In the just-ended acrimonious debate over a stimulus package, one critical point was largely ignored by all parties—and the media as well. Both sides of this debate were expressing priorities that have to be appropriately addressed if we are to emerge whole from the present financial crisis. The Republican opposition to the stimulus measure was totally wrong in the sense … [Read more...] about It’s Time To Listen To The Other Guy
A French On-the-Ground View of the American Soldier
Whether we agree or not with the former president’s invasion of Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein, and whether we agree or not with our present president’s plans to send additional troops to Afghanistan to continue to fight the 9/11 perpetrators, I know that all Americans are proud of our fighting troops. Recently I received from a good friend an essay, translated from French, … [Read more...] about A French On-the-Ground View of the American Soldier
Michelle Bachmann and the Minnesota Puzzle
What do the following people have in common? - Jesse Ventura - Al Franken - Michelle Bachmann The answer is, they are all examples of curious selections by the voters of Minnesota. (Though to be accurate, the jury is literally still out on Franken, but even if he doesn't wind up being seated he certainly came close enough to join the club.) Representative Bachmann may … [Read more...] about Michelle Bachmann and the Minnesota Puzzle
Nationalizing Banks: Up Remains Down as Greenspan Chimes In
I noted yesterday my evolving fascination with the increasingly counter-intuitive nature of the debate over nationalizing U.S. banks -- in particular, the openness to this option expressed by a prominent Senate Republican and the outright endorsement of it by two free-market economists. And now we learn that former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan has added fuel to the … [Read more...] about Nationalizing Banks: Up Remains Down as Greenspan Chimes In
Recovery.gov Launched
Recovery.gov, the site the Obama administration promised would track the newly signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expenditures, went live just after the bill was signed into law. Ars Technica: Thus far, of course, there's not much to watch...since funds have yet to be assigned to specific projects. A chart on the front page breaks down the broad spending … [Read more...] about Recovery.gov Launched
Tax Zombies Of The Planet No! (Guest Voice)
In case you haven't heard, Congressional Republicans think tax cuts would be far better to dig the United States out of its financial mess than a stimulus package that spends big bucks. In this Guest Voice post, humorist Will Durst gives you his take on it. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Tax-Cut Zombies from the Planet … [Read more...] about Tax Zombies Of The Planet No! (Guest Voice)
California Budget Crisis
RJ Matson, The New York Observer This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about California Budget Crisis
Kim Jong-il: ‘Greatest Leader of the Present Era’ – Korean Central News, North Korea
Do we in the outside world have it wrong about Kim Jong-il? While most of the planet regards him as a ruthless totalitarian who rules the equivalent of a nation-sized concentration camp, North Korea's fanatically controlled state press tells a different story. On the occasion of the his 67th birthday, the Korean Central News Agency published this article lauding the historic … [Read more...] about Kim Jong-il: ‘Greatest Leader of the Present Era’ – Korean Central News, North Korea
A Tiny Irony: A Lost Story about Trees and Human Beings
Trees By Joyce Kilmer I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the sweet earth's flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who … [Read more...] about A Tiny Irony: A Lost Story about Trees and Human Beings
With ‘Billy Goat’ Bush Gone … Little Has Changed: Die Zeit
Has the long-awaited European disappointment with the Obama Administration already begun? Writing for the publisher of Germany's Die Zeit, Josef Joffe, relates how the appearance of Vice President Joe Biden at the Munich conference on Security was anything but encouraging. Joffe writes in part: "At the Munich Conference on Security, Joe Biden received the longest and … [Read more...] about With ‘Billy Goat’ Bush Gone … Little Has Changed: Die Zeit
The ‘Mystery’ of Obama’s Afghan Troop Buildup: Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alscace of France
Now that President Obama is safely in office, will the Europeans kick in the troops Washington says it needs in Afghanistan? A quick read of this editorial from France's Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace might lead one to wonder. Editorialist Jean-Claude Kiefer writes in part: "Why these reinforcements? Why the pressing appeal to Europeans to furnish new contingents, above … [Read more...] about The ‘Mystery’ of Obama’s Afghan Troop Buildup: Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alscace of France
General Motors Wants Deeper Federal Pockets (More Big Bucks)….
...to the tune of some $16.6 billion more in federal aid. And along with that would come some belt tightening -- or, perhaps more accurately, some corporate liposuction: General Motors Corp. (GM) on Tuesday said it will need as much as $16.6 billion in additional aid from the U.S. government and could run out of money as soon as next month if it doesn't receive at least … [Read more...] about General Motors Wants Deeper Federal Pockets (More Big Bucks)….
Obama Signs Stimulus Bill: A Second In The Offing?
President Barack Obama signed the landmark economic stimulus bill. But is the groundwork being laid for a second one? Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs wouldn't rule out a Stimulus The Sequel. Here are Obama's comments in Denver today. A realist? Or a politician starting to cover his bases (or something else of his)? We embed. You decide: Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, … [Read more...] about Obama Signs Stimulus Bill: A Second In The Offing?
Rating Presidents: Not a Parlor Game
Historian Rick Shenkman has a point. The rating of presidents--a recent survey among historians called Abraham Lincoln our greatest president--probably doesn't even rise to the level of a parlor game. Parlor games, he says, have rules. But both historians and the public tend to rate presidents by highly movable goal posts. I myself have been guilty of playing this game, … [Read more...] about Rating Presidents: Not a Parlor Game
Am I a Genius?
For not taking vitamins? This article could lead you to think so. But don't believe it! I don't take vitamin pills, basically because every time I've started, I've found myself incapable of maintaining the habit. So, as in other areas of my life, a bad character trait--in this case, my tendency to procrastinate in the adoption of something I've been told is good for … [Read more...] about Am I a Genius?
Medpedia: A Wikipedia For Medicine. But Better.
Medpedia, a free online medical encyclopedia, went live today. But unlike Wikipedia, which has on occasion fallen victim to some spectacular prankster mistakes, Medpedia has an all star line-up of partnerships including Harvard Medical School, Stanford School of Medicine, Berkeley School of Public Health, University of Michigan Medical School and other health … [Read more...] about Medpedia: A Wikipedia For Medicine. But Better.
Obama as Confidence Man
Signing the Recovery and Reinvestment Act today, the President will be asking Americans to take a leap of faith into a future that is darkening rapidly. Today's bad news is that California is going broke, Kansas is following suit and even Donald Trump's casino empire is filing for bankruptcy. Yet Barack Obama will try to reassure us that the biggest financial gamble in … [Read more...] about Obama as Confidence Man
OH-Sen 2010: SOS Brunner, Lt. Gov. Fisher Announce Candidacies
And I have it officially and had it but, unlike the MSM that could not restrain itself, I abided by the rules. Oh those rascally traditional journalists with all their fancy expensive filters. Ohio Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner - come on down as the first announced Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican George Voinovich. And Toto … [Read more...] about OH-Sen 2010: SOS Brunner, Lt. Gov. Fisher Announce Candidacies
Gallup Poll: Congress’ Job Approval Rating Increases 12%
Despite fierce partisan warfare in an era that many hoped would be post-partisan, a new Gallup poll shows that now that Congress has passed President Barack Obama's stimulus plan its job approval rating has shot up 12 percent -- as an increasing number of Democrats are happier, there are gains among independents, and GOPers still remain largely unhappy. The poll suggest that … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Congress’ Job Approval Rating Increases 12%
A Long Time Ago, in a Blogosphere Far, Far Away…
A long time ago, in a blogosphere far, far away, a young(er) Joe Gandelman sent me an e-mail. He told me about the new site he'd just started, which would try to get past all the mindless partisanship out there and focus on intelligent analysis from all sides of the spectrum. I told Joe it was a great idea, but wasn't sure it could really work. I'm extremely glad to say that … [Read more...] about A Long Time Ago, in a Blogosphere Far, Far Away…