Four decades after being tortured in a North Korean prison camp, John McCain is trapped in a slow drip of accusations from Sarah Palin as she embarks on weeks of media ubiquity to promote her aptly titled, "Going Rogue." A New York Times review notes that "the most sustained and vehement barbs in this book are directed not at Democrats or liberals or the press, but at the … [Read more...] about Palin’s POWs
Advocating For A Consumer Financial Protection Association
Amelia Tyagi, on Marketplace today, arguing that a Consumer Financial Protection Association could help level the playing field and force banks to be honest with their customers: Once upon a time, banking was a pretty boring business. Banks took deposits, made loans, and people paid them back. Profits were modest but predictable. And then the industry was deregulated, and … [Read more...] about Advocating For A Consumer Financial Protection Association
CBS News Poll: Fewer than 1 in Four View Palin Favorably
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin may have won the hearts of GOPers, conservative pundits and conservative bloggers, but a recent CBS News poll indicates she most assuredly isn't the favorite of those who may not be fans of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, or Glenn Beck: She may be among the biggest names in politics at the moment, but former Republican vice presidential … [Read more...] about CBS News Poll: Fewer than 1 in Four View Palin Favorably
Water on the Moon
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Water on the Moon
John Yoo Slimes Up the WSJ’s Op-Ed Page Again
I'm sure we're all very shocked to hear that the man who subverted and perverted the law to give his masters the pseudo-legal cover to run a torture program against Arab and Muslim detainees doesn't want the methods used against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to be revealed in open court. … [Read more...] about John Yoo Slimes Up the WSJ’s Op-Ed Page Again
Hunger in America
One of the goals Barack Obama set for his presidency was the elimination of hunger among children by 2015. Whether or not he achieves that goal, Obama is the first American president even to commit to achieving it. Having said that, he has a difficult road ahead of him, because more Americans -- including children -- are living with hunger at least some of the time: … [Read more...] about Hunger in America
Chinese Netizens Have ‘Sharp Words’ for President Obama: Global Geographic Times, China
According to China's state-run Global Geographic Times, the state-controlled Internet chat rooms are filled with tough questions for, and sharp criticism of, President Obama. On his Global Geographic Times blog page, a man named Tian Yifeng lays out some of the comments and explains why they show the insight of Chinese Netizens. The topics of the comments run the gamut, from … [Read more...] about Chinese Netizens Have ‘Sharp Words’ for President Obama: Global Geographic Times, China
Still Troubled Times, Still A Good Question
Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello singing "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?" (Lowe wrote the song, which I never knew before): … [Read more...] about Still Troubled Times, Still A Good Question
Gallup Shock: Health Coverage Not Gov’t Responsibility (Guest Voice)
Gallup Shock: Health Coverage Not Gov't Responsibility by Jon Wells An astounding Gallup poll recently came out that states that a majority of Americans (50%-47%) now believe the government shouldn't be responsible for making sure everyone has health insurance. That's amazing in and of itself, but when you look at the trend it's simply astonishing. Just three years ago … [Read more...] about Gallup Shock: Health Coverage Not Gov’t Responsibility (Guest Voice)
Quote of the Day: On 911 Terrorists Being Tried In NYC
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Dick Polman, who in a post that needs to be read in full contrasts what some Republicans used to say about trying terrorists in federal court before a Democrat was in the White House. Here's a small part of it: But never mind the ample track record of civilian-court prosecutions, and never mind whatever Giuliani said in the past. … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On 911 Terrorists Being Tried In NYC
The Ultimate Test of Obamas Hope Message
I still think about what happened on 9/11 with some level of disbelief, even after 8 years. I try to think about how Americans, especially New Yorkers must have felt that day and I am filled with awe and sadness – awe because of the strength of character New Yorkers showed during and after the event with rescue and community relief efforts, and sadness because of what the … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Test of Obamas Hope Message
Amusing Economic Headlines
Don't take most of what you read about the economy these days too seriously. If you're not a Wall Street trader or a still employed economist, it will only make you unhappy and/or furious. Rather, just peruse web sites on the Internet for headlines that are good for a chuckle. Here's a few I picked off various sites just today. "S&P 500 Claims the 1,100 Mark — Recovering '07 … [Read more...] about Amusing Economic Headlines
What Big Pharma And Mexican Drug Cartels Share
The murderous Mexican drug cartels are known for their viciousness conducting their illicit trade. U.S. drug manufactures are less sanguine but equally adept at protecting their profits. In anticipation of new health reform legislation that would curb their oligarchy, drug makers have raised their prices about 9% this past year while the Consumer Price Index has fallen by … [Read more...] about What Big Pharma And Mexican Drug Cartels Share
The Political Assassination of Greg Craig
The Obama administration's approach was often likened to Abraham Lincoln's "Team of Rivals," coupled with vows of transparency and vows that an Obama administration would operate differently than George W. Busjh's. But Steve Clemons, writing in The Daily Beast, suggests that the ouster of Greg Craig indicates such hopes have been dashed. Here's how he starts his piece: The … [Read more...] about The Political Assassination of Greg Craig
Atlantis Heads To Space Station
The Space Shuttle Atlantis has just launched for the International Space Station. The launch took place at 2:28pm EST and appears to have been a perfect takeoff. No matter how many times I watch a launch there is always a part of me that wishes I was going along. Details on the mission can be found at the NASA web site. … [Read more...] about Atlantis Heads To Space Station
Obama Calls on Burma to Release Aung San Suu Kyi, Pushes for Democratic Reform
I'm not sure if it'll accomplish anything, but I think Obama's efforts to engage the totalitarian military junta that rules Burma* and brutalizes the Burmese people are admirable, yet more evidence of the dramatic shift away from the military-oriented, unilateralist approach that characterized Bush's foreign policy. "Despite years of good intentions," said the president, … [Read more...] about Obama Calls on Burma to Release Aung San Suu Kyi, Pushes for Democratic Reform
Palin’s Magical Mystery Book Tour: Birth or Death of a Serious Presidential Candidacy?
Sarah Palin's magical mystery book tour has begun -- a media blitz in which she'll appear far and wide, and get interviewed by all and sundry. The immediate, short-term goal: to hype up interest in her new book and sell a zillion copies. She'll be appearing with the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Rush Limbaugh -- the ying and yang of modern American media. You can rest assured … [Read more...] about Palin’s Magical Mystery Book Tour: Birth or Death of a Serious Presidential Candidacy?
A Diplomatic Surge in Pakistan
Guest post by Ziad Haider Ziad Haider is an MPA/JD candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School and Georgetown Law, and a Truman National Security Fellow. He conducted field research on governance in FATA with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in the summer of 2008 and previously worked as a foreign policy advisor in the U.S. Senate. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary … [Read more...] about A Diplomatic Surge in Pakistan
Lou Dobbs
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Lou Dobbs
Quotes reflecting on rogues, celebrity and presidential substance
In an NPR story this morning, David Gergen, professor of public service at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and director of its Center for Public Leadership, comments on Sarah Palin's book tour and whether it has anything to do with her possible candidacy for the GOP nomination to the White House in 2012: I don’t think this looks like a presidential campaign…[it … [Read more...] about Quotes reflecting on rogues, celebrity and presidential substance