In his first prime-time press conference, President Barack Obama said the United States is in ""winter of our hardship" and gave detailed and analytical answers to questions on the economy, Iran, the Bush administration, what he saw of the hardships of average Americans -- and made it clear that he doesn't believe bipartisanship means acquiescence. Obama jumped right into … [Read more...] about Obama Presser: Bipartisanship Doesn’t Mean Acquiescence
Obama Should ‘Oust’ Hamid Karzai and All Bush ‘Collaborators’: Iraqi News Agency
Did the 'change' promised by Barack Obama include the ouster of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 'all Bush collaborators' in the other Arab nation President Bush chose to invade, like Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki? That seems to be what at least some Iraqis think, based on this op-ed article by Fawaz al-Ajami of the Iraqi News … [Read more...] about Obama Should ‘Oust’ Hamid Karzai and All Bush ‘Collaborators’: Iraqi News Agency
Stuart Rothenberg On Obama and Congress
Always one of the smarter political analysts, Mr. Rothenberg has some comments on the fact that being out of power and complaining is not the same as being in power and having to deliver. He also has some fair warnings for the Republicans and how they should not take things for granted either. Rothenberg … [Read more...] about Stuart Rothenberg On Obama and Congress
The GOP’s Pharmaceutical View of the Stimulus Plan
Having just watched the stimulus bill clear what is hopefully the last hurdle on its way to passage in the Senate tomorrow, I feel like the seriously ill patient who has just been prescribed a medicine that has a good chance of bringing him back to good health. And so it’s no surprise that I look upon the stimulus plan as a medicine prescribed by a physician to a very sick … [Read more...] about The GOP’s Pharmaceutical View of the Stimulus Plan
We Snooze While Drug Cartels Plunder Us
Mexico's murderous drug cartel rampage has reached the United States big time and we still act like no one gives a damn. An Associated Press story Monday quotes U.S. law enforcement officials claiming the cartels have set up operations in 230 U.S. cities with a resulting effect of increased killings, kidnappings and home invasions. Why this hasn't triggered a national … [Read more...] about We Snooze While Drug Cartels Plunder Us
Senate Invokes Cloture On Collins-Nelson Amendment
The amended $800 billion stimulus bill is on the way to passage after a 61-36 vote in favor of cloture. We had all 57 Democrats voting Yes plus Sanders of Vermont (I), 3 GOP Senators voting Yes (Collins, Snowe and Specter), and 1 not voting (Gregg) plus one vacancy in Minnesota (party unknown) so that leaves 1 more non voting Republican, I'm not sure who they … [Read more...] about Senate Invokes Cloture On Collins-Nelson Amendment
Charles Darwin On The Origin Of Republicans
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 Charles Darwin On The Origin Of Republicans
On Alex Rodriguez and Drugs. And Sex
Alex Rodriguez has admitted using performance-enhancing drugs. He regrets it. William Saletan at Slate wonders what else don't we know? His name is on the list of flunked players. As today's New York Times explains, "the players had agreed to the 2003 tests under the condition that their results would never be revealed." How many other tests have been taken and flunked but, … [Read more...] about On Alex Rodriguez and Drugs. And Sex
Congress
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Congress
CNN/ ORC Poll: Three Quarters Support Obama And Half Support Stimulus
A new CNN/ORC poll finds three-quarters of Americans support President Barack Obama, a bit more than half support the stimulus plan, most Americans feel Obama is reaching out to Congress and Republicans -- and that GOPers have made gains in their ratings since they've taken on Obama. This poll perhaps more than any other poll could explain Obama's return to campaign mode. … [Read more...] about CNN/ ORC Poll: Three Quarters Support Obama And Half Support Stimulus
Media Shakeup Continues: Newsweek Plans Design, Content And Readership Target Change
Slapped around by the emergence of the new media, the continued compartmentalization of reading and listening habits of consumers into smaller and smaller groups, and an economic crisis that shows no signs of vanishing soon, the news-magazine Newsweek is about to undergo some major content, design and readership target audience changes. The New York Times reports that the … [Read more...] about Media Shakeup Continues: Newsweek Plans Design, Content And Readership Target Change
Jobs, Jobs at La Grange!
IMAGE COURTESY OF VINO WONG / ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION ** NOTE: The title of this article should be sung to the melody of "Home on the Range", the state song of Kansas. ** Kia Motors supplier Sewon America is building at plant in West Point, Georgia. 600 jobs are opening up. And guess what? Americans showed up en masse: Job-seekers flood Kia supplier The … [Read more...] about Jobs, Jobs at La Grange!
Amazon’s Kindle 2.0 Launch
The NYTimes is Live Blogging Amazon’s Kindle 2.0 Launch from the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. Jeff Bezos is there and right now Stephen King is onstage "reading a section of his short story, which is about the Kindle, and for the Kindle, from his free Kindle." In late 2001, as the global economy reeled from the double whammy of the dot.com collapse and the … [Read more...] about Amazon’s Kindle 2.0 Launch
Pundits, Politicians? Pfft! What Do You Think About the Stimulus?
If you're like me, you've heard and read enough from the pundits and politicians about the stimulus bills. Look, when a country is where we are economically, no solution is going to be one that everyone can support because we know we don't all agree on solutions and we know we don't know what will happen - no matter who tells you otherwise. Today, starting at 12noon, you … [Read more...] about Pundits, Politicians? Pfft! What Do You Think About the Stimulus?
Contribute To TMV’s “Bailout” (Fundraising Drive)
This is the time of year for The Moderate Voice's annual fund raising drive, and it's needed now more than ever. But we're not seeking millions -- just trying to raise $870. Details and info on how you can contribute are HERE. (This message will appear at the top of this site often between now and when the fundraiser ends February 23. So far we have not reached 1/2 of our … [Read more...] about Contribute To TMV’s “Bailout” (Fundraising Drive)
Congressional Fossils
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Congressional Fossils
Gallup: Public supports Obama, Democrats over GOP on stimulus by wide margin
I have to admit that I read the Washington Post piece on GOP anti-stimulus strategy with a bit of glee. Replete with photo of an arrogant Rush Limbaugh the article cited various and sundry Republican officials who believe in their heart of hearts that opposing the stimulus is the key to their return from the wilderness. What really struck me was a quote from Rep. Paul Ryan … [Read more...] about Gallup: Public supports Obama, Democrats over GOP on stimulus by wide margin
Is Obama Still Running for Election?
With the stimulus package battle seeming to draw toward a close, President Obama is packing his bags and heading out for a town hall meeting in Indiana. The timing may seem spot on, but the venue raises some questions. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says Obama wants to go where the nation's economic problems are "acute" as part of his "his effort to convince Congress to … [Read more...] about Is Obama Still Running for Election?
Turkey In The Fire (Guest Voice)
Is Turkey heading closer to an Islamist agenda? In this Guest Voice post, Barry Rubin. the director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. -- who spent 35 years working on Turkish history and politics and says he was the first Israeli exchange professor to teach there -- … [Read more...] about Turkey In The Fire (Guest Voice)
Georgia Legislators Team With Christian Right to End Queer Studies
And they're using the state's $2.2-billion budget shortfall to justify it. So says AP: State Rep. Charlice Byrd of Woodstock took the House well on Friday to announce a "grass-roots" effort to oust professors with expertise in subjects like male prostitution, oral sex and "queer theory." "This is not considered higher education," she said. "If legislators are going to dole … [Read more...] about Georgia Legislators Team With Christian Right to End Queer Studies