Well, yes, this was a bad defeat for the forces of good: The New York State Senate decisively rejected a bill on Wednesday that would have allowed gay couples to wed, providing a major victory for those who oppose same-sex marriage and underscoring the deep and passionate divisions surrounding the issue. The 38-to-24 vote startled proponents of the bill and signaled that … [Read more...] about New York Senate Rejects Same-Sex Marriage
Afghanistan’s problems are “99 percent economics”
Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen wrote a good column based on an interview with Stephen Landrigan, a US aid worker who has spent five years working on humanitarian projects in Afghanistan. Landrigan supports the surge of troops, but recognizes that there isn't a military solution to Afghanistan's problems. Money quote: "It's 99 percent economics,'' Landrigan said. "You … [Read more...] about Afghanistan’s problems are “99 percent economics”
Apple Voids Warranties Over Smoking ?
Emphasizing that this story is still in the early stages, there are reports that several Apple stores have denied warranty services to customers because they were smokers. Obviously if true this is both illegal (as there are no such conditions in the warranty documents) and stupid. Apple … [Read more...] about Apple Voids Warranties Over Smoking ?
Comcast Swallows NBCU In Takover Deal
And so it goes: cable giant Comcast is gobbling up NBC Universal in another sign of the economic -- and new media -- times: General Electric Co's (GE.N) sale of a majority stake in its NBC Universal media arm to Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O) marks a big step forward in what could be a time of significant restructuring at the largest U.S. conglomerate. The long-expected sale … [Read more...] about Comcast Swallows NBCU In Takover Deal
Honduran Congress Overwhelmingly Votes Down Return by Zelaya
A few months ago, we had several expressive posts and hundreds of emotional comments on the removal of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya from power, his inelegant, unceremonious departure from Honduras and his trials and tribulations when attempting to return to Honduras and reclaiming power. There was a recent post (November 30) on TMV on the Honduran presidential … [Read more...] about Honduran Congress Overwhelmingly Votes Down Return by Zelaya
What Is America’s Agenda In Afghanistan?
What are the long-term gains/losses for the USA in sending more troops to Afghanistan? Is it a smoke-screen for America's "other" ambitions? Or, is this another naive manifestation of the decade-old American foreign policy? Will the US "surge" in Afghanistan lead to more violence locally and elsewhere? In terms of future US containment strategy of China, Afghanistan air … [Read more...] about What Is America’s Agenda In Afghanistan?
Getting it Right? A Half-Hearted Afghanistan Strategy Revealed (Guest Voice)
Getting it Right? A Half-Hearted Afghanistan Strategy Revealed by Michael Reagan As many of you will recall, in previous writings I urged President Obama to do the right thing when it came to providing Gen. McChrystal with his requested troop increases in support of the war effort in Afghanistan. And during the early debate over troop levels, I even accepted the … [Read more...] about Getting it Right? A Half-Hearted Afghanistan Strategy Revealed (Guest Voice)
Liking Ike: A Memorable Evening
"Did you notice," E.J. Dionne asks, "that the president did not choose to quote any of his party’s own giants...? Instead, he quoted a Republican, Dwight D. Eisenhower." For those who doubt that Barack Obama has anything in common with Ike, herewith the story of a memorable evening with the nation's 34th president: In the summer of 1964 I fell in love with the man I had … [Read more...] about Liking Ike: A Memorable Evening
The Magazine of the Future Imagined
Time Inc. imagines how their magazines will look on the upcoming "Tablet of Newspaper Salvation," the Apple Tablet: Time Inc. [has] released a video demonstration of a tabletized Sports Illustrated. The demo is actually quite impressive, including a decent amount of interactivity, some video elements, several different ways of browsing through the content, and a somewhat … [Read more...] about The Magazine of the Future Imagined
Review: The New Mac Magic Mouse
Boing Boing's Rob Beschizza says it makes casual use easier and serious use harder: Visually, Magic Mouse is an archetypally beautiful Apple product. There are just two curving surfaces, which meet to trace the geometrical form otherwise represented in nature by shoe horns. On top is the expansive white button/trackpad. Underneath is the metal base, broken up by two long … [Read more...] about Review: The New Mac Magic Mouse
Nuclear Power and Israel’s Inexplicable Abuse of Iran: Kayhan, Islamic Republic of Iran
Cyrus the Great, who ruled Persia as the Roman Republic was just getting off the ground - and after the Jewish people had been ejected from Judea and exiled to Babylon. Why do Westerners, Jews and particularly Israelis mistrust Iran so? That seems to be the question that this historical defense of Iranian morality and behavior seeks to address. From Iran's state-run Kayhan … [Read more...] about Nuclear Power and Israel’s Inexplicable Abuse of Iran: Kayhan, Islamic Republic of Iran
Obama’s Speech: ‘Servility’ Toward U.S. Has its Limits – The Nation, Pakistan
From what can be gleaned from editorials coming out of Pakistan today, President Obama's long-awaited speech on his Afghanistan strategy has been anything but well received. Chief among Islamabad's concerns is that more U.S. troops in Afghanistan mean more militants will flee into Pakistan - particularly from Afghanistan's Helmand Province, where British forces will soon get … [Read more...] about Obama’s Speech: ‘Servility’ Toward U.S. Has its Limits – The Nation, Pakistan
A Little Night Music
You can't make someone love you, or make yourself love someone. … [Read more...] about A Little Night Music
FINALLY AFGHAN RELIEF SO WE CAN ALL MOVE ON
Now that the President has announced his Afghanistan policies for the remainder of his current term, we can all move onto other things domestically and internationally. In several prior TMV posts, I was a vocal opponent of continuing or escalating the war. However I now support the President and sincerely wish our troops all the success their incredible dedication, sacrifice, … [Read more...] about FINALLY AFGHAN RELIEF SO WE CAN ALL MOVE ON
Rethinking Unconscious Rethought: ‘Coma Man’ Worst Medical Reporting Ever
You might remember that I fell hook, line, and sinker for the story of the car crash victim who told the tale of the horror he had endured over 23 years because he was "misdiagnosed as being in a coma when he was conscious the whole time." Over at Science Blogs, Orac -- the nom de blog of a (not so) humble pseudonymous surgeon/scientist with an ego just big enough to delude … [Read more...] about Rethinking Unconscious Rethought: ‘Coma Man’ Worst Medical Reporting Ever
Obama’s Goldilocks Strategy (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- President Obama has bought himself some time on Afghanistan and lived up to his promise to seek policies that fit into no one's philosophical pigeonholes. He has also split his own party, diminished the enthusiasm of his natural allies, yet earned himself no lasting credit with his domestic adversaries. By these measures, Obama's surge-and-wind-down … [Read more...] about Obama’s Goldilocks Strategy (Guest Voice)
A Neat Site Promoting Responsible Beer Consumption
Disclaimer: I like and drink Heineken beer, in moderation, and I have written about this great Dutch beer before. However, I am not on Heineken’s payroll---I wish I was. I don’t know much about Heineken’s business practices, except that Heineken has defined seven areas on which the company believes it should focus its energy in order to maximize benefits for society, the … [Read more...] about A Neat Site Promoting Responsible Beer Consumption
Obama Buys a Used War
When the President unveiled his vehicle for getting from here to there in Afghanistan last night, it was not, as W's chief of staff described the Iraq invasion in 2002, a "new product" but an eight-year-old jalopy retooled for an even longer, bumpier ride. As Barack Obama "assumed full ownership," there was no shortage of tire-kickers, starting with John McCain, who judges … [Read more...] about Obama Buys a Used War
Leave Tiger Woods Alone
I have refrained from writing about Tiger Woods, his accident and his rumored extra-marital exploits because it triggered painful memories of why I got out of the newspaper business. In short, I believed the media was stepping out of bounds by invading people's privacy. This is one of the most fundamental challenges facing publishers, editors and reporters. At what point … [Read more...] about Leave Tiger Woods Alone
“The Top 50 Political Blogs”
A list HERE via the small business and motivational site, Evan Carmichael.com (TMV is honored to be included on this list). … [Read more...] about “The Top 50 Political Blogs”