The cover story in the current issue of the Yale Alumni Magazine recounts the remarkable progress toward equality and acceptance that gay students have made at Yale over the past thirty years. The same is true at every prominent college or university I'm familiar with. In the homes and workplaces of the American elite -- roughly defined by a certain mix of education, wealth … [Read more...] about Gay Rights And The American Elite
Health Reform: Urgency and Patience
Here's a candidate for understatement of the year: Many people are anxious for Congress to finalize a health care reform bill that both chambers can live with and send to the President for signature. Despite my past-month handwringing over the costs of such legislation, I entirely understand and empathize with the anxiety of those "many people." Take the case of a family … [Read more...] about Health Reform: Urgency and Patience
The Unvarnished Racism of Pat Buchanan
Firedoglake's Scarecrow blasts Pat Buchanan for his racist diatribes on MSNBC, and asks why that network continues to hire him as an on-air contributor: … [Read more...] about The Unvarnished Racism of Pat Buchanan
With All That’s On His Table, A Shot Of Booze Is OK
As President Obama's personal popularity sinks to the 50-yard line, his landmark climate change and healthcare bills in deep doo doo, the stimulus bill tied up in bureaucratic knots and his continual flummoxing over Bush Administration torture and secret CIA operations, one thing remains certain. The public has an insatiable thirst for the guy. It ranges from the fanatical … [Read more...] about With All That’s On His Table, A Shot Of Booze Is OK
Amazon E-Deletes Bought And Paid For Orwell Titles From Kindles
LATER UPDATE -- Amazon says it won't happen again: These books were added to our catalog using our self-service platform by a third-party who did not have the rights to the books. When we were notified of this by the rights holder, we removed the illegal copies from our systems and from customers’ devices, and refunded customers. We are changing our systems so that in the … [Read more...] about Amazon E-Deletes Bought And Paid For Orwell Titles From Kindles
Moon Landing and Chappaquiddick
Forty years ago this weekend, two events marked the end of the Kennedy era--Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, as JFK had promised, and his brother Ted drove off a bridge at Chappaquiddick to signify the end of Camelot. "I believe," President John F. Kennedy had told Congress the year Barack Obama was born, "that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, … [Read more...] about Moon Landing and Chappaquiddick
The Whining Rich
If you believe conservative commentators, liberals are a bunch of whining, carping, envious wimps, always complaining about some puffed up abuse of indigents or some other lefty lament. But believe me when I say that no group whines, moans, beats its heads against the wall in torment about a perceived injustice more than the very rich or their champions. Take the 5.4 percent … [Read more...] about The Whining Rich
Wither Hillary Clinton?
Is Hillary Clinton being shoved to the side? Has President Barack Obama put her in the administration to keep her out of competition in the future? Is she being overshadowed by Obama on foreign affairs and is merely a figurehead? Is all of this normal or a symptom of continuing political rivalry? And: is all of this emerging speculation based on anything or is it typical of … [Read more...] about Wither Hillary Clinton?
Malcolm X as One Republican’s Inspiration
No, it's not a trend. No, we should not try to paint every Republican with the same brush. Yes, every party (every movement) has its crackpots. Regardless, this made me giggle. Granted, it was an uncomfortable giggle, and maybe not a giggle at all. More like a snarky ... snicker/smirk, or something like that. … [Read more...] about Malcolm X as One Republican’s Inspiration
We’re All Lemmings Now
Patrick Edaburn pointed out last night that the Washington Post (not exactly a bastion of Right wing conservatism) reported on recent CBO findings which indicate that the proposed House health reform plan will actually drive costs up, rather than producing the savings we've been promised. The numbers don't seem to be the issue here, since they appear to be clear to everyone … [Read more...] about We’re All Lemmings Now
Earth to Newspapers: You CAN Control Your Content With Robots.txt
Newspapers act like they don't have a clue. So Google directed this message at them: The truth is that news publishers, like all other content owners, are in complete control when it comes not only to what content they make available on the web, but also who can access it and at what price. This is the very backbone of the web -- there are many confidential company web sites, … [Read more...] about Earth to Newspapers: You CAN Control Your Content With Robots.txt
The Episcopal Church’s Step Forward (Guest Voice)
The Episcopal Church’s Step Forward by Britney Wilkins On Monday, the bishops of the Episcopal Church voted to open the ministry position to gay men and lesbians which seems to almost undermine a previous moratorium which was passed three years earlier. While this resolution does not mandate that all dioceses have to consider gay candidates, it simply allows some diocese … [Read more...] about The Episcopal Church’s Step Forward (Guest Voice)
Obama’s Trip To Russia: Success, Failure Or In Between?
Was President Barack Obama's recent trip to Russia a success, failure or in between? Did he waste a perfect opportunity to stand up in front of the microphones and cameras and declare U.S. victory in the cold war -- or would that have been an unwise and/or inaccurate move? Cathy Young, a contributing editor at Reason, a weekly columnist at RealClearPolitics, and the author … [Read more...] about Obama’s Trip To Russia: Success, Failure Or In Between?
Sotomayor and Palin
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Sotomayor and Palin
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Arnold Schwarzenegger
CBO Says Health Plan Would Not Curb Costs
A report from the non partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) indicates that the proposed health care plan will not curb costs and could end up increasing costs. In a bemusing reaction many Democrats have attacked the report and tried to label CBO Director Douglas W. Elmendorf as a partisan hack of some kind. Considering that 1) the CBO has long been recognized as non … [Read more...] about CBO Says Health Plan Would Not Curb Costs
Young Republican Runner-Up Classy in Defeat
If you missed Joe's mention of John Avlon’s “Wingnut of the Week,” Audra Shay, the new chair of the Young Republicans [nothing to link to on their web page and this is the closest Wikipedia gets to her] OR if you are otherwise unfamiliar with her odious utterings, I will outline them below. But it was Rachel Hoff's generous comments in defeat that moved me: She had been … [Read more...] about Young Republican Runner-Up Classy in Defeat
Terrorists Attack Jakarta Indonesia Luxury Hotels
Death toll now at least 6 people, at least 4 of whom are foreigners. CNN Breaking News: An explosion tore through the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in south Jakarta, Indonesia, witnesses told local media. CNN Video BBC: 'Fatal' blasts hit Jakarta hotels At least four people have been killed in two separate explosions at luxury hotels in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, reports … [Read more...] about Terrorists Attack Jakarta Indonesia Luxury Hotels
Dixiepubs
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Dixiepubs
Obama to NAACP: “Our gay brothers and sisters, still taunted, still attacked, still denied their rights.”
President Obama Spoke at the NAACP's 100th Anniversary dinner tonight. From the transcript: The first thing we need to do is make real the words of your charter and eradicate prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination among citizens of the United States. I understand there may be a temptation among some to think that discrimination is no longer a problem in 2009. And I believe … [Read more...] about Obama to NAACP: “Our gay brothers and sisters, still taunted, still attacked, still denied their rights.”