Two economists recently authored a piece in the Wall Street Journal titled "We Can't Subsidize Banks Forever." It contained numbers and estimates from world banking officials and independent sources suggesting that the extent of liabilities of major lending institutions was so great that it would be impractical, indeed, crazy, to keep filling the black hole these outfits have … [Read more...] about Testing My Stress Levels
Specter Backs Off Coleman Support As Democrats Deny Him Committee Seniority
The cover stories from top Democrats may flood the media, but in the end it's clear that Pennsylvania Arlen Specter's rhetorical hubris ended in him losing what he clearly felt he would get when he jumped from the Republican to Democratic party: keeping seniority on key Senate committees. Since jumping ship, Specter has angered the Demoocratic party's liberal wing (and by … [Read more...] about Specter Backs Off Coleman Support As Democrats Deny Him Committee Seniority
Environmental Outrage: Toxic Waste Site Proposed For Area Of Prehistoric Ruins
By SHAUN MULLEN GUEST VOICE In the mind's eye of the armchair tourist, historic Southwestern sites are far from man's long and sometimes destructive reach. That is sometimes the case, but not so with Hovenweep, a cluster of ancient Pueblo ruins in the Utah desert that is adjacent to ranches, farms and orchards. For the most part, those neighbors have been respectful of … [Read more...] about Environmental Outrage: Toxic Waste Site Proposed For Area Of Prehistoric Ruins
For 100 Days, the World Has Watched
Like the international panel of judges at a figure-skating competition, the global press has been delivering its evaluations of Obama's first 100 days. Here are just a handful of articles from around the world whose headings contain the words, "100 Days" Le Droit, Canada The Myth of 100 Days El Mercurio, Chile The 100-Day Exam Al Ahram, Egypt Obama's Next 100 … [Read more...] about For 100 Days, the World Has Watched
Star Trek Fans Angry That New Movie Is Good
As a lifelong Star Trek nerd I almost fell out of my Captain's Chair laughing at this one http://www.theonion.com/content/video/trekkies_bash_new_star_trek_film?utm_source=a-section … [Read more...] about Star Trek Fans Angry That New Movie Is Good
Dom DeLuise Dies: Hollywood’s Beloved And Somewhat Untapped Comedy Talent
When the news hit that comedian actor Dom DeLuise died today at age 75 of cancer, in one sense it wasn't a huge surprise: he had reportedly had cancer, and for months now the supermarket tabloids have talked about how sick he was and how if anything he was eating more than ever because the end was near. True or not, the fact is that when I was a reporter on the San Diego … [Read more...] about Dom DeLuise Dies: Hollywood’s Beloved And Somewhat Untapped Comedy Talent
Miss California and the Insanity of American Politics
A lot of you out there have finally and officially lost your minds. I can't help you any more. I know that now, and I'm just going to have to accept it. Strangely enough, I had to learn this lesson at the alter of Carrie Prejean, first runner up in this year's Ms. USA pageant. During her failed bid for the crown, the bejeweled baton and the flowers (or whatever it is they get … [Read more...] about Miss California and the Insanity of American Politics
Specter Says He Wants Coleman And Makes More Enemies
Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, recently reborn as a Democrat in the face of a GOP unfriendly to moderates and the likelihood that he wouldn't win a Republican primary, now seems to be setting a record for alienating people of both parties. Specter, who earlier this week set off a mini-firestorm among some Democrats by pointedly saying that he was most definitely not a … [Read more...] about Specter Says He Wants Coleman And Makes More Enemies
Torture Has No Place in ‘Shining City on a Hill’: NRC Handelsblad, The Netherlands
From The Netherlands, where in 1620 the Pilgrims embarked on their voyage to the New World, comes a reminder of this nation's roots in a rather strong editorial indicting the use of torture in the United States. The editorial board of the NRC Handelsblad writes in part: "The core of the constitutional state - the shining city on a hill that the U.S. wants to protect, has … [Read more...] about Torture Has No Place in ‘Shining City on a Hill’: NRC Handelsblad, The Netherlands
Change Seen By An Old GOP Pol
So much has been written and aired about what's wrong with the Republican Party that I figured, what the hell, maybe former Sen. Howard Baker of Tennessee, writing an op-ed piece in Tuesday's Washington Post, would put his finger on it. I was shocked, I tell you. Shocked. "Things change because things change, not because of any ideological primacy or purity on a … [Read more...] about Change Seen By An Old GOP Pol
Why Moderate Republicans Matter
What are Moderate,Centrist, Progressive, Rockefeller or whatever they are called Republicans good for? That's the question that is on my mind this morning and it has probably been the question many in the GOP are asking. In many cases, the answer is that we are good for nothing and that we should join Arlen Specter in leaving the GOP. By now, I am familiar with the … [Read more...] about Why Moderate Republicans Matter
New Kindle Rumor RoundUp
It's virtually unanimous that the new Kindle e-book reader will have a larger screen and be designed to appeal to periodical and academic textbook publishers... WSJ Online: Beginning this fall, some students at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland will be given large-screen Kindles with textbooks for chemistry, computer science and a freshman seminar already … [Read more...] about New Kindle Rumor RoundUp
Supreme Nominee
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Supreme Nominee
The Bank Stress-Test Hustle
The process may tell us as much as the results, which are finally due later this week after many false starts. The delays themselves indicate the government is negotiating stress-test grades with the recipients, and now a series of leaks has economists worried about the manipulation that is going on. What kind of truth will we see in this hall of mirrors? Two headlines in … [Read more...] about The Bank Stress-Test Hustle
GUEST VOICE Debunking Myths About Moderates: 1) Moderates Have No Principles
Debunking Myths About Moderates: 1) Moderates Have No Principles by Rick Moran From long time commenter and center left Obama lover Michael Reynolds left on my post yesterday about Reagan's toleration for moderates in the GOP: Rick, you’re an atheist living in sin. You’re a rational man. You believe in evolution and understand that gay rights are coming, like it or … [Read more...] about GUEST VOICE Debunking Myths About Moderates: 1) Moderates Have No Principles
The Netherlands Surprised, “Miffed,” by Obama’s Tax Haven “Slur”
The Dutch press is indignant at President Obama for including the Netherlands in a group of three countries which he calls the top three corporate tax havens. The Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad calls it a "tax haven slur," and the popular news and information web site for internationals, Expatica.com, carries the headline, "The Dutch government has been branded by US … [Read more...] about The Netherlands Surprised, “Miffed,” by Obama’s Tax Haven “Slur”
Ship of State: Washington D.C. Mayor to Sign Gay Marriage Measure… Marion Barry Rushes To Tip Boat
D.C. Gay Marriage Measure Set for Mayor's Signature The original vote was 13-0, for the Washington D.C. Council to recognize marriages of ALL people that are recognized in other states, including same-gender marriages. At first Marion Barry (D-Ward8) rushed to one side of the Council votes to honor other States' same-gender unions, voting yes for it. But then, seeming to … [Read more...] about Ship of State: Washington D.C. Mayor to Sign Gay Marriage Measure… Marion Barry Rushes To Tip Boat
Would You Eat A Stack of 16 Sugar Cubes?
Short answer: You might! Via Sugar Stacks, where you can compare foods, find out where sugar is hiding, and see how much of the sweet stuff you're really eating. In other sugar news, last week Daniel Engber had a piece in Slate on the decline and fall of high-fructose corn syrup: … [Read more...] about Would You Eat A Stack of 16 Sugar Cubes?
Northeastern Republicans and Dodo Birds
What do the two have in common? Nothing yet, but if we lose any more Republicans up here, they'll both be in the extinction club. This is the subject of my latest (and wildly popular) column at Pajamas Media. Feel the love! … [Read more...] about Northeastern Republicans and Dodo Birds
Conservative Talk Show Host Michael Savage “Banned” From UK For “Hateful..Extreme” Views
Get ready to see conservative talk show host Michael Savage's ratings REALLY go up now: a British newspaper reports that he is on a "least wanted list" list of some 16 people banned from the UK for his "hateful...extreme" views -- a list that reportedly includes skinheads, preachers, Jewish and Muslim extremists and even a KKK member. But talk radio loves controversy and its … [Read more...] about Conservative Talk Show Host Michael Savage “Banned” From UK For “Hateful..Extreme” Views