I must admit I was not shocked to hear a secret report for Pentagon brass that efforts to train the Afghan National Army (ANA) are beset with deep-rooted problems which could take years to overcome. NBC-TV foreign correspondent Richard Engel said the privately-commissioned report: 1) -- Contends nepotism, corruption and absenteeism among ANA officers makes success … [Read more...] about Report Discredits Obama Afghan Mission
Is the Middle Ground Lost, Ctd.
The editorial board of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offers its take on a "decade of hyper-partisanship." One paragraph from that editorial summarizes its premise perhaps better than any other ... The money is in partisanship. A member of Congress can’t afford to be a moderate, not if he wants to keep his job. Politicians who stray too far from party purity will face a … [Read more...] about Is the Middle Ground Lost, Ctd.
Sullivan v. Allen: Misdirected Ire
Mike Allen bylines an article for Politico re: Dick Cheney's tirade about Obama "trying to pretend we are not at war." Andrew Sullivan accuses Allen of being a "stenographer" for Cheney, relaying the former VP's accusations verbatim, sans critical analysis. I don't know much about Allen and I suppose there could be a history here that triggered Sullivan's reaction; a … [Read more...] about Sullivan v. Allen: Misdirected Ire
Polarized Politics
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post This cartoon is unauthorized and licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Polarized Politics
Fighting Over the Squandered Decade (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- Certain decades shape the country's political life for generations by leaving behind an era to embrace or, at least as often, to scorn. The 1960s were definitely such a decade. The 1930s qualify, and so do the 1980s. But as important as all these periods have been, their significance may be dwarfed by the reckless and squandered decade that is, mercifully, … [Read more...] about Fighting Over the Squandered Decade (Guest Voice)
Dutch Home Affairs Minister Presents Preliminary Results of Amsterdam Airport Investigation
The Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad is commenting on a just-released, preliminary Dutch government report on “what happened at the Dutch airport where the would-be bomber transferred.” Parts of what the Handelsblad is reporting: "It would not be exaggerating to say the world has escaped a disaster," Dutch home affairs minister Guusje ter Horst said at a press conference … [Read more...] about Dutch Home Affairs Minister Presents Preliminary Results of Amsterdam Airport Investigation
U.S. Virtual Economy Set To Make Billions
We moved from an economy that makes things to an economy that buys things. Bad enough, really, but the BBC says we're moving on to buying imaginary, er, virtual things: [Venture capitalist Jeremy] Liew, whose firm Lightspeed Venture Partners has invested $10m in virtual goods companies, said the rapid growth of the sector was unprecedented. "We have seen companies go from … [Read more...] about U.S. Virtual Economy Set To Make Billions
Quote of the Day: Obama Takes Heat Republicans and Media Neglected to Direct at Bush on Similar Terrorism Incident
Our political Quote of the Day is the key part of a piece by Josh Gerstein in The Politico which notes that the Republicans and the news media are reacting to President Barack Obama's delayed statement on the failed airplane bombing in way totally at variance with how they reacted to Bush. In Bush's case? Not a peep when he didn't react for nearly a week: Eight years ago, … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Obama Takes Heat Republicans and Media Neglected to Direct at Bush on Similar Terrorism Incident
The Name Game for the New Millenium
I'm getting rather bored with the blame game this week, and thought perhaps we could begin winding down the year here at TMV with the Name Game instead. It's a topic which I've seen crop up in passing on a few web sites and talking head discussions on television, but I don't believe any consensus has been reached. What's it all about? We referred to the period from 1970 … [Read more...] about The Name Game for the New Millenium
How Far Would We Go To Win ?
Let me begin by making it clear that I'm not suggesting the following idea should be adopted or that it would work, I merely offer it as an interesting hypothetical. So please skip if you can comments on that angle. It came to me via a radio show I was listening to on the way home from running errands. The host was discussing the bizzare rules of engagement in Iraq and … [Read more...] about How Far Would We Go To Win ?
God Bless Mel Brooks
They inducted him into the Kennedy Center tonight and it reminded me of two important things. 1. He is an absolute genius 2. He's one of my personal idols, who I'd love to meet A few samples of his work … [Read more...] about God Bless Mel Brooks
Airline Bomber Red Flag
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Airline Bomber Red Flag
Karl Rove Ends His Second Traditional Marriage
Karl Rove, that fierce defender of "traditional marriage" and fanatical conservative activist against same-sex marriage, and his second wife, have divorced. … [Read more...] about Karl Rove Ends His Second Traditional Marriage
Should They Cut Off Your Big Mac ?
I was flipping channels tonight during dinner when I came across the latest reality show which features a family of 'plus sized' people trying to lose weight for their health (just to give you an example the 14 yr old son weighs 300 lbs and is the slimmest family member). Aside from shaking my head at these kinds of shows I was also reminded of one of the topics on local … [Read more...] about Should They Cut Off Your Big Mac ?
CNN: CIA Had Report on Farouk AbdulMutallab Before Failed Airplane Bombing
On a day when the Republican party and a key GOPer who criticized the administration about the attempted bombing of a Northwest Airlines plane before the facts were even known -- a day when President Barack Obama spoke from Hawaii calling the incident symptomatic of a "systemic failure" as he came under fire for not personally speaking out sooner -- a new CNN report contends … [Read more...] about CNN: CIA Had Report on Farouk AbdulMutallab Before Failed Airplane Bombing
Why Americans Are Dumb At Math
When it comes to math, Americans are really dumb. I know. I lucked out with a C in algebra and flunked calculus. Two totally unrelated stories in today's news explore the reasons why. Bob Sullivan, author of "Gotcha Capitalism," writing for MSNBC.com's Red Tape Chronicles, says a government study reports only one in seven Americans are proficient in math. Worse yet, only … [Read more...] about Why Americans Are Dumb At Math
Taxing “Cadillac” Plans: Three Progressive Views
Yesterday, Jonathan Gruper had an enthusiastic endorsement of the Senate bill's excise tax on high-cost health care plans, known as the "Cadillac" tax: … [Read more...] about Taxing “Cadillac” Plans: Three Progressive Views
Alert the media…
I'll be co-hosting The Rick Moran show this evening from 8 to 10 pm eastern for your end of the year or end of the world listening pleasure. Stop in and feel the love! … [Read more...] about Alert the media…
Invasion of Privacy vs. Safe Travel?
The Dutch press has been quite busy with reports and opinions on the failed attack on Northwest flight 253. Some have been published or commented on here. This was to be expected as the flight originated in the Netherlands; Schiphol airport’s security---or lack of it---played a key role; and “the hero of flight 253” was Dutch. A lot of the discussion on, and even … [Read more...] about Invasion of Privacy vs. Safe Travel?
If the Draft Is Reinstated, Should Women Be Required to Register?
I have been a strong and vocal supporter of equal rights for all: whites and blacks, straights and gays, men and women. With respect to the latter, men and women, I am delighted at how far women have come in recent years at achieving full equality with men. I am also pleased at how women are increasingly accepted and integrated into our armed forces, albeit they still … [Read more...] about If the Draft Is Reinstated, Should Women Be Required to Register?