I was a big fan of Obama and felt he would be very good for the country, but I am one of the few supporters that hasn't been surprised at his lack of reforms thus far. It was obvious he was going to defend the status quo and attempt to address the country's problems through the existing political lenses. I have always thought that this would fail and at that point his "real … [Read more...] about I’m Speechless About How Much Damage Obama Is Doing When It Comes To The Financial Sector
A Former Navy Officer Stands Up For Gay Rights
You know me by now. I find that Letters to the Editor generally depict the unvarnished views of "regular" Americans, and I often use them support a particular point of view. Of course, these same letters can also express points of view that I do not agree with. I am sure that those who oppose my views can and will use those in order to support their views. Anyway, in the … [Read more...] about A Former Navy Officer Stands Up For Gay Rights
(Guest Voice) Texas Mysteries: Did ‘Perry’s Office’ Pressure Commission Chair To Drop Innocence Investigation?
Hello there, Dr. Estés here. UPDATE to the story continuing to unfold in Texas between Governor Perry and a Commission looking into facts, or lack of... surrounding a man condemned to death in Texas. A mystery within a mystery as some facts/motives surfaced by usual means, but some recently appeared from 'invisible hands.' To give clarity? Or to purposely muddy the waters? … [Read more...] about (Guest Voice) Texas Mysteries: Did ‘Perry’s Office’ Pressure Commission Chair To Drop Innocence Investigation?
My God Is More Compassionate Than Theirs
The mere mention of the Westboro Baptist Church in any form of the media is a victory for the gay-bashing anti-Semite demented hate mongers. I'm sorry but I will risk being struck by a bolt of lightning by saying the group will be protesting at a number of San Diego area churches Saturday night. Here's a blurb from their website: Since 1955, Westboro Baptist Church … [Read more...] about My God Is More Compassionate Than Theirs
Story for a Slow News Day
Really a who cares? story in the larger scheme of things, but having said that, what kind of parents (or human beings, for that matter) would report that a lighter-than-air helium balloon got loose from its moorings with their six-year-old son inside it; and let dozens of rescuers, including the Colorado Air National Guard, spend four hours chasing the balloon over a distance … [Read more...] about Story for a Slow News Day
The UNHRC Adopts the Goldstone Repoirt (Sort of)
The UNHRC has officially adopted the Goldstone report criticizing Israel and Hamas for their conduct during the Gaza war. Well, sort of -- though Goldstone's report contained criticisms of both Israel and Hamas, the UNHRC's resolution, "inexplicably", says nary a word about Hamas. Stunning, I know. Judge Goldstone apparently is displeased with this, but you can't tell me he's … [Read more...] about The UNHRC Adopts the Goldstone Repoirt (Sort of)
Health Insurers’ Self-Inflicted Wounds
If there is an emergency room for lobbyists, the gunslingers for America's health insurance giants need treatment for shooting themselves in the foot when they went on the attack this week against the Senate Finance Committee's bill. Their coming out of the weeds has drawn fire, first from the White House ("everyone recognizes their motives: profits") and now Nancy Pelosi as … [Read more...] about Health Insurers’ Self-Inflicted Wounds
Bush’s Doctrine of Preemptive Attack About to Be Changed?
I have always believed that if there is a clear and present danger to the security of the United States or an imminent attack, our country has every right to launch a preemptive military strike against the potential source of such a threat. Regrettable, such a valid doctrine, in my opinion, was adulterated by the previous administration. Early in his … [Read more...] about Bush’s Doctrine of Preemptive Attack About to Be Changed?
The War Against Dede
Friday's Wall Street Journal reports on how Tea-Party conservatives are successfully trying to damage a moderate Republican's shot at a vacant Congressional seat in Upstate New York that has long been a Republican seat. The Republican in question is Dede Scozzafava, a Republican State Assemblywoman who is running to suceed John McHugh, a Republican congressman that was tapped … [Read more...] about The War Against Dede
Brutal Queens Gay Hate Beating Crime Caught On Tape
A major story is breaking on the East Coast in New York City -- a brutal gay beating hate crime that was caught on video tape. The victim, 49-year-old Jack Price, crawled to his apartment and managed to call police and identify his attackers before being rushed to a hospital where he is reportedly in a medically induced coma with multiple serious injuries. Here is the AP … [Read more...] about Brutal Queens Gay Hate Beating Crime Caught On Tape
Pakistan Army and Terrorism
Paresh Nath, The Khaleej Times, UAE This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Pakistan Army and Terrorism
Conservatives Who Don’t Cut Taxes
Look to Britain, per David Brooks. Where the Tories are headed is all very consistent with Barry Goldwater, who advised nearly a half-century ago, in The Conscience of a Conservative, that conservatives' first priority on fiscal matters is fiscal soundness; that tax cuts should only be considered after spending is controlled. (For Goldwater's exact words, reference pages … [Read more...] about Conservatives Who Don’t Cut Taxes
Parking Privatization — Beware The Slippery Slope
If you drive a car in virtually any city or town in this country you probably think the parking ticket situation couldn't be worse. Silly you. It's actually much worse in other parts of the world, and nowhere worse than in the U.K. There are so many god-awful parking tales coming out of the U.K. these days they appear in its media almost as often as local weather reports. … [Read more...] about Parking Privatization — Beware The Slippery Slope
Cannabis: Young & Old Love To Go To Pot
In many parts of India you can see people enjoying bhang/hashish (or cannabis/marijuana) by the roadside without attracting a look of surprise or disapproval. It is only when the Western world began to raise hue and cry that people in the urban areas began to smoke/drink it discreetly at the occasional activation of the dormant laws. In nearly 80 per cent of India it is … [Read more...] about Cannabis: Young & Old Love To Go To Pot
Don’t Mess With Macy’s
There's the old joke about the heartless corporation that is so bad it will do anything to collect a debt. Well Macy's in Sacramento, California seems to have taken this to a whole new level. It all began when Ken and Patty Blomberg got into a dispute with the store over the purchase of some rugs that they never got but Macy's still wanted them to pay for. That dispute … [Read more...] about Don’t Mess With Macy’s
Olbermann Right, Matthews Wrong On Rush/NFL
Those who read my postings know that I am not a fan of either Rush Limbaugh or Keith Olbermann and I often am critical of the crap they spew from opposite ends of the political spectrum. I'm also not a very big NFL fan so I really don't care who owns what team. But I have been bothered by the recent controversy where people said that Rush should not be allowed to buy a team … [Read more...] about Olbermann Right, Matthews Wrong On Rush/NFL
Monty Python DVR Alert
For anyone who is, like me, a Monty Python fan, this is a DVR alert. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the legendary group and over on the Independent Film Channel they will be airing a 6 part documentary which will offer a look at the best of the best and the story behind the story. It starts this Sunday the 18th and continues all week. So get those DVR's set … [Read more...] about Monty Python DVR Alert
Guest Voice: Health Insurance House of Mirrors
Hello there, Dr. Estés here w/ a tale of being mix-mastered in the house of mirrors passing for health insurance-- or not. The cadeusus w/ sword and serpent once meant instinctive balance of mind/spirit, (serpent considered helping messenger between heaven & earth) w/strong dose of protectiveness toward body via symbol of flaming sword, to fight afflictions. Nowadays, seems … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Health Insurance House of Mirrors
Americans Hope and Pray as a Silvery Balloon Speeds Across the Skies of Colorado
I am sure most of our readers were glued to the television sets for almost two hours this afternoon, hoping and praying for the safety and life of 6-year-old Falcon Heene, if he happened to be aboard the ill-fated silvery balloon. We all held our breath when the balloon more-or-less-gently touched down in a field, and while the rescuers and emergency personnel searched … [Read more...] about Americans Hope and Pray as a Silvery Balloon Speeds Across the Skies of Colorado
15-Year-Old Set On Fire By Classmates
Just one of the heartbreaking details in this story is that it began on the boy's 15th birthday. Terrified of going to school, his mother called and set an appointment with the safety officer. He never made it. Her tears lay bare the horror of it. I believe we all should share in that horror. We carry some blame. This kind of violence, like the recent Chicago beating death … [Read more...] about 15-Year-Old Set On Fire By Classmates