The New York Times has a weirdly disconnected article about the United States "widening the terror war to Yemen" that reads as if it was written a year ago and pulled out now because there's a handy news hook. Here are the opening paragraphs: … [Read more...] about “Quietly” (i.e., with no press attention) “Widening Terror War to Yemen”
‘Crusader-Americans’ Do Nothing As Iranians Invade Iraq: Al Mokhtasar, Saudi Arabia
Why, when Iranian troops crossed the Iraqi border earlier this month to take possession of an Iraqi oil well and raise the Iranian flag, didn't American forces do something? That's the question in the minds of people across the Middle East, and it's promoting a common Arab conception: that the United States and Persian Iran have been cooperating with one another all along - … [Read more...] about ‘Crusader-Americans’ Do Nothing As Iranians Invade Iraq: Al Mokhtasar, Saudi Arabia
OMG! Palin As President
It's the season for the Remmers Report Annual Awards which run the gamut from the serious to the mundane, We take no prisoners and offer no pity for the absurd, especially when we gaze into the crystal ball and prognosticate the future of political mayhem. First, let's get the serious out of the way. Hero of the Year -- US Airways pilot Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger … [Read more...] about OMG! Palin As President
Dawn Johnsen’s Nomination Is Officially Dead
It has been obvious for a long time now that Pres. Obama had no intention of fighting for his own nominee's confirmation, but now Johnsen's nomination is formally a dead letter. According to Senate rules, any nominations not confirmed by the end of the legislative session must be carried over to the next one by unanimous consent. Those candidates whose nominations are left … [Read more...] about Dawn Johnsen’s Nomination Is Officially Dead
Another Northwest Airplane Radios FAA Saying “Problem”
This morning Emergency units surrounded Northwest Airlines flight # 253 (same flight number as flight with Nigerian man who attempted incendiary ignition of alleged explosive substance while in flight) on the airfield at Detroit. This morning's flight was also from Amsterdam to Detroit. The pilot's request for emergency assistance on touchdown appears to have noted the … [Read more...] about Another Northwest Airplane Radios FAA Saying “Problem”
A Tragic Christmas Day Health Care Suicide
My life-partner, Doug, hails from Athens, GA, 70 miles up the road from where we live now. On Christmas day Doug was shocked and saddened by the death of Athens' folk singer and songwriter Vic Chesnutt. Death by suicide ends Chesnutt's heroic and tragic life story: Vic Chesnutt, 45, a singer-songwriter of spare, idiosyncratic folk tunes tinged with melancholy, died Christmas … [Read more...] about A Tragic Christmas Day Health Care Suicide
Iran Anti-Government Protests Turn Bloody: Mousavi’s nephew ‘killed
Renewed clashes between the Iranian regime and the Green movement in Tehran are turning increasingly bloody -- and one of them claimed the life of a key opposition leader's nephew. Times Online reports: At least four Iranian protesters were reported to have been shot dead in Tehran today — including a nephew of the opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi — during the … [Read more...] about Iran Anti-Government Protests Turn Bloody: Mousavi’s nephew ‘killed
Quote of the Day: The World Needs U.S. Leadership
Our Quote of the Day comes from an extensive commentary by Greg Sheridan, Foreign Editor of the Australian, posted on RealClearWorld that needs to be read in full. His point: the world needs U.S. leadership. Here are a few highlights: There seems to be a whole class of international relations commentators, not least among our bunyip faux wise men in Australia, eagerly … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: The World Needs U.S. Leadership
Airport Screening Machines’ “Achilles Heel”: If Detonator Worked Northwest Flight 253 Plane Would Have Come Down
Amid all of the inspiring stories about heroism on Northwest flight 253 when a terrorist tried to set off a detonator, officials now say there are two sobering facts: FACT ONE: The fact that suspect Umar farouk Abdulmutallab got on board with the device indicates a serious -- potential grave -- achilles heel in existing scanning machines, precisely the kind of achilles heel … [Read more...] about Airport Screening Machines’ “Achilles Heel”: If Detonator Worked Northwest Flight 253 Plane Would Have Come Down
The Way We Live Now
The terrorist who set his pants on fire on a crowded plane is a Christmas bookend to the Thanksgiving White House party-crashers--reminders that, as the Marx Brothers would put it, there is "no sanity clause" in our contract for security in today's world. Both incidents undermine the belief that poverty and oppression are the main sources of danger, with the perpetrators … [Read more...] about The Way We Live Now
Al-Qaeda Shows Up at Yemen Protest; Warns Yemenis Not to Resist: Yemen Times, Yemen
Members of al-Qaeda address a crowd and take photos in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, where the government and Saudi Arabia have been bombing al-Qaeda positions. They said they had no issues with the Yemen Army, and warned civilians not oppose al-Qaeda or its war against America. With news emerging that the Nigerian terror suspect who tried to bomb a U.S. plane may … [Read more...] about Al-Qaeda Shows Up at Yemen Protest; Warns Yemenis Not to Resist: Yemen Times, Yemen
Terrorist in Failed Plane Bomb Attack Wore Suicide Underwear
Has it come to this? In the future will TSA inspectors at airports ask you "Boxers or briefs or explosives?" and then check to see whether your underwear was made by Fruit of the Loom or Al Qaeda? Perhaps: ABC News reports that Al Qaeda bigwigs may now be clothes horses since they've created a new wardbobe item for the best dressed murder-to-be terrorist: suicide underwear -- … [Read more...] about Terrorist in Failed Plane Bomb Attack Wore Suicide Underwear
Acting Dutch Prime Minister Thanks Hero of Northwest Flight 253
According to the Dutch newspaper, NRC Handelsblad, the Acting Dutch Prime Minister Wouter Bos today thanked Dutch video director and producer from Amsterdam, Jasper Schuringa, for his actions aboard the Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Bos thanked Schuringa on behalf of the Dutch Cabinet for the role he played in subduing the alleged terrorist, Umar … [Read more...] about Acting Dutch Prime Minister Thanks Hero of Northwest Flight 253
Is the Middle Ground Lost?
This Politico report from yesterday suggests it might be ... After nearly a year, this is what’s become of the health care debate: Democrats hunkered behind closed doors on a bill struggling to gain public support, Republicans lobbing one partisan grenade after the next. In the wake of this grinding fight, Obama’s campaign pledge [of bipartisanship] now seems hollow, … [Read more...] about Is the Middle Ground Lost?
James Cameron and the Hubris of Celebrity
Avatar and Titanic director James Cameron is rightfully hailed for his incredible vision, directing, and his determination which has not just generated huge movie grosses but raised the bar on cinematic art by putting on the screen ever drop of creativity that bubbled in his mind. But, as is not unusual in the celebrity world, he is not-so-blessed with some hubris -- the hubris … [Read more...] about James Cameron and the Hubris of Celebrity
Travel Restrictions On Last Hour of All Flights
How will this go over with air travelers? New rules imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration also limit on-board activities by customers and crew in U.S. airspace that may adversely impact on-board service. Among other things, during the final hour of flight customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal … [Read more...] about Travel Restrictions On Last Hour of All Flights
Osama bin Laden: The Decade’s ‘Sinister Victor’ – Nachrichten, Switzerland
When one looks back at the stated goals of Osama bin Laden, one might conclude that much of what he sought has come to pass. As bin Laden is reported to have said in 2004, "We are continuing this policy of bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy. Allah willing, and nothing is too great for Allah." According to Patrik Etschmayer of Switzerland's Nachrichten newspaper, in … [Read more...] about Osama bin Laden: The Decade’s ‘Sinister Victor’ – Nachrichten, Switzerland
My Absolute Favorite Christmas Song
"And So This Is Christmas," with John Lennon and a children's choir. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone at TMV: … [Read more...] about My Absolute Favorite Christmas Song
Did Failed Terrorist Plan Attack Signal New Threat — and New Terrorist Technique?
As federal officials scrambled to find out more about yesterdays failed terrorist attack on an airplane, and to tighten airport security -- and as one Republican reacted immediately by trying to politicize it before he reportedly even was briefed on the facts -- experts are now pondering a serious new question: Did the failed attack on a trans-Atlantic Northwest Airlines … [Read more...] about Did Failed Terrorist Plan Attack Signal New Threat — and New Terrorist Technique?
The New Way To Rake It In On Wall Street
Planning to make a career on Wall Street? Harken to this advice. Don't do a good job. Don't do a poor job. Do a really terrible job, but do it in a way that makes it seem that only you can salvage a bit of the ruins you helped to generate. That's not only the lesson we see on view at firms that tanked in 2008, needed government bailouts to survive, have since managed to pay … [Read more...] about The New Way To Rake It In On Wall Street