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!
Iran Election Results (Cartoon)
Paresh Nath, The Khaleej Times, UAE This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Iran Election Results (Cartoon)
Biography Of Yummy Australian & American Pies
I love American and Australian pies. They may be world apart in flavour and ingredients, but the pie lovers just can't do without them. And here comes a fascinating biography... Pie is the latest in a series of small, engaging and beautifully illustrated books edited by food historian Ken Albala, who wrote last year's entertaining Pancake, writes The Age. "Janet … [Read more...] about Biography Of Yummy Australian & American Pies
Thanks to Obama, America is No Longer a Convincing ‘Great Satan’: Die Zeit, Germany
COUCH SAYS: 'MIDDLE EAST' MULLAH GRUMBLES AS OBAMA SITS NEXT TO HIM The apparent miscarriage of democratic justice now taking place in Iran may more prove, rather than disprove, columnist Michael Thumann's thesis - that President Obama has presented a face of America that's much harder to demonize. For Germany's Die Zeit, Michael Thumann writes in part: "Is the … [Read more...] about Thanks to Obama, America is No Longer a Convincing ‘Great Satan’: Die Zeit, Germany
A Wrestler’s Porn Story
They learned to be players all right. From the ESPN story: Think a wrestling singlet is revealing? The photos and video of [University of Nebraska wrestler Paul] Donahoe on Fratmen.tv left nothing to the imagination... The Web site's producers masked the tattoo of his real last name on his torso. But that didn't keep Nebraska wrestling coach Mark Manning from recognizing … [Read more...] about A Wrestler’s Porn Story
The Keystone Cops Rig An Election
As I watch both the local and international reaction to the Iranian election I can't help but wonder what idiots decided that they needed an old Soviet style outcome with such a huge margin of victory. While he never admitted to rigging elections, old Mayor Daley knew how to do it right. According to one story he said the key was to give your man a margin of victory big … [Read more...] about The Keystone Cops Rig An Election
Communication
Graduate students spend a lot of time talking. One topic that we used to discuss, as music students, was various styles of music. Academic music of course, nothing more popular than Laurie Anderson. In retrospect, we came off as a bit pretentious. A quick look at the various periods of music history reveals that style periods got shorter as time marched on. While we … [Read more...] about Communication
Why Joan Walsh Went on The O’Reilly Factor
For the sake of full disclosure: Am I a Democrat? Guilty! Do I like Joan Walsh? Guilty, Guilty! Do I dislike Bill O'Reilly? Guilty, Guilty, Guilty! Since I stopped watching "The O'Reilly Factor" a long time ago, I did not watch last night's Bill O'Reilly's so-called interview with Joan Walsh. The subject was Dr. George Tiller and late-term abortion. In … [Read more...] about Why Joan Walsh Went on The O’Reilly Factor
Chicago Woman Fakes Pregnancy of Child With Fatal Illness
As someone who actually did give birth to a child with a terminal illness (not knowing while I was pregnant that my then-husband and I were carriers for the disease), and then aborted two subsequent pregnancies in which the fetuses had the same condition (Tay-Sachs), I am particularly incensed by what this woman did: … [Read more...] about Chicago Woman Fakes Pregnancy of Child With Fatal Illness
Wheels within wheels in Iran?
Iran had an election yesterday, and the results are not exactly what were expected (if you want updates on the situation, Andrew Sullivan is posting frequently, if rather breathlessly, on this news). Current Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected by apparently unrealistic margins, especially when the reported election results over time are examined. From Kevin … [Read more...] about Wheels within wheels in Iran?
Right-Wing Extremism Is Left-Wing Extremism?
In the comments to another post of mine, a reader pointed out a claim made by a right-wing blogger that James von Brunn is a registered Democrat. This was news to me (the blogger's claim, that is), but looking at some of the articles in blogtopia today, it appears that this claim may be part of a new direction being taken by some on the right -- away from denying any connection … [Read more...] about Right-Wing Extremism Is Left-Wing Extremism?
Where Has All The Money Gone?
Maybe you've been wondering. Where has all the money gone? With governments around the world, led by our own, pumping literally trillions and trillions of dollars into addressing the economic crisis, why hasn't this money dribbled down to you and me and most everyone else we know? One reason, of course, is that the banks have scooped it up. Money given to these institutions in … [Read more...] about Where Has All The Money Gone?