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”
“I Like To Know What I’m Talking About Before I Speak”
Pres. Obama's answer to a follow-up question from CNN's Ed Henry about why it took Obama two days to respond to the AIG bonus controversy was my favorite line of the night. What a refreshing novelty, to have a president who wants to know what he's talking about before he speaks. I also liked his response to Mike Allen of Politico, who asked him whether he regretted his … [Read more...] about “I Like To Know What I’m Talking About Before I Speak”
Surreal Press Conference Analysis Moment
The most entertaining moment in the whole press conference was President Obama's smackdown of CNN's Ed Henry, who asked why Obama didn't react sooner to the AIG bonus brouhaha. Obama said, "I like to know what I'm talking about before I speak." The crowd chuckled and Henry got pwned. So I watched CNN's analysis afterward and Anderson Cooper clearly understands that CNN's … [Read more...] about Surreal Press Conference Analysis Moment
I Love You, Man
I loved the movie and left the theater wondering, what do these bromance movies say about our times? I can't say I know but one thing is certain -- they're very gay-friendly. As is Rudd: I always thought I'd be a really good gay guy. I love American Idol. I watch Antiques Roadshow like crazy. Guys like Oscar Wilde, Stephen Fry, Elton John — they're all very bright, with a … [Read more...] about I Love You, Man
Thoughts On The Left And EFCA
As you may have heard earlier today Senator Specter (R-PA) announced he would not support the Employee Free Choice Act, and many feel that this decision could doom any hopes of passage. As I've reviewed the debate over the subject I sometimes found myself a bit confused at the attitudes of some of the more fervent supporters, who do not seem to understand how anyone can oppose … [Read more...] about Thoughts On The Left And EFCA
As Blood Flows, U.S. Gets Serious About the Battle for Mexico: Excelsior of Mexico
Will the United States government have to take on the NRA along with the Mexican drug cartels in order to lessen the chances of Mexico becoming a failed state? For Mexico's Excelsior newspaper, León Krauze writes in part: "I said in this space a couple of weeks ago that the attitude of the United States government in regard to the violence in its border with Mexico … [Read more...] about As Blood Flows, U.S. Gets Serious About the Battle for Mexico: Excelsior of Mexico
Mississippi Bans Red-Light Cameras
UPDATE: Georgia towns taking down their red light cameras because they don't bring in enough money: a new law required them to increase the length of time that a light is yellow by one second -- and that's decreased red light violations so significantly, that red light cameras have become "too expensive" (thanks to Scott Cauthen for sending that story in). This is what critics … [Read more...] about Mississippi Bans Red-Light Cameras
Quote Of The Day: Contrasting Obama and Andrew Cuomo
The political Quote of the Day comes from Tina Brown, noting how President Barack Obama's reputation and image is taking a hit by how he is being perceived by some, while New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's image is better than ever: Obama is the only person walking around with a big smile on his face. That onset of wild laughter on 60 Minutes about how humorous it is … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Contrasting Obama and Andrew Cuomo
Obama Overexposure Revisited
I wrote about it here four days ago. (And here.) Now, others are weighing in with the same view. … [Read more...] about Obama Overexposure Revisited
Ubiquitous Obama
If we were paying the President by the hour, the economic crisis would be worse. After the Tonight Show, 60 Minutes and town halls everywhere, we get a prime-time news conference this evening. If that sounds like a complaint, it isn't. In this time of multiple anxieties, Barack Obama, despite the inevitability of falling approval ratings, has succeeded brilliantly as … [Read more...] about Ubiquitous Obama
Preparing Our Fallen Heroes For Their Final Journey Home
On February 26, I wrote about Secretary of Defense Robert Gates' decision to reverse the 18-year old ban on news coverage of our returning fallen heroes at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. It was---and still is---a controversial decision, albeit it will be up to the families of the heroes to decide whether to admit the press to ceremonies at Dover Air Force Base. More … [Read more...] about Preparing Our Fallen Heroes For Their Final Journey Home
Hindus In Britain Demand Traditional Cremation
Followers of Islam, Christianity and Judaism may have lots of differences, but when it comes to the disposal of the dead body, they share a common, and a strong, belief that it must be buried. On the other hand, Hindus, and followers of other Eastern religions, opt for cremation of their dead. Down the centuries India has remained highly tolerant towards diverse religious … [Read more...] about Hindus In Britain Demand Traditional Cremation