Here's Ralph Peters telling a Fox News anchor that Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl is a deserter and a traitor and that the Taliban should spare the U.S. his legal costs and kill him: … [Read more...] about Can You Say Scumbag?
Poll Says Obama Support Weakening, But Still Over 50%
A recent poll shows that support for President Obama's economic programs is weakening. While 56% still say they think his policies will help the economy that is a big drop from the 72% he had in an earlier poll. He has also seen his 'tax and spend' label grow by 11% and six in ten surveyed do not support additional stimulus spending. While clearly 56% is still a solid … [Read more...] about Poll Says Obama Support Weakening, But Still Over 50%
Multiple Cheers For Polygamy!
My cultural intake the past couple of weeks has provided me with a strong dose of polygamy. Courtesy of Netflix, I am about to finish season two of Big Love, the HBO drama about a forward-thinking polygamist family in Utah. On the literary side of the house, I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, which recounts the story of two Afghan women who find … [Read more...] about Multiple Cheers For Polygamy!
The Eagle Has Landed
Forty years ago today, July 20th, 1969 and for a instant in time we were united in celebration. I was still a baby when this happened but I have spoken to family members who talk about how everyone was watching and holding their breath. Children watched their fathers cry as they watched a human being step foot on the surface of the moon. Indeed I don't know that any of us … [Read more...] about The Eagle Has Landed
TMV Is An Educational Site, Too
And the video below is our lesson for Monday: … [Read more...] about TMV Is An Educational Site, Too
Frank McCourt Has Died
The author of Angela's Ashes was 78. He had skin cancer. I will probably write more at another time. Right now, I am in a state of shock. … [Read more...] about Frank McCourt Has Died
The Afghanistan Debate. (Yes, There Is One.)
Republicans may not complain much about President Obama's strategy for Afghanistan, but there is a good amount fire now directed at the administration from the liberal side. Ibn Muqawama provides a solid round-up and critique:A common refrain I hear is that the Taliban has limited appeal, they're fragmented, the Afghans don't want them back, they're not that strong, etc. The … [Read more...] about The Afghanistan Debate. (Yes, There Is One.)
The Long Arm Of The Law Reaches For Jack Murtha
The editors of the NYT (of all people) say that Rep. Murtha is becoming a dangerous liability to the Democrats. An ongoing investigation has found that[Confessed bribe-taker Richard] Ianieri’s company hired the lobbying firm of Mr. Murtha’s brother Kit. The company soon was blessed with money from an $8.2 million defense earmark. The Capitol newspaper Roll Call reported last … [Read more...] about The Long Arm Of The Law Reaches For Jack Murtha
Talking Back to the Talking Heads
On Fox News Sunday this morning, Chris Wallace asked Peter Orszag about whether a public health care option would not involve rationing. Says Steve Benen, "Orszag set the record straight." … [Read more...] about Talking Back to the Talking Heads
Why East European Leaders Have Issued a Plea to Mr. Obama: Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
Polish Foreign Minister Adam D. Rotfeld After agreeing to the installation of an American missile shield on their territories, Poland and the Czech Republic are a bit jittery watching the Obama Administration 'reset' relations with the Kremlin. And after Moscow's attack on Georgia last year and the setting aside of NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine, the rest of East … [Read more...] about Why East European Leaders Have Issued a Plea to Mr. Obama: Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
An Economic Koan
Of late we've been hearing a lot about an economic recovery. No one seems to know exactly when this might come to pass, but those who think it might happen soon all seem to agree it will be a "jobless recovery." The economy will start to grow again, in other words, but for a variety of reasons this will not occur in tandem with a lot of presently unemployed people going back to … [Read more...] about An Economic Koan
Vatican Unequivocally Confirms Automatic Excommunication for Anyone Involved in Abortion
You might remember several months ago the case of the nine-year old Brazilian girl who was raped by her stepfather: Weighing just 79 pounds and barely four feet tall, the 9-year-old girl, from Alagoinha, a town in the northeast, underwent an abortion when she was 15 weeks pregnant at one of the 55 centers authorized to perform the procedure in Brazil. Abortion is legal … [Read more...] about Vatican Unequivocally Confirms Automatic Excommunication for Anyone Involved in Abortion
Meet the Press and Shape the Message Your Way
Lindsay Beyerstein provides another solid gold example of the watchdog lapdog "journalism" for which David Gregory is so renowned: NBC's David Gregory tried to entice disgraced South Carolina governor Mark Sanford onto Meet The Press by promising a friendly hearing. Gregory subscribes to the Burger King model of journalism: Have it Your Way. "Meet The Press allows you … [Read more...] about Meet the Press and Shape the Message Your Way
Hey, Kids! Let’s Overthrow the Government
I only noticed this story, for which I can find no suitable adjective, because it was highlighted and responded to by Rick Moran at Right Wing Nuthouse. It's from Free Republic honcho Jim Robinson, who apparently is unhappy with the performance thus far of President Obama and the Democratic controlled Congress, and seeks a remedy to this untenable situation by marching millions … [Read more...] about Hey, Kids! Let’s Overthrow the Government
“Universal” Health Care Is Debatable, Children’s Health Care Is Not
Although it is very difficult to remain unemotional when the health and welfare of our most precious individuals---children---are involved, I'll give it a try. The New York Times has a heart-rending article this morning. It's about how some states have been reluctant to repair the safety net, improve health insurance, for their most vulnerable ones, and how other … [Read more...] about “Universal” Health Care Is Debatable, Children’s Health Care Is Not
Dr. Melissa Clouthier’s Plot to Destroy America
We saw plenty of it both during and shortly after the election, but as with most cycles, it died down pretty quickly afterward. Oh, you missed it? I'm talking about the tempting, low hanging fruit of blaming independents and third party candidates for your fortunes after you get your ass absolutely kicked in and handed to you on a platter in the killing fields of the political … [Read more...] about Dr. Melissa Clouthier’s Plot to Destroy America
Oysters for Health Care (Guest Voice)
Oysters for Health Care by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship This is a story of health care and two Americans; a tale of two citizens, if you will. This week, Regina Benjamin was nominated by President Obama as our next surgeon general, charged with educating Americans on medical issues and overseeing the United States Public Health Service. She was the first African … [Read more...] about Oysters for Health Care (Guest Voice)
Heartbreaking Video Of U.S. Soldier Captured By Taliban: “I’m Afraid”
An Internet site has posted a heartbreaking video of Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl, the 23-year-old U.S. soldier captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan, expressing fears that he won't be allowed to go home and see or hug his loved ones again. It's a natural expression of fear: in fact, U.S. soldiers captured by in Afghanistan and Iraq have not fared well in many cases. Their capture … [Read more...] about Heartbreaking Video Of U.S. Soldier Captured By Taliban: “I’m Afraid”
Mark Sanford’s Still Sorry, David Gregory’s Skilled Groveling
No inkling of a resignation in his 800-word OpEd in The State today. But he is really, really, sorry: It's in the spirit of making good from bad that I am committing to you and the larger family of South Carolinians to use this experience both to trust God in his larger work of changing me and, from my end, to work to becoming a better and more effective leader. I think … [Read more...] about Mark Sanford’s Still Sorry, David Gregory’s Skilled Groveling
Hillary Clinton: Pakistan’s ‘Syndicate Of Terrorism’
There is some speculation why the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, now visiting India for five days, is not visiting neighbouring US-ally Pakistan as her predecessors have always done. On the other hand, Hillary declared that Pakistan houses a ‘syndicate of terrorism’. The Indian Express reports that Hillary stated that "her country is watching the actions being taken … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton: Pakistan’s ‘Syndicate Of Terrorism’