The Washington Post just let the dog out: "The little guy is a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog given to the Obama girls as a gift by that Portuguese water dog-lovin' senator himself, Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. The girls named it Bo -- and let it be noted that you learned that here first. Malia and Sasha chose the name, because their cousins have a cat named Bo and … [Read more...] about Meet “Bo,” The First Puppy
This, Not That…
A Holiday Treat
While of course this weekend has much greater significance to those of us who belong to the Christian faith one of my favorite memories of this holiday is spending the Saturday before Easter watching a movie with the family. This scene is one of my favorites and I hope you enjoy. … [Read more...] about A Holiday Treat
Ooooh, Pirates? No, Murderers.
Last night, a local Network news affiliate had one of their newscasters saying: the "captain's was a botched escape." Botched? Hardly. Unable to make it to safe ship, yes. But, "Botched?" ... you sometimes wonder who is writing the teleprompter copy... Not that long ago, the same news affiliate said of a child who was sexually intruded upon by an adult, that the "affair … [Read more...] about Ooooh, Pirates? No, Murderers.
Oh, Those Cunning Somali Pirates
Certainly, I cannot be the only one on the planet wondering how in hell can a bunch of Somali renegade pirates outwit, out maneuver and out perform the world's combined fleet of navy vessels. And earning big bucks in the process. Perhaps the key is that so far the pirates haven't killed any of their hostages. And, so far, only the French have shown some spunk in … [Read more...] about Oh, Those Cunning Somali Pirates
Short-Term Gains for Long-Term Losses
The New York Times has an interesting article about how states are dealing with the problem of wasteful spending on pork-laden projects that are just giveaways to powerful lobbies: Battered by the recession and the deepest and most widespread budget deficits in several decades, a large majority of states are slicing into their social safety nets — often crippling preventive … [Read more...] about Short-Term Gains for Long-Term Losses
China’s Gender Holocaust
When a government's one-child policy meets a culture's bias against females, this is what happens. Also see here. [This has been crossposted at my personal blog.] … [Read more...] about China’s Gender Holocaust
Banks Want a Bailout Do-Over
Anyone who has ever cashed in a Certificate of Deposit knows banks are adamant about extracting a penalty for early withdrawal but now, in repaying taxpayers, they are whining about the rules. According to the New York Times, "Some of the healthier banks want to pay back their bailout loans to avoid executive pay and other restrictions that come with the money. But the banks … [Read more...] about Banks Want a Bailout Do-Over
Israeli Defiance of Obama Shows There’s No Point in Talking: Al Gomhuria, Egypt
CARTOON TITLE SAYS, 'NETANYAHU'S GOVERNMENT' PICTURED AS A DOG AND CHASING THE ARAB BOY IS ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER, AVIGDOR LIEBERMAN To ring in the weekend, here are two cautionary articles from the Arab world that relate to President Obama's attempt to reach out to the Arab world and the price Israel might pay for opposing his efforts and refusing to pursue peace with … [Read more...] about Israeli Defiance of Obama Shows There’s No Point in Talking: Al Gomhuria, Egypt
Is War (Still) a Racket?
Excerpts from “War Is a Racket”: WAR is a racket. It has always been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. . . In the World War* a mere handful garnered the profits of the conflict. At least … [Read more...] about Is War (Still) a Racket?
Gay Marriage And Religious Protections
We've run a wide variety of perspectives on the gay marriage issue here on TMV. Treen Caudle, who worked in state government for a number of years as an editor and policy analyst and is now a stay-home mom to two and who blogs at Non-Angry Political Woman, recently emailed us to note that most of what we've run portrays those who oppose gay marriage as bigots -- and that is … [Read more...] about Gay Marriage And Religious Protections
All Blogs Get Emails (Boy Do We..)
One of the most interesting aspects of the "new media" is the interaction between a weblog and its readers -- or readers (or cable show or radio show listeners) contacting the site by email. We all get emails. Boy to we get emails....sites on the left, center and right. On the left, the daily Kos gets some that are so colorful that it today offers its first installment of … [Read more...] about All Blogs Get Emails (Boy Do We..)
Obama Admin Will Appeal Ruling Giving Some Overseas Detainees Habeas Rights
There is no credible justification for this move on Obama's part, and I have to say, it's terribly distressing: … [Read more...] about Obama Admin Will Appeal Ruling Giving Some Overseas Detainees Habeas Rights
New Elderly Financial Angst—In Verse
My 401(k) has now withered away I’m really not sure where it’s gone, They said if I chipped in each Friday payday It would grow—but it seems they were wrong. I’d heard that my company didn’t nitpick Toward workers it was most paternal But I’ve found as I’ve aged and been prone to get sick Its medical plan ain’t eternal. The firm’s pension fund I thought was … [Read more...] about New Elderly Financial Angst—In Verse
NY20: And the Count Goes On
We're now into the fifth day of absentee ballot counting in the NY 20th Congressional District race between Jim Tedisco and Scott Murphy, but the end is still nowhere in sight. After the re-canvass left the election effectively in a tie, officials began opening up and counting the thousands of write-in votes which will decide the outcome. The news might be construed as hopeful … [Read more...] about NY20: And the Count Goes On
The Bow: Enough Already
Eric Zimmermann of The Hill's Blog Briefing Room reports that the National Republican Senatorial Commitee (NRSC) is using "the bow" to juice fundraising. Perhaps Senate Dems should stop trying to explain this away and, instead, respond in kind ... times two. … [Read more...] about The Bow: Enough Already
The Great Performers: Abbott and Costello And The Susquehanna Hat Company
Comedy fans and aspiring comedians take note. Here is a fest: the great comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello performing their famous, hilarious burlesque-derived Susquehanna Hat Company skit. In two versions -- each with its own character and comedy flow. First: a version from one of their early movies from the 40s: Second: a version done more than 10 years after … [Read more...] about The Great Performers: Abbott and Costello And The Susquehanna Hat Company
Obama seder good to the last drop: uses Maxwell House Haggadah
The White House blog posted this photo* of last night's seder: The president and his guests are using the Maxwell House Coffee Haggadah (which is the one we used at our cantor's home on the first night). I recognized the outside decorations immediately, double-checked them here and then zoomed in on the official photo. Here's a close-up of the haggadah in President … [Read more...] about Obama seder good to the last drop: uses Maxwell House Haggadah
Teabags and the Altamont of the Right
The best way to understand the state of modern conservatism today is to look back at the demise of FDR liberalism in the 1960s. The similarities aren't perfect, mind you, but they are instructive. American political movements that develop over decades tend to follow a pattern. They rise, drawing from years of pent-up frustration channeled into polished plans and sold by … [Read more...] about Teabags and the Altamont of the Right
Sign Of Economic Hard Times: Shriners Hospitals Seriously Ailing Financially And Some Could Close
It's yet another sign of economic times -- when in addition to businesses failing, home foreclosures galore, and a whopping number of jobs vanishing, charities and organizations are experiencing huge shortfalls in donations. And now it has hit the Shriners -- a group that also found its endowment battered by the stock market decline: The future of all 22 Shriners … [Read more...] about Sign Of Economic Hard Times: Shriners Hospitals Seriously Ailing Financially And Some Could Close