Here is an amusing exchange between Sen. Arlen Specter and a woman at a townhall meeting on health care reform: … [Read more...] about This is the USA: We Don’t “Take Care” of “People Who Need Help”
The Myth of “Discretionary”Spending
Here is a good piece by Ezra Klein from last month on the attitude disconnect between defense spending and everything else. The "fighter jet" reference is to the F-22: … [Read more...] about The Myth of “Discretionary”Spending
Did Some Geeked-Up Texas Lawmen Roust A Bunch of Gays?
If so, it's not clear yet how they'll be called to account for it. Forty years after Stonewall: Fort Worth cops raid a gay bar and put one customer in intensive care. Seven men were arrested. The police chief says that the violence of the cops was because - wait for it - the cops were hit on [link]: "You're touched and advanced in certain ways by people inside the bar, … [Read more...] about Did Some Geeked-Up Texas Lawmen Roust A Bunch of Gays?
The Lost Kennedy Sister
The eulogies for Eunice Shriver as a tireless humanitarian bring to light again the story of a forgotten Kennedy, Rosemary, who was diagnosed as mentally retarded and, at the age of 23, underwent a lobotomy and spent the rest of her life in an institution. When JFK was on his way to the presidency, no one talked publicly about a sibling who did not fit into the picture of a … [Read more...] about The Lost Kennedy Sister
It’s Not Just Bonus Abuse, It’s The Whole Economy
There comes a time when the Obama Administration has to show it's really serious about changing the way Wall Street operates. That time has arrived. And the key decision in this regard involves a new wave of bonuses that banks are planning to give their best "producers" — on top of the $1 million-plus bonuses that more than 5,000 of these Wall Streeters got last year during the … [Read more...] about It’s Not Just Bonus Abuse, It’s The Whole Economy
Quote of the Day: Are The Democrats Genetically Naive?
As a former Political Science major who has been in both political parties, and been both a liberal and a conservative, depending on the era, I've been watching the increasingly frenzied battle over heath care reform and a little voice has been nagging me, whispering in my head: "Didn't the Democrats see this coming? Did they forget political history? Weren't they prepared for … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Are The Democrats Genetically Naive?
Why DID Hillary Clinton Snap “My Husband Is Not The Secretary Of State”?
The new and old media like nothing better than a You Tube moment that seemingly reveals the "real" public figure -- not the one who's scripted or the one who's answering policy questions, but shows you a bit how he or she really is "offstage" and what he or she may really think. And Secretary of State Hillary Clinton provided one that will be re-run for a long time to … [Read more...] about Why DID Hillary Clinton Snap “My Husband Is Not The Secretary Of State”?
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Special Olympics Angel and JFK Sister Dies, 88
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the younger sister of the late President John F. Kennedy who founded the Special Olympics and promoted it to the very depths of her soul, has died at 88. As someone who used to write obituaries as part of my stint as a staff reporter on two newspapers (the old Wichita Eagle in Wichita, Kansas and the San Diego Union in San Diego, CA) I know full well … [Read more...] about Eunice Kennedy Shriver Special Olympics Angel and JFK Sister Dies, 88
Pot Today: Walgreens, Moms & NYC Cops
Here in Milledgeville, GA, our local Walgreens has a "Back to School Special" on At Home Marijuana Tests. The times sure are a-changin'. Meanwhile, AOL's MomLogic -- "Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Moms" -- looks at parents who say smoking pot is better than drinking: "I want my children to grow up to believe that laws are just and rational, and if there's … [Read more...] about Pot Today: Walgreens, Moms & NYC Cops
Myanmar ‘Convicts’ Opposition Leader
In a ruling only slightly less surprising that a Daley win in Chicago the government of Myanmar has 'convicted' democracy advocate and opposition leader Suu Kyi of violating security laws. Needless to say this is not going to improve the junta and it's standing in the world. Although it has been ruled (both as Burma and Myanmar) by a military junta since 1962 the regime has … [Read more...] about Myanmar ‘Convicts’ Opposition Leader
Stimulus as a State of Mind
Nothing significant has happened, but suddenly the economy is looking better. Excitement over snippets of good news, or more accurately less-bad news, is underscoring how much of it all is psychological and suggesting that Obama's aggressive stimulus attack, no matter how flawed, wasteful and even wrong-headed, has been crucial to keeping us from going over the edge. In the … [Read more...] about Stimulus as a State of Mind
A Reason Behind The Rage (Guest Voice)
A Reason Behind The Rage by Eugene Robinson Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- Could it be the heat that's making people so angry and unreasonable at those town-hall meetings on health care? Might it just be the effect that Raymond Chandler described so brilliantly in the opening lines of his 1938 short story "Red Wind": "There was a desert wind blowing … [Read more...] about A Reason Behind The Rage (Guest Voice)
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION NEEDS AMENDING – AND FAST
On 8/9/09 Alec MacGillis in the Washington Post outlined one of the largest problems today in our Constitution that distorts the legislative process and often thwarts the will of a large majority of Americans. The composition of the U.S. Senate permits several small state Senators to essentially wield excessive power. MacGillis wrote: “The Senate Finance Committee's … [Read more...] about THE U.S. CONSTITUTION NEEDS AMENDING – AND FAST
A Little Mellowing
Just something to relax you when the well meaning debates get a bit heated. … [Read more...] about A Little Mellowing
Guadalajara: This isn’t a Summit, it’s a Lecture! – La Cronica de Hoy, Mexico
According to this op-ed from Mexico's La Cronica de Hoy, the hosts of this year's annual summit of North American leaders are not at all pleased with the summit's agenda - or its likely outcome. For La Cronica de Hoy, Carlos Ferreyra laments having to host the two 'imperial visitors' - Barack Obama and Stephen Harper - and be forced to come under the U.S. nuclear … [Read more...] about Guadalajara: This isn’t a Summit, it’s a Lecture! – La Cronica de Hoy, Mexico
The Solution to the Cost-Control Crisis Is Obvious
So obvious that no one has grasped it. The solution to our cost-control problem is to stop incurring costs. … [Read more...] about The Solution to the Cost-Control Crisis Is Obvious
White House Rejects Pelosi Hoyer Charge That Town Hall Disruptions Are “Un-American”
The White House has made it clear that it does not agree with the charge made by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, in an op-ed piece that Town Hall protesters who are disrupting meetings are indulging in behavior that is "un-American." In fact, the White House response is quite similar to what we suggested in THIS POST on the … [Read more...] about White House Rejects Pelosi Hoyer Charge That Town Hall Disruptions Are “Un-American”
Unhealthy Debate
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Unhealthy Debate
Coke Says No Tripod Shots In Olympic Park
Stuck in customs was nearly stuck in jail for taking a photo with a tripod in Atlanta's Olympic Park: I set up my tripod to take a photo of downtown and the Coke Museum was in the middle of the shot. A female cop of came over and told me I had to take down the tripod because I looked like a professional. Coke does not allow that, so she said. I said I’m a blogger with … [Read more...] about Coke Says No Tripod Shots In Olympic Park
Imagine If The Health Care Reform Actually Was
Considering all the rhetoric on both sides, you would think that the health care reform bill was something more than a band aid on the lacerated jugular that is our health system. Yet even this has caused a quasar in a teapot. That reflects more on our current state than any actual details of legislation, and should give us all pause. Update: As usual, John Cole pithily cuts … [Read more...] about Imagine If The Health Care Reform Actually Was