Our political Quote of the Day comes from the always thoughtful conservative writer, Josh Trevino. He looks at the defection of Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter to the Democratic party and suggests that it is not catastrophic for the GOP as the party's critics and pundits' pronouncements suggest: ...Specter’s party switch is the latest in a long trend of ideological … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Specter’s Defection Isn’t Really Catastrophic for the GOP
Kentucky Derby Recession Beater
I am not much of a Horse Racing fan and did not even bother to watch the Kentucky Derby today but the results are sending shock waves through the community of racers as wll as the gambling world. A 50 to 1 longshot, Mine That Bird, raced from behind to win. The second biggest upset in Derby history and the biggest since 1913. The payout was $ 103.20 for every $ 2 bet. So … [Read more...] about Kentucky Derby Recession Beater
Marvin Berry’s Band Isn’t Scheduled to Play Tonight
So we won't be hearing Marty McFly's guitar solo on Johnny B. Goode. But it would be great if we did! Tonight, in our church fellowship hall, we'll be offering a Middle-of-the-Night Breakfast to the kids who attend the evening's Logan High School Prom. It'll be fun. But if Biff shows up, I may need some help. [This has been crossposted at my personal blog.] … [Read more...] about Marvin Berry’s Band Isn’t Scheduled to Play Tonight
You Can’t Get There From Here
One of the most annoying things about movement conservatives, I find, is the way they combine insufferably sanctimonious self-righteousness with a complete disregard for facts. I'm not talking here about "facts" that should more properly be called opinions -- like, for instance, "Torture has kept Americans safe from another terrorist attack for seven years now. That is a fact." … [Read more...] about You Can’t Get There From Here
Stolen Valor at the Highest Levels: The Case of Sgt. Rafael Peralta
At a young age, Rafael Peralta immigrated* to the United States and, as soon as he had his “green card,” he joined the U.S. military---just as I did. While serving in the U.S. military, Sgt. Peralta earned his U.S. citizenship---just as I did. But here is where the similarities end. … [Read more...] about Stolen Valor at the Highest Levels: The Case of Sgt. Rafael Peralta
What’s Up With People And Gays?
The anti-gay marriage amendments were credited with giving Bush the 2004 election. Maine's recent debate on the issue had to be delayed because so many people came that there were traffic jams. It's caused schisms in Church denominations. TMV posts that talk about gays seem to consistently get the most comments out of any topic -- aside from which political party is "worse." … [Read more...] about What’s Up With People And Gays?
Obama’s 5/2/09 Weekly Radio You Tube Address: Don’t Panic Over Swine Flu
President Barack Obama used his weekly radio/You Tube address to tell Americans not to panic on the Swine Flu -- to take a deep breath and not feel they have to run out and buy a face mask to do so: The full text of Obama's address is HERE as is the text of the GOP response address delivered by Kansas' Rep. Lynn Jenkins. Jenkin's remarks didn't address the flu, but … [Read more...] about Obama’s 5/2/09 Weekly Radio You Tube Address: Don’t Panic Over Swine Flu
Independents: Yes, We Can
Four more percentage points and Independents will be the largest political force in the U.S. [H/t Daily Dish.] … [Read more...] about Independents: Yes, We Can
Souter and the GOP Conundrum
Obama's not the only one with a pick to make. Eric Zimmermann of The Hill's Blog Briefing Room emailed us the following summary. A really interesting aspect of the Souter retirement is that Republicans, because of Specter’s defection, are lacking a leader on the Judiciary Committee, which will handle the nomination of a new Justice. The Republican chain of succession … [Read more...] about Souter and the GOP Conundrum
Barack Obama’s First 100 Days
The Capitol Steps wonders if it's a case of Obama-Mia. Meanwhile, the auto industry is ailing and its new theme song is "Help Me, Honda." … [Read more...] about Barack Obama’s First 100 Days
Corporate Lesson in Star Wars Fan Kerfuffle: Don’t Discriminate
Towleroad's Nathanial comments on BioWare reinstating use of the words 'gay' and 'lesbian' and ending its ban of any discussion of homosexuality in community forums: It's become an entirely predictable narrative: Company makes discriminatory decision, internet explodes with anger, company issues lame explanation as to why they did so, company reverses offending decision as … [Read more...] about Corporate Lesson in Star Wars Fan Kerfuffle: Don’t Discriminate
Justice For The Common Man
If President Obama sticks to his way of governing incubated in his days at Harvard Law School, his top priority for a new Supreme Court Justice will not be a woman or Hispanic. It will be a person skilled in constitutional law but who by judicial demeanor understands the impact jurists have on the common man. If that person he selects is a woman or Hispanic, so much the … [Read more...] about Justice For The Common Man
Novelist and Short Story Writer Richard L. Cohen…
not to be confused with the WaPo columnist, is blogging again. Read his wonderful post on ubiquity and openness to the promise of each new day. I'm so glad to be reading Richard's honest, insightful prose again. … [Read more...] about Novelist and Short Story Writer Richard L. Cohen…
Some Thoughts on Gay Marriage and DOMA
My spouse and I are very familiar with both the straight and gay worlds as we are both flaming heterosexuals with a number of gay/lesbian/bisexual friends and acquaintances. Despite our conservative religious backgrounds, whether there are gay couples (married or just living together) in our neighborhood is of no significance whatsoever to us or for raising our family. … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts on Gay Marriage and DOMA
Obama Beyond the Sound Bites
His press conferences are dazzling performances, but to get a glimpse of Barack Obama in the round takes the oldest journalistic setting of all, an extended one-on-one interview by David Leonhardt for this Sunday's New York Times Magazine. Under questioning to show his state of mind rather than elicit sound bites, we get a picture of how the President sees the economic … [Read more...] about Obama Beyond the Sound Bites
Texas Governor Perry says “Choose Wife!”
In a ground-breaking move Thursday, the Texas Senate passed a bill approving new license plates that read "Choose Wife" -- thus allowing Texans to publicly display their concern for high divorce rates in the state. The bill now moves to the House. If it passes there, concerned Texans will be able to order the metallic bumper stickers plates as soon as this fall. Like all … [Read more...] about Texas Governor Perry says “Choose Wife!”
Condi Rice’s Return To Stanford: You Can’t “Go Home” Again?
Can a former respected academic "go home" again to a former academic nest after serving in a controversial administration, a controversial post on that administration -- and being perceived as either an implementer or enabler of controversial war and torture policies? Former Secretary of State Condolezza Rice faced that test when she visited a dorm at Stanford University. … [Read more...] about Condi Rice’s Return To Stanford: You Can’t “Go Home” Again?
Not So Frequently Asked Questions About The Swine Flu (Guest Voice)
Not So Frequently Asked Questions About The Swine Flu by Will Durst Q. What is swine flu? A. A respiratory disease caused by a type-A influenza virus that has mutated into H1N1, and is currently terrorizing the globe. Don’t you read the papers? Q. What are these papers you speak of? Poor President Obama. Everything happens on his watch. Does he have the worst job … [Read more...] about Not So Frequently Asked Questions About The Swine Flu (Guest Voice)
Wolverine and Obama
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Wolverine and Obama
A New High in Right Wing Humor
As one of the regularly appearing authors at Pajamas Media, as well as here at The Moderate Voice, I am frequently called upon to employ the humor and satire tags, covering my occasional efforts to bring a smile to your faces during tough times in he political arena. But few, if any, of my efforts at comedy have been as funny as an entry this week from John Hawkins. "The Right … [Read more...] about A New High in Right Wing Humor