It may be smiles, handshakes and thumbs up, but when it comes down to President Barack Obama trying to get European leaders to put Afghanistan on the front-burner and make major new commitments, Obama going to have a lot of convincing to do. The Washington Post says this on the summit to mark the 60th anniversary of NATO: "This summit will be held in a new diplomatic … [Read more...] about European Leaders Balk At Obama Afghan Initiative Goal
Quote Of The Day: New Frontiers In Sore Loserdom
Our Political Quote of the Day comes from The Economist's blog, which comments on the latest example of partisan mental and values gynmastics performed to justify yet another lowered notch in America's ends-justify-the-means politics. It's also reflects a controversy that is yet another chapter in the ongoing political de-mainstreaming of Republican Alaska Gov. Sarah … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: New Frontiers In Sore Loserdom
Budget Bill: The 22 Dissenting Dems
I value constructive compromise. I also value dissent, especially intra-party dissent. After six troubling years of a compliant Republican majority handing a less-than-competent Republican administration virtually everything it wanted, I left (returned to and left again) the Republican party and joined the ranks of independent, unaffiliated voters. In the process, I … [Read more...] about Budget Bill: The 22 Dissenting Dems
India 2009: World’s Biggest Elections
India, described as world's biggest democracy, goes to the polls to elect 543 members to the 15th Lok Sabha (lower house of the Parliament) in five phases (beginning April 16, and ending on May 13, 2009). The results of the election will be announced on May 16, 2009. India has 714 million registered voters (of the total 1,161,460,000 population). See here... And … [Read more...] about India 2009: World’s Biggest Elections
Obama Is A Fascist? (Guest Voice)
Obama is a Fascist? by Dalitso Njolinjo Watching Glen Beck emotionally tell his Fox News audience that he believes Obama is leading America on the road to fascism quite frankly baffles me. No, really it does. I don’t understand where he is coming from. Maybe it because I do not live in America and the news I get here in the UK is restricted to CNN and Fox on satellite … [Read more...] about Obama Is A Fascist? (Guest Voice)
Shooting & Hostage Situation Binghamton NY
UPDATE: MSNBC says now that it is one gunman and he killed himself. UPDATE: MSNBC says that two men have been led out in handcuffs. Several people shot by gunman in multiple incidents, as many as 40 hostages (some have been released), shooter on the loose with a high-powered rifle. Unconfirmed reports that as many as 13 people may have been … [Read more...] about Shooting & Hostage Situation Binghamton NY
What’s a nice girl like you doing in a neocon place like this?
The Foreign Policy Initiative held its first public event on Tuesday, a conference entitled Afghanistan: Planning for Success. The FPI board of directors consists of Bob Kagan, Bill Kristol and Dan Senor, leading many to the natural conclusion that FPI is a neocon initiative. That's not unreasonable, but where the neocon-watchers go wrong is their immediate attribution of … [Read more...] about What’s a nice girl like you doing in a neocon place like this?
Iowa Supreme Court Unanimously Strikes Down Gay Marriage Ban
PDF of the opinion here. And the arc of history bends a little more towards justice. … [Read more...] about Iowa Supreme Court Unanimously Strikes Down Gay Marriage Ban
Gingrich: Pure Conservatives Could Split Off To Form Third Party In 2012
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, considered by some to be to be a GOP visionary and by others as a politician who overreached and greatly helped the Democrats, is warning his fellow Republicans that pure conservatives could split off and form a third party in 2012 if the party follows the path set by President George Bush or doesn't take a strong stance against President … [Read more...] about Gingrich: Pure Conservatives Could Split Off To Form Third Party In 2012
Kucinich Votes ‘No’ on Obama Budget
Almost lost in the shuffle of today's news about the polarized votes approving President Obama's budget is the fact that former presidential candidate and UFO spotter Rep. Dennis Kucinich was among the 20 House Dems who voted against the budget. Asked to explain, Kucinich replied: This budget is a statement of principles for the upcoming year, and I cannot accept it in … [Read more...] about Kucinich Votes ‘No’ on Obama Budget
After the Fold
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about After the Fold
Tedisco Takes the Lead?
As the re-canvass of votes continues in New York's 20th congressional district, Politicker NY reports that errors are being found and corrected and they are all heading in one direction. Jim Tedisco now seems to hold a 12 vote lead over Democrat Scott Murphy, though Murphy was declared to hold a roughly sixty vote lead on election night. Now it's Tedisco by 12! As voting … [Read more...] about Tedisco Takes the Lead?
Freedom to Surf: Workers More Productive if Allowed ‘Leisure browsing’
CNet: A study conducted in Australia found that people who engage in "Workplace Internet Leisure Browsing" (WILB) are more productive than those who don't. Workers who "surf the Internet for fun at work--within a reasonable limit of less than 20 percent of their total time in the office--are more productive by about 9 percent," according to the study's author, Professor Brent … [Read more...] about Freedom to Surf: Workers More Productive if Allowed ‘Leisure browsing’
Sarah Palin Flunks Government 101 Again
For entry number 114 in my ongoing 2,000 part series of baseless and despicable attacks on Sarah Palin and her family, I draw your attention to the fallout from disgraced Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) receiving his get out of jail free card. The Anchorage Daily News fills in the blanks for us. Gov. Sarah Palin and the head of the Alaska Republican Party said Thursday that … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Flunks Government 101 Again
Blago & Company Indicted
Chicago Breaking News: Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, his brother, and a former top fundraiser were among six men indicted today on political corruption charges, the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago announced. In addition to Rob Blagojevich, 53, and fundraiser Christopher Kelly, 50, charged were Lon Monk, 50, a lobbyist and former Blagojevich chief of staff; John Harris, 47, … [Read more...] about Blago & Company Indicted
Michelle and the Queen
After his first foreign trip as President, JFK said, "I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris--and I have enjoyed it!" Barack Obama may be feeling that way in London this week as the Gallup Poll shows the First Lady's favorable ratings eclipsing his own. The British press, as always on the lookout to criticize crude Americans, half-heartedly tried to stir a … [Read more...] about Michelle and the Queen
Spring Wildflower Beauty in the Smokies
April is a stressful time in the academic calender - midterms and essays come due, senior theses, academic advising, preparation for final papers and projects. It all piles up in the weeks after Spring Break. So I like to get away from campus whenever possible this time of year and head down the road to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Townsend entrance is only about … [Read more...] about Spring Wildflower Beauty in the Smokies
Vermont Same Sex Marriage Bill In Trouble, Iowa Ruling Due (UPDATED
The Vermont House today held a preliminary vote to approve the same sex marriage bill but it did not pass by a two thirds majority. The vote was 92-52 or 3 votes short of a 2/3 majority (It would have needed 95 votes of those cast or 100 of the total House membership of 150). If the bill does not pick up those extra votes then a veto threat by Governor Jim Douglas could kill … [Read more...] about Vermont Same Sex Marriage Bill In Trouble, Iowa Ruling Due (UPDATED
Eric Cantor: Let’s Not “Overreact” to the Economic Crisis
You would think that after Barack Obama's resounding victory in November, and with his job approval and favorable ratings at 60% and 69%, respectively, Republican leaders would recognize that the "tired old policies of the past" are the ones the public just rejected -- not the ones we've been suffering under for the eight years prior to the election. … [Read more...] about Eric Cantor: Let’s Not “Overreact” to the Economic Crisis
Poem of the Day Night: Sometimes Errors Turn Into Treasure
There's an old saying that if you look, there will come a sparkling diamond from the block of blank coal. In this poem by Lewis Hyde, he shows us how lovers struck speechless when insulting each other, actually are removed forcibly-- via their sudden muteness -- from saying any further cruel thing to one another. That being struck dumb can sometimes be a good thing. He talks … [Read more...] about Poem of the Day Night: Sometimes Errors Turn Into Treasure