Everyone knows about the troubles at Fannie and Freddie, but the Federal Housing Administration has gotten a lot less attention even though it has had by far the most dramatic change in behavior since the implosion of the lending market. The Wall Street Journal has the goods on [one of] the next bailout[s]. The FHA insures private lenders against defaults on certain home … [Read more...] about Another Government Mortgage Entity Is Blowing Up
The Economist Tests Novel Distribution Model
In England and New York City, The Economist is testing a program where customers can order a copy of the magazine by 9 pm on Thursday and have it delivered to their home before 6 am on Friday. The price? The same as the newsstands, which don't receive the magazine until 9 am on Friday. … [Read more...] about The Economist Tests Novel Distribution Model
Sanford Wants Universities’ Flight Records
Inside Higher Ed wonders, What's that saying about glass houses? The chief lawyer for South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has sent letters to Clemson University, the Medical University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina asking about their use of state-owned or leased aircraft, and who travels on such flights, The Greenville News reported. The article noted … [Read more...] about Sanford Wants Universities’ Flight Records
The Mission of a Generation
Guest Post By Malia Cohen History shows that every generation has a mission. Some rise to the challenge nobly as the Greatest Generation rose to the challenge posed by the Great Depression and the rise of fascism. Others muddle through, as did the Silent Generation of the 1950’s who largely maintained the comfortable status quo they inherited from their parents. There … [Read more...] about The Mission of a Generation
Georgia Pastor Is Latest Victim of America’s War on Drugs
I have a developing story for you all, courtesy of libertarian blogger Radley Balko: Jonathan Ayers, a 29 year old pastor of Lavonia, Georgia was shot and killed last Tuesday by undercover narcotics officers during a botched drug bust. The shooting occurred around 2:30 in the afternoon just outside a Shell station in Toccoa, Georgia, where he had just returned to his car … [Read more...] about Georgia Pastor Is Latest Victim of America’s War on Drugs
Quote of the Day: Where Is America’s Partisan Political Ugliness Heading?
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Time's Joe Klein, who attended a health care reform town hall in Arkansas and asks the question I've asked here at TMV many times: just where is America's accelerating trend towards political ugliness headed? Klein expresses shock at the number of people at the meeting who were convinced that President Barack Obama is a communist -- … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Where Is America’s Partisan Political Ugliness Heading?
The Rise and Fall of Levi Johnston
There may well be no stranger figure to arise from the election of 2008 than Levi Johnston. One minute he was just another high school jock, bragging to his buddies about how he was "getting some" from the Governor's daughter. The next he was a soon to be father with a soon to be Mother-in-law who was running for vice president and quickly becoming one of the most divisive … [Read more...] about The Rise and Fall of Levi Johnston
The White House Gets Letters….
Where'dja get those guts, guys? They look good on you: … [Read more...] about The White House Gets Letters….
Kennedy Candor
“Atonement is a process that never ends,” Ted Kennedy writes in his memoir, confronting the shame shadowing his life that was avoided in a weekend of tributes--the death of a young woman at Chappaquiddick. In a preview of the 532-page volume to be published later this month, the New York Times discloses that Kennedy "called his behavior after the 1969 car accident that … [Read more...] about Kennedy Candor
MSNBC Removes Buchanan Piece; Issues Non-Explanatory Statement
Politico's Michael Calderone reports that MSNBC has taken down Pat Buchanan's article claiming that World War II was Britain's fault, and that Hitler really never wanted to murder six million Jews. Of course, abruptly yanking the piece in response to a storm of outrage on the Internet (including a tweet to Rachel Maddow from yours truly) does not explain why MSNBC promoted it … [Read more...] about MSNBC Removes Buchanan Piece; Issues Non-Explanatory Statement
Man Finds Dead Frog In Pepsi Can
Here's yet another item about something weird showing up in a product that isn't the best P.R. for a corporation, via AFP: A Florida man who cracked open an ice cold can of Pepsi found dismembered remains of a frog, the US Food and Drug Administration said today. "It has been verified, and it was indeed a frog," Charles Watson, a spokesman at the US food inspection … [Read more...] about Man Finds Dead Frog In Pepsi Can
Still Time for Obama to Let His Allies Help Him: Liberation, France
With President Obama confronting a confluence of issues that appear to threaten his chances of having a successful term in office, his supporters in Europe are also sounding alarmed. For France's Liberation, columnist Bernard Guetta writes in part: "The likelihood is that Obama has already failed to become a new Roosevelt, an architect of a modern New Deal that without … [Read more...] about Still Time for Obama to Let His Allies Help Him: Liberation, France
Simple Answers to Easy Questions
David Broder asks, in the context of possible criminal trials for high-ranking Bush officials who ordered and sanctioned torture (a word he does not use, of course): … [Read more...] about Simple Answers to Easy Questions
On 70th Anniversary of WW II, Wounds in Europe Still Sting: NRC Handelsblad, The Netherlands
With a face perhaps reflecting contrition, German Chancellor Merkel lays a candle after giving a speech at a ceremony in Poland on the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of WW II. She said, 'We caused unending suffering in the world. I bow before the victims.' Even after 70 years, the wounds and rivalries that triggered and resulted from the last 'war to end all wars' still … [Read more...] about On 70th Anniversary of WW II, Wounds in Europe Still Sting: NRC Handelsblad, The Netherlands
One of the Most Interesting, Effective Members of the Senate
Olympia Snowe. [Crossposted at my personal blog.] … [Read more...] about One of the Most Interesting, Effective Members of the Senate
Winning in Afghanistan, Whether From Offshore or Onshore
While many Americans were accused of not supporting our troops, of being unpatriotic, and worse, for criticizing our involvement in Iraq and the way that war was being managed, I will not accuse Conservative George Will of anything. In 'Why are we still in Afghanistan?", (replace "Afghanistan with "Iraq" and see how familiar that sounds), George Will is having second … [Read more...] about Winning in Afghanistan, Whether From Offshore or Onshore
Obama in trouble
Patrick Chappatte, The International Herald Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Obama in trouble
TV Milestone: Reading Rainbow Comes To End
A TV milestone: PBS's Reading Rainbow is coming to an end due to not just funding but a change in philosophy: Reading Rainbow comes to the end of its 26-year run on Friday; it has won more than two-dozen Emmys, and is the third longest-running children's show in PBS history — outlasted only by Sesame Street and Mister Rogers. The show, which started in 1983, was … [Read more...] about TV Milestone: Reading Rainbow Comes To End
Health Care Reform Supporter Bites Off Health Care Opponent’s Finger
It wouldn't be news if someone on one side of the debate gave some on the other side other the finger at a healthcare reform meeting. But it IS news it someone bites off someone else's finger. KTLA reports: - A 65-year-old man had his finger bitten off Wednesday evening at a health care rally in Thousand Oaks, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform Supporter Bites Off Health Care Opponent’s Finger
Why Not?
Described by the NYT as "a veteran health care expert who oversaw the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs for the first President George Bush and advised Senator John McCain in his presidential campaign last year," Gail Wilensky tells the paper: ... the entire health care system should stop paying doctors an individual fee for each service they provide patients — … [Read more...] about Why Not?