There have been numerous studies confirming the sad fact that we have a 2-tier justice system in the U.S. where the wealthy and powerful are often treated noticeably better than the poor and weak. The Roman Polanski affair bears some comment in light of this reality. For most Western Cultures over the past 100 years, the rape of a 13-year-old girl by a man in his 40’s by … [Read more...] about OUR DUAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND MR. POLANSKI
IT WAS EASY CHOOSING RIO OVER CHICAGO
The President, the First Lady, and the Obama Administration did not lose anything by making a direct personal appeal to the International Olympic Committee on behalf of Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The President of Brazil and the top leaders of Japan and Spain were also there making the same promotional efforts. At best each city had only a 25% chance of … [Read more...] about IT WAS EASY CHOOSING RIO OVER CHICAGO
What Really Killed Chicago’s Olympics Bid?
Was the reason behind Chicago's flop really anti-Americanism? And will Obama now face political consequences due to his unsuccessful efforts? The cartoon by Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner, is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about What Really Killed Chicago’s Olympics Bid?
Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
This is what happens when you cut over $100 billion from an economic stimulus bill -- including $40 billion to help revenue-starved states -- for no reason better than wanting the numbers to be smaller: … [Read more...] about Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Conservatives are the real losers in the Olympics race
I'm going to have to take exception with the premise put forth by my colleague, Dalitso Njolinjo, who earlier opined here that the losers in the recent Olympics bidding kerfuffle were Chicago, Obama and America. It was an interesting analysis and sparked a spirited and useful discussion in our comments section, but it simply doesn't ring true for me. The real losers in this … [Read more...] about Conservatives are the real losers in the Olympics race
Strong Rebuke Of DADT From Inside the Military
Col. Om Prakash, author of The Efficacy of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell, published in Joint Force Quarterly, an official Department of Defense journal published by the Chair of the Joint Chiefs: The law as it currently stands does not prohibit homosexuals from serving in the military as long as they keep it secret. This has led to an uncomfortable value disconnect as homosexuals … [Read more...] about Strong Rebuke Of DADT From Inside the Military
Afghanistan: Plenty of Advice, from “How to Win” to “How to Lose”
While doing some research on the Afghanistan war for another publication, I soon discovered that there is no shortage of opinions---many of them “expert” opinions---on how to conduct and conclude that war. It made me realize how excruciatingly difficult it must be for the president---faced with an overabundance of advisers and advice---to divine the right policy and … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Plenty of Advice, from “How to Win” to “How to Lose”
David Letterman
Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about David Letterman
I Don’t Care Who Letterman Has Sex With
I don’t know about you but I am a hypocrite. Everyday without fail I complain about things that other people do and in the next action do those very same things. Let me give you an example. In my time I have been know to look down on smokers. Why? Well, it is a dirty habit for one and it is also a habit that kills – why would you do that to yourself. I make smokers feel … [Read more...] about I Don’t Care Who Letterman Has Sex With
Chicago’s loss is Obama’s loss is America’s loss
Wow, I can’t believe that Chicago isn’t part of the United States anymore. How did that happen? The bizarre coverage of “Obama’s embarrassment” or as I like to call it Rio’s and South America’s triumph only goes to show the state of politics in America. Polarizing. I have always been told that America and Great Britain are very similar- two peas in a pod if you will. We … [Read more...] about Chicago’s loss is Obama’s loss is America’s loss
The Ecstasy and Joy Of Victory
When an American city loses out on the 2016 Olympics, it's nirvana to some. … [Read more...] about The Ecstasy and Joy Of Victory
TEXAS GOV. PERRY THROWS WRENCH INTO INNOCENT EXECUTION INVESTIGATION
I'm bringing you the second GUEST VOICE at TMV by Mr. Elijah Sweete. To give perspective to his article below, of the 1,175 people put to death nationwide since 1977 when executions resumed in the USA, 441 have been in Texas. There have been 39 executions in the USA so far this year 2009, 18 of them in Texas. Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés TEXAS GOV. PERRY THROWS WRENCH … [Read more...] about TEXAS GOV. PERRY THROWS WRENCH INTO INNOCENT EXECUTION INVESTIGATION
Obama’s Waterloo
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obama’s Waterloo
In the Roots of the Treasure Tree: Forthcoming Books to Delight, Teach, and Debate
Wait! Dont jump off the roof because the bestseller lists have turned into books from the Right screaming at books from the Left, and visa versa. Here are some of the silly, interesting, wondrous books, and also a couple Left/ Right books forthcoming yet this year 2009, and in 2010 and one (#21), oddly but probably precipitously planned for 2011 'just in time' for the 2012 … [Read more...] about In the Roots of the Treasure Tree: Forthcoming Books to Delight, Teach, and Debate
The Flexibility of Iron-Clad Principle
It's amazing how many iron-clad truths have reversed themselves since the end of the previous administration: … [Read more...] about The Flexibility of Iron-Clad Principle
Letterman, Polanski, Palin and Beck
In last night's monologue, David Letterman makes a joke about avoiding award ceremonies for fear of being nabbed for sexual misconduct (as Roman Polanski was in Switzerland) and then gives a no-laughs account of being blackmailed over having affairs with women who work on his show. We are deep into media-outdoes-real-life here, in the terrain of the 1976 "Network" movie that … [Read more...] about Letterman, Polanski, Palin and Beck
Carl Levin’s Afghan flip-flop
Goldfarb has the goods. Four-and-a-half months ago, Chairman Carl Levin and eight other Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee signed a letter to President Obama that began We agree that the United States has a vital national interest in ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven from which al Qaeda can plot attacks against our homeland, … [Read more...] about Carl Levin’s Afghan flip-flop
What Is It With the GOP and Emergency Rooms?
Steve Benen points to another Republican cheerleader for hospital ERs as the solution for Americans who don't have health insurance: … [Read more...] about What Is It With the GOP and Emergency Rooms?
On The Fire In Obama’s Soul for Health Care Reform
Jim Marone is chairman of the political science department at Brown and author, with David Blumenthal of the Harvard Medical School, of The Heart of Power: Health and Politics in the Oval Office. He was a guest this week on Radio Open Source: Health policy, Marone argues persuasively, lays bare the soul as well as the working temperament of presidents as almost nothing else … [Read more...] about On The Fire In Obama’s Soul for Health Care Reform
Rapist Polanksi warns of Iranian nuclear threat
By my count, there are a half-dozen posts about Roman Polanski on TMV's front page right now. There are zero posts about Iran. May I suggest some reading about this obscure issue? For opposing views on sanctions and regime change, I recommend a pair of columns by Robert Kagan and Andrew Albertson that ran together in Wednesday's Washington Post. Bottom line: The Swiss … [Read more...] about Rapist Polanksi warns of Iranian nuclear threat