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
Laura Bush Criticizes Excessive Partisanship, Praises Obama
Former first lady Laura Bush has lamented excessive partisanship and defended President Barack Obama in an interview with CNN that will probably cause her to be labeled a RINO who just doesn't get in some parts of the talk radio political culture. In fact, in the interview she shows that she not only does get it but is quite astute politically about the trending in … [Read more...] about Laura Bush Criticizes Excessive Partisanship, Praises Obama
British Muslims Convicted Of Plotting Britain’s 9/11
Three British Muslims were convicted yesterday of plotting to commit "mass murder on an unimaginable scale" by blowing up transatlantic airliners in an attempt to kill thousands of people in the air and on the ground, reports The Independent. "Last night, senior Scotland Yard detectives told The Independent that, if the plot had been successful, the death toll could easily … [Read more...] about British Muslims Convicted Of Plotting Britain’s 9/11
Politics: What’s Old is New Again
A timely reminder about how both sides of the aisle politicize even the most routine matters. … [Read more...] about Politics: What’s Old is New Again
How Do Dumb Things Happen?
I am the first to admit that I am the king of dumb mistakes. Whether it's in my personal life or my professional one, I am quite capable (indeed sometimes it seems eager) to make dumb blunders. Normally they are pretty minor but once in a while I do make a whopper of a blunder. I accept this as simply part of being a human being But I have some friends who work in the … [Read more...] about How Do Dumb Things Happen?
Afghanistan: NATO In A Quagmire Too?
NATO's first Secretary General, Lord Ismay, famously stated the organization's goal was "to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down". The world is a different place now. Some have even begin to question the need for keeping NATO alive in the post-Cold War era. Mary Dejevsky says in The Independent: "Nato's dissolution is long overdue... Where more than … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: NATO In A Quagmire Too?
Newt Gingrich Must Be a Socialist, A Rino, a Liberal Democrat or a Maoist
THIS JUST IN!!! Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich must really be a socialist, a RINO, a liberal Democrat, or a Maoist. the reason: he has praised Barack Obama's upcoming speech to schoolkids, in one of his Twitters: http://bit.ly/HQNSW RT @newtgingrich: Just read President Obamas speech to students. It is a good speech & will be good for students to hear. Another person … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich Must Be a Socialist, A Rino, a Liberal Democrat or a Maoist
Is Low Medicare Overhead A Myth ?
One thing that has been mentioned in the debate over health care reform is the idea that Medicare has a much lower overhead than private insurance companies so to switch over to a government system would save money. But one of the problems is that this assumes the current overhead would remain the same if millions more joined the system. As has been pointed out by some of … [Read more...] about Is Low Medicare Overhead A Myth ?
To Catch A Kindle Thief. Or Not.
The upside of the Kindle's tether could be that when lost or stolen, Amazon would use its technology to help you get it back. Don't count on it. The NYTimes: Samuel Borgese, for instance, is still irate about the response from Amazon when he recently lost his Kindle. After leaving it on a plane, he canceled his account so that nobody could charge books to his credit card. Then … [Read more...] about To Catch A Kindle Thief. Or Not.