Or less. True compromise -- meaningful compromise -- only happens when each side's starting point is a whole loaf. If your starting position is half a loaf, you will end up with even less -- and that's not compromise. It's agreeing to surrender before you even begin. … [Read more...] about If You Ask for Half a Loaf, You Will Get a Quarter of a Loaf
Why Medvedev Can Meet Ahmadinejad – But Obama Cannot: Novosti of Russia
Commenting on the criticism President Obama has been receiving for not more roundly condemning the Iranian regime after the June 12 election, this article from Russia raises the question: Is it an advantage for Russia that it's President can meet with the likes of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, because it 'doesn't try to preach to others or impose morality'? According to this article … [Read more...] about Why Medvedev Can Meet Ahmadinejad – But Obama Cannot: Novosti of Russia
So Wrong It Has To Be Right
Sometimes things are just so unbelievably wrong that they need very little by way of introduction. With that, the extremely disturbing styling of Ted Pillman. Also known as the worst advertisement for Snickers candy bars... EVAH. (Warning: there is no nudity or language to make this NSFW, but it's still really disgusting.) … [Read more...] about So Wrong It Has To Be Right
Joe Klein Tells John McCain to “Be Quiet” on Iran
On Larry King two nights ago, Joe Klein gave the definitive put-down to John McCain's non-stop attacks on Barack Obama for not sufficiently supporting Iranian street protesters against the Iranian government: … [Read more...] about Joe Klein Tells John McCain to “Be Quiet” on Iran
Don’t Cry For Him, Argentina
I can't believe Joe didn't make that joke in his first post about Mark Sanford's extra-marital adventures. Nor did Patrick or any of the commenters. Has America lost its sense of humor? In the blogosphere, it shouldn't be long before this becomes a story that is more about the media than it is about Sanford. There will be an avalanche of coverage and we'll have to ask … [Read more...] about Don’t Cry For Him, Argentina
Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead
The announcement by South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford that the "mystery" about his whereabouts stemmed from him being in Argentina conducting an extramarital affair will likely end his political career -- and not just because he had an affair. There are two other specific factors that will make him a dream for any Democrat at any level to run against at any point in his … [Read more...] about Two Reasons Why Mark Sanford’s Political Career Is Now Dead
Personal Finances Stabilize
There's definitely good news here in Glimmerland. Like the U.S. economy, which according to many recent reports from government and private analysts is stabilizing, personal finances in this country also appear to be nearing a bottom. You may have lost your job. But if you can't find another one, that simply means your job prospects haven't gotten worse. They have bottomed … [Read more...] about Personal Finances Stabilize
The Right Side of History: Obama Stands Up For “the Courage and Dignity of the Iranian People”
I have defended Obama on Iran, I continue to defend him, and I'll defend him here. I tend to be quite hawkish (as a liberal) on democracy and freedom, and I would love to see Iran shake off the shackles of theocracy and tyranny and embrace liberty and diversity and the sovereignty of the people, but, unlike war-now neocons and the many other hawkish conservatives, I also … [Read more...] about The Right Side of History: Obama Stands Up For “the Courage and Dignity of the Iranian People”
Sanford Admits Affair
A while back I wrote a post in which I discussed the fact that Democrats seem to be unable to keep their financial affairs in order while Republicans seem to be unable to keep it in their pants. Just a few days ago we had Nevada Senator John Ensign admit to an affair, now we have South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford admitting to an affair. It seems his venture to Argentina … [Read more...] about Sanford Admits Affair
‘Revolutionary Gerontocracies’ Should Grab Obama’s Hand: El Nuevo Diario, Nicaragua
Have the ripple effects of President Obama's Cairo speech now reached Latin America? Many people now believe that the elections in Lebanon and Iran were a direct or indirect result of the president's speech to Muslims. This article by columnist Artemio Cruz of Nicaragua's El Nuevo Diario shows that that beyond the fact that President Obama's two speeches to Muslims … [Read more...] about ‘Revolutionary Gerontocracies’ Should Grab Obama’s Hand: El Nuevo Diario, Nicaragua
CARTERIZING OBAMA
John McCain, who relaxed during last year's campaign by improvising a "Bomb Iran" ditty, is back to lead a Republican chorus taunting Barack Obama as another Jimmy Carter. The tune is familiar, but the words are all wrong. Three decades ago, Carter dealt with a vulnerable revolution in Iran by fumbling every move from allowing the deposed Shah into the US to watching … [Read more...] about CARTERIZING OBAMA
Conservative Contradictions: The Right-Wing Assault on Obama Over Iran
The other day, TNR's Michael Crowley effectively captured the contradiction at the core of the conservative assault on Obama over Iran: So Now Obama Really Is Moses? For more than a year conservatives have ridiculed the alleged belief that Obama's special rhetorical powers can do anything, including parting the waters. Now they're all clamoring for him to change he course … [Read more...] about Conservative Contradictions: The Right-Wing Assault on Obama Over Iran
Women, Abortion, Helen Thomas and Richard Nixon
(picture of President Nixon in China - Helen Thomas in Red - courtesy of Time, Inc.) One hundred fifty four hours of Nixon tapes were released yesterday and as usual they do not disappoint. The two of the more controversial issues on the recordings are Nixon's statements regarding abortion and women in Republican politics. On the abortion issue, Nixon is pretty … [Read more...] about Women, Abortion, Helen Thomas and Richard Nixon
Anticipating 2010: Line of the Day
From Jim Vandehei's and Jonathan Martin's article today on what might fuel or fetter a GOP comeback: In politics, the resurrection of the out party almost always comes from the failure or excesses of the in party. A runner-up "line of the day" from the same article: "The voters are likely to use Republicans as a check" in 2010, said former Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.). "Even … [Read more...] about Anticipating 2010: Line of the Day
Burger King’s New Ad: A New Low In Vulgar Ads Aimed At Young Customers (UPDATED)
Just when you thought the vulgarization of culture that is now worldwide due to the unifying influence of cable, the Internet and You Tube can't get any more vulgar, Burger King proves you wrong with news of its new advertising campaign for its "Super Seven Incher Sandwich" that's fun for journalists to report on, will get lots of buzz but would hurt the company if it was … [Read more...] about Burger King’s New Ad: A New Low In Vulgar Ads Aimed At Young Customers (UPDATED)
Health Care Reform: Aspirin for the Bewildered
If you didn’t notice, you’re probably dead. But if you have a pulse and still missed the obvious ... ahem: The health care debate is once again radioactive. Jazz, Kathy, Robert, Jerry and Dr. E. are among the TMV contributors who have already jumped into this boiling water -- and the jumpers are clearly not limited to our humble pages. I'm not really a jumper; not on this … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform: Aspirin for the Bewildered
Quote Of The Day: Obama’s “Planted Question” And The Huffington Post
Our political Quote of the Day comes from MSNBC's First Read on the controversy over President Barack Obama calling on a prominent new media Huffington Post reporter to ask a question the White House wanted to be asked since it was a question from Iran: Perhaps the most controversial moment at yesterday’s press conference occurred when Nico Pitney of the Huffington Post … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Obama’s “Planted Question” And The Huffington Post
The Sanford Saga Takes A Weird And “Exotic” Turn
It's just getting weirder and weirder. The State is reporting this morning that Sanford was not hiking the Appalachian Trail (as his office claimed), nor writing (as his wife claimed), but amusing himself in and around Buenos Aires, Argentina. He may even have taken a cruise. "I wanted to do something exotic," he said. Okay, fine. So he went to Argentina for a short, … [Read more...] about The Sanford Saga Takes A Weird And “Exotic” Turn
Introducing the Obama-Jazz PonyCare (TM) Program
(Note: Details of the following program will be discussed on today's edition of Mid Stream Radio at 10 am Eastern time.) My fellow Americans, Much time and energy has been spent debating both the need and nature of massive health care reform in our great nation. Unfortunately, while this is very admirable, it doesn't go nearly far enough. That's why I'm here today to … [Read more...] about Introducing the Obama-Jazz PonyCare (TM) Program
Washing Up
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Washing Up