As you have probably heard, President Obama has offered a plan to restrict the salaries paid to the officers of companies getting money from the federal bailout programs. The plan as proposed would limit pay to $ 500,000 per year although the officers could get stock compensation with the understanding that the stock could not be sold or vest until the government was fully … [Read more...] about Obama’s Executive Pay Proposals: A Good Start But It Needs Work
Is New Rochelle School Crossing The Line To Politicization With Pro-Obama Project?
When is an elementary school project a civics project and when does it cross the line into political indoctrination? Read THIS POST about a pro-Obama project at an elementary school in New Rochelle, NY. Does it cross the line? Give us your view in comments. … [Read more...] about Is New Rochelle School Crossing The Line To Politicization With Pro-Obama Project?
Contribute To The Moderate Voice’s Bailout
NOTE: This has run before but will be run periodically. There are newer posts under this so when you're done, keep scrolling. Every year at this time we hold TMV's annual fundraising drive. And this year, in keeping with the national craze, we're calling it The TMV Bailout. But unlike General Motors, which asked for billions, or the banks, that asked for billions, TMV's … [Read more...] about Contribute To The Moderate Voice’s Bailout
How do Obama’s Cabinet Nominations Stack Up to History?
With all of the attention being paid to the implosion of several nominees for President Obama's cabinet, it seems an apt time to put these nominations in historical context. How many presidential cabinet nominations have failed over the course of our nation's history? Which president holds the record for the most failed nominees? How does the current crop compare to their … [Read more...] about How do Obama’s Cabinet Nominations Stack Up to History?
How To Draw Obama (Guest Voice)
With a new President, it means cartoonists have to fine tune their skills at drawing the new Prez. In this Guest Voice, MSNBC blogger and cartoonist Daryl Cagle gives away a few of his secrets. How to Draw Obama by Daryl Cagle Obama seems like an easy guy to draw; he’s skinny, has a big chin, expressive eyebrows and lips. As it turns out, no matter how a cartoonist … [Read more...] about How To Draw Obama (Guest Voice)
What Is It With Democrats And Taxes ?
About three years ago it seemed like every time you turned on the television there was another Republican involved in a sex scandal. For some reason it appeared that Republicans just could not avoid being caught in bed (or bathroom) with someone and the party suffered for it. Despite the fact that undoubtedly Democrats were just as capable of having sex scandals, they just … [Read more...] about What Is It With Democrats And Taxes ?
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Playing it Straight
Alan Abramowitz on Playing it Straight: The Minnesota Model of Election Administration Late night comics have feasted on the disputed U.S. Senate race between the incumbent Norm Coleman and the Democratic challenger and former comedian Al Franken. News coverage has ridiculed the campaign's hypocrisy and hyperbole. Commentators have lampooned inconsistencies and missing … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Playing it Straight
Obama Cabinet Drama
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Obama Cabinet Drama
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Did the Wall Street Meltdown Change the Election?
Alan Abramowitz on Did the Wall Street Meltdown Change the Election? A Reply to James Campbell According to James Campbell, the mid-September financial crisis hit the 2008 presidential election like a bolt out of the blue, transforming it from a horserace in which John McCain had a real chance of victory into a one-sided contest in which Barack Obama enjoyed a decisive … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Did the Wall Street Meltdown Change the Election?
The Digital Switchover and The End of TV’s Mainframe Era
Earlier, Patrick posted the news about the House voting to postpone the planned transition from analog to digital television broadcasting from Feb. 17 to June 12. The news sent me back searching for Doc Searls' fascinating rumination in Linux Journal on what happens after TV's mainframe era ends. He means the digital switchover. And he sees trouble ahead: For many … [Read more...] about The Digital Switchover and The End of TV’s Mainframe Era
The ‘Bushification’ of Barack Obama: La Capital of Argentina
When it comes right down to it, is there anything Barack Obama can do to win over arch-rivals like Hugo Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? According to this editorial from Argentina's La Capital, the answer is probably no. The La Capital editorial says in part: "The fact that the head of the U.S. empire is viewed internationally with such sympathy and admiration is for many, … [Read more...] about The ‘Bushification’ of Barack Obama: La Capital of Argentina
A Student-Loan Refund That Comes With a Fee
I get so angry hearing that Social Security and/or the rising national debt is something we are inflicting on future generations. If we're so worried about the future debt of our children why have we no qualms about subsidizing banks to give student loans to our kids? I'd rather direct from government loans. But this one takes the cake: About 6,300 students at the City … [Read more...] about A Student-Loan Refund That Comes With a Fee
Newsweek’s Hirsch: Obama Lost Control Of Agenda
Suddenly, with less than three weeks in office, to listen and watch the new and old media, President Barack Obama is on many fronts on the defensive -- reacting to some crises of his administration's own making and no longer leading by setting the agenda but reacting to it. True or not? Unless he turns it around, it's true as we noted in this post today. And now … [Read more...] about Newsweek’s Hirsch: Obama Lost Control Of Agenda
The Five Day Rule. “Well, really it was more of a guideline.”
Does anyone else remember Barack Obama's "Five Day Rule" which purported to shine more sunlight on the legislative process and give voters time to read and comment on bills? For a refresher course, the information is still available at his web site. Sunlight Before Signing: Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity … [Read more...] about The Five Day Rule. “Well, really it was more of a guideline.”
Bloom Is Off The Rose
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 Bloom Is Off The Rose
Not So Fast On DTV Switchover (Bumped and Updates)
UPDATE: After an earlier delay the House has voted to approve the delay until June 12th. However broadcasters will still be able to cut things off after February 17th, they simply moved the deadline to June. As a practical matter I doubt any station will cut off analog signals early because they would potentially lose viewers. It looks like the big change to digital … [Read more...] about Not So Fast On DTV Switchover (Bumped and Updates)
Wells Fargo’s Happy Face Turns Grim
Wells Fargo Bank has a prestigious reputation as the best managed financial institution in America and yet its chief executives still don't get it. The bank Tuesday cancelled a celebration bash in Las Vegas to honor and award its mortgage brokers after a backlash of the news ripped through the business media and halls of Congress. Wells Fargo was one of eight major banks … [Read more...] about Wells Fargo’s Happy Face Turns Grim
On Maureen Dowd’s Appallingly Bad Takedown of Obama
I used to read Maureen Dowd. Once upon a time. Way back when. I can admit that, can't I? She was funny, sometimes, and her intertwining of pop culture and pop politics amused me. There was never any depth to her, but it didn't matter. Reading her Times columns, pithy drivel and all, was a fine way to pass the time -- when I had some time, didn't feel like having to think all … [Read more...] about On Maureen Dowd’s Appallingly Bad Takedown of Obama
Progress On Stimulus Bill?
The sound bites are multiplying. Your radio melts if you (dare) listen to talk radio, on the left and right. News outlets are running stories saying President Barack Obama's stimulus package might not have enough votes in the Senate. Polls show support for the measure is lagging and in one poll less than those who support it. Yet, could it be possible that politics is now … [Read more...] about Progress On Stimulus Bill?
The F-22 Raptor, It’s Almost Time To Punt
A couple of weeks ago, in "The F-22 Raptor, Obama’s First Major Weapon Systems Decision," I wrote that one of the first major weapon systems-related decisions the Obama administration will have to make is whether to purchase additional Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptors, after the last one of a 183 aircraft order has been delivered. Well, the date for that decision is rapidly … [Read more...] about The F-22 Raptor, It’s Almost Time To Punt