Four years ago, I wrote a six-part series at The Reaction -- "Democracy in Deutschland" -- on the German federal election. It was a fascinating election and a fascinating time in German politics, culminating in the creation of a so-called "Grand Coalition" between Angela Merkel's center-right CDU (along with its Bavarian sister party, the right-wing CSU) and the incumbent … [Read more...] about Democracy in Deutschland, Revisited
This quote seems apropos of the times, despite being written well over a decade ago
Once, long ago, the universe seemed to make sense to me, even if some people in it didn't make sense. Now, nothing seems rational or sensible any more, and something written for a satire seems to be the best description: There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced … [Read more...] about This quote seems apropos of the times, despite being written well over a decade ago
More Health Care Scare-Mongering
Some of our readers, I am sure, read the New York Times. Some---perhaps many---do not. They don't know what they are missing. Some love the New York Times. Some don't. They have quite different feelings towards the venerable publication---too graphic to describe here. But we'll forgive them for that. I, for one, read, like and---most of the time---agree with the New York … [Read more...] about More Health Care Scare-Mongering
Interview with Stephen Abraham
As we steadily approach January, by which time President Obama has promised to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, and as the Supreme Court, Congress and the nation continue to ponder appropriate outcomes, my latest interview in my series of interviews relevant to "the war on terror" (by my count, the 50th such interview) is with retired Army Reserve Lt. Col. Stephen … [Read more...] about Interview with Stephen Abraham
Roman Polanski: Scumbag
As you may have heard by now, infamous film director Roman Polanski has been arrested in Switzerland more than thirty years after the fact of his crimes and may be extradited to the United States. For those of us who have been outraged by this case for decades, it may come as cold comfort to see justice finally served when the criminal is in his twilight years and has lived a … [Read more...] about Roman Polanski: Scumbag
Ahmadinejad on Holocaust
Michael Keefe, The Denver Post This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Ahmadinejad on Holocaust
Michael Moore’s New “You Tube Moment” Interview With CNN’s Wolf Blitzer
CNN's Wolf Blitzer and Michael Moore are not enmeshed in a mutual admiration society. Two years ago Blitzer criticized some of the info in Moore's hit movie "Sicko" and had what they called a "You Tube" moment. To recap go HERE. And now they've had yet another one on CNN during Moore's latest CNN appearance to promote his new movie (which promises to be a smash hit) … [Read more...] about Michael Moore’s New “You Tube Moment” Interview With CNN’s Wolf Blitzer
How Not To Get Swine Flu (Guest Voice)
How Not to Get the Swine Flu Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Well, look at the time. Aren’t we expecting the Return of the Bride of the Son of the Swine Flu pretty soon? That’s right. It’s Baaaaack and this time, it’s personal. Scientists predict the virus will be worse this swing through the Northern Hemisphere, but come on, no matter how bad it gets, it’s still not going … [Read more...] about How Not To Get Swine Flu (Guest Voice)
Pleading the 17th
In 1913 our nation suffered a collective failure of judgment when we passed the 17th amendment. It was not a mistake to hand the power of electing senators to the voters rather than state legislatures, but we really dropped the ball when we put in an "option" for each state to pick and choose whether their governor could make interim appointments. The fundamental harm this … [Read more...] about Pleading the 17th
Australian Town Bans Water In Plastic Bottles
Australian town of Bundanoon has become the first in the world to ban commercially-bottled water. The ban, which is supported by local shopkeepers, means water in plastic bottles can no longer be bought in the town in the Southern Highlands, two hours from Sydney. Instead, reusable bottles have gone on sale, which can be refilled for free at new drinking fountains (photo … [Read more...] about Australian Town Bans Water In Plastic Bottles
Dan Riehl: Bill Sparkman May Have Been A Child Molester
It seems that haunting right-wing refrain about waiting for all the facts to be in only applies to liberals and Democrats. There's been a fair bit of speculation about who might have killed Bill Sparkman and why, based on the relatively few facts that are known in the case right now, but here Dan Riehl has gone and started speculating on the possibility that Sparkman was a … [Read more...] about Dan Riehl: Bill Sparkman May Have Been A Child Molester
If Texting Ban Comes, Truckers Want an Exception
Really??? The trucking industry says these devices can be used safely, posing less of a distraction than BlackBerrys, iPhones and similar gadgets, and therefore should be exempted from legislation that would ban texting while driving. “We think that’s overkill,” Clayton Boyce, spokesman for the American Trucking Associations, said of a federal bill that would force states … [Read more...] about If Texting Ban Comes, Truckers Want an Exception
Climate Change: World Must Ratchet Up Pressure on Obama (Le Figaro, France)
"Future news from September, 2012: After eight infuriated, highly-armed polar bears seize the U.N. General Assembly, the world suddenly realizes it confronts a new form of terrorism." As the climate Change Summit in Copenhagen draws ever closer, pessimism is growing over whether the biggest gas emitters will take action to stop what most scientists assure us will be a … [Read more...] about Climate Change: World Must Ratchet Up Pressure on Obama (Le Figaro, France)
Don’t Buy Health Care? Pay $25,000. Can’t Afford The Fine? Spend A Year In Jail.
Guest Post By Leonidas Leonidas is a frequent, right of center commenter on The Moderate Voice and has been invited as a Guest Voice. ********** Policio reports: Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) received a handwritten note Thursday from Joint Committee on Taxation Chief of Staff Tom Barthold confirming the penalty for failing to pay the up to $1,900 fee for not buying … [Read more...] about Don’t Buy Health Care? Pay $25,000. Can’t Afford The Fine? Spend A Year In Jail.
Andrew J. Bacevich: Turn the Hot War Into a Cold War
Having read two of Andrew J. Bacevich's books now (The New American Militarism and The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism) I know that he is always worth reading, even when you don't agree with his conclusions (although I mostly do). … [Read more...] about Andrew J. Bacevich: Turn the Hot War Into a Cold War
William Safire, 1929-2009
William Safire has died at the age of 79. He had pancreatic cancer. Same thing that killed Dan Fogelberg, although in his case at a much younger age. … [Read more...] about William Safire, 1929-2009
After 35 Years, A Case Of Tuna And Stolen Pension
It must be a bittersweet experience for my mother-in-law and hundreds of cannery workers being honored today for their contributions to a city's industry that was snuffed a generation ago. The San Diego Unified Port District spent a half-million dollars to erect a bronze sculpture and commemorate the site honoring tuna and albacore fishing and cannery workers at the … [Read more...] about After 35 Years, A Case Of Tuna And Stolen Pension
Streisand at the Village Vanguard
My friend Sam, who lives around the corner, wrote earlier in the week, "Saturday night Babs Streisand is giving a one time only night at the Village Vangard where she got her start. Can you imagine?" It was her first time back to the club in 48 years: Max Gordon, late owner of the Village Vanguard, liked to tell the possibly exaggerated story of the “little pisher” who hung … [Read more...] about Streisand at the Village Vanguard
Why Not Let Foreignors and Aliens Buy Into Health Insurance?
Despite all the dysfunctional attributes of the U.S. healthcare and health insurance industries, we do provide some people with the world’s best medical care as a result of cutting-edge technology and procedures provided by the world’s most talented physicians at some of our top institutions. People with real life-threatening diseases come from around the world to many … [Read more...] about Why Not Let Foreignors and Aliens Buy Into Health Insurance?
Iran Test Fires Missiles
Iran's in-your-face stance continues as it test fire short-range missiles, with some cable reports saying long range tests will come in coming months. The New York Times reports: Iran test-fired short-range missiles as its elite Revolutionary Guards began war games on Sunday aimed at boosting the Islamic Republic's deterrent capabilities, official media reported. The … [Read more...] about Iran Test Fires Missiles