I think I've found the book I'll be picking up for my summer vacation to the mountains. Let's start with an introductory handshake from this NY Times article based on the upcoming book. When we praise people who do work that is straightforwardly useful, the praise often betrays an assumption that they had no other options. We idealize them as the salt of the earth and … [Read more...] about Go Forth, Read This, and Be Better For It
A Legal Framework for Trampling on the Bill of Rights
Yesterday, in his speech at the National Archives, Pres. Barack Obama told Americans of his intention to create a system of what he calls "prolonged detention" for Guantanamo detainees who "cannot be prosecuted for past crimes ... but who nonetheless pose a threat to the security of the United States." Here is part of what he said on this subject (emphasis mine): … [Read more...] about A Legal Framework for Trampling on the Bill of Rights
A Song Cover Worth Listening To
I ran across this when I was reading a post at Balloon Juice the other day (I can't find the original post, so I linked to a Geek Cool kind of post), and I think it's very good: The artist has a MySpace page which you should visit if you want to find where to download the song. I may not have focused enough on the video to really understand what it's about. I think I can … [Read more...] about A Song Cover Worth Listening To
The ‘Catastrophe’ of the American Republican Party: Die Zeit, Germany
People around the world have taken note of the miserable state of the U.S. Republican Party - and some fear the potential consequences for American politics. Martin Klingst, Washington correspondent for Germany's Die Zeit, is concerned that an unchallenged Obama Administration is the last thing America needs as it confronts multiple crises of monumental proportions. For Die … [Read more...] about The ‘Catastrophe’ of the American Republican Party: Die Zeit, Germany
Primary Elections Are Good… Except When They’re Not
For some interesting weekend / holiday reading, I would direct you to this editorial from Tallahassee, Florida, which debates the merits of having the RNC throw its backing so quickly to Charlie Crist in his upcoming bid for a Senate seat. We can dispense with my opinion on the subject fairly quickly here: I think primary races are always good. Sometimes it can be difficult to … [Read more...] about Primary Elections Are Good… Except When They’re Not
RNC Train Wreck Continues: Ad Casts Pelosi As “Pussy Galore”
The time has come to ask whether the Republican party's bigwigs are determined to turn their once Grand Old issue-oriented, serious political Party into a cult or talk radio extension. The RNC's latest ad is sure to get it lots of attention, but it's going to turn off some voters in droves: who is the genius who thought it would be just a GREAT idea to cast beset House Speaker … [Read more...] about RNC Train Wreck Continues: Ad Casts Pelosi As “Pussy Galore”
Wall Street Probe: A New Pecora
A note to Washington Central Casting: Now that the President has signed on for a 9/11 Commission to investigate the economic downturn, let's skip the usual suspects to head it and, as in the 1930s, find a fresh face for the role of shaking up Wall Street. Back then, ethnic outsider Ferdinand Pecora was the new star. This time, Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Warren looks … [Read more...] about Wall Street Probe: A New Pecora
Michigan, Nukes And Pizza
You wouldn't think Michigan is one of the hardest-hit states in terms of unemployment and economic meltdown by viewing their television ads promoting tourism. These are among the best, slickest and most professional ads seen on the tube in markets where they are shown. The cost to produce these ads must run in the millions of dollars whether they are paid out of local … [Read more...] about Michigan, Nukes And Pizza
More Bank Closures
This week, the FDIC couldn't even wait until Friday to close BankUnited of Coral Gables, FL. This has apparently been in the works since April, when the bank was told by regulators they needed to merge or sell itself. Why did they do this on Thursday? When they usually swoop in on Friday afternoons? Well, it wasn't so they could enjoy the holiday weekend. The FDIC had … [Read more...] about More Bank Closures
Agatha Christie: Queen Of Crime In News Again
Agatha Christie (15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) continues to get into limelight with dramatic regularity. Her play "Mousetrap" has become the world's longest running play. And now Agatha Christie has set a new world record – for the book with the thickest spine (see photo above). Measuring over a foot long, with 4,032 pages, the volume contains the complete Miss … [Read more...] about Agatha Christie: Queen Of Crime In News Again
Why Conservative Talk Radio Can Lose The GOP Non-Choir Member Votes
David Frum offers a must-read example of how a conservative talk show host immediately demonizes and insults someone who disagrees with him -- and most likely alienates some voters. The host: Mark Levin. Go to the link and read the example in full yourself. Frum writes: Imagine some commuter - a nonpolitical person, a family man or woman, a taxpayer and billpayer - who … [Read more...] about Why Conservative Talk Radio Can Lose The GOP Non-Choir Member Votes
What I’ve Always Disliked Most About Obama
I am going to withhold complete judgment about Obama's "prolonged detention" until all the details are out, but it doesn't look good and I'm not optimistic it will be. The one question that Obama has consistently answered in a way that grated me was about the President's main duty. He always gave the good PC answer that it is to keep the American people safe. It's not. … [Read more...] about What I’ve Always Disliked Most About Obama
Why The Cheneys Won The National-Security Cage Match
By SHAUN MULLEN GUEST VOICE My thoughts keep drifting to our first foray to the beach of the season this weekend, but I just can't shake the horror I have felt from the mainstream media "reaction" to the Dick Cheney-Barack Obama national-security cage match on Thursday. And the media's fawning obeisance to Liz Cheney, who is her father in a pants suit. Lest I not be … [Read more...] about Why The Cheneys Won The National-Security Cage Match
American Idol: The Underdog Unexpectedly Triumphs (Guest Voice)
TMV Editor's note: This week's American Idol extravaganza stirred up strong, highly emotional feelings on the part of each singer's supporters. Here in San Diego, there was a huge rally for San Diego contender Adam Lambert that was used in televising the final show, as the producers cut to shots of his hometown crowd. A local singer elicited the same response as a local sports … [Read more...] about American Idol: The Underdog Unexpectedly Triumphs (Guest Voice)
Daniel Doron: Neo-Colonialist
Cross-posted to The Debate Link Daniel Doron writes in opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state: But should not the establishment of such a state--which the Europeans so strongly promote--adhere to the European Union's 1993 Copenhagen Political Criteria for new members, which states, "Membership criteria require that the candidate country must have achieved … [Read more...] about Daniel Doron: Neo-Colonialist
Will Obama Bring Miracle to the Promised Land?: Liberation, France
What will Obama have to do to forge a historic deal between Israel, confronting what it seems are multiple threats to its very existence, and the Palestinians, whose decades-long struggle to survive weighs heavily on many a conscience? According to Francois Sergent of France's Liberation, success will require an end to Western 'double standards' that favor Israel. For … [Read more...] about Will Obama Bring Miracle to the Promised Land?: Liberation, France
A Memorial Day Dedication, Remembrance and Tribute
It is the beginning of the long Memorial Day weekend. Before we fire up the barbecue pits, and before we go down to the lake for the first big bash of the summer season, let’s pause for a moment and observe the real purpose and the real meaning of Memorial Day. The entire month of May is National Military Appreciation Month. The month includes Memorial Day, a most … [Read more...] about A Memorial Day Dedication, Remembrance and Tribute
A “Legal Framework” for “Prolonged Detention”
First, watch this clip of Rachel Maddow reporting on Pres. Obama's proposed plan for indefinite preventive detention: And then read Glenn Greenwald's post titled "Facts and Myths About Obama's Preventive Detention Proposal." … [Read more...] about A “Legal Framework” for “Prolonged Detention”
The Curious Case of Liz Cheney
I'm glad I wasn't the only one, because I'd begun to worry that the 2 to 3 Knob Creek to Folgers breakfast mixture was taking an early toll on me. Apparently it was not just my imagination, and as Steve Benen points out, Liz Cheney has been on virtually every television channel in the nation twenty-four hours per day for the last two weeks. I know that I personally caught her … [Read more...] about The Curious Case of Liz Cheney
Nader to Congress: Intervene in the Auto Bailout
While on the topic of closed car lots, I have to say I'm surprised at the speed with which Americans have gone from loving their SUVs, pick-up trucks and Hummers to declaring our auto industry obviously bloated, inefficient and to be building vehicles that nobody wants. Ralph Nader began his testy relationship with the auto industry in a 1959 article, "The Safe Car You Can't … [Read more...] about Nader to Congress: Intervene in the Auto Bailout