Anonymous Liberal makes a good point: "The Notion of a 'Bipartisan Cabinet' Has Always Been a Stupid One." Very stupid. If you elect a Democrat, you get a Democratic Cabinet. It's as simple as that. Or should be. There are plenty of ways in which a president can demonstrate that he's open minded and willing to work constructively with the opposition. But putting … [Read more...] about Cabinet Stupidity
Unlike Portugal, America Knows How to Punish the Guilty: Jornal de Negocios, Portugal
Is the U.S. legal system one to emulate - particularly in regard to white collar crime? Given the accusations against some of America's leading bankers and financiers and cries from the public that the majority are getting away with grand theft, one might be surprised to find that some across the Atlantic think things are even worse over there. For Portugal's Jornal de … [Read more...] about Unlike Portugal, America Knows How to Punish the Guilty: Jornal de Negocios, Portugal
A Gloomy Scenario That Could Come True
David Brooks, the conservative columnist writing for the New York Times, forecasts a gloomy future based on the Obama Administration's model for economic recovery. I don't subscribe to all his precepts but his column (http://NYTimes.com/2009/02/13/opinion/13Brooks/ is poignant in one crucial aspect. That is the economic models for recovery do not take into consideration the … [Read more...] about A Gloomy Scenario That Could Come True
Is It A Duck? Men Announce for Senate Seats, Hope Women Won’t Run
A pattern seems to be emerging. From The Fix’s line on U.S. Senate races: 1. New Hampshire (R): After much sturm und drang over the past week, we are left with one indisputable fact: the New Hampshire Senate seat is open in 2010. Rep. Paul Hodes is already in the race for Democrats and he as well as national Democrats are hoping that Rep. Carol Shea Porter, who retains a … [Read more...] about Is It A Duck? Men Announce for Senate Seats, Hope Women Won’t Run
One Data Point To Rule Them All
I found this column arguing that the current recession isn't as bad as the ones in the 70s-80s to be hilarious. People that are making this argument based on current data don't understand the difference between a recession caused by an external shock (such as the oil crisis) or government attempts to curb inflation (the sharp 81/82 recessions) and one caused by over leveraged … [Read more...] about One Data Point To Rule Them All
Business Ethics & Business Schools
And we wonder why Wall Street's in trouble... The Chronicle yesterday (subscription required): Business students cheat more than students from any other academic discipline, and their professors too often look the other way, a Rutgers University professor told an international gathering of business deans here. Such dishonesty, he said, might help explain how the country got … [Read more...] about Business Ethics & Business Schools
With America, France is Positioned to Lead: Le Figaro, France
As 'Old Europe' anticipates President Obama's first visit, jockeying over what E.U. leader will be at the head of the European spear is in high gear. In France, President Nicolas Sarkozy has been lobbying for months to be to chief interlocutor with the new American administration, and this editorial from Le Figaro explains what he's been up to and why his activities are … [Read more...] about With America, France is Positioned to Lead: Le Figaro, France
At Last! Something For The Rest Of Us
The reason so many Americans have been so down on government attempts to boost the economy is easy to understand. Until now, all the hundreds of billions allocated for this stated purpose, and the trillion more that might soon be piled atop that total, are not designed to boost the economy at all. Rather, this money is going to replace loses incurred by bumbling, greedy … [Read more...] about At Last! Something For The Rest Of Us
Where We Are: The Long View
Yesterday, at the Springfield, Illinois banquet in honor of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, President Obama gave, what I think, was his most … [Read more...] about Where We Are: The Long View
Sabato’s Crystal Ball — SENATE 2010: A Three-Peat for Democrats or Comeback for the GOP?
NOTE: One of the two links to Larry Sabato's article was broken. It has now been fixed and the post has been moved up. TMV regrets the error. Larry J. Sabato on SENATE 2010: A THREE-PEAT FOR DEMOCRATS OR COMEBACK FOR THE GOP? Part One of Three It's never too early for the Crystal Ball to look ahead to the next election. But unlike the Wizard of Oz's phony orb (when … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball — SENATE 2010: A Three-Peat for Democrats or Comeback for the GOP?
ID Fraud All About Stolen Wallets? No Way!
CNet headlines, "ID fraud up, but low-tech methods still prevalent." Counter intuitive? You Betcha! "Despite the hefty blame — largely perpetuated by the media — placed on the internet and cybercrime, online identity theft methods (phishing, hacking and malware) only accounted for 11 percent of fraud cases in 2008," claims Javelin. "The truth is, most known cases of … [Read more...] about ID Fraud All About Stolen Wallets? No Way!
Obama and Bipartisanship: Is Obama Hopelessly Naive?
As President Barack Obama's administration recovers from its latest rebuff in its efforts to foster bipartisanship, one underlying theme in emerging commentary is: Is Obama naive in trying to foster bipartisanship in a country with a political culture and media that seem to emotionally and financially thrive on demonization, controversy and polarization? It gets back to a … [Read more...] about Obama and Bipartisanship: Is Obama Hopelessly Naive?
GOP Preacher
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about GOP Preacher
49 Die In Buffalo Plane Crash
A Continental Airlines commuter jet has crashed in Buffalo New York, killing all 48 people on board and at least 1 person on the ground. This tragedy marks the end of an impressive safety record since it was August 2006 when we last had a passenger air crash with fatalities. All of our prayers go out to the families of those who have been lost tonight. … [Read more...] about 49 Die In Buffalo Plane Crash
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The False Hope of Bipartisanship
Alan Abramowitz on The False Hope of Bipartisanship It's not a matter of "if." It's a matter of "when." As in, when will all of the feel-good rhetoric about Democrats and Republicans joining hands to solve the nation's problems come to an end and open partisan warfare resume in Washington? In fact, that time may already be here. Despite Barack Obama's efforts to reach out to … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The False Hope of Bipartisanship
The Stimulus, Right Wingers, Left Wingers, Obama And Bipartisanship (Guest Voice)
So what's bipartisanship really all about and what has President Barack Obama really been trying to say about it? In this Guest Voice post, AverageJoe looks at these issues. Guest Voices posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its readers. The Stimulus, Right Wingers, Left Wingers, Obama And Bipartisanship by AverageJoe Principle was sited as the left … [Read more...] about The Stimulus, Right Wingers, Left Wingers, Obama And Bipartisanship (Guest Voice)
Quote of the Day: Gregg, The GOP And The War On Obama
The political quote of the day comes from Andrew Sullivan: This much is now clear. Their clear and open intent is to do all they can, however they can, to sabotage the new administration (and the economy to boot). They want failure. Even now. Even after the last eight years. Even in a recession as steeply dangerous as this one. There are legitimate debates to be had; and … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Gregg, The GOP And The War On Obama
Why Was Gregg Appointed in the First Place?
That Judd Gregg backed out of the Commerce Secretary job is not terribly surprising. Gregg claims that he could not reconcile his own conservative beliefs with the stimulus package. He also expressed dismay over the census, which was supposedly "taken away" from the Commerce Department. (This is not entirely true). Even odder, just a week ago Judd Gregg had this to say … [Read more...] about Why Was Gregg Appointed in the First Place?
Multinational Defense Programs, Multinational Headaches
The codes, algorithms, data, and software in general used in military electronic warfare (EW), weapons control, surveillance, and other sensitive systems are among the most classified and safeguarded entities aboard our military aircraft---fighters, bombers, EW, reconnaissance, etc. Accordingly, they are zealously protected by the nations and military services that develop … [Read more...] about Multinational Defense Programs, Multinational Headaches
Digesting (Burp) The Stimulus Bill
I just finished digesting Congress's apparent $789 billion stimulus package and burped twice. The first was a case of mild heartburn. The second was indigestion caused by the feeling it isn't enough. In trying to jump start our failed economy, the prevailing view among economists is the Keynesian approach: Beg, borrow, steal and print so much money to prime the pump that … [Read more...] about Digesting (Burp) The Stimulus Bill