Just how real is the current economic crisis? With all the talk about 'restoring confidence', what is implied is this: Our current difficulties may be due more to psychology than actual economic conditions. Taking on this question for Germany's Financial Times Deutschland is Nicholas Adjourim, managing director of Adjouri Brand Consultants - a European leader in branding and … [Read more...] about Crisis in the Markets: More Imagined than Real? – Financial Times Deutschland
Obama Speech Liveblog
I'll be doing it here. … [Read more...] about Obama Speech Liveblog
Obama Crunching Numbers
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 Crunching Numbers
Live-Blog: President Obama’s Address to Congress
If you like live, you will love tonight's live-blog of the Presidential Address to Congress. Please go to this post at my blog, Writes Like She Talks, to participate. Everyone is welcome and there are already dozens of people in the room, several of whom have been conversing for 30-40 minutes already. … [Read more...] about Live-Blog: President Obama’s Address to Congress
Hilda Solis Confirmed as Secretary of Labor
Strange long path but now confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Congratulations. It was not unanimous but 80-17. Here's more from NPR. … [Read more...] about Hilda Solis Confirmed as Secretary of Labor
Timothy Geithner Ain’t Willie Mays, Is He?
Has it occurred to anyone that when Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner speaks or aims a sledgehammer at the banking system, the stock market plunges? When Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke issues a statement or addresses Congress, as he did Tuesday, the Dow rises by 231 points? And, Bernanke's remarks to the Senate Banking Committee were not all that upbeat. Are we as sideline … [Read more...] about Timothy Geithner Ain’t Willie Mays, Is He?
We Are All “Schlubs” In This Financial Mess
As a lifelong political rebel, I appreciate a hard stance against the "powers that be". So when I first heard about the 92 Percent Group, my initial reaction was "heck yeah!". From the 92 Percent Group's welcome page: The 92 Percent Group is committed to the preservation of free-market economics in the United States, specifically in relation to the Obama Administration's … [Read more...] about We Are All “Schlubs” In This Financial Mess
Steele Trapped
This just in from the "If it is broke, get rid of the rest of them" file. RNC Chair Michael Steele is contemplating shutting off RNC funds from the three moderate Republican Senators that supported the stimulus package. Michael, I know you have got to walk a fine line between your moderate tendencies (see the 2006 MD Senate race) and your need to project a hard line for the … [Read more...] about Steele Trapped
Dramatic Israeli Infiltration of Hezbollah
The Israelis had GPS units placed in almost all of Hezbollah's vehicles by a high-ranking Hezbollah official. Correspondent Mitchell Prothero tells the story in The National (UAE). Now, if I just read that story in a random Persian Gulf paper, I would assume it's fiction. But Andrew Exum vouches for Prothero, and interviewed him about the story. [Correction:] Prothero is … [Read more...] about Dramatic Israeli Infiltration of Hezbollah
Why Russ Feingold’s Proposal to Amend the 17th Amendment is a Good Idea (and Why George Will is Completely Wrong)
I understand that George Will is, despite his global warming lies and distortions, one of the smarter conservatives out there -- I'll leave that up to you to decide just how much of a compliment that is (remember: it's all relative). I understand also that Will was against the McCain-Feingold restrictions on political finance and that he remains opposed to any such restrictions … [Read more...] about Why Russ Feingold’s Proposal to Amend the 17th Amendment is a Good Idea (and Why George Will is Completely Wrong)
Jindal-Palin, the Obama-Hillary of 2012?
Tonight's spotlight on Bobby Jindal to rebut Obama's speech to Congress shows Republican reverting to the finest traditions of show business, type casting, in the wake of last year's election disaster. Just as Marilyn Monroe begot Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren and one TV reality show spawned dozens more, the GOP now has an African-American chairman and is pushing … [Read more...] about Jindal-Palin, the Obama-Hillary of 2012?
Interview with Fred Willard
Even if his name doesn't immediately ring a bell with casual viewers, one look at the picture of Fred Willard will likely trigger your memory. The prolific actor's resume includes nearly two hundred film and television appearances, with nearly as many credits on talk shows and other fora showing up as himself. Today, at 4 PM eastern, on Movie Addict Headquarters, author and … [Read more...] about Interview with Fred Willard
Polls: Obama Clout Strong As Bipartisanship Wanes Amid Low GOP Numbers
As President Barack Obama prepares to deliver a major speech on the budget and vows to pursue bipartisanship to reduce an ever-exploding deficit, two polls bring him and Democrats encouraging news -- and suggest more than ever that the Republican party could be digging itself into a deeper political hole as it continues to try and shore up its conservative base and eschews a … [Read more...] about Polls: Obama Clout Strong As Bipartisanship Wanes Amid Low GOP Numbers
NY 20th: Scott Murphy’s Anti-Military Past?
As the days tick on toward the special congressional election in New York's 20th district, opposition research on both sides continues to unearth background material on the candidates. This week the Albany Times Union finds some material published by Democrat Scott Murphy during his days as a Senior Editor at the Harvard Perspective. The editorial in question, signed by Murphy … [Read more...] about NY 20th: Scott Murphy’s Anti-Military Past?
From Gitmo to Suicide Bomber
Kuwaiti citizen Abdallah Saleh al-Ajmi was released from Guantanamo in the fall of 2005. After his acquittal by a Kuwaiti judge, al-Ajmi began associating again with radical Islamists. In early 2008, he travelled to Iraq, where he killed 13 Iraqi soldiers by driving a truck full of explosives into their compound. This is an important story and I'm glad it made the … [Read more...] about From Gitmo to Suicide Bomber
The Rise of Michael Ignatieff
If you're interested, my latest piece at The Guardian -- on celebrated public intellectual, former Harvard professor, and current Canadian Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff -- is here. In brief, I don't much care for him. (I supported former Ontario Premier Bob Rae for the leadership, but Rae pulled out of the race late last year.) Here's a taste: To me, though, he … [Read more...] about The Rise of Michael Ignatieff
The Racist New York Post Dead-Monkey Cartoon (Guest Voice)
That Racist New York Post Dead-Monkey Cartoon by Daryl Cagle All the pundits are talking about the recent cartoon by the New York Post's Sean Delonas, showing a chimp shot by two policemen who say, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill." The prevailing view among the bloggers and talking-heads is that the cartoon is a racist depiction of Obama … [Read more...] about The Racist New York Post Dead-Monkey Cartoon (Guest Voice)
It’s McCain Versus Obama
Again. But as the HP notes, if Obama wants he can tap this determination and use it for some of his goals. … [Read more...] about It’s McCain Versus Obama
The Old Bagging Lady
I used to live in a large apartment complex. I wasn't friendly with a lot of the other tenants but easily recognized most of them by sight. The other day I saw one them again. An old woman, almost certainly well past seventy, in the supermarket. She was bagging my groceries. The recognition gave me an uncomfortable feeling, but it was clear that it made her feel much, much … [Read more...] about The Old Bagging Lady
Bad Behavior Bailout
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Bad Behavior Bailout