Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Deficit Spending
No Female Senators or Representatives from Congress are on Stimulus Bill Conference Committee
You have got to be kidding me: Senate Democratic leadership has announced who will be serving on the conference committee to iron out differences in the House and Senate versions of the stimulus bill. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont. Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii Finance Committee Ranking … [Read more...] about No Female Senators or Representatives from Congress are on Stimulus Bill Conference Committee
Get Away from Those Spinning Doors (Guest Voice)
Is President Barack Obama learning a painful lesson? Is he getting crushed by the Washington insider doors? In this Guest Voice post, Michael Winship, senior writer for PBS's Bill Moyers' Journal, looks at the issue -- and pitfalls. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Get Away from Those Spinning Doors by Michael Winship Not … [Read more...] about Get Away from Those Spinning Doors (Guest Voice)
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell: We Are Watching and Waiting, Mr. President
When he ran for President, one of the promises Candidate Obama made was that he would lift the current policy of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in favor of allowing gays to serve openly in the US Military. While there were issues where I disagreed with Mr. Obama, this was not one of them. I have long felt that this 'wink and a nod' policy was idiotic and somewhat insulting to both … [Read more...] about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell: We Are Watching and Waiting, Mr. President
Partisan Love
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Partisan Love
Utah Governor Backs Civil Unions
In a move that has surprised some, angered a few and won praise from many (including yours truly), Utah Governor Jon Huntsman has announced his support for same sex civil unions. Huntsman is both a conservative Republican and a Mormon but he has come out in support of a measure in the legislature (which has no chance of passage) to provide for civil unions in Utah. The popular … [Read more...] about Utah Governor Backs Civil Unions
Confessions Of A Blogger…
A fictional character Wilkins Micawber, from Charles Dickens' famous novel David Copperfield, was immortalized for saying his favourite words "something may turn up". Finally, this fictional character ended up in a debtor's prison. Although this may not the fate of the bloggers, but they do dream on...hoping that "something may turn up" one day. Daniel Lyons has an … [Read more...] about Confessions Of A Blogger…
The Real Work of Bipartisanship
"Bipartisan" has become the word of the day in political life. Actually, I don't think its hold has ever left us. There is something among Americans that we want to see people put aside partisan differences and work together. Presidential candidates love to talk about how they will come to Washington and create a new environment where people will work together and things … [Read more...] about The Real Work of Bipartisanship
Multinational Defense Contracts, Multinational Economic Issues
I have recently been posting on the upcoming Obama administration's decision on how many (if any) additional Lockheed Martin F-22 fighter aircraft to purchase. The decision will be based on a multitude of factors and considerations. In previous, and probably in ongoing and future deliberations, another fifth generation fighter aircraft being developed by Lockheed … [Read more...] about Multinational Defense Contracts, Multinational Economic Issues
Symbols Valued Over Substance (Guest Voice)
Wells Fargo canceled an expensive shindig for its executives, said shindig a PR no-no now that the bank is receiving TARP funds. In this Guest Voice post, cross-posted from his blog, James Hertsch of In the Alternative, argues that the "savings" are mostly just PR and that over-the-top criticism is unjustified. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or … [Read more...] about Symbols Valued Over Substance (Guest Voice)
China ‘Will Not Tolerate’ U.S. Exchange Rate Threats: The China Daily, People’s Republic of China
Is a trade war about to brake out between the United States and the People's Republic of China? U.S. talk of Chinese currency manipulation has raised hackles in Beijing, and they have responded. This article from China's strictly-controlled China Daily might be summarized this way: "You [the U.S.] had better not start a trade war - but if you do, America will be hurt more than … [Read more...] about China ‘Will Not Tolerate’ U.S. Exchange Rate Threats: The China Daily, People’s Republic of China
In Case You’re Wondering…
I'm not related. I'm not a porn-again Christian. [This gem has been crossposted at my personal blog.] … [Read more...] about In Case You’re Wondering…
Israeli Election Update
Most of the votes have been counted (it's the middle of the night in Israel). Out of the 33 political parties participating, 5 major and 7 minor parties have elected one or more MKs (Members of the incoming Knesset): Haaretz: With 88 percent of the votes counted, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's Kadima Party is in first place with 29 of the Knesset's 120 seats, with … [Read more...] about Israeli Election Update
[update] Bill O’Reilly Insults Helen Thomas After Just One Obama Presser
UPDATE: 2/12/09: Here's the video of Courtney Martin on O'Reilly's show. He tells her that if she can show that she called out sexism against Sarah Palin, he'll apologize. Here is one instance of when Martin did that (O'Reilly didn't do his homework before making the bet) and this instance is of Martin calling out sexism levied against Palin by...O'Reilly. Be prepared for … [Read more...] about [update] Bill O’Reilly Insults Helen Thomas After Just One Obama Presser
PETA Does It Again
I am a big advocate of animal rights and am often quite disturbed when I see the abuse of animals that some people tolerate. However, I have never been a fan of PETA because they take legitimate issues and push them to ridiculous extremes. In addition, they often advocate ridiculous things in pursuit of their agenda. In case you were never a fan of 90s Pop music, the … [Read more...] about PETA Does It Again
Executive Pay Rule Targets Wrong Culprits
It would be premature to comment with much authority on Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner's national press conference Tuesday because it lacked too many details. Generally, it was greeted by a sour response from the banking industry and investors. The Dow Jones industrial average, the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq each fell more than 4 percent … [Read more...] about Executive Pay Rule Targets Wrong Culprits
Hearing Voices: GOP Fever Dreams
In this national nightmare, it's hard to tell if all the voices we hear are real or the products of overheated imaginations. Was that the new Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele saying that the Obama stimulus plan was "laughable" and that the economic mess is only "about 18 months old. The reality of it is, Bush inherited a recession. He got us through … [Read more...] about Hearing Voices: GOP Fever Dreams
Pity The Poor “Stressed” Bankers
The stock market took a dive today. The Dow dropped more than 380 points. Why? Because the financial life support program announced by the new Secretary of the Treasury has a "stress test" provision. More specifically, in order to get government bailout money in the future banks will have to prove that, even if economic times get tougher, they will be able to repay government … [Read more...] about Pity The Poor “Stressed” Bankers
Two Letters on the Stimulus Bill
I know that there are "professional" letters-to-the-editor writers (one is yours truly), and sometimes some experts and "expert opinions" find their way to the "Letters pages." Additionally, one sometimes has to put up with "the angry diatribes and political screeds long regarded as editorial stock in the trade." (more on this later) But generally, such letters represent … [Read more...] about Two Letters on the Stimulus Bill
Israeli Exit Polls: Livni/Kadima=30 Seats, Netanyahu/Likud=28
These can change - I've seen it, it happens. But this is the most current spread for now. What I don't get is: Livni had the most last time too - but couldn't form the coalition and that's what got us to today. So, now what? According to Jameel: 10:27 PM What happens next: [that's 3:27EST] 1. Final Results to be announced by 6 AM [11pmEST] 2. President Shimon Peres … [Read more...] about Israeli Exit Polls: Livni/Kadima=30 Seats, Netanyahu/Likud=28