One Michigan auto dealer is about to find out. Eric Zimmermann has the details at The Hill's Blog Briefing Room. … [Read more...] about Will Political Ads Sell Cars?
The Sloth of Hyper-Partisanship
"Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster." - Nietzsche It is a popular notion to suggest that the problem with American politics is that they have been taken over by a a virulent strain of hyper-partisanship that rendering its victim paralyzed Opinions vary as to the appropriate vaccine, but I would like to suggest that any … [Read more...] about The Sloth of Hyper-Partisanship
What Do Political Cartoons and McDonalds Have in Common? (Guest Voice)
What Do Political Cartoons and McDonalds Have in Common? By Daryl Cagle Every time I open a newspaper I read another story about the decline of newspapers. Political cartoonists were the canaries in the newspaper-decline-coal-mine; our ranks have been shrinking for the past 30 years -- but now the pace has quickened as only a few dozen editorial cartoonists are left, and … [Read more...] about What Do Political Cartoons and McDonalds Have in Common? (Guest Voice)
Threaded Comments: Let’s Try Them!
Hello TMV readers. We have the capability to have threaded comments in all past, present, and future articles. In some of the longer comment threads, there has been some feedback that it's hard to follow who's responding to who. So we have enabled threaded comments on a trial basis to see how it goes. Just click the "Reply" button under a comment to see how threaded … [Read more...] about Threaded Comments: Let’s Try Them!
Gallup Poll: Americans Most Confident In Obama On Economy And Independents Really Trust Him
The newest Gallup poll contains bad news for GOPers who plan to hold Tea Party protests throughout the country in the form of a double whammy: 1. Americans most trust President Barack Obama on the economy. 2. Independent voters -- the ones needed to win elections and who have joined with Democrats in creating a coalition that gives Obama widespread support in polls -- … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Americans Most Confident In Obama On Economy And Independents Really Trust Him
The Worst Movie Ever?
The other day I was sitting around with some friends and talking about the worst movies we'd ever seen. One friend said her choice was "Dune," hands down. Another opined "Waterworld," which he noted was not only awful but cost a lot to become that awful. Not surprisingly, another person in the group, steeped in bad movie lore, cited Ed Wood's "Plan 9 From Outer Space"—though at … [Read more...] about The Worst Movie Ever?
Reaction To Captain’s Rescue, Pirates, And Obama Role Flood New And Old Media
Reaction to NAVY SEAL snipers killing three of Capt. Richard Phillips' captors and freeing him in an operation that reportedly involved coordination of military in the field, the Defense Department and President Barack Obama is now pouring in via the new and old media -- even as the pirates issue new, ominous threats. Reaction isn't all consistent (political considerations … [Read more...] about Reaction To Captain’s Rescue, Pirates, And Obama Role Flood New And Old Media
Only Obama Could Go to Arizona
There is no appearance President Obama can make which doesn't become embroiled in controversy, or so it seems. Invited to give the commencement address this year at Arizona State, the esteemed institute of higher education apparently deemed his "body of work" insufficient to merit an honorary degree. Was this fair? Should we care? Should Obama care? This vital issue of pressing … [Read more...] about Only Obama Could Go to Arizona
Reality Britain (Guest Voice)
Reality Britain by Dalitso Njolinjo It is said that more people in Britain vote for their favorite participant of reality shows such as X-Factor (Britain’s version of American Idol) and Big Brother than they do for their local representative or party in the general elections. The usual piffle flows out of the mouths of most politicians to explain such disengagement … [Read more...] about Reality Britain (Guest Voice)
The Future of Eco-Friendly Automobiles
The 2009 New York International Auto Show is in full swing now, running through April 19th in Manhattan. This turned out to be an excellent opportunity to continue our ongoing discussion of CAFE standards, environmentally friendly engineering and the future of the automotive industry in the United States. Before beginning we will need to offer up full disclosure. TMV was … [Read more...] about The Future of Eco-Friendly Automobiles
NATO Gives US-led “Coalitions of the Willing” Multilateral Legitimacy
"NATO offers the United States the useful stamp of multilateral legitimacy without really imposing too many limits on America's foreign policy," says Dutch political scientist Peter van Ham. In consequence, recent NATO missions have been "devoid of the unity and coherence that the old NATO had" and US, German and Dutch units pursue different strategies in Afghanistan, adds … [Read more...] about NATO Gives US-led “Coalitions of the Willing” Multilateral Legitimacy
Book Review: ‘Hitler’s Empire.’ He Was Good At War But Lousy At Governing
By SHAUN MULLEN GUEST VOICE The Nazis kept talking about a thousand-year Reich but they couldn't think ahead for five minutes! -- A TRANSLATOR FOR HITLER While thousands of books have been written about virtually every aspect of the Third Reich from anshluss to zionism, comparatively little ink has been spilled on how Adolph Hitler governed his empire of conquered … [Read more...] about Book Review: ‘Hitler’s Empire.’ He Was Good At War But Lousy At Governing
Conservative Talk Show Hosts: Obama Had Little Or Nothing To Do With Rescued American Captain’s Rescue
While the vast majority of Americans of both parties, no party, conservatives, liberals and moderates came together yesterday to breathe one huge sigh of relief that U.S. Navy Seals had rescued Capt. Richard Phillips from the hands of pirates in a lifeboat off the Somali coast -- and feel a sense of national pride -- one segment of Americans was going on the attack: Some … [Read more...] about Conservative Talk Show Hosts: Obama Had Little Or Nothing To Do With Rescued American Captain’s Rescue
The Coming Gay Republican Schism?
Before I go any further, I need to let you all know that I have been a part of Log Cabin Republicans since 2002. I've served in various positions with the local chapter including a stint as President. Ben Smith over at Politico, revealed that there is a move a foot to create a rival organization for gay conservatives. The new group will be called GOProud and will launch … [Read more...] about The Coming Gay Republican Schism?
Reaction Roundup to Captain Phillips’ Release
We must take the fight to the pirates so we don't have to fight them here: ... Thomas Jefferson understood you can not defeat pirates by chasing them one by one around a vast sea. We must either in concert with our allies or unilaterally, if need be, devise a strategy to take the fight to the pirates and re-establish some semblance of order. … [Read more...] about Reaction Roundup to Captain Phillips’ Release
Crimes of Hugo Chavez Worse than Richard Nixon’s: Tal Cual, Venezuela
Like Russia, the Venezuela of Hugo Chavez appears ever-more inhospitable to press freedom. But as we have demonstrated before, there are news outlets in that nation which are more than capable of letting loose a fierce barrage of criticism in the direction of their fearless leader. On the eve of the Fifth Summit of the Americas beginning April 17, this editorial from … [Read more...] about Crimes of Hugo Chavez Worse than Richard Nixon’s: Tal Cual, Venezuela
Kirk Douglas’ Inner Issur
At 92, best-known now as Michael Douglas' father and Catherine Zeta-Jones' father-in-law, a movie legend is taking "an audit of my life" and, of course, doing it on stage and in front of cameras. Kirk Douglas' career is at the heart of a larger 20th century American story: how the children of refugees from European cruelty went to Hollywood and, as John Updike put it, "out … [Read more...] about Kirk Douglas’ Inner Issur
The Pirates of Somalia
The piracy situation off the coast of Somalia is not as straightfoward as many think it is. There are origins to the piracy beyond simple greed for easy money. These origins do not excuse the actions of the pirates, but we cannot resolve the situation without an understanding of how it arose. This is not some simple-minded action movie with a obvious solution through the use … [Read more...] about The Pirates of Somalia
This Is What They Live With Every Day
Khmer Rouge survivors, 35 years later: Since February, a United Nations-backed tribunal in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh has been trying the first of five Khmer Rouge leaders charged with crimes against humanity, for the brutal experiment in communism that took at least 1.7 million lives between 1975 and 1979. Activists in the United States are trying to get refugees … [Read more...] about This Is What They Live With Every Day
Somali “Pirate” Wanted US Protection: He’s 16 Years Old
Of the four Somali terrorists in a life boat holding US Captain Phillips hostage, three are dead. Captain Phillips is alive and free and well. As is a fourth 'pirate.' Prior to the US action to free the Captain with firepower, the fourth "pirate" who for reasons yet unclear at the time of this first reporting, appears to have been aboard the US Navy ship Bainbridge. He … [Read more...] about Somali “Pirate” Wanted US Protection: He’s 16 Years Old