For years there have been rumors in Iraq and the wider Arab world that Iran and the United States have been working together all along, merely pretending to be in conflict for nefarious purposes known only to them. As WORLDMEETS.US has documented on many occasions, these claims run the gamut, from wild conspiracy theories to well thought-out narratives. In this article from … [Read more...] about Iran and America: Friends or Foes?: Kitabat of Iraq
Regular Folks: The Real Majority
Whenever I attend a PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) meeting, the economy always becomes a point of discussion. This is conservative country here in Gwinnett County, Georgia. If you're a liberal here, you're going to get a healthy and hard spanking (rhetorically) with a dollop of Southern hospitality. Being more center-left, I just get more of a gentle slap on the wrist. … [Read more...] about Regular Folks: The Real Majority
Bad Economy Piggies
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Bad Economy Piggies
CNN’s Campbell Brown: Spade, You’re a Spade
Along with David Gergen, Campbell Brown is indisputably one of CNN's smartest, most even-handed political commentators. She demonstrated why last night. … [Read more...] about CNN’s Campbell Brown: Spade, You’re a Spade
Quote of the Day: GOP Models Taliban Insurgency
"Insurgency, we understand perhaps a little bit more because of the Taliban. And that is that they went about systematically understanding how to disrupt and change a person's entire processes. And these Taliban -- I'm not trying to say the Republican Party is the Taliban. No, that's not what we're saying. I'm saying an example of how you go about [sic] is to change a person … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: GOP Models Taliban Insurgency
Stimulus: Rushing Over the Cliff
While we didn't see a Senate vote Thursday night on the stimulus package, it seems that it will only be a temporary reprieve. On such an important issue it is unfortunate that both the political generals and the talking heads have succeeded in turning it into a political football. One of the most annoying pieces of "analysis" for the week comes to us from Paul Krugman. It’s … [Read more...] about Stimulus: Rushing Over the Cliff
Obama Spanks
Obama's speech last night. It was a spanking. Not a beating. But a strong hand, admonishing to 'better un-usualize the usual DC song and dance' and pass this stimulus package. I laughed when he said some are complaining the stimulus package is going to cost money. His wry comment, along with vaudeville blink and roll of the eyes at end: "That's what a stimulus package … [Read more...] about Obama Spanks
Some More Thoughts On Executive Compensation And The Obama Non Plan
In an earlier post I discussed that while I favored the Obama plan to limit compensation of executives at firms receiving money from the bailout I thought it might be neccessary to adjust the limits somewhat. The reactions I got seemed to focus entirely on this segment of the posting without commenting on any of the others, so I thought I'd expand on the subject. To make it … [Read more...] about Some More Thoughts On Executive Compensation And The Obama Non Plan
…Either Stay Loudly or Leave Loudly
Let me start out by saying that probably no one will read this blog post. Why do I say that? Because it's about telling my fellow moderate Republicans to stop whining about the state of the party, acting like little kids holding their breath until the party bosses listen to them is something that people don't want to hear. People would much rather me complain about how … [Read more...] about …Either Stay Loudly or Leave Loudly
Obama Fires It Up in Williamsburg
At last, the fiery candidate Barack Obama has returned to inspire the troops in support of the stimulus bill. Obama's speech in Williamsburg to House Democrats undoubtedly carries some risk, as David Gergen pointed out tonight. But I think the moment called for it. Frankly, I've found it a bit demoralizing to watch ideological conservatives claim that the stimulus … [Read more...] about Obama Fires It Up in Williamsburg
The Caroline Kennedy Smear
In the aftermath of the Hillary Clinton replacement soap opera, there is a footnote to the misadventure of JFK's daughter in seeking the seat--the price of getting involved with political pygmies in the desire to continue a family tradition of public service. The New York Times, which played a part in discrediting Caroline Kennedy as not ready for prime time, has gone back … [Read more...] about The Caroline Kennedy Smear
AP Claims Copyright of the Iconic Obama Poster Image
AP has riled the copyfighters again and the blogs are all over it. This time AP is claiming the copyright and asking for credit and compensation for use of the image artist Shepard Fairey used to build his iconic Obama HOPE poster: "The Associated Press has determined that the photograph used in the poster is an AP photo and that its use required permission," the AP's director … [Read more...] about AP Claims Copyright of the Iconic Obama Poster Image
Mr Card, Clothes Do Not a President Make
I did not see Mr. Andrew Card's interview where he apparently criticized the Obama White House for their relaxed dress code. I understand that he said something to the effect that “there should be a dress code of respect” in the White House and that he wished Mr. Obama “would wear a suit coat and tie.” Apparently he also said: The Oval Office symbolizes…the … [Read more...] about Mr Card, Clothes Do Not a President Make
Boxer to Head New Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Global Women’s Issues
From a blog post by Nicholas Kristof at the New York Times: The U.S. Senate is taking a welcome step: empowering a subcommittee specifically charged with global women’s issues. It’s the first time a subcommittee has had that mandate, and it will be led by Barbara Boxer of California, who will surely use her voice and spotlight to do some good on these issues. ... Issues … [Read more...] about Boxer to Head New Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Global Women’s Issues
Independent Commission To Investigate Dutch Government’s Support For U.S. Iraq Invasion
Just as Americans have had a thousand questions about the Iraq war, there have been many and persistent questions and concerns in the Netherlands as to how the Dutch government came to its decision to support the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Today, the Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reports: Dutch parliament has voted to support the institution of an independent … [Read more...] about Independent Commission To Investigate Dutch Government’s Support For U.S. Iraq Invasion
Larry Flynt is Right: ‘Adult Entertainment’ Comes Before Autos – Jornal de Negocios, Portugal
When one looks at the issue in purely economic terms, do purveyors of porn like Larry Flynt have a point in their quest for a bailout by the U.S. government? In this article from Portugal's business daily, the Jornal de Negocios, Frederico Bastião, a professor of 'crisis economic theory', makes a very strong case that adult entertainment deserves a bailout far more than … [Read more...] about Larry Flynt is Right: ‘Adult Entertainment’ Comes Before Autos – Jornal de Negocios, Portugal
Shoot A Wall Street Executive For Charity
I hope to be able to provide video if they put it up on the web site but one of my favorite talk show teams is giving all of us a little stress release. From their Press Release today: Talk 650 KSTE morning show hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty are tired of the financial injustice as the U.S. government awards multibillion-dollar companies with bailouts. This Thursday, … [Read more...] about Shoot A Wall Street Executive For Charity
Stimulating Consumerism, Encouraging Debt
I realize that part of what the economy needs is more consumer spending on big-ticket items, and so I understand why Republicans pushed successfully for a $15,000 tax credit for homebuyers to go along with a tax incentive for carbuyers, both now part of the Senate's stimulus package, but is encouraging more spending at a time when jobs are being lost and the credit market has … [Read more...] about Stimulating Consumerism, Encouraging Debt
Rough Seas Ahead: Government Intervention Is Failing
There are various steps of intervention that the government can take when it is trying to react to a crisis. The first step is to merely signal that the climate is undesirable and that it is looking into options. The next step is to change monetary policy to be more accommodating. The next is to make small scale interventions by bringing together private parties and getting … [Read more...] about Rough Seas Ahead: Government Intervention Is Failing
Remember the Moderates: Thomas Curtis
There has been much news about Michael Steele's ascension to the Chairmanship of the GOP. As the first African American to head the party, there is a hope that the GOP can reach out to African Americans. Over the last few decades, the GOP has not been known for being forward thinking when it comes to civil rights. But there was a time when the GOP was the party that … [Read more...] about Remember the Moderates: Thomas Curtis