The flag was still there. And so are we Americans in the United States. We are a radical, radical people. It's no wonder the world often says, Oh, Ach, Ay! Those Americans. We were not founded on fluffy words, but on blood-drenched ones. Dont forget: We are still here, not by luck, but by hard-won "luck" in a mysterious land that often has wide margins for error, a … [Read more...] about Rockets’ Red Glare: And The Flag Was Still There Edition
There’s No Such Thing As Bad Publicity
I think Sarah Palin quit her job as governor because she knew this would happen. Keep in mind that she made her announcement on a Friday, mid-afternoon, at the start of a holiday weekend. There is no such thing as the news dump in PalinWorld. … [Read more...] about There’s No Such Thing As Bad Publicity
America The Beautiful
The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal … [Read more...] about America The Beautiful
Palin Resignation: Another Shoe To Drop?
Conservative talker Mark Levin was breaking the news yesterday about Sarah Palin's resignation as Governor of Alaska to his listeners, many of whom would likely be among her staunchest fans. He talked about the slew of failed ethics violations charges brought against her by opponents in Alaska and said she was under constant fire because the liberal media and the Democrats … [Read more...] about Palin Resignation: Another Shoe To Drop?
July Fourth Food Angst
Another July 4th has dawned. Always a tough day for me. In public schools from the age of 6-17, in PS 177, Boody Jr. High and Lafayette High School, all in Brooklyn, New York, the same lunch was served every thursday. Franks, mashed potatoes, and sitting in a dollop of these potatoes, a pool of brown gravy smothered in sauerkraut. It has left its mark. Each July 4th … [Read more...] about July Fourth Food Angst
How To Save The Newspaper
Leaders in the news field joined Aspen Institute president Walter Isaacson for his "the Future of Journalism" panel at the Institute's Ideas Festival in Colorado last week. Politico's report on it is headlined, Save journalism? Beats us, panel says: As is usually the case with such discussions, the group didn’t break any serious ground in determining how to save a troubled … [Read more...] about How To Save The Newspaper
Sarah Palin: The Political Lesson Learned
This, I'm sad to say, is absolutely right: The lesson that the ruthless corners of the political world will take from the rise, fall, and departure of Sarah Palin that if you attack a politician's children nastily enough and relentlessly enough, you can get anybody to quit. A hideous, but logical, outcome. My chron post about her resignation is here. Cross-posted from … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin: The Political Lesson Learned
The Regular Folk Need Not Apply
Mark Steyn has an interesting take on Sarah Palin's resignation as Alaska's governor. His last two paragraphs has some very good points: Most of those who sneer at Sarah Palin have no desire to live her life. But why not try to - what's the word? - "empathize"? If you like Wasilla and hunting and snowmachining and moose stew and politics, is the last worth giving up … [Read more...] about The Regular Folk Need Not Apply
Palin: The Media Martyr’s Revenge
The self-styled victim of "the politics of personal destruction" has struck back at her tormenters by leaving Alaska's statehouse with trademark twinkly, crinkly aggression. Sarah Palin dropped her bombshell on the eve of a holiday weekend, sending TV's talking heads scrambling back from vacation to studios or huffing over long-distance phone lines to parse her resignation. … [Read more...] about Palin: The Media Martyr’s Revenge
Sarah Palin Resignation Coverage
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Resignation Coverage
Of Joy, Concern and Hope this Independence Day
For the past six to seven years, Americans have celebrated Independence Day with both joy and concern. Joy, because, for more than 230 years, Americans have had every reason to celebrate the undeniable fact that our nation and our people are still part of the greatest experiment in liberty, “the pursuit of happiness,” and democracy the world has ever seen. Concern, … [Read more...] about Of Joy, Concern and Hope this Independence Day
The Alacrity of Nope
Of the available choices... Scandal - public records revealed that SBS supplied the materials for her Wasilla house OR last week Alaska blogger Linda Kellen-Biegal successfully raised roughly $6,000 to pay the cost associated with a freedom of information request for email; Money & Fame - Anchorage Rep. Hawker noted that Palin's decision to quit "gives her unfettered … [Read more...] about The Alacrity of Nope
Happy Independence Day
I would like to extend my wishes to all of TMV's loyal readers for a happy, safe and patriotic fourth of July. The first of today's pictures will show you that Old Glory is flying in fine form, even up here in the remote mountain regions. That shot was taken on Wed. evening shortly after we arrived, during one of the few breaks in the cloud cover. We've not seen that much open … [Read more...] about Happy Independence Day
NPR Ombudsman Says No to Greenwald Interview on Torture
One of the continuing topics of discussion at Glenn Greenwald's Salon blog is the use, by many news organizations, of euphemisms like "harsh [or "enhanced"] interrogation techniques" when writing about the interrogation practices sanctioned and used by the Bush administration -- even when these same organizations use the word "torture" to characterize similar or identical … [Read more...] about NPR Ombudsman Says No to Greenwald Interview on Torture
Sarah Palin: Orthogonian
Rick Perlstein's excellent book Nixonland exploits a college fraternity motif to explain the entirety of Richard Nixon's political appeal.. At Whittier College, Nixon's alma mater, there was the social "in" crowd that formed an elite social club called the Franklins. Only the wealthiest students could deign to join the Franklins. Young Nixon, ever the outcast in this circle … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin: Orthogonian
Sarah, We Hardly Knew Ya
My first reaction was shock... until reality stepped in. Sarah Palin says she will resign her post as governor of Alaska at the end of July. Nothing this woman does surprises me anymore. It took about a nanosecond for the pundits and second guessers to opine on her future from the cable channels to websites and Twitter. I haven't a clue what she plans to do, if anything. … [Read more...] about Sarah, We Hardly Knew Ya
Palin Resigning as Alaska Governor
There was speculation that Alaska Governor (and right-wing darling) Sarah Palin would not run for re-election in 2010, both to give time to run for President in 2012, and to avoid a potentially embarrassing upset defeat which could derail her political career altogether (see Allen, George). But in a stunning announcement, Gov. Palin is in fact planning to resign the … [Read more...] about Palin Resigning as Alaska Governor
I Wasn’t Expecting This…Sarah Palin Will Resign As Alaska’s Governor
From MSNBC.com: Report: Palin resigning as Alaska governor I generally don't try to anticipate the strategies of politicians, I have a life to live, but I certainly wasn't expecting Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to resign her office this early, before campaigning for the 2012 Presidential election began in earnest. I'm sure even if there is a follow-up announcement regarding the … [Read more...] about I Wasn’t Expecting This…Sarah Palin Will Resign As Alaska’s Governor
Palin Quits As Governor
UPDATE: MSNBC is now reporting that sources tell Andrea Mitchell that Palin is out of politics for good. They indicate this is NOT a first step in a 2012 campaign for President but her decision to shift from political candidate to some sort of pundit type. I agree that there certainly seems to be more behind this story that meets the eye, perhaps a new scandal or possibly … [Read more...] about Palin Quits As Governor
Laugh in Tune! Listen to the Capitol Steps’ 4th of July Show
Laugh in Tune! Listen to the Capitol Steps' 4th of July Show on your local NPR station or online! Tune in to hear Mark Sanford, Joe Biden, Arlen Spector, and several Somali pirates as we perform our July 4th radio special in front of a large audience in a confined space. Get local broadcast info now. Hear what's in store on this promo clip. Find a Station or LISTEN … [Read more...] about Laugh in Tune! Listen to the Capitol Steps’ 4th of July Show