David Broder asks an important question in the Washington Post which should cause us all to ask how we evaluate political "figures" on their own merits. Call it, if you will, a result of the law of unintended consequences falling out from the current health care debate. As we focus on exactly how much health care money is spent on treating the negative consequences of obesity … [Read more...] about Revenge of the Girthers
What the Norwegians were thinking
The President's reaction to winning the Nobel Prize was to say he will "not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments." Presidents rarely refuse to take credit for any sort of achievement, so I won't give Obama a hard time. What's more interesting is how the Prize committee framed its decision: Agot Valle, a Norwegian politician and member of the committee, said … [Read more...] about What the Norwegians were thinking
Van Gujjars: India’s Troubled Nomadic Tribe
Van Gujjars are India's legendary & colorful nomads, mostly Muslims, tending to their buffaloes in the green pasture land in the Himalayas or its foothills. Their entry into forests, their abode for centuries, is now being increasingly blocked in the name of environmental protection. The New York Times brings this poignant story alive in a beautiful photo-essay Showcase: … [Read more...] about Van Gujjars: India’s Troubled Nomadic Tribe
A Study in Contrasts
Earlier today, TMV's Jack Grant chose Dr. Steven Taylor's commentary on the value to Americans of being admired by the rest of the world rather than disliked. … [Read more...] about A Study in Contrasts
Thousands March For Equality In Washington
In case you were not aware, today is National Coming Out Day and the event is being marked by a large Gay Rights rally in Washington DC (check out C Span for live coverage). Thousands of people have marched through the streets of Washington and are now at the US Capitol building. This is one of the largest gay rights events in many years and the speakers are encouraging … [Read more...] about Thousands March For Equality In Washington
Frank Rich on Afghanistan and the Three Amigos
Although I have written a couple of commentaries on the Afghanistan war, mainly illustrating the complexity of that conflict, I will be the first one to admit that I am by no means an expert on that issue and that I have no relevant suggestions on how to proceed. The real experts are hard at work, hopefully to come up with a successful strategy, corresponding troop levels, … [Read more...] about Frank Rich on Afghanistan and the Three Amigos
The Norwegians ‘Got Carried Away’ with Obama: Dagens Nyheter, Sweden
So what do the Swedes - the custodians of every other Nobel Prize - think of the Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision to award the Peace Prize to President Barack Obama? This editorial from Sweden's Dagens Nyheter says in part: "That the Norwegians got carried away with euphoria over Obama's election is understandable, but that doesn’t make their decision any more … [Read more...] about The Norwegians ‘Got Carried Away’ with Obama: Dagens Nyheter, Sweden
No Bush Nobel
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about No Bush Nobel
In Washington, Revolving Doors are Bad for Your Health (Guest Voice
In Washington, Revolving Doors are Bad for Your Health by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship On Tuesday, October 13, the Senate Finance Committee finally is scheduled to vote on its version of health care insurance reform. And therein lies yet another story in the endless saga of money and politics. The majority of Americans favor a non-profit alternative - like Medicare … [Read more...] about In Washington, Revolving Doors are Bad for Your Health (Guest Voice
Adoption: An Overlooked Crisis (Guest Voice)
Adoption: An Overlooked Crisis by Michael Reagan As our health care system is debated in Congress and we continue to face down pro-choice challenges in the bill, I want to take the time to remind all of us of another vulnerable segment of our population. This is one area in which we should be in full agreement, but still one we too often overlook: the thousands of … [Read more...] about Adoption: An Overlooked Crisis (Guest Voice)
Democrats Poised To Lose New Jersey and Virginia Governor’s Races
The latest -- and biggest -- political news is that the Democrats now seem poised to lose governor's races in two key states, losses that will mean the old conventional political wisdom will be tossed out and the new narrative will be how the Democrats have seriously lost independent voter support and how the GOP's hopes of regaining power soon are no longer perceived as … [Read more...] about Democrats Poised To Lose New Jersey and Virginia Governor’s Races
Quote of the day
From Steven Taylor, who is not known as a fan of liberal causes: Look, I have already stated my incredulity at Obama winning the prize after so short a period of time on the world stage, but the fact of the matter is, it is actually in the national interest of the United States for its president to be liked and respected within the international system. I am not talking ponies … [Read more...] about Quote of the day
Both Sides, Now
UPDATE BELOW: So, in the 36 hours or so since the world found out that Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize, we have been reading, hearing, talking, and writing about the seemingly near-universal feeling of disbelief, leading to various degrees of displeasure for many, that he was nominated for the award only two weeks after he was inaugurated, and won it after only nine … [Read more...] about Both Sides, Now
Is Obama’s Nobel Just to Repudiate George W. Bush?: Corriere della Sera, Italy
Americans aren't alone in thinking that President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize was nothing more than a West-European rejection of the polices of President Bush. For Italy's Corriere della Sera, columnist Franco Venturini gives vent to his fear that this Nobel may have ben erroneously awarded: "If not an indictment of his predecessor, what is this Nobel for Barack Obama, which … [Read more...] about Is Obama’s Nobel Just to Repudiate George W. Bush?: Corriere della Sera, Italy
Who Nominated Obama?
After being bombarded with spin, stonewalling and lies, it doesn't take long for a journalist to become a cynic. Skepticism grows along with a thick skin and a demeanor where one needs to ask the tough questions. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. If not the journalist, then whom? In my column yesterday questioning the merit of President Barack Obama winning the Nobel … [Read more...] about Who Nominated Obama?
Um, Why Don’t You Call Oslo and Ask the Nobel Committee, Chip?
Yesterday's White House presser was consumed with questions about the Nobel Committee's decision to award the Peace Prize to Pres. Obama. Absolutely nothing unexpected or untoward about that, of course. But one reporter's line of questioning was, shall we say, a bit over the top? Bizarre might be a better word. If you've watched these briefings before, you will not be surprised … [Read more...] about Um, Why Don’t You Call Oslo and Ask the Nobel Committee, Chip?
Life’s Late-Night Nobel Comics
Those too mesmerized by baseball playoffs to watch Letterman, Conan et al last night did not miss much. All day long politicians had been doing stand-ups about Obama's Nobel Prize. The President himself led off his Rose Garden turn with "Well, this is not how I expected to wake up this morning. After I received the news, Malia walked in and said, 'Daddy, you won the Nobel … [Read more...] about Life’s Late-Night Nobel Comics
Sergey Brin on Google Books
Sergey Brin has an OpEd in the NYTimes today on Google Books, A Library to Last Forever: There has been some debate about the settlement, and many groups have offered their opinions, both for and against. I would like to take this opportunity to dispel some myths about the agreement and to share why I am proud of this undertaking. This agreement aims to make millions of … [Read more...] about Sergey Brin on Google Books
Mid Stream Radio Moving to Saturdays (for now)
Due to a change in my co-host's schedule, Mid Stream Radio will temporarily be moving to a weekend format, starting today, Saturday Oct. 10, at 1 pm eastern time. On today's show we'll be catching up on the fallout from the Nobel Peace Prize, along with some other news that slipped through the cracks during all this media craziness. Stop by and join in our online chat or call … [Read more...] about Mid Stream Radio Moving to Saturdays (for now)
Nobel Peace Prize Now Officially A Joke After Obama Selection (Guest Voice)
Nobel Peace Prize now officially a joke after Obama selection by Jon Wells The Nobel Peace Prize was already flirting with irrelevance after recent selections like Al Gore, Yasser Arafat, and Jimmy Carter, but after the award was yesterday announced as going to President Barack Obama, in office for only nine months and for only 12 days when the nomination period expired, … [Read more...] about Nobel Peace Prize Now Officially A Joke After Obama Selection (Guest Voice)