By SHAUN MULLEN GUEST VOICE This is a little story about a potentially huge story that a lot of folks like myself want to be true but don't know whether it is true. This little story also is about jumping to conclusions about that potentially huge news story, which had its public incubation at a college lecture last night and is now on a journey to super nova fruition or … [Read more...] about It’s The Story Of A Lifetime. Or Maybe Not.
‘Itch’ Strikes Again
(Warning: Imbedded in this post is an act of shameless self promotion.) Despite my flirtation with Web 2.0, I'm a bit old fashioned. My favorite media remain newspaper and radio -- especially intelligent, reasonable, non-Limbaugh radio, which explains (in part) my growing love affair with National Public Radio (NPR) and its affiliate in my area, KWMU. Late last year, … [Read more...] about ‘Itch’ Strikes Again
The Wheels on the (GOP) Bus Go “Thump Thump Thump”
Lately, when we hear about some politico being "tossed under the bus" it's been somebody in the Obama administration. But now, who is considering tossing RNC Chairman Michael Steele under the bus? And why? Don't tell anyone you heard it here, but it might have something to do with the "A" word. One thing is certain: he’s a lot less media savvy than most of us thought. And … [Read more...] about The Wheels on the (GOP) Bus Go “Thump Thump Thump”
Swiss Pharma Roche Buys USA-Born & Bred Genentech for $47bln
This is the kind of corporate transaction that could negatively impact the American brand name. Genentech is an amazing story and an amazing company, but I would like it to stay an amazing American-owned company. I’m happy for the business that they have such an offer, but here we are in an economic crisis, complaining about outsourcing jobs and manufacturing, as well as … [Read more...] about Swiss Pharma Roche Buys USA-Born & Bred Genentech for $47bln
Interview with Terry Holdbrooks, Jr.
Continuing my series of interviews with people with direct knowledge of matters Guantanamo Bay (or "GTMO"), the closure of which President Obama has made a signature part of his agenda, I bring you this interview with a former prison guard there, Terry Holdbrooks, Jr., who served at GTMO from 2002 to 2005. This interview is cross-posted at the talking dog blog, and can be … [Read more...] about Interview with Terry Holdbrooks, Jr.
Iraqi Shoe Thrower Sentenced To Three Years In Prison
The Iraqi journalist who threw a shoe at the then-President of the United States, causing George Bush to duck, inspiring cartoonists and creating good punchlines for comedians everywhere has been sentenced to three years in Iraqi prison for assaulting a head of state. Muntadher al-Zaidi became a hero to many in the Middle-East and the Arab and Muslim world (and probably … [Read more...] about Iraqi Shoe Thrower Sentenced To Three Years In Prison
Introducing: Google Voice
I love Grand Central! Leena Rao at Tech Crunch: The basic idea around GrandCentral is “one phone number for all your phones, for life.” Grand Central gives you one phone number that can access all your numbers, whether they be cell, home, mobile, and work numbers; the GrandCentral numbers stay the same, as many of these number change over the course of a user’s lifetime. … [Read more...] about Introducing: Google Voice
Opportunity for Obama
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Opportunity for Obama
Irma Kurtz: Breaking Myths About Old Age
To remain fit and fine once you are over 60 is a big challenge. An interesting book tells us that the best recipe is to continue to remain curious and communicative. Irma Kurtz, 73, once a “proper journalist” who reported from Vietnam and interviewed celebrities long before they were called that, has written a book Growing Old Disgracefully. She was born in New Jersey, grew … [Read more...] about Irma Kurtz: Breaking Myths About Old Age
Ross Douthat Is Bill Kristol’s Replacement at NYT
Above pix: Mr. Ross Douthat, who is 30 years old this year. Ross Douthat on "The Pro-Cheney Case For A Torture Commission" (1/21/09) For many anti-torture voices, of course, it's taken as a given that Cheney doesn't really believe what he says he believes - or at the very least, that on some level he knows that a full and fair airing of the intelligence the Bush … [Read more...] about Ross Douthat Is Bill Kristol’s Replacement at NYT
Roombas of Doom & the Noisy ‘Big Dog’
The video above is The Daily Show's Samantha Bee visiting with Colin Angle, the CEO and co-founder of Roomba maker, iRobot. Angle says, "it's inevitable that there will be armed robots." His company is set to receive $286 million to build some. The other day I embedded video of the Boston Dynamics “Big Dog” war robot. As counterpoint, I quoted P. W. Singer from a January 22 … [Read more...] about Roombas of Doom & the Noisy ‘Big Dog’
The New York Times Picks A Bill Kristol Replacement
But this time the paper hasn't picked an ideologue who is so close to Republican strategists that he could be confused as one half of a Siamese twin. It hasn't picked someone whose main goal seems to be to elect Republicans (and advocate whatever it takes) and look so much like a cheerleader that high schools send him a wig and uniform (sorry for that imagery). This time the … [Read more...] about The New York Times Picks A Bill Kristol Replacement
2010 Republicans: A Moderate Republican Platform?
Jim McGrody, a blogger from Texas, has put together a possible platform for Republicans as they enter the 2010 midterms. It's called simply, "2010 Republicans." Here is what he says: What does it mean to be a 2010 Republican? One often hears the expression, “Strong on defense, fiscally conservative and socially moderate”. Although this is the essence of the answer it does … [Read more...] about 2010 Republicans: A Moderate Republican Platform?
U.S. Iran Relations
The momentum builds for talks... … [Read more...] about U.S. Iran Relations
Obama Signs Earmark-Packed Spending Bill And Calls For Reforms
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And so is an event where there is quite pointedly no picture: the controversial 2009-originated spending bill -- packed with more earmarks from politicos of both parties than a banana split has calories -- was signed by President Barack Obama...away from cameras or public view: President Obama today signed what he called an … [Read more...] about Obama Signs Earmark-Packed Spending Bill And Calls For Reforms
Obama Creates Council on Women and Girls, Valerie Jarrett to Lead It
I’ve been getting word of the announcement that President Obama would create the White House Council on Women and Girls today since yesterday afternoon, so it’s almost a bit anti-climactic. However, don’t let my blasé it takes a lot to impress me attitude dissuade you from recognizing what a big deal this actually is. You can read the full announcement from the White House … [Read more...] about Obama Creates Council on Women and Girls, Valerie Jarrett to Lead It
Killing Sprees Confound Mental Health Fixes
These gun massacre sprees in schools, townships and churches are a painful reminder we live in a culture inhabited by a lot of seriously sick people who are ticking time bombs. Any number of variables seem to set them off. The most recent tragedies: A 17-year-old gunman in Winnenden, Germany, killed at least 16 students and teachers at his former school Wednesday before … [Read more...] about Killing Sprees Confound Mental Health Fixes
So, Where Are the New Republicans?
Ross Douthat has a good post today about Obama and the Center-Left. He notes that conservatives were happy with some of the Clintonite picks he made in the cabinet. However, as policy started coming out, those same conservatives (myself included) were not as happy. So what happened? Douthat posed three solutions and it is the third one that makes the most sense: But … [Read more...] about So, Where Are the New Republicans?
A Medley Of Jews In India
After the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, there have been numerous articles by Jews from different countries narrating their own wonderful experiences in Mumbai, and how much they loved the city. In this series, I am grateful to our colleague Holly for sending me yet another moving and informative piece. Leila Bilick, who works for Pro Mujer (a nonprofit organization that … [Read more...] about A Medley Of Jews In India
Saving the Newspaper
A few weeks ago, I did something that seems a bit anachronistic in this digital age. I got a subscription to the local newspaper in town: The Minneapolis Star-Tribune. I don't always agree with the paper's editorial page, but I did it to make a point of the importance of newspapers and because I've loved newspapers since I was a little kid. I remember way back in the … [Read more...] about Saving the Newspaper