A thought for the day: I thought that if I became an agnostic I would have no grounds for ethical behavior. I'd have no moral compass. And I thought that that would probably lead to become a completely licentious reprobate. But as it turns out, that's completely wrong. I think I actually have more of a sense of the meaning of life now than I ever had as a believer. There are … [Read more...] about On Living an Ethical Life in the Absence of an Afterlife
Who’s REALLY To Blame For The Stock Market Collapse?
It's Barack Obama. Or so suggest Fox News' Chris Wallace and Brit Hume. Oh. But wait: a look at the actual numbers suggests that Hume's partisan moment is a bit....inaccurate. Hume's characterization of Obama's plan also sounds like something you'd find by following a link below a news story on memeorandum (this weblog excepted OF COURSE) than coming from an ostensible … [Read more...] about Who’s REALLY To Blame For The Stock Market Collapse?
Update: On the Shame That Is Darfur
In my post yesterday, on the human slaughter in Darfur and on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) issuance of an arrest warrant for Sudanese head of state Omar al-Bashir, I mentioned columnist Nicholas D. Kristof several times. Mr. Kristof has been the one consistent, eloquent and persuasive voice since the Darfur "conflict" started several years ago. True to form … [Read more...] about Update: On the Shame That Is Darfur
Looking Through The Hour Glass Darkly
As I was setting my clocks forward an hour this morning, I couldn't help but wonder if I was the only sane person in this world asylum. What an absurd practice. What difference in anyone's lives does it make by adjusting our clocks by one hour to when the sun rises and sets? Apparently I am not alone. Marc Pascal, certainly a brighter light bulb than myself in this area, … [Read more...] about Looking Through The Hour Glass Darkly
“The Nutty Professor,” In Memoriam
When General Petraeus took over Iraq, he adopted many social science and human rights viewpoints into his strategy. While many of the points had harsh critics both from the military and academics, I think they can be described as an unmitigated success. I applauded him at the time, but they have worked far better than my expectations...it's too bad that repairing the … [Read more...] about “The Nutty Professor,” In Memoriam
Madoff Saga Fallout
At the time of this writing Bernie Madoff hasn't officially admitted anything and the crimes he is believed to have committed are still just alleged. I nonetheless have been having an active correspondence with a fair number of people about this man and his legal travails and gotten a slew of opinions that are both fascinating and scary. My correspondents generally feel, for … [Read more...] about Madoff Saga Fallout
Ack, My Head Hurts. What Is Happening?
The financial crisis has become surreal. We have Republican Senators and Alan Greenspan arguing for nationalization of failed banks, Democratic leaders arguing against it, and under the surface, the dominant economic theory of the last 30 years (monetarism) is failing spectacularly. But, my friends, I have run across something that is making me doubt my sanity. In today's … [Read more...] about Ack, My Head Hurts. What Is Happening?
Daylight Savings Time: Arizona Got This One Right
Daylight Savings Time: Arizona Got This One Right by Marc Pascal The state that was the third to last to be admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912 (followed by Alaska and Hawaii in 1959) was a backwater place until the late 1960s. Suddenly both old and young and everyone in-between began to move here for the year-round warm sunny weather, spectacular scenery, … [Read more...] about Daylight Savings Time: Arizona Got This One Right
The GOP And Earmarks: Selective Outrage?
In the case of earmarks, BOTH parties are unfortunately equal-opportunity offenders. Watch this must-view video of Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill who looks at the record as GOP earmark rage is in full bloom. This is mainly for those who are tired of talk show spin (on the left and right): … [Read more...] about The GOP And Earmarks: Selective Outrage?
Will New Quote Inflame Controversy Over GOP’s Blunt Spoken RNC Chair Michael Steele?
Has RNC Chairman Michael Steele now stepped in it by giving the New York Times a quote about how the Republicans are mired in it? Or, rather, is a party stuck in its own.... Here's the quote: Most chairmen wave the party flag; Mr. Steele smiles and shreds it. A man of constantly colliding analogies, he compares Republicans to drunks in need of a 12-step program and to the … [Read more...] about Will New Quote Inflame Controversy Over GOP’s Blunt Spoken RNC Chair Michael Steele?
Chas Freeman: The New Political Whipping Boy
Ever since Chas Freeman was tapped to head the National Intelligence Council, a predictable and much needed firestorm of debate has erupted. Critics, choosing to ignore Freeman's extensive background in Middle East affairs and security matters have latched on to some of his opinions on U.S. - Israeli relations as "evidence" that he would be ill suited to the task. This week we … [Read more...] about Chas Freeman: The New Political Whipping Boy
Seeing Change
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Seeing Change
The Interactive Presidency
FDR gave Americans fireside chats on radio. JFK came into living rooms through live TV news conferences. Barack Obama is connecting with worried voters by Internet--email, online videos and proliferating web sites. In each case, as a new medium of communication became universal, the White House wired into it to speak directly to people--one at a time. What's different now … [Read more...] about The Interactive Presidency
On the Shame That Is Darfur and the ICC Bashir Arrest Warrant
The "Darfur Conflict"---the genocide in Darfur is a better term---seems somewhat complicated. One soon comes to that conclusion when researching the historical background, the causes, the warring parties (better term: the pillaging, raping and murdering thugs) involved, and what roles the Sudanese government, the United Nations, the international community and, yes, the United … [Read more...] about On the Shame That Is Darfur and the ICC Bashir Arrest Warrant
Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, Iran Back Genocide Regime in Khartoum
Al Jazeera English:A delegation of senior Middle Eastern leaders has travelled to Sudan to express international support for Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president, who is accused of war crimes in Darfur. Officials from Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah joined Syria's parliament speaker and the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group for talks with al-Bashir in Khartoum, … [Read more...] about Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, Iran Back Genocide Regime in Khartoum
Obama And The Economy: What Is He Liable For ?
When President Obama first took office I indicated that I was going to try and adopt a policy of giving him time to have an impact on the economy. I was never happy when some on the left started blaming Bush for things the day after he took office and so I felt it fair to give Obama a chance. I chose to adopt the policy of the first President Bush by giving the new President a … [Read more...] about Obama And The Economy: What Is He Liable For ?
Profound Philosophical Questions
If God is good, why does evil exist? Do men have free will, or are our actions predetermined? Above all, why don't hotels ever put little tubes of toothpaste in your bathroom? The hotel I just stayed in had little bottles of mouthwash, shampoo, body lotion, conditioner and several bars of soap. Clearly, the issue isn't money. Is the anti-toothpaste lobby getting in … [Read more...] about Profound Philosophical Questions
Does Democracy Promotion Matter?
I'm posting in San Francisco right now, after spending the past couple of days at a Stanford conference on democratic transitions and the role that international actors play in supporting them. I presented a paper on the South Korean transition to democracy in 1987, co-authored with a colleague from Seoul. If you're into the academic literature on democratic transitions, … [Read more...] about Does Democracy Promotion Matter?
Economy Not Good But Not A Depression
People have been discussing whether or not we are heading into or are already in a new Great Depression. While I am hardly going to claim that our economy is strong I do think we take a bit of an overreach in calling it a depression. Just a simple look at the statistics demonstrates my point. During the 2 year period between 1930 and 1932 the stock market lost over 80% of … [Read more...] about Economy Not Good But Not A Depression
This Tiger Is Not Dead (Guest Voice)
We've run some posts and editorial cartoons from the United States and Canada that have been highly critical of conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh. But not everyone agrees with them. Here's another viewpoint from talk show host Michael Reagan. This Tiger Is Not Dead by Michael Reagan There’s an old adage that explains that one does not shoot arrows at dead … [Read more...] about This Tiger Is Not Dead (Guest Voice)