While the US media and the blogs are going hysterical about the health care issues of "Americans", Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press Writer) provides us with a moving insight into the continued poverty, deprivation and neglect of the "other" Americans --- the indigenous people who live within the borders of the United States of America. The story revolves round the … [Read more...] about Red Indians: “America’s Broken Promises”
On “Fair” Taxes
Taxes are the means through which we pay for the infrastructure of civilization. While I can't exactly say I'm happy to pay them, I understand, expect and accept that I will always pay a big chunk of my wages out in taxes each year. I believe in community, taxes come with it. Nancy Folbre, an economics professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has a piece on the … [Read more...] about On “Fair” Taxes
Has the Obama Administration Destroyed America?
The short answer: "No" The somewhat longer answer: "Well, at least not yet." It's true that our citizens are not dropping dead in the streets of disease and starvation. Nor have Skynet's robots begun ravaging the landscape. Much to the consternation of many Republicans, President Obama has stubbornly refused to declare America a Muslim Nation and set fire to the … [Read more...] about Has the Obama Administration Destroyed America?
UPDATED: Iran’s Election Results Deemed Questionable, Logical
Supporters of Iranian president-elect Mir Hossein Mousavi stand at the gate of their university campus during a rally in Tehran on June 15, 2009. By Olivier Laban-Mattei/Getty. H/t + cutline credit: Andrew Sullivan. ------------- Dueling interpretations are the inevitable result when outsiders attempt to decipher the indecipherable. Cases in point: this post from … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Iran’s Election Results Deemed Questionable, Logical
Microsoft’s Bing: Bringing Around the Tech Press
Yesterday Fred Wilson proposed we give bing a chance. He set his default search to Bing and promised his reaction to it in the coming days. Later TechCrunch's MG Siegler reminds us that back in the 90s he was something of a Microsoft fanboy before going on to admit: I mocked Bing from the second I heard its name, as basically a non-starter. But here we are a few weeks later, … [Read more...] about Microsoft’s Bing: Bringing Around the Tech Press
Panetta Says Cheney Sounds Like He Almost Wants U.S. Attacked
Uh, oh. Brace yourself for the outrage machine to perhaps go into full gear -- or will it be (rightfully) distracted by truly significant, substantive events now unfolding in Iran? CIA Chief Leon Panetta this weekend said what some writers and analysts have hinted at over the past few months: from former Vice President Dick Cheney's comments about Obama administration security … [Read more...] about Panetta Says Cheney Sounds Like He Almost Wants U.S. Attacked
Iranspiration
My first reaction to the situation in Iran was rooted in base gratitude for the fact that I live in a country where the transfer of power is a "reasonable, peaceful" process. One commenter had a different reaction: I was happy when I saw the Iranian chaos. To me it demonstrates the growing liberalism and the increasing level of freedom of expression that is arising in … [Read more...] about Iranspiration
Ahmadinejad And Boss
Taylor Jones, Hoover Digest This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Ahmadinejad And Boss
The Illogic Of DADT
Since it has been in the news of late, I have been pondering the issue of the illogic of the current Don't Ask Don't Tell policy with regard to our Armed Forces.As I understand it, the theory is that having openly gay men and women serving in the military would cause disruptions to morale because people would be uncomfortable having a gay person living and working with … [Read more...] about The Illogic Of DADT
Max Cleland’s Return
Max Cleland ended a seven year hiatus from public life this month when he attended the D-Day ceremony on the cliffs of Normandy. The former Georgia senator was named secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission by President Obama in May. In that capacity he served as the official escort of the president and First Lady at Normandy. American news outlets largely … [Read more...] about Max Cleland’s Return
Iran: What You See Is What You Get
From a westerner's perspective whose only expertize on Iran is finding it on a map, Friday's national election was a fraud. What else would you expect? When westerners apply U.S. standards for fair elections to a foreign country run by a theocracy, you're guilty of wishful thinking and probably smoking an illegal substance. Get over it. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed … [Read more...] about Iran: What You See Is What You Get
McConnell: GOP Could Filibuster Sotomayor Supreme Court Nomination
Those of us who were once Republicans continue to scratch our heads wondering what has happened to a once proud party that use to stand by and defend seemingly timeless principles, given the latest proclamation from Republican Minority leader Sen. Mitch McConnell: he says the GOP could well decide to filibuster Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor...and who … [Read more...] about McConnell: GOP Could Filibuster Sotomayor Supreme Court Nomination
Iran: An Act of Kindness in the Midst of Hysteria
Starting around the 2:30 mark in this video, Iranian protestors guide a dazed policeman to safety and care for him. Remarkable. H/t Andrew Sullivan. … [Read more...] about Iran: An Act of Kindness in the Midst of Hysteria
‘So glad to live in the United States’
That's the simple, unadorned reaction posted by a commenter on the Steve Clemons article to which Joe linked earlier. It's also the recurring reaction I had this afternoon, as I caught up on the events transpiring in Iran. For all the angst that many of us felt about the Bush administration -- and despite the horrendous, isolated actions of James W. von Brunn and Scott … [Read more...] about ‘So glad to live in the United States’
Iran’s Election: Will There “Be Blood” And Will Its “Revolution” Be Twittered?
As Iran is pitchforked into the international headlines, with new dramatic headlines seemingly emerging by the minute, the focus is on the meaning and consequences of election results now being widely perceived as being ham-handedly phony. Here are four must read quotes on the situation -- including one that questions the emerging conventional wisdom on the results. 1. Steve … [Read more...] about Iran’s Election: Will There “Be Blood” And Will Its “Revolution” Be Twittered?
Commencement Addresses: Praise, Encouragement and Wariness
Springtime is time for graduations and, of course, for those rousing and sometimes not-so-rousing commencement addresses. It is the time when presidents and vice presidents are invited---and sometimes disinvited---to congratulate, praise, motivate and encourage the new graduates as they go into the “real world.” This spring, that “real world,” with our economy in a … [Read more...] about Commencement Addresses: Praise, Encouragement and Wariness
Iran’s Election Results: The “Inevitable”?
As expressions of outrage are pouring in from throughout the world at election results in Iran that suggest a stolen election with no attempt made at subtlety, Real Clear Politics' Kevin Sullivan suggests it's all part of a process that is more significant than many assume: There remains a lot of confusion and still unanswered questions about what is happening in Iran. … [Read more...] about Iran’s Election Results: The “Inevitable”?
Food, Inc.: Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.
“It’s almost like a horror film, like ‘Invasion of the Food Snatchers,’ ” -- Robert Kenner, Director, "Food, inc." The NYTimes: Forget buckets of blood. Nothing says horror like one of those tubs of artificially buttered, nonorganic popcorn at the concession stand. That, at least, is one of the unappetizing lessons to draw from one of the scariest movies of the year, … [Read more...] about Food, Inc.: Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.
Iran’ Stolen Election Should Change Western Policies (Guest Voice)
Iran's Iran' Stolen Election Should Change Western Policies By Barry Rubin Many Western analysts and journalists are treating the stolen election in Iran as something of no international significance. After all, they say, it is only an internal matter. Why should it affect Western attempts to engage with the Islamist regime? If we hadn't been previously conditioned by … [Read more...] about Iran’ Stolen Election Should Change Western Policies (Guest Voice)
Hooray! Another way to flush cash into Palin!
Yes, my friends, good news comes in many forms. This weekend, it's a reminder that you can still redirect your hard earned dollars away from workaday concerns like bills, vacation or retirement and into the coffers of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Just head on over to the Alaska Fund Trust (AFT) and let the love flow! And what, you may ask, will this money be going for? Her … [Read more...] about Hooray! Another way to flush cash into Palin!