Maureen Dowd is a free woman because "Being obnoxious isn't a crime." That is the opening line of Dowd's column from this morning. She intended her words as a defense of Henry Louis Gates, but it's awfully tempting to see them as a sort of mea culpa. Although Kathy offered considerable praise for Dowd's column, I protest. Dowd's column is an exercise is just the sort of … [Read more...] about Why Maureen Dowd Isn’t In Jail (And A Question For Dennis)
Why the Free Market Cannot Fix Health Care
Of course I'm the choir, but I still think Krugman preaches a damn good sermon: … [Read more...] about Why the Free Market Cannot Fix Health Care
Sarah Palin, 2008-2009, a Political Obituary
As she steps down today as governor of Alaska, where is the Mouth That Roared headed? Political obscurity is a possible destination but, based on her 11-month performance since John McCain anointed her, that seems unlikely. A long-time Alaska Republican operative tells the Washington Post: "As the saying goes, the most dangerous place you can be is between a grizzly sow and … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin, 2008-2009, a Political Obituary
Palin’s Parting Shot
From Janie Lauder of the NYTimes Caucus Blog: It’s official. Sarah Palin stepped down as governor of Alaska on Sunday, without dropping one hint about her future. Instead, she used her farewell address “to exercise my freedom of speech,” as she put it. [...] She cited accomplishments of her abbreviated administration, condemned big government and warned Alaskans against … [Read more...] about Palin’s Parting Shot
A Trio of Subjects and Articles
1. Health care reform: Time to move past fee for service? (h/t Yglesias): … [Read more...] about A Trio of Subjects and Articles
EDITORIAL: Travel To Moon and Stars is What Humanity Needs – NRC Handelsblad, The Netherlands
It's a question that has been asked since manned spaceflight began: With all the problems down on earth, is it really worth the billions it takes to send human beings into space? At least as far as the editorial board of the NRC Handelsblad is concerned, the answer is an emphatic 'yes.' This editorial from the Dutch newspaper says in part: "Human spaceflight is a … [Read more...] about EDITORIAL: Travel To Moon and Stars is What Humanity Needs – NRC Handelsblad, The Netherlands
India’s Nuclear Submarine Launch Gives Little Cause For Comfort
India launched a 6000-ton nuclear powered submarine a few hours ago joining a select group of countries-- United States, Russia, France, Britain and China – with the knowhow to do so. The 367-foot sub made with Russian help will become operational after trials lasting three to five years and will carry missiles with a range of about 450 miles. It will be able to fire nuclear … [Read more...] about India’s Nuclear Submarine Launch Gives Little Cause For Comfort
Anti-Gay Human Rights Prof Backs Out of Teaching NYU Course In The Fall
Following up on my two earlier posts on the topic, Dr. Thio Li-ann, a professor at the National University of Singapore and a member of that country’s Parliament who graphically and stridently opposed the repeal of a law there that criminalizes sex between men, this week backed out of teaching a human rights course at NYU's Law School in the fall: In a statement released on … [Read more...] about Anti-Gay Human Rights Prof Backs Out of Teaching NYU Course In The Fall
Let’s Go to the Audio Tape
Maureen Dowd's column today is about the Crowley-Gates affair. It's thoughtfully written and makes several good points, but I want to zoom in on this part: … [Read more...] about Let’s Go to the Audio Tape
The Trouble Today with ‘Simple’ Words
Vice President Biden takes to the pages of today's NYT, defending the administration's stimulus spending. In doing so, he writes: ... the [Recovery Act] was intended to provide steady support for our economy over an extended period — not a jolt that would last only a few months. Ed Morrissey, with a little help from others, jumps on this dismissal of "jolt" as a … [Read more...] about The Trouble Today with ‘Simple’ Words
Scientists Worry About Machines Smarter Than Us. Yawn…
NOTE: forgive my overlap with Jazz. I can only hope it gets chalked up to great blogging minds thinking alike... Says the NYTimes: Impressed and alarmed by advances in artificial intelligence, a group of computer scientists is debating whether there should be limits on research that might lead to loss of human control over computer-based systems that carry a growing share … [Read more...] about Scientists Worry About Machines Smarter Than Us. Yawn…
Up Next: Artificial Intelligence Congress
Scientists are now worried that machines will grow smarter than human beings with upcoming advances in artificial intelligence. Impressed and alarmed by advances in artificial intelligence, a group of computer scientists is debating whether there should be limits on research that might lead to loss of human control over computer-based systems that carry a growing share of … [Read more...] about Up Next: Artificial Intelligence Congress
Quote of the Day: On Calls For Obama To Be Another LBJ
As the health care debate becomes more fiery and partisan and President Barack Obama is seen grappling with trying to please, convince and kowtow to members of his own political party, some now wonder whether Obama has lost his political clout and some talk wistfully about how much better Obama might fare if he was a little more like the arm-twisting President Lyndon Baines … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Calls For Obama To Be Another LBJ
Quote for the Day
This shout-out goes to one of TMV's very own, Dennis Sanders, in his post published earlier today on the Gates-Crowley kerfuffle: I have long believed that liberals tend to be too sensitive on racial issues, to the point that no one can talk about them or they become excuses for people of color to indulge in victimhood. But I also think that conservatives tend to be too dull … [Read more...] about Quote for the Day
Chrome v Firefox: Can Innovation Happen Without A Fight to the Death?
The NYTimes has a a major piece out today, For Mozilla and Google, Group Hugs Get Tricky, about the impact of Google's Chrome on Mozilla's Firefox. The story is a typical can-the-new-entrant-bring-down-the-incumbent style business tale. The setup is in the new offices of the feisty David, Mozilla Firefox, that has survived and thrived despite the twin Goliaths, Microsoft … [Read more...] about Chrome v Firefox: Can Innovation Happen Without A Fight to the Death?
Should Obama Close Loopholes on Overseas Profits?
The Obama administration recently unveiled a proposal which would make changes to international tax law in the United States tax code. The general thrust of this effort would be to reduce tax avoidance by American companies for overseas investments and resources and reduce the incentive for expatriating profits and jobs. An excellent nine point summary of the plan can be found … [Read more...] about Should Obama Close Loopholes on Overseas Profits?
The Reality Check Is Not in the Mail
This month, for the first time in decades, a payment I sent did not reach its recipient. This rare mishap was a reminder that good old reliable snail mail is in its death throes after 234 years of creating a national community out of isolated places thousands of miles apart, making a daily visit to the mailbox an adventure that brought the world to us with words on paper, … [Read more...] about The Reality Check Is Not in the Mail
Mr President Keep the Change (Guest Voice)
Mr President Keep the Change by Michael Reagan In late April of this year, at the three-month mark of his administration, President Obama challenged his cabinet to save $100 million over the following 90 days. Well, not surprisingly those 90 days have come and gone without the spend-happy administration saying anything about meeting the goals of this self-imposed … [Read more...] about Mr President Keep the Change (Guest Voice)
This Is Insane, and Grossly Disrespectful to the POTUS
The House is considering a resolution demanding that Pres. Obama apologize to Sgt. James Crowley for saying he "acted stupidly" in the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. … [Read more...] about This Is Insane, and Grossly Disrespectful to the POTUS
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Virginia Gubernatorial Election – Clues From The Past
Rhodes Cook: THE VIRGINIA GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION - CLUES FROM THE PAST It is often said that the past is prologue. In that regard, this year's gubernatorial candidates in Virginia--Democrat Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell--share a bit of common history. They ran against each other for state attorney general in 2005, a race that ended as one of the closest statewide … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Virginia Gubernatorial Election – Clues From The Past