The two networks' bigwigs huddled - -and in the end it seems as if Fox News O'Reilly "won" in his ongoing feud with MSBNC's Keith Olbermann. UPDATE: Read Glenn Greenwald's take on this and its significance (which most assuredly will spark some debate in comments...) … [Read more...] about Top Corporate NBC Fox Truce Called In O’Reilly Keith Olbermann War
Apple AT&T Google Voice Rejection Frustration Ratchets Up w/FCC Inquiry
TechCrunch's Jason Kincaid: My, how the tables have turned. Earlier this week, we learned that Apple had suddenly begun to pull third party iPhone applications for Google Voice, citing the unconvincing rationale that they “duplicated” some of the iPhone’s functionality. We then broke the news that Apple had also rejected Google’s own official Google … [Read more...] about Apple AT&T Google Voice Rejection Frustration Ratchets Up w/FCC Inquiry
“Ox” Barack Obama Offers A “New Deal”
In Chinese astrology 2009 is the "Year of the Ox". Only that person or a nation, it is said, would remain unscathed if it works its backside off this year. US president Barack Obama was born in the "Year of the Ox", and his nose is tied to the grindstone. But he might just work out some miracles...provided his countrymen share his burden instead of nitpicking. Among various … [Read more...] about “Ox” Barack Obama Offers A “New Deal”
Darling Cory, Corazon Aquino: First Woman President in Asia Passes Away
Her first name, Corazon, means Heart, her last name, Aquino, is often a name still bestowed in honor of the theologian St. Thomas Aquinas, a doctor of the church who was known for his down to earth rhetoric such as this one I recall from childhood Catholic school: God's thought is pure, but it has to be passed through mud: Us. They called her Cory affectionately and she … [Read more...] about Darling Cory, Corazon Aquino: First Woman President in Asia Passes Away
Money Talks, the Rest Walk
Henry Waxman has cut a deal with the conservative Blue Dog Democrats that moved the House version of the health care reform package out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee (of which Rep. Waxman is chair) so it can be voted on in September. But the deal is unlikely to satisfy the 57 liberal Democrats who have put it on record that they will vote against any bill that does … [Read more...] about Money Talks, the Rest Walk
Some Heartfelt Advice To Aspiring Satirists Dana Milbank and Chris Cillizza
Some heartfelt advice to Dana Milbank and Chris Cillizza, two excellent journalists who now seem to be aspiring satirists: Don't quit your day jobs. Before you put up a You Tube that makes a comedian with flop sweat look like Chris Rock (and doesn't enhance your image as journalists) you might want to consider THIS, THIS, THIS, or go to this guy for some coaching (as I … [Read more...] about Some Heartfelt Advice To Aspiring Satirists Dana Milbank and Chris Cillizza
Obama Acting Without the Facts — A Presidential Pattern Emerges (Guest Voice)
Obama Acting Without the Facts -- A Presidential Pattern Emerges by Michael Reagan Last week, President Obama was almost finished with his nationally broadcast press conference when he was asked to comment on the arrest, and subsequent release, of renowned Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. by the now-famous Cambridge, Mass. police Sgt., Jim Crowley. In his … [Read more...] about Obama Acting Without the Facts — A Presidential Pattern Emerges (Guest Voice)
The Next Beer Love Summit?
Cartoon by Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. . All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The Next Beer Love Summit?
Russians Ask: Does Joe Biden Really Speak for Obama? – Moskovskii Komsomolets of Russia
Like people the world over, the Russians are puzzling over how much attention to pay to the utterances of our own vice president, Joe Biden. Days ago, Vice President Biden gave what was, from a Russian perspective, an insulting if not alarming interview with the Wall Street Journal, during which he said that Russia is so weak that it would 'bend' to America's will. This … [Read more...] about Russians Ask: Does Joe Biden Really Speak for Obama? – Moskovskii Komsomolets of Russia
A Great Navy Tradition On Display at Bath Iron Works Tomorrow, August 1
The U.S. military, by its very nature, is full of history and traditions. Recently, I learned about one of those great historical traditions. The U.S. Navy has the long and honorable tradition of naming war ships after its fallen heroes. This tradition dates back to well before World War I. One report has it that it goes back to 1819, even before the Civil War. The … [Read more...] about A Great Navy Tradition On Display at Bath Iron Works Tomorrow, August 1
Asia’s First Woman Leader, Former Philippine President Aquino, Dead At 76
Bob Drogin and John M. Glionna of the LATimes: Corazon C. Aquino, the unassuming housewife who toppled a dictator and restored democracy to the Philippines as its 11th president, has died. She was 76. The elegant democracy icon, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008, was admitted to a hospital intensive care unit in late June after she stopped eating. Aquino served … [Read more...] about Asia’s First Woman Leader, Former Philippine President Aquino, Dead At 76
A Government Bonanza Run Like A Clunker
That sucking sound you may have just heard was the government's billion dollar "cash for clunkers" slush fund drained in a week as consumers stampede new car malls for once-in-a-lifetime deals. The highly publicized stimulus program has caught the public's imagination in a fad not seen since the land and gold rush days of the last 150 years. The House acted quickly today in … [Read more...] about A Government Bonanza Run Like A Clunker
Health Care a Different Experience for the Privileged
Myrna Ulfik's item in the Wall Street Journal says: I didn’t run to Canada for [cancer] treatment. Medicare took care of my needs right here in New York City. To endure, I just need the freedom to choose my insurance, my doctors, and get the diagnostic scans and care I need. And one more thing: I need hope that a treatment will be developed that can control my diseases the way … [Read more...] about Health Care a Different Experience for the Privileged
GOP Becoming Birther Party? 58 Percent Unsure/Doubt Obama Really Born In U.S.
If a new Kos/Research2000 poll is correct, the Republican party -- the once-proud party of thoughtful, policy-oriented conservatives such as Barry Goldwater, William F. Buckley and Ronald Reagan - could be morphing into the "birther party." Why does this matter? Because there needs to be at least a modicum of consensus in American politics and the birthers -- egged on by … [Read more...] about GOP Becoming Birther Party? 58 Percent Unsure/Doubt Obama Really Born In U.S.
Obama’s Sagging Polls: Do They Tell The Whole Story?
As we've noted here, as President Barack Obama continues to stumble (not having political Congressional on-board numbers to pass healthcare reform as he previously described it plus the foot-in-mouth entry into the African-American professor versus white cop case which led to a beefest yesterday between the three at the White House) his once lofty poll numbers have starting … [Read more...] about Obama’s Sagging Polls: Do They Tell The Whole Story?
Kimono Traders—The Real Desperate Housewives
At the time of this writing the Dow is again on the rise. Why? The U.S. economy shrank 1 percent in the last quarter, beating analyst expectations (now there's a surprise!). But let's forget for the moment that our economy has been shrinking for four straight quarters, the first time this has happened since records started to be kept on such things; and that the only reason … [Read more...] about Kimono Traders—The Real Desperate Housewives
A Quick Word On GDP
The advance estimate for GDP for Q2 came in at -1.0% which isn't too bad. I'm sure the press will spin this as showing the recession is close to ending, but there are a few caveats. This post at Naked Capitalism and The Big Picture offer words of wisdom, caution and optimism. This is what jumped out at me: GDP is highly prone to revisions. This is just the advance estimate … [Read more...] about A Quick Word On GDP
Health Care Debate: What I Don’t Understand
As Members of Congress prepare for what might be their favorite time of year -- the extended August recess, scheduled to start tomorrow for the House; and August 8 for the Senate -- they do so with a flurry of progress on health care reform but not the hoped-for, full-chamber, final votes on definitive bills. Accordingly, during this recess, I hope one or more of our elected … [Read more...] about Health Care Debate: What I Don’t Understand
Crooked-Doctor Component of Health Care
While the nation suffers a political migraine over health care reform, news spotlights an overlooked aspect of the mess--that the current system is turning doctors into thieves. Federal authorities yesterday arrested 30 physicians and other medical providers for $16 million of fraud as part of a series of crackdowns in what the FBI estimates to be between $60 and $100 … [Read more...] about Crooked-Doctor Component of Health Care
Madonna: Sticky & Sweet Special Correspondent
Madonna writes of her spiritual awakening to the teachings of Kabbalah in today's edition of Yediot Ahronot, Israel's leading tabloid daily: "I started seeing that being rich and famous isn't the end of the road, but the beginning of it," she writes. In the highest tradition of eyewitness reporting, she reveals: "Countless times I've travelled the world, performed in soccer … [Read more...] about Madonna: Sticky & Sweet Special Correspondent