Some initial details were released about the parameters that the government is using to run its stress tests on all the major banks. There is a possibility that the results of this exercise will lead to the largest governmental restructuring of the U.S. financial system since the 1930s, but the whole thing could also just be hot air. If I had to venture a guess, I'd assume that … [Read more...] about How Realistic Is The Bank Stress Test?
Obama’s Body Language
By my count, Barack Obama kissed at least two dozen women on his way in and out of the House last night, but the affectionate post-speech highlight was a quick back rub from Sen. Barbara Boxer, who had been seen having an ecstatic reaction during the President's words on health care reform. There were hugs, too, many of them for men, including his polar political opposite, … [Read more...] about Obama’s Body Language
The Buck Stops…Over There
A few years ago, I went to a local car dealer to purchase a car. It was a slightly used Volkswagen Jetta diesel. I loved the car. I ended up purchasing the car on a six-year loan. (Yes, I said six years.) At the time I was working in a call center and part time in a church. I knew in my mind the church job was shaky, but I didn't think about it. A month later, I lost … [Read more...] about The Buck Stops…Over There
Guess Who Still Thinks Bobby Jindal Is Just Great?
Can you guess? And -- let me get it straight -- Republican party leaders are taking advice from this guy? UPDATE: Not all conservatives entirely agree with Rush. … [Read more...] about Guess Who Still Thinks Bobby Jindal Is Just Great?
Slumdog Trillionaire
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Slumdog Trillionaire
Rush Limbaugh Calls A Women’s Summit To Research His Gender Gap
First, here’s the information from Public Policy Polling. In addition to the gender gap discussed below, the poll indicates that few people think Rush Limbaugh should have much influence: Even if voters are pretty split on whether they like Limbaugh or not, there’s more of a consensus on how much sway they think he should hold in American politics, which is not much. Only 23% … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh Calls A Women’s Summit To Research His Gender Gap
NY20: Murphy Deftly Avoids Comment on ROTC
Another update from our previous story on NY 20th CD Democratic Candidate Scott Murphy's early writings on the appropriateness of having R.O.T.C. on college campus grounds. It seems that, during one of his campaign stops at a local V.F.W. the question was put to Mr. Murphy three times. His reaction is caught for you on film, thanks to the wonder of YouTube. It seems … [Read more...] about NY20: Murphy Deftly Avoids Comment on ROTC
Quote of The Day: Speech Showed New Obama Democratic Era?
The political Quote of the Day comes from the U.K's The Spectator's Alex Massie who saw last night as a major shift for America towards a new Democratic Obama era that may be akin to the Ronald Reagan Republican era: And so it begins. The contrast between Barack Obama last night and George W Bush was striking. Not merely in terms of the content of their speeches, but in … [Read more...] about Quote of The Day: Speech Showed New Obama Democratic Era?
NY20 Tedisco: If I Answer Your Questions, You’ll Just Ask More
HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. - Wanted: A campaign manager for Jim Tedisco (R-NY) who can stop him from talking to the press. On the surface, I agree with this New York Times piece in that the upcoming special election in New York's 20th Congressional District should have been a slam-dunk for Jim Tedisco. His Democratic opponent, Scott Murphy, has spent the last two weeks fighting off … [Read more...] about NY20 Tedisco: If I Answer Your Questions, You’ll Just Ask More
Bobby Jindal’s Problem: He Looks Like Saturday Night Live Caricature
Can Democrats, Republicans and independents put aside political biases and just bluntly say it after they've taken their hands away from their eyes? Lousiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's speech in replying to President Barack Obama's speech to Congres wasn't "da bomb" but "a bomb." To paraphrase the late Jackie Gleason, his response made the atomic bomb look like a … [Read more...] about Bobby Jindal’s Problem: He Looks Like Saturday Night Live Caricature
Polling Obama’s Speech
So far, the reactions to Obama's speech last night have been very, very positive. Unlike the post-debate snap polls, where pundits saw a weak performance but the public rated Obama highly, everyone seems to agree that Obama was at the top of his game. Some numbers: 63% approved of President Obama's plans for dealing with the economic crisis before the speech; 80% … [Read more...] about Polling Obama’s Speech
The Importance of Feb. 28, 2009
This Saturday has been globally designated “Rare Disease Day.” The purpose: "to call attention to the public health issues associated with rare diseases, which affect nearly 30 million Americans and countless others around the world." My son is one of those 30 million Americans, as is the youngest daughter of a friend and former colleague. You might be surprised to … [Read more...] about The Importance of Feb. 28, 2009
Video of President Barack Obama’s First Budget Speech To Congress
If you missed President Barack Obama's first speech to Congress last night here it is. We've gotten emails from readers who asked for the embed of the speech so they can make their own decisions about what he said, didn't say instead of reading or hearing new and mainstream media pundits give their views through their own ideological filters. So in answer to your requests here … [Read more...] about Video of President Barack Obama’s First Budget Speech To Congress
Bobby Jindal’s Bad Hands
In his autobiography, George Burns mentioned that the reason he always carried a cigar when doing his comedy routines or speaking in public was that he had "bad hands." He didn't know what to do with them while talking and he knew that it was distracting to the audience, so he clutched that stogy just so he'd have something to do with his hands. Last night Louisiana Governor … [Read more...] about Bobby Jindal’s Bad Hands
Barack Obama, If I Were President, I’d Be Sure to Change These Things re: Education
For most of my life, I have thought teachers hung the moon. I've not changed my mind. I've been an artist in residence in the state of Colorado since 1985, and also visiting scholar and diversity scholar at various universities, and I've seen radiant profs and teaching assistants. I've also seen 'the dark side,' the very dark. Tonight, President Obama spoke about education, … [Read more...] about Barack Obama, If I Were President, I’d Be Sure to Change These Things re: Education
The Speech: “Yes We Will”
In Barack Obama style, optimism is not cheerleading but understanding the situation, finding the best answers and getting to work on them without delay. Tonight, we saw that approach, expressed with more assertion than we have seen before from the President in charge of saving the American economy. “While our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken, though we are … [Read more...] about The Speech: “Yes We Will”
The Republican Twitter Response To Obama’s Speech
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The Republican Twitter Response To Obama’s Speech
Abortion? Who Will Speak for Indigenous People Murdered by Guatemalan Government?
In the second article below this one, "Will Obama Release ‘Avalanche of Dollars’ to ‘Kill Our Babies?" Siglo Vientiuno of Guatemala blasts the US and its government, and holds up Guatemala as an exemplar of high morals for ..."Among the good things we have in Guatemala is a constitutional mandate to defend life from the moment of conception." He goes on to say how "human … [Read more...] about Abortion? Who Will Speak for Indigenous People Murdered by Guatemalan Government?
Did Obama’s Budget Speech Define Him As Left Of Center? (UPDATED)
The verdicts are now trickling in on what was essentially all but a State of the Union address by President Barack Obama -- officially, a speech on his upcoming budget. And here's one of the first from MSNBC's Chris Matthews. Matthews contends that Obama gave a meaty speech in which he laid out some clear positions and defined himself as "left of center." Watch: Visit … [Read more...] about Did Obama’s Budget Speech Define Him As Left Of Center? (UPDATED)
Will Obama Release ‘Avalanche of Dollars’ to ‘Kill Our Babies?’: Siglo Vientiuno, Guatemala
President Obama's decision to lift the federal ban on funding for groups that allow for a woman's right to choose to have an abortion has created a bit of an uproar in largely Catholic Latin America. In this harshly worded op-ed from Guatemala's Siglo Vientiuno, José Joaquín Camacho writes in part: "It is obvious that ensuring the right to life, and in a manner equal to … [Read more...] about Will Obama Release ‘Avalanche of Dollars’ to ‘Kill Our Babies?’: Siglo Vientiuno, Guatemala