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
Lockerbie Bomber’s Welcome Home In Libya
Peter Broelman, Australia This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Lockerbie Bomber’s Welcome Home In Libya
Those Forked Tongue Democrats: Keeping Your Plan
How many times have we heard President Obama deliver one version or another of this standard stump speech item? "If you like your health insurance plan, you keep your health insurance plan. If you like your doctor, you keep your doctor." And whether you're reading the actual wording of H.R. 3200 or the various takes of analysts in the field, that seems to be true... at least … [Read more...] about Those Forked Tongue Democrats: Keeping Your Plan
Example of Cowboy ‘Civility’ During A Time When People Screeching At One Another Is Too Often the Norm
In ancient mythos, the rainmaker symbolizes a part of the psyche which detaches and leaves the mad world and goes into the forest and down under the roots of the trees and sees the world from there... through a unique, set-apart zeitgeist, a spirit of our times that is not dedicated to apoplexy over cultural contretemps, but just calm observations, a remembering of honor... and … [Read more...] about Example of Cowboy ‘Civility’ During A Time When People Screeching At One Another Is Too Often the Norm
It’s Arlen Specter Live At The Improv
"Hi, my name is Arlen Specter and I'll be here all week. Tell your friends!" Well not quite...but he DID do a real, laugh getting set at the Improv. Don't believe it? JUST WATCH THIS: Of course politicians of both parties do comedy all the time. It's called "campaign promises." FOOTNOTE: It's great to see a politico have fun (particularly someone his age) and be so … [Read more...] about It’s Arlen Specter Live At The Improv
Does anybody really understand the health care debate?
Early this summer as the health care debate began to heat up I recall reading a very smart critique from one of TMV's sharpest regular commentators - CStanley. She argued that each of the individual goals set out by Obama and advanced in the then-progressing HR3200 attack serious problems with the health care system. But the problem was in reconciling a whole bunch of mutually … [Read more...] about Does anybody really understand the health care debate?
The poor need more protection from the H1N1 pandemic
Governments and international agencies are taking a big risk by playing down the potentially lethal effects of the H1N1 flu pandemic, earlier called “swine flu”, because most information during the last 11 months has come from the world’s rich countries. People affected are expected to double every three to four days for several months but in rich countries they are … [Read more...] about The poor need more protection from the H1N1 pandemic
Ale To The Chief: Obama Brew Debut Today
Obama Foodorama: Presidenti-Ale will be served for the first time this afternoon at the award-winning Offshore Ale Co., an Oak Bluffs restaurant and microbrewery, and perhaps it'll become the beer of choice at the Summer White House. The amber pale "Ale To The Chief" is made of all American ingredients, and was created by Neil Atkins, who's been the head brewer at Offshore … [Read more...] about Ale To The Chief: Obama Brew Debut Today
Lockerbie ‘Suspect’s’ Release Reflects Strength of Civilization: Trouw, The Netherlands
As it has in the United States, Scotland's release of convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdel Basset al-Megrahi on the grounds of 'compassion' is sparking controversy in Europe. Much of the debate revolves around the issue of which is more valid: European 'compassion' vs. American 'revenge'. This editorial from Trouw of The Netherlands frames the issue this way: "The American … [Read more...] about Lockerbie ‘Suspect’s’ Release Reflects Strength of Civilization: Trouw, The Netherlands
San Francisco: A Public Option That Works
Polimom wrote an excellent post just a few hours ago titled "Health Care and Insurance: A Lost (and Crucial) Distinction." It is generating some great, instructive, civil discussion on a subject that I had not given much thought to. I highly recommend you go there and partake in the discussion. I have been there and learned a lot. But I also learned something new … [Read more...] about San Francisco: A Public Option That Works