I've been munching popcorn out here in the Empire State and watching next year's gubernatorial race shape up for some time now. It's been very entertaining in an electoral off year, with Governor David Paterson's approval ratings cycling somewhere between dismal and "they're just not that into you." (He just ticked off a lot more Democrats by suspending fiscal support of … [Read more...] about Obama to Shove Out Paterson?
ACORN and the Press
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about ACORN and the Press
Australia: Kevin Rudd’s Colourful Words & Deeds
Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd has a reputation of creating ripples with his irreverent words and deeds. Now a storm has broken out over Rudd's use of four-letter words while arguing with some Members of Parliament. Interestingly, Rudd defended his outburst. The PM said in the presence of three female MPs: "I don't care what you f***ers think," News Limited has … [Read more...] about Australia: Kevin Rudd’s Colourful Words & Deeds
Elizabeth Edwards
This is not the sort of topic I usually write about, but there's a New York Times article today by Neil Lewis -- mostly based on a book proposal by Andrew Young for a book about the affair between John Edwards and Rielle Hunter. Here is one of the more arresting passages (emphasis is mine): … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Edwards
Proud to be Dim (Guest Voice)
Proud to be Dim by Will Durst Remember back in grade school, when all learning came to a screeching halt while the teacher stopped to explain what was going on to the slow kids? She’d spend the entire morning trying to simplify the lesson plan so they could get it. Using small words in her annoying patient voice, which tended to pitch strident the slower she talked. Well, … [Read more...] about Proud to be Dim (Guest Voice)
I Want My Country Back
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about I Want My Country Back
“Yes We Can,” “Maybe We Shouldn’t”
Is Barack Obama trying to hide some innate shyness? After being on 60 Minutes almost as often as Andy Rooney and rivaling Oprah on weekday TV, the President will go for overexposure records with five Sunday talk shows tomorrow to be followed by Letterman Monday night. The All Obama All the Time blitz is meant to explain and sell health care reform to confused Americans, but … [Read more...] about “Yes We Can,” “Maybe We Shouldn’t”
The Cost of Not Reforming Health Care Access
Reuters reported on this study done by researchers at Harvard Medical School: … [Read more...] about The Cost of Not Reforming Health Care Access
Nissan “beautiful and futuristic” Noise: Cars To Sound Like Blade Runner Spinners
Electric cars are quiet. That's a potential problem for pedestrians and cyclists. The LATimes: Nissan sound engineers have announced that the Leaf electric car set for release next year will emit a “beautiful and futuristic” noise similar to the sound of flying cars -- or “spinners” -- that buzz around 2019 Los Angeles in Ridley Scott’s dystopian thriller based on a Philip K. … [Read more...] about Nissan “beautiful and futuristic” Noise: Cars To Sound Like Blade Runner Spinners
The futility of American deaths in Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, the US is heading towards futility if not defeat mainly because no policy maker in Washington or its allied European capitals is willing to notice the bull in the china shop obvious to others. Washington and its NATO allies are focused on the awful recent elections. They are running in circles trying to establish democracy and rule of law in country where the … [Read more...] about The futility of American deaths in Afghanistan
ACORN’s Fed Funding Loss A Drop In The Bucket?
Frankly, my dear, I didn't give a damn about ACORN's community organizing for the impoverished until I saw the videos on You Tube obtained by a self-described nerd who is more of an icon-shattering crusader than staunch conservative as some would have us believe. That caught me attention. In case you missed it the edited snippets show low-level ACORN representatives telling … [Read more...] about ACORN’s Fed Funding Loss A Drop In The Bucket?
The Changing Face of Conservatism
Andrew Sullivan ponders: from Irving Kristol to Glenn Beck? … [Read more...] about The Changing Face of Conservatism
CIA Directors Want Torture Investigation Shelved
It's not news that the CIA does not want the torture investigation to go forward. It's who they are lobbying to achieve that end that is truly egregious: … [Read more...] about CIA Directors Want Torture Investigation Shelved
Let’s Make a Deal: Beltway Edition (Guest Voice)
Let's Make a Deal: Beltway Edition by Michael Winship If you ever needed proof that Washington is governed by the Golden Rule - the one that says, he who has the gold, rules - you only have to look at the wagonloads of cash being dumped by big business into crushing President Obama's domestic agenda. Good gosh, how the money rolls in. And I'm not only talking about the … [Read more...] about Let’s Make a Deal: Beltway Edition (Guest Voice)
Beck Pest
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Beck Pest
Micheal Pollan Predicts Big Food Will Be Brought To Account By Big Insurance
If you, like me, missed Micheal Pollan's OpEd in the NYTimes last week, it's worth a read: No one disputes that the $2.3 trillion we devote to the health care industry is often spent unwisely, but the fact that the United States spends twice as much per person as most European countries on health care can be substantially explained, as a study released last month says, by our … [Read more...] about Micheal Pollan Predicts Big Food Will Be Brought To Account By Big Insurance
Health Care Debate Makes Life Hard for Black ‘Blue Dogs’ in Georgia
Georgia congressmen Sanford Bishop and David Scott are both ‘Blue Dog’ Democrats. And both are being put to the test by the raging health care debate. McClatchy Newspapers: While both men say they're comfortable balancing the fiscal conservatism and strong support for the military that the Blue Dog Coalition advocates with the black caucus's socially progressive platform — … [Read more...] about Health Care Debate Makes Life Hard for Black ‘Blue Dogs’ in Georgia
The Netherlands: Land of Windmills, Tulips…and Camels?
I lived in the Netherlands for many years and I fondly remember its windmills, its gorgeous fields of tulips, and of course its delicious cheese---made from that great Dutch koe melk (cow milk). I don't remember, however, seeing any camels grazing in the luscious Dutch pastures. That's why the headline in this morning's news.scotsman.com got my attention. … [Read more...] about The Netherlands: Land of Windmills, Tulips…and Camels?
Stream of Consciousness Saturday (Guest Voice)
Stream of Consciousness Saturday by Rick Moran A lot of things have happened this week that have entered the airy cavity sitting atop my neck and floated around waiting to be recognized as conscious thought. I can imagine all these little snippets of inner dialogue waiting patiently in line, bitching about how slow a goose I am at moving them from the dark of my … [Read more...] about Stream of Consciousness Saturday (Guest Voice)
The Executioner’s Tale
On Tuesday evening this week, in Ohio, Rommel Broom was led to the lethal injection chamber for the 1984 abduction, rape, torture and murder of a 14 year old girl. Two hours later, Broom walked out under his own power after technicians were unable to insert an I.V. properly into a vein. This is stirring up another controversy over whether or not the state can attempt to put … [Read more...] about The Executioner’s Tale