CARTOON TITLE SAYS, 'NETANYAHU'S GOVERNMENT' PICTURED AS A DOG AND CHASING THE ARAB BOY IS ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER, AVIGDOR LIEBERMAN To ring in the weekend, here are two cautionary articles from the Arab world that relate to President Obama's attempt to reach out to the Arab world and the price Israel might pay for opposing his efforts and refusing to pursue peace with … [Read more...] about Israeli Defiance of Obama Shows There’s No Point in Talking: Al Gomhuria, Egypt
Is War (Still) a Racket?
Excerpts from “War Is a Racket”: WAR is a racket. It has always been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. . . In the World War* a mere handful garnered the profits of the conflict. At least … [Read more...] about Is War (Still) a Racket?
Gay Marriage And Religious Protections
We've run a wide variety of perspectives on the gay marriage issue here on TMV. Treen Caudle, who worked in state government for a number of years as an editor and policy analyst and is now a stay-home mom to two and who blogs at Non-Angry Political Woman, recently emailed us to note that most of what we've run portrays those who oppose gay marriage as bigots -- and that is … [Read more...] about Gay Marriage And Religious Protections
All Blogs Get Emails (Boy Do We..)
One of the most interesting aspects of the "new media" is the interaction between a weblog and its readers -- or readers (or cable show or radio show listeners) contacting the site by email. We all get emails. Boy to we get emails....sites on the left, center and right. On the left, the daily Kos gets some that are so colorful that it today offers its first installment of … [Read more...] about All Blogs Get Emails (Boy Do We..)
Obama Admin Will Appeal Ruling Giving Some Overseas Detainees Habeas Rights
There is no credible justification for this move on Obama's part, and I have to say, it's terribly distressing: … [Read more...] about Obama Admin Will Appeal Ruling Giving Some Overseas Detainees Habeas Rights
New Elderly Financial Angst—In Verse
My 401(k) has now withered away I’m really not sure where it’s gone, They said if I chipped in each Friday payday It would grow—but it seems they were wrong. I’d heard that my company didn’t nitpick Toward workers it was most paternal But I’ve found as I’ve aged and been prone to get sick Its medical plan ain’t eternal. The firm’s pension fund I thought was … [Read more...] about New Elderly Financial Angst—In Verse
NY20: And the Count Goes On
We're now into the fifth day of absentee ballot counting in the NY 20th Congressional District race between Jim Tedisco and Scott Murphy, but the end is still nowhere in sight. After the re-canvass left the election effectively in a tie, officials began opening up and counting the thousands of write-in votes which will decide the outcome. The news might be construed as hopeful … [Read more...] about NY20: And the Count Goes On
The Bow: Enough Already
Eric Zimmermann of The Hill's Blog Briefing Room reports that the National Republican Senatorial Commitee (NRSC) is using "the bow" to juice fundraising. Perhaps Senate Dems should stop trying to explain this away and, instead, respond in kind ... times two. … [Read more...] about The Bow: Enough Already
The Great Performers: Abbott and Costello And The Susquehanna Hat Company
Comedy fans and aspiring comedians take note. Here is a fest: the great comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello performing their famous, hilarious burlesque-derived Susquehanna Hat Company skit. In two versions -- each with its own character and comedy flow. First: a version from one of their early movies from the 40s: Second: a version done more than 10 years after … [Read more...] about The Great Performers: Abbott and Costello And The Susquehanna Hat Company
Obama seder good to the last drop: uses Maxwell House Haggadah
The White House blog posted this photo* of last night's seder: The president and his guests are using the Maxwell House Coffee Haggadah (which is the one we used at our cantor's home on the first night). I recognized the outside decorations immediately, double-checked them here and then zoomed in on the official photo. Here's a close-up of the haggadah in President … [Read more...] about Obama seder good to the last drop: uses Maxwell House Haggadah
Teabags and the Altamont of the Right
The best way to understand the state of modern conservatism today is to look back at the demise of FDR liberalism in the 1960s. The similarities aren't perfect, mind you, but they are instructive. American political movements that develop over decades tend to follow a pattern. They rise, drawing from years of pent-up frustration channeled into polished plans and sold by … [Read more...] about Teabags and the Altamont of the Right
Sign Of Economic Hard Times: Shriners Hospitals Seriously Ailing Financially And Some Could Close
It's yet another sign of economic times -- when in addition to businesses failing, home foreclosures galore, and a whopping number of jobs vanishing, charities and organizations are experiencing huge shortfalls in donations. And now it has hit the Shriners -- a group that also found its endowment battered by the stock market decline: The future of all 22 Shriners … [Read more...] about Sign Of Economic Hard Times: Shriners Hospitals Seriously Ailing Financially And Some Could Close
America and Iran: Secret Talks in Geneva ‘Revealed’ – Le Temps of Switzerland
According to this report published yesterday by Switzerland's Le Temps newspaper, for the past six years, American, European and Iranian researchers have been meeting in secret in Geneva. The objective: to establish informal bridges to avoid "the worst." The report, according to Le Temps, contains information apparently intended by Iranians who have taken part in the talks, to … [Read more...] about America and Iran: Secret Talks in Geneva ‘Revealed’ – Le Temps of Switzerland
Another Bad Week for Rush Limbaugh
The week started out on a good note for Rush Limbaugh. But from then on things went quickly to hell in a hand basket for him, and ended on a great note for America and Americans. On Monday, the market hiccupped and was down a few points But then, on Tuesday, things got even better for Rush. The Dow Jones lost over 100 points and Rush was gloating, even taking time to … [Read more...] about Another Bad Week for Rush Limbaugh
Looking Glass Bookkeeping
There's an old joke about the way businesses in France do their accounting. It says the typical French company keeps three sets of books. One to show the tax man when he asks to see the books. One to show him when he asks to see the real books. And the real books. Clearly, the French have long experience in leading edge accounting. But compared to the way Americans banks are … [Read more...] about Looking Glass Bookkeeping
It’s “War” In The Conservative Blogosphere
It's war in the conservative blogosphere over Fox News' hottest new property, the ever controversial talk show host Glenn Beck. The issue: over whether to support him, go along with him, keep distance away from him -- and whether he helps or hurts conservatives. DETAILS HERE in a must-read post. UPDATE: There does seem to be some consernation among some conservatives about … [Read more...] about It’s “War” In The Conservative Blogosphere
CNN Poll: 7 In 10 Americans Back Diplomatic Relations With Cuba
Despite strong criticism in some quarters, Obama administration feelers that it is considering easing some of the ban in place on relations with Fidel Castro's communist Cuba are well received by nearly two-thirds of Americans, according to a new CNN poll: President Obama is getting ready to visit to the Summit of the Americas next week amid rising reports the … [Read more...] about CNN Poll: 7 In 10 Americans Back Diplomatic Relations With Cuba
The Unpopularity of Rejecting Money for Unemployed Americans
Ben Smith of Politico writes that Republican governors like Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, and Mark Sanford, who had publicly announced they would refuse federal stimulus money for their states, are backing down now: … [Read more...] about The Unpopularity of Rejecting Money for Unemployed Americans
The Republicans’ Terrible Week
The Philadelphia Inquirer's Dick Polman brings it all together. … [Read more...] about The Republicans’ Terrible Week
Get This Man Off the Air
On his show yesterday, Glenn Beck acted out an implied execution by dousing an actor with the liquid contents of a gasoline container and lighting a match. A disclaimer flashed on the screen while he was doing this said it was water. Beck's stated reason for doing this was to protest Pres. Obama's immigration reform plan. Crooks and Liars has the story and the video of … [Read more...] about Get This Man Off the Air