Following our last discussion on the Franking Commission, I did a bit more digging on the history of Franking. There were also more nuggets buried in the news containing quotes from the various players involved in this mess. With that in mind, I invite you to read my latest column, currently up at Pajamas Media, titled The Franking Sign Monster. As always, your witty … [Read more...] about A Brief History of Franking
A Culture Critic Is Born
Politics' loss is society's gain as Sarah Palin stepped into her new career with "some straight talk" about the media and Hollywood. "You represent," she told assembled journalists, "what could and should be a respected, honest profession, and what could and should be a cornerstone of our democracy--and that's why our troops are willing to die for you. "So how about in … [Read more...] about A Culture Critic Is Born
Birthers and Valley Girls
I cannot decide which made me laugh harder: Patrick's video of the Valley Girl trying to say something about vegetable trees at a Santa Cruz town hall meeting, or this video of Republican congressmen running from Mike Stark, a reporter for The Huffington Post and Firedoglake -- and in one case, looking at pens for 20 minutes -- in order to avoid having to answer Mike's … [Read more...] about Birthers and Valley Girls
For End of Day, A Sweet for the Soul
Here at YouTube, over 9 million people have watched this. I watched it. I cried. Not because of the occasion, not because this is how it used to be, in a different form, in my deeply ethnic childhood when I saw my dad do it at every event of this kind... but because tonight, I so wished my dad, had he lived past his 88th year, could have seen this little film tonight too. He … [Read more...] about For End of Day, A Sweet for the Soul
Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night
Rage, rage, against the dying of the light. … [Read more...] about Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night
The Race Card: How Bluffing About Bias Makes Race Relations Worse
I posted this here on May 21, 2008, during the primary battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. The original title of the post was Racism and sexism: it’s time to change the paradigm. I changed the title this time because recent events have changed my emphasis and give it renewed relevance. Ford's message is one I personally take very much to heart. Richard Thompson … [Read more...] about The Race Card: How Bluffing About Bias Makes Race Relations Worse
A Vote For Literacy Tests ?
One of the steps in the civil rights movement was the elimination of literacy tests for voting. These tests had been used improperly by racists to deny minorities the right to vote. However when I see a video like this I start to wonder if maybe we need to bring them back … [Read more...] about A Vote For Literacy Tests ?
911 Tape in Gates Arrest Raises New Questions
From the Boston Globe: … [Read more...] about 911 Tape in Gates Arrest Raises New Questions
Birthers Rejoice: Michele “Batty” Bachmann to the Rescue
As a freelance pundit and political addict, I must pause to bow my head and give thanks for one small thing. Even after Sarah Palin stepped down from the public stage, we'll always have Minnesota, home of Jesse Ventura, Al Franken and... our favorite member of Congress for high comedy. Today, Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) introduced a resolution commemorating the 50th … [Read more...] about Birthers Rejoice: Michele “Batty” Bachmann to the Rescue
Chinese Government Upset
Wah! Maybe if the Beijing regime didn't oppress people, they could, as they put it in their warning to Japan, focus "on important issues," like freedom for their people, an end to religious and other forms of persecution, and bullying others economically. [This has also been posted at my personal blog.] … [Read more...] about Chinese Government Upset
Law Enforcement: Jackson’s Doctor Did It
Administered the drugs that killed him, that is. I wouldn't want to be that doctor. Last night The Daily Beast had Marcia Clark (blonder than I remember her) pondering the next trial of the century. Clark says prescription-drug abuse is the drug story of our time and prescription narcotics "the cocaine of the new millennium." … [Read more...] about Law Enforcement: Jackson’s Doctor Did It
Birthers
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Birthers
Pelosi: “You Hate Me. You Really, Really Hate Me.”
Nancy Pelosi is a woman on a mission. We may not know exactly what that mission is or where these train tracks end, but she's on a path. America, having had more than sufficient time to observe her leadership as our first female Speaker of the House, has registered a rather overwhelmingly negative view of her performance to date, but would a little thing like that bother … [Read more...] about Pelosi: “You Hate Me. You Really, Really Hate Me.”
Sarah Palin Leaves Governorship: So What’s Next?
If you want to know, here's a MUST READ ROUNDUP of blog, Facebook and Twitter analysis and opinion at Booker Rising. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Leaves Governorship: So What’s Next?
911 Caller in Gates Arrest Never Said ‘Black Suspects’
The 911 tape has been released. CNN: In the call, Lucia Whalen reports seeing "two larger men, one looked kind of Hispanic, but I'm not really sure, and the other one entered, and I didn't see what he looked like at all." "I just saw it from a distance, and this older woman was worried, thinking somebody's breaking in someone's house and they've been barging in," Whalen … [Read more...] about 911 Caller in Gates Arrest Never Said ‘Black Suspects’
Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas-Sized Gift Horse
The Austin American-Statesman reports today that U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is planning to run against Texas governor Rick Perry next year, is making inroads with previous Perry "loyalists" and "chipping" into Perry's "rich donor base, taking 21 percent of $6.7 million she raised from December through June from 35 percent of Perry's historically staunchest … [Read more...] about Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas-Sized Gift Horse
The Curious Case of American Health Care
It’s very strange how two countries with such cultural similarities as the United States and Great Britain can be so different. This past week’s debate on health care has been one which I have followed with close attention but yet have not been able to understand in its entirety. I do not understand how a country as influential and rich as America can let 30 million … [Read more...] about The Curious Case of American Health Care
Birther On Colbert – Oh, This Should Be Good
It seems that Orly Taitz will be showing up on The Colbert Report this week. She will doubtless have her own certified United States birth certificate on hand. Aside from the delicious entertainment such a meeting promises, we should take this chance to attempt predicting some of the highlights. A lot of this will depend on the rationale of Taitz for accepting the interview. Is … [Read more...] about Birther On Colbert – Oh, This Should Be Good
It’s Over: Housing Starts; No It’s Not: Verizon Layoffs
Proving Daniel Gross's Newsweek Cover Story true, there's good news and bad out today... WSJ: New-home sales soared in June from the previous month, the third increase in a row and supplying fresh evidence the housing market is beginning to recover from its long crisis. Sales of single-family homes increased by 11.0% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000 … [Read more...] about It’s Over: Housing Starts; No It’s Not: Verizon Layoffs
Texting While Driving
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Texting While Driving