Although it is very difficult to remain unemotional when the health and welfare of our most precious individuals---children---are involved, I'll give it a try. The New York Times has a heart-rending article this morning. It's about how some states have been reluctant to repair the safety net, improve health insurance, for their most vulnerable ones, and how other … [Read more...] about “Universal” Health Care Is Debatable, Children’s Health Care Is Not
Dr. Melissa Clouthier’s Plot to Destroy America
We saw plenty of it both during and shortly after the election, but as with most cycles, it died down pretty quickly afterward. Oh, you missed it? I'm talking about the tempting, low hanging fruit of blaming independents and third party candidates for your fortunes after you get your ass absolutely kicked in and handed to you on a platter in the killing fields of the political … [Read more...] about Dr. Melissa Clouthier’s Plot to Destroy America
Oysters for Health Care (Guest Voice)
Oysters for Health Care by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship This is a story of health care and two Americans; a tale of two citizens, if you will. This week, Regina Benjamin was nominated by President Obama as our next surgeon general, charged with educating Americans on medical issues and overseeing the United States Public Health Service. She was the first African … [Read more...] about Oysters for Health Care (Guest Voice)
Heartbreaking Video Of U.S. Soldier Captured By Taliban: “I’m Afraid”
An Internet site has posted a heartbreaking video of Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl, the 23-year-old U.S. soldier captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan, expressing fears that he won't be allowed to go home and see or hug his loved ones again. It's a natural expression of fear: in fact, U.S. soldiers captured by in Afghanistan and Iraq have not fared well in many cases. Their capture … [Read more...] about Heartbreaking Video Of U.S. Soldier Captured By Taliban: “I’m Afraid”
Mark Sanford’s Still Sorry, David Gregory’s Skilled Groveling
No inkling of a resignation in his 800-word OpEd in The State today. But he is really, really, sorry: It's in the spirit of making good from bad that I am committing to you and the larger family of South Carolinians to use this experience both to trust God in his larger work of changing me and, from my end, to work to becoming a better and more effective leader. I think … [Read more...] about Mark Sanford’s Still Sorry, David Gregory’s Skilled Groveling
Hillary Clinton: Pakistan’s ‘Syndicate Of Terrorism’
There is some speculation why the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, now visiting India for five days, is not visiting neighbouring US-ally Pakistan as her predecessors have always done. On the other hand, Hillary declared that Pakistan houses a ‘syndicate of terrorism’. The Indian Express reports that Hillary stated that "her country is watching the actions being taken … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton: Pakistan’s ‘Syndicate Of Terrorism’
Cluster Flip
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Cluster Flip
We’re In A New Golden Age of Television
On Speaking of Faith this week, TV and Parables of Our Time. Krista Tippet says shows like Lost, The Wire, and Battlestar Galactica are "engaging grand themes of ethics and humanity and helping a new generation tell the story of our time." Her guest, Diane Winston, a journalist and scholar of media and religion at USC, says we're in a Golden Age of television: And it's … [Read more...] about We’re In A New Golden Age of Television
“Unwinnable” War In Afghanistan? A Final Realization?
US defense secretary Robert M. Gates has stated an obvious fact: The troops in Afghanistan "are tired...and the American people are pretty tired.” So, what next (or new)? In an ominous use of the word "unwinnable", once used by the legendary media person the late Walter Cronkite to turn public opinion against the Vietnam war, defense secretary Gates (photo above) says that … [Read more...] about “Unwinnable” War In Afghanistan? A Final Realization?
Betting on Global Warming
In a slightly more fun, casual story for your Sunday reading, an interesting wager has broken out in the blogosphere. In what he calls a Challenge to Climate Change Skeptics, Nate Silver of fivethirtyeight.com is offering a rather hefty wager to all takers based on ... the weather. It came in response to another blogger who claimed that this summer seemed abnormally cool - … [Read more...] about Betting on Global Warming
When Children Learn Differently: ‘Outsiders’ Guaranteed To Bring Unique Contributions to the World
I have been trying to teach myself graphic design out of a book. It is slow going. Learning things that have many parts combined with abstract ideas take me much reading, re-reading and re-re-reading. I can learn more easily it seems if there are applicable pictures of whatever the learning is... and living poeple actually moving their eyes and hands to make the expert … [Read more...] about When Children Learn Differently: ‘Outsiders’ Guaranteed To Bring Unique Contributions to the World
Hillary Clinton Salutes Mumbai 26/11 Heroes
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton's visit to the Taj Hotel in Mumbai on Saturday was more than a symbolic gesture. She interacted with the staff of the Taj, and the adjoining Trident-Oberoi hotel, who survived last year's 26/11 terrorist attack. Taj's general manager, who lost his wife and two children in the attack, introduced the staff, and then arranged breakfast for the … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Salutes Mumbai 26/11 Heroes
Time to Learn Some Table Manners
Anyone who has seen the film The Miracle Worker will remember the scene in the dining room where young Helen Keller (played by Patty Duke) eats her meal by going around the table grabbing food from everyone's plates. Her parents, who pity her "affliction" as they call it, and at the same time feel intimidated by it, allow her to do this because they don't know how to treat her … [Read more...] about Time to Learn Some Table Manners
The Kindle’s Orwellian Moment: Lessons & Warnings
The day after and the hubbub is dying down. Still, a quick follow-up to yesterday's news that Amazon E-Deleted Bought And Paid For Orwell Titles From Kindles is in order. Here then, some thoughts from the legal eagles... Yale Law School's Jack Balkin: This story is a perfect example of Jonathan Zittrain's analysis of "tethered appliances," that is, appliances like the … [Read more...] about The Kindle’s Orwellian Moment: Lessons & Warnings
Pat and Sonia
As a black man let me say that there is not much that I and Patrick J Buchanan agree on. Although I admire his forthright unvarnished demeanor, I think that his world view is based on the baseless premises that white male Americans are gods real chosen people. With that said I do consider Uncle Pat to be an evil genius. I think his oratorical skills are up there with … [Read more...] about Pat and Sonia
Our Troops In Iraq Becoming Sitting Ducks
The withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from within Iraqi cities is not going too well. Whether it's a language translation of the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement or grandstanding by the Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, is unclear. U.S. commanders are complaining their hands are tied defending themselves from attacks by Shiite militias or Sunni … [Read more...] about Our Troops In Iraq Becoming Sitting Ducks
It’s Not Just the Deep South
Let's say you have a baby in a stroller but you find a deal on a used appliance that you just can't pass up. What to do? Fresh from the camera, another of those scenes that makes you ask, What the Heck? When you see images like this, they are often accompanied by stories about rednecks, trailers, and something south of the Mason-Dixon line. Except this one is an original, taken … [Read more...] about It’s Not Just the Deep South
All Eyes On Rafsanjani In Iran
Big developments In Iran. Meir Javedanfar, writing on RealClearWorld: The most important takeaway message from Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani's Friday sermon in Iran today is that the regime now faces one of the most important crisis since the inception of the Islamic Republic. This is in direct contrast to President Ahmadinejad, who has dismissed the events as marginal … [Read more...] about All Eyes On Rafsanjani In Iran
If You Read Anything This Year …
Read this: A democracy is essentially about determining the course of our nation together. To do that, it helps a lot to have a good citizenry. A good citizenry is informed, serious about things that are worth taking seriously, and not liable to be led off course by demagogues. (Everyone doesn't have to be like this, but you need a critical mass of people who are.) But I've … [Read more...] about If You Read Anything This Year …
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Tweets of the Week
Larry J. Sabato: Tweets of the Week The Crystal Ball's new feature, Tweets of the Week, showcases some highlights from the past week in politics. Read more analysis from University of Virginia Center for Politics Director, and Crystal Ball founder, Larry Sabato on Twitter here. 9:54 PM Jul 10th: As the author of "A More Perfect Constitution," I'm delighted that both CA … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Tweets of the Week