Senate Republicans today find themselves at the precipice of political relevance with the unanimous decision of the three judge panel in Minnesota to rule the Franken - Coleman election in favor of the Democrat, Al Franken. The bottom line is that neither the MN State Supreme Court nor the U.S. Supreme Court are going to override this decision. The NRSC (National Republican … [Read more...] about Franken’s win: An opportunity for Republicans to move toward 2010
What the Newbies Understand
From Politico this morning: A small group of freshman Democrats think they’ve found a simple but effective way to signal to their constituents that they aren’t part of the problem in Washington: frequently reaching across the aisle to co-sponsor bills with Republicans. Nate Silver suggested yesterday that, for Obama, bipartisanship is "a process rather than an outcome." … [Read more...] about What the Newbies Understand
GOP Generation Gap
One of Andrew Sullivan's readers offers an inside look at "the gap." In comparison, my "conservative family" seems rather mild. … [Read more...] about GOP Generation Gap
Life in the two (political) fairy tale kingdoms
As you prepare to tuck the children in bed for the night this week, you can share with them the latest in the never ending series of fairy tales from our two eternally warring magical kingdoms, Bluetopia and Redland. All the citizens of these two enchanted realms, from the royalty to the knights to the pompous mayors and the drudges working the fields do their utmost keep their … [Read more...] about Life in the two (political) fairy tale kingdoms
Where the Ship Hijacked by “Pirates” Was Headed, Mercy Mission: A Lost Story
I've recently been trying to understand how the MSM covers religious issues and people. I find, reading the religious news feeds rather 'religiously' daily, that many stories are buried by media before they find daylight. There is one here, at National Catholic Reporter online: Food aid for Catholic Relief Services programs in Rwanda is part of the cargo on the … [Read more...] about Where the Ship Hijacked by “Pirates” Was Headed, Mercy Mission: A Lost Story
G20 Summit Akin to ‘Political Porn’: Nachrichten of Switzerland
Now that the G20 Summit - and all the other summits - are finally over, along with all the backslapping of participants - not everyone is buying. One of those skeptical voices belongs to Swiss columnist Patrik Etschmayer, who wonders whether spring fever might have gone to the heads of leaders who seem to believe that throwing more unsecured money at a problem that began due … [Read more...] about G20 Summit Akin to ‘Political Porn’: Nachrichten of Switzerland
Three Short Pieces
Two on Obama - from the Jordanians and the Dutch And one on Bush (remember him?) from the Italians H/T Watching America.com … [Read more...] about Three Short Pieces
“Pirates”: They Were Teenagers, and The Elders Too Often Asleep
DATELINE: re SOMALIA, AFRICA U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Monday that three Somali pirates who were killed by the Navy's Seals to end a hostage crisis were "untrained" teenagers. Addressing an audience at the Marine Corps War College in Quantico, Virginia, Gates said that the slain pirates, aged at between 17 to 19, were heavily armed but inexperienced. … [Read more...] about “Pirates”: They Were Teenagers, and The Elders Too Often Asleep
Thoughts On The Rescue
As I have been following coverage of the rescue of Capt. Phillips and the reaction from various political site I find some of the reactions less than sincere. Let me make my own views clear from the start. I think the Navy Seals as well as all of their comrades deserve a major pat on the back. I also think that everyone in the Obama adminstration from the President on down … [Read more...] about Thoughts On The Rescue
Obama ‘Disarmament Lesson’ Annoys French Officials: Le Figaro, France
As many of you will recall, just weeks ago in Prague, President Obama proposed his vision of a world without nuclear weapons. As we have been cataloging, not everyone thinks this is such a good idea. Now it turns out that the French, too, are 'annoyed' by President Obama's plan. According to a leaked memo addressed to President Nicolas Sarkozy and obtained by Le … [Read more...] about Obama ‘Disarmament Lesson’ Annoys French Officials: Le Figaro, France
Hannity Skewered By One of His Own for Disparaging the President
Predictably, Sean Hannity had nothing good to say about the President’s role in the heroic and successful rescue of Captain Richard Phillips During his show tonight, he lambasted the President for really not playing any kind of active role---that, as a law enforcement operation, all the procedures and actions were “prescribed“ and Obama had no role in them---and for … [Read more...] about Hannity Skewered By One of His Own for Disparaging the President
Court Says Franken Defeated Coleman In Minnesota Senate Race
A Minnesota court has ruled that comedian-turned-politician Democrat Al Franken defeated Republican Norm Coleman in the hotly disputed squeeker Minnesota Senate race -- a dispute that most think will drag on as Coleman takes it up the ladder for more appeals. UPI reports: A three-judge panel ruled Monday that Democrat Al Franken defeated Republican Norm Coleman in … [Read more...] about Court Says Franken Defeated Coleman In Minnesota Senate Race
The Four Conservative Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Right wing talk show hosts (cable and radio) have been garnering a lot of attention lately. Good for their ratings and their pocketbooks---granted. Their attacks on Democrats and those who represent them or run for public office on their behalf, came to a deafening, vicious crescendo during the final months of the presidential elections. More recently, radio talk show … [Read more...] about The Four Conservative Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Six Years On: America’s Tank on the Jumhouriya Bridge – Kitabat of Iraq
What are Iraqis feeling now, during the sixth anniversary of the U.S. invasion? In order to help answer that question, WORLDMEETS.US just posted this article from Iraq's Kitabat newspaper, written by a man who witnessed the fall of Baghdad, tells of what went through his mind back then and expresses his great concern for the fate of his nation. For Iraq's Kitabat newspaper, … [Read more...] about Six Years On: America’s Tank on the Jumhouriya Bridge – Kitabat of Iraq
Europe’s Pro-Obama Bubble Has Sprung Leaks
A deepening sense of disappointment is sweeping over the main European countries as the dust settles over President Barack Obama’s first trip to Europe. Coming weeks may demonstrate the unthinkable: that the bubble of Obama-mania in Europe has sprung enough leaks to start bursting soon. The people’s love affair with him continues albeit with added caution but specialists … [Read more...] about Europe’s Pro-Obama Bubble Has Sprung Leaks
Phil Spector Guilty
Music producer Phil Spector has been convicted of murder in the death of actress Lana Clarkson. Sentencing will be on May 29th. So to review California law. Murdering your parents is legal. Murdering your ex wife is legal, sort of. Murdering your wife is usually legal. Murdering a woman in your living room is usually illegal. At least if you are a rich and … [Read more...] about Phil Spector Guilty
An Oasis Of Reason
My cousin Peter Ellsworth, an attorney now retired but still prominent in the San Diego business and health care community, once commented tongue-in-cheek he didn't realize there were moderate websites on the Internet. I told him I was a frequent contributor to themoderatevoice.com and boasted the stature of that venue was gaining respect throughout the communications … [Read more...] about An Oasis Of Reason
Tea Party
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Tea Party
Memories of Election 2008
We need to exercise T-Steel's new and improved comment section, so I was wondering what all of our readers' favorite and least favorite moments from the campaign trail were during the endless election of 2008. To add to the difficulty factor, let's disqualify election night as your favorite if you supported Obama or your least favorite if you supported McCain, Barr or anyone … [Read more...] about Memories of Election 2008
The Walls Against the Heart: CUBA The Most Profound Restriction Will Be Lifted
Some may think the Cuban trade embargo is the most profound hardliner restriction all these years. It may be. But there's another embargo that has gone on since many Cubans fled the island in the 60s during a military takeover... and that is the embargo on hearts and minds that has kept families separated from one another between mainland US and mainland Cuba... The … [Read more...] about The Walls Against the Heart: CUBA The Most Profound Restriction Will Be Lifted