Gen. Petraeus explains the situation to Chris Wallace:WALLACE: There is also growing violence in Iraq, amid signs that the Iraqi government is dropping some of the counterinsurgency tactics that you introduced into Iraq. Jobs programs in Sunni areas are — are being ended. The Sunni "Awakening" — these are Sunni forces that are fighting Sunni insurgents — some of those units … [Read more...] about Is Progress Evaporating In Iraq?
Defending Star Trek
A film that got positive reviews from 95% of the critics hardly needs any help from me. But I thought it was notable that a few prominent critics disliked what they saw. Now, it's never much of a surprise when Anthony Lane of the New Yorker turns up his nose at popular fare. But I could've told you that Star Trek wasn't the work of Jean-Luc Godard (not to be confused with … [Read more...] about Defending Star Trek
Did You Know That Obama’s “REAL” Objective Is To Create Unemployment?
If you're a thoughtful (which does not necessarily mean moderate) Republican, Democratic or independent voter you are probably laughing at that question -- but it's a serious one given what now seems to be the latest Republican talking point...a point made by a GOPer and then underscored on Rush Limbaugh's show. (Let's see how soon it takes to be seen in comments and posts on … [Read more...] about Did You Know That Obama’s “REAL” Objective Is To Create Unemployment?
Who Monitored The Torture And What Was Its Real Goal?
Read Andrew Sullivan. … [Read more...] about Who Monitored The Torture And What Was Its Real Goal?
DiMaggio Legend in the Age of Ramirez
His brother's death this weekend, coming right after the suspension of Manny Ramirez for drug use, recalls Joe DiMaggio as an American hero in a different century and a different world. Dom, who died at 92, was one of three sons of an Italian immigrant fisherman to become major league baseball players and, like Joe, an All-Star. Family fame notwithstanding, after Pearl … [Read more...] about DiMaggio Legend in the Age of Ramirez
Obama and the Rich: ‘This Young Man Hasn’t Finished Showing Us’: Le Monde of France
Here's something unusual if not startling from France's left-leaning Le Monde newspaper: an op-ed the criticizes Obama's perceived crackdown on the well-connected and wealthy - and what the author calls his 'anti-business bias.' For Le Monde, Frederic Lemaitre laments Obama's handling of the auto sector, his investments in the green economy, and his intention to eliminate … [Read more...] about Obama and the Rich: ‘This Young Man Hasn’t Finished Showing Us’: Le Monde of France
Gates Replaces Top General In Afghanistan
Defense Secretary Gates has reportedly decided to replace the top US General in Afghanistan and will make a formal announcement later today. General David McKiernan, who was put in charge less than a year ago, will be replaced by Lt. General Stanley McChrystal, a former commander of special operations forces at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Obviously, while the official … [Read more...] about Gates Replaces Top General In Afghanistan
Soldier In Iraq Kills 5 Fellow Soldiers
A tragic story out of Iraq today as a soldier has been arrested for shooting five of his fellow soldiers. We want to avoid too much speculation at this point but early reports do suggest that the suspect was being treated for stress. This is an increasing problem: as troops are sent back to Iraq over and over again, the stress levels begin to rise. Above and beyond the … [Read more...] about Soldier In Iraq Kills 5 Fellow Soldiers
Did Dick Cheney Change As Vice President?
The Washington Post's Bob Woodward argues that Dick Cheney changed after 911 because of his reading of the situation and the stakes. Woodward also makes an interesting revelation of what kind of "enhanced interrogation" actually worked -- and fleshes out the rocky Cheney/Colin Powell relationship: Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy … [Read more...] about Did Dick Cheney Change As Vice President?
“Enhanced” Interrogation Undermines American Security and Violates Military Values
Guest post by J.F. Murphy J.F. Murphy is a former Marine infantry officer and Iraq veteran who graduated from the US Navy’s SERE program. He is a fellow of the Truman National Security Project. Given the many stumbles we have experienced in our fight against global terrorism, it is crucial that we get the current debate on effective interrogation methods right. As a … [Read more...] about “Enhanced” Interrogation Undermines American Security and Violates Military Values
Texas Couple’s Shotgun Blast Kills 7-Year-Old Boy For Mistaken Trespassing
It's a truly heart wrenching story. First read the details and legal implications HERE from law prof/blogger Jonathan Turley. And then read this heart-wrenching Houston Chronicle story on the shootings that will haunt you all week. Here's the earlier AP story. … [Read more...] about Texas Couple’s Shotgun Blast Kills 7-Year-Old Boy For Mistaken Trespassing
Mahmoudiya: An Atrocity In Our Names
I suspect everyone has a specific event from the Iraq war that stands out in their minds. For some, perhaps it's Haditha; for others, maybe it's Abu Ghraib. There were plenty to choose from, but time and further information have placed many of those incidents into context. As terrible as those stories were (and are), they have always been a part of war, and they serve as … [Read more...] about Mahmoudiya: An Atrocity In Our Names
Iranian-American Journalist Roxana Saberi Released From Tehran Jail
Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, whose jailing on what most believed were trumped up espionage charges in Iran had become an international story and personal cause for President Barack Obama, has reportedly been released from her jail cell in Tehran -- one day after an Iranian appeals court reduced her eight-year jail sentence to a suspended two-year … [Read more...] about Iranian-American Journalist Roxana Saberi Released From Tehran Jail
Lincoln and Today’s GOP
Would today's GOP nominate Abraham Lincoln as the party's presidential candidate? I think not -- as argued in a two-part essay at Shaun Mullen's blog, Kiko's House. The first part was published yesterday (May 10); the second part will be published next Sunday (May 17). These contributions are installments in a much a larger series on Lincoln that Shaun has planned this … [Read more...] about Lincoln and Today’s GOP
Book Review: Restoring Booker T. Washington To His Rightful Place As A Civil-Rights Hero
By SHAUN MULLEN GUEST VOICE As a child of the 1960s, my view of Booker T. Washington was shaped by the contemporary belief that while the famous founder of Tuskegee Institute was a civil-rights trailblazer in some respects, he was an Uncle Tom for having acquiesced in the rampant racial discrimination that was now being challenged by the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. But … [Read more...] about Book Review: Restoring Booker T. Washington To His Rightful Place As A Civil-Rights Hero
Inside the Beltway: Questionable Humor Nothing New
A reader shared the following, citing this source: I don’t mean to minimize the tasteless, offensive nature of Wanda Sykes’ remarks about Rush Limbaugh and kidney failure, but what are we to make of Nixon and Agnew’s performance at the 1970 Gridiron Dinner? “Things got no better at the Gridiron that night. Absolutely determined that a good time would be had by all, and … [Read more...] about Inside the Beltway: Questionable Humor Nothing New
Elizabeth and John Edwards
Cartoon by Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com. This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Elizabeth and John Edwards
A Song To Ponder In These Tough Times
A personal note. Everywhere I turn, I see people that are hurting or stressed out due to loss or uncertainty about the economy. No, I'm not excluded from that. But here in San Diego, some 192 people who passionately dedicated their lives to working on the San Diego Union Tribune newspaper were told within a day of the paper's ownership change on Monday that their jobs will end … [Read more...] about A Song To Ponder In These Tough Times
An Accidental Read
Last Friday, for the umpteenth time, our mailman stuffed a copy of The New Yorker in the wrong mailbox---ours. This time, instead of diligently and promptly taking it to the rightful subscriber, I actually took it home and read some of its content first. One of the articles, a short one, in "The Talk of the Town" section, really got my attention. Not because it … [Read more...] about An Accidental Read
Arnold’s Brave Call for a Pot Debate — Interview With Ethan Nadelmann (Guest Voice)
Arnold's Brave Call for a Pot Debate -- Interview With Ethan Nadelmann by Bill Steigerwald Arnold Schwarzenegger proved last week (May 5) he’s not a girly-man when it comes to the debate over whether marijuana should be legalized and taxed in California. Gov. Arnold called for a large-scale study of the consequences of legalizing pot for recreational use in California … [Read more...] about Arnold’s Brave Call for a Pot Debate — Interview With Ethan Nadelmann (Guest Voice)