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
Thank You
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Thank You
Forty Years Of Sunny Days
Today marks the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street, the show that has been the part of the childhood of hundreds of millions of people. A show that both entertains and educates, a program that inspires the dreamers of the day and the leaders of the future. However, there is plenty of commentary out there about how amazing the program is and how much of an impact it has had on … [Read more...] about Forty Years Of Sunny Days
Best Line About Goldman Sachs
I recently wrote about how Goldman Sachs said they are doing "God's Work" to which Yves Smith replies: Great! Then they should be willing to do it for free. I don’t recall the Bible discussing Jesus getting eight or nine figure compensation (or what passed for it back then), and the Gautama Buddha, born a prince, gave up all the trappings of wealth. Touché. … [Read more...] about Best Line About Goldman Sachs
Pragmatist’s Quote of the Day
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel on compromise in the health care legislative process: I’m sure there are a lot of people sitting in the shade at the Aspen Institute — my brother being one of them — who will tell you what the ideal plan is. Great, fascinating. You have the art of the possible measured against the ideal. H/t Eric Zimmermann. … [Read more...] about Pragmatist’s Quote of the Day
We Have Gay and Lesbian Veterans, Too
Tomorrow is Veterans Day. During the past few days I have been writing about the sacrifices made by and heroism exhibited by our veterans---both living and departed. We often forget, however, that many of the sacrifices made, heroism and patriotism displayed and just plain honorable service to our country is by men and women who at one time were not even permitted to … [Read more...] about We Have Gay and Lesbian Veterans, Too
Independents are a Sleeping Giant
By Alex Hammer As you've heard, “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” We've shortchanged ourselves as a nation by ceding our collective non-partisan, solution-oriented strength to those with partisan interests. It's not that we have the government we deserve, but rather the government we have allowed. Here is where we all come in -- … [Read more...] about Independents are a Sleeping Giant
The Iraqi Army Diaries: Entry 3
The Iraqi Army Diaries—entry 3 By s d liddick In the spring of 2009 I embedded with the U.S. Army’s 1-63 Combined Arms Battalion, in the small town of Mahmudiyah, 20 miles south of Baghdad. The town is a cardinal point on what American soldiers have termed the Triangle of Death. Within a month I was offered a de facto embed spot with the Iraqi Army (IA), by General … [Read more...] about The Iraqi Army Diaries: Entry 3