This is definitely a new era. Whoever would have thought you would hear people diss "fact-based journalism" -- or that we'd even see that phrase? But the dissing, and existence of that phrase do exist: 21st century America is moving into a new age where many people will often only go to websites with which they totally agree, listen or watch left and right wing talk shows that … [Read more...] about Book Review: True Enough: Learning to Live in a Post-Fact Society
Quote of the Day: Freed Pirate Hostage Blasts Limbaugh On Pirates
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Shane Murphy, the second-in-command aboard the American merchant ship seized by Somalian pirates. When the ship's first in command was freed by Navy Seals most Americans of both parties cheered and put politics aside, but conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh had a different reaction. From The Huffington Post: "It feels … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Freed Pirate Hostage Blasts Limbaugh On Pirates
Swine Flu: We’ve been waiting
Joe Windish has already been covering this for you, but I wanted to share a few thoughts on the looming prospect of an influenza pandemic. Reports are already reaching us this morning that eleven people have died in Mexico, but people are recovering from the disease at a few locations in the United States, specifically in New York City. Why? Are we some sort of super-species? … [Read more...] about Swine Flu: We’ve been waiting
The Dichotomy of American Torture
As a person of faith who serves in the Army National Guard, and as a student and teacher of history and political science, I am profoundly aware of the need for a strong, effective national defense that has its foundation on solid moral principles. The phrase "For God and Country" sums up my internal view of the loyalties I hold dear. The torture memos that were made public … [Read more...] about The Dichotomy of American Torture
Two Special Bea Arthur Moments
Several young TMV readers requested a bit more of Bea Arthur. So, after a search on You Tube, here are two SPECIAL bits that illustrated how she was multi-talented -- whether in theater, television, doing some comedy or singing with her gravely voice. FIRST: Watch her re-create her Tony Award winning (1966) character "Vera" doing a key song from the musical "Mame." The … [Read more...] about Two Special Bea Arthur Moments
The Torture Trio
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The Torture Trio
‘An Arrest Warrant for George W. Please!’: Der Tageszeitung, Germany
As we have already established - there is little patience in Europe for Bush Administration arguments about expediency when it comes to the issue of "harsh interrogation techniques." Adding his views to the debate on the subject is Robert Misik of Germany's Die Tageszeitung, who writes in part: "Those who are responsible for gross human rights violations should not so … [Read more...] about ‘An Arrest Warrant for George W. Please!’: Der Tageszeitung, Germany
“Walt Whitman Is a Dead Fag”
This is what one Westboro Baptist Church member told a reporter who was covering a "protest" rally outside Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland. I'm not sure what they were protesting. They said they were protesting the poet's "lifestyle." Maybe they were protesting the existence of the high school. Maybe they were protesting the parents for sending their children to … [Read more...] about “Walt Whitman Is a Dead Fag”
Obama’s ‘Difficult and Courageous’ Action on Torture: Corriere della Sera, Italy
Continuing with our coverage of the global reaction to the issue of torture in the United States, this article from Italy's Corriere della Sera is perhaps the most sympathetic we have seen yet, to the position of those who say 'harsh interrogation techniques' were acceptable given the circumstances. For Corriere della Sera, Guido Olimpio writes in part: "The CIA memos … [Read more...] about Obama’s ‘Difficult and Courageous’ Action on Torture: Corriere della Sera, Italy
Porter Goss’s Dishonest Attack on Congress
It’s infuriating, but it’s entertaining, to watch the same people who spent the better part of the last eight years using lies, secrecy, deception, political maneuvering, and outright intimidation to run a global torture regime on foreign alleged terrorists, alongside a domestic illegal surveillance program on U.S. citizens, pen op-eds in major media outlets attacking Congress … [Read more...] about Porter Goss’s Dishonest Attack on Congress
Bea Arthur Dead at 86
ET: Arthur passed away at her home on Saturday. The spokesman said she was battling cancer, but did not elaborate on the cause of death. In the video above Rosie sings the theme from "Maude" after Bea Arthur tells her that they [used to!] sing it instead of happy birthday at The Universal Grill in the village. I love that Bea went there. My friend Sam and I used to … [Read more...] about Bea Arthur Dead at 86
Tale Of Two Teens
Two stories about two gifted teenagers struck my fancy today. One passed her three college entrance exams with perfect scores and will enroll at Princeton. The other is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the National Basketball Association draft when he becomes eligible in two years. While the 17-year-old girl from Michigan is lauded for her great mind, the 17-year-old … [Read more...] about Tale Of Two Teens
CDC Outbreak Notice: Swine Influenza in the United States
Following up on my earlier post, minutes ago the CDC issued an Outbreak Notice -- Swine Influenza in the United States. Time reports: The CDC is working with the World Health Organization to keep track of any additional cases to determine whether and when a warning of a pandemic would be warranted. In preparation for such a scenario, the CDC has created a seed stock of a … [Read more...] about CDC Outbreak Notice: Swine Influenza in the United States
FDIC Closes 4 Banks This Weekend
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation always does their dirty work at closing time on Friday. That way they have all weekend to figure out what is going on, get things in order so Joe and Jane Average can get their bills paid on Monday, and Wall Street has 2 days to sort through the carnage. Last night, the FDIC shut down four banks in four different states. That brings … [Read more...] about FDIC Closes 4 Banks This Weekend
The Still Faithful, Faithful Old Retainer
Yes, there's something unseemly about someone in this day and age defending the use of torture. Perhaps even grotesque. Officially sanctioned torture, after all, is closely associated with the Spanish Inquisition, and with activities by regimes headed by Stalin and Hitler. The efforts of former Vice-President Dick Cheney to justify its use by a country that has always … [Read more...] about The Still Faithful, Faithful Old Retainer
Swine Flu Update & Planning
UPDATE: ScienceBlogs: There will be an update from CDC later today and WHO's expert committee established under the new International Health Regulations (IHR) meets via teleconference this morning North American east coast time at 10 am (4 pm Geneva time) to consider whether the swine flu situation merits declaring it “a public health event of international concern.” … [Read more...] about Swine Flu Update & Planning
Obama 4/25/09 Weekly Address Calls For Fiscal Discipline
In his weekly You Tube/radio address, President Barack Obama calls for fiscal discipline and says his administration plans to take steps to institutionalize it: 4/25/09: Your Weekly Address from White House on Vimeo. ABC News' Jake Trapper puts this address into perspective noting that the Obama administration is now coming under fire: … [Read more...] about Obama 4/25/09 Weekly Address Calls For Fiscal Discipline
Cartoonists On Obama’s First 100 Days
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune These cartoons are copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Cartoonists On Obama’s First 100 Days
Obama’s Mideast Crisis to Come
Pakistan is looking like Cuba in the 1950s and Iran in the '70s as armed zealots start to take over a country without the will to resist. Accusing Pakistani leaders of "basically abdicating to the Taliban and the extremists," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sounded the alarm yesterday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee: "We cannot underscore the seriousness of … [Read more...] about Obama’s Mideast Crisis to Come
Weekend Potpourri
While we often get into heated debates at TMV I think the weekend can be a time for us to relax a little bit with some lighter topics. While I am sure some of us could manage to make any topic overheated I think it is a nice idea to have something simple for the next couple days. So here are a couple subjects to debate/discuss/etc 1) What is the oldest TV show you can … [Read more...] about Weekend Potpourri