deaths. In the past speculation about tolls this high have often turned out to be overstated but in this case given that the quake shattered a city of several million people there is … [Read more...] about Haiti Death Toll Could Be Massive
The US Should Follow Ireland’s Lead
One of the long term problems faced by the United States is the issue of the budget deficit and the long term debt that is being compiled. While many try to make it a partisan issue the fact is we've had Presidents and Congresses of both parties overspending for decades. Recently spending has soared due to the sagging economy and the argument has been that we need to spend in … [Read more...] about The US Should Follow Ireland’s Lead
Staying Human in Hard Times
The 100-year-old woman who died this week takes something with her that is being lost in this century of hatreds on the rise everywhere--a human compassion that could persist at the risk of her own survival. Miep Gies, who sheltered Anne Frank and her family, was known for giving the world a gifted young girl's diary of a life never to be fulfilled, but her own longevity is … [Read more...] about Staying Human in Hard Times
“Did Republicans already win in Massachusetts?”
ABC’s Rick Klein asks “Did Republicans already win in Massachusetts?” He immediately backs off the question by stating he doesn’t mean actually winning the seat, stating “few observers really think that’s winnable even now, no matter how toxic the environment for Democrats these days.” Rather, he argues the fact that this is a race at all -- or, at least, the fact … [Read more...] about “Did Republicans already win in Massachusetts?”
Sarah Palin Interview
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Interview
Quote of the Day: Steele Tripping on RNC Message and Operation
Our political quote of the day is the beginning of a must-read in The Daily Caller (Tucker Carlson's new site) by James Richardson, who notes that RNC Chairman Michael Steele is proving to be MORE than a perpetual media sound byte machine. He's also felt to be seriously tripping on RNC's message and interfering with its smooth operation: Defecting to the GOP Hill campaign … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Steele Tripping on RNC Message and Operation
Jon on John, Stewart on Yoo
Jon Stewart apparently felt the sting of critics of his Monday night interview (here and here) of John Yoo, who authored many of the Bush administration's torture memos while serving as deputy assistant attorney general in the Bush administration's Office of Legal Counsel. In the opening to last night's show, Stewart essentially cops to the critique, "I was going to nail … [Read more...] about Jon on John, Stewart on Yoo
Independence of the Missouri Senate Delegation
If you're impressed by party defiance, as I am, you should appreciate this ... For Democrats, the CQ analysis for 2009 showed that Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., voted against the Democratic majority 28.1 percent of the time — the third highest behind Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska (37.1%) and Evan Bayh of Indiana (36.4%). Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, R-Mo., who is retiring … [Read more...] about Independence of the Missouri Senate Delegation
Legal Pot One Step Closer in California
Christian Science Monitor: As part of the continued push to legalize marijuana in California, the state Assembly’s public safety committee approved a bill Tuesday to tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. It's the farthest that efforts to legalize marijuana have got in the state. [...] Reaction to the 4-3 committee vote has been swift and strong on both … [Read more...] about Legal Pot One Step Closer in California
Conan O’Brien Rejects Hosting “Tonight Show” After New Leno 11:35 Show
NBC's beset -- and from his standpoint most assuredly betrayed -- late night talk show host Conan O'Brien has in effect announced that he's walking away from "The Tonight Show" job after being effectively given a take-it-or-leave-it offer of hosting the show a half hour later so that NBC could find a way to still use the ratings-challenged Jay Leno in late night. His … [Read more...] about Conan O’Brien Rejects Hosting “Tonight Show” After New Leno 11:35 Show
Google in China Reaction Round-Up
I was a supporter of Google going into China; I support their new approach. I will be very interested to see how China reacts. Color me hopeful. Though the NYTimes adds some troubling detail: Google did not publicly link the Chinese government to the cyber attack, but people with knowledge of Google’s investigation said they had enough evidence to justify its actions. A … [Read more...] about Google in China Reaction Round-Up