When a commission probes the economic meltdown, Michael Lewis' Vanity Fair piece "The Man Who Crashed the World" will serve as a rough draft of what went wrong at AIG and started the financial landslide. In chronicling how the company built a tower of risk that tumbled around Wall Street's ears, Lewis in passing reveals the role of Eliot Spitzer, then New York Attorney … [Read more...] about Spitzer as AIG Culprit
An Augmented Reality Browser
Layar: Layar is a mobile augmented reality browser, developed by the Amsterdam-based company SPRXmobile. It displays real time digital information on top of reality in the camera screen of your the mobile phone. Layar was first released on June 17th 2009 in the Netherlands for Android phones. A version for the iPhone 3GS will be released end of summer; any other mobile phone … [Read more...] about An Augmented Reality Browser
Administration Mis-Spokes
We'd all like to believe that pronouncements from the Obama Administration in recent days and months are true—or at least that the people doing the pronouncing believe them to be true. Here's a list of some things, however, that may not turn out to be totally accurate. The G-8's commitment to check global warming will not be slowed by fears about possible negative economic … [Read more...] about Administration Mis-Spokes
Inside Jeb: Is the Smarter Bush Brother in Line to Take Over the GOP?
So Jeb Bush, according to Tucker Carlson, may be, whether he knows it or not, the future of the Republican Party. That's right, as if two Bushes haven't been more than enough, another -- this time the smart one, at least when compared to his more famous brother, Obama's predecessor -- may be on the way to presidential politics. If, that is, he can find a way back to … [Read more...] about Inside Jeb: Is the Smarter Bush Brother in Line to Take Over the GOP?
Sarah Palin’s “Higher Calling” Reason for Quitting
The guessing as to what Sarah Palin will do, now that she is quitting her governor job, continues. Ofttimes, in the reporting on Sarah Palin's magnanimous decision to quit her day job, the lines get blurred between why Sarah Palin quit, and what she'll be doing next. Joe Gandelman posted a piece today, summarizing---and shooting down---a couple of the alleged reasons for … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin’s “Higher Calling” Reason for Quitting
Quote of the Day: David Broder On Robert McNamara and Sarah Palin
Our political Quote of the Day comes from David Broder, who writes this about former Vietnam-war era Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and soon to be former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin: McNamara stayed too long and left too quietly. Palin is bailing out on her people far too soon. Neither can serve as an example for those in government wrestling with the decision of when to … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: David Broder On Robert McNamara and Sarah Palin
Analysis: Iranian Lobbying Failed (Guest Voice)
Analysis: Iranian Lobbying Failed by Jonathan Spyer President Shimon Peres's landmark visit to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan this week represents a significant advance for Israeli ambitions in Central Asia. In the wake of the recent decision to permit Israel to open an embassy in the Turkmen capital of Ashghabad, the visit reflects the importance Jerusalem attaches to this … [Read more...] about Analysis: Iranian Lobbying Failed (Guest Voice)
Eternal Moonwalk
I'm sick of all the attention the media is giving Michael Jackson, too, but I promise you this is absolutely brilliant: Studio Brussel, a publicly funded radio station in Belgium also known at StuBru, has created a very unique website as a tribute to Michael Jackson. The site is called Eternal Moonwalk and is a video slideshow of people, animals and inanimate objects doing … [Read more...] about Eternal Moonwalk
Storm
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Storm
Magical Monetary Principles (Guest Voice)
Magical Monetary Principles by Martha Randolph Carr The Great Recession is continuing to have an affect on the quality of life for U.S. citizens. This time, the death knell is being rung for a plethora of state services. The beginning of July marked the new fiscal year for states and with it came another reckoning between what we all want and what we can afford. It’s … [Read more...] about Magical Monetary Principles (Guest Voice)
Microsoft Is On A Roll: Office in the Cloud To Be Unveiled Monday
MGSeigler says that's why Google’s announcement of the Chrome OS came randomly in July, well before they had anything ready to show off: On Monday, Microsoft is set to unveil its plans to counter the attack Google previously had launched on it with Google Docs. Yes, Microsoft Office is going to the cloud. This is something which we all knew was eventually coming, and there is … [Read more...] about Microsoft Is On A Roll: Office in the Cloud To Be Unveiled Monday
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Do Americans View Both Parties As Too Extreme?
Alan I. Abramowitz: Do Americans View Both Parties as Too Extreme? According to the Gallup Poll, many Americans today view both major political parties as too extreme ideologically. In a survey conducted from June 14-17 of this year, 46 percent of Americans said that the Democratic Party was "too liberal" while 42 percent described its political views as "about right" and 8 … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Do Americans View Both Parties As Too Extreme?
Just In Case You Were Wondering….
... why Steve King (R-Iowa) was the only member of the House of Representatives to vote against a resolution recognizing the free labor provided by slaves in the building of the U.S. Capitol. In addition to the resolution itself, a plaque will be placed in the House Visitors Center stating that the Capitol was built in part by slave labor. So why did Rep. King vote against … [Read more...] about Just In Case You Were Wondering….
Is Brian Kilmeade the Stupidest Person on the Face of the Earth?
Or just at Fox? I know there's a lot of competition for that title there, but this truly is a stand-out entry: … [Read more...] about Is Brian Kilmeade the Stupidest Person on the Face of the Earth?
An Interesting Choice for NIH
Here. Contrary to the stereotyping coming from some corners these days, not all who believe in the existence of God are bigoted, closed-minded, or anti-science. Francis Collins is one demonstration of that. He's a theist and an outstanding scientist. Politically, this is yet another shrewd appointment on the part of Barack Obama. As he pursues such hot potato issues as stem … [Read more...] about An Interesting Choice for NIH
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Tweets of the Week
Larry J. Sabato: Tweets of the Week A new Crystal Ball feature, Tweets of the Week, will showcase some highlights from the past week in politics. This commentary is just a sampling of the analysis (and, yes, sometimes humor) of University of Virginia Center for Politics Director, and Crystal Ball founder, Larry Sabato who can be found on Twitter by clicking here. July 8: … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Tweets of the Week
Palin’s Resignation Reason Questioned But Republicans Absolutely Love Her
A new report raises questions about one of soon-to-be-former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's stated reasons for her stunning announcement that she plans to resign before completing her first term -- but a new poll shows that the bulk of Republicans love her, resignation or no resignation. Which raises a tantalizing question: if the reading on this new poll and previous polls … [Read more...] about Palin’s Resignation Reason Questioned But Republicans Absolutely Love Her
The Politics of Personality Disorder
Sarah Palin and Mark Sanford, who won't stop talking about the conjunction of their political and personal problems, are taking us into new territory where punditry has to give way to psychiatry to make sense of their bizarre behavior. Consider the National Institute of Mental Health's definition of borderline personality disorder: "a serious mental illness characterized by … [Read more...] about The Politics of Personality Disorder
Michael Jackson: A Local Icon Across Asia
Sri Lankan journalist Nalaka Gunawardene notes in his blog how the twin technologies of satellite television and the Internet transformed far-away Michael Jackson into a local icon across Asia. He also mentions about a 2001 documentary named Michael Jackson Comes to Manikganj that probed how far and wide satellite television was influencing and impacting culture, society and … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson: A Local Icon Across Asia
Jackson and Elvis
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 Jackson and Elvis