In the case of earmarks, BOTH parties are unfortunately equal-opportunity offenders. Watch this must-view video of Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill who looks at the record as GOP earmark rage is in full bloom. This is mainly for those who are tired of talk show spin (on the left and right): … [Read more...] about The GOP And Earmarks: Selective Outrage?
Will New Quote Inflame Controversy Over GOP’s Blunt Spoken RNC Chair Michael Steele?
Has RNC Chairman Michael Steele now stepped in it by giving the New York Times a quote about how the Republicans are mired in it? Or, rather, is a party stuck in its own.... Here's the quote: Most chairmen wave the party flag; Mr. Steele smiles and shreds it. A man of constantly colliding analogies, he compares Republicans to drunks in need of a 12-step program and to the … [Read more...] about Will New Quote Inflame Controversy Over GOP’s Blunt Spoken RNC Chair Michael Steele?
Chas Freeman: The New Political Whipping Boy
Ever since Chas Freeman was tapped to head the National Intelligence Council, a predictable and much needed firestorm of debate has erupted. Critics, choosing to ignore Freeman's extensive background in Middle East affairs and security matters have latched on to some of his opinions on U.S. - Israeli relations as "evidence" that he would be ill suited to the task. This week we … [Read more...] about Chas Freeman: The New Political Whipping Boy
Seeing Change
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Seeing Change
The Interactive Presidency
FDR gave Americans fireside chats on radio. JFK came into living rooms through live TV news conferences. Barack Obama is connecting with worried voters by Internet--email, online videos and proliferating web sites. In each case, as a new medium of communication became universal, the White House wired into it to speak directly to people--one at a time. What's different now … [Read more...] about The Interactive Presidency
On the Shame That Is Darfur and the ICC Bashir Arrest Warrant
The "Darfur Conflict"---the genocide in Darfur is a better term---seems somewhat complicated. One soon comes to that conclusion when researching the historical background, the causes, the warring parties (better term: the pillaging, raping and murdering thugs) involved, and what roles the Sudanese government, the United Nations, the international community and, yes, the United … [Read more...] about On the Shame That Is Darfur and the ICC Bashir Arrest Warrant
Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, Iran Back Genocide Regime in Khartoum
Al Jazeera English:A delegation of senior Middle Eastern leaders has travelled to Sudan to express international support for Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president, who is accused of war crimes in Darfur. Officials from Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah joined Syria's parliament speaker and the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group for talks with al-Bashir in Khartoum, … [Read more...] about Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, Iran Back Genocide Regime in Khartoum
Obama And The Economy: What Is He Liable For ?
When President Obama first took office I indicated that I was going to try and adopt a policy of giving him time to have an impact on the economy. I was never happy when some on the left started blaming Bush for things the day after he took office and so I felt it fair to give Obama a chance. I chose to adopt the policy of the first President Bush by giving the new President a … [Read more...] about Obama And The Economy: What Is He Liable For ?
Profound Philosophical Questions
If God is good, why does evil exist? Do men have free will, or are our actions predetermined? Above all, why don't hotels ever put little tubes of toothpaste in your bathroom? The hotel I just stayed in had little bottles of mouthwash, shampoo, body lotion, conditioner and several bars of soap. Clearly, the issue isn't money. Is the anti-toothpaste lobby getting in … [Read more...] about Profound Philosophical Questions
Does Democracy Promotion Matter?
I'm posting in San Francisco right now, after spending the past couple of days at a Stanford conference on democratic transitions and the role that international actors play in supporting them. I presented a paper on the South Korean transition to democracy in 1987, co-authored with a colleague from Seoul. If you're into the academic literature on democratic transitions, … [Read more...] about Does Democracy Promotion Matter?
Economy Not Good But Not A Depression
People have been discussing whether or not we are heading into or are already in a new Great Depression. While I am hardly going to claim that our economy is strong I do think we take a bit of an overreach in calling it a depression. Just a simple look at the statistics demonstrates my point. During the 2 year period between 1930 and 1932 the stock market lost over 80% of … [Read more...] about Economy Not Good But Not A Depression
This Tiger Is Not Dead (Guest Voice)
We've run some posts and editorial cartoons from the United States and Canada that have been highly critical of conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh. But not everyone agrees with them. Here's another viewpoint from talk show host Michael Reagan. This Tiger Is Not Dead by Michael Reagan There’s an old adage that explains that one does not shoot arrows at dead … [Read more...] about This Tiger Is Not Dead (Guest Voice)
A Heel Is Thrown At A Heel
A shoe was reportedly thrown at Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. (It'd be more interesting if Iran's voters give him the boot.) … [Read more...] about A Heel Is Thrown At A Heel
‘Cheek-Cramping Laughable’
That's how one reader characterized my recurring hope that the Republicans will regain the Senate in two years and thus provide the counterbalance every great President needs, even one with the exceeding skills and exceptional character of Barack Obama. This reader/critic has a point. Thirty-five Senate seats will be contested in 2010. (Normally, it would be 34, but VP … [Read more...] about ‘Cheek-Cramping Laughable’
Keep God And Politics Out Of Stem Cell Research
President Barack Obama Monday is expected to fulfill a campaign promise by rescinding federal funding restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. It's expected to reopen a moral debate which could become more divisive than the ideological political confrontation over rescuing the economy. For me it's a no-brainer. Diabetes has ravaged my body for a quarter century. … [Read more...] about Keep God And Politics Out Of Stem Cell Research
Rush Limbaugh
Patrick Corrigan, The Toronto Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh
India’s Shameful Story: Defecating In The Open
Thank you Jason Gale (of Bloomberg) for your important story "India Failing to Control Open Defecation Blunts Nation’s Growth". India has enough strength to withstand the periodical attacks by terrorists. But its Achilles heel could very well be the lack of proper sewerage facilities/hygiene in overcrowded cities and small towns. Ironically, in the Indian subcontinent, the … [Read more...] about India’s Shameful Story: Defecating In The Open
Diminishing The Resistance Against President Obama
Mark Tapscott at DCExaminer declares that Obama is in trouble. The meat of what he is saying: * Since the first of the year, Rush Limbaugh's audience has exploded , according to Howard Kurtz of The Washington Post, even as his daily assaults on Obama have intensified. The conservative Talk Radio maestro has become quite possibly the most listened-to radio personality in … [Read more...] about Diminishing The Resistance Against President Obama
NY20 Race: New Tedisco Ad Released. Going Negative?
Local news sources are reporting that Republican Assembly Leader Jim Tedisco has released his next campaign advertisement, this time going directly after his Democratic opponent, Scott Murphy, for his Wall Street pedigree. The race to fill Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's now vacant seat in the 20th Congressional District is heating up as the two candidates vying for the job … [Read more...] about NY20 Race: New Tedisco Ad Released. Going Negative?
Foul Play in Zimbabwe?
CNN: Car-truck crash kills Zimbabwe prime minister's wife, injures him Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was in stable condition and recovering from head injuries Friday night after a car wreck that killed his wife, Susan, medical sources told CNN. The crash, on a busy two-lane highway between Tsvangirai's hometown of Buhera and the capital city of Harare, comes … [Read more...] about Foul Play in Zimbabwe?