This week Barack Obama became who he is going to be for the next four years. Amid a flurry of crucial decisions on the economy and foreign policy, his presidency is showing what may be its ultimate shape--out of necessity daring on domestic issues, more conventional and cautious on foreign policy. Liberals who criticized his response to the financial crisis as too careful, … [Read more...] about Obama’s Defining Week
The 21st Century Smoot-Hawley Act
Michael Pettis is the most intelligent commenter on the Chinese role in the global economy that I've run across, unfortunately. I say unfortunately because his prognosis is consistently grim and is based on communication with various Chinese and American businessmen and officials. One of the reasons I hate to enjoy his writing is because he focuses on how the current economic … [Read more...] about The 21st Century Smoot-Hawley Act
NY20: Local Op-Eds on Tedisco and Murphy
When campaigning in a largely rural district such as New York's 20th, candidates eventually have to deal with the reality of small-town newspapers and their coverage of the race. The Albany Times-Union has been providing quite a bit of coverage, though it's difficult not to notice the decided slant in favor of the Democrat thus far. Smaller publications are also weighing in, … [Read more...] about NY20: Local Op-Eds on Tedisco and Murphy
Our New Prime Source Of “News”—Think Tanks
Major newspapers are closing down these days almost as fast as insolvent banks. Many media people are not all that worried about this trend, however, because they believe Internet bloggers will pick up the slack when it comes to reporting stories and providing incisive editorial comments. Maybe so. But maybe, just maybe, a major new source of news and commentary won't be … [Read more...] about Our New Prime Source Of “News”—Think Tanks
Zombie Politicians and Zombie Pundits (Guest Voice)
Zombie Politicians and Zombie Pundits by Marc Pascal Banks that have essentially failed but are provided ongoing capital from public bailouts are referred to as “Zombie Banks.” They are dead but still walk the earth. While we have some of these staggering around in the U.S. right now, over the next year the Administration will eventually put them out of their misery … [Read more...] about Zombie Politicians and Zombie Pundits (Guest Voice)
Psychedelica
No, not that. This: A funky, psychedelic fish that bounces on the ocean floor like a rubber ball has been classified as a new species, a scientific journal reported.... The fish — which the University of Washington professor has named "psychedelica" — is a member of the antennariid genus, Histiophryne, and like other frogfish, has fins on both sides of its body that have … [Read more...] about Psychedelica
Clinton And Israel’s Netanyahu: A Week To Watch
This will be a big week to watch as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Israel. Here's how the Israeli paper Haaretz frames it: The visit of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Israel this week may give an early indication of any disagreements on the Palestinian issue between the United States and the next Israeli government. In an interview on Friday with … [Read more...] about Clinton And Israel’s Netanyahu: A Week To Watch
GOP Tries to Split Obama from the Democratic Herd
Much like a pack of wolves tries to isolate a weak caribou from the herd, are the Republicans trying to split President Obama away from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic House leadership? At the New York Times, Carl Hulse certainly seems to think so. But that will not stop Republicans from trying. On Friday, the leadership sent Mr. Obama a letter urging him to … [Read more...] about GOP Tries to Split Obama from the Democratic Herd
Obama and Reaganomics
A roundup here... … [Read more...] about Obama and Reaganomics
Paul Harvey
Gary McCoy, Cagle Cartoons This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Paul Harvey
The Beeper Cacophony
by Walter Brasch Barack Obama was determined that the only way anyone was going to take away his BlackBerry was if they pried it from his cold dead hands. Or, something to that effect. The President justifiably relies upon his BlackBerry, but many rely upon electronic communications as a status symbol or as a crutch so they don’t … [Read more...] about The Beeper Cacophony
After-Midnight Blogger, Reflection on Night, Golf, Prayer
I just wanted to say that sometimes we co-bloggers at TMV talk amongst ourselves about why we write, how we write... and I believe some late nights that it’s because many of us are helplessly insane and have to write ourselves back into sanity every night... Or semi-sanity Or sanity defined only by us alone. and also, you, reader, come to mind, late at night … [Read more...] about After-Midnight Blogger, Reflection on Night, Golf, Prayer
Australia: Trying To Understand Pakistan
Although Australia has joined hands with the US to train Pakistani soldiers in the on-going "war-on-terror", there seems to be a great deal of doubt and confusion with regard to the success of this mission.There is an excellent article by Greg Sheridan, Foreign editor, The Australian, under the heading "Unhappy Marriage With Pakistan". The immediate cause for concern in … [Read more...] about Australia: Trying To Understand Pakistan
The Goldwater Mirage
David Frum has an excellent essay on the "Goldwater Myth." He explains the myth this way: In 1964, after years of watered down politics, Republicans turned to a true conservative, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater. Yes, Goldwater lost badly. But in losing, he bequeathed conservatives a national organization – and a new champion, Ronald Reagan. Goldwater’s defeat opened the … [Read more...] about The Goldwater Mirage
Adios to Paul Harvey and, Good Day
Radio legend Paul Harvey has passed away. From his web site. Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mr. Harvey began his radio career in 1933 at KVOO-AM, Tulsa, while he was still in high school. Later, while attending the University of Tulsa, he continued working at KVOO as an announcer, then as a program director. Paul Harvey reached audiences way beyond the windy city … [Read more...] about Adios to Paul Harvey and, Good Day
Kathleen Sebelius to Lead HHS
Washington Post: Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius accepted President Obama's nomination to become Health and Human Services Secretary this afternoon, according to administration officials. Sebelius will replace former senator Thomas A. Daschle, who withdrew from consideration last month. … [Read more...] about Kathleen Sebelius to Lead HHS
Goodbye Gucci Capitalism; Hello Co-Op Capitalism?
A couple of interesting big-picture foreign perspectives on the economic paradigm shift: one from the U.K., and the other from China. Mmm.... H/T Watching America.com … [Read more...] about Goodbye Gucci Capitalism; Hello Co-Op Capitalism?
Middle East Flypaper Principle
The decision to keep up to 50,000 American troops in Iraq after August of next year underscores the need for extreme caution in escalating our involvement in Afghanistan and any future commitment of forces in the region. Those originally drawn to support Barack Obama's presidential campaign by his determination to get out of Iraq will have to be persuaded that continuing US … [Read more...] about Middle East Flypaper Principle
So This Is Socialism? (Guest Voice)
So This Is Socialism? by Marc Pascal The Wall Street Journal laments that “high-wage earners, Wall Street hedge-fund managers, oil-and-gas investors, corporate executives, well-to-do seniors and Washington lobbyists all take hits in President Barack Obama's budget plan.” Instead, the “budget winners include middle-class families, low-wage workers, lower-income retirees, … [Read more...] about So This Is Socialism? (Guest Voice)
FOX News Sets the Record Straight: Carl Benz from Germany Invented the Car
First Al Gore invented the internet. Then President Barack Obama invented hope and change. And now he proudly claimed in his address to the joint session of Congress: I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it. None of this will come without cost, nor will it be easy. But this is America. We don't do what's easy. Apparently Americans … [Read more...] about FOX News Sets the Record Straight: Carl Benz from Germany Invented the Car