Michael Pollan's latest, Food Rules: An Eater's Manual, aims to distill all the food activist and author has learned into 64 simple rules: The idea for this book came from a doctor--a couple of them, as a matter of fact. They had read my last book, "In Defense of Food", which ended with a handful of tips for eating well: simple ways to navigate the treacherous landscape of … [Read more...] about Michael Pollan’s Food Rules
Texas Aggies, Dallas Cowboys and Fútbol Americano
Just as English is an acquired language, “American football” is an acquired sport for me. However, unlike English (in which I have become somewhat proficient), after many years of trying, I still don’t fully understand this “fútbol Americano.” Don’t get me wrong; just as I have come to love my adopted country, I have come to love American football, albeit it has been a … [Read more...] about Texas Aggies, Dallas Cowboys and Fútbol Americano
Airport Security (Non) Profiling (Guest Cartoonist)
Cartoon by Sarjex, who describes herself as "a lonely little wingnut in the crazy liberal mecca of San Francisco." … [Read more...] about Airport Security (Non) Profiling (Guest Cartoonist)
Sign of the Times
Others have probably written about this topic already, and I missed it because I was (until this morning) suffering from a severe case of holiday fog. In case you have also been a victim of said fog, David Brooks tosses a spotlight on the following in his column today. The tea party movement is ... now more popular than either major party. According to the NBC News/Wall … [Read more...] about Sign of the Times
Defining the Line Between Criminal and Combatant
Writing in the NYT, Michael Kinsley begs the question and suggests "the nation’s border is as good a line as any" ... ... the national border is a “bright line,” and if people captured within the United States are going to be treated as if they were somewhere else — provided that they are certified terrorists — things are going to get complicated quickly. What about … [Read more...] about Defining the Line Between Criminal and Combatant
Officials Feared Attack At Obama Inaugural
Reports of a possible Somali attack on the inauguration of President Obama led to a great deal of concern with Bush and Obama officials. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was kept at a secure location just in case something happened. As it turns out the rumors were probably false but it does give a new image to the events of a year ago. … [Read more...] about Officials Feared Attack At Obama Inaugural
The Sky Is Falling…Sort Of…
For being the world’s only Superpower and global empire, we certainly are a pathetic, fearful, demented, wimpy, and easily frightened group. Our shores are filled with Chicken Little’s screaming about Al Qaida and airport security at the drop of a terrorist’s underwear. Now let’s get a grip on our emotions running amok and start thinking as rational human beings. I’m … [Read more...] about The Sky Is Falling…Sort Of…
Why Use Torture Only on Terrorists?
That is the question Matthew Yglesias poses, now that advocates for torture are promoting its use for routine intelligence-gathering as opposed to the original rationale that torture should be limited to the mythical "ticking time bomb" scenario (emphasis is mine): … [Read more...] about Why Use Torture Only on Terrorists?
Dick World – Terrorism and Republicans
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Dick World – Terrorism and Republicans
Climate change is drowning in populist politics
Dealing with climate change may be the most important issue for human progress but 2010 is likely to see it move to the backburner because creating jobs is better politics in the US, Europe and elsewhere. President Barack Obama’s presence surrounded by 5 cabinet members, many senators and tens of top journalists at the recent Copenhagen conference failed to persuade major … [Read more...] about Climate change is drowning in populist politics
Good Guys, Bad Guys, and Comfort Zones
NBC News reports that the suicide bomber responsible for killing seven C.I.A. agents in Afghanistan was a double agent working for Al Qaeda: … [Read more...] about Good Guys, Bad Guys, and Comfort Zones
Capital Justice System in U.S. Irretrievably Broken
In his column today Adam Liptak looks at the American Law Institute, which created the intellectual framework for the modern capital justice system almost 50 years ago. And then pronounced its project a failure and walked away from it: A study commissioned by the institute said that decades of experience have proved that the system cannot reconcile the twin goals of … [Read more...] about Capital Justice System in U.S. Irretrievably Broken
Interview With A Vegan, Part Two
Hello, Dr. E. here. What follows below is Part Two of an earlier Guest Voice interview on Veganism, conducted by Mr. Elijah Sweete. In the follow-up interview, Mr. Sweete took previous commenters’ thoughts posted to the earlier interview ....back to the interviewee to gather additional commentary... Modern discourse about animals and humans and their relationships with each … [Read more...] about Interview With A Vegan, Part Two
Did Brit Hume “Evangelize” Tiger Woods?
Blogger Ann Althouse says that Brit Hume "evangelized" golfer Tiger Woods in this clip from Fox News. Many of Althouse's commenters seemed to agree and they didn't like it. I have a slightly different take on the matter from that of Althouse or some of her readers. The term "evangelize" is rooted in the New Testament word euangelion, meaning good news. (The New … [Read more...] about Did Brit Hume “Evangelize” Tiger Woods?
ObamaCare to Skip Conference Committee?
In the history of pointless ideas in politics, this one should not come as any surprise, except in terms of how pointless it seems. MSNBC is reporting that Congressional Democrats will seek to skip the normal conference committee process to combine the House and Senate versions of the health care bill and try to get one identical bill passed in each chamber which both can agree … [Read more...] about ObamaCare to Skip Conference Committee?
Homosexuals Can Forget About Human Rights
I always wonder what those who hold the view that homosexuality is wrong, a crime against God and nature, want. If it's really that bad shouldn't it be punished? It seems to me a binary choice, accept it and hold it to all the rights and obligations of society, or... The title of this post is from Uganda’s minister of ethics and integrity, as quoted in this important … [Read more...] about Homosexuals Can Forget About Human Rights
Nothing Wrong With Rush
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Nothing Wrong With Rush
In the Category of Things You Don’t See Every Day
Rep. Parker Griffith (Ala.) announced last month his intention to switch parties, from Democrat to Republican. Now we learn that his "staff has resigned en masse." Details at The Hill's Blog Briefing Room. UPDATE: Rep. Griffith's departed staff might want to be a little more robust in their fact-checking when they list examples of "great Democratic conservative … [Read more...] about In the Category of Things You Don’t See Every Day
Must 2010 Be 1994? (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- As they enter this difficult election year, Democrats seem ready to engage yet again in a debate they never seem to tire of: whether winning demands "moving to the center" or "mobilizing the base." If they get stuck on this one, they're in for a very bad time. The simple truth is that in midterm elections, no party can win without its base because … [Read more...] about Must 2010 Be 1994? (Guest Voice)
Good and Evil in a Troubled World (Guest Voice)
Good and Evil in a Troubled World by Craig Barnes Nobody seems happy. Not the democrats who want to get out of Afghanistan; not the Republicans who want to bomb devils and wipe out evil. Not the prophets of non-violence and not the advocates of strength. Obama’s autumn strategy is a collage of contradictions. On the one hand, he is for peace; on the other hand he is … [Read more...] about Good and Evil in a Troubled World (Guest Voice)