... for mind-numbing stupidity. It seems that if a person knows how to say one word -- say, "thank you" -- in another language, that means they speak that language. … [Read more...] about Michael Goldfarb Breaks His Own Record…
Out of touch: Conservatives Eager to Ramp Up the Fight Against Sotomayor
Politico is reporting that "Conservatives are demanding that Senate Republicans take a harder line on Sonia Sotomayor": In a letter to be delivered to Senate Republicans Tuesday, more than 145 conservatives – including Grover Norquist, Richard Viguerie and Gary Bauer — call for a filibuster of Sotomayor's nomination if that's what it takes to force a "great debate" over … [Read more...] about Out of touch: Conservatives Eager to Ramp Up the Fight Against Sotomayor
Gay Marriage Becomes Law in New Hampshire
A friend, family really, the sister of my life-partner who passed from AIDS in 1988, writes: What a wonderful victory in NH today!!! I am so proud of our state for supporting equal rights! Indeed: Gay marriage legislation became law in New Hampshire this afternoon. Gov. John Lynch signed the bills just after 5:20 p.m. before dozens of enthusiastic supporters of same-sex … [Read more...] about Gay Marriage Becomes Law in New Hampshire
With Judge Sotomayor, Obama Boosts Image of U.S. Supreme Court: La Jornada, Mexico
So how are people in Latin America reacting to the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the first Hispanic member of the U.S. Supreme Court? In the first of a series of articles from Latin America on the subject, this editorial from Mexico's La Jornada emphasizes the way she is likely to begin to balance out the right-of-center appointments of George W. Bush. This … [Read more...] about With Judge Sotomayor, Obama Boosts Image of U.S. Supreme Court: La Jornada, Mexico
PART TWO OF THE NEEDLESS CELIBACY OF ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS
My last post of 6/2/09 deserves a follow-up as some of the reader comments were thought-proving and others wandered into other directions. I appreciate both because some of my posts have been criticized for covering too much territory. I originally thought about breaking this up into smaller posts but I do not want to litter TMV with so much on this one topic. Instead I have … [Read more...] about PART TWO OF THE NEEDLESS CELIBACY OF ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS
Pro Choice vs. No Choice
As I've been hearing about the doctor who was recently murdered for performing later term abortions, I realized for hundredth time how cleverly the self-proclaimed "Pro-Life" people have outwitted the Pro-Choice people when it comes to using language to advance their cause. Dr. Tiller was referred to over and over again on the news as an "abortion doctor." He wasn't. He was … [Read more...] about Pro Choice vs. No Choice
Australia: China’s Fears About Its Students
It is ironic that the two countries -- India and China -- with whom Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd wishes to build special relationship have begun to put a lot of pressure on him after the increase in violence against foreign students in his country. The Age of Australia reports: "The future of the $15.5 billion overseas student industry is under threat after the … [Read more...] about Australia: China’s Fears About Its Students
Relativism and Anarchy
On the heels of the assassination of Dr. George Tiller on Sunday, some wondered about what they see as relativism, and complained that radical actions from the extreme Left don't get the same treatment as those from the Right. As a commenter to my post on the subject asked "Where's the outrage over extremists from the left?" Leaving aside the obvious immediate answer (the … [Read more...] about Relativism and Anarchy
Flight 447 and the Titanic
The Atlantic Ocean rises to consciousness this week after silently swallowing 228 people on an airliner from Brazil just after the death in England of a 97-year-old woman, the last survivor of the Titanic. Almost a century apart, the disasters recall the fragility of human life in the face of all the technological advances of 21st century life. Sitting in the vast … [Read more...] about Flight 447 and the Titanic
Dr George Tiller
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. TMV runs a variety of cartoons, special columns and posts throughout the day. Refresh TMV often to see the latest. … [Read more...] about Dr George Tiller
The Sean Goldman Case: “Heartbreaking and Disgraceful”
Yesterday, we reported that a Brazilian federal judge had ordered that 9-year-old Sean Goldman, who was abducted by his Brazilian mother four years ago and taken to Brazil, be released today. Sean Goldman was to be taken today by 2 p.m. to the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro to be reunited with his father, David Goldman, and returned to the United States. It would have … [Read more...] about The Sean Goldman Case: “Heartbreaking and Disgraceful”
Obama’s ‘Muslim Country’ Remark: Knock Off the Handwringing
I am but shouldn't be surprised by the swift, largely unified right-wing reaction (a sampling) to President Obama's remark during an interview with a French television station: “And one of the points I want to make is, is that if you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we’d be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world,” Mr. Obama said. “And so there’s got … [Read more...] about Obama’s ‘Muslim Country’ Remark: Knock Off the Handwringing
Tiller is dead, but what happened?
While my conservative friends continue to rail against the idea, it does indeed feel like we're seeing a re-run of the same bad movie we watched during the 90s. Why is it that whenever a Democrat is in the White House it seems like the crazies come out of the woodwork? This is the subject of my column at Pajamas Media this week, and I invite you to read and comment. In … [Read more...] about Tiller is dead, but what happened?
Twitter (Ab)Users: When Do You Tweet?
Coming soon in your next slow news cycle: Another story about Twitter! Social media geeks, this cartoon is for you. Present company included. For more, visit Small World cartoons. … [Read more...] about Twitter (Ab)Users: When Do You Tweet?
Alito and Sotomayor, Then and Now
During his January 2006 Senate confirmation, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito made the following remarks: Because when a case comes before me involving, let’s say, someone who is an immigrant — and we get an awful lot of immigration cases and naturalization cases — I can’t help but think of my own ancestors, because it wasn’t that long ago when they were in that … [Read more...] about Alito and Sotomayor, Then and Now
Christie Wins Primary, Cuomo Won’t Run
In New Jersey the Republican primary for governor has been won by former US attorney Chris Christie. This sets up a contest between Christie and the fairly unpopular Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine. New Jersey is one of two states to have a statewide election this fall. The other is Virginia, where Democrats will choose a nominee at a primary on June 9th, the frontrunner … [Read more...] about Christie Wins Primary, Cuomo Won’t Run
Yemeni Detained Without Charges for Seven Years Kills Himself
Mohammad Ahmad Abdullah Saleh al Hanashi, a citizen of Yemen who has been incarcerated at Guantanamo since 2002, killed himself today: … [Read more...] about Yemeni Detained Without Charges for Seven Years Kills Himself
Pawlenty Won’t Seek Third Term
Minnesota Governor Pawlenty has announced he will not seek a third term in 2010. This move certainly gives the Democrats a big pickup opportunity given that the state is quite blue in most elections. There is also considerable speculation that the centrist Republican might run for President in 2012. He refused to confirm or deny any such rumors at his press conference … [Read more...] about Pawlenty Won’t Seek Third Term
President Obama Confesses… I Am A Lefty
The confession came a short time ago and was broadcast on the news networks. But not exactly in the way you might have thought. The occasion was a ceremony to sign a bill establishing a commission to honor the centennial of the birth of President Ronald Reagan. The guest of honor was Nancy Reagan who watched as Obama signed the bill and quipped 'You're a lefty too' (in … [Read more...] about President Obama Confesses… I Am A Lefty
“An Incalculable Loss to Women’s Health Care”
Michelle Goldberg has a must-read article at The American Prospect about Dr. George Tiller. The article is written from a perspective we have not heard much about before now: that of the women who actually needed the services Dr. Tiller provided. Goldberg takes A Heartbreaking Choice -- a website where women who have had late-term abortions can tell each other their stories -- … [Read more...] about “An Incalculable Loss to Women’s Health Care”