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
Like Israelis, It’s Time for Palestinians to ‘Anger’ Obama: Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
Since despite having angered President Obama, the Israelis have succeeded in rejecting his demand that they halt settlements on Palestinian land, is it time the Palestinians took a page from Israel's book and anger President Obama as well? According to K. Selim of Algeria's Le Quotidien d’Oran, by failing to reject Obama's request to have his photo taken with Israeli Leader … [Read more...] about Like Israelis, It’s Time for Palestinians to ‘Anger’ Obama: Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
Failed attempts at politically correct toys
There is some strong language at the link, so don't click if you're easily offended, but sometimes you wonder "What the hell were they thinking???" An Obama sock monkey toy, who thought that was a good idea? Cracked.com: 7 Hilariously Failed Attempts at Politically Correct Toys --- UPDATE: Now Time Magazine is getting in the act: Top 10 dubious … [Read more...] about Failed attempts at politically correct toys
No Disproportionate Decline in Jewish Support for Obama Over Mideast Policies
A new Gallup poll reveals that Pres. Obama's Jewish support is the strongest of any other non-Hispanic white religious grouping: … [Read more...] about No Disproportionate Decline in Jewish Support for Obama Over Mideast Policies
Brooks declares war on talk radio
David Brooks' column this morning is a guns-blazing assault on Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and the rest of the conservative talk radio-sphere. As Pete noted earlier, Brooks also has harsh words for those Republicans who ignorantly overestimate the influence of Limbaugh & Co. Let the record also show that Brooks is no more fond of "cynical Democrats, who love to … [Read more...] about Brooks declares war on talk radio
Say it three times, “There’s no place like home”
I've been off the network for almost two weeks now, while my wife and I were in the process of moving into our new home in Northwest DC. This move will mark the end of an era. I've packed up and moved almost every 12 months since graduating from college ten years ago. Now, I've found a place where I hope to live for ten or twenty years or longer. For the moment, it … [Read more...] about Say it three times, “There’s no place like home”
Hey! Who’s Troubling You Honey?
On my way back from a trip abroad, I generally try to pick up the best honey for my close relations. During the past decade I have been hearing that the supply of honey may become scarce with the bees vanishing at an alarming rate. It's a question that has baffled the worlds of agriculture and science – what is it that has caused the mysterious deaths of honey bees all over … [Read more...] about Hey! Who’s Troubling You Honey?
Common Decency and the Rule of Law v. Roman Polanski and the Hollywood Elite
I think Ed Morrissey is right, more or less, that a "Left-Right consensus" is "building on Polanski." I say "more or less" because I think that formulation oversimplifies the situation somewhat. It isn't so much that both liberals and conservatives are coming out against Polanski and his apologists, it's that pretty much everyone with a modicum of common decency and respect for … [Read more...] about Common Decency and the Rule of Law v. Roman Polanski and the Hollywood Elite
Was August The Peak Of The “Recovery?”
Many economic measures for September have been released the last two days and they are all worse than August. Manufacturing activity still expanded slightly but at a slower rate than August. [Note: it says fell but that means the number went down. It was still above 50, signaling expansion. I hate their terminology as it was saying it "rose" six months ago when it went from 40 … [Read more...] about Was August The Peak Of The “Recovery?”
A Dour-ing Dow
For months the stock market has resembled a smoker who knows it's time to quit but can't give up the weed just yet. For this smoker there's always some occasion that seems to require one more butt. A stress situation that can only be met with a smoke. That cup of morning coffee, or the after dinner nicotine closer. Or being with someone else doing the drag you can't watch … [Read more...] about A Dour-ing Dow
Chicago Eliminated From 2016 Olympics
The Olympic Committee has voted to eliminate two cities from contention for the 2016 Olympics. Tokyo, Japan Chicago, Illinois. Chicago was actually the first to go, followed by Tokyo This leaves Madrid and Rio, with Rio being a favorite as there has never been an Olympics in South America. Madrid however does have a good set of facilities ready so they should not be … [Read more...] about Chicago Eliminated From 2016 Olympics
Long Live the Public Option!
Sen. Tom Harkin: "We will have a bill on the president's desk before Christmas, a health-reform bill. It will have a lot of good stuff in it. It will have a lot of prevention and wellness programs in there that I've been fighting for. And it will have a public option... The question of if it doesn't isn't even an option." Plus, Republicans won't be involved in putting a bill … [Read more...] about Long Live the Public Option!
Why Talk Radio Political Culture Conservatives are “Winning” and will Win
Democrats may be aghast, some independent voters may be stunned, and traditional Republican conservatives truly descended from Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater may talk about needing to reverse the demonization tide. But Neal Gabler writing in the L.A. Times contends that 21st century conservatism is now akin to religion -- and that compromise will not only do no good but … [Read more...] about Why Talk Radio Political Culture Conservatives are “Winning” and will Win
Roman Polanski and Hollywood
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Roman Polanski and Hollywood
The GOP and Its Wrongly Crowned Kings
If you see a spade, call it a spade. David Brooks does. The money graph: Over the years, I have asked many politicians what happens when Limbaugh and his colleagues attack. The story is always the same. Hundreds of calls come in. The receptionists are miserable. But the numbers back home do not move. There is no effect on the favorability rating or the re-election … [Read more...] about The GOP and Its Wrongly Crowned Kings
Barack and Michelle Obama Address International Olympic Committee
Here's Part 1 and Part II of Fox News video now up on You Tube of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama making their pitch to the Olympic committee for Chicago as the 2016 Olympics city: Here's the text of Obama's comments. Here's the text of Michelle Obama's comments. FOOTNOTE: My satellite radio (the device that lets me escape regular talk radio) … [Read more...] about Barack and Michelle Obama Address International Olympic Committee
Letterman Sex, Extortion, Arrest & Review
The video: And extortion: A CBS News employee is under arrest for trying to extort $2 million from David Letterman, forcing the late-night host to admit in an extraordinary monologue before millions of viewers that he had sexual relationships with female employees. And arrest: In a statement late Thursday, the network said: "CBS was made aware of an ongoing police … [Read more...] about Letterman Sex, Extortion, Arrest & Review