Poor Barack Obama! All eyes and ears will turn to West Point tomorrow night (Tuesday, 8pm) where the US president would announce whether he would send more troops to Afghanistan or withdraw them. Once again the world witnesses the tussle between powerful American war machine and "a multitude of young people who were the backbone of Obama's campaign." (Update: Meanwhile … [Read more...] about Barack Obama: New American “War President”?
Homophobia Trumps Human Rights
That's Rick Warren's homophobia, and the human rights of gay Ugandans who are being targeted with legislation -- sponsored by a Ugandan "minister" with whom Warren is friendly -- that would punish homosexual relations with life in prison, and would authorize execution for homosexuals who are HIV-positive. The proposed law would also impose stiff penalties for anyone who knows … [Read more...] about Homophobia Trumps Human Rights
And Now We Enter The Age of: Sky WiFi
This is being (hurriedly) written from the skies of Delta, where eBay is giving cards so fliers can sample its new sky WiFi that will run $9.95 -- a reasonable price for a connection far better than I've had in most hotels or airports. And so we enter a new era where you'll look around and see other passengers seriously intent as they go through emails, write business email, … [Read more...] about And Now We Enter The Age of: Sky WiFi
When Michael Moore Makes Sense (Sort of)
I can't help it sometimes. I feel like a moth drawn toward a flame. When Michael Moore pens a heartfelt letter to the President of the United States imploring him to save the world, I simply have to read it. And I confess... I did. I read every last morsel. And here's the surprising part... Mr. Moore has actually highlighted (albeit in a completely unintentional way, I'm sure) … [Read more...] about When Michael Moore Makes Sense (Sort of)
Why ClimateGate May Be Really Good For The Field (P.S. No Data Was Lost)
First off, I have to express a little disappointment, because I planned to write this last night after reading some posts from yesterday and now it looks more like it's a response to a recent guest post. I always planned on going with this title (sans the P.S.), but now it sounds a bit Orwellian in context. No matter. OK, obviously it would be a huge travesty and very … [Read more...] about Why ClimateGate May Be Really Good For The Field (P.S. No Data Was Lost)
Three Cheers For The High Court
I find myself in the unusual position of cheering the Supreme Court for suppressing release of more photographs of American abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan. The high court today instructed the lower court to re-examine the issue. My common sense is that we have seen enough of the photos and to show more would only aggravate the ill feeling and revulsion of a … [Read more...] about Three Cheers For The High Court
Bringing Afghanistan Home
Pre-game coverage of the President's speech at West Point tomorrow night is on track as White House spinners emphasize that he will "give a clear sense of both the time frame for action and how the war will eventually wind down.” Translated, this means that a 48-year-old man named Barack Obama will tell Americans how and why he is sending some 30,000 men and women, most of … [Read more...] about Bringing Afghanistan Home
Afghanistan: The “Dithering” Ends. The Soldiering Begins—Follow-Up
In my "Afghanistan: The 'Dithering' Ends. The Soldiering Begins," on president Obama’s Afghanistan address to the nation tomorrow night, I said, “President Obama’s deliberations and decisions, however, have gone far beyond just numbers." I mentioned a few highlights on strategy, goals, benchmarks, "exit ramps," etc., and on the additional efforts and participation expected on … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: The “Dithering” Ends. The Soldiering Begins—Follow-Up
GOP Conservative “Litmus Test” on the Horizon for Republican Party Support?
Will the GOP impose a "Litmus Test" that those who support it insist isnt, such as Dick Armey? Armey talks about it and the "Democrat party" (a way the Democrats don't want to be called so some Republicans use it) in the video below. If candidates don't meet 8 out of the 10 requirements they won't get party funding (so don't call this a "litmus test..." get it?) Some consider … [Read more...] about GOP Conservative “Litmus Test” on the Horizon for Republican Party Support?
Jew, Muslim and Christian: It is God Who is Being Murdered – L’Orient Le Jour, Lebanon
It's one of the most perplexing paradoxes of the human condition: Why do people formed to worship a perfect, loving, omniscient, omnipresent god continue to murder one another in that very god's name, millenia after millenia? Shaming his mostly Muslim and Christian readers with a global exposition of this madness, Nagib Aoun of Lebanon's L'Orient Le Jour points out the real … [Read more...] about Jew, Muslim and Christian: It is God Who is Being Murdered – L’Orient Le Jour, Lebanon
Awww, Tiger Woods Wants his Privacy Now
Patrick already asked some questions about the recent Tiger Woods car accident story, but now we have a statement from the legendary golfer himself. For those of you who missed it over the holiday break, Tiger was apparently involved in a "single car accident" where he damaged a fire hydrant and plowed into a tree outside his home, suffering some non-life threatening injuries, … [Read more...] about Awww, Tiger Woods Wants his Privacy Now
Obama Finishing the Job
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction unlimited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obama Finishing the Job
Global Warming Data Dumped as ClimateGate Intensifies (Guest Voice)
Global Warming Data \Dumped as ClimateGate Intensifies by Jon Wells The scandal surrounding a key university in global warming science continues to mushroom even further. Scientists at the East Anglia Climatic Research Unit (CRU) were already on the defensive after a series of embarrassing internal e-mails was stolen by a hacker and released to the Internet, showcasing an … [Read more...] about Global Warming Data Dumped as ClimateGate Intensifies (Guest Voice)
LIMITED TAX REFORM FOR ECONOMIC STIMULUS
Our extremely polarized, partisan and deeply divided political system will not likely agree anytime soon upon any large, new and direct federal stimulus programs no matter how high the unemployment rate goes or how long it persists. Many taxpayers and our elected representatives hold a deep psychological bias against all government programs – particularly those that cost … [Read more...] about LIMITED TAX REFORM FOR ECONOMIC STIMULUS
Conservative Wins In Honduras
Exit polls are showing that the winner of the Honduran Presidential election is conservative candidate Porfirio Lobo. The election comes five months after a coup removed former President Zelaya from power. The debate over whether Zelaya will return to power between now and the inauguration of Lobo is still pending. Also still undecided is how many governments will accept the … [Read more...] about Conservative Wins In Honduras
Tiger Woods Double Standard ?
Most of us have heard the story of Tiger Woods and his car accident and there do seem to be some open quesions. The official version is that he drove his Escalade into a tree and that his wife used a golf club to smash out the back window and then dragged him to safety. The problem with that story is that she weighs about 125 lbs and he weighs about 185. He's also several … [Read more...] about Tiger Woods Double Standard ?
Fighting Extremism With Civility (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- The most surprising and disappointing aspect of our politics is how little pushback there has been against the vile, extremist rhetoric that has characterized such a large part of the anti-Obama movement. President Obama's administration has largely ignored those accusing him of "fascism" and "communism," presumably believing that restraint in defense of … [Read more...] about Fighting Extremism With Civility (Guest Voice)
And Now A Lesson For You
TMV is educational, too. So as many TMV readers head back to work, here's a special lesson 4 U: By the way, do you know the name of the man who did the voice for the classic Disney cartoon character Jiminey Cricket? If not you are not alone and he came to a sad end; Here's Cliff Edwards doing the ORIGINAL version of "Singing in the Rain" from a sound film made 80 years … [Read more...] about And Now A Lesson For You
Another Horror Story
Just a warning, for those readers who are bored of hearing about desperately sick Americans who could be successfully treated with surgery but can't get the surgery done because they don't have health insurance, and so are probably going to die: … [Read more...] about Another Horror Story
You Call This “Nothing”?
What has Pres. Barack Obama accomplished in his first year in office? To hear conservatives and Republicans tell it, the answer is "nothing." This, from enthusiastic supporters of the party that has enthusiastically voted "No" on every single piece of legislation this administration has put in front of them. What has the Republican Party accomplished to pull itself out of the … [Read more...] about You Call This “Nothing”?