One of the consistent, indisputable and well-deserved comments made about GOP spokesman Rush Limbaugh is that he is a brilliant man. And he is. Take his well-publicized remarks that he hopes Obama will fail. More precisely, his extended and detailed remarks on this subject, on his radio show on February 13, 2009: I'll say it again. Not only do I want Obama to … [Read more...] about Limbaugh’s Hopes For Failure, a Win-Win Proposition
Sad Memories: The Madrid Train Bombing Five Years Ago Today
Today marks the sad fifth anniversary of the terrorist Madrid train bombings -- an event that sparked headlines all over the world and decimated the lives of many families of those who were butchered as they went about their daily lives. Two ways to mark it: 1. DO NOT FORGET. Go take a look at THIS LINK at Barcepundit. 2. REMEMBER HOW TERRORISM IS EVERYONE'S ENEMY: … [Read more...] about Sad Memories: The Madrid Train Bombing Five Years Ago Today
What If John McCain Won? (Guest Voice)
So what would things be like if Arizona Sen. John McCain had won and then-Sen. Barack Obama had been defeated in the 2008 Presidential race? How you answer that depends on who you supported and, in the case of McCain, how the sometimes complex Arizona Senator is perceived by the given partisan or independent voter. Here's one view from frequent Guest Voice writer Marc Pascal. … [Read more...] about What If John McCain Won? (Guest Voice)
NY20: Murphy Closing in on Tedisco?
A new (or perhaps not so new) poll in the Empire State is showing Democrat Scott Murphy closing the gap on Republican Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco. Tedisco, the state Assembly minority leader, holds a 7-percentage-point lead over Murphy, a 39-year-old venture capitalist, according to the late February survey by the Benenson Strategy Group. The margin was 44 to 37 … [Read more...] about NY20: Murphy Closing in on Tedisco?
Jobs
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Jobs
“Well-Being” Index by Congressional District Reveals Sickness in the Heartland
And hey, I live in the heart of it all - my congressional district's well-being index (I'm in Ohio's 11th, Marcia Fudge is my rep, replacing the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones) is 426 out of 435 -no wonder I feel so...not well. According to the State and Congressional District Resource for Well-Being, "a product of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index," my state, Ohio ranks … [Read more...] about “Well-Being” Index by Congressional District Reveals Sickness in the Heartland
Book Review: Year Of The Great Crash 1929
Books about the depression are probably in vogue now but this one takes a rather interesting look at the subject. Written by author William Klingaman it covers the course of the year 1929 (Klingaman also wrote books on the years 1919 and 1941). In addition to following the general course of the stock market during the year it also gives the reader an insight into what else was … [Read more...] about Book Review: Year Of The Great Crash 1929
Wolfram Alpha is Not the Next Google. It’s Something More.
Maybe... Stephen Wolfram is a brilliant but controversial figure. He earned a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Caltech in 1979 and, in 1988, launched Mathematica, a computational software program used widely in scientific, engineering, and mathematical fields and other areas of technical computing. In 2002, Wolfram published A New Kind of Science. Wolfram's latest … [Read more...] about Wolfram Alpha is Not the Next Google. It’s Something More.
Do I Look Like a Rich and Powerful Lobby to You?
In my humble opinion, Chas Freeman was a disaster waiting to happen and belongs nowhere near US intelligence and foreign policy. This Democrat is grateful that the Obama administration has come to its senses. Eric Fingerhut at JTA asks 'The Freeman fight: Was it all about Israel?' JTA: Obama team's intel pick pulls out Freeman slams 'Israel lobby' Rosner's … [Read more...] about Do I Look Like a Rich and Powerful Lobby to You?
The Israel Lobby Continues to Dominate
With the barbarians clattering at the gate, the sad but probably inevitable end came yesterday to Chas Freeman's bid to be seated as Chairman of the National Intelligence Council. Since we've covered this all before, there is no need to recap the particulars, but Freeman left no doubt as to his view of the playing field on his way out the door. "The libels on me and their … [Read more...] about The Israel Lobby Continues to Dominate
Why Japanese Television Rules
This was pointed out to me by my wife, but the stunning cultural relevance was so clear that I knew you would all want partake in this particular feast. In the United States, much criticism has been laid on reality television shows and contest formats. Rightly so! You can keep your Survivor, Amazing Race and Who Wants to Be the Next Celebrity Supermodel Top Chef. In Japan, … [Read more...] about Why Japanese Television Rules
National History Day: Because History Matters
History is one of the most important subjects with which a functioning human being can be conversant. "A knowledge of the past prepares us for the crisis of the present and the challenge of the future," President Kennedy once observed. That's true not because history repeats itself in some cyclical game of futility, but because there are certain constants and frequently … [Read more...] about National History Day: Because History Matters
Albatross? What Albatross?
Republican Rob Portman will likely have no opposition in a bid for his party's US Senate nomination in 2010. A big reason for that is his access to the deep pockets that made one Cincinnati area the second-most-fertile zip code for George W. Bush's presidential coffers. Portman's longtime connection with both of the Bushes and their contributors has apparently frightened off … [Read more...] about Albatross? What Albatross?
U.S., Japan and ‘South Korean Traitors’ Had Best Act with Discretion: Korean Central News, North Korea
TOP CARTOON: IN 1994, KIM JONG-IL GRINS AS UNCLE SAM OFFERS A LIGHT WATER REACTOR AND 500,000 TONS OF FUEL OIL A YEAR IN RETURN FOR THE NORTH'S DISMANTLEMENT OF ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM. BOTTOM CARTOON: IN 2008, KIM JONG-IL TURNS HIS BACK ON THE SAME OFFER, SAYING: 'THAT’S NOT ENOUGH. NOW WE HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS.' Are Seoul and Washington planning to invade North Korea, … [Read more...] about U.S., Japan and ‘South Korean Traitors’ Had Best Act with Discretion: Korean Central News, North Korea
Why Rush is (100 Percent) Wrong, but I am One-Third Right
As my wife so often reassures me, I am hardly ever right. So, when I am proven right it is an occasion to celebrate. How about when I am proven one-third right? Can I just pat myself a little on the back? You be the judge. But, you ask, how can someone be one-third right? Well, you may remember---if I was fortunate enough to attract your attention---that one … [Read more...] about Why Rush is (100 Percent) Wrong, but I am One-Third Right
American Consumerism Has Helped Everyone
From Singapore, and originally written in Chinese, comes this short history of American consumerism, and all the good it has done for the world, which takes a rather appreciative, if unusual, perspective: Though the concept of American consumers driving the global economy is getting old and becoming unsustainable, it has been in force successfully for the past 60 years … [Read more...] about American Consumerism Has Helped Everyone
e-Jihad: Who’d Have Known?
From Egypt, check out this aspect of the Israeli-Arab conflict: an interesting convergence of paradigms, technology and the need to be heard... … [Read more...] about e-Jihad: Who’d Have Known?
Farmer Hans to U.S. Bankers: “Welcome to the Kill”
On a somber day in April, 1957, I said goodbye to my parents and little sister as I boarded the KLM airplane at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport that would take me to the promised land, the United States of America, where I would realize my dream. I was only 17. I use these words, because I just read a heartrending article in the Dutch NRC Handelsblad that includes these … [Read more...] about Farmer Hans to U.S. Bankers: “Welcome to the Kill”
The Curious Case Of Citigroup Running For Cover
As sad as it is to say, it is impossible to gauge whether Citigroup Chief Executive Officer Vikram Pandit is cooking the books to save his job and his company. Or is the troubled gigantic financial institution really on a road to recovery. Pandit reported in a letter to employees Monday Citigroup had an operating profit of $8.3 billion before taxes and "special items" … [Read more...] about The Curious Case Of Citigroup Running For Cover
Unfecking Brooks and the Moderates
David Brooks has received mostly taunting for his trouble in writing a New York Times op-ed last week lamenting Obama's failure to govern from the center. Most of taunts have come from the right, deriding Brooks for failing to recognize earlier that Obama is a classic, dyed-in-the-wool, tax and spend, big government liberal. That taunting may be fair all told, but I think it … [Read more...] about Unfecking Brooks and the Moderates