No, that's not a serious prediction. My real point is about Republicans getting too excited about thrashing the Democrats in 2010. Sure, that's what I'd like to see. But remember what happened during Reagan's first term? That precedent has been on my mind, so I was glad to see that Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts were thinking along the same lines. Here's their exchange … [Read more...] about Obama will cruise to 2012 re-election
COMPROMISE NEEDED WITH ABORTION FOES IN HEALTHCARE REFORM
Anti-abortion and pro-life advocates successfully added an Amendment to the House Health Reform Bill that prohibited any Federal Funds from subsidizing private insurance purchases by individuals and families on public exchanges that would cover abortions. Pro-abortion and pro-choice advocates cried foul and the amendment constituted an impermissible limit on a woman’s right to … [Read more...] about COMPROMISE NEEDED WITH ABORTION FOES IN HEALTHCARE REFORM
Obama’s Fort Hood Massacre Speech: His Best Ever?
When President Barack Obama gave a speech at the memorial service for the 14 people murdered by Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan at Fort Hood, it was one of those moments Presidents don't relish but that can linger beyond the moment. Was this one of them? The context was a thorny one. Controversies still swirl over which intelligence agency seemingly dropped the ball on the warning … [Read more...] about Obama’s Fort Hood Massacre Speech: His Best Ever?
DC Sniper Executed
The officials at the Greenville Correctional Center have just announced the execution of John Muhammed, the DC sniper. He was pronounced dead at 9:11pm EST. During 2002 Muhammed and his teenage accomplice terrorized the Washington DC area and murdered ten people and left the region in chaos as people were afraid to go out and shop or pump gas. According to the briefing he … [Read more...] about DC Sniper Executed
Mother Jones agrees with the National Review!
Kevin Drum praises Jonah Goldberg for resisting the impulse to call Nidal Malik Hasan a terrorist. A traitor? A murderer? Sure. But not a terrorist. The strange thing is that liberals assume they should be against labeling Hasan a terrorist and conservatives assume they should be for it. That makes a certain amount of sense. Liberals fear exaggerated threats. … [Read more...] about Mother Jones agrees with the National Review!
Donna Brazile praises GOP ideology
If you wait 15 years, people will say anything. Sunday morning on ABC, Donna Brazile explained why 2010 won't be another 1994:Well, first of all, I don't think it's '94, because in '94, we also had some potential disastrous that happened that caused Democrats to lose so many seats. First of all, we had a great deal of retirements in the Congress, we had the bank scandal, the … [Read more...] about Donna Brazile praises GOP ideology
Do carrots feel pain?
Natalie Portman is giving up eggs and milk. She writes on HuffPo:Jonathan Safran Foer's book Eating Animals changed me from a twenty-year vegetarian to a vegan activist. I've always been shy about being critical of others' choices because I hate when people do that to me. I'm often interrogated about being vegetarian (e.g., "What if you find out that carrots feel pain, too? … [Read more...] about Do carrots feel pain?
Blackwater Authorized $1 Million in Secret Payments to Silence Iraqi Officials
To buy their silent support. The NYTimes: Four former Blackwater executives said in interviews that Gary Jackson, who was then the company’s president, had approved the bribes, and the money was sent from Amman, Jordan, where Blackwater maintains an operations hub, to a top manager in Iraq. The executives, though, said they did not know whether the cash was delivered to Iraqi … [Read more...] about Blackwater Authorized $1 Million in Secret Payments to Silence Iraqi Officials
“Don’t Look Back; Just Keep on Walking”
This is a great 'get out of my face' song: … [Read more...] about “Don’t Look Back; Just Keep on Walking”
New Home Buyer Discount – Missing the Mark
The $8000 tax incentive for new home buyers is designed to help spur on the homebuilding and home sales markets. Unfortunately it misses the mark in several respects. The biggest plug in the system are those who have homes, need to move for a new job opportunity, change in job status that could threaten their ability to pay the mortgage, want to move to a new school district … [Read more...] about New Home Buyer Discount – Missing the Mark
Investment Advice for the Next Decade: Trains & Infrastructure
Warren Buffet is nobody’s fool when it comes to global business and investing. We should all heed his suggestion to invest in America’s Railroads and private companies designing, building and maintaining key national and regional infrastructure projects around the world. We won’t be able to buy BNSF shares for a short time since Berkshire Hathaway will own 100% of it, but … [Read more...] about Investment Advice for the Next Decade: Trains & Infrastructure
Health Reform Looks Like An Old Western Movie
From the very outset of the health reform legislation debate, I had this premonition that when the House and Senate bills reached the conference committee for reconciliation, President Barack Obama would come charging to the rescue like the hero wearing the white hat in those old western movies. He still may do that if the Senate manages to actually pass a bill but he is … [Read more...] about Health Reform Looks Like An Old Western Movie
Butterflies, Memes, and Narratives
David Brooks had me going there, with the first several paragraphs in his column today. He had me thinking a new David Brooks had suddenly emerged, as a butterfly from its chrysalis, with powers of insight and perception the old David Brooks could only dream of having. … [Read more...] about Butterflies, Memes, and Narratives
Full Text of Obama’s Remarks at Fort Hood Massacre Memorial Service
President Barack Obama today spoke to a crowd of 15,000 at memorial service for the Fort Hood Massacre in which 14 people were killed. Details of the event are HERE. Here's the full text of his address, via the White House website: To the Fort Hood community; to Admiral Mullen; General Casey; General Cone; Secretary McHugh; Secretary Gates; most importantly, to family, … [Read more...] about Full Text of Obama’s Remarks at Fort Hood Massacre Memorial Service
Sniper Execution
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reseserved. … [Read more...] about Sniper Execution
Islam is “Not a Religion”; It’s a “Political System”
Dear, sweet Pat Robertson. Such a gentle, kindly Christian gentleman: … [Read more...] about Islam is “Not a Religion”; It’s a “Political System”
From “No” to “Boo!”
In the battle over health care, the Republican Right, after months of saying no to every Obama initiative from stimulus to bailouts, has gone on the offensive to slice and dice Americans into warring factions--young-old, men-women, rich-poor, anywhere fear and hatred can be stirred up. Sarah Palin, bless her feisty heart, started it all with "death panels," but naysayers are … [Read more...] about From “No” to “Boo!”
The Strangest Paragraph in the History of Journalism
From page three of today's WaPo article on Dede Scozzafava: "There is a great song called 'Coca Cola Cowboy' and I believe that's what we have here. She was a Republican as long as it enhanced her electability," said [former House majority leader] Armey, reached while petting a goat at his Texas ranch. Actually, that's not the entire paragraph; it ends with the … [Read more...] about The Strangest Paragraph in the History of Journalism
Not the Onion: Coke Machine Dress (video)
Not a Halloween costume either. I had to see it to believe it. Reuters posted video yesterday, calling it a novel way to address personal safety: Aya Tsukioka's Coke-machine dress allows the wearer to quickly change appearance to that of a vending machine - blending into the urban landscape. A Japanese man says in the report that he thinks women would be better off running … [Read more...] about Not the Onion: Coke Machine Dress (video)
Obama not done with Afghanistan decision
Apparently rumors of the death of President Obama's decision making process on the route forward in Afghanistan were somewhat exaggerated. This from White House National Security Adviser Retired Gen. Jim Jones: "Reports that President Obama has made a decision about Afghanistan are absolutely false," Jones, who generally keeps a low public profile, said in a prepared … [Read more...] about Obama not done with Afghanistan decision