Six months of scrambling on all fronts--bank bailouts, economic stimulus, climate change--have brought the President lower approval ratings from a public suffering from crisis overload and left him needing a Hail Mary pass to score on his key issue. "With skepticism about the president's health-care reform effort mounting on Capitol Hill--even within his own party," the … [Read more...] about The Politics of Attention Deficit Disorder
Blue Dog in Charge: Rep. Mike Ross
Full disclosure: My other job gives me ample reason to interact with Blue Dog Congressman Mike Ross and his staff. Accordingly, I'm hardly an objective source. Still, I genuinely like this guy -- which is something I can't say about all elected officials and their staff, whether or not I have a reason (or obligation) to interact with them. So, why do I like Ross? … [Read more...] about Blue Dog in Charge: Rep. Mike Ross
Rasmussen Poll Shows Most Americans Hate Rasmussen
Please. Make. It. Stop 2012 Match-ups: Obama, Romney Tied at 45%; Obama 48%, Palin 42% It's not even nine months since the last election. Really. I can't take it. I think the only reason those numbers look the way they do is because they failed to offer all of the most likely responses. "If the election were held today, would you..." 1. Vote for Barack Obama 2. … [Read more...] about Rasmussen Poll Shows Most Americans Hate Rasmussen
The Problem with Polls
The problem with polls (or maybe it's the reporting of poll results) is that they ask (focus on) too many closed-loop questions. For instance: "Do you approve of the way the President is handling health care reform?" The answers to such questions lend themselves to neat and tidy conclusions -- perfect blog fodder -- such as Chris Cillizza's suggestion today that the … [Read more...] about The Problem with Polls
Guess Who Supports Mark Sanford And Wants Him To Stay In Office?
God. Editor's note: The wrong link was up earlier. It has been fixed. We regret the error. … [Read more...] about Guess Who Supports Mark Sanford And Wants Him To Stay In Office?
Captured PFC Bowe Bergdahl’s Father’s Advice To Son “Stay Strong”
The father of PFC Bowe Bergdahl -- the 23-year-old soldier captured by the Taliban -- has this advice for his son: "Stay strong." Go HERE for must-read details from Jules Crittenden, who also gives his own take on this troubling story. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary says the U.S. is doing all it can to try and get Bergdahl back: US Secretary of State Hillary … [Read more...] about Captured PFC Bowe Bergdahl’s Father’s Advice To Son “Stay Strong”
Can Pot Help California’s Budget Woes? If It’s Legal, Will Addiction Rise?
Pointing to the question posed by Time Friday, Can Marijuana Help Rescue California's Economy?, Gregor Macdonald says try it: By some estimates marijuana crop production in California accounts for roughly 14 billion in gross sales. That would make marijuana the states largest single cash crop. One has to believe that current growers would happily trade the costs and risks of … [Read more...] about Can Pot Help California’s Budget Woes? If It’s Legal, Will Addiction Rise?
Mumbai 2008 Attacks: Pakistani Terrorist Pleads Guilty
Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, 22, a Pakistani terrorist (the only one to be captured alive during the Mumbai's deadly 26/11 siege last year) today pleaded guilty to 86 charges, including murder and waging war on India, in a Mumbai court. Admitting his role in the carnage which left more than 160 people dead, Kasab said Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi of the banned militant group … [Read more...] about Mumbai 2008 Attacks: Pakistani Terrorist Pleads Guilty
Good Luck, Mr. Kean
The former New Jersey governor attempts to sweep ocean waves with a broom. Give him credit for trying: ... the 74-year-old Kean spoke wistfully about growing up in a Washington where the two parties worked together in (almost) perfect harmony. He began with stories of his father, a congressman of 20 years who was a top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee … [Read more...] about Good Luck, Mr. Kean
Business Flees California
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Business Flees California
End the Handshake Horror
I've just gotten used to sneezing in my sleeve. And now it's time to let the handshake meet its end. The Boston Globe's Neil Swidey: With everything we now know about germs, about the ferocity with which trouble travels via hand-to-hand contact, why do we feel obligated to soldier on with this centuries-old tradition? It’s not clear exactly why and when the handshake became … [Read more...] about End the Handshake Horror
Islamic Pakistan & World’s Oldest Profession
"Secular" India and "Islamic" Pakistan try to suppress prostitution but ignore the plight of thousands of people involved in this highly risky but widely practised profession. Some NGOs have done commendable work, such as a recent drive in Karachi to promote health awareness among sex workers. Lahore, Karachi, Calcutta, Bombay and Lucknow were among the traditional urban … [Read more...] about Islamic Pakistan & World’s Oldest Profession
Meanwhile Back At The Ranch…
This would've been much bigger news if not for the Sotomayor hearings -- Kevin Drum notices that moderate Senate Democrats have excised the card-check provision from the Employee Free Choice Act. From the NYT: A half-dozen senators friendly to labor have decided to drop a central provision of a bill that would have made it easier to organize workers. The so-called … [Read more...] about Meanwhile Back At The Ranch…
Will Ninja Lobby Block Sotomayor Confirmation?
If I were Judge Sotomayor, I would be concerned about the gun lobby. But I would be much more afraid of the nunchuk lobby. Doesn't anybody remember what happened to the last Supreme Court nominee who suggested that states have the right to ban ninja weapons? Of course nobody remembers! When ninjas take you out, they make sure that nobody even remembers you even existed in … [Read more...] about Will Ninja Lobby Block Sotomayor Confirmation?
Can You Say Scumbag?
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