According to this report published yesterday by Switzerland's Le Temps newspaper, for the past six years, American, European and Iranian researchers have been meeting in secret in Geneva. The objective: to establish informal bridges to avoid "the worst." The report, according to Le Temps, contains information apparently intended by Iranians who have taken part in the talks, to … [Read more...] about America and Iran: Secret Talks in Geneva ‘Revealed’ – Le Temps of Switzerland
Another Bad Week for Rush Limbaugh
The week started out on a good note for Rush Limbaugh. But from then on things went quickly to hell in a hand basket for him, and ended on a great note for America and Americans. On Monday, the market hiccupped and was down a few points But then, on Tuesday, things got even better for Rush. The Dow Jones lost over 100 points and Rush was gloating, even taking time to … [Read more...] about Another Bad Week for Rush Limbaugh
Looking Glass Bookkeeping
There's an old joke about the way businesses in France do their accounting. It says the typical French company keeps three sets of books. One to show the tax man when he asks to see the books. One to show him when he asks to see the real books. And the real books. Clearly, the French have long experience in leading edge accounting. But compared to the way Americans banks are … [Read more...] about Looking Glass Bookkeeping
It’s “War” In The Conservative Blogosphere
It's war in the conservative blogosphere over Fox News' hottest new property, the ever controversial talk show host Glenn Beck. The issue: over whether to support him, go along with him, keep distance away from him -- and whether he helps or hurts conservatives. DETAILS HERE in a must-read post. UPDATE: There does seem to be some consernation among some conservatives about … [Read more...] about It’s “War” In The Conservative Blogosphere
CNN Poll: 7 In 10 Americans Back Diplomatic Relations With Cuba
Despite strong criticism in some quarters, Obama administration feelers that it is considering easing some of the ban in place on relations with Fidel Castro's communist Cuba are well received by nearly two-thirds of Americans, according to a new CNN poll: President Obama is getting ready to visit to the Summit of the Americas next week amid rising reports the … [Read more...] about CNN Poll: 7 In 10 Americans Back Diplomatic Relations With Cuba
The Unpopularity of Rejecting Money for Unemployed Americans
Ben Smith of Politico writes that Republican governors like Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, and Mark Sanford, who had publicly announced they would refuse federal stimulus money for their states, are backing down now: … [Read more...] about The Unpopularity of Rejecting Money for Unemployed Americans
The Republicans’ Terrible Week
The Philadelphia Inquirer's Dick Polman brings it all together. … [Read more...] about The Republicans’ Terrible Week
Get This Man Off the Air
On his show yesterday, Glenn Beck acted out an implied execution by dousing an actor with the liquid contents of a gasoline container and lighting a match. A disclaimer flashed on the screen while he was doing this said it was water. Beck's stated reason for doing this was to protest Pres. Obama's immigration reform plan. Crooks and Liars has the story and the video of … [Read more...] about Get This Man Off the Air
Blogosphere to be renamed Bogosphere
For some reason, during the transitional period following the last election and the first few salad days of the Obama administration, I foolishly believed that we were seeing some encouraging improvements in political discourse in the blogosphere. In a relatively short period of time, though, things have taken a turn. Check out the collection of comments at Memeorandum by some … [Read more...] about Blogosphere to be renamed Bogosphere
Texas Republican Wants Asian-Americans To Change Their Names
A Republican legislator in Texas, Betty Brown, is refusing to back down after suggesting Asian-descent voters should adopt names that are "easier for Americans to deal with" during House testimony on voter identification legislation. Specifically, she said: "Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese -- I understand it's a rather difficult language -- do you think … [Read more...] about Texas Republican Wants Asian-Americans To Change Their Names
Quote Of The Day: Is Glenn Beck Becoming A Patron Saint Of The Republican Party?
Our Political Quote of the Day comes from First Read's Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro who raise the issue of whether Fox New's hottest new property Glenn Beck is now The One To Watch in terms of whether has an ideological influence over the Republican party. They see signs that may be starting to happen: *** Republicans Gone Wild, part II: Back in late … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Is Glenn Beck Becoming A Patron Saint Of The Republican Party?
The Biden Rove Debate
As has been reported in the media Vice President Biden has claimed that he scolded President Bush in the Oval Office while former Bush aides (including Karl Rove) say the story is a fake. This is an interesting debate for me in that I am not a Rove fan (indeed I blame him for badly hurting the GOP) but at the same time I am not particularly trusting of these kind of claims from … [Read more...] about The Biden Rove Debate
CNN’s Rick Sanchez Slams Fox News On Its Obama Will Get Your Guns Narrative
One of the most jolting aspects of President Barack Obama's victory has been the fact that some Republicans that denounced "Bush derangement syndrome" are now painting his administration as not just one they oppose because it's run by a different party with different policies, but as one that wants to destroy what America's founding built -- and take away everyone's … [Read more...] about CNN’s Rick Sanchez Slams Fox News On Its Obama Will Get Your Guns Narrative
Defense Cuts
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Defense Cuts
Mr. Obama’s Traveling Circus (Guest Voice)
The reviews are still coming on President Barack Obama's trip to Europe. A lot of them are positive. Here's a less positive one from radio talk show host Michael Reagan. Mr. Obama’s Traveling Circus by Michael Reagan While the United States writhes in the agony of seeking a way out of the current financial mess, President Obama, his wife and a cast of 500 aides and … [Read more...] about Mr. Obama’s Traveling Circus (Guest Voice)
Going to Seed With Michelle Obama
The gardening industry is growing as Americans across the country follow the First Lady's example of raising vegetables, fruit and herbs. At yesterday's White House planting, Mrs. Obama told her fifth-grade helpers of international interest in their efforts on her trip abroad. “Every single person from Prince Charles on down was excited because we are planting a garden,” … [Read more...] about Going to Seed With Michelle Obama
Sam Miller’s Delhi: ‘India’s Dreamtown & Purgatory’
Although I was born and brought up in Delhi, India's capital city, I now find it a challenge to live there for more than a fortnight at a stretch. Sam Miller, a former BBC journalist who has made Delhi his home since 2002, quite succinctly describes the city as ‘India’s dreamtown — and its purgatory.’ Sam Miller's recent book Delhi: Adventures in a Megacity vividly captures … [Read more...] about Sam Miller’s Delhi: ‘India’s Dreamtown & Purgatory’
Do We Like Square Butts ?
A while back Carl's Jr. had quite a bit of controversy over their 'Flat Butts' commercial which was attacked for being sexist. Well Burger Kings has a new one for their Spongebob Squarepants meal and perhaps it's the result of having young nephews and nieces but it makes me laugh. … [Read more...] about Do We Like Square Butts ?
Levi Johnston: Just Another of Sarah Palin’s Discards
I remember reading in the weeks after John McCain named Sarah Palin as his running mate, that she was known in Alaska for using people and then discarding them when they were no longer a political asset for her. … [Read more...] about Levi Johnston: Just Another of Sarah Palin’s Discards
Gay Marriage Is Bad — But We Can’t Say Why
The National Review Online has an odious editorial up called "The Future of Marriage." The editorial makes three main points: Contrary to what many people think, same-sex marriage is not becoming "markedly" more accepted, and in states that make it easy for residents to amend their constitution to define marriage as exclusively heterosexual, they will do so. Those states … [Read more...] about Gay Marriage Is Bad — But We Can’t Say Why