He said in an interview with the Washington Post that he did not campaign on the public option: … [Read more...] about Pres. Obama Fudges the Truth on Public Option
Court Affirms Patent Infringement Judgement Against Microsoft Word
This afternoon Microsoft lost its appeal of a patent claim against Word: The ruling, by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit -- which handles many patent and trademark cases -- may signal the endgame of a long-running dispute between Microsoft and Toronto-based i4i Ltd. On August 12, a jury in a federal U.S. district court in Texas ruled in favor of i4i … [Read more...] about Court Affirms Patent Infringement Judgement Against Microsoft Word
Crime Down? It’s Obvious Why.
Social and legal analysts from all political and economic persuasions are at a loss for satisfying and complete explanations of America’s dropping violent crime rates. A similar phenomenon is occurring simultaneously in many other advanced western nations – even with better healthcare systems than ours. May I suggest a few obvious explanations that we all may have … [Read more...] about Crime Down? It’s Obvious Why.
Jingle Bells: Season’s Greetings
Here's wishing everyone health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in 2010. Happy holidays!!! … [Read more...] about Jingle Bells: Season’s Greetings
Why did the crime rate drop so much in 2009?
According to the FBI, the national homicide rate dropped 10 percent in 2009. Property crimes also dropped significantly in 2009. Crime, broadly speaking, is now at levels not seen since the early 1960s. No longer is this just a New York City miracle. It's a national story. Why did that happen? Crime used to be the most ideological debate point in American politics. … [Read more...] about Why did the crime rate drop so much in 2009?
A Tale of Two Polls
Here is an interesting item from Greg Sargent: … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Polls
Tiger Woods’ Fall from Grace: Only in America – Rue 89, France
With news of the adultery of Tiger Woods, American Puritanism is once again a topic of conversation in Europe. To the average European, his fall from grace is as Shakespearean as it is American. For France's Rue 89, Pierre Haski writes in part: "There is certainly something very American about this psychodrama, in which a private matter brings down from his pedestal an … [Read more...] about Tiger Woods’ Fall from Grace: Only in America – Rue 89, France
General Softens Pregnancy Ban
Last week I bookmarked a story from MSNBC that reported the Army general of U.S. forces in northern Iraq threatened to court-martial and jail personnel who became pregnant or impregnates another service member, including married couples assigned to the same unit. I was too busy to pursue the story, expecting an outcry from my sisters in journalism. Wrong. Not much of a peep … [Read more...] about General Softens Pregnancy Ban
Alabama Gets a New Republican Seat
Today, Representative Parker Griffith (AL-05) switched parties from Democrat to Republican (see the Politico: House Dem blames leaders for party switch). This takes the ratio of seats in the state back to 5-2 (Reps to Dems), where it had been for some time prior to the Democrats winning AL02 upon the retirement of Republican Terry Everett, taking the state to 4-3 … [Read more...] about Alabama Gets a New Republican Seat
GOP: Out of Gas, Out of Ideas, Over a Cliff
Jonathan Chait at The New Republic: In reality, both parties have plenty of ideas that they would like to implement if given the political power to do so. Republicans’ policy ideas primarily involve cutting marginal tax rates and regulations. The question isn’t whether the Republican Party has any ideas. The question is whether the party has any relevant ideas. In the … [Read more...] about GOP: Out of Gas, Out of Ideas, Over a Cliff
Ben Nelson and Harry Reid
Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Ben Nelson and Harry Reid
The Fruitcake Chronicles: A Terrible Misunderstanding (Part 4 of 6 installments)
“So what do you guys think?” Steve’s loud tone and exaggerated gestures conveyed his lack of faith in his audience’s receptivity. “Let’s do this thing! Instead of wasting a bunch of money on a bunch a useless stuff, let’s make this Christmas memorable. This year. . . let’s make our own Christmas presents!” Steve Forester’s fourth grade daughter Lystra burst into tears, … [Read more...] about The Fruitcake Chronicles: A Terrible Misunderstanding (Part 4 of 6 installments)
Republicans Still Hope to Defeat Health Care Reform As New Poll Shows Most Americans Oppose It
(Republican) hope springs eternal? Or is the conventional wisdom to be quietly swept under the new and old media rug again as what new and old media pundits suggest won't happen happens? Two new tidbits perhaps explain why President Barack Obama has decided to delay his year-end Hawaii vacation until health care reform definitively clears the Senate. 1. The Weekly Standard … [Read more...] about Republicans Still Hope to Defeat Health Care Reform As New Poll Shows Most Americans Oppose It
Congressman To Switch Parties Over Health Care
Congressman Parker Griffith (D-AL) is going to become Congressman Parker Griffith (R-AL). His switch is reportedly over health care … [Read more...] about Congressman To Switch Parties Over Health Care
Will Obama Be A Bartlet?
Network television is terrible these days, but I don't care. The awful re-runs of shows that stank to begin with, the endless reality twaddle featuring pathetic individuals debasing themselves for a 15 minute shot of shame, the holiday fare that at best is only fair, at worst gluttonous, and almost always too often aired, none of this bothers me. I have "West Wing." For … [Read more...] about Will Obama Be A Bartlet?
A Christmas Carol
As we come closer to Christmas I am starting on my traditon of holiday themed posts. I hope we can all enjoy them in the spirit of the season. This is a repost from last year. I think most of us, regardless of faith, find it difficult to make it through the holiday season without watching at least one version of A Christmas Carol. The warmth and spirit of this classic are … [Read more...] about A Christmas Carol
Ahmadinejad Told to ‘Corroborate’ American Threat to the ‘Mahdi’: Iraq of Tomorrow, Iraq
As we have been covering over recent days, Iranian President Ahmadinejad has been whipping up audiences with talk of how the United States is threatening Iran because it knows that the arrival of the Twelfth Imam - or 'Mahdi', is imminent, and that Iran is preparing the way for him. An article we translated the other day quoted Ahmadinejad as saying that after the appearance … [Read more...] about Ahmadinejad Told to ‘Corroborate’ American Threat to the ‘Mahdi’: Iraq of Tomorrow, Iraq
Do the Right Thing
Al Franken did a supremely right thing, and Pres. Obama signed it into law: … [Read more...] about Do the Right Thing
Poll: Support for Health Care Reform and Obama Go Up in December 6 Percent
A new CNN poll has found that support for heath care reform and President Barack Obama have both jumped 6 percent in December. Why the increase for Obama? The poll shows that Obama is in particular winning over younger voters, although overall many voters feel he has not lived up to expectations. And for the Democrats: there are signs that the Democrats' seemingly fracturing … [Read more...] about Poll: Support for Health Care Reform and Obama Go Up in December 6 Percent
Is Nathan Myrhvold Onto Something?
Put aside any questions you may have as to whether global warming exists, is a problem, or is created by human beings. Too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere isn't a good thing for the planet, whatever your views of global warming. Nathan Myrhvold is accustomed to thinking differently about problems. The former chief strategist and technology officer at Microsoft has … [Read more...] about Is Nathan Myrhvold Onto Something?