City Pages, an alternative weekly here in Minnesota has done a write-up about Michele Bachmann, who represents the Sixth District. Many people already know her from her rants on Fox News and other national media outlets, but the City Pages story starts from the beginning, when she unseated a moderate Republican State Senator to her time in St. Paul when she showed the same … [Read more...] about “Michele Bachmann:Going Crazy”
Hezbollah’s Man in Iran Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour Has Enemies In Iran
By most measures, Hezbollah's Man in Iran Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour should be a hero -- yet he now faces some severe critics and staunch enemies there. Why? In a must-read piece on RealClearWorld, Meir Javedanfar, RCW's Iranian-Israeli Middle East analyst and a regular contributor to RealClearWorld and co-author of The Nuclear Sphinx of Tehran: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the … [Read more...] about Hezbollah’s Man in Iran Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour Has Enemies In Iran
The Hidden ‘Arrogance’ Behind Obama’s Royal Bow: Global Geographic Times, China
What is the significance of President Obama's habit of bowing to foreign royalty? Continuing with our coverage of China's reaction to president Obama's Asia tour, Diguo Zhunjiang for China's state-controlled Global Geographic Times asserts that while this results in a great loss of face for the United States, he warns his readers not to be lulled into a sense of complacency by … [Read more...] about The Hidden ‘Arrogance’ Behind Obama’s Royal Bow: Global Geographic Times, China
Here Is Why Chris Matthews Drives Me CRAZY
It's not his opinions or the fact he's a boot-licker. It's not his sexism or that he switches positions depending on who looks like the winner at the moment. … [Read more...] about Here Is Why Chris Matthews Drives Me CRAZY
“Is Sarah Palin Qualified To Be President?”
Chris Matthews just put that question to Judd Gregg on Hardball. Gregg's answer: … [Read more...] about “Is Sarah Palin Qualified To Be President?”
“I’m Sending Out This Invocation…”
Jackson Browne sings about his imagination: … [Read more...] about “I’m Sending Out This Invocation…”
Could We Win if We Had to Fight World War II Today? (Guest Voice)
Could we Win if We Had to Fight World War II Today? by Rick Moran The debate over "The Greatest Generation" and whether the way America is today could duplicate their stunning achievements in winning two wars and fighting through a depression while maintaining unity has been hashed and rehashed by far superior minds than mine. But I just can't help thinking about it … [Read more...] about Could We Win if We Had to Fight World War II Today? (Guest Voice)
Why Republicans Should Vote Yes Tomorrow
We've reached a point where my friend Ed Morrissey and I must come to a parting of the ways on the current health care debate, though we've seen eye to eye on most portions of it up until now. Tomorrow, the Senate will face a procedural vote to open debate on their version of the bill. Note: This is not a vote on the bill itself, signaling approval or disapproval. It's simply a … [Read more...] about Why Republicans Should Vote Yes Tomorrow
Sarah Palin Loves Meat
So many tasty morsels so many are uncovering. (All that and not one link to Andrew Sullivan. I'll spend Saturday enjoying his finds.) One topic Sarah touches on that's relevant to my interest in food is her love of meat. From page 18: I love meat. I eat pork chops, thick bacon-burgers, and the seared fatty edges of a medium-well-done steak. But I especially love moose and … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Loves Meat
On the Military Draft and True Patriotism
I have frequently written on patriotism, “supporting the troops,” the cost of war as measured in “bullets and dollars” and, most important, on the cost of war as measured by the sweat, blood, tears and lives of our valiant troops. This, while Americans back home are not asked to sacrifice in any meaningful manner, and are even encouraged to “go shopping.” My words, … [Read more...] about On the Military Draft and True Patriotism
Oprah’s Kissoff
Now that she has smooched you-know-who this week, the talented Ms. Winfrey is ready to end the talk show that made her a billionaire and start the next phase of her life as a media mogul with a cable channel aptly named OWN. Like the would-be VP but for much longer and in a far different way, Oprah has been a phenomenon, rising from the depths of poverty to become an … [Read more...] about Oprah’s Kissoff
On Civil Rights, Virginia Foxx Revises History to Make Republicans Look Good
Is Rep. Virginia Foxx crazy? I don't know, but she certainly says some crazy things. Consider a couple of things she said yesterday: -- "Actually, the GOP has been the leader in starting good environmental programs in this country." Maybe, if you go all the way back to the days of Teddy Roosevelt. More recently, the GOP is the party of global warming denialism and … [Read more...] about On Civil Rights, Virginia Foxx Revises History to Make Republicans Look Good
AP on Sarah Palin’s Book: ‘A Literary Treasure Hunt’
The story behind the much-heralded Associated Press fact check was detailed in a weekly internal newsletter to the company's 4,000 employees. TPMDC snagged a copy: Mike Oreskes, a senior managing editor, offers staffers a description of the AP's own work tracking down and fact checking the book and it reads like a spy thriller: "The AP was determined to get the first copy," … [Read more...] about AP on Sarah Palin’s Book: ‘A Literary Treasure Hunt’
Geithner’s Welcome Expired Long Ago
I told you so 7 months ago in my TMV post dated 3/19/09 and titled “It’s Time to Throw Geithner under the Bus.” Considering the growing chorus from the left, right and middle now calling for his termination or resignation, I re-read my original post. As always, I was prescient, accurate, and possibly clairvoyant on this matter. Yours truly also predicted this entire … [Read more...] about Geithner’s Welcome Expired Long Ago
The Stakes in Afghanistan
Guest post by J.F. Murphy J.F. Murphy is a former Marine infantry officer and Iraq veteran who graduated from the U.S. Navy's SERE program. He is a fellow of the Truman National Security Project. After nearly two months of deliberation, some have criticized the Obama Administration of foot-dragging a decision on Afghanistan. As a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, I could … [Read more...] about The Stakes in Afghanistan
Addiction to Growth is China’s ‘Berlin Wall’: Global Geographic Times, People’s Republic of China
Can President Obama persuade China not to be so dependent on growth, particularly trade-dependent growth? Likening Beijing's obsession with growth to a Chinese version of the 'Berlin Wall,' Feng Mengyun of China's state-run Global Geographic Times expresses his hope that President Obama can do something to talk the Beijing leadership into turning over a new leaf. With some … [Read more...] about Addiction to Growth is China’s ‘Berlin Wall’: Global Geographic Times, People’s Republic of China
Geithner Must Go
Today's New York Times featured two columns about Tim Geithner. The one by Paul Krugman panned him for his role in the A.I.G. bailout. The one by David Brooks praised him for his efforts saving the financial system. Both columns keyed off his testimony yesterday before a House panel. I saw clips of that encounter and got some pretty clear insights about the way our Treasury … [Read more...] about Geithner Must Go
New Zealand Poised To Enter “Space Race” With ATEA-1 rocket
A sign of the times: New Zealand is now poised to become the latest country to enter the space rase, 3News reports: New Zealand is about to enter the space race with a private venture which aims to cash in on the market for scientific research. A Kiwi company has not only built its own rocket, but designed the fuel to blast it 120km straight up. In a bunker in … [Read more...] about New Zealand Poised To Enter “Space Race” With ATEA-1 rocket
America: The Debt-Ridden Land of Pointy Partisan Fingers
Senator Evan Bayh (D-Indiana), writing in CNN, says he plans to oppose raising the debt ceiling what the issue comes up for a vote next month. He's unwilling to raise this ceiling, he writes, unless "Congress adopts a credible process to balance our books and eliminate the red ink" -- and he wants to form a "debt commission" to start the process. A debt commission will … [Read more...] about America: The Debt-Ridden Land of Pointy Partisan Fingers
Return of the Election Beast from NY-23
Just when you thought it was safe to step out of the ballot booth, the hotly contested special election in New York's 23rd Congressional District simply will not die. The latest ripple in the story is that a computer virus reportedly infected a handful of machines in Hamilton County. Cathleen Rogers, the Democratic Elections Commissioner in Hamilton County stated that they … [Read more...] about Return of the Election Beast from NY-23