If you thought five books was a lot to review, try seven. Princeton historian Sean Wilentz takes on that challenge in a cover story for The New Republic. Wilentz begins by recounting a crude remark about "mulatters" (i.e. mulattos) that Lincoln made while stumping for Gen. Winfield Scott, his party's presidential candidate in 1952. Wilentz explains, My point in … [Read more...] about Abe Lincoln Was No Abe Lincoln (But Barack Obama Might Be)
The Iron Lady
John L. O'Sullivan reviews five (count'em, five) new books about Baroness Thatcher. O'Sullivan himself was an adviser to Thatcher and helped with her memoirs. This point jumped out at me: Owen Harries theorized some years ago that Thatcher was seen by many people around the world, foes as well as friends, as being more important than Reagan in spreading the free market … [Read more...] about The Iron Lady
NYC Street Grid Is A Spectacular Solar Calendar
Among those things I miss most about my NYC home are the summer sunsets: Built into the streets of New York City is a solar calendar on a truly massive scale. Every year around July 12th, New Yorkers are treated to a spectacular phenomenon as the setting sun aligns directly with the east-west streets of Manhattan's main grid, turning them into canyons filled with golden light. … [Read more...] about NYC Street Grid Is A Spectacular Solar Calendar
Defending DeMint (Sort Of, or Maybe Not — What He Said About Pre-War Germany Was Still Incredibly Stupid)
On Tuesday, Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, one of the more extreme of Congressional Republicans, said this at the National Press Club: They understand socialism. They understand tyrants. But none of us have ever had it here. We don't even know what it looks like. Part of what we're trying to do in Saving Freedom [his book] is just show that where we are, we're about … [Read more...] about Defending DeMint (Sort Of, or Maybe Not — What He Said About Pre-War Germany Was Still Incredibly Stupid)
The Lying Down Game
The latest in Facebook fun: [T]he rules of this wonderfully batty pursuit are very simple. You have to find the weirdest place possible for anyone to lie down in. And that's where you lie down, face down, and have someone take a picture of you. … [Read more...] about The Lying Down Game
When Quitting Would Have Been Heroic
David Broder muses about exit strategies in public life: "Two vastly different public officials--Robert McNamara and Sarah Palin--shared the spotlight this past week, triggering fresh thoughts about one of the classic dilemmas of governmental careers: When and how do you quit?" Wrong question. What's important is why. Coupling McNamara with Palin is less to the point … [Read more...] about When Quitting Would Have Been Heroic
The Changing Fortunes of Al Franken, Sarah Palin and their Parties
A MUST READ from Joe Conason. NOTE: this can shift again, depending on how wise (or unwise) some people are and how wise (or unwise) two parties are. … [Read more...] about The Changing Fortunes of Al Franken, Sarah Palin and their Parties
Chicken Little Biden
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Chicken Little Biden
Congress Suddenly Decides They Don’t Like W.H. Signing Statements
Anyone remember a certain Democratic Presidential candidate last fall who complained bitterly (and correctly, in my opinion) about the many "signing statments" which George W. Bush used to skirt around legislation he didn't care for? Yeah, me too. But it seems that, having moved his own bags into the West Wing, Barack Obama thought he'd give old W. some credit and take a shot … [Read more...] about Congress Suddenly Decides They Don’t Like W.H. Signing Statements
Quick Note To TMV Readers
Yes, news in the Internet age is almost instantaneous but the frustrations can last a bit longer. If you were reading TMV the past 30 minutes you may have noticed a major error in my GM post. In fact, that error was fixed in editing -- but when it was posted there was a network issue at the moment it was posted and the post went up with the phrase that was removed. But … [Read more...] about Quick Note To TMV Readers
General Motors Emerges Out Of Bankruptcy
The big financial news is now breaking: General Motors has emerged out of bankcruptcy 40 days later. The operative question will become: is it now sufficiently leaner...and wiser? General Motors emerged from bankruptcy early this morning, with chief executive Fritz Henderson promising that the fallen corporate giant will be reformed and that "business as usual at GM is … [Read more...] about General Motors Emerges Out Of Bankruptcy
Palin Crack-Up News Continues
I admit it. I'm a rubbernecker. I can't look away from a car wreck... Peggy Noonan: In television interviews she was out of her depth in a shallow pool. She was limited in her ability to explain and defend her positions, and sometimes in knowing them. She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. She was utterly unconcerned by all this and seemed in fact … [Read more...] about Palin Crack-Up News Continues
California Budget and IOUs
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about California Budget and IOUs
Society’s New “N Word” and We’re All It
Can you guess what it is? Read Phil Bronstein HERE. … [Read more...] about Society’s New “N Word” and We’re All It
Michael Jackson Still Dominating The News
Even today, well after the memorial service and weeks after his death, Michael Jackson is still dominating the news. Why do I say this? Look at this screenshot of Newsmap: This site is a news aggregator and displays headlines of topics sized according to the number of current articles on that topic. Normally for my configuration, the red blocks, which are world news, and the … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson Still Dominating The News
GM Out of Bankruptcy
Even I'm surprised that they actually did it: General Motors completed a major step in its turnaround on Friday and closed the sale of its good assets to a new, government-backed carmaker, at a speed unimagined by auto and bankruptcy experts even six months ago. The government and G.M. signed the documents at 6:30 a.m. at the offices of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, the … [Read more...] about GM Out of Bankruptcy
Freedom of Religion in China
Here. [Also posted at my personal blog.] … [Read more...] about Freedom of Religion in China
It’s A Party, Not a Lifestyle
The recent resignation of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has had many a blogger and commentator talking about her and the GOP. That she has chosen to step down from her job less than eighteen months before she up for re-election has made many (myself included) believe that her career in politics is over. However, there are many who believe she has only begun to prepare for the … [Read more...] about It’s A Party, Not a Lifestyle
David Pogue: Give Bing A Fling (Video)
If you missed my post last night, today Pogue posted the video version of his NYTimes rave review of Microsoft's Bing search engine. While not as complete as the print version, it has the advantage of show and tell... … [Read more...] about David Pogue: Give Bing A Fling (Video)
‘Reset’ Requires Russians to Understand Americans: Rossijskaya Gazeta, Russia
What do Russians think of the United States - and is this a problem? In offering this psychoanalysis, which is quite sympathetic to the U.S., political scientist Leonid Radzihovskiy tells readers of the Rossiyskaya Gazeta that if Russians ever hope to build a new relationship with Americans, they had better eject whatever they've heard about us from Russia's state media, … [Read more...] about ‘Reset’ Requires Russians to Understand Americans: Rossijskaya Gazeta, Russia