By 2020 say Intel Corp. researchers: [Intel scientist Dean] Pomerleau said researchers are close to gaining the ability to build brain sensing technology into a head set that culd be used to manipulate a computer. The next step is development of a tiny, far less cumbersome sensor that could be implanted inside the brain. Such brain research isn't limited to Intel and its … [Read more...] about Chips in Brains Will Replace Keyboards, Mice, Dial Phones, and TV Remote Controls
SNL on Sarah Palin’s 2012 Election As President
SNL offers this movie trailer preview on Sarah Palin's 2012 election as President: … [Read more...] about SNL on Sarah Palin’s 2012 Election As President
Bowing to the Hive Mentality
There's one person among the wretched, wriggling masses of the political blogosphere whom I clearly do not read often enough, and that's Matt Taibbi. (Hat tip to Rick at Right Wing Nuthouse.) The linked article is actually a long, scathing set of sharp elbows thrown in the direction of Sarah Palin and done so with lethal accuracy, but that's not the part which caught my … [Read more...] about Bowing to the Hive Mentality
Oprah to End Show
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction strictly prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Oprah to End Show
Quote of the Day: Why Was It So Difficult for Democrats to Start Health Care Debate?
Some pundits are now asking why it was so hard for the Democrats to start the health care debate in the nail-biting vote yesterday where GOPers were solidly against letting the bill go up for discussion and the Demmies were solidly for it? Political scientist Steven Taylor points to this piece in particular that asks the question. And Taylor -- as usual -- stands back and … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Why Was It So Difficult for Democrats to Start Health Care Debate?
Hearing History: Lyndon Johnson Escalates Vietnam
Bill Moyers offers up a fascinating hour of history that is a must listen/watch for those of us who are seriously interested in considering the question of what to do in Afghanistan. Whether we agree or disagree, advocate more troops or pulling them out, like Obama or despise him, using LBJ's taped phone conversations and his own remembrances, Moyers' look at Johnson's … [Read more...] about Hearing History: Lyndon Johnson Escalates Vietnam
Journalism Versus Creationism
Is the press biased right or left? Or is some of what you read, see and hear in the media, in fact a function of a flaws you may encounter with some (not all) journalists -- who are are equal opportunity offenders, particularly if he/she/it becomes more like a novelist filling in a needed quote or fact with a quote or fact that isn't really a quote or a fact? Hart … [Read more...] about Journalism Versus Creationism
Botching The Stimulus Calendar
Here's a headline in today's Philadelphia Inquirer: "Stimulus funds finally flowing to weatherization." It's the kind of headline that makes one first blink, then dumbly nod, then wonder: What were these guys thinking? This money, along with $700 billion-plus other money, comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed nine months ago. Among this Act's two main … [Read more...] about Botching The Stimulus Calendar
Saving JFK
The day is here again, November 22nd. It's been 46 years now and, for those well over that age, no less painful with the passage of time. His death was the first of a president in our living rooms--the motorcade, the rifle shots, the disarray in Dallas, the dazed swearing-in of his successor that night, the on-camera murder of the assassin two days later and then the funeral … [Read more...] about Saving JFK
Poisoned Wells and Hamster Wheels
Gems like these are why I so enjoy reading James Joyner at Outside the Beltway: The two parties and their constituent interest groups have done a superb job of poisoning the well. Republicans have virtually ensured that we’ll never have anything short of a massive defense budget and we’ll never have the sort of confiscatory tax brackets for high earners that they have in … [Read more...] about Poisoned Wells and Hamster Wheels
Can we blame Main-Street yet?
My girlfriend is mad, I mean really mad. Apparently she has seen a side of me she never thought was there. Anyone hearing her talk would think that I caused her bodily harm or cheated on her, but no her anger was brought on after a conversation about the recession – more specifically banks and bankers roles within the recession. My better half’s reaction towards folks … [Read more...] about Can we blame Main-Street yet?
NBC’s Brian Williams: Serious. And Funny.
You'll remember that the other day I pointed to a Poytner finding that The Daily Show is serious about its media criticism. Well it turns out Jon Stewart may have some real competition. The LATimes finds NBC News anchor Brian Williams -- fresh off a 30 Rock cameo and Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me Bill Clinton impersonation -- takes his comedy seriously: Stewart, host of Comedy … [Read more...] about NBC’s Brian Williams: Serious. And Funny.
Health Care Bill Goes to the Senate Floor
My computer is more than usually slow tonight (and that's saying a lot), so probably the whole world knows this by now, but the Democrats just achieved cloture on health care reform. They got the 60 votes they needed, including all the conservative Democrats whose votes were in question, and including Joe Lieberman. … [Read more...] about Health Care Bill Goes to the Senate Floor
Obama’s China Trip Announces a ‘World Without Leadership’: Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
Now that we've gotten some of the Chinese reaction to president Obama's trip, it's time to start sampling the reaction of the rest of the world. This article by the great Thomas Klau of Germany's Financial Times Deutschland is not encouraging - and points out that without the U.S. able to exercise effective leadership, it's time to grapple seriously with stronger global … [Read more...] about Obama’s China Trip Announces a ‘World Without Leadership’: Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
Sexual Politics in Health Care
As Harry Reid pressures holiday-homebound Democrats to vote for a start of the Senate health care debate, Republican resisters have found a new weapon to use against the bill--a sudden deep concern about how it might threaten women's bodies. Seizing on a quasi-government task force's report this week recommending that annual mammograms start at 50 rather than 40, the GOP has … [Read more...] about Sexual Politics in Health Care
Live Streaming Video of Senate Health Care Reform Debate And Vote
BREAKING @ 3 pm ET: Senate Democrats have secured the 60 votes needed to move the bill forward to floor debate. Details at Politico. Here is a live streaming video feed of the Senate health care reform debate. The actual vote on whether to let the bill come to the Senate floor for debate and amendments is expected between 8 and 9 pm EST. This live video will remain at the … [Read more...] about Live Streaming Video of Senate Health Care Reform Debate And Vote
Has Barack Obama Joined An Exclusive Presidential Club?
Is he now a member of the "immediately failed Presidents club" (which includes Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan)?" Details here. … [Read more...] about Has Barack Obama Joined An Exclusive Presidential Club?
Bad Medical Reporting, Denialism, and Public Health
This month's perfect storm -- poor medical reporting, denialism, and public health. Marketplace yesterday: For years, our medical system focused on the individual. The thinking was, even if only one life was saved, everyone should get tested. But the new studies show not everyone needs screening. In fact, too much screening can do more harm than good. Dr. Louise Russell … [Read more...] about Bad Medical Reporting, Denialism, and Public Health
Key Senate Health Care Reform Vote Today: Did Reid Do His Homework?
Today the Senate is expected to hold a key health care reform vote. And if President Barack Obama has a bundle of political clout riding on this vote, so does Majority Leader Harry Reid. Reid, in an increasingly tough (some pundits suggest seemingly fruitless) battle for re-election who was never a darling of the Democratic party's liberal wing, could be in a weakened … [Read more...] about Key Senate Health Care Reform Vote Today: Did Reid Do His Homework?
Would We Win World War II Today? A Response
Yesterday, Rick Moran graced our humble pages once again asking the question which I have placed once again in the title of this response. (You can find another copy of the essay at his home page, with plenty of interesting comments from readers.)He also recommended the new History Channel series, World War II in HD. (I'm watching additional portions of that today, and it's … [Read more...] about Would We Win World War II Today? A Response