Saying that the stock market's behavior has been crazy in recent months is like saying the weather has been crazy this summer. The market and the weather always act in crazy ways. Still, at least in the market's case, sometimes even the folks stacking the deck get a bit queasy about the craziness. That's happening now. You look at the financial press and financial web sites, … [Read more...] about The Coming Stock Market Tumble
Avoiding Defeat in Afghanistan
Guest post by Peter S. Henne Peter S. Henne is a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project and a doctoral candidate at Georgetown University. Last Friday, former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge revealed the obvious -- that the George W. Bush Administration had pressured him to raise the terror alert level in advance of the 2004 elections. This is … [Read more...] about Avoiding Defeat in Afghanistan
Health Care Debate: Beyond an Informed Electorate
The quotation is widely attributed to our third president: The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate. Over the past month, I recall a number of writers invoking Jefferson and bemoaning the apparent lack of his "best defense" in the current debate over health care reform. But Mark Slouka* suggests being "informed" or "educated" is not enough to defend … [Read more...] about Health Care Debate: Beyond an Informed Electorate
Guns and Tourism
A few Arizona public officials including the Mayor of Phoenix and the Director of State Tourism are upset to learn that Arthur Frommer of the famous Frommer’s Travel Guides has decided not to recommend Arizona as a travel destination due to its laws permitting the carrying of visible firearms. This statewide right was recently on display thanks to a dozen people attending … [Read more...] about Guns and Tourism
The Invisible Achievement (Guest Voice)
The Invisible Achievement by E.J. Dionne, Jr. Washington Post Columnist SYDNEY, Australia -- The hardest slogan to sell in politics is: "Things could have been a whole lot worse." No wonder President Obama is having trouble defending his stimulus plan. If governments around the world, including our own, had not acted aggressively -- and had not spent piles of … [Read more...] about The Invisible Achievement (Guest Voice)
No Cost-of-Living Increase for Social Security Recipients This Year, Or Next
In effect, many seniors' checks will shrink: … [Read more...] about No Cost-of-Living Increase for Social Security Recipients This Year, Or Next
Those Forked Tongue Democrats: How Many Uninsured?
One of the perpetual bones of contention in the ongoing health care reform debate is the precise number of people in serious need of help in this area. All too frequently we encounter various, exaggerated estimates, including some fact challenged quotes right here at TMV, which put the number as high as 50 million. Well, that’s certainly a troubling statistic for anyone to … [Read more...] about Those Forked Tongue Democrats: How Many Uninsured?
From The Fields To The Stars
As many of you may know the space shuttle is scheduled for a Monday evening/Tuesday morning (depending on your location) launch. I have been a space nut since I was a little kid and if I could have my wishes I'd probably be on the shuttle myself. But failing that I am incredibly proud and inspired by the fact that one of the astronauts on the current mission comes from my … [Read more...] about From The Fields To The Stars
Hypocrisy from nominal “conservatives”? A view of health care reform by a film critic
From something I read today: The word socialism, however, has lost its usefulness in this debate. It has been tainted, perhaps forever, by the malevolent Sen. Joseph McCarthy, who succeeded somehow in linking it with the godless Commies. America is the only nation in the free world in which "socialism" is generally thought of in negative terms. The only nation in which that … [Read more...] about Hypocrisy from nominal “conservatives”? A view of health care reform by a film critic
Some People Are Missing from the Obama Administration
I'm glad that someone in a major news organization has finally noticed this: … [Read more...] about Some People Are Missing from the Obama Administration
Will Lockerbie Bomber Release Topple Scottish Government?
Will the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber -- an action that sparked howls of outrage in Scotland, among many in Great Britain and particularly in the United States -- topple the Scottish government? It appears that it could well lead to a 'regime change" in Scotland: Scotland’s government faces a fight for its survival as the furor over its decision to free the … [Read more...] about Will Lockerbie Bomber Release Topple Scottish Government?
It’s More Than $2, Jack, And That’s A Fact
If you thought seniors fighting phantom cuts in their Medicare benefits at those town hall meetings were angry, wait until the first of the year when it dawns on all of them they're getting no cost of living increase for the next two years. In fact, six million of Social Security's 50 million recipients will suffer a pay cut and all will pay more for drugs. I say "phantom" … [Read more...] about It’s More Than $2, Jack, And That’s A Fact
What Does ‘Monogamy’ Mean To Gays
In the wake of Lutheran acceptance of gay and lesbian pastors who are "living in committed relationships" and their approval of a resolution to "recognize, support and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same gender relationships," comes the inevitable... What does monogamy mean? First of all, there are gay theologians whose definition of this term is very … [Read more...] about What Does ‘Monogamy’ Mean To Gays
The Truth Along With the Facts: A Bridge Too Far For Journalism?
I always make a practice of buying and reading the local newspaper(s) when traveling. Today’s Los Angeles Times had an interesting, timely and probably controversial Op-Ed, titled “Just the ‘facts’ fails us all.” Naturally, it deals with the current healthcare debate, but it also discusses a broader, more complex issue: The media, journalism and “the truth.” I am not a … [Read more...] about The Truth Along With the Facts: A Bridge Too Far For Journalism?
Lieberman: Let’s Do Health Care Reform in Steps, and Save the 50 Million Uninsured for the Last Step
On CNN today, Sen. Joe Lieberman embraced the incremental approach to health care reform (emphasis in original): … [Read more...] about Lieberman: Let’s Do Health Care Reform in Steps, and Save the 50 Million Uninsured for the Last Step
So You Think You Can Bike
We've all seen videos of these young people on their mountain bikes, hopping around, jumping over ramps, going up stair cases on one wheel. Perhaps some of you readers engage in these activities yourself. So... you think you can bike? I got news for ya, kid. You can't bike. In fact, you'd be lucky if somebody told you that you bike like a girl. (From the good folks at … [Read more...] about So You Think You Can Bike
A Nation of Renters Becomes A Nation of Owners
All thanks to Big Government. Thomas J. Sugrue writing in the WSJ: In 1934, F.D.R. created the Federal Housing Administration, which set standards for home construction, instituted 25- and 30-year mortgages, and cut interest rates. And in 1938, his administration created the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) which created the secondary market in mortgages. In … [Read more...] about A Nation of Renters Becomes A Nation of Owners
Harry Reid In Political Trouble In Nevada?
Is Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in political trouble in his homestate of Nevada? A new poll suggests he is: It's the highest stakes ever for a Nevada election, and former boxer Sen. Harry Reid is on the ropes early. Either Republican Danny Tarkanian or Sue Lowden would knock out Reid in a general election, according to a recent poll of Nevada voters. The … [Read more...] about Harry Reid In Political Trouble In Nevada?
Sean Hannity For President (??)
Yes, it is possible: read this which doesn't rule it out. Also be SURE to read the fourth paragraph: it is totally written from the viewpoint of someone immersed in the talk radio political culture (Hannity is as likeable as Ronald Reagan? Which Ronald Reagan did he SEE I will ask as a then-Democrat who voted for Ronald Reagan). It's unlikely that many independent voters, … [Read more...] about Sean Hannity For President (??)
World’s Powerful Women Who Run The Show
The Forbes list of the world's 100 most powerful women is out. The top honour goes to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the leader of the world's fourth-largest economy. She has won this honour for the fourth consecutive year. "In assembling the list, Forbes looked for women who run countries, big companies or influential nonprofits. Their rankings are a combination of two … [Read more...] about World’s Powerful Women Who Run The Show