Trees By Joyce Kilmer I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the sweet earth's flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who … [Read more...] about A Tiny Irony: A Lost Story about Trees and Human Beings
With ‘Billy Goat’ Bush Gone … Little Has Changed: Die Zeit
Has the long-awaited European disappointment with the Obama Administration already begun? Writing for the publisher of Germany's Die Zeit, Josef Joffe, relates how the appearance of Vice President Joe Biden at the Munich conference on Security was anything but encouraging. Joffe writes in part: "At the Munich Conference on Security, Joe Biden received the longest and … [Read more...] about With ‘Billy Goat’ Bush Gone … Little Has Changed: Die Zeit
The ‘Mystery’ of Obama’s Afghan Troop Buildup: Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alscace of France
Now that President Obama is safely in office, will the Europeans kick in the troops Washington says it needs in Afghanistan? A quick read of this editorial from France's Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace might lead one to wonder. Editorialist Jean-Claude Kiefer writes in part: "Why these reinforcements? Why the pressing appeal to Europeans to furnish new contingents, above … [Read more...] about The ‘Mystery’ of Obama’s Afghan Troop Buildup: Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alscace of France
General Motors Wants Deeper Federal Pockets (More Big Bucks)….
...to the tune of some $16.6 billion more in federal aid. And along with that would come some belt tightening -- or, perhaps more accurately, some corporate liposuction: General Motors Corp. (GM) on Tuesday said it will need as much as $16.6 billion in additional aid from the U.S. government and could run out of money as soon as next month if it doesn't receive at least … [Read more...] about General Motors Wants Deeper Federal Pockets (More Big Bucks)….
Obama Signs Stimulus Bill: A Second In The Offing?
President Barack Obama signed the landmark economic stimulus bill. But is the groundwork being laid for a second one? Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs wouldn't rule out a Stimulus The Sequel. Here are Obama's comments in Denver today. A realist? Or a politician starting to cover his bases (or something else of his)? We embed. You decide: Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, … [Read more...] about Obama Signs Stimulus Bill: A Second In The Offing?
Rating Presidents: Not a Parlor Game
Historian Rick Shenkman has a point. The rating of presidents--a recent survey among historians called Abraham Lincoln our greatest president--probably doesn't even rise to the level of a parlor game. Parlor games, he says, have rules. But both historians and the public tend to rate presidents by highly movable goal posts. I myself have been guilty of playing this game, … [Read more...] about Rating Presidents: Not a Parlor Game
Am I a Genius?
For not taking vitamins? This article could lead you to think so. But don't believe it! I don't take vitamin pills, basically because every time I've started, I've found myself incapable of maintaining the habit. So, as in other areas of my life, a bad character trait--in this case, my tendency to procrastinate in the adoption of something I've been told is good for … [Read more...] about Am I a Genius?
Medpedia: A Wikipedia For Medicine. But Better.
Medpedia, a free online medical encyclopedia, went live today. But unlike Wikipedia, which has on occasion fallen victim to some spectacular prankster mistakes, Medpedia has an all star line-up of partnerships including Harvard Medical School, Stanford School of Medicine, Berkeley School of Public Health, University of Michigan Medical School and other health … [Read more...] about Medpedia: A Wikipedia For Medicine. But Better.
Obama as Confidence Man
Signing the Recovery and Reinvestment Act today, the President will be asking Americans to take a leap of faith into a future that is darkening rapidly. Today's bad news is that California is going broke, Kansas is following suit and even Donald Trump's casino empire is filing for bankruptcy. Yet Barack Obama will try to reassure us that the biggest financial gamble in … [Read more...] about Obama as Confidence Man
OH-Sen 2010: SOS Brunner, Lt. Gov. Fisher Announce Candidacies
And I have it officially and had it but, unlike the MSM that could not restrain itself, I abided by the rules. Oh those rascally traditional journalists with all their fancy expensive filters. Ohio Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner - come on down as the first announced Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican George Voinovich. And Toto … [Read more...] about OH-Sen 2010: SOS Brunner, Lt. Gov. Fisher Announce Candidacies
Gallup Poll: Congress’ Job Approval Rating Increases 12%
Despite fierce partisan warfare in an era that many hoped would be post-partisan, a new Gallup poll shows that now that Congress has passed President Barack Obama's stimulus plan its job approval rating has shot up 12 percent -- as an increasing number of Democrats are happier, there are gains among independents, and GOPers still remain largely unhappy. The poll suggest that … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Congress’ Job Approval Rating Increases 12%
A Long Time Ago, in a Blogosphere Far, Far Away…
A long time ago, in a blogosphere far, far away, a young(er) Joe Gandelman sent me an e-mail. He told me about the new site he'd just started, which would try to get past all the mindless partisanship out there and focus on intelligent analysis from all sides of the spectrum. I told Joe it was a great idea, but wasn't sure it could really work. I'm extremely glad to say that … [Read more...] about A Long Time Ago, in a Blogosphere Far, Far Away…
Wall Street (The Poem)
Wall Street, a place of cons and schemes, And fortunes built on doctored dreams, And fees and spreads and in-bred cronies, I counted fifteen thousand phonies. The SEC patrols these parts, Whose tortured ways it maps and charts, With num'rous rules, it seeks to beat, White collar crimes that 'fest The Street. But really, guys, what kind of rules Could cleanse this … [Read more...] about Wall Street (The Poem)
Honor Our Returning Heroes: Follow-Up
A piece I wrote last week, "Mr. Obama: Please Honor Our Returning Heroes," generated a lot of discussion and some controversy. The piece was about the policy that has been in effect since 1991 and which, with a couple of exceptions, has effectively hidden from the American public the arrival of our fallen heroes at Dover Air Force Base, Del. This morning, in "Pentagon … [Read more...] about Honor Our Returning Heroes: Follow-Up
Up is Down
Who said this? I would not be for nationalizing [the banks] ... I don't think government is good at making these decisions. And what about this? I'm very much afraid any program to salvage the banks is going to require the government ... I would not take off [the table] the idea of nationalizing the banks." Would it surprise you, as it did me, that the first comment … [Read more...] about Up is Down
Green Food
Olle Johansson, Sweden This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Green Food
Dr. Google & the Perils Of Cyberchondria
Many among us who turn to the internet for our imagined or real ailments could become a "Cyberchondriac". This term describes a growing number of otherwise rational internet users who, when they present their symptoms to "Dr Google", latch on to the worst "diagnosis" thrown back at them, reports The Independent. "Cyberchondria has been around for almost a decade, but a … [Read more...] about Dr. Google & the Perils Of Cyberchondria
Passing On America’s Musical Heritage
Here at TMV we not only try to bring you a variety of viewpoints on the news, some original reporting from time to time, linkfests, reviews and political cartoon artistry. We also try to passing along vital parts of America's musical heritage. Here is one to contemplate: … [Read more...] about Passing On America’s Musical Heritage
Thoughts on the Stimulus from a Moderate Republican
Now that the Stimulus Package passed by Congress will be signed into law by President Obama tomorrow, I have a few thoughts I wanted to share from my perspective as a Republican and not just a run-of-the-mill Republican, but a moderate Republican, or so-called "RINO." My initial thoughts aren't good. I understand and accept the need for a larger role for the government … [Read more...] about Thoughts on the Stimulus from a Moderate Republican
The California Urn
The State of California is approaching financial calamity as lawmakers there are unable to agree on a budget that closes a $41 billion deficit. California's absurd budgeting laws that make tax increases virtually impossible, and require dozens of referendum-approved budget mandates, have rendered the state powerless to move on. Governor Schwarzenegger announced plans to lay off … [Read more...] about The California Urn