With McChrystal et al. pushing for a significant troop increase -- an irresponsible one, in my view, given that it's not clear anymore what the purpose of the war is -- this comes as something of a pleasant development: President Obama is exploring alternatives to a major troop increase in Afghanistan, including a plan advocated by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to scale … [Read more...] about What Should Obama Do About Afghanistan?
Palin Now Sees China Clearly from Hong Kong Hotel Window
After becoming an expert on U.S-Russia relations during her campaign for the vice-presidency by claiming that Russia could be seen from Alaska, Sarah Palin can now add a second major power to her foreign policy credentials: China. By reading a prepared, major foreign policy speech before a packed ballroom in Hong Kong’s Grand Hyatt hotel, Sarah Palin has now clearly and … [Read more...] about Palin Now Sees China Clearly from Hong Kong Hotel Window
Eric Cantor and Republican “Compassion”
According to Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), if you're sick (even seriously sick, like with cancer) and don't have insurance, you should either look for "an existing government program" or beg for charity. This is what passes for Republican "compassion" these days. You're sick? Tough luck. ********** "No one in this country, given who we are, should be sitting without an … [Read more...] about Eric Cantor and Republican “Compassion”
They’re all a bunch of hypocrites!
A hypocrite is someone other than me! That seems to be a good working definition for most of us. Of course the pious are already distancing themselves from my definition. But they are all a bunch of hypocrites. Seldom, if ever, do we pair the word hypocrite with a first-person pronoun. We all know that we’re not the hypocrites in the room. It’s those other people over … [Read more...] about They’re all a bunch of hypocrites!
Quote of the Day: Glenn Beck “Post Conservative”?
Our political Quote of the Day is from Nate Silver, who adds some perspective on rumblings within the conservative movement (which seemingly has already been split between the descendents of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan and the talk radio political culture conservatives) about talk show host mega-star Glenn Beck: Buried in the cross-tabs of the new NBC/Wall Street … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Glenn Beck “Post Conservative”?
Netflix: Brilliant Innovation or Privacy Violation?
The big tech news Monday was that Netflix announced a winner in its infamous contest to improve the accuracy of its recommendation algorithm, Cinematch, by 10 percent. The $1 million Netflix Prize was offered three years ago. The race ended in a mathematically statistical tie. Under the contest's complex rules the winners beat the second place team by only 23 minutes: The … [Read more...] about Netflix: Brilliant Innovation or Privacy Violation?
German Editorials on the Missile Shield: ‘The Time for Confrontation is Over’ – Financial Times Deutschland
Continuing with our global coverage of President Obama's decision to put an end to Bush-era anti-missile bases in East Europe, this is a German editorial roundup of nine regional newspapers from the Financial Times Deutschland. They are unanimously supportive of ditching the bases. For example, medium-sized newspaper, the Fuldaer Zeitung of Fulda, opines on the president's … [Read more...] about German Editorials on the Missile Shield: ‘The Time for Confrontation is Over’ – Financial Times Deutschland
Kanye West Interrupts Barack Obama (Video)
This just in!! … [Read more...] about Kanye West Interrupts Barack Obama (Video)
The Fox News Target Audience
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The Fox News Target Audience
Bill’s Boswell, Nixon Shrink, Obama Cool
The mental health of presidents comes to the fore with Taylor Branch's new book about eight years of confessional conversations with Bill Clinton in the White House. In more than 70 hours-long sessions, Clinton poured out his feelings to a journalist/friend, a cathartic adventure that recalls the furtive relationship of Richard Nixon with a therapist that started before his … [Read more...] about Bill’s Boswell, Nixon Shrink, Obama Cool
Afghanistan War Issue Heats Up In U.S. and Europe
The Afghanistan war issue is heating in the U.S. and Europe as the war reaches a fork in the road -- and a decision point about the future: Ron Beasley looks at Obama and Afghanistan against the context of LBJ and Vietnam. Sen John McCain calls for more troops. Obama considers a strategy shift. NRO's Jim Geraghty says the Democrats never really meant what was said … [Read more...] about Afghanistan War Issue Heats Up In U.S. and Europe
Talk Radio Feud: Mark Levin Blasts Glenn Beck
As Bugs Bunny used to say, "Of course you know, this means war!" But this time it's verbal war: it's rising conservative bombastic talker Mark Levin against Glenn Beck. As we noted in this earlier post, Beck is coming under fire now from some conservatives who feel he's bad for the conservative movement. Beck is being seen by some to be a bad image for conservatives and … [Read more...] about Talk Radio Feud: Mark Levin Blasts Glenn Beck
You Have Two Cows…
I just received an e-mail in Spanish from a friend. It was titled " La Culpa es de la Vaca," (It's the cow's fault), and started as follows: COMUNISMO: Tienes 2 vacas. El estado te quita las dos y te regala un poco de la leche. (COMMUNISM: You have two cows. The government takes both of them and gives you a little bit of milk) And so it went on with Socialism, … [Read more...] about You Have Two Cows…
Costco Fuel Settlement: $0 for class, $10,000,000 for attorneys
The Center for Class Action Fairness: Costco, along with other fuel retailers, has been sued over the way it measures gallons of fuel in some states. The putative class plaintiffs have settled the case--for zero dollars for the class, and ten million dollars for the attorneys... If you also find the settlement objectionable, and are looking for an attorney to assist you with … [Read more...] about Costco Fuel Settlement: $0 for class, $10,000,000 for attorneys
Congress Catches Mighty Oaks With Net Meant for ACORN
Talk about the Law of Unintended Consequences: … [Read more...] about Congress Catches Mighty Oaks With Net Meant for ACORN
Obama ‘One Card Ahead’ of Moscow and Tehran. Clever!: Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace, France
So who comes out ahead of President Obama's decision to freeze or scrap Europe-based, Bush-era anti-missile sites? According to this op-ed by Dominique Jung of France's Les Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace, Barack Obama is looking like a pretty good card player right at the moment. For Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace, Dominique Jung writes of why East and West Europe differ … [Read more...] about Obama ‘One Card Ahead’ of Moscow and Tehran. Clever!: Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace, France
Hollywood Talkin’ But Where’s The Cash?
Once again Hollywood is on the attack. This time with a "PSA" about Protecting Insurance Companies. Click HERE to view the video via Funny Or Die (a new window will open). NOTE: I didn't embed the video due the preview slowing down the site. Of course the predictable "Hollywood are a bunch of stupid, clueless, latte liberal elites" (implied not said) from various sources … [Read more...] about Hollywood Talkin’ But Where’s The Cash?
My, How Dickensian You Are Looking Tonight, Mr. Cantor!
Alastair Sim had more charm, I think. Via Think Progress. … [Read more...] about My, How Dickensian You Are Looking Tonight, Mr. Cantor!
The Real Time Web Explained…
From ReadWriteWeb, In Exactly 100 Words: The Real-Time Web is a paradigm based on pushing information to users as soon as it's available - instead of requiring that they or their software check a source periodically for updates. It can be enabled in many different ways and can require a different technical architecture. It's being implemented in social networking, search, news … [Read more...] about The Real Time Web Explained…
More Victims of America’s War on Drugs
Reason Magazine reminds us that nonviolent users of illegal drugs aren't the only victims of America's War on (some) Drugs. A number of physicians and patients suffering from incurable neurogenic diseases have been sent to prison all because your congressmen and congresswoman insist that they (and not physicians) should be making decisions about prescribing pain … [Read more...] about More Victims of America’s War on Drugs