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?
Polls: Obama Still Polls Well And Republicans Still Poll Badly
While visiting Marco Island, Florida, where this post is written, I've kept in touch with events by watching cable programs on all cable channels and listening to talk radio on the left and right. And nearly all of these info-outlets suggest some political shift is now occurring: President Barack Obama is on the run or on the wane...undermined by no or little GOP support … [Read more...] about Polls: Obama Still Polls Well And Republicans Still Poll Badly
Valentine’s Day: The Honeymoon Is Over
Aislin, The Montreal Gazette This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day: The Honeymoon Is Over
The Debt Song Of The Potomac
Yes, a stimulus bill was needed. But conservatives who worry about the soaring federal debt have a point... The Debt Song of The Potomac (In the style of Longfellow’s "Hiawatha") On the shores of the Potomac By this river’s murky waters Policy is shaped and crafted Opposition views ignored In the chambers of the mighty Where once issues were … [Read more...] about The Debt Song Of The Potomac
N.Y. 20th: Meet Your Candidates
You may have thought that the 2008 election cycle was nearly over, (well, as soon as that whole Coleman - Franken thing gets ironed out) but you would be incorrect. Like some sort of political Rube Goldberg machine gone awry, President Obama's appointment of Hillary Clinton opened up a Senate seat, which was then filled by Kirsten Gillibrand, removing her from her previous … [Read more...] about N.Y. 20th: Meet Your Candidates
Founder Of TV Network To Improve Muslim Imagery Arrested For Beheading Wife
Attention to all members of groups seeking to change negative, stereotypical imagery. If this is true, this is not the way to do it: A prominent Buffalo area businessman who founded the BridgesTV network to improve the image of Muslims in the U.S. has been arrested and charged with murdering his estranged wife – by beheading her at his company’s office in Orchard Park, N.Y., … [Read more...] about Founder Of TV Network To Improve Muslim Imagery Arrested For Beheading Wife
What’s Up with Joaquin?
I was up late on Wednesday night and channel-surfed through about two minutes of David Letterman's attempt at interviewing Joaquin Phoenix. I found it tiresome, as I'm sure Letterman did. On Thursday, I see here and there that people are wondering, "What's wrong with Joaquin?" Maybe not much. He may be involved in a bit of anti-marketing, Joaquin doing his best Andy … [Read more...] about What’s Up with Joaquin?
Cheever and Updike on Late Night Talk: The Opposite of Entertainment is Not Education
One-time late night talk host Dick Cavett writes about welcoming John Cheever and John Updike as guests on his show in 1981. I remembered this incident recently in comments at Ann Althouse's blog. I couldn't find it on Youtube at the time of Updike's recent death. Cavett and the Times have posted it. While Cavett's show seemed to drive Johnny Carson's Tonight Show to … [Read more...] about Cheever and Updike on Late Night Talk: The Opposite of Entertainment is Not Education
Bitter Stimulus Pill
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Bitter Stimulus Pill
Thank you Joe Lieberman
I never thought I'd say it. I've never liked or trusted Joe Lieberman. But I have been proven wrong tonight. Joe Lieberman was integral to the passage of the stimulus bill. As discussions between Senators Collins, Snowe, Nelson, Specter and Reid dragged on Joe Lieberman pushed the centrist group to get back to the negotiating table and get a deal done. What made him so … [Read more...] about Thank you Joe Lieberman
Feathers
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Feathers
Senate Approves Stimulus Bill
It's done: 60-38. (The Democrats, the two independents, and three Republicans -- Specter, Collins, and Snowe -- voted for it, as expected.) Once again, as in the House, Republicans put themselves squarely in opposition to the American economy and the American people. And as flawed as the bill is, at least something was done at this time of historic crisis. … [Read more...] about Senate Approves Stimulus Bill
Next Stop: Obama’s Desk
The gavel has pounded, the financial stimulus bill has passed through the Senate. Next Stop: Obama's Desk. MSNBC: Senate approves stimulus bill … [Read more...] about Next Stop: Obama’s Desk
The Grand Zero Party
That the Republican Party would so overwhelmingly oppose the stimulus package has never been a surprise. This is the moment when America officially drives the nail in the coffin of Reaganism. A political movement that came into power in 1980 and pledged to lower taxes, lift regulations, and shrink the domestic spending agenda of the Federal government has now effectively run … [Read more...] about The Grand Zero Party