The government is beginning again on its long and to date ill-fated trek into the world of healthcare. We have all heard the cries about rising costs, the aging population and millions of uninsured. The task is daunting and I like the consensus building that President Obama is beginning prior to crafting an ultimate strategy. Competition has a bad name these days, but it is … [Read more...] about Healthcare Crisis: Step 1 Get the States Out
UPDATED Rooting for Charlie Crist in 2010
I am. Here's why. And while his race for the GOP nom may not be an easy one -- I wouldn't bet against him given the endorsements he has already lined up. … [Read more...] about UPDATED Rooting for Charlie Crist in 2010
Vote for Your Favorite Google Doodle
Doodle 4 Google is a competition where Google invited K-12 students to play around with their homepage logo. This year's theme what "What I Wish for the World." It's time to vote for your favorite: [W]e're pleased to announce the approximately 400 state finalists and the 40 regional winners. They were chosen by a panel of independent judges, all experts in design, but now it's … [Read more...] about Vote for Your Favorite Google Doodle
Hitting Home: Postman Accused Of Stealing And Selling Stamps
A former co-worker of mine has landed himself into some serious legal trouble. It's quite depressing because he was (is) a good guy. Lots of laughs and did his job well. But apparently his financial situation (impending foreclosure) caused him to engage in criminal activities: Postman Accused of Stealing, Selling Stamps WXYZ.COM (Detroit)/Associated Press DETROIT (AP) … [Read more...] about Hitting Home: Postman Accused Of Stealing And Selling Stamps
On Dickens, Bookaneers & Copyfighters
Remember that 1897 NYTimes story on music industry complaints that revenues had fallen fifty percent because "Canadian pirates" were flooding the market with "spurious editions" of copyrighted music? Well in that context it's worth remembering that the United States has quite a pirate history of its own. Over the weekend All Things Considered interviewed Matthew Pearl about … [Read more...] about On Dickens, Bookaneers & Copyfighters
Health Care: Life-and-Death Games
The health-care finals started in Washington this week with the Obama home team hosting the all-stars who have made the American medical system one of the most expensive and least effective in the world. The name of the game is cooperation as insurers, drug makers, hospitals et al come to the White House reportedly to announce "a voluntary plan to hold costs down, which … [Read more...] about Health Care: Life-and-Death Games
What If Richard Cohen Was Not a Fatuous Fool?
We will never know the answer to that question: Blogger Alert: I have written a column in defense of Dick Cheney. I know how upsetting this will be to some Cheney critics, and I count myself as one, who think -- in respectful paraphrase of what Mary McCarthy said about Lillian Hellman -- that everything he says is a lie, including the ands and the thes. Yet I have to wonder … [Read more...] about What If Richard Cohen Was Not a Fatuous Fool?
Blue Dog Watch
They're at it again. For those of us who hope that a semblance of fiscal sanity will eventually prevail, let's also hope the Blue Dogs are a little more unified and forceful this time around than they were on the budget resolution. … [Read more...] about Blue Dog Watch
George W. Bush was Funnier
In all of the dust that has been flung around following the comedic stylings of Wanda Sykes, one little point has been overlooked... President Obama gave a mediocre performance at the WHC Dinner. The first four minutes of the speech were highlighted by the Sasha & Malia grounding over Air Force 1 and Rahm Emanuel being tripped up by using the word day after mother (instead … [Read more...] about George W. Bush was Funnier
Florida Governor Crist To Run For Senate
Florida Governor Charlie Crist (R) is expected to announce today that he is running for the US Senate seat being vacated by Senator Mel Martinez. On the surface this should be good news for the GOP as Crist has been popular with voters and would help them to hold a potentially vulnerable seat. But the right wing of the pary, seemingly determined to destroy anyone who is not … [Read more...] about Florida Governor Crist To Run For Senate
Obama Uses “Dijon” Mustard
Aislin, The Montreal Gazette This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Obama Uses “Dijon” Mustard
Budget Deficit Closing In on $ 2 Trillion A Year
Last year I posted about my dismay and concern over the fact that then President Bush was projecting a budget deficit of roughly $ 500 billion for the 2008-2009 budget year. At the time I lamented the fact that the reaction was mostly partisan, with each side pointing fingers at the other rather than seriously examining the issue and accepting that both sides had some share of … [Read more...] about Budget Deficit Closing In on $ 2 Trillion A Year
LIES, DAMN LIES, AND STATISTICS
It is important for every American to understand demographics on the eve of our next constitutionally-mandated decennial census. How many of us live here and there, and where we live, decide the political, economic and social decisions of every politician, business leader, and many individuals and families. They determine the make-up of Congress and the national and state … [Read more...] about LIES, DAMN LIES, AND STATISTICS
Former Bishop Admits He’s Gay
A former Catholic Bishop who resigned amid scandal has now admitted he is gay. Not to in any way take away from the seriousness of the story, but I can just see the late night talk show writers at work for the new monologues. … [Read more...] about Former Bishop Admits He’s Gay
The Great Performers: A Singer Harmonizes With Himself
As an entertainer who performs for audiences of all ages all over the country I LOVE to watch and study performers who show pizazz, have wonderful stage presence, timing, and who can pull off a boffo comedy routine and song. Which brings us to British performer Eric Storm's gem on You Tube. To younger readers:If you've never heard of a "counterpoint" song here is a perfect … [Read more...] about The Great Performers: A Singer Harmonizes With Himself
U.S. Soldier Kills Five Fellow Soldiers in Iraq
There's really nothing I can say about this that isn't totally obvious, so I'll just post it without comment: … [Read more...] about U.S. Soldier Kills Five Fellow Soldiers in Iraq
Karzai-Zardari Visit Fallout: U.S. is ‘Stumped’ By War – Die Zeit, Germany
So now that the big White House summit involving the heads of state of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States has been held, are our NATO allies feeling more comfortable with Washington's strategy? According to Die Zeit's Martin Klingst - far from it. For Die Zeit, Klingst writes in part: "On Wednesday, President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton … [Read more...] about Karzai-Zardari Visit Fallout: U.S. is ‘Stumped’ By War – Die Zeit, Germany
Is Progress Evaporating In Iraq?
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?