EDITOR'S NOTE: In the past we ran a line about Guest Voice posts not necessarily representing the opinion of TMV or its writers. But after we ran many Guest Voice columns by conservative talk show host Michael Reagan (whose posts we run usually once a week from Cagle Cartoons), liberals, moderates etc. we felt it wasn't necessary to run that line at the top anymore. However, a … [Read more...] about Whole Foods Boycott Picks Up Steam (Guest Voice)
World Tour of Humor in Seventy Countries: Le Monde, France
What makes people in different countries and of different sexes laugh? According to this article on global humor by Macha Sery of France's Le Monde newspaper, a recent study on the subject concluded: "All countries, or almost all, have made a specialty of mocking their leaders and their neighbors, territories or populations. ... The best customers for jokes, whatever their … [Read more...] about World Tour of Humor in Seventy Countries: Le Monde, France
Sabato’s Crystall Ball: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MANIA
Larry J. Sabato: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MANIA - From "Fifth Wheel" to Powerhouse (July 30, 2009) In the mid-nineteenth century, a delegate to a Virginia constitutional convention argued against the office of lieutenant governor, calling it, "the fifth wheel of a wagon, and much more useless." Worse has been said about the vice presidency over the centuries. Franklin … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystall Ball: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MANIA
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Are The Top Journalists Insiders Or Outsiders?
Larry J. Sabato: ARE THE TOP JOURNALISTS INSIDERS OR OUTSIDERS? Something truly astonishing appeared in a Washington Post column on July 25, 2009 (click here to view). It was written by Frank Mankiewicz, former press secretary to Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) and the man who is perhaps most widely remembered for announcing RFK's death in June 1968. Mankiewicz was … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Are The Top Journalists Insiders Or Outsiders?
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: House Schemes And Pipe Dreams
Isaac Wood: HOUSE SCHEMES AND PIPE DREAMS - The GOP's list of 70 House targets debunked It's a game both parties play: pretend that this will be the year you go on the offensive in places where your candidate is, in reality, as likely to win American Idol as the November general election. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) dutifully played their part on … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: House Schemes And Pipe Dreams
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Tweets of the Week
4:42 AM Aug 6th: The left and right are the same, in flooding town meetings and being obnoxious. It's OK when their side does it, wrong when the other side does. 4:44 AM Aug 6th: Passion can be a good thing in politics, but leaders must channel it, lest it degenerate into pure rudeness and nastiness. MORE: Larry J. Sabato: Tweets of the Week 08/13/2009 Larry … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Tweets of the Week
A Question About Health Privacy
Over at Feminist Law Professors, David S. Cohen makes a pretty good point: [W]hat’s really getting me up in arms about this whole [healthcare bill] debate (if you want to call it that) is the argument the Republicans are making about health privacy. Let’s take Chuck Grassley (who voted for “death panels” in 2003!) and his recent comment: “You … [Read more...] about A Question About Health Privacy
VJ Day and Death Panels
One of the astonishments of old age is finding that something significant happened to you on this day 64 years ago, as the calendar marks the anniversary of victory over Japan in World War II. In this August of our discontent, it's jolting to remember how close and united Americans were back then. As one of those foot soldiers who had fought through Europe, all we knew then … [Read more...] about VJ Day and Death Panels
Half of College Football Players Have a Gay Teammate
ESPN The Magazine, on newsstands today, includes the “College Football Confidential" survey of 85 current college players: In exchange for the truth, players were granted complete anonymity. Here is one poll where the athletes have the final say. Asked “Do you have any gay teammates?" Almost half of those surveyed (49.4%, to be exact) said yes, they believe they have at … [Read more...] about Half of College Football Players Have a Gay Teammate
White House Seriously Fears For Obama Safety
The reason: an ongoing and spreading hatefest is raising official concerns. … [Read more...] about White House Seriously Fears For Obama Safety
Give the Porkulous Money Back
We just HAD to spend all that money on the stimulus plan. We all know this, because if we didn't we would have been thrust into the worst economic disaster since the great depression. Heck, maybe worse! There were flying monkeys reported in many parts of the nation and nary a ruby slipper in sight. As our friend Yid with Lid reports, initial reports of the demise of the United … [Read more...] about Give the Porkulous Money Back
“Santorum Is Dangerous,” And He Wants To Be President
He may not have a chance in hell of being nominated, or of winning if the GOP were crazy enough to make him their candidate in 2012, but that does not mean his presidential aspirations should not be taken seriously. Republican strategist Mark McKinnon says we need to sit up and take notice, because Santorum's political ideology is as extreme as it gets: … [Read more...] about “Santorum Is Dangerous,” And He Wants To Be President
Is This A Joke? No It’s Just America’s Health-Care Debate
I still think that Obama will manage to win this ever dragging health-care debate – WITH a public option. But I feel like smacking my head on a brick wall as this week feels like America stepped into an alternative universe where up is down, left is right and sense became non-sense. Why? Death-panels is your answer. This week has surely been a very, very, nutty … [Read more...] about Is This A Joke? No It’s Just America’s Health-Care Debate
India’s Freedom: Countdown To August 15
In my earlier post I wrote about Pakistan's Independence Day celebrated on August 14. This post is about India's Independence Day (August 15). Two people who spelt out powerfully the aspirations/vision of free modern India were Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, and India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Mahatma Gandhi motivated Indian masses during the freedom … [Read more...] about India’s Freedom: Countdown To August 15
Myths And Facts About Illegal Worker Health Costs
My friend Maurice and me were talking about the high cost of health care and ways Congress is searching to reduce the inflationary spiral dealing in the trillions of dollars neither one of us could truly comprehend. "How about hospitals refusing treatment for illegal Mexican workers?" Maurice asked. "No," I opined. "The courts have ruled everyone is entitled to emergency … [Read more...] about Myths And Facts About Illegal Worker Health Costs
Some Welcome Summer Reading (Guest Voice)
Some Welcome Summer Reading by Eugene Robinson Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- We're told the economy is on the mend, but we still see six-figure job losses every month. The health care debate has become so polarized that even if it ends in breakthrough legislation, chances are that opponents will still be irate and supporters more exhausted than … [Read more...] about Some Welcome Summer Reading (Guest Voice)
Cash For Old Books
I heartily approve of the government's Cash For Clunkers program. It's a pleasure to finally see money going directly to consumers for buying a new product (a car) and thereby aiding a troubled auto industry. But I also think this program is discriminatory. Why, after all, should only old and no longer wanted vehicles get a government subsidy? Why should only motorists get a … [Read more...] about Cash For Old Books
Rage Against the Machine
I have not said much on any blog concerning the rising tempers taking place at town halls, the "birther" movement, or the nasty words coming from right-wing radio hosts. The reason for that is because there are a lot of twists and turns that I am dealing with concerning the whole mess. But I think I have some thoughts to share, so I will share them, muddled mess they … [Read more...] about Rage Against the Machine
Pakistan’s Major Deal For Troubled Tribals
India and Pakistan won freedom from the British colonial rule in August 1947. Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day anniversary today (on August 14), while India marks it a day later. Let's look at the media reports of celebrations in Pakistan. Pakistani leaders called for peaceful relations with India and announced new rights for tribesmen (in the militant-infested area) … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s Major Deal For Troubled Tribals
Jon Stewart on Glenn Beck’s Healthcare Hypocrisy
From The Daily Show last night, outrageously funny: "If only the ailing Glenn Beck 16 months ago (on CNN) had received the health care he's raving about today (on Fox)." Here's the full Beck from the Dead video. … [Read more...] about Jon Stewart on Glenn Beck’s Healthcare Hypocrisy