Now that various New York Democratic Party chairs have selected Scott Murphy to run against Jim Tedisco in the March 31 special congressional election, the new candidate wasted no time in lining up some endorsements. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand,(D - NY) who previously held the seat, and Congressman Paul Tonko (D - Amsterdam) showed up to give Murphy the nod. Gillibrand, who … [Read more...] about Will Tedisco and Murphy Debate Gun Control?
Specter Builds Bipartisanship
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Specter Builds Bipartisanship
Father (13), Mom (15) & Their Baby (4-day-old)
The Huffington Post has a story about a teenage mom and dad (from the Sun of London) that has rocked Britain. Whatever be the outcry, the young mom and dad look very happy. "Police said they had investigated but had decided to take no further action as it was 'not in anyone’s interests' to prosecute." Here is the full story... Wikipedia states: "Child marriage has … [Read more...] about Father (13), Mom (15) & Their Baby (4-day-old)
Some Old Soldiers From Around The World
London. The Long March (October 1934 – October 1935) was an historic retreat, in which Communist army forces fled their bases in Jiangxi province in south China. Fleeing to the North under the man who would become Chairman Mao, this woman soldier nearing 90 years of age, marched the nearly 6000 miles from South China to Northern China. Other veteran soldiers of the … [Read more...] about Some Old Soldiers From Around The World
Banks & Crime: Schools For Scoundrels?
About four decades back a typical banker was an epitome of honesty, integrity, and, in short, a gentleman. It appears that in the past decade or so the increased criminal nexus between bankers, charltans and criminals (aided and abetted by greedy and myopic political leaders) have crippled the banking industry and created a crisis of credibility. This has created traumatic … [Read more...] about Banks & Crime: Schools For Scoundrels?
Shocking! Roland Burris Lied About Blago Offers
In a revelation that is shocking to, well, nobody, Roland Burris apparently lied to the Illinois House when he claimed that Rod Blagojevich or his aides never approached him for favors in return for a Senate appointment. He now admits that Blago's brother asked him three times for help with fundraising (for a legal defense fund?). Burris insists that he refused to offer any … [Read more...] about Shocking! Roland Burris Lied About Blago Offers
Congress End Runs Obama On Pay Caps
Oh, those sneaky congressmen. This group receives automatic pay raises every year. Yet, they jerked the compensation cap of senior corporate executives from President Obama's financial sector bailout plan and inserted it in the $789 billion stimulus package for his expected signature next Tuesday. It begs the question: Since when does cutting a banker's earnings stimulate … [Read more...] about Congress End Runs Obama On Pay Caps
TIME’s View of SecDef Gates’ “Taming of the Shrew”
I like Dr. Robert Gates. I like him because he, as I did, served in the U.S. Air Force (as an intelligence officer at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri), and because he was the President of Texas A&M University, my Alma Mater. But, more importantly, I admire and respect the Secretary of Defense, for, in my opinion, having restored the image and the credibility of our … [Read more...] about TIME’s View of SecDef Gates’ “Taming of the Shrew”
Republican Bunker Mentality
As uncertain as the effects of the stimulus may be, one thing is clear: The Republican Party has chosen clichés for its survival--deers in the headlights, heads in the sand and unity in a bunker to hide from the Obama battle with the destructive economic forces they helped unleash. As they congratulate themselves on near-unanimity in yesterday's vote, the hairline cracks in … [Read more...] about Republican Bunker Mentality
Lack of a ‘New Deal’ Led Germany to Adolph Hitler: Izvestia, Russia
Here's a Russian take on the battle which has been raging in the U.S. Congress between the dwindling Republican minority and the majority Democrats: In the midst of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, should market forces and economic discipline rule the day, or should the government intervene as Obama [and Bush] have decided it should? Maksim Sokolov of … [Read more...] about Lack of a ‘New Deal’ Led Germany to Adolph Hitler: Izvestia, Russia
The Wild Duck, The Lost Story of Valentine’s Day
I began blogging for TMV two years ago today, February 14, 2007. Below is my first ever article on TMV: it was brought to TMV readership by Joe Gandelman as a Guest Voice. Since then, it's been a long, wild ride with quite a few death screeches as I read the news feeds from across the world most days but often deep into the night. Add to that, hair tearings, heart … [Read more...] about The Wild Duck, The Lost Story of Valentine’s Day
What If The Israel-Palestine Two State Solution Collapses?
Some of the implications are pondered HERE. … [Read more...] about What If The Israel-Palestine Two State Solution Collapses?
Greetings from Guantanamo Bay
As "closing Guantanamo" looms as one of President Obama's most visible campaign promises (backed up with executive orders to complete the task within a year), more and more snapshots emerge as to what has been happening in the little sliver of American society at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. And in what was once a rarity, soldiers who have served there are now coming forward to … [Read more...] about Greetings from Guantanamo Bay
Minnesota Recount Trial: Another Episode
Back in early December, 2008, I started a post, "It’s Coleman! No, It’s Franken. No, Wait…" as follows: "As you may remember, a long, long time ago, when only a few votes separated the two candidates after the regular election..." That "long time ago" was early November 2008, when what was to be a simple election for the next U.S. Senator from Minnesota turned into a … [Read more...] about Minnesota Recount Trial: Another Episode
Pakistan’s A.Q. Khan Is Free: A Can Of Worms Reopened?
Abdul Qadeer Khan, described as Father of Pakistan's (or Islamic) Nuclear Bomb, was freed from house arrest by the Islamabad High Court last week. The then president Pervez Musharraf incarcerated Khan five years ago after a great deal of pressure from the international community. However, the recent court judgement threatens to reopen a can of worms. It reads like a sordid … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s A.Q. Khan Is Free: A Can Of Worms Reopened?
Polls: Obama Still Polls Well And Republicans Still Poll Badly
While visiting Marco Island, Florida, where this post is written, I've kept in touch with events by watching cable programs on all cable channels and listening to talk radio on the left and right. And nearly all of these info-outlets suggest some political shift is now occurring: President Barack Obama is on the run or on the wane...undermined by no or little GOP support … [Read more...] about Polls: Obama Still Polls Well And Republicans Still Poll Badly
Valentine’s Day: The Honeymoon Is Over
Aislin, The Montreal Gazette This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day: The Honeymoon Is Over
The Debt Song Of The Potomac
Yes, a stimulus bill was needed. But conservatives who worry about the soaring federal debt have a point... The Debt Song of The Potomac (In the style of Longfellow’s "Hiawatha") On the shores of the Potomac By this river’s murky waters Policy is shaped and crafted Opposition views ignored In the chambers of the mighty Where once issues were … [Read more...] about The Debt Song Of The Potomac
N.Y. 20th: Meet Your Candidates
You may have thought that the 2008 election cycle was nearly over, (well, as soon as that whole Coleman - Franken thing gets ironed out) but you would be incorrect. Like some sort of political Rube Goldberg machine gone awry, President Obama's appointment of Hillary Clinton opened up a Senate seat, which was then filled by Kirsten Gillibrand, removing her from her previous … [Read more...] about N.Y. 20th: Meet Your Candidates
Founder Of TV Network To Improve Muslim Imagery Arrested For Beheading Wife
Attention to all members of groups seeking to change negative, stereotypical imagery. If this is true, this is not the way to do it: A prominent Buffalo area businessman who founded the BridgesTV network to improve the image of Muslims in the U.S. has been arrested and charged with murdering his estranged wife – by beheading her at his company’s office in Orchard Park, N.Y., … [Read more...] about Founder Of TV Network To Improve Muslim Imagery Arrested For Beheading Wife