House committees are expected to introduce their versions of healthcare reform measures Monday. A public option of government-pooled coverage competing with private carriers is included in the consoldated bill that would extend insurance to the estimated 45 million uninsured and underinsured. That in itself will add to the spiraling increase of health costs now reaching $2 … [Read more...] about Two Doctors’ Promising Views Of Health Reform
Update: Did the C.I.A. Lie to Congress?
On July 9, we asked the question, "Did the C.I.A. Lie to Congress?" and discussed the possibility that the C.I.A. had indeed withheld information from the U.S. Congress. That is exactly what some Democrats were claiming. According to a New York Times column, “Democrats Say C.I.A. Deceived Congress,“ we quoted then: In a June 26 letter to Mr. Panetta discussing his … [Read more...] about Update: Did the C.I.A. Lie to Congress?
Colin Powell- The Reluctant Leader
I have mixed and admittedly contradictory feelings about Colin Powell. On one hand I think he represents the dictionary definition of what a patriot and hero is and on the other I think he is nothing short of a disappointment. I read his military and political resume and one thought always comes to my mind – why on earth did he never run for President. With the benefit of … [Read more...] about Colin Powell- The Reluctant Leader
Five Questions With…
... well, with me, I suppose. The folks over at Jumping in Pools invited me to do a quick Q&A hit covering a range of topics including Sarah Palin, Porkulus Mk. II and some prognostication on Presidential races in 2012 and beyond. Since I know you can never get enough of my wit and wisdom here, feel free to swing by and say hi over … [Read more...] about Five Questions With…
Heath Care Reform: Some Choice Words for “The Select Few” (Guest Voice)
Some Choice Words for "The Select Few" by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship If you want to know what really matters in Washington, don't go to Capitol Hill for one of those hearings, or pay attention to those staged White House "town meetings." They're just for show. What really happens - the serious business of Washington - happens in the shadows, out of sight, off the … [Read more...] about Heath Care Reform: Some Choice Words for “The Select Few” (Guest Voice)
Obama Weekly Address: Stimulus Is Working But Needs More Time
President Barack Obama in his weekly radio/You Tube address argues that his economic stimulus plan is indeed working but needs more time: But -- most assuredly -- not everyone agrees with Obama. Here is how Reuters puts his comments in context: President Barack Obama said on Saturday more time was needed for his $787 billion (485 billion pound) stimulus package to work, … [Read more...] about Obama Weekly Address: Stimulus Is Working But Needs More Time
Gail Collins, John Ensign, and Family Values
I have to agree with some of our readers. We are spending entirely too much time on frivolous issues such as the Palin "Higher Calling" resignation and Sanford's sultry Argentinean love affair. And I won't even touch the Michael Jackson "issue." There are too many other real issues to be discussed and analyzed. One of them is, of course, the "What Happened in Vegas" … [Read more...] about Gail Collins, John Ensign, and Family Values
I wonder if they were ever ashamed of what they were doing
As more is revealed on the secret warrantless wiretaps and other surveillance of American citizens that President George W. Bush authorized illegally, supposedly to fullfill his "duty" to "keep Americans safe from the terrorists" this quote comes to mind: When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty. -George Bernard Shaw (1856 - … [Read more...] about I wonder if they were ever ashamed of what they were doing
Obama Totally Fails to Create “Butt-Gate”
As any of our more left leaning regular readers will tell you, I've not been shy about criticizing President Obama when I find him heading in directions which I feel are not in our best interest. And yes, I must admit to the guilty pleasure of giving the President the occasional poke in the ribs when he's caught in some faux pas. Unfortunately, the recent kerfuffle over Obama … [Read more...] about Obama Totally Fails to Create “Butt-Gate”
Palin Holds Her Head High
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Palin Holds Her Head High
The IG Warrantless Surveillance Report Is Out
Spencer Ackerman gives us the facts and the justified sarcasm: … [Read more...] about The IG Warrantless Surveillance Report Is Out
“A Prime Candidate For A Visit From A Predator”
That's what Ibn Muqawama has to say about Baitullah Mehsud, leader of the Pakistani Taliban. On a related note, Ibn Muqawama adds,We really need to rethink our entire concept of airpower. I don't think it lies in F-22s, but in the persistent presence and low-observability offered by the next generation of unmanned and relatively inexpensive drones, operating from longer … [Read more...] about “A Prime Candidate For A Visit From A Predator”
Abe Lincoln Was No Abe Lincoln (But Barack Obama Might Be)
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