The Austin American-Statesman reports today that U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is planning to run against Texas governor Rick Perry next year, is making inroads with previous Perry "loyalists" and "chipping" into Perry's "rich donor base, taking 21 percent of $6.7 million she raised from December through June from 35 percent of Perry's historically staunchest … [Read more...] about Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas-Sized Gift Horse
The Curious Case of American Health Care
It’s very strange how two countries with such cultural similarities as the United States and Great Britain can be so different. This past week’s debate on health care has been one which I have followed with close attention but yet have not been able to understand in its entirety. I do not understand how a country as influential and rich as America can let 30 million … [Read more...] about The Curious Case of American Health Care
Birther On Colbert – Oh, This Should Be Good
It seems that Orly Taitz will be showing up on The Colbert Report this week. She will doubtless have her own certified United States birth certificate on hand. Aside from the delicious entertainment such a meeting promises, we should take this chance to attempt predicting some of the highlights. A lot of this will depend on the rationale of Taitz for accepting the interview. Is … [Read more...] about Birther On Colbert – Oh, This Should Be Good
It’s Over: Housing Starts; No It’s Not: Verizon Layoffs
Proving Daniel Gross's Newsweek Cover Story true, there's good news and bad out today... WSJ: New-home sales soared in June from the previous month, the third increase in a row and supplying fresh evidence the housing market is beginning to recover from its long crisis. Sales of single-family homes increased by 11.0% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000 … [Read more...] about It’s Over: Housing Starts; No It’s Not: Verizon Layoffs
Texting While Driving
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Texting While Driving
Ossified Kremlin Misreads Biden Visit to Georgia and Ukraine: Yezhednevniy Zhurnal, Russia
Once again it's nice to report that the free press in Russia is still alive and kicking. Days ago the Yezhednevniy Zhurnal, one of Russia's boldest opposition newspapers, published this broadside against Russia's 'self-decieving, self-deluded' official media and the Kremlin for how they continue to interpret the world. This article examines the visit of Vice President Biden … [Read more...] about Ossified Kremlin Misreads Biden Visit to Georgia and Ukraine: Yezhednevniy Zhurnal, Russia
Paying The Piper (Or Just Doctors And Lawyers)
Matt Yglesias is frustrated withthe nutty and dysfunctional nature of “fee-for-service” medicine in which doctors are paid for doing stuff rather than for treating illness.I feel the same way, but not about medicine. My wife is an attorney at a large firm, where the firm's earnings depend on how many hours its lawyers bill, not whether the client's legal illnesses get treated. … [Read more...] about Paying The Piper (Or Just Doctors And Lawyers)
I Assure You, Everything Is Just Fine In The Middle East
Tom Friedman, Sunday morning:I can comfortably report the following: The bad guys are losing. Yes, the dominos you see falling in the Muslim world today are the extremist Islamist groups and governments. They have failed to persuade people by either their arguments or their performances in power that their puritanical versions of Islam are the answer.As Dick Cheney might … [Read more...] about I Assure You, Everything Is Just Fine In The Middle East
Arm The Senate! (Guest Voice)
Arm The Senate! by E.J. Dionne, Jr. Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- Isn't it time to dismantle the metal detectors, send the guards at the doors away, and allow Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights by being free to carry their firearms into the nation's Capitol building? I've been studying the deep thoughts of senators who regularly … [Read more...] about Arm The Senate! (Guest Voice)
An Interesting Article On Democrats
An interesting article about the problems being faced by the Democrats and the liberal versus moderate wings of the party. … [Read more...] about An Interesting Article On Democrats
Worst. Movie. Ever.
How often do you see a review that begins like this?It's hard to know where -- and with whom -- to begin when assessing the depraved, worthless piece of filth that is "Orphan," a high-gloss horror show about a well-meaning couple who bring home a 9-year-old girl to join their family, only to discover, way too late, that she's a homicidal psychopath.The quote is from Ann … [Read more...] about Worst. Movie. Ever.
Why Maureen Dowd Isn’t In Jail (And A Question For Dennis)
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