I have to agree with some of our readers. We are spending entirely too much time on frivolous issues such as the Palin "Higher Calling" resignation and Sanford's sultry Argentinean love affair. And I won't even touch the Michael Jackson "issue." There are too many other real issues to be discussed and analyzed. One of them is, of course, the "What Happened in Vegas" … [Read more...] about Gail Collins, John Ensign, and Family Values
I wonder if they were ever ashamed of what they were doing
As more is revealed on the secret warrantless wiretaps and other surveillance of American citizens that President George W. Bush authorized illegally, supposedly to fullfill his "duty" to "keep Americans safe from the terrorists" this quote comes to mind: When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty. -George Bernard Shaw (1856 - … [Read more...] about I wonder if they were ever ashamed of what they were doing
Obama Totally Fails to Create “Butt-Gate”
As any of our more left leaning regular readers will tell you, I've not been shy about criticizing President Obama when I find him heading in directions which I feel are not in our best interest. And yes, I must admit to the guilty pleasure of giving the President the occasional poke in the ribs when he's caught in some faux pas. Unfortunately, the recent kerfuffle over Obama … [Read more...] about Obama Totally Fails to Create “Butt-Gate”
Palin Holds Her Head High
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Palin Holds Her Head High
The IG Warrantless Surveillance Report Is Out
Spencer Ackerman gives us the facts and the justified sarcasm: … [Read more...] about The IG Warrantless Surveillance Report Is Out
“A Prime Candidate For A Visit From A Predator”
That's what Ibn Muqawama has to say about Baitullah Mehsud, leader of the Pakistani Taliban. On a related note, Ibn Muqawama adds,We really need to rethink our entire concept of airpower. I don't think it lies in F-22s, but in the persistent presence and low-observability offered by the next generation of unmanned and relatively inexpensive drones, operating from longer … [Read more...] about “A Prime Candidate For A Visit From A Predator”
Abe Lincoln Was No Abe Lincoln (But Barack Obama Might Be)
If you thought five books was a lot to review, try seven. Princeton historian Sean Wilentz takes on that challenge in a cover story for The New Republic. Wilentz begins by recounting a crude remark about "mulatters" (i.e. mulattos) that Lincoln made while stumping for Gen. Winfield Scott, his party's presidential candidate in 1952. Wilentz explains, My point in … [Read more...] about Abe Lincoln Was No Abe Lincoln (But Barack Obama Might Be)
The Iron Lady
John L. O'Sullivan reviews five (count'em, five) new books about Baroness Thatcher. O'Sullivan himself was an adviser to Thatcher and helped with her memoirs. This point jumped out at me: Owen Harries theorized some years ago that Thatcher was seen by many people around the world, foes as well as friends, as being more important than Reagan in spreading the free market … [Read more...] about The Iron Lady
NYC Street Grid Is A Spectacular Solar Calendar
Among those things I miss most about my NYC home are the summer sunsets: Built into the streets of New York City is a solar calendar on a truly massive scale. Every year around July 12th, New Yorkers are treated to a spectacular phenomenon as the setting sun aligns directly with the east-west streets of Manhattan's main grid, turning them into canyons filled with golden light. … [Read more...] about NYC Street Grid Is A Spectacular Solar Calendar
Defending DeMint (Sort Of, or Maybe Not — What He Said About Pre-War Germany Was Still Incredibly Stupid)
On Tuesday, Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, one of the more extreme of Congressional Republicans, said this at the National Press Club: They understand socialism. They understand tyrants. But none of us have ever had it here. We don't even know what it looks like. Part of what we're trying to do in Saving Freedom [his book] is just show that where we are, we're about … [Read more...] about Defending DeMint (Sort Of, or Maybe Not — What He Said About Pre-War Germany Was Still Incredibly Stupid)
The Lying Down Game
The latest in Facebook fun: [T]he rules of this wonderfully batty pursuit are very simple. You have to find the weirdest place possible for anyone to lie down in. And that's where you lie down, face down, and have someone take a picture of you. … [Read more...] about The Lying Down Game
When Quitting Would Have Been Heroic
David Broder muses about exit strategies in public life: "Two vastly different public officials--Robert McNamara and Sarah Palin--shared the spotlight this past week, triggering fresh thoughts about one of the classic dilemmas of governmental careers: When and how do you quit?" Wrong question. What's important is why. Coupling McNamara with Palin is less to the point … [Read more...] about When Quitting Would Have Been Heroic
The Changing Fortunes of Al Franken, Sarah Palin and their Parties
A MUST READ from Joe Conason. NOTE: this can shift again, depending on how wise (or unwise) some people are and how wise (or unwise) two parties are. … [Read more...] about The Changing Fortunes of Al Franken, Sarah Palin and their Parties
Chicken Little Biden
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Chicken Little Biden
Congress Suddenly Decides They Don’t Like W.H. Signing Statements
Anyone remember a certain Democratic Presidential candidate last fall who complained bitterly (and correctly, in my opinion) about the many "signing statments" which George W. Bush used to skirt around legislation he didn't care for? Yeah, me too. But it seems that, having moved his own bags into the West Wing, Barack Obama thought he'd give old W. some credit and take a shot … [Read more...] about Congress Suddenly Decides They Don’t Like W.H. Signing Statements
Quick Note To TMV Readers
Yes, news in the Internet age is almost instantaneous but the frustrations can last a bit longer. If you were reading TMV the past 30 minutes you may have noticed a major error in my GM post. In fact, that error was fixed in editing -- but when it was posted there was a network issue at the moment it was posted and the post went up with the phrase that was removed. But … [Read more...] about Quick Note To TMV Readers
General Motors Emerges Out Of Bankruptcy
The big financial news is now breaking: General Motors has emerged out of bankcruptcy 40 days later. The operative question will become: is it now sufficiently leaner...and wiser? General Motors emerged from bankruptcy early this morning, with chief executive Fritz Henderson promising that the fallen corporate giant will be reformed and that "business as usual at GM is … [Read more...] about General Motors Emerges Out Of Bankruptcy
Palin Crack-Up News Continues
I admit it. I'm a rubbernecker. I can't look away from a car wreck... Peggy Noonan: In television interviews she was out of her depth in a shallow pool. She was limited in her ability to explain and defend her positions, and sometimes in knowing them. She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. She was utterly unconcerned by all this and seemed in fact … [Read more...] about Palin Crack-Up News Continues
California Budget and IOUs
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about California Budget and IOUs
Society’s New “N Word” and We’re All It
Can you guess what it is? Read Phil Bronstein HERE. … [Read more...] about Society’s New “N Word” and We’re All It