Since our first look at President Obama's initiative to improve the nation's power grid, I've been digging a bit deeper into some of the security threats which the aging infrastructure poses, as well as the inefficiencies in the current system. I follow up on the topic today in my next column at Pajamas Media, so dive in and be frightened. (Not in the Halloween way. This is … [Read more...] about More on the Smart Grid
Political Koans… Scozzafava, Rangel, Bruno, Pharma, AIG
A koan is a short, often paradoxical idea, meant to tell the truth, or cause the ego to give up, or cause enlightenment, or all three. Old well known koans: What is the sound of one hand clapping? What is the sound of a tree falling in the forest, if there is no one there to hear it? I try my hand at koans. I'm no good at it, but I try. Why it is so easy for … [Read more...] about Political Koans… Scozzafava, Rangel, Bruno, Pharma, AIG
TWO STARK CHOICES FOR THE FUTURE
President Obama must understand that foreign wars are the undoing of U.S. Presidents and most domestic agendas. If he hopes to concentrate on getting us out of this deep recession, he cannot spend any more time in Iraq and in particular, enlarge or continue our dead-end involvement in Afghanistan. Perhaps he’s trying to find a way to break the news to the U.S. Military and … [Read more...] about TWO STARK CHOICES FOR THE FUTURE
Did Kos Con The Right ?
I'm not one who buys into conspiracy theories and I'm not sure that this theory is much more than the musings of a windy Sunday afternoon. But I have been giving some thought to the news out of the election in New York's 23rd district. The withdrawal of the Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava has led to a great deal of discussion about the war within the party and the split … [Read more...] about Did Kos Con The Right ?
Gideon Levy: Stop Giving Israel Everything for Nothing
There are a few strong voices in Israel's media who are willing to call out Israel's intransigence on issues related to the peace process for what it is -- the self-destructive behavior of an arrogant spoiled bully convinced that consequences are for someone else. How did Israel's leaders develop such an entitlement mentality? Levy's answer: Washington, D.C.: Now is the time … [Read more...] about Gideon Levy: Stop Giving Israel Everything for Nothing
As It Is… So True!
Before the upcoming rough and tumble week of political debates, firestorms, memes, falsehoods, truths, insanity, coffee-fueled sermons, drug-induced tirades, and assorted odds and ends, I present the legendary Pat Metheny Group with their classic song "As It Is" (Live) from their 2002 release "Speaking Of Now". Every time I hear this song, I realize how true the phrase "As It … [Read more...] about As It Is… So True!
You Mean, There’s More Than One Bill Ayers? There’s More Than One Jeremiah Wright?
William Ayers, the former member of the Weather Underground, and Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Pres. Obama's former pastor, did not visit the White House at any time during the nine months Obama has been in office. … [Read more...] about You Mean, There’s More Than One Bill Ayers? There’s More Than One Jeremiah Wright?
All or Nothing/Oklahoma!
Sound and audio is a bit choppy, but there's no other version for me but the 1955 film with Gloria Grahame and Gene Nelson. I've seen it probably a dozen times. ADDED: After I posted this, I saw that the title song is on the video, too! I hadn't listened through the whole thing before posting it. Two great songs for the price of one. … [Read more...] about All or Nothing/Oklahoma!
Bob Schieffer Catches Lieberman in His Hypocrisy
Sen. Joe Lieberman told Bob Schieffer on Face the Nation today that Democrats are sabotaging health care reform by insisting on a public option. Schieffer, however, got Lieberman to admit that he would prefer no health care reform bill at all to a health care reform bill that included a public option (emphasis in original): … [Read more...] about Bob Schieffer Catches Lieberman in His Hypocrisy
Right Field of Dreams
In northern New York State, they are staging a 21st century version of an American classic, old-time hardball without the Iowa corn. "People will come," said the prophetic Voice in the 1989 movie. "They'll turn up not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive as innocent as children, longing for the past. They'll pass over their money without even thinking about … [Read more...] about Right Field of Dreams
Political Cannibalism
Frank Rich's column today is about -- as he puts it -- the "GOP Stalinist invasion of upstate New York" -- and it's superb: … [Read more...] about Political Cannibalism
How is the estate tax in your state?
The Wall Street Journal has a very interesting look at estate taxes (or "death tax" if you prefer) across the nation this weekend. With the federal tax almost entirely going away this year, more and more people are turning to tax and estate planners for help with similar taxes levied by the individual states. (To be clear, the federal estate tax hasn't disappeared entirely, … [Read more...] about How is the estate tax in your state?
Scozzafava Endorses Owens
Former Congressional candidate Dede Scozzafava has endorsed Democrat Bill Owens over Conservative Doug Hoffman. Her statement read: “In Bill Owens, I see a sense of duty and integrity that will guide him beyond political partisanship. He will be an independent voice devoted to doing what is right for New York. Bill understands this district and its people, and when he … [Read more...] about Scozzafava Endorses Owens
An Endorsement, and a Class Act
The Watertown Times has endorsed Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate to represent New York State's 23rd Congressional district seat: … [Read more...] about An Endorsement, and a Class Act
Democrats Notice They’re Spending Us Into Oblivion
The New York Times notes that there are a lot of nervous Democrats in Washington who have suddenly noticed that the deficit and our national debt have somehow mysteriously spiraled into a range of numbers generally reserved for discussions of the number of grains of sand on the world's beaches. Is it because of some new found concern for the public purse? Apparently not. But … [Read more...] about Democrats Notice They’re Spending Us Into Oblivion
Great Hopes For Obama Fading, Fading…
Too bad about the Obama Administration. It actually seemed to show some promise in its early months. It actually seemed to have a real commitment to change, a desire to see in crises at home and abroad opportunities to strike out in different directions that would lead to a brighter future for Americans and the world generally. But now it's clear. That ain't gonna happen. On … [Read more...] about Great Hopes For Obama Fading, Fading…
White House: NY 23 Shows GOP Becoming More Extreme
It's clear the White House perceives news from New York about a Republican moderate in effect being forced out of a Congressional race by conservatives who felt she was not conservative enough as a sign that the Republican party is officially shifting further to the right -- and comments made by a White House official on ABC this morning indicate this theme that will emerge … [Read more...] about White House: NY 23 Shows GOP Becoming More Extreme
Joe Lieberman
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Joe Lieberman
Italian Police Release Mafia Hit Video: Double Deja Vu?
The issue in the United States of how bystanders react -- or do not react -- to a crime that has unfolded before them has now emerged in Italy, on a somewhat smaller scale in an incident that seems right out of The Godfather, The Sopranos or GoodFellas. Italian police have released this video of an authentic mafia hit. And it's double deja vu: its a scene seemingly copied … [Read more...] about Italian Police Release Mafia Hit Video: Double Deja Vu?
It’s time to think different, and differently
The specific problems we face cannot be solved using the same patterns of thought that were used to create them. -Albert Einstein --- Cross-posted between Random Fate and The Moderate Voice. --- Technorati : Albert Einstein, quotes Del.icio.us : Albert Einstein, quotes Zooomr : Albert Einstein, quotes Flickr : Albert Einstein, quotes … [Read more...] about It’s time to think different, and differently