Wall Street, a place of cons and schemes, And fortunes built on doctored dreams, And fees and spreads and in-bred cronies, I counted fifteen thousand phonies. The SEC patrols these parts, Whose tortured ways it maps and charts, With num'rous rules, it seeks to beat, White collar crimes that 'fest The Street. But really, guys, what kind of rules Could cleanse this … [Read more...] about Wall Street (The Poem)
Honor Our Returning Heroes: Follow-Up
A piece I wrote last week, "Mr. Obama: Please Honor Our Returning Heroes," generated a lot of discussion and some controversy. The piece was about the policy that has been in effect since 1991 and which, with a couple of exceptions, has effectively hidden from the American public the arrival of our fallen heroes at Dover Air Force Base, Del. This morning, in "Pentagon … [Read more...] about Honor Our Returning Heroes: Follow-Up
Up is Down
Who said this? I would not be for nationalizing [the banks] ... I don't think government is good at making these decisions. And what about this? I'm very much afraid any program to salvage the banks is going to require the government ... I would not take off [the table] the idea of nationalizing the banks." Would it surprise you, as it did me, that the first comment … [Read more...] about Up is Down
Green Food
Olle Johansson, Sweden This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Green Food
Dr. Google & the Perils Of Cyberchondria
Many among us who turn to the internet for our imagined or real ailments could become a "Cyberchondriac". This term describes a growing number of otherwise rational internet users who, when they present their symptoms to "Dr Google", latch on to the worst "diagnosis" thrown back at them, reports The Independent. "Cyberchondria has been around for almost a decade, but a … [Read more...] about Dr. Google & the Perils Of Cyberchondria
Passing On America’s Musical Heritage
Here at TMV we not only try to bring you a variety of viewpoints on the news, some original reporting from time to time, linkfests, reviews and political cartoon artistry. We also try to passing along vital parts of America's musical heritage. Here is one to contemplate: … [Read more...] about Passing On America’s Musical Heritage
Thoughts on the Stimulus from a Moderate Republican
Now that the Stimulus Package passed by Congress will be signed into law by President Obama tomorrow, I have a few thoughts I wanted to share from my perspective as a Republican and not just a run-of-the-mill Republican, but a moderate Republican, or so-called "RINO." My initial thoughts aren't good. I understand and accept the need for a larger role for the government … [Read more...] about Thoughts on the Stimulus from a Moderate Republican
The California Urn
The State of California is approaching financial calamity as lawmakers there are unable to agree on a budget that closes a $41 billion deficit. California's absurd budgeting laws that make tax increases virtually impossible, and require dozens of referendum-approved budget mandates, have rendered the state powerless to move on. Governor Schwarzenegger announced plans to lay off … [Read more...] about The California Urn
Obama Faces Impatient And Unhappy Rumblings On His Left Flank As He Straddles The Center
President Barack Obama has faced stiff opposition and outright denunciations from opponents on his right -- and now he's hearing the beginnings of impatient and increasingly louder rumblings of impatience, discontent and concern on his left. At issue are a variety of things: a belief that on the stimulus bill Obama got half or even just a quarter loaf of progressives (the … [Read more...] about Obama Faces Impatient And Unhappy Rumblings On His Left Flank As He Straddles The Center
Five of My Fighter Jets For One of Your Helicopters, Mr. President…
One of the major items on the national news tonight was the announcement that the new estimate for the fleet of 28 new, VH-71, presidential helicopters is $11.2 billion, or about $400 million per helicopter. Last week, the Swedish aircraft manufacturer Saab reportedly made an offer to the Dutch government to provide the Royal Dutch Air Force with 85 Gripen Next Generation … [Read more...] about Five of My Fighter Jets For One of Your Helicopters, Mr. President…
The ‘Porn’ of Corruption: Apologies to Larry Flynt – La Prensa of Nicaragua
The startling influence of the United States seems to know no end - and it emerges in the oddest ways and places. Say what you will about Larry Flynt, the man knows how to squeeze every drop of PR usefulness out of an issue. By calling for a federal bailout of the adult entertainment industry, he not only made headlines across the United States - he has had an impact around … [Read more...] about The ‘Porn’ of Corruption: Apologies to Larry Flynt – La Prensa of Nicaragua
Talk To Us (Guest Voice)
So the economic stimulus is going to be posted online. Is that innovative? Proof of a more transparent government? Not so fast, write author Martha Randolph Carr in this Guest Voice post. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Talk to Us by Martha Randolph Carr The idea that posting the entirety of the $789 billion dollar 2009 … [Read more...] about Talk To Us (Guest Voice)
Starbucks A Leading Indicator?
Jonathan Last thinks so: It's not a coincidence that Starbucks reached its peak at the precise height of the housing boom - the inflation-adjusted price of housing in the United States topped out in 2006, Starbucks' last year of living high on the bean. Plot Starbucks' stock price against the Dow Jones industrial average and you see that over the last four years, Starbucks … [Read more...] about Starbucks A Leading Indicator?
Guess What’s Up When The Economy Is Down?
Economic indicators and temperatures around the country might not be rising but something else is. … [Read more...] about Guess What’s Up When The Economy Is Down?
Obama Punching Bag Seems A Bit Premature
As President Barack Obama switches from campaign to governing mode he is doing a rope-a-dope absorbing blows from friends and foes alike. As for fulfilling his campaign promises, he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. People with agendas and axes to grind fail to realize Obama is a governing pragmatist, not an ideologue. They refuse to accept he is president of … [Read more...] about Obama Punching Bag Seems A Bit Premature
Rivals Redux: Clinton and McCain
The Lincolnesque concept is meeting with iffy success on the 200th anniversary of his birth. Hillary Clinton goes to Asia reaching out for the Obama Administration, while John McCain is on talk shows lashing out against his former rival. On her first trip as Secretary of State, Clinton is visiting Japan, China, South Korea and Indonesia to discuss trade, prevention of … [Read more...] about Rivals Redux: Clinton and McCain
Where Is The ACLU ?
A college student in Los Angeles has filed a lawsuit over a speech he gave supporting Proposition 8 and opposing gay marriage. As indicated in the article, the student is opposed to gay marriage on religious grounds and said so in his speech. His professor interrupted the speech, called him 'a fascist bastard' and told students to 'leave if you are offended'. When none left, … [Read more...] about Where Is The ACLU ?
Ailing Global Economy: Foreigners Leave Dubai After Layoffs
How bad is the global economy? The illness is reaching into every nook and cranny, even into places where you'd never imagine it...such as Dubai: Sofia, a 34-year-old Frenchwoman, moved here a year ago to take an advertising job, so confident about Dubai’s burgeoning economy that she bought an apartment for $300,000 with a 15-year mortgage. Now, like many of the foreign … [Read more...] about Ailing Global Economy: Foreigners Leave Dubai After Layoffs
Weed & The Feigned Outrage Over Phelps
UPDATED 3:00P.M. AP: "...sheriff says there will be no charges filed against swimmer Michael Phelps following the marijuana pipe photo." ____________ Andrew Sullivan enjoyed himself immensely at Friday the 13th, "The critics were a little too harsh, methinks." He's on to something. Rotten Tomatoes' Top Critics give it a 23% while the RT community gives it a tasty 72%. (My … [Read more...] about Weed & The Feigned Outrage Over Phelps
Stimulus
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Stimulus