No, I don't agree with everything Andrew Sullivan writes -- only about ... 90 percent; and on the 10 percent where I disagree, I really disagree. That said, you can count among the 90 percent my reaction to Andrew's wonderfully concise take on how the R's (and some D's) are reacting to Obama, pegged to today's news re: Sen. Gregg. ---------------- Looking back at some of … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Hazing the New President
Judd Gregg OUT As Commerce Nominee
Judd Gregg has dropped out as a candidate for Commerce Secretary because of disputes with President Obama over how to handle the 2010 Census. The issue has to do with how to count people with Obama wanting to use a modeling technique that would try to account for people who are missed in the count. This has long been controversial because it does basically involve guessing … [Read more...] about Judd Gregg OUT As Commerce Nominee
GOP Senator Judd Gregg passes on Obama Cabinet Slot
The battle over the Porkulus bill has claimed another victim, and one which will send some larger ripples across the political pool. New Hampshire Republican Senator Judd Gregg, selected by President Obama as our next Secretary of Commerce, has taken himself out of the running. Citing "irresolvable conflicts over the stimulus package and control of the 2010 census" the Senator … [Read more...] about GOP Senator Judd Gregg passes on Obama Cabinet Slot
Some Thoughts On The Stimulus
As we move closer to the passage of the economic stimulus package I thought I would take some time to post a few thoughts on the issue. I realize that for many it is a subject that prompts some pretty strong emotions and I would like to start by (at the risk of sounding like a broken record) remind everyone of a few basic civilities. To begin with pretty much everyone is in … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts On The Stimulus
The Woman Obama Kissed
“There is in the country a great deal of anger about the financial institutions,” Barney Frank told a row of bankers at a House hearing yesterday. Elsewhere in the Capitol, members of Congress were hammering out the stimulus compromise with rancor and recrimination. But with all the ugly public emotions rising out of the economic crisis, there are signs of something … [Read more...] about The Woman Obama Kissed
Constrictions
The results of the Israeli election were confusing at best, with a majority of the country shifting significantly right-ward but a plurality unifying around Tzipi Livni's centrist Kadima Party. The best thing we can hope for over the next couple years is stasis, with some kind of unity coalition centered around Kadima and Likud that treads water until the government inevitably … [Read more...] about Constrictions
Usury in the Temples of Wall Street
Today we bring you the next in our continuing series on "old world thinking" which is thoroughly discredited and inappropriate for the modern era. Let's take a moment and look at the concept of usury, both past and present. It's an old word and carries an almost universally negative connotation. 19 " You shall not charge interest to your brother -- interest on money or food … [Read more...] about Usury in the Temples of Wall Street
As Usual, The Daily Show Tells The Truth When No One Else Will
Yet another reason why The Daily Show is the most important news source today. The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10cSolving the Economic CrisisDaily Show Full EpisodesImportant Things With Demetri MartinFunny Political NewsJoke of the Day In other news, Europe is [censored]. There is no word I can use that Joe would find appropriate for the site. The article … [Read more...] about As Usual, The Daily Show Tells The Truth When No One Else Will
Space Accident: Russian and US Satellites Collide
BBC: Russian and US satellites collide US and Russian communications satellites have collided in space in what is thought to be the biggest incident of its kind to date. The US commercial Iridium spacecraft hit a defunct Russian satellite at an altitude of about 800km (500 miles) over Siberia on Tuesday, Nasa said. … [Read more...] about Space Accident: Russian and US Satellites Collide
After Guns, Perhaps Now Votes for Wash. D.C. Residents?
Just about one year ago, when legislation to give the residents of Washington D.C. the "right to bear arms" was being debated before the U.S. Supreme Court, in a Letter published by the Los Angeles Times, I wrote: I am well aware that the landmark case presently before the Supreme Court, a case that ostensibly seeks to apply the 2nd Amendment to residents of the District … [Read more...] about After Guns, Perhaps Now Votes for Wash. D.C. Residents?
What News Anchors Do During Commercial Breaks
This has been making the viral video rounds: This whole thing started out really small and simple. And then along came the internet, and a video camera, and you tube, and here we are with the funniest dance routine since that scene in Big. It's the original, What News Anchors Do During Commercial Breaks. This one has the nat sound, not cheesy music. Via Kara Swisher: Chicago … [Read more...] about What News Anchors Do During Commercial Breaks
Shakespeare On Wall Street
Here’s some Wall Street tidbits that didn’t quite make it into the original versions of Shakespeare’s plays: Macbeth ponders the meaning of trading during a market slump: Investing, and investing, and investing, Sinks to new creepy depths from day to day As battered equities do tumble time, And all the cap gains we thought secure Just flit away like dreams. Rise, … [Read more...] about Shakespeare On Wall Street
Google PowerMeter
More here and here. Speculating about its impact on the smart meter industry here. … [Read more...] about Google PowerMeter
Happy Birthday Charles Darwin! (Sort of)
While many celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, it's easy to forget that another historical figure shares the same anniversary. It's also the birthday of Charles Darwin. (Pictured here in one of his lesser known research projects, "The Development of Insect Colonies in Really Bushy, Unkempt Beards.") The celebration at the Darwin home might be a bit more muted … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday Charles Darwin! (Sort of)
Toothless: The Watchdog Press as the Government’s Lapdog
by Walter Brasch PART 1 The president of the Associated Press (AP) was spewing venom at the Bush–Cheney administration for having turned the Department of Defense into a propaganda machine. Americans “expect honest answers about what’s happening to their sons and daughters,” Tom Curley told journalism students and faculty at the University of … [Read more...] about Toothless: The Watchdog Press as the Government’s Lapdog
Rebuilding America
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Rebuilding America
Little Girl and Tree Man: Miracle Story from Australian Wildfires
I love the Aussie spirit. And sorrow for their travail. That's not near enough to say about either... but then there's this out of nowhere.... In the Australian fires where 180 people are reported dead, there is an ordinary man, 44 year old firefighter named Mr. Dave Tree. Tree was walking amongst the dead black tree trunks... all that are left of the once lush forest … [Read more...] about Little Girl and Tree Man: Miracle Story from Australian Wildfires
Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln
Today's the actual birthday of Abraham Lincoln. We're used to seeing photos of him black and white, but a new book makes the photos look more lifelike. The above photo is now all over the Internet, but the photos are part of a book of colorized Lincoln photos that you can get HERE. Here are some more samples. … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln
Introducing Progressive Republicans
Shortly after the November elections, I received a message on Facebook to join a group called Progressive Republicans. I was interested and started to get to know Travis Johnson, the 30-something behind this endeavor. This enterprise is still in its early stages, but Travis has done a lot to get things off the ground. Travis put together list of common principles that sets … [Read more...] about Introducing Progressive Republicans
Gallup Poll: Obama’s Campaign For Stimulus Increased Its Support
A Gallup Poll finds that President Barack Obama's use of the "bully pulpit" of the Presidency in the 21st century -- speeches carried on news shows, photo ops and a major prime time press conference -- notably increased support for his economic stimulus plan. Most interestingly, his efforts shored up Democratic party support, had little impact on divided independents -- but … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Obama’s Campaign For Stimulus Increased Its Support