For some reason, during the transitional period following the last election and the first few salad days of the Obama administration, I foolishly believed that we were seeing some encouraging improvements in political discourse in the blogosphere. In a relatively short period of time, though, things have taken a turn. Check out the collection of comments at Memeorandum by some … [Read more...] about Blogosphere to be renamed Bogosphere
Texas Republican Wants Asian-Americans To Change Their Names
A Republican legislator in Texas, Betty Brown, is refusing to back down after suggesting Asian-descent voters should adopt names that are "easier for Americans to deal with" during House testimony on voter identification legislation. Specifically, she said: "Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese -- I understand it's a rather difficult language -- do you think … [Read more...] about Texas Republican Wants Asian-Americans To Change Their Names
Quote Of The Day: Is Glenn Beck Becoming A Patron Saint Of The Republican Party?
Our Political Quote of the Day comes from First Read's Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro who raise the issue of whether Fox New's hottest new property Glenn Beck is now The One To Watch in terms of whether has an ideological influence over the Republican party. They see signs that may be starting to happen: *** Republicans Gone Wild, part II: Back in late … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Is Glenn Beck Becoming A Patron Saint Of The Republican Party?
The Biden Rove Debate
As has been reported in the media Vice President Biden has claimed that he scolded President Bush in the Oval Office while former Bush aides (including Karl Rove) say the story is a fake. This is an interesting debate for me in that I am not a Rove fan (indeed I blame him for badly hurting the GOP) but at the same time I am not particularly trusting of these kind of claims from … [Read more...] about The Biden Rove Debate
CNN’s Rick Sanchez Slams Fox News On Its Obama Will Get Your Guns Narrative
One of the most jolting aspects of President Barack Obama's victory has been the fact that some Republicans that denounced "Bush derangement syndrome" are now painting his administration as not just one they oppose because it's run by a different party with different policies, but as one that wants to destroy what America's founding built -- and take away everyone's … [Read more...] about CNN’s Rick Sanchez Slams Fox News On Its Obama Will Get Your Guns Narrative
Defense Cuts
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Defense Cuts
Mr. Obama’s Traveling Circus (Guest Voice)
The reviews are still coming on President Barack Obama's trip to Europe. A lot of them are positive. Here's a less positive one from radio talk show host Michael Reagan. Mr. Obama’s Traveling Circus by Michael Reagan While the United States writhes in the agony of seeking a way out of the current financial mess, President Obama, his wife and a cast of 500 aides and … [Read more...] about Mr. Obama’s Traveling Circus (Guest Voice)
Going to Seed With Michelle Obama
The gardening industry is growing as Americans across the country follow the First Lady's example of raising vegetables, fruit and herbs. At yesterday's White House planting, Mrs. Obama told her fifth-grade helpers of international interest in their efforts on her trip abroad. “Every single person from Prince Charles on down was excited because we are planting a garden,” … [Read more...] about Going to Seed With Michelle Obama
Sam Miller’s Delhi: ‘India’s Dreamtown & Purgatory’
Although I was born and brought up in Delhi, India's capital city, I now find it a challenge to live there for more than a fortnight at a stretch. Sam Miller, a former BBC journalist who has made Delhi his home since 2002, quite succinctly describes the city as ‘India’s dreamtown — and its purgatory.’ Sam Miller's recent book Delhi: Adventures in a Megacity vividly captures … [Read more...] about Sam Miller’s Delhi: ‘India’s Dreamtown & Purgatory’
Do We Like Square Butts ?
A while back Carl's Jr. had quite a bit of controversy over their 'Flat Butts' commercial which was attacked for being sexist. Well Burger Kings has a new one for their Spongebob Squarepants meal and perhaps it's the result of having young nephews and nieces but it makes me laugh. … [Read more...] about Do We Like Square Butts ?
Levi Johnston: Just Another of Sarah Palin’s Discards
I remember reading in the weeks after John McCain named Sarah Palin as his running mate, that she was known in Alaska for using people and then discarding them when they were no longer a political asset for her. … [Read more...] about Levi Johnston: Just Another of Sarah Palin’s Discards
Gay Marriage Is Bad — But We Can’t Say Why
The National Review Online has an odious editorial up called "The Future of Marriage." The editorial makes three main points: Contrary to what many people think, same-sex marriage is not becoming "markedly" more accepted, and in states that make it easy for residents to amend their constitution to define marriage as exclusively heterosexual, they will do so. Those states … [Read more...] about Gay Marriage Is Bad — But We Can’t Say Why
SAFER: Students Push for Parity of Punishment for Pot & Booze
The Inside Higher Ed headline, Can We Be Buds? The story is about a student group, SAFER (Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation), pressing the same college presidents pushing lowering the drinking age onto the national agenda to pick up pot. Figuratively, of course: SAFER, a nonprofit organization that supports the reform of marijuana laws, is calling on college … [Read more...] about SAFER: Students Push for Parity of Punishment for Pot & Booze
TMV Contributor’s Blog Among Noted State Blogs
Chris Cillizza writes "The Fix" blog for WaPo. Late afternoon yesterday, he published a list of reader-nominated "best state blogs." Checking that list for blogs in my home state, Missouri, I noted the blog of one of TMV's own, Jill Miller Zimon, which not only made the cut for her home state, Ohio, but was also recognized as one of the "best named blogs." Congrats to … [Read more...] about TMV Contributor’s Blog Among Noted State Blogs
Report: Taliban Getting Help Against U.S. And NATO From Afghani Intelligence?
Many reports in recent months have noted how the Taliban is reportedly getting help from Pakistani intelligence in their battle against the United States. But NBC now has an uncofirmed report that the Taliban is getting help from another area as well: Afghan intelligence: Afghan intelligence agents are sharing information with militants about U.S. and NATO troop … [Read more...] about Report: Taliban Getting Help Against U.S. And NATO From Afghani Intelligence?
On Gay Marriage (Guest Voice)
Editor's Note: This has been a huge week for gay rights. Vermont and Iowa gave the green-light, joining Massachusetts and Connecticut -- with more states seemingly on the way and conservative GOPers' once-potent power not quite as potent. Both sides are digging in their heels for a long -- accelerating battle. In this Guest Voice post, Dalitso Njolinjo gives his perspective … [Read more...] about On Gay Marriage (Guest Voice)
Obama’s Ambitious Agenda
The President will attack immigration reform in a big way starting next month. The last Democratic president to have so many ambitious priorities was Jimmy Carter. Through most of his term, Carter was largely thwarted by a Democratic Congress anxious to assert itself after Richard Nixon's imperial presidency. (He was finally undone by the Iran hostage crisis and a sluggish … [Read more...] about Obama’s Ambitious Agenda
No Bailout For Newspapers
I've been reluctant commenting on the demise of newspapers, a place of work I enjoyed immensely for a quarter century. But I'm a fossil, quitting the business in 1985, and lack the hands-on experience of what really happened during the past 29 years. I do know this: Federal bailout for newspapers is a really really dumb proposal. Difficult as it is to say, newspapers are … [Read more...] about No Bailout For Newspapers
The Af/Pak Strategy: Setting the Stage at Home
Guest post by Jessie Daniels Jessie Daniels is a fellow at the Truman National Security Project. She is currently a second-year masters candidate at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. From 2003 to 2007, she served as a legislative aide for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), focusing on national security issues. President Obama … [Read more...] about The Af/Pak Strategy: Setting the Stage at Home
Quote Of The Day: On An AP Executive Threatening Its Own Affiliate For Embedding A Video From The AP’s You Tube Channel
Our Quote of the Day refers to the news that an AP executive sent a cease and desist letter to an AP affiliate that embedded a video from the AP's own You Tube channel which allows people to embed its videos. The greatest take on this comes from Cory Doctorow at Boeing Boeing: The Associated Press, in its zeal to keep the news a secret, has begun to send legal threats to … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: On An AP Executive Threatening Its Own Affiliate For Embedding A Video From The AP’s You Tube Channel