It's certainly looking like they might, since their House of Representatives has now passed a bill which is obviously designed to do just that. The House voted 51-41 this afternoon to declare that a fertilized egg has all the rights of any person. That means a fetus could not be legally aborted without the procedure being considered murder. Our friend Ed Morrissey of … [Read more...] about North Dakota to Take a Run at Roe?
Time for a Global Stimulus Plan?
First, a disclaimer: I am not an economist. But I can sure complain about the economy. We are all too well aware that the U.S. is not the only country facing an economic crisis, an economic meltdown some say. It is truly a global crisis. But I was still very surprised to read this morning in the Dutch NRC Handelsblad: A perfect storm is bearing down on the Dutch … [Read more...] about Time for a Global Stimulus Plan?
Presidents: Ranking the Rank and the Righteous
After that C-SPAN poll of presidential historians came out I had my doubts about the entire process. Presidencies are not like hockey scores where you can stack them up on a point spread basis. But I give it some time to sink in and have now come up with a final verdict on the project which you can read in my latest column at Pajamas Media today. In this episode, we'll … [Read more...] about Presidents: Ranking the Rank and the Righteous
Roland Burris Must Resign
With investigations underway in Illinois, an ethics probe launched in the Senate, and more and more evidence that he's a lying, corrupt scoundrel, it is indeed time for Roland Burris to resign. The Washington Post From the moment that Mr. Burris was selected, he strove to portray himself as a blameless public servant. The sad pictures of Mr. Burris being cast out into the … [Read more...] about Roland Burris Must Resign
A Veterinarian Shortage Puts Nation at Risk?
This report from the Government Accountability Office says it does. Steve Kolowich: The country’s 28 veterinary colleges combine to graduate 2,500 new professionals each year, the report says, but that limited corps of veterinarians is failing to meet the nationwide demand for animal-health specialists, especially those who “care for animals raised for food, serve in rural … [Read more...] about A Veterinarian Shortage Puts Nation at Risk?
Home-Owning as a Ponzi Scheme
As the Obama Administration unveils its $75 billion plan today to prevent foreclosures, an urban theorist argues that a nation of renters would be better for America's future. In the Atlantic, Richard Florida takes on the sanctity of home ownership by calling decades of housing growth in the Sun Belt and elsewhere a Ponzi scheme: "To an uncommon degree, the economic boom … [Read more...] about Home-Owning as a Ponzi Scheme
The Murphy and Tedisco Campaigns Take to the Air
The special election race in New York's 20th Congressional District is heating up, with both campaigns releasing their first media ad buys in what is shaping up to be a well funded, hotly contested fight. The media spots come out just as more news breaks where the candidates are taking some serious swings at each other. Opponents of Republican State Assemblyman Jim Tedisco are … [Read more...] about The Murphy and Tedisco Campaigns Take to the Air
Obama’s Housing Plan: Will It (Or Any Feasible Plan) Work ?
As Joe has already reported, President Obama is in Mesa, Arizona today to announce a plan by the Treasury Department to deal with the housing crisis. Since I am a bankruptcy attorney in Northern California, this is an area with which I am quite familiar. Indeed I am somewhat surprised the President didn't come here since we are the epicenter of the foreclosure crisis. I … [Read more...] about Obama’s Housing Plan: Will It (Or Any Feasible Plan) Work ?
Obama Announces Plan To Combat Housing Foreclosures: Stocks Initially Fall
President Barack Obama announced his sweeping $75 billion foreclosure crisis plan but Wall Street's initial reaction seems to be the same as it was when he signed the landmark stimulus bill: stocks tumbled. Wall Street extended its decline Wednesday after President Barack Obama released details of his $75 billion mortgage relief plan. The plan is designed to help … [Read more...] about Obama Announces Plan To Combat Housing Foreclosures: Stocks Initially Fall
Microsoft Adopts the Walmart Model; & Should Copy Apple
Robert X. Cringely says Microsoft retail stores are a brilliant move: The big Microsoft news this week, at least from the press it has received, is Redmond’s decision to open a chain of stores. Nearly all the pundits think this is stupid, while I think it was merely inevitable, given the nature of current Microsoft management, which seems to be more and more from Bentonville, … [Read more...] about Microsoft Adopts the Walmart Model; & Should Copy Apple
The Day the Miracle Whip Died
Today we take a sad look back at the dark day in 2006 when Kraft Foods made the horrible decision to change the recipe for Miracle Whip. In one fell swoop they destroyed a classic American tradition and pushed civilization one step closer to the abyss. We've never fully recovered. They took the soy oil out of the product and replaced it with a larger volume of water. This … [Read more...] about The Day the Miracle Whip Died
Cheney Puts Out Message: He’s Upset Bush Didn’t Pardon Libby
Friendly advice to President George Bush: More than ever before, don't accept an invitation form former Vice President Dick Cheney to go hunting. Once upon a short time ago, Bush and Cheney were considered a mega-powerful White House duo like this. But since they left office, some pundits suggest they were more like this, this or even this. In recent weeks Cheney eschewed … [Read more...] about Cheney Puts Out Message: He’s Upset Bush Didn’t Pardon Libby
It’s Time To Listen To The Other Guy
In the just-ended acrimonious debate over a stimulus package, one critical point was largely ignored by all parties—and the media as well. Both sides of this debate were expressing priorities that have to be appropriately addressed if we are to emerge whole from the present financial crisis. The Republican opposition to the stimulus measure was totally wrong in the sense … [Read more...] about It’s Time To Listen To The Other Guy
A French On-the-Ground View of the American Soldier
Whether we agree or not with the former president’s invasion of Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein, and whether we agree or not with our present president’s plans to send additional troops to Afghanistan to continue to fight the 9/11 perpetrators, I know that all Americans are proud of our fighting troops. Recently I received from a good friend an essay, translated from French, … [Read more...] about A French On-the-Ground View of the American Soldier
Michelle Bachmann and the Minnesota Puzzle
What do the following people have in common? - Jesse Ventura - Al Franken - Michelle Bachmann The answer is, they are all examples of curious selections by the voters of Minnesota. (Though to be accurate, the jury is literally still out on Franken, but even if he doesn't wind up being seated he certainly came close enough to join the club.) Representative Bachmann may … [Read more...] about Michelle Bachmann and the Minnesota Puzzle
Nationalizing Banks: Up Remains Down as Greenspan Chimes In
I noted yesterday my evolving fascination with the increasingly counter-intuitive nature of the debate over nationalizing U.S. banks -- in particular, the openness to this option expressed by a prominent Senate Republican and the outright endorsement of it by two free-market economists. And now we learn that former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan has added fuel to the … [Read more...] about Nationalizing Banks: Up Remains Down as Greenspan Chimes In
Recovery.gov Launched
Recovery.gov, the site the Obama administration promised would track the newly signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expenditures, went live just after the bill was signed into law. Ars Technica: Thus far, of course, there's not much to watch...since funds have yet to be assigned to specific projects. A chart on the front page breaks down the broad spending … [Read more...] about Recovery.gov Launched
Tax Zombies Of The Planet No! (Guest Voice)
In case you haven't heard, Congressional Republicans think tax cuts would be far better to dig the United States out of its financial mess than a stimulus package that spends big bucks. In this Guest Voice post, humorist Will Durst gives you his take on it. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Tax-Cut Zombies from the Planet … [Read more...] about Tax Zombies Of The Planet No! (Guest Voice)
California Budget Crisis
RJ Matson, The New York Observer This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about California Budget Crisis
Kim Jong-il: ‘Greatest Leader of the Present Era’ – Korean Central News, North Korea
Do we in the outside world have it wrong about Kim Jong-il? While most of the planet regards him as a ruthless totalitarian who rules the equivalent of a nation-sized concentration camp, North Korea's fanatically controlled state press tells a different story. On the occasion of the his 67th birthday, the Korean Central News Agency published this article lauding the historic … [Read more...] about Kim Jong-il: ‘Greatest Leader of the Present Era’ – Korean Central News, North Korea