While the vast majority of Americans of both parties, no party, conservatives, liberals and moderates came together yesterday to breathe one huge sigh of relief that U.S. Navy Seals had rescued Capt. Richard Phillips from the hands of pirates in a lifeboat off the Somali coast -- and feel a sense of national pride -- one segment of Americans was going on the attack: Some … [Read more...] about Conservative Talk Show Hosts: Obama Had Little Or Nothing To Do With Rescued American Captain’s Rescue
The Coming Gay Republican Schism?
Before I go any further, I need to let you all know that I have been a part of Log Cabin Republicans since 2002. I've served in various positions with the local chapter including a stint as President. Ben Smith over at Politico, revealed that there is a move a foot to create a rival organization for gay conservatives. The new group will be called GOProud and will launch … [Read more...] about The Coming Gay Republican Schism?
Reaction Roundup to Captain Phillips’ Release
We must take the fight to the pirates so we don't have to fight them here: ... Thomas Jefferson understood you can not defeat pirates by chasing them one by one around a vast sea. We must either in concert with our allies or unilaterally, if need be, devise a strategy to take the fight to the pirates and re-establish some semblance of order. … [Read more...] about Reaction Roundup to Captain Phillips’ Release
Crimes of Hugo Chavez Worse than Richard Nixon’s: Tal Cual, Venezuela
Like Russia, the Venezuela of Hugo Chavez appears ever-more inhospitable to press freedom. But as we have demonstrated before, there are news outlets in that nation which are more than capable of letting loose a fierce barrage of criticism in the direction of their fearless leader. On the eve of the Fifth Summit of the Americas beginning April 17, this editorial from … [Read more...] about Crimes of Hugo Chavez Worse than Richard Nixon’s: Tal Cual, Venezuela
Kirk Douglas’ Inner Issur
At 92, best-known now as Michael Douglas' father and Catherine Zeta-Jones' father-in-law, a movie legend is taking "an audit of my life" and, of course, doing it on stage and in front of cameras. Kirk Douglas' career is at the heart of a larger 20th century American story: how the children of refugees from European cruelty went to Hollywood and, as John Updike put it, "out … [Read more...] about Kirk Douglas’ Inner Issur
The Pirates of Somalia
The piracy situation off the coast of Somalia is not as straightfoward as many think it is. There are origins to the piracy beyond simple greed for easy money. These origins do not excuse the actions of the pirates, but we cannot resolve the situation without an understanding of how it arose. This is not some simple-minded action movie with a obvious solution through the use … [Read more...] about The Pirates of Somalia
This Is What They Live With Every Day
Khmer Rouge survivors, 35 years later: Since February, a United Nations-backed tribunal in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh has been trying the first of five Khmer Rouge leaders charged with crimes against humanity, for the brutal experiment in communism that took at least 1.7 million lives between 1975 and 1979. Activists in the United States are trying to get refugees … [Read more...] about This Is What They Live With Every Day
Somali “Pirate” Wanted US Protection: He’s 16 Years Old
Of the four Somali terrorists in a life boat holding US Captain Phillips hostage, three are dead. Captain Phillips is alive and free and well. As is a fourth 'pirate.' Prior to the US action to free the Captain with firepower, the fourth "pirate" who for reasons yet unclear at the time of this first reporting, appears to have been aboard the US Navy ship Bainbridge. He … [Read more...] about Somali “Pirate” Wanted US Protection: He’s 16 Years Old
Easter Meaning 2009
The Rachel Maddow Show’s A Fine Wine
Being Easter Sunday and all that, I felt redemption for something I wrote in passing reference about Rachel Maddow. I called the MSNBC cable news hostess a "liberal flame thrower." Maddow is, yes, a liberal. The "flame thrower" element is a description applied by Fox's Bill O'Reilly for anyone on the left of which he disagrees. I'm in agreement with Ms. Maddow more often … [Read more...] about The Rachel Maddow Show’s A Fine Wine
CNN: Captain Freed; Pirates Killed
CNN: American captain rescued, pirates killed, U.S. official says The captain of the Maersk Alabama was freed Sunday after being held captive since Wednesday by pirates off the coast of Somalia, a senior U.S. official with knowledge of the situation told CNN. The official said Capt. Richard Phillips is uninjured and in good condition, and that three of the four pirates … [Read more...] about CNN: Captain Freed; Pirates Killed
To Tweet or Not To Tweet
Over the past few weeks the traditional media have discovered Twitter big time. You can hardly tune in to any radio or television program without being pestered to send a tweet or subscribe to their Twitter feed. They've liberally used the CommonCraft video above -- often without attribution -- to help acquaint their audience to the service. So do you Twitter? TMV's Twitter … [Read more...] about To Tweet or Not To Tweet
Bring Back The PT Boat
As governments anguish about ways to confront the challenge of Somali piracy, all sorts of solutions are being proposed. One that's beginning to attract attention involves thinking small and looking to the past. We've learned in recent years that when it comes to modern asymmetrical land warfare, the best way to win is usually to get symmetrical with your opponents—only … [Read more...] about Bring Back The PT Boat
Red Shirt Anti-Government Protests Spark State Of Emergency In Thai Capital
Thailand's capital of Bangkok is reportedly under a state of emergency in the wake of protests -- protests that led to the cancellation of a major meeting of 16 Asian nations. The anti-government feeling among protesters is so strong, in fact, that after the announcement of the state of emergency was declared protesters stormed the Interior Ministry: Thai Prime … [Read more...] about Red Shirt Anti-Government Protests Spark State Of Emergency In Thai Capital
Why Do We Even Need A Vatican Ambassador?
There is likely no better imaginable day than Easter to tell the Vatican that they can go pack sand. Caroline Kennedy, the long time Obama supporter and very nearly Senator from New York, was apparently suggested as our next ambassador to the Vatican, but the Holy See finds the choice unacceptable because of Kennedy's stated position on abortion. Vatican sources told Il … [Read more...] about Why Do We Even Need A Vatican Ambassador?
Easter Economy
Jeff Parker, Florida Today This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Easter Economy
Why Did The Obamas Take Europe By Storm?
Some thoughts HERE. … [Read more...] about Why Did The Obamas Take Europe By Storm?
Once Again, Release from Bondage and From The Grave
The Passion: After Beauty and Truth are Put To Death I wanted you to see this poem... it's last lines tell of dying from pursuing truth and beauty in culture, in life... inferring an exhaustion sets in, one loses energy eventually... and dies not from glut of truth or beauty, but for want of them. There is more. Each reader will find their own thought somewhere in this … [Read more...] about Once Again, Release from Bondage and From The Grave
He Is Risen Today
With all due respect and love for our readers of all faiths, I offer this post as both an expression of my own joy today and my hopes for all to have a wonderful Easter. … [Read more...] about He Is Risen Today
To Succeed, Obama Must Stop Protecting ‘Israeli Butchers’: Tishreen of Syria
Continuing with our coverage of the Arab world's reaction to President Obama's visit to Turkey and his outreach to the Muslim World, we've posted this op-ed from Syria - another Arab nation that Washington is trying to woo into turning over a new leaf. So in the opinion of the Syrian regime, how successful was the President trip in convincing Muslims that a new era in … [Read more...] about To Succeed, Obama Must Stop Protecting ‘Israeli Butchers’: Tishreen of Syria