Forget the economy, that will eventually improve on its own. However things like this really terrify me. … [Read more...] about The First Sign Of The Apocalypse
America Secretly Popular in Asia
There's a front-page story in today's WaPo about Hillary Clinton's listening tour in Asia. Not often reported, but included toward the end of this story, is a bit of data well-known to Asia watchers: The Chicago Council on Global Affairs conducted a survey last year in the four countries Clinton is visiting this week -- China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia -- and found … [Read more...] about America Secretly Popular in Asia
Sooner or Later: A Day of Reckoning
I can't add much to this from Andrew Sullivan. It is, precisely, how my under-educated mind views the current economic maelstrom and all the "solutions" offered for it. … [Read more...] about Sooner or Later: A Day of Reckoning
A World That Won’t Be Coming Back
For generations of Americans today, retirement will never be the same as that of their parents and grandparents. The President's costly, complicated and inescapably necessary plan to save millions of homes recalls a discussion only a few years ago among recently retired professional people. Most were financing their later years not so much by savings from substantial … [Read more...] about A World That Won’t Be Coming Back
Defining Victory Downward in Afghanistan? Not Yet
Newsweek called Afghanistan Obama's Vietnam. Conservatives made the argument for victory. Barack Obama made a significant decision and chose to send an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan. I won't call it a hard decision, but it was certainly the right one, so the President deserves credit for that. Still, the President cautioned the dispatch of additional troops … [Read more...] about Defining Victory Downward in Afghanistan? Not Yet
Why Republicans Don’t Get the Internet
Meghan McCain, daughter of John and blog chronicler of his campaign at McCain Blogette.com, had a post on the Daily Beast yesterday promising to explain it to us. Of the site featuring the video above, RebuildTheParty.com, she says: The website is about as provocative as a blue suit, white shirt, and red tie. At the time that I write this, the video on the homepage features … [Read more...] about Why Republicans Don’t Get the Internet
The Maldonado Effect
Call it "hostage taking" or "blackmail" or whatever you like, but California State Senator Abel Maldonado (great first name, by the way) has given us all much to think and talk and write about: Perhaps most controversial of Maldonado's terms ... was that the Legislature sponsor a ballot measure calling for open primaries. Such a proposition would mean the top two … [Read more...] about The Maldonado Effect
Former President Bill Clinton’s Advice For Barack Obama
Former President Bill Clinton has some advice for President Barack Obama: only, unlike during the campaign, this time it isn't basically "Go Cheney yourself." This time, Clinton, in comments carried widely on the Internet and on news wires, is urging Obama to tone down the doom and gloom and talk more hopeful. Clinton has a point -- but would that really be fitting for … [Read more...] about Former President Bill Clinton’s Advice For Barack Obama
Bibi Netanyahu Anointed; Now What – For Settlements, Iran?
From JTA: Israeli President Shimon Peres invited Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government. After hearing from Peres Friday, Netanyahu, who leads the Likud Party, immediately invited Tzipi Livni, the leader of the Kadima Party, and Ehud Barak, the leader of the Labor Party, to form a national unity government. Such a government would help Netanyahu hew to a centrist … [Read more...] about Bibi Netanyahu Anointed; Now What – For Settlements, Iran?
Around The Sphere
Our famous linkfest providing you links to interesting posts and stories of varying viewpoints. Links do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. An Obama Newspaper Story Update Or An Obama Image Protection? You decide... Obama The Ideologue? The Washington Post's Kathleen Parker was one of the group of columnists who had a chat with him on Air Force One … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere
The Crisis of Credit Visualized
Can you explain the existing economic crisis' pivotal crisis of credit simply so anyone can grasp the crisis? The answer is YES and California graduate student Jonathan Jarvis shows us how below: The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo. To see more of Jarvis' thesis work on how to use the media to explain complex issues GO HERE. Corporations, … [Read more...] about The Crisis of Credit Visualized
Burris Tangled Web
Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Burris Tangled Web
My Rant
Since Rick Santelli and Virg Bernero have had their chance to rant - one from the right and one from the left - now it's my turn to rant. I'm angry. Our whole economy is and has been little short of an elaborate Ponzi scheme since the 1980s. We have generated very little "real wealth" in over 20 years, most of it based on increasingly deceptive financial instruments designed … [Read more...] about My Rant
A Choice, Not an Echo
It's not a big shock to anyone that the GOP is in the middle of an identity crisis. After straying from its fiscally conservative roots and losing two national elections in a row, there is a lot of talk about how the GOP should go forward. Some suggest "going back to our roots" which means a method that will please the so-called base. The other is to be willing to be more … [Read more...] about A Choice, Not an Echo
Canadian Cartoonists Look At Obama Trip To Canada
President Barack Obama has been in Canada to meet Canadian Prime Minister Harper. Here's some info on one of the more interesting exchanges. Also read THIS and THIS. Meanwhile, Canadian cartoonists are having lots fun. Here are three cartoons: Obama in Canada Aislin, The Montreal Gazette … [Read more...] about Canadian Cartoonists Look At Obama Trip To Canada
The Politicalization of Bipartisanship — Or, How I Snowed My Constituents
Republicans have redefined bipartisanship. At least it is different from the definition I learned as a political science major in college. As I recall it was politicians from opposing parties reaching a compromise to solve a hot issue. The classic example: Henry Clay. Agreeing with him or not on the slavery issue, historians once dubbed Clay "the great compromiser" and … [Read more...] about The Politicalization of Bipartisanship — Or, How I Snowed My Constituents
British Reality TV Personality to Die on Camera
Stranger than fiction: Ms. [Jade] Goody, who has two young sons, learned she had cervical cancer last August, on camera, as she appeared in the Indian version of “Big Brother.” The cancer has since spread to her liver, bowel and groin; on Friday, her doctors told her there was nothing more they could do. And then she told the British public. “I’ve lived my whole adult life … [Read more...] about British Reality TV Personality to Die on Camera
Obama’s War on Terror
Not so different from Bush's? Analysis from the NYT and John McCormack. Cross-posted at Conventional Folly … [Read more...] about Obama’s War on Terror
Bailouts, Class And Social Acrimony
This is making its way around the Internets today. A couple of comments. First, I can't exactly disagree with anything he says. Well I mean I disagree with the gross generalizations as most people facing foreclosure don't exactly live in mansions, but his overall indictment of establishment logic is something I can get behind. That said, I find the video completely … [Read more...] about Bailouts, Class And Social Acrimony
Holder Speaks Out Against American Cowardice on Race
Attorney General Eric Holder, yesterday: Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial, we have always been, and we, I believe, continue to be, in too many ways, a nation of cowards. In predictable fashion, the right-wing likes of Michelle Malkin are turning this around and spewing their venom at Obama, among others, while … [Read more...] about Holder Speaks Out Against American Cowardice on Race