Polimom's local school district sent out the dreaded email alert this afternoon. Swine flu is here, in a school very nearby, and they've closed that school. Not only that, but Adorable Child tells me they think there's a student from her school as well (though nothing's been said about that yet) -- so I'm fully expecting a forced vacation next week. I've been watching, jaw … [Read more...] about Enough With The Swine Flu Panic!
Don’t Make Assumptions On Supreme Court Picks
With word out that Justice Souter is about to hitch up the buckboard and head back to New Hampshire we have already heard speculation about his successor and how they will impact the direction of the court. However there is an old saying about what happens when you assume, and those of us who are watching from the outside as well as those working from the inside at the White … [Read more...] about Don’t Make Assumptions On Supreme Court Picks
A Loss of Innocence For The Netherlands?
As a person of Dutch ancestry, and one who lived in the Netherlands and its Antilles for many years, I was naturally shocked to read and hear about the tragic events in the Dutch town of Apeldoorn yesterday. As we all know now, a black Suzuki sped toward an open-topped bus carrying Queen Beatrix and several members of her family, narrowly missing the bus, and crashing into a … [Read more...] about A Loss of Innocence For The Netherlands?
Nothing Wrong with Hillary Obeying Rituals of Lebanon: L’Orient Le Jour, Lebanon
For those curious about the Byzantine world of Lebanese politics and how the United Stats fits it to it, this article from Lebanon's L'Orient Le Jour will provide a glimpse. This article, written by L'Orient Le Jour's Issa Goraieb, discusses the controversy that erupted after Secretary of State Clinton, during her first trip to Beirut, visited the tomb of former Prime … [Read more...] about Nothing Wrong with Hillary Obeying Rituals of Lebanon: L’Orient Le Jour, Lebanon
Facebook Manners; More Than A Centruy Old
The digitizers at ProQuest have discovered not all content is serious academic research. Some is just plain fun: Bryan Benilous, a historical newspaper specialist at the digital-archive company Proquest, said he and his colleagues came across a Boston Daily Globe article from August 24, 1902, titled, “Face Book The New Fad,” describing a party game where revelers sketch out … [Read more...] about Facebook Manners; More Than A Centruy Old
Deficits and Debt: Sen. McCaskill Responds
While I don't recall exactly when, it was within the last three to four weeks that I used the contact form on Senator Claire McCaskill's Web site to share my concerns with her about President Obama's proposed budget. I didn't save a copy of my message to her, but its central point was that -- while I had voted for both her and the President and was generally supportive of … [Read more...] about Deficits and Debt: Sen. McCaskill Responds
From the “Dog Bites Man” Files
In case any of you were still laboring under the belief that anyone from AIPAC could ever be convicted of anything in the United States of America, consider yourselves to have been fully disabused of this notion. … [Read more...] about From the “Dog Bites Man” Files
Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos
A couple of days ago, I relaunched a former blog -- and right away was confronted by "Is Polimom really a 'moderate'"? The question brought me up short, in part because I've never personally tried to define what I think a moderate is. While the question has been engaged here at TMV in the past, it's been awhile -- and I didn't agree necessarily with everyone. So I thought … [Read more...] about Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos
Media: Please Give Souter Some Space
Just saw MSNBC video of David Souter driving his car to work. He is known to be both private and quiet; please stop treating him like a criminal and give him some space. … [Read more...] about Media: Please Give Souter Some Space
Abu Zubaydah Is a Human Being
That's what his attorney says, anyway. I know it's kind of a startling thought. I mean, when you say or hear or read the name "Abu Zubaydah," do you visualize a human being? I think that we are all so used to associating the name "Abu Zubaydah" with the descriptive identifier "high-value detainee" or "top Al Qaeda official" or "terrorist" that it might come as a shock to learn … [Read more...] about Abu Zubaydah Is a Human Being
Quote of the Day: On David Souter’s Resignation From The Supreme Court
Now that various reports have confirmed that Justice David Souter plans to retire from the Supreme Court at the end of this term, the question becomes not just who does President Barack Obama pick but how is that likely to go? Our political Quote of the Day addresses that question in this chuck of The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder's post: Let's face facts: there are many … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On David Souter’s Resignation From The Supreme Court
Washington Bank Heist
Willie Sutton said he robbed banks because that's where the money is, but it was never their money. They only handle and maneuver it around, like parking lot attendants. Yet, according to Sen. Dick Durbin, after smashing up financial vehicles and taking taxpayer billions for repairs, when it comes to the US Senate, banks "frankly own the place." As he tried unsuccessfully … [Read more...] about Washington Bank Heist
GOP Representative Virginia Foxx and Marshall McLuhan
This week Rep. Virginia Foxx, a grandmother, called the murder of Matthew Shepard, specifically the two convicted murderers' intent to kill a man for being homosexual, "a hoax." Mrs. Shepard, Matthew's mother, who has suppported hate-crime bills since her son's murder, was in chambers at the time. After a roar against Mrs. Foxx's blithe use of the word 'hoax' ensued, she issued … [Read more...] about GOP Representative Virginia Foxx and Marshall McLuhan
Obama and bin Laden Confront ‘Day of Reckoning’: As Safir, Lebanon
When a quarter million Western and Afghan troops confront al-Qaeda, the Taliban and whatever jihadi fighters they can muster from around the Muslim world - all in proximity to Pakistan's nuclear stockpile - what will be the result? According to Sateh Noureddine, columnist for Lebanon's As Satif, that moment is fast approaching. He writes in part: "The battle will pit the … [Read more...] about Obama and bin Laden Confront ‘Day of Reckoning’: As Safir, Lebanon
BREAKING NEWS: David Souter To Retire
Rachel Maddow just reported this breaking news, based on a report filed by Pete Williams, NBC legal correspondent. She is interviewing Pete Williams as I type. The report is based on statements made by several government sources who are, of course, as of right now, not named. The story has not been officially confirmed. MSNBC Story with Video Wikipedia on David … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: David Souter To Retire
Lower Taxes? You Can’t Handle It.
I had an interesting conversation with a friend today about a boardwalk that has been constructed on the beach in her city. It's a lovely walkway -- I've been on it -- and it was built with funds designated some years ago. You know... back when cities were flush (or at least solvent). But a beach boardwalk rests upon sand. Which blows. And so, the obvious is occurring: … [Read more...] about Lower Taxes? You Can’t Handle It.
Bunning To Retire ? Rival Announces Candidacy ?
In a move that could signal that endangered Republican Senator Jim Bunning is going to retire, State Treasurer Trey Grayson (R) has announced he is forming an exploratory committee to run for ther Senate in 2010, reportedly with the approval of Bunning. Speculation is Bunning will announce his retirement in the coming weeks. This would be good news to Republicans as Bunning … [Read more...] about Bunning To Retire ? Rival Announces Candidacy ?
Moderates? Who Needs ‘Em? (Guest Voice)
Moderates? Who Needs 'Em? by Rick Moran What's wrong with conservatism? Philosophically, absolutely nothing. There is a family argument going on at the moment where some question how conservative principles can be translated into a set of issues and policies that would lead to actual conservative governance but beyond that, everything is just peachy, right? … [Read more...] about Moderates? Who Needs ‘Em? (Guest Voice)
Deconstructing Swine Flu Mania
I don't know about you, but I felt a little shiver along my spine when I heard on Wednesday that the World Health Organization had raised its H1N1 swine flu threat level to five, on a scale of one-to-six. I didn't know what that meant, exactly. But news reports linking this threat level with the 1968 Hong Kong flu and the word "pandemic" were shaking my belief that the U.S. … [Read more...] about Deconstructing Swine Flu Mania
Chrysler Files Chapter 11
News breaking this morning that Chrysler has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the first automaker to do so since 1933. Details at this point are sketchy but it seems likely that some form of company will emerge from the process, although certainly in a very different form. The merger with Fiat does appear to be on track so that means that they will be working in the process … [Read more...] about Chrysler Files Chapter 11