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
NATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (NIP)
While many proposed infrastructure expenditures are long-overdue and greatly needed across our country, most of the projects will take years to plan, design, meet various regulatory requirements, and build. Associated new employment will be well-paying but cannot materialize quickly. Furthermore, they constitute a long-term policy for the country separate from the immediate … [Read more...] about NATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (NIP)
Abortion and Health Care Reform
Abortion has been a part of human existence since human beings first took their place on earth. There have always been women who needed to end pregnancies, for uncountable reasons -- and there always will be. Moreover, abortions have not always and in all places been illegal. As Jeffrey Toobin points out in a very trenchant comment published in The New Yorker (and this is … [Read more...] about Abortion and Health Care Reform
The Great Performers: Cole Porter Sings “You’re the Top”
The great American composer Cole Porter also knew how to perform and sell his own songs. Here he is singing one of his clever "list lyric" songs, "You're the Top," composed for the 1934 Broadway show "Anything Goes." This You Tube has a great "visual guide" to his list lyric. Enjoy: … [Read more...] about The Great Performers: Cole Porter Sings “You’re the Top”
Republican House Member Misrepresents History On Civil Rights Legislation
Republican House member (from North Carolina) Virginia Foxx, it is pretty safe to say, has never met a fact she could not challenge. This morning, Rep. Foxx launched an attack on what she calls "revisionist history" about which political party should get the credit for passing historic civil rights legislation in the 1960s..... by engaging in her own revisionist history -- … [Read more...] about Republican House Member Misrepresents History On Civil Rights Legislation
What Can We Learn from the Ft. Hood Massacre?
During Word War II we interned many Japanese and German Americans into camps to prevent the effectiveness of however many spies and espionage agents that those two countries may have had in our country at the time. These days, however, we are not doing anything like that. Not that we should be interning Arab Americans in camps while we are involved in this war against radical … [Read more...] about What Can We Learn from the Ft. Hood Massacre?
Poll: 52% of Republicans Think ACORN Stole Election For Obama
Before you read this story, play this video below to set the proper mood: Now read this poll: Losing NY-23 candidate Doug Hoffman became the latest in an increasingly long line of conservative politicians to blame his problems on ACORN yesterday despite the complete lack of evidence the organization played any role in his defeat. The Republican base is with him … [Read more...] about Poll: 52% of Republicans Think ACORN Stole Election For Obama
New breast exam guidelines gaslight women out of life-saving health practices
The story of Stephanie Spielman, wife of Ohio State University and NFL star Chris Spielman, mother of four children, who was a 30 year old woman 12 years ago who gave herself a self-breast exam and discovered a lump that she then had examined and screened, died of breast cancer today at age 42. Her story represents the stories that I dread will become absolutely the norm … [Read more...] about New breast exam guidelines gaslight women out of life-saving health practices
Oprah To End Her Talk Show
"The Oprah Winfrey Show" will end in 2011 as she prepares to start a cable channel of her own. Media Decoder: A spokeswoman for Ms. Winfrey’s production company, Harpo, confirmed Thursday evening that Ms. Winfrey would make an announcement on her show on Friday. The plans were first reported by WABC, the ABC station in New York City. “The sun will set on the Oprah show as … [Read more...] about Oprah To End Her Talk Show
Byrd: An American Life
Tomorrow, he turns 92 after passing another milestone as the longest-serving member of Congress in history, almost 57 years. With such longevity, Sen. Robert Byrd embodies almost a century of American history that transformed a nation of backwaters dotted by big cities into a metropolitan sprawl with access to 24/7 knowledge about the whole world. Byrd, a self-made man if … [Read more...] about Byrd: An American Life