A touch of farce is just what the Senate scrimmage needed, and Joe Lieberman provided it at yesterday's White House meeting. While the President tried to get his dyslexic troops marching in the same direction for a final vote, the Senator from Self-Important Sanctimony made a bid for sympathy from the assembled colleagues he has been holding hostage. “What’s happening," … [Read more...] about Insult to Injury Over Health Care
Health Care Debacle: R.I.P Democratic Hopes for “Permanent” Majority?
Is it over before even some analysts and Republican pundits said it would be over? In his wildest dreams did Rush Limbaugh really think this could happen? The sound you're hearing and angry words you're reading suggest that the Democratic party is now being strained at the seams. That's followed by a sweeping sound, as old conventional wisdom is being swept under the rug … [Read more...] about Health Care Debacle: R.I.P Democratic Hopes for “Permanent” Majority?
“Alice” Trailer Hits the Web
Mashable's Christina Warren marks the release of the first official trailer for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland: Even before the first teaser trailer was leaked online, the Internet has been buzzing about Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland project. The film hits theaters on March 5, 2010, and the studio has carefully revealed information relating to the film — like … [Read more...] about “Alice” Trailer Hits the Web
INTERVIEW WITH A VEGAN by Guest Voice: Elijah Sweete
Hello there, it's Dr. E here, deputy editor at TMV... and just as I came home from a four day sudarshan kriya meditation with my family, in came this piece on veganism by Mr. Elijah Sweete, who has written on TMV before, including a news story about a Governor seemingly trying to influence a panel inquiring into a death penalty case in Texas. Oddly, before I received this … [Read more...] about INTERVIEW WITH A VEGAN by Guest Voice: Elijah Sweete
Who was the real person of the year?
That pressing issue of major importance to all rational beings is the subject of my latest column at Pajamas Media today. Bernanke? Really? And Obama didn't even make the top five on their list. But should it have been? I examine that question, along with why anyone would have nominated Sarah Palin, and further invite our good TMV readers to chime in below on who deserved to … [Read more...] about Who was the real person of the year?
Barack Obama Faces a Firestorm of Denunciations Over Health Care Reform
From Democrats who blame him for what seems to be its likely incarnation and for not fighting hard enough for what progressives sought. … [Read more...] about Barack Obama Faces a Firestorm of Denunciations Over Health Care Reform
Obama’s Afghanistan Troop Decision Necessary
Guest post by Jared Stancombe Jared Stancombe, a 2009 graduate of Indiana University, is currently an analyst for a U.S. government agency responsible for national security. He is also in the officer selection process for the U.S. Marine Corps. He lives in Washington, D.C. Obama's decision to send approximately 34,000 new troops to Afghanistan is a necessary decision to … [Read more...] about Obama’s Afghanistan Troop Decision Necessary
The Reality of PTSD (Guest Voice)
The Reality of PTSD by Craig Barnes Many years ago when I served in the infantry, my closest friend was a young West Pointer named Burt. He was a first rate soldier. When we rotated out, I came home and Burt went on to Vietnam. He led troops in combat and won a Silver Star for heroism. A little while later, still in combat and still in the jungles, Burt won a second … [Read more...] about The Reality of PTSD (Guest Voice)
The New Excellence
There's a new standard for excellence in the world. The old standard — no one could have done it better. The new standard — maybe it isn't that good, but it could have been worse. Ben Bernanke exemplifies this new way of judging excellence, and being rewarded for not doing things worse. He was just named Time's "Man Of The Year." Sure, Ben's policies have sunk this country's … [Read more...] about The New Excellence
Nice Base Ya Got There
Be a shame if anything happened to it. Patrick already weighed in on the story of how the White House is using the threat of closing a military base to twist the arm of Senator Ben Nelson on the health care bill, but there are a few more layers to this onion which need to be peeled away. First of all, bare knuckle, hard ball politics is nothing new in Congress, and both … [Read more...] about Nice Base Ya Got There
Why I liked Oral Roberts…
I just found out that Oral Roberts passed away at the age of 91. I never sent him any money, or attended any of his crusades, but I liked listening to him because he seemed genuine to me. He was old school. Never in your face about whether your theology, faith and belief was correct in his eyes. He often said, “I’ll leave them to their theology. I’m out to save souls. I … [Read more...] about Why I liked Oral Roberts…
Howard Dean’s Bombshell
He wants Senate Democrats to start all over, and use reconciliation to pass health care reform next year, because, he contends, without a public option or the Medicare buy-in replacement, the current bill isn't worth passing. … [Read more...] about Howard Dean’s Bombshell
Let’s Not Be Rude When Discussing Sociopaths
Yesterday, Ezra Klein responded to Joe Lieberman's cynical games-playing over health care reform by writing in his column that Lieberman "seems willing to cause the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in order to settle an old electoral score." Here is the entire paragraph and the one above it for context: … [Read more...] about Let’s Not Be Rude When Discussing Sociopaths
Ben Nelson… Meet Mayor Daley
So it looks like the White House is bringing some more of Chicago to Washington. Old Mayor Daley was well known for cutting off all city support to districts of alderman who didn't tow the line. It seems the Obama WH is giving the concept a new twist. Word is they are threatening to close Offutt Air Force Base if Senator Nelson (D-NE) does not vote for the health care … [Read more...] about Ben Nelson… Meet Mayor Daley
Ahmadinejad Announces Iranian Plans to ‘Administer the World’: Die Welt, Germany
Just when you thought Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad couldn't say anything more outrageous, he tops himself again. According to this analysis from Germany's Die Welt of the Iranian leader's comments during a visit to Isfahan, the site of four China-built nuclear reactors, Ahmadinejad not only claims to have "documents" proving that Washington seeks to prevent the … [Read more...] about Ahmadinejad Announces Iranian Plans to ‘Administer the World’: Die Welt, Germany
Adultery for Dummies, 2009 Update
As Tiger Woods is pelted by wisecracks about dating women with 8X10 glossies and Gov. Mark Sanford's wife decides to divorce him over his South American travels, the year's body count is mounting for public figures brought down by failure to rein in their private parts. Such consequences of low behavior by men in high places (gender equality has not yet evolved enough to … [Read more...] about Adultery for Dummies, 2009 Update
The Art of the Deal is No More
Good-faith negotiations produce good compromises that move all signatory parties forward as a result of a new agreement. Worthwhile public and private policies, contracts, laws, decisions, and agreements require that foreseeable options, benefits, and problems are discussed openly and honestly. There must be a pervasive willingness by all participants involved to be flexible … [Read more...] about The Art of the Deal is No More
Merry Christmas! Your Car’s Been Towed
Yes, Virginia, 'tis the season to celebrate with parades and glitter throughout cities and small towns in America. And with it comes the downside of no parking signs suddenly springing up like weeds and residential traffic blockaded from the parade routes. North Park, one of the oldest communities within the City of San Diego, is no different than any other small town … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas! Your Car’s Been Towed
Are Military Commissions Really Much Different?
Guest post by Michael Foote Many critics of Attorney General Holder's decision to prosecute Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM) and his fellow 9/11 conspirators in federal criminal court seem to believe military commissions would be an efficient and straightforward solution to all the weaknesses present in criminal courts. They promote military commissions as some kind of panacea … [Read more...] about Are Military Commissions Really Much Different?
Retail Sales In November: Another Case Of Government Statistics Insanity
Many people are pointing to the November retail sales report to argue that we are well on our way to recovery, even types that have previously shown a healthy dose of skepticism. However, that report did not square at all with private data or analyst summaries, so I have been very suspicious. At Barry Ritholtz's blog they have a complete evisceration of the report and … [Read more...] about Retail Sales In November: Another Case Of Government Statistics Insanity