The polarization of the U.S. media - particularly cable TV - has not escaped the attention of people in other parts of the world. Just last week, conservative firebrand Michael Savage was banned from Great Britain for his less than diplomatic use of the English language. Now comes this article by Gabriela Perdomo for Colombia's Semana newspaper, who warns Colombians against … [Read more...] about Colombia Must Avoid the ‘Foxification’ of its News Programming: Semana of Colombia
Past, Present, Future
Having read the transcripts of both speeches today, I have a couple of general thoughts: Dick Cheney's speech was totally stock -- the same old clichéd, propagandistic, regurgitated, jingoistic credos and mantras; the same unsupported claims; the same lies (the Bush administration did not use torture); the same lame attempt to have it both ways (the U.S. is a wonderful, … [Read more...] about Past, Present, Future
Ideas Whose Time Have Come…Realistic Projections
In my last post I mentioned very vaguely that while I agreed with the general direction that Obama's budget was taking us on an ideological level, I am starting to think it is completely unrealistic due to our debt burden. I was going to follow up with a post that had some actual numbers and suggestions, but in putting together that post I realized the problem is much much … [Read more...] about Ideas Whose Time Have Come…Realistic Projections
Fear Itself
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Fear Itself
Dueling Banjos
President Barack Obama and former vice president Dick Cheney played dueling banjos Thursday over Guantanamo Bay prison and torture with each charging the other that their opposing policies made America less safe from terrorists. In some respects it was an historic confrontation not seen since former President Theodore Roosevelt took on his former protege William Howard Taft … [Read more...] about Dueling Banjos
Dueling Speeches and Ragtag Terrorists
The 9/11 world is back with full force as Barack Obama makes the case for a judicious approach to terrorism, Dick Cheney argues that only bare knuckles can keep us safe and New York police stage a perp walk of petty criminals scammed into believing they could bomb synagogues and shoot down Air National Guard planes. It's one of those wake-me-when-it's-over days as the … [Read more...] about Dueling Speeches and Ragtag Terrorists
Army Corps Demands That Whistleblower Clear Testimony
In a scenario that would probably have George Orwell nodding his head, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has sent Bunny Greenhouse an email "demanding pre-clearance of any [future] testimony Greenhouse may wish to present to Congress." Greenhouse, in case you missed it, blew the whistle on non-compete Iraq contracts let by the Bush Administration in 2003, specifically … [Read more...] about Army Corps Demands That Whistleblower Clear Testimony
Obama And Cheney Pointed “Dueling Speeches” On National Security: Whose Argument Will Resonate?
The big "dueling speeches" event between President Barack Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney is over -- an event that proved to be a study in contrasts: Obama: saying the nation can and must eschew so called enhanced interrogation techniques (aka torture) for moral (it goes against all that America has stood for over the years) and practical reasons (it is not more … [Read more...] about Obama And Cheney Pointed “Dueling Speeches” On National Security: Whose Argument Will Resonate?
Speeches: Pres. Obama and Former V.P. Cheney
An advance transcript of former vice-president Cheney's speech put up by William Kristol is here. The New York Times has the full transcript of Pres. Obama's speech, as provided by the White House. I will have more commentary and a roundup after I've had a chance to read and/or view both speeches. … [Read more...] about Speeches: Pres. Obama and Former V.P. Cheney
Ideas Whose Time Have Come…Too Late
I've been meaning to write this post the last couple of weeks but couldn't figure out an angle. The basic premise is that I agree with Obama's economic vision nearly 100% ideologically, but am increasingly believing that it cannot be implemented due to sins from our past. This post isn't just an explanation, but also a question: what do you do when you agree with the basic … [Read more...] about Ideas Whose Time Have Come…Too Late
Hillary Clinton: USA’s Pakistan Policy “Incoherent”
Who is responsible for the mess in Pakistan? Secretary of State Hillary Clinton trashed USA's policy towards Pakistan over the last 30 years calling it “incoherent”, reports The Hindu. "She also acknowledged the U.S. shared the blame for the current mess in Pakistan." More here... The world had known this fact for decades, except perhaps the mandarins in Washington. Now the … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton: USA’s Pakistan Policy “Incoherent”
Yoga Guru Pattabhi Jois Passes Away
Indian yoga guru Krishna Pattabhi Jois, pictured above aged 90 instructing a female student, passed away Wednesday. Jois, 93, brought the physically challenging form of yoga to the west, and counted among his followers Madonna, who included the traditional ashtanga chant on her Ray of Light album, and the actor Gwyneth Paltrow, reports The Guardian. "Ashtanga practitioners … [Read more...] about Yoga Guru Pattabhi Jois Passes Away
Pew Poll: Independent Voter Identification And Centrism Are Surging
A new Pew Research Center polls find that more than ever the true battleground for elections is going to be over which party can win over independent voters -- since independent voter identification and centrism are surging: Centrism has emerged as a dominant factor in public opinion as the Obama era begins. The political values and core attitudes that the Pew Research … [Read more...] about Pew Poll: Independent Voter Identification And Centrism Are Surging
Dick Cheney’s Poll Numbers Are Going Up
Former Vice President Dick Cheney may still not be Mr. Popularity when it comes to national poll numbers, but he has some good news today: on a day when the media will cover a speech on national security by President Barack Obama and then a speech by Cheney on the same subject, his poll numbers are going up: As Dick Cheney prepares to give a major speech on the battle … [Read more...] about Dick Cheney’s Poll Numbers Are Going Up
Terminating the Terminator (Guest Voice)
Editor's Note: After the massive defeat of his budget proposals at the polls Tuesday, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he got the voters' message loud and clear -- as the state now careens into yet a new stage of crisis and expected draconian service cuts and layoffs. Conservatives see several losers in this vote. Talk show host Michael Reagan offers this … [Read more...] about Terminating the Terminator (Guest Voice)
Credit Card Sharks
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Credit Card Sharks
Vampire Banks: Thriving on Death and Taxes
Banks getting taxpayer bailouts are also cashing in on the demise of people who work for them or once did. The Wall Street Journal has a tutorial explaining how banks are holding $122.3 billion in life insurance on workers and retirees with themselves as beneficiaries in order to escape taxes, inflate their earnings and to fund bonuses and pension benefits: "Though not … [Read more...] about Vampire Banks: Thriving on Death and Taxes
Germany Must Accept U.S. Request on Guantanamo Prisoners: Die Zeit, Germany
The controversy in Europe over whether to accept detainees from Guantanamo has just been raised a few notches, after the Obama Administration formally asked Germany to accept nine Uyghur men who were wrongfully arrested, held and reportedly tortured at the base - and who if returned to China, would likely go through the same thing all over again - and worse. In this second … [Read more...] about Germany Must Accept U.S. Request on Guantanamo Prisoners: Die Zeit, Germany
Germany Must Refuse U.S. on Guantanamo Prisoners: Die Zeit, Germany
The controversy in Europe over whether to accept detainees from Guantanamo has just been raised a few notches, after the Obama Administration formally asked Germany to accept nine Uyghur men who were wrongfully arrested, held and reportedly tortured at the base - and who if returned to China, would likely go through the same thing all over again - and worse. In this first of … [Read more...] about Germany Must Refuse U.S. on Guantanamo Prisoners: Die Zeit, Germany
Justice Wood ?
Speculation is growing that the next Justice of the US Supreme Court will be Judge Diane Wood of the 7th Circuit Court Of Appeals. From the Washington Post President Obama is intensifying his search for a Supreme Court nominee and has interviewed Judge Diane P. Wood of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Chicago, believed to be among a handful of top … [Read more...] about Justice Wood ?