Why does the news media get a bad image among many Americans? Just as politicians slip up and appear bloated with self-importance, just as Hollywood stars can appear to be blow-fish, puffing up with huge opinions of themselves, just as bloggers (with the exception of me) often think they and their websites are more significant than they are...there are times when the … [Read more...] about One Reason Why The News Media Gets A Bad Image
To Make Up With Iran, U.S. Must Fess Up to 1953 Coup: Frankfurter Rundschau of Germany
Commentators around the world are debating the wisdom of President Obama's video message to Iranians last weekend. According to this pair of op-eds from Germany's Frankfurter Rundschau, if the United States wants to resume normal relations with Tehran, it's going to have to do a few things that it has hitherto been unwilling to do: officially admit to and apologize for the 1953 … [Read more...] about To Make Up With Iran, U.S. Must Fess Up to 1953 Coup: Frankfurter Rundschau of Germany
The Obama Administration’s New Anti-Drug Cartel Border Security Plan
It looks like a good, solid start... … [Read more...] about The Obama Administration’s New Anti-Drug Cartel Border Security Plan
There Was More Than One Whip At Last Night’s Britney Spears Concert
Details here -- and it's especially interesting how the person involved's camp immediately basically says "but a top Democrat was there, too!" … [Read more...] about There Was More Than One Whip At Last Night’s Britney Spears Concert
Wall Street Squeals, Obama Kneels
Every once in awhile you think that maybe, just maybe, this Congress and this President actually have some political courage. But it's a fast dissipating illusion. Beltway courage is like bottle courage. Blows hard, talks loud and tough, then passes out before actually following up. Take this latest business with A.I.G. bonuses and fat cat Wall Street bonuses generally. … [Read more...] about Wall Street Squeals, Obama Kneels
One Small Step Towards Universal Health Care
Contrary as I am, several years ago I began answering health coverage insurance ads received on the Internet and postal mail. They promised a blissful, worry-free life in what is laughingly referred to as my "golden years" for a "very small premium or no premium at all." Right. In each case, the happy talk from the insurance company sales people switched from euphoria … [Read more...] about One Small Step Towards Universal Health Care
AIG Executive Resigns Over Bonus Issue
I'm sure a lot of AIG executives have done that, but this one wrote an op-ed about it in the New York Times: DEAR Mr. Liddy, It is with deep regret that I submit my notice of resignation from A.I.G. Financial Products. I hope you take the time to read this entire letter. Before describing the details of my decision, I want to offer some context: I am proud of everything … [Read more...] about AIG Executive Resigns Over Bonus Issue
Video Of Obama Press Conference
In response to a reader from Florida who asked for it who wanted to judge for herself, here it is: … [Read more...] about Video Of Obama Press Conference
AIG Official Quits Besieged Company — Via New York Times Op-Ed
There used to be an old saying that Hollywood studio bigwigs told script writers who let a message get in the way of entertainment: "If you have a message to send, send it Western Union." Now, in the 21st century, you could revise it: "If you have a message to send, send it in an Op-Ed piece in The New York Times." Jake DeSantis, an executive vice president of the American … [Read more...] about AIG Official Quits Besieged Company — Via New York Times Op-Ed
PLAYING THE DOZENS – Pundit Edition!
YO' MOMMA SO STUPID, SHE NEEDS A TELEPROMPTER TO TAKE A SHOWER! I remember back on my childhood days, I had ridiculous skills when it came to "playing the dozens". For those not in the know, here is a good definition of "playing the dozens" (via Wikipedia): The dozens is an element of the African American oral tradition in which two competitors, usually males, go head … [Read more...] about PLAYING THE DOZENS – Pundit Edition!
Tim Geithner
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Tim Geithner
Obama Will Take Online Questions Via “The White House Is Open To Questions” On Thursday
Thursday morning will mark yet another chapter in President Barack Obama's use of all aspects of the new media to get his message out and answer questions. Literally. He'll be going online Thursday morning to take questions from people about the economy. Here's the White House video: The White House is Open for Questions from White House on Vimeo The White House is … [Read more...] about Obama Will Take Online Questions Via “The White House Is Open To Questions” On Thursday
Obama Press Conference: A Media Appearance That Enhances the President’s Effectiveness
Barack Obama is a scintillating orator. That's partly because, like his Illinois progenitor, Abraham Lincoln, he's a talented writer who can turn memorable and meaningful phrases. Unlike Lincoln, who loathed extemporaneous speaking, Obama, who began his presidential campaign as an indifferent debater, has become more than passably good in response to questioning, in spite … [Read more...] about Obama Press Conference: A Media Appearance That Enhances the President’s Effectiveness
The Real Significance of The CBS Poll About Obama And AIG (Guest Voice)
The Real Significance of The CBS Poll About Obama And AIG by Dheeraj Chand A CBS News poll fielded over the weekend shows a surprising finding: while a majority of Americans disapprove of AIG handing out bonuses, believe that the government should do more to recover them and specifically give Obama low marks for handling this issue, there is no appreciable change in his … [Read more...] about The Real Significance of The CBS Poll About Obama And AIG (Guest Voice)
CORRECTION: The Four Seasons R.V. Resort Is Open — And Thriving
EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to erroneous information provided to us by a source in a post published Sunday on the ailing RV industry, we wrongly said The Four Seasons RV Park in Gold Beach, Oregon, on the north bank of the Rogue River, had been closed due to bankruptcy. In fact, that is NOT the case. We've deleted the original post -- and asked the park's owner to give us a bit of info … [Read more...] about CORRECTION: The Four Seasons R.V. Resort Is Open — And Thriving
Is North Korea Testing Obama ?
Obviously we have to take anything North Korea does with a grain of salt. After all this is a country run by a family that in most countries would be occupying their own wing in the insane asylum. The whole system is so bizarre that George Orwell would have thought it too ridiculous to believe (why do I think that the censors in Pyongyang are putting me on their naughty list … [Read more...] about Is North Korea Testing Obama ?
Watch Dogmas
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Watch Dogmas
The White House is Open For Questions
Go here for info on how to participate. I think the TMV readership could have some good questions. I fantasized about being able to ask President Bush a question (okay, more like deliver a speech at him) when he was president. And I do firmly believe that American politicians should face determined inquiry from American citizens of all stripes and persuasions. That isn't to … [Read more...] about The White House is Open For Questions
Please Obama, Step Back And Breathe
On a thread earlier today I had these comments in response to CStanley's concern about the proposed authority for the government to seize non-financial banking institutions. [The legislation would address] what Nouriel Roubini termed the "shadow banking system" which is far larger than the official banking system. There is valid concern that the government couldn't even … [Read more...] about Please Obama, Step Back And Breathe
The Netherlands’ “AIG”
The AIG bonuses story has been monopolizing the headlines in the United States. At his press conference tonight, the President was asked about the AIG "scandal" again, and he addressed it, again. But a very similar story is playing out in the Netherlands. It is eerily similar to AIG's---even the name of the financial company involved is only three letters long (or … [Read more...] about The Netherlands’ “AIG”