by Walter Brasch Barack Obama was determined that the only way anyone was going to take away his BlackBerry was if they pried it from his cold dead hands. Or, something to that effect. The President justifiably relies upon his BlackBerry, but many rely upon electronic communications as a status symbol or as a crutch so they don’t … [Read more...] about The Beeper Cacophony
An American Outrage: Bernie, AIG, and Us
by Rosemary and Walter Brasch There have now been more than 4,000 deaths and 30,000 casualties of American military in the war in Iraq. More than 100,000 Iraqis and others, most of them civilian, have also been killed in what is now known to be an unnecessary war. But, we as a nation are not outraged. We have recently learned that former President Bush … [Read more...] about An American Outrage: Bernie, AIG, and Us
Upon Reflection, The Toxic Asset Plan Is Even Worse Than At First Glance
I had meant to not discuss the Toxic Asset plan too much before it was officially announced, so I thought my prior post would be enough. This idea in particular has seen many iterations that would cause outrage if enacted, but they were never even formally proposed because of the backlash from the leaked details. However, this plan is SO bad, and it seems that they will … [Read more...] about Upon Reflection, The Toxic Asset Plan Is Even Worse Than At First Glance
Two Short Must Reads On Obama, Bowling And The Special Olympics
From Bill Stothers (a former editor of mine and one of the best when I worked as a reporter on the recently sold San Diego Union), who doesn't blog from a partisan perspective...read THIS and THIS. … [Read more...] about Two Short Must Reads On Obama, Bowling And The Special Olympics
Another Republican Takes Rush Limbaugh’s Name In Vain And Backtracks
And the Republican politico backtracked so quickly that some could virtually put their prediction on a timer ... The dynamics of this are now becoming interesting for political junkies who aren't wedded to either party. There are now increasing signs that President Barack Obama is starting to lose some of the independent voters who backed him (for instance, just look at … [Read more...] about Another Republican Takes Rush Limbaugh’s Name In Vain And Backtracks
DVR Alert: Tuesday March 24th
We don't often post DVR alerts here on TMV but this one is worth mentioning. For those who get Turner Classic Movies this is a DVR alert. Tuesday March 24th starting at 8pm (check listings to be sure in case you get an Eastern feed on your TV) they are airing a new special. Chuck Jones: Memories of Childhood In addition to a special about cartoonist Chuck Jones they … [Read more...] about DVR Alert: Tuesday March 24th
Your TARP Dollars At Work? Some Bailed Out Companies Quietly Make Campaign Contributions
It's almost mind-boggling now to watch corporate America and some politicians of both parties act oblivious to the backlash over whether bailout money is being used appropriately by companies that get it. Newsweek has this item that you are sure to hear about in coming days: In recent filings with the Federal Election Commission, the political action committee for Bank of … [Read more...] about Your TARP Dollars At Work? Some Bailed Out Companies Quietly Make Campaign Contributions
The Price of Congress’ Crazy Rage
This has been a bad week for American leadership, and next week could be worse. In trying to calm the country, Barack Obama made one joke too many while lawmakers in Washington spent their time acting out the worst stereotypes of politicians as fools, cowards and knaves. "Congress," writes New York Times business columnist Joe Nocera, "with its howls of rage, its chaotic, … [Read more...] about The Price of Congress’ Crazy Rage
The Pharisee Preserve (Guest Voice)
The Pharisee Preserve by Doug Bursch In recent years, the North American Pharisee population has increased to dangerous, epidemic levels. If present trends persist, Pharisees may someday outnumber the individuals they are trying to judge. In other words, there will soon be a two to one Pharisee to nice person ratio throughout much of the western hemisphere. … [Read more...] about The Pharisee Preserve (Guest Voice)
Hey Paul Krugman
Burning up the internets... Krugman yesterday: The zombie ideas have won. The Obama administration is now completely wedded to the idea that there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with the financial system — that what we’re facing is the equivalent of a run on an essentially sound bank. As Tim Duy put it, there are no bad assets, only misunderstood assets. And if we get … [Read more...] about Hey Paul Krugman
Channeling “Psycho”
Here's a video with an important message that does it with style -- channeling Alfred Hitchcock's classic flick "Psycho." And now, for those who may have never seen the original scene, here's the original scene: … [Read more...] about Channeling “Psycho”
The Economy’s Ongoing, Endless Crash
As I've watched the response of Washington to the ongoing economic crisis, I've been reminded of that quote from Shakespeare: "Cowards die many times before their death, the valiant taste of death but once." The newest, the latest effort to rid the economy of the toxic assets that are crippling the banking system, an effort that will be announced tomorrow, simply makes this … [Read more...] about The Economy’s Ongoing, Endless Crash
Printed Books on the Road to Obsolescence
A rave from Jacob Weisberg: Like the early PCs, the Kindle 2 is a primitive tool. Like the Rocket e-book of 1999 (524 titles available!), it will surely draw chuckles a decade hence for its black-and-white display, its lack of built-in lighting, and the robotic intonation of the text-to-voice feature. But however the technology and marketplace evolve, Jeff Bezos has built a … [Read more...] about Printed Books on the Road to Obsolescence
Did Obama-Booster McCaskill Blink on Obama Budget?
Last week, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) launched a blog, expanding on her already well-documented use of social media. Toward the end of her first week of blogging, McCaskill published a post hinting that she, like Sen. Bayh (D-IN), is not entirely sold on President Obama's budget; however, because she respects the President's ability to listen, she is confident he'll take … [Read more...] about Did Obama-Booster McCaskill Blink on Obama Budget?
Worth Reading
This commentary on embryonic stem cell research caught my attention for two reasons. First, its tone is perhaps the most even-handed and civil that I've read to date; it pays considerable respect to all points of view on the subject. Second, its author, Eric Mink, is a journalist who was not-long-ago caught in the crosswinds battering the newspaper industry. I have great … [Read more...] about Worth Reading
Congressman Ron Paul: Ex Post Facto Bonus Bill is “Unconstitutional” and “A Gross Distraction”
Jerry Remmer's rather salient post with regards to the outrage over the bonuses AIG gave to their executives and Congress's "solution" to this problem had me wondering whether anyone else has noticed that so many of the problems that Congress seeks to solve have—in fact—been caused (in part) by former "solutions" that Congress came up with. As I pointed out in the comments … [Read more...] about Congressman Ron Paul: Ex Post Facto Bonus Bill is “Unconstitutional” and “A Gross Distraction”
Espousing Theories of U.S. Demise Does Harm to Kremlin’s Reputation: Nezavisimaya Gazeta of Russia
Russian Political Scientist Igor Panarin postulates that the United States is on the verge of a civil war that will lead to it's dissolution into six seperate political entities. What's more, the Kremlin seems to be encouraging the idea. In another undeniable sign that independent media still exists in Russia, Stanislav Minin of Russia's Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes that when … [Read more...] about Espousing Theories of U.S. Demise Does Harm to Kremlin’s Reputation: Nezavisimaya Gazeta of Russia
More “Real Faces” In This Financial Crisis
Again, from Southern California - specifically the Inland Empire, dubbed "Foreclosure Alley." Watch and think about the human cost of this crisis. It's nothing like the desperation of the 1930s, but it makes the Down and Out in the Great Depression letters come back to life. … [Read more...] about More “Real Faces” In This Financial Crisis
Nalaka Gunawardene: A Blogger’s Milestone
In the blogosphere the second birth anniversary of a blog may not look exactly a big deal. However, Sri Lanka-based Nalaka Gunawardene's "Moving Images" deserves mention as it vividly captured not only his country's traumatic/critical journey through ethnic turmoil/terrorism, but also his pertinent observations on global issues. I first met Gunawardene at Vestras (in Sweden) … [Read more...] about Nalaka Gunawardene: A Blogger’s Milestone
Remember Crocs?
Back in August, 2006, I wrote about Crocs shoes: The jury is still out as to whether Crocs turn out to be like the PT Cruiser*, a product which looked dorky, became wildly popular, and has remained a consumer fixture, or more on the order of the Pog phenomenon, which took off like a meteor and is now largely forgotten. One indicator of the shoes' long-term prospects may be … [Read more...] about Remember Crocs?