In October 2001, an Algerian relief worker, employed by the Red Crescent Society, was arrested in Sarajevo, Bosnia, where he lived with his wife and two young daughters. He was accused of being involved in plots to blow up the U.S. and British embassies in Sarajevo. Despite his consistent, repeated, and forceful assertions that he knew nothing about the conspiracy and had done … [Read more...] about Number 10005
Now Rush Limbaugh Reportedly Wants GM To Fail Too
Talking Points Memo reports that there's now a move on the part of some conservatives to boycott General Motors (that'll teach Barack Obama a lesson): The Detroit Bureau reports that an idea seems to be picking up some cachet on the right-wing blogs and in talk radio: Fighting the "Government Motors" bailout by boycotting the company. Most of it so far is limited to … [Read more...] about Now Rush Limbaugh Reportedly Wants GM To Fail Too
Someone May Have Told Sonia Sotomayor To “Break A Leg” In Confirmation Talks With Senators
And perhaps she took it too literally. She broke her ankle: THIS JUST IN!! And here's Sotomayor commenting on it: … [Read more...] about Someone May Have Told Sonia Sotomayor To “Break A Leg” In Confirmation Talks With Senators
Breaking the Streak
In a fascinating bit of political history research, Swing State Project blogger "Silver Spring" takes a look at the now-vacant NY-23 district (represented by John McHugh before he was nominated as Secretary of the Army) and finds that much hasn't been represented by a Democrat for awhile. A long while. Nearly half of the district hasn't been represented by a Democrat since … [Read more...] about Breaking the Streak
Is This Torture?
Don't click the link until you've decided. Think carefully, now. This is a trick question. … [Read more...] about Is This Torture?
Gallup Poll: Americans Like Obama But Not His Deficit Spending
A new Gallup Poll finds Americans like President Barack Obama so much that he's ahead of Democrat Bill Clinton and Republican George W. Bush at similar points in their first year in office -- but many Americans don't like his deficit spending:' While 67% of Americans view President Barack Obama favorably, his overall job approval rating and his ratings on specific areas … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Americans Like Obama But Not His Deficit Spending
Australia’s New Envoy to India: Peter Varghese
Peter Varghese, 53, a distinguished Australian diplomat and former senior advisor to ex-Prime Minister John Howard, has been appointed Australian High Commissioner to India. He is due to take charge in August from John McCarthy, a distinguished and popular diplomat, who completes his five-year term in India. Varghese brings with him vast experience in current international … [Read more...] about Australia’s New Envoy to India: Peter Varghese
Will Ferrell: Funny or Finished?
After investing the better part of a quarter billion dollars into the effort, Will Ferrell's new film, Land of the Lost, opened to sparsely populated theaters and sneering critics, netting less than twenty million over its first weekend. Everyone has a flop once in a while, but this makes about four in a row for the star of Anchorman which were either limp at the box office or … [Read more...] about Will Ferrell: Funny or Finished?
SCOTUS Turns Down Challenge to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
Bloomberg: The rebuff spares President Barack Obama’s administration from the awkward task of mounting a legal defense for a policy the president says should be repealed. In urging the Supreme Court not to hear the appeal, administration lawyers said a lower court was correct to uphold the policy. The high court case stemmed from a lawsuit by 12 former service members who … [Read more...] about SCOTUS Turns Down Challenge to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
The Letters Have It
I have always believed that, whether dealing with local community issues or with issues of national import, much common sense and wisdom can be found in many of the letters written daily by regular Americans to the editors of their newspapers. In a book dedicated to Letters to the Editor*, the authors make this comment: As we leafed through thousands of letters, we … [Read more...] about The Letters Have It
The Beginning of Dialogue
Guest post by Hamid M. Khan It was risky and laughable the moment he uttered it as a candidate, the notion that a president could venture into the Islamic world, immediately after taking office, and attempt to alter America's image in the hearts and minds of Muslims. Upon reflection, however, not only did President Obama succeed but it is likely that his Cairo address will … [Read more...] about The Beginning of Dialogue
North Korea Sentences Two U.S. Journalists to 12 Years in Labor Camp
You have to ask yourself: is North Korea deliberately pressing a confrontation with the United States? Apart from the news about past and possibly future missile tests, the latest evidence that North Korea is seemingly playing "chicken" with Washington is that two American journalists have been sentenced to what some say were unusually harsh sentence in a labor camp: A … [Read more...] about North Korea Sentences Two U.S. Journalists to 12 Years in Labor Camp
HEALTH CARE SELLOUT
The table is set for the Senate to cut the heart out of health care reform, with an ailing Ted Kennedy pitted against Max Baucus, recipient of $3 million from the industry over five years with a platoon of former staff members working as lobbyists for them. Unless the White House rallies constituents to rise up, the Senate sellout will come from lawmakers hiding behind … [Read more...] about HEALTH CARE SELLOUT
A New Dawn For Healthcare (Cartoon)
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. TMV runs a variety of cartoons, columns and posts throughout the day. Refresh TMV often to see the latest. … [Read more...] about A New Dawn For Healthcare (Cartoon)
Richard Evans Looks At Nazi Germany
As a student of history, I am always interested to find a new look at an old subject and, if there is any topic that has been fairly well covered, it is World War Two and the rise of the Nazis in Germany. But Richard Evans, in his ambitious three-volume epic, has given us some interesting new takes on the era. His first book, The Coming Of The Third Reich examines the … [Read more...] about Richard Evans Looks At Nazi Germany
Gay Divorce
NPR's "All Things Considered" had a piece tonight about the Gay Marriage battle in Washington, D.C., where the city council passed a measure that would allow the city to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Supporters are hoping the council will pass new legislation allowing same-sex marriage in the district. Meanwhile, somewhat incongruously, in the … [Read more...] about Gay Divorce
Call for Math Wizards at TMV
I'm working on an article, and could you help me with a math problem? I have gotten lost in all the decimal points and commas and sub-problems. I know from reading comments that some people who visit TMV are gifted at things like this, I'd appreciate any help you can give me: 1. Say there are aprx 6B people in the world. Say about half of them are women. Say that women … [Read more...] about Call for Math Wizards at TMV
Ode to the Liberators of France: America’s GIs – Le Figaro, France
For those who are possessed of the misapprehension that the French don't appreciate what America did for them sixty five years ago yesterday, this article by Le Figaro's Philippe Labro expresses the tremendous gratitude that continues to be felt for the bloody sacrifice made by thousands of Americans who lost their lives along the beaches of Normandy in the name of an ideal: … [Read more...] about Ode to the Liberators of France: America’s GIs – Le Figaro, France
Labour Loses Wales For First Time Since WW1
Yesterday I posted about the British Labour party losing badly in local elections and today things have gone from bad to worse as results of elections to the European Parliament come in. The exact numbers are still being hashed out but it looks like Labour has lost (and the Conservatives have won) a vote in Wales for the first time since 1918. In 2004 Labour had won two of the … [Read more...] about Labour Loses Wales For First Time Since WW1
North Korea Back On Terror List ?
UPDATE: Doesn't look like Kim is trying to be moderate in response. He just sentenced the 2 journalists to 12 years in prison for 'spying. According to Secretary of State Clinton, the US is considering putting North Korea back on the list of nations that are suspected of sponsoring terrorism. She stated that recent behavior by the rogue nation has dashed hopes that we could … [Read more...] about North Korea Back On Terror List ?