While I am hardly a financial expert, I do like to try and look ahead to see what is coming with the economy in the future. I often am reminded of the scene in 'Trading Places' where Eddie Murphy's character uses his knowledge of how average people work to predict things more effectively than the so-called experts. As a bankruptcy attorney I saw the banking collapse coming … [Read more...] about The Coming Collapse Of 2009?
Ranking American Presidents
C-Span has released the second edition of its Historians Survey of Presidential Leadership. A cross section of 65 presidential historians ranked the 42 former Presidents on ten attributes of leadership. Go to THIS LINK for complete details, including the Washington Journal segment about the survey and a list of the historians. Here are the high and low scorers: TOP … [Read more...] about Ranking American Presidents
New Simpsons Opening
After 20 years the Simpsons are heading into the new HDTV era with a new opening sequence. Of course the transition didn't happen but it seems somehow fitting that the Simpsons do it early. … [Read more...] about New Simpsons Opening
Barack’s Not So Secret Weapon — Michelle
I'm no one to espouse the endurance of marriage since mine lasted only five years. However, I know a good one when I see one. Ones as endured by my parents, my brother Larry, my son Matt and, yes, Barack and Michelle Obama. The thing is, you never know what lurks behind closed doors in these marriages. Outsiders, including close family members, judge the marriages on the … [Read more...] about Barack’s Not So Secret Weapon — Michelle
Next Up: Auto Bailout Talks 2.0
The stimulus battle is done and in the books. The next mega-issue is the banks. Increasingly, the chorus for nationalization of some form is picking up pace. A prominent Republican, Lindsay Graham just added his voice to the call for, at least, considering nationalization. And of course, the housing issue looms in the background; Obama will offer some plans (or plans for … [Read more...] about Next Up: Auto Bailout Talks 2.0
Global Pols Eye Obama
Along with the economic crisis, a political preoccupation around the world is trying to figure out what to make of the new American president. Hamid Karzai joins the list today. Asked by CNN's Fareed Zakaria about Obama's statement that the Afghan leader has a "bunker mentality" and "seems detached" from what is happening in his country, Karzai attempts condescension: "I … [Read more...] about Global Pols Eye Obama
The Spend Or Save Conundrum
Two years ago the economic elite were warning about this country's nearly non-existent saving rate. The great fear then was that the nation was living beyond its means and excess spending had to stop. These days the government is betting the nation's future and its our own solvency on extraordinary efforts to boost spending by the private sector with its own huge infusions … [Read more...] about The Spend Or Save Conundrum
End the Filibuster? Careful What You Wish For!
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”