From what can be gleaned from editorials coming out of Pakistan today, President Obama's long-awaited speech on his Afghanistan strategy has been anything but well received. Chief among Islamabad's concerns is that more U.S. troops in Afghanistan mean more militants will flee into Pakistan - particularly from Afghanistan's Helmand Province, where British forces will soon get … [Read more...] about Obama’s Speech: ‘Servility’ Toward U.S. Has its Limits – The Nation, Pakistan
A Little Night Music
You can't make someone love you, or make yourself love someone. … [Read more...] about A Little Night Music
FINALLY AFGHAN RELIEF SO WE CAN ALL MOVE ON
Now that the President has announced his Afghanistan policies for the remainder of his current term, we can all move onto other things domestically and internationally. In several prior TMV posts, I was a vocal opponent of continuing or escalating the war. However I now support the President and sincerely wish our troops all the success their incredible dedication, sacrifice, … [Read more...] about FINALLY AFGHAN RELIEF SO WE CAN ALL MOVE ON
Rethinking Unconscious Rethought: ‘Coma Man’ Worst Medical Reporting Ever
You might remember that I fell hook, line, and sinker for the story of the car crash victim who told the tale of the horror he had endured over 23 years because he was "misdiagnosed as being in a coma when he was conscious the whole time." Over at Science Blogs, Orac -- the nom de blog of a (not so) humble pseudonymous surgeon/scientist with an ego just big enough to delude … [Read more...] about Rethinking Unconscious Rethought: ‘Coma Man’ Worst Medical Reporting Ever
Obama’s Goldilocks Strategy (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- President Obama has bought himself some time on Afghanistan and lived up to his promise to seek policies that fit into no one's philosophical pigeonholes. He has also split his own party, diminished the enthusiasm of his natural allies, yet earned himself no lasting credit with his domestic adversaries. By these measures, Obama's surge-and-wind-down … [Read more...] about Obama’s Goldilocks Strategy (Guest Voice)
A Neat Site Promoting Responsible Beer Consumption
Disclaimer: I like and drink Heineken beer, in moderation, and I have written about this great Dutch beer before. However, I am not on Heineken’s payroll---I wish I was. I don’t know much about Heineken’s business practices, except that Heineken has defined seven areas on which the company believes it should focus its energy in order to maximize benefits for society, the … [Read more...] about A Neat Site Promoting Responsible Beer Consumption
Obama Buys a Used War
When the President unveiled his vehicle for getting from here to there in Afghanistan last night, it was not, as W's chief of staff described the Iraq invasion in 2002, a "new product" but an eight-year-old jalopy retooled for an even longer, bumpier ride. As Barack Obama "assumed full ownership," there was no shortage of tire-kickers, starting with John McCain, who judges … [Read more...] about Obama Buys a Used War
Leave Tiger Woods Alone
I have refrained from writing about Tiger Woods, his accident and his rumored extra-marital exploits because it triggered painful memories of why I got out of the newspaper business. In short, I believed the media was stepping out of bounds by invading people's privacy. This is one of the most fundamental challenges facing publishers, editors and reporters. At what point … [Read more...] about Leave Tiger Woods Alone
“The Top 50 Political Blogs”
A list HERE via the small business and motivational site, Evan Carmichael.com (TMV is honored to be included on this list). … [Read more...] about “The Top 50 Political Blogs”
Obama’s Folly
Okay, here's what I really think about President Obama's strategy to fight al Quada in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It sucks. It is a short-term approach that in the end will not improve our national security. The president makes a good case for a stable, self-governing Afghanistan. That's wishful thinking. He failed to convince me how that will translate to a more stable … [Read more...] about Obama’s Folly
Should Dick Cheney Run in 2012?
In his most recent editorial, Newsweek's Editor Jon Meacham poses "Why Dick Cheney should run in 2012." After dismissing the expected "rolling of their eyes dismissively" and warning Liberals not to spit out their lattes, Meacham explains that he is serious about a Dick Cheney bid for the presidential nomination in 2012, as such a run would be "good for Republicans and good … [Read more...] about Should Dick Cheney Run in 2012?
UPDATED: NY Senate Votes NO on Gay Marriage This Afternoon
UPDATE 3 PM ET -- Gothamist: ...the New York State Senate voted 38-24 against a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill was finally brought to the floor for an up or down vote today after overcoming legislative roadblocks from opponents. During the emotional debate, one of the bill’s sponsors, State Senator Thomas K. Duane of Manhattan, who is gay, said, "This … [Read more...] about UPDATED: NY Senate Votes NO on Gay Marriage This Afternoon
Sleeping through Skipped Formalities
Nearly a year after President Obama took office, I'm still more positive than negative on his decisions, and of the times I've been negative, the subjects of concern have often amounted to little more than a passing annoyance. Take the Nobel Peace Prize, for instance. Though it's old news, the Prize will not be formally awarded to the President until next week. When … [Read more...] about Sleeping through Skipped Formalities
Using GoogleWave To Engage The Public
The SeattleTimes tried an experiment Monday. It created a public Wave (pdf) to share information about the Sunday shooting of four Pierce County police officers. Here are some tips if you are considering GoogleWave* as a platform for engaging the public. … [Read more...] about Using GoogleWave To Engage The Public
Divorce Ban In California
A man in California wants a ballot measure to ban divorce. His basic point is that if you banned same sex marriage to 'protect traditional marriage' then should you not also ban divorce, since it leads to the breakup of 50% of traditional marriages. An interesting point I think, even if the measure won't go anywhere. … [Read more...] about Divorce Ban In California
Howard Dean isn’t Helping
According to Ezra Klein, Howard Dean, once thought to be a leading health-care guru in the Democratic Party, thinks that "this bill is worthless and should be defeated" -- if it doesn't include a public option. Like Ezra, and as I've written here many times, I'm a supporter of the public option and want Democrats to push for its inclusion, preferably in a robust form. But … [Read more...] about Howard Dean isn’t Helping
Tiger Woods ‘Profound Apology’ For ‘Transgressions’
The full statement from his website, Tiger comments on current events: I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those … [Read more...] about Tiger Woods ‘Profound Apology’ For ‘Transgressions’
Thoughts on Obama’s Afghanistan Speech
As expected, it was an admirable speech (transcript), regardless of the questionable content, but, then, we've come to expect such lofty rhetorical flights from Obama. The tone was serious, which it had to be, and, on the whole, the president made his case effectively, I thought. But do we buy the case? I do not. In making the case for war, Obama sounded at times a lot … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Obama’s Afghanistan Speech
Obama’s Afghanistan Plan: Recipe for Success or Political and Military Failure?
No matter how you slice it, President Barack Obama's announcement last night that he will order another 30000 US troops to Afghanistan is a historical turning point. The question is: which way will it turn? Is it the recipe for success, or political and military failure? One thing for sure: it is a political and military obstacle course with myriad paths that can lead to … [Read more...] about Obama’s Afghanistan Plan: Recipe for Success or Political and Military Failure?
Some Useful Wall Street Definitions
These days many people are confused by economic reports for a very simple reason: The terms employed by pundits don't comport well with their traditional meanings. So here's a dozen updated definitions that will allow you to better understand what's been going on in the markets. Economic Recovery — A period when things get worse more slowly between two periods when they get … [Read more...] about Some Useful Wall Street Definitions