Newsweek's "The Gaggle" offers this analysis. … [Read more...] about How Obama Can Win On Health Care
Book Review: I’m Hosting as Fast as I Can
As part of my summer reading feast, I recently finished the biogrophy of ubiquitous television host, Tom Bergeron, called "I'm Hosting as Fast as I Can!" If you watch any television at all, there's a fair chance that you're already familiar with Tom. He is the host of the very highly rated "Dancing With the Stars" as well as the long running ABC hit, America's Funniest Videos. … [Read more...] about Book Review: I’m Hosting as Fast as I Can
Why Palin Worries About Death Panels
Sarah Palin, with a huge assist from some nameless ghostwriter, has come off of Facebook and gone mainstream with an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal. The piece includes some elements that have been discussed elsewhere: continued uncontrolled costs, tort reform, patient-centricity.... and of course, the ubiquitous, hysteria-driving "death panels". Leaving aside the rational … [Read more...] about Why Palin Worries About Death Panels
Sen. Baucus’ Health Care Proposal: ‘Not a Bad Bill’
So concludes Ezra Klein: The legislation really would protect millions of Americans from medical bankruptcy. It really would insure tens of millions of people. It really will curb the worst practices of the private insurance industry. It really will expand Medicaid and transform it from a mish-mash of state regulation into a dependable benefit. It really will lay down … [Read more...] about Sen. Baucus’ Health Care Proposal: ‘Not a Bad Bill’
Will Obama Ever Listen To Ike ?
Shortly after President Obama took office I wrote that if he were wise he would look to Eisenhower rather than Nixon when it came to dealing with overseas wars. Given the discussions in the news lately I thought it was worth reposting my thoughts for your consideration In my post, I pointed out that both Ike and Nixon faced wars when they came into office and that along with … [Read more...] about Will Obama Ever Listen To Ike ?
Brilliant Comedy
I expect many are familiar with the now legendary Pachelbel Rant but I think this video is even more brilliant … [Read more...] about Brilliant Comedy
The Silly Season This Year Is ‘Certifiably Demented’
That comes from Tunku Varadarajan, a newcomer to the United States (which I just typed as "Untied States," talk about Freudian slips). Here is more of an op-ed Varadarajan wrote (yesterday, obviously) at Forbes.com: … [Read more...] about The Silly Season This Year Is ‘Certifiably Demented’
Our Hometown: Kids Serious and Thrilled About Obama’s Speech
It's been a good while since I've written a column on "Our Hometown." I grew up in a little town, population 600 in the semi-rural backwoods. Many of you too, grew up in some little strange out of the way place. We share together the odd, strange, bizarre and beloved things that go on in small towns. Today, there is a town some ten miles to the south of where I grew up, one … [Read more...] about Our Hometown: Kids Serious and Thrilled About Obama’s Speech
How I Got So Smart
My wife and I bought a GameBoy for our son when he was in his early teens, some fifteen years ago or so. Phil is out of the house. But the GameBoy has remained with us and is far from being exiled to the Island of Unwanted Toys. Many a night while watching the evening news or catching something else on the tube, my wife and I play Tetris. Now, comes evidence that this … [Read more...] about How I Got So Smart
‘Can Obama’s Big Speech Really Turn Public Opinion Around?’
That's the topic of historian George C. Edwards III's blog post over at History News Network. Looking at presidents noted for their persuasive powers and legislative achievements, Edwards concludes that "the power to persuade" may be a bit overstated. I think that he's right. Presidents (and other political actors) can persuade only as much as the moment allows. They can … [Read more...] about ‘Can Obama’s Big Speech Really Turn Public Opinion Around?’
President Obama Speaks to Students
Bill Schorr, Cagle Cartoons This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about President Obama Speaks to Students
Dying for Health Care
Eleven years ago, Greg Missman served in the U.S. military as an Army specialist. When he finished his tour of duty, he returned to civilian life. Last year, he lost his job as a computer consultant, and with it, his health insurance. So, he decided to re-enlist in the Army for the health insurance benefits. He was sent to Afghanistan, and one month later was killed in action. … [Read more...] about Dying for Health Care
The Tally: 15%
Here in conservative country (suburban/rural Georgia), roughly 15% of my daughter's elementary school enrollment (total enrollment: 811) did not hear the speech that President Obama delivered to students today. I got this number from the one of the school's custodian who I'm friends (he counted 120 children in the gymnasium; where children went who didn't participate). That … [Read more...] about The Tally: 15%
Video of Barack Obama’s Controversial Speech To School Children
Here is the video of President Barack Obama's speech to schoolchildren -- the speech that caused some conservative Republican parents to yank their kids from school, others to forbid their schools to show it to them, and districts in several states to either not offer it or make it strictly optional. Judge for yourself: Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and … [Read more...] about Video of Barack Obama’s Controversial Speech To School Children
Wall Street’s Odds-on-Death Panels
To balance the furor over bureaucratic boards to decide whether the aged are worth saving with medical care, the financial wizards who brought on the mortgage meltdown have figured out a way to play roulette with their chances. Bankers, the New York Times reports, "plan to buy 'life settlements,' life insurance policies that ill and elderly people sell for cash--$400,000 for … [Read more...] about Wall Street’s Odds-on-Death Panels
Chavez Arrives in Italy; Lauds Oliver Stone; Wants to ‘Help’ Obama: Adnkronos, Italy
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is making news today with his splash of an arrival at the Venice Film Festival for the premier of Oliver Stone's movie about his life called South of the Border. Italian news agency Adnkronos gave this somewhat detailed account of Chavez' arrival in Venice and his comments in praise of Oliver Stone, President Obama and the Italian actresses … [Read more...] about Chavez Arrives in Italy; Lauds Oliver Stone; Wants to ‘Help’ Obama: Adnkronos, Italy
Afghanistan: So Few Options, So Many Risks
As the fighting in Afghanistan intensifies; as that war claims more and more casualties; and as critical decisions loom on national objectives, strategy and corresponding troop levels and deployments there, the debate also intensifies. I have stated my views on the Afghanistan war here and here, and so have other TMV contributors. I am probably oversimplifying things, but … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: So Few Options, So Many Risks
The Long-Term Balanced Budget (Guest Voice)
The Long-Term Balanced Budget by Hunter Hatfield With regard to budgets, we in the U.S. are typically offered two choices: 1) no balanced budget rules or 2) an annual balanced budget. Currently, 32 states have a balanced budget amendment in their constitution while 11 more have statutory rules. That's 43 of 50 states. Meanwhile, the federal government has none. As is … [Read more...] about The Long-Term Balanced Budget (Guest Voice)
Van Jones
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Van Jones
Progressives are Killing Obama’s Presidency
The last two elections (2006 and 2008) were a rebuke to a Republican party that was running amok, and utterly without coherence, vision, or leadership. They deserved to be ousted, and their overheated rhetoric and deliberate misstatements about the new administration demonstrate that they are nowhere near ready to return to power; they need far more time in the political … [Read more...] about Progressives are Killing Obama’s Presidency