His name is John Michael Farren, and he allegedly tried to kill his wife: … [Read more...] about Deputy White House Counsel in Bush White House Charged With Attempted Murder
Iranian Government Television Suggests Neda’s Death Was Faked
How brazen, bereft of credibility and worthy of unfettered international censure is the Iranian regime? This says it all: Iranian state television has made a documentary about the death of Neda Agha Soltan, a young Iranian woman who was shot dead during the June postelection protests in Tehran, suggesting she was an agent of the United States and Britain who staged her own … [Read more...] about Iranian Government Television Suggests Neda’s Death Was Faked
Bart Stupak “Wears Scorn as a Medal”
Jodi Kantor's profile of Bart Stupak is mostly about his image of himself as a persecuted maverick because of the stand he has taken against abortion coverage in his party's health care legislation. … [Read more...] about Bart Stupak “Wears Scorn as a Medal”
Terror in the Skies Requires Real Action on the Ground (Guest Voice)
Terror in the Skies Requires Real Action on the Ground by Michael Reagan This country is on alert now in a way it has not been for almost nine years. Between the attempted Christmas Day terrorist attack, the bombing of the CIA headquarters in Yemen, and near-daily airport scares, we have been forcefully reminded that a real war against terror continues to be waged here … [Read more...] about Terror in the Skies Requires Real Action on the Ground (Guest Voice)
Future Al Qaeda Terrorism: Look Out for “the Butt Bomb”?
Now that Al Qeada has moved airport security into a new era, where passengers will be nervously eyeing the person seated besides them to see if the person in their neighboring seat is scratching his or her crotch, will the terrorist organization move to the next "logical" murder-source step? Think it about it...it makes sense. And The New Republic's Senior Editor Michael … [Read more...] about Future Al Qaeda Terrorism: Look Out for “the Butt Bomb”?
NBC & Leno: From Bad to Worse
VIDEO: Leno jokes about cancellation rumors... Me, I shouldn't talk. I've never succumbed to Leno's seductions. I used to like Conan, but haven't paid him much attention in the decade since. Still, if NBC rewards Leno's colossal failure weeknights at 10 by moving him back to 11:30 -- thereby kicking Conan back to after midnight -- the move deserves to be greeted with a … [Read more...] about NBC & Leno: From Bad to Worse
Grandma’s 5 Rules: Obama’s Terrorist Report Has to Find Solutions to These Issues
True, there's no silver bullet for terrorists to be closed off ever and always, Mr. President. True, there's no foolproof method of surveillance, even though many of us feel strength and honor in those who run security for our government. But in the systems you oversee, there are issues you barely covered or omitted entirely today in your speech on tightening down on … [Read more...] about Grandma’s 5 Rules: Obama’s Terrorist Report Has to Find Solutions to These Issues
Which of Symbian, Palm, Windows Mobile, or Blackberry Will Die?
Robert X. Cringely is only now in 2010 prediction mode. Today he looks at Microsoft -- "In the simplest terms what we’ll see from Microsoft in 2010 is more of the same... the continued maturing of Microsoft into its ideal - IBM." Tomorrow he'll look at Homeland Security. And on Tuesday he looked at the Nexus None (his words). Here, now, the two points he says everyone … [Read more...] about Which of Symbian, Palm, Windows Mobile, or Blackberry Will Die?
UPDATED: President’s Report Today on Failed Terrorist Attack
For those who missed the President's address live, the White House has posted a copy of the remarks as written. The NYT Caucus blog reports that the president's remarks were delayed twice this afternoon because "declassifying the security review took far longer than expected." Patrick at Political Byline chimes in: "I look forward to seeing what the Government does. … [Read more...] about UPDATED: President’s Report Today on Failed Terrorist Attack
Fighting Terrorism
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Fighting Terrorism
“Dignified Transfers”: A Program that Is Working
For many months I have been writing in support of publicly honoring our fallen heroes when they touch American soil at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware---of course, with the approval of the family of each hero. On February 26, 2009, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced a policy consistent with what we presently have at Arlington National Cemetery which allows the … [Read more...] about “Dignified Transfers”: A Program that Is Working
2010: The Year In Review! – Nachrichten of Switzerland
An embarrassed President Obama turns down the Academy Award for best male lead, insisting that he's not an actor, Mar. 7. Here's a bit of cross-cultural New Year's fun from columnist Patrik Etschmayer of Switzerland's Nachrichten newspaper. According to Etschmayer, 2010 will be an embarrassing one for President Obama, but even more so for Republicans, after their plot to … [Read more...] about 2010: The Year In Review! – Nachrichten of Switzerland
Second Thoughts for Frequent Flyers
More than 50 million Americans a month board commercial airliners to go somewhere. In view of events from 9/11 to the recent Christmas Day unpleasantness, it may be time to revive memories of World War II posters asking, "Is your trip necessary?" Now that any demented fellow passenger could be planning to blow them out of the sky, the question comes back with renewed force. … [Read more...] about Second Thoughts for Frequent Flyers
Why To Read Behind The Headlines: Happiness Edition
Joe Windish recently linked to a study in Science that suggested the South was the happiest (Louisiana at top) with New York not faring so well. There were some stalwart defenders of this view in the comments, something that doesn't square at all with my personal experience; of course that is all just anecdotal. However, what caught my eye was something that wasn't mentioned in … [Read more...] about Why To Read Behind The Headlines: Happiness Edition
Gallup: Democrats Lose Support As Independents Become Conservatives
Two new Gallup polls spell mega-trouble for the Democratic party: one finds that the Democratic party has now effectively lost the support it gained during the presidency of George W. Bush -- and the second shows that independents now leaving the "independent" category are becoming conservatives. Add that to a political mix where the party is being dissed by … [Read more...] about Gallup: Democrats Lose Support As Independents Become Conservatives
Quote of the Day: Is there a New Four Party System?
Our political quote of the day comes from the Washington Post's Charles Lane, who wonders if the United States now effectively has a new four party system. Here's the beginning and end of his piece which needs to be read in its entirety: I can't remember a more breathtaking 48 hours in politics since Barack Obama's election in November 2008. Byron Dorgan is out; Chris … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Is there a New Four Party System?
Rush to the Hospital (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 Rush to the Hospital (Guest Cartoonist)
The Byron Dorgan Thunderclap (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- A politically shrewd Senate Democratic staff member chatting about the future of health care negotiations stopped in midsentence late Tuesday afternoon as news flashed across his computer screen. "My God," he said. "Byron Dorgan is retiring." It was a thunderclap moment in the politics of 2010, an unfortunate twist for Democrats already looking at a … [Read more...] about The Byron Dorgan Thunderclap (Guest Voice)
David Paterson and the Perils of Speaking the Truth
When governors give their annual State of the State address, much like the president's State of the Union, it's generally an occasion for self-indulgent praise and swelling the ranks of mutual admiration societies. Not so in New York this year, where Governor David Paterson took to the podium to scold the state legislature - both houses of which are controlled by his own … [Read more...] about David Paterson and the Perils of Speaking the Truth
Obama Plans to Renominate Dawn Johnsen
This is according to Robert Gibbs, as reported by Sam Stein at The Huffington Post: … [Read more...] about Obama Plans to Renominate Dawn Johnsen