Kevin Drum noticed that Neil Cavuto has been carrying on for the past week about an item in the stimulus package. Cavuto calls it honeybee insurance: Mitch McConnell and David Vitter have joined in on the Senate floor to mock this disgraceful waste of taxpayer money. It's shocking! Now, you will be unsurprised to learn that the program in question isn't honeybee insurance at … [Read more...] about What Honeybee Insurance???
Quote Of The Day: Obama Let Guard Down And Is Losing Stimulus Fight To GOP
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Washington Post columnist E. J. Dionne, Jr. who details how President Barack Obama has begun quickly losing the stimulus fight to a defeated GOP: The irony of President Barack Obama's Blue Tuesday is that the wall-to-wall television interviews he granted were designed not to apologize for Tom Daschle's fall from grace but to fight … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Obama Let Guard Down And Is Losing Stimulus Fight To GOP
The Goverati
Dr. Mark Drapeau writing at Read/WriteWeb has a piece today on Government 2.0: the rise of the goverati. What is the goverati? It is made up of people with first-hand knowledge of how the government operates, who understand how to use social software to accomplish a variety of government missions, and who want to use that knowledge for the benefit of all. The goverati … [Read more...] about The Goverati
What Would You Do ?
Every once in a while a program comes on to television that really catches your eye. In a world full of reality shows and numerous versions of American Idol, it is not often that you find one that tests you with some really good social commentary and observations on society. Well one new show that I think does this quite well is an ABC program called "What Would You Do … [Read more...] about What Would You Do ?
New Rule For Presidential Appointments
On the campaign trails and during the debates, presidential candidate Barack Obama argued the power of lobbyists had to be curbed and the Washington political culture changed. I said at the time, and I quote myself accurately, "lotsa luck, fella." Nary a honeymoon, not the first 100 days, but just 15 short days into his new administration, President Obama finds himself … [Read more...] about New Rule For Presidential Appointments
Obama’s Executive Pay Proposals: A Good Start But It Needs Work
As you have probably heard, President Obama has offered a plan to restrict the salaries paid to the officers of companies getting money from the federal bailout programs. The plan as proposed would limit pay to $ 500,000 per year although the officers could get stock compensation with the understanding that the stock could not be sold or vest until the government was fully … [Read more...] about Obama’s Executive Pay Proposals: A Good Start But It Needs Work
Is New Rochelle School Crossing The Line To Politicization With Pro-Obama Project?
When is an elementary school project a civics project and when does it cross the line into political indoctrination? Read THIS POST about a pro-Obama project at an elementary school in New Rochelle, NY. Does it cross the line? Give us your view in comments. … [Read more...] about Is New Rochelle School Crossing The Line To Politicization With Pro-Obama Project?
Contribute To The Moderate Voice’s Bailout
NOTE: This has run before but will be run periodically. There are newer posts under this so when you're done, keep scrolling. Every year at this time we hold TMV's annual fundraising drive. And this year, in keeping with the national craze, we're calling it The TMV Bailout. But unlike General Motors, which asked for billions, or the banks, that asked for billions, TMV's … [Read more...] about Contribute To The Moderate Voice’s Bailout
How do Obama’s Cabinet Nominations Stack Up to History?
With all of the attention being paid to the implosion of several nominees for President Obama's cabinet, it seems an apt time to put these nominations in historical context. How many presidential cabinet nominations have failed over the course of our nation's history? Which president holds the record for the most failed nominees? How does the current crop compare to their … [Read more...] about How do Obama’s Cabinet Nominations Stack Up to History?
How To Draw Obama (Guest Voice)
With a new President, it means cartoonists have to fine tune their skills at drawing the new Prez. In this Guest Voice, MSNBC blogger and cartoonist Daryl Cagle gives away a few of his secrets. How to Draw Obama by Daryl Cagle Obama seems like an easy guy to draw; he’s skinny, has a big chin, expressive eyebrows and lips. As it turns out, no matter how a cartoonist … [Read more...] about How To Draw Obama (Guest Voice)
What Is It With Democrats And Taxes ?
About three years ago it seemed like every time you turned on the television there was another Republican involved in a sex scandal. For some reason it appeared that Republicans just could not avoid being caught in bed (or bathroom) with someone and the party suffered for it. Despite the fact that undoubtedly Democrats were just as capable of having sex scandals, they just … [Read more...] about What Is It With Democrats And Taxes ?
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Playing it Straight
Alan Abramowitz on Playing it Straight: The Minnesota Model of Election Administration Late night comics have feasted on the disputed U.S. Senate race between the incumbent Norm Coleman and the Democratic challenger and former comedian Al Franken. News coverage has ridiculed the campaign's hypocrisy and hyperbole. Commentators have lampooned inconsistencies and missing … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Playing it Straight
Obama Cabinet Drama
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Obama Cabinet Drama
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Did the Wall Street Meltdown Change the Election?
Alan Abramowitz on Did the Wall Street Meltdown Change the Election? A Reply to James Campbell According to James Campbell, the mid-September financial crisis hit the 2008 presidential election like a bolt out of the blue, transforming it from a horserace in which John McCain had a real chance of victory into a one-sided contest in which Barack Obama enjoyed a decisive … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Did the Wall Street Meltdown Change the Election?
The Digital Switchover and The End of TV’s Mainframe Era
Earlier, Patrick posted the news about the House voting to postpone the planned transition from analog to digital television broadcasting from Feb. 17 to June 12. The news sent me back searching for Doc Searls' fascinating rumination in Linux Journal on what happens after TV's mainframe era ends. He means the digital switchover. And he sees trouble ahead: For many … [Read more...] about The Digital Switchover and The End of TV’s Mainframe Era
The ‘Bushification’ of Barack Obama: La Capital of Argentina
When it comes right down to it, is there anything Barack Obama can do to win over arch-rivals like Hugo Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? According to this editorial from Argentina's La Capital, the answer is probably no. The La Capital editorial says in part: "The fact that the head of the U.S. empire is viewed internationally with such sympathy and admiration is for many, … [Read more...] about The ‘Bushification’ of Barack Obama: La Capital of Argentina
A Student-Loan Refund That Comes With a Fee
I get so angry hearing that Social Security and/or the rising national debt is something we are inflicting on future generations. If we're so worried about the future debt of our children why have we no qualms about subsidizing banks to give student loans to our kids? I'd rather direct from government loans. But this one takes the cake: About 6,300 students at the City … [Read more...] about A Student-Loan Refund That Comes With a Fee
Newsweek’s Hirsch: Obama Lost Control Of Agenda
Suddenly, with less than three weeks in office, to listen and watch the new and old media, President Barack Obama is on many fronts on the defensive -- reacting to some crises of his administration's own making and no longer leading by setting the agenda but reacting to it. True or not? Unless he turns it around, it's true as we noted in this post today. And now … [Read more...] about Newsweek’s Hirsch: Obama Lost Control Of Agenda
The Five Day Rule. “Well, really it was more of a guideline.”
Does anyone else remember Barack Obama's "Five Day Rule" which purported to shine more sunlight on the legislative process and give voters time to read and comment on bills? For a refresher course, the information is still available at his web site. Sunlight Before Signing: Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity … [Read more...] about The Five Day Rule. “Well, really it was more of a guideline.”
Bloom Is Off The Rose
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Bloom Is Off The Rose