TIME Magazine this week reported on the somber decisions facing the new President when it comes to Afghanistan. President Obama has already ordered two more U.S. Combat brigades into Afghanistan, and may have to send more of our troops. As he announced the troop movements, Obama said: "There is no more solemn duty as President than the decision to deploy our armed … [Read more...] about A Note Personally Penned, Then Signed “Barack.” Priceless
Egos in Hillaryland
Yes, I know, it's almost as shocking as gambling at Rick's. Here a plum from the article at TNR: The hard-charging [special envoy Richard] Holbrooke remains the biggest question mark. Asked how Holbrooke managed to bargain the bullying Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic into a Balkan peace deal, Bill Clinton once replied: "Because he has the same character as Milosevic." … [Read more...] about Egos in Hillaryland
High-Tech Killed Finance – and Media May Be Next: Financial Times Deutschland
In analyzing the economic turmoil roiling the world, have we missed something essential about the causes? According to Thomas Klau of the Financial Times Deutschland, we not only missed the dangers of how IT was transforming the financial sector, we are now standing by as IT has an equally unpredictable and potentially devastating impact on the media - and on how information is … [Read more...] about High-Tech Killed Finance – and Media May Be Next: Financial Times Deutschland
Leithart on China: He Probably Speaks for Many
Peter J. Leithart is a Biblical scholar widely respected and read by people from all camps of the Church, conservative, liberal, and moderate. Few of his blog posts deal with political issues, like this one, where he shows no restraint. There's an argument to be made that his negative reaction Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statements in China isn't really a … [Read more...] about Leithart on China: He Probably Speaks for Many
Congressional Republicans Say Democrats Are Treating Them Poorly
And they're shocked because they'd never treat Democrats that way... … [Read more...] about Congressional Republicans Say Democrats Are Treating Them Poorly
Poll: Obama Rating High But Quickly Losing Republican Support
President George W. Bush wound up being a President of the Republican party base and -- some felt -- of the base and for the base. According to a new CNN poll, President Barack Obama is evolving into a President of more than just the Democratic party's base, but with increasingly little GOP support -- bolstered by a majority coalition which includes a relatively unified … [Read more...] about Poll: Obama Rating High But Quickly Losing Republican Support
Cyberterrorism: The Largely Ignored Looming Terrorist Threat?
Is a new offensive weapon slipping under the new and old media -- and politicians' -- radar? The potential weapon: cyber-attacks. Top centrist writer John Avlon, writing on his blog in The Daily Beast: Kyrgyzstan. The name of the landlocked central Asian republic doesn't roll off the tongue. But it might have just provided the first evidence of cyberattacks' success in … [Read more...] about Cyberterrorism: The Largely Ignored Looming Terrorist Threat?
Can You Make Him Go Away, Mommy?
Oh, please, Mommy make him go away, please, Mommy....Or is this a Saturday Night Live sketch? … [Read more...] about Can You Make Him Go Away, Mommy?
Twitter Pulitzer
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Twitter Pulitzer
Oscar Memories: Ernest Borgnine
With tonight being the annual gala of the Oscars, we're unlikely to see many surprises. Rather than focusing on the current list of offerings, I thought we might take a moment and look back at one of the classic winners, Ernest Borgnine. He won the Best Actor award in 1956 for his title role in Marty. That year, he was up against some incredible competition, including Frank … [Read more...] about Oscar Memories: Ernest Borgnine
Channeling Abraham Lincoln, George Bush & Their Civil Liberty Power Grabs
By SHAUN MULLEN GUEST VOICE No action taken during the Age of Bush may have provoked more outrage than the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in holding alleged terrorists indefinitely and prosecuting them before military tribunals. But there is an historic precedent dating back to Abraham Lincoln, of all presidents, and the infringements of the Great Emancipator on … [Read more...] about Channeling Abraham Lincoln, George Bush & Their Civil Liberty Power Grabs
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Not Your Father’s Democratic Congress
Rhodes Cook: NOT YOUR FATHER'S DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS The last two Democratic presidents have a lot in common. Like Bill Clinton before him, Barack Obama is a gifted 40-something politician, a strong orator with a high likeability quotient, and a successful candidate who captured the White House by running on a platform offering big change. And like Clinton, Obama begins his … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Not Your Father’s Democratic Congress
A Man Tonight and His Gran Torino
A Man Tonight and His Gran Torino A man parked under the five-story high cottonwoods today; these old guardian trees line the road here... underground water, that's why. The man's blue Gran Torino, rear-ended, obviously beloved, just sat there and ticked while the man ran down the road to a party somewhere; I know because the road was lined with cars today as … [Read more...] about A Man Tonight and His Gran Torino
Ted Kennedy’s Last Hurrah
He turns 77 tomorrow in a life much longer than those of his brothers Joe, Jack and Bobby, who died young and violently before he had reached the age of 40. In four decades since then, Ted Kennedy has lived in the shadow of legends yet survived to make his own place in history, the last son of a generation "wired to be optimistic," as he tells a reporter today. “That’s … [Read more...] about Ted Kennedy’s Last Hurrah
Sabato’s Crystal Ball — SENATE 2010: A Three-Peat for Democrats or Comeback for the GOP?
Part Two of Three of Larry J. Sabato on SENATE 2010: A Three-Peat for Democrats or Comeback for the GOP? Last week in the Crystal Ball, we looked at the historical background of off-year Senate elections and laid the groundwork for the earliest possible projection of the 36 contests on the ballot in 2010. This week we call the Senate roll among sitting Democrats to see who … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball — SENATE 2010: A Three-Peat for Democrats or Comeback for the GOP?
Thanks For the Memories, Diosa Rubia
Conchita Cintrón. That name evokes fond memories of and nostalgia for my years as a young boy in my native Ecuador, just as another name does: Evita Perón. However, there is one notable difference. I have continued to frequently come across the name of that famous personality, the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until 1952, the charismatic, idolized, all but … [Read more...] about Thanks For the Memories, Diosa Rubia
Tax Bonus Offset By Rising Fuel Costs
Let's put President Barack Obama's Saturday weekly radio and Internet address in perspective. "Never before in our history has a tax cut taken effect faster or gone to so many hardworking Americans," Obama said. He was referring to passage of one phase of the $787 billion economic stimulus package in which 95% working Americans will take home about an additional $65 per … [Read more...] about Tax Bonus Offset By Rising Fuel Costs
Vista Has Been A Problem Throughout History
Last month TMV launched a "bailout" (fundraiser) to try and raise $900 to cover some needed tech work and contribute to less than half the cost of a laptop, since much of what I write on this site is done via laptop while I travel and my five-year-old Dell was dying. The fundraiser has only raised a small part of what was needed (so it'll resume Monday and be extended for a few … [Read more...] about Vista Has Been A Problem Throughout History
Republican
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Republican
Are Obama’s Speeches Getting Ahead Of His Accomplishments?
The Swamp's Mark Silva raises a valid point for anyone who has insisted on the need for government to have less spin, particularly in light of the experience of the Bush administration: are President Barack Obama's comments now starting to get a bit a head of his actual accomplishments after just one month in office? Isn't it time that the "say it often enough and people … [Read more...] about Are Obama’s Speeches Getting Ahead Of His Accomplishments?