It was a busy weekend and I'd like to give people at the Moderate Voice a heads up on some of what we've been covering. From Pakistan's The Nation Newspaper, the editorial headlined Hillary Clinton Should Mind Her Own Media! attacks the secretary of state for criticizing Pakistan's media coverage of the huge U.S. aid bill to that nation. Then for Pakistan's Pak Tribune in … [Read more...] about Weekend Global Headlines About the United States
Most Mortgages Are Probably Invalid And Courts Are Starting To Notice
Naked Capitalism has a very interesting post up about the consequences of lazy mortgage securitization. A Federal judge has thrown out a mortgage that was challenged during a foreclosure hearing. Yes, he didn't just throw out the foreclosure, but the mortgage itself, giving the owner the house free and clear. While this is the first case of that happening, more and more … [Read more...] about Most Mortgages Are Probably Invalid And Courts Are Starting To Notice
A Tax on Red Meat? Oh No You Don’t.
I wouldn't have even noticed this article from Peter Singer at the New York Daily News today had I not heard about it on both CNN and MSNBC first. (The frequently preachy Mika Brzezinski was going off on yet another tangent about how there should be a tax on red meat to offset the damage that diners are doing to themselves and the health care system. None of this seems to … [Read more...] about A Tax on Red Meat? Oh No You Don’t.
Texas, the Eyes of Justice Are Upon You (Guest Voice)
Texas, the Eyes of Justice Are Upon You by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship On October 13, we lost a resolute champion of the law, a man who left his impact on the lives of untold numbers of Americans. His very name made his life's work almost inevitable, a matter of destiny. William Wayne Justice was a Federal judge for the Eastern District of Texas. That's right, he … [Read more...] about Texas, the Eyes of Justice Are Upon You (Guest Voice)
The Answer
Q: Mr. President, do you prefer the "trigger" or "opt out" approaches to the public option? A: Yes. … [Read more...] about The Answer
The World Series: The Yankees Versus the Phillies
Or is it The Big Apple versus The Big Scrapple? … [Read more...] about The World Series: The Yankees Versus the Phillies
Has Malaysia Gone Islamic?
Has Malaysia gone Islamic? Maznah Mohamad, visiting senior research fellow at the Asia Research Institute of the National University of Singapore, looks at the issue on RealClearWorld. Here's how he begins his piece: In Malaysia's current political climate, it is no longer possible to distinguish Islamic radicals from Islamic moderates. Despite official boasting about the … [Read more...] about Has Malaysia Gone Islamic?
Could the U.S. see a Military Coup?
Are the nation’s fiscal, economic, military, political and social challenges setting us up for a Military Coup? Will the U.S. Military Industrial Complex, acting through our Joint Chiefs of Staff or some other high-level corps of U.S. Military officers, and supported by a variety of angry business leaders and extreme conservatives be so resentful of any changes to our national … [Read more...] about Could the U.S. see a Military Coup?
Hallowindows
Frederick Deligne, Nice-Matin, France This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Hallowindows
Tom Menino’s Last Hurrah (Guest Voice)
BOSTON -- Mayor Tom Menino looks around the elevator and reaches instinctively for the hand of the only person in the car he's never met. "Where are you from?" he asks the young man. "Somerville," the young man replies. The mayor almost recoils. "Somerville!" he exclaims with a dismissive wave -- there are no votes for him in Somerville -- and then says … [Read more...] about Tom Menino’s Last Hurrah (Guest Voice)
The Surge Worked; “We” Won the War
"We" is the United States. We won the war. The surge worked. The naysayers were all wrong; thanks to U.S. military might, Iraqis (see them? Shiny, happy Iraqis!) have been liberated from death, destruction, grief, and sorrow. … [Read more...] about The Surge Worked; “We” Won the War
Newt Gingrich Might Throw His Hat (and Tweet?) into 2012 Republican Nomination Race
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- who has made noises about running for President before but did not go ahead with it -- sounds as if he really intends to throw his hat (and presumably his prolific Twitter feed) into the 2012 Presidential nomination race. The Politics Daily caught this latest delicious political item -- a comment Gingrich made on CSPAN: Callista … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich Might Throw His Hat (and Tweet?) into 2012 Republican Nomination Race
Take A Look
Natalie Cole: … [Read more...] about Take A Look
Sully and the Pilots Who Lost Minneapolis
The journalism gods turned prankish Friday. As Chesley Sullenberger was taping a PBS News Hour interview about how he how saved 155 lives by landing safely in the Hudson River last January, two other pilots were overshooting Minneapolis by 150 miles. The incident recalled an old standup routine in which Bob Newhart comes on the intercom as a clueless cockpit voice to ask, … [Read more...] about Sully and the Pilots Who Lost Minneapolis
Fan Remake: Star Wars Uncut
While George Lucas may or may not be preparing to unleash another Star Wars trilogy on us, this time in stereoscopic 3D, some of his most re-creative fans had their work included in a fun Star Wars Uncut trailer out this week. Launched in July, the project aims to complete a full user-generated version of the original, dubbed Star Wars: A New Hope. This "biggest fan … [Read more...] about Fan Remake: Star Wars Uncut
Democrats Increasingly Optimistic About Public Option In Health Care Reform
The public option is dead. Long live the public option. That's the situation now prevailing on a key sticking point in health care reform. GOPers hate the public option because they say it would symbolize the Obama administration's encroachment into the private sector and be a huge step into socialized medicine. Democrats are split, with some progressives nearly making … [Read more...] about Democrats Increasingly Optimistic About Public Option In Health Care Reform
The Walking-Dead Suicide Bombers: Twin Truck Bombings In Baghdad Kill Over 100 Persons Today
Just talking myself through the news of the day. Again. the way one does in a trauma/ triage situ. Most minds dont follow a straight path when learning the news. They veer into old memories. They look for patterns. They try to understand, so they can see, what can be done to help. Today, I'm saying to myself... Don't go numb like it's the farm report, pork bellies … [Read more...] about The Walking-Dead Suicide Bombers: Twin Truck Bombings In Baghdad Kill Over 100 Persons Today
CNN’s Lou Dobbs To Fox News? (The Sequel)
As we noted two weeks ago, there has been considerable speculation that CNN's Lou Dobbs is seeking to jump ship to Fox Business News -- speculation that increased after he met with Fox News chief Roger Ailes. The latest development: Not if Fox's Geraldo Rivera has anything to do about it. Geraldo even reportedly called Ailes who he says assured him it ain't gonna happen … [Read more...] about CNN’s Lou Dobbs To Fox News? (The Sequel)
The Year 2009 Claims Another Life
Soupy Sales: … [Read more...] about The Year 2009 Claims Another Life
Can Someone Explain This Math?
Goldman Sachs bonus pool estimated at $725,000 per employee This week, business reporters told us that Goldman Sachs 2009 third quarter profits swelled, compared with 2008, to an estimated $3.19 billion. The bonus pool stands at $16.7 billion, and, by the end of the year, it could hit $23 billion, according to reports. However, Goldman reported first quarter profits (net … [Read more...] about Can Someone Explain This Math?