A short note on Steve Benen's righteous indignation over at The Washington Monthly: TIME TO REFORM THE FILIBUSTER.... One of the striking aspects of the political process on the Hill is how quickly everyone has adapted to a once-rare tactic becoming routine. Senate filibusters used to be exceedingly rare -- a dramatic challenge only to be used under extraordinary … [Read more...] about End the Filibuster? Careful What You Wish For!
Tedisco’s Car Trouble?
While the Republicans are busy pointing out questions over whether or not Scott Murphy paid his taxes, Democrats are countering by looking into what NY 20th Congressional District candidate Jim Tedisco did with some of the taxpayer dollars he received. At the center of the questions is a matter of more than $20,000 the Assemblyman received for gas and oil change expenses for … [Read more...] about Tedisco’s Car Trouble?
Around The Sphere
Our linkfest taking you to sites of varying viewpoints. Links do not necessarily reflect the views of TMV or its writers. So What Did The Israeli Elections Mean? Here's one take on it. What Should Barack Obama Conclude From Judd Gregg's Pullout As Commerce Secretary Nom? Dick Polman offers these thoughts.. Contrasting Obama With Reagan: A conservative's … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere
Will Democrats’ Tax Troubles Dog Scott Murphy?
Well, that certainly didn't take long. NY 20th congressional Democratic candidate Scott Murphy probably hasn't had time to stock up pens and paper clips in his new campaign office yet and his opponents are raising questions about his history of paying taxes. Apparently, one of Murphy's early business start-ups ran afoul of the IRS around the time he was selling it off. In … [Read more...] about Will Democrats’ Tax Troubles Dog Scott Murphy?
Mr. Obama: Please Honor Our Returning Heroes
Volumes have been written about past administrations' decisions not to let the American people see images of the flag-draped coffins, our fallen heroes, arriving at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware---the first contact with U.S. soil since leaving foreign battlefields, including the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. I will neither condemn nor condone the reported reasons … [Read more...] about Mr. Obama: Please Honor Our Returning Heroes
Will Tedisco and Murphy Debate Gun Control?
Now that various New York Democratic Party chairs have selected Scott Murphy to run against Jim Tedisco in the March 31 special congressional election, the new candidate wasted no time in lining up some endorsements. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand,(D - NY) who previously held the seat, and Congressman Paul Tonko (D - Amsterdam) showed up to give Murphy the nod. Gillibrand, who … [Read more...] about Will Tedisco and Murphy Debate Gun Control?
Specter Builds Bipartisanship
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Specter Builds Bipartisanship
Father (13), Mom (15) & Their Baby (4-day-old)
The Huffington Post has a story about a teenage mom and dad (from the Sun of London) that has rocked Britain. Whatever be the outcry, the young mom and dad look very happy. "Police said they had investigated but had decided to take no further action as it was 'not in anyone’s interests' to prosecute." Here is the full story... Wikipedia states: "Child marriage has … [Read more...] about Father (13), Mom (15) & Their Baby (4-day-old)
Some Old Soldiers From Around The World
London. The Long March (October 1934 – October 1935) was an historic retreat, in which Communist army forces fled their bases in Jiangxi province in south China. Fleeing to the North under the man who would become Chairman Mao, this woman soldier nearing 90 years of age, marched the nearly 6000 miles from South China to Northern China. Other veteran soldiers of the … [Read more...] about Some Old Soldiers From Around The World
Banks & Crime: Schools For Scoundrels?
About four decades back a typical banker was an epitome of honesty, integrity, and, in short, a gentleman. It appears that in the past decade or so the increased criminal nexus between bankers, charltans and criminals (aided and abetted by greedy and myopic political leaders) have crippled the banking industry and created a crisis of credibility. This has created traumatic … [Read more...] about Banks & Crime: Schools For Scoundrels?
Shocking! Roland Burris Lied About Blago Offers
In a revelation that is shocking to, well, nobody, Roland Burris apparently lied to the Illinois House when he claimed that Rod Blagojevich or his aides never approached him for favors in return for a Senate appointment. He now admits that Blago's brother asked him three times for help with fundraising (for a legal defense fund?). Burris insists that he refused to offer any … [Read more...] about Shocking! Roland Burris Lied About Blago Offers
Congress End Runs Obama On Pay Caps
Oh, those sneaky congressmen. This group receives automatic pay raises every year. Yet, they jerked the compensation cap of senior corporate executives from President Obama's financial sector bailout plan and inserted it in the $789 billion stimulus package for his expected signature next Tuesday. It begs the question: Since when does cutting a banker's earnings stimulate … [Read more...] about Congress End Runs Obama On Pay Caps
TIME’s View of SecDef Gates’ “Taming of the Shrew”
I like Dr. Robert Gates. I like him because he, as I did, served in the U.S. Air Force (as an intelligence officer at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri), and because he was the President of Texas A&M University, my Alma Mater. But, more importantly, I admire and respect the Secretary of Defense, for, in my opinion, having restored the image and the credibility of our … [Read more...] about TIME’s View of SecDef Gates’ “Taming of the Shrew”
Republican Bunker Mentality
As uncertain as the effects of the stimulus may be, one thing is clear: The Republican Party has chosen clichés for its survival--deers in the headlights, heads in the sand and unity in a bunker to hide from the Obama battle with the destructive economic forces they helped unleash. As they congratulate themselves on near-unanimity in yesterday's vote, the hairline cracks in … [Read more...] about Republican Bunker Mentality
Lack of a ‘New Deal’ Led Germany to Adolph Hitler: Izvestia, Russia
Here's a Russian take on the battle which has been raging in the U.S. Congress between the dwindling Republican minority and the majority Democrats: In the midst of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, should market forces and economic discipline rule the day, or should the government intervene as Obama [and Bush] have decided it should? Maksim Sokolov of … [Read more...] about Lack of a ‘New Deal’ Led Germany to Adolph Hitler: Izvestia, Russia
The Wild Duck, The Lost Story of Valentine’s Day
I began blogging for TMV two years ago today, February 14, 2007. Below is my first ever article on TMV: it was brought to TMV readership by Joe Gandelman as a Guest Voice. Since then, it's been a long, wild ride with quite a few death screeches as I read the news feeds from across the world most days but often deep into the night. Add to that, hair tearings, heart … [Read more...] about The Wild Duck, The Lost Story of Valentine’s Day
What If The Israel-Palestine Two State Solution Collapses?
Some of the implications are pondered HERE. … [Read more...] about What If The Israel-Palestine Two State Solution Collapses?
Greetings from Guantanamo Bay
As "closing Guantanamo" looms as one of President Obama's most visible campaign promises (backed up with executive orders to complete the task within a year), more and more snapshots emerge as to what has been happening in the little sliver of American society at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. And in what was once a rarity, soldiers who have served there are now coming forward to … [Read more...] about Greetings from Guantanamo Bay
Minnesota Recount Trial: Another Episode
Back in early December, 2008, I started a post, "It’s Coleman! No, It’s Franken. No, Wait…" as follows: "As you may remember, a long, long time ago, when only a few votes separated the two candidates after the regular election..." That "long time ago" was early November 2008, when what was to be a simple election for the next U.S. Senator from Minnesota turned into a … [Read more...] about Minnesota Recount Trial: Another Episode
Pakistan’s A.Q. Khan Is Free: A Can Of Worms Reopened?
Abdul Qadeer Khan, described as Father of Pakistan's (or Islamic) Nuclear Bomb, was freed from house arrest by the Islamabad High Court last week. The then president Pervez Musharraf incarcerated Khan five years ago after a great deal of pressure from the international community. However, the recent court judgement threatens to reopen a can of worms. It reads like a sordid … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s A.Q. Khan Is Free: A Can Of Worms Reopened?