In an effort to fan the flames of the healthy comment thread going at this morning's Michael Phelps post, here, a retread that's as true now as it was when I first posted it. The director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and one of the U.S.’s leading addiction researchers, Nora Volkow [she's also Leon Trotsky's great-granddaughter], was interviewed on Fresh Air the … [Read more...] about Cigarettes: The Real Gateway Drug
What Role Does The Internet Play On Global Psyche?
I ran across this Financial Times column that blames the internet for the author's (and presumably society's) increasing anxiety about the economy. Another anecdote points out that some people are finding solace in social networking sites instead of falling into despair. So, is the internet a net positive or a net negative when it comes to the economic crisis? I believe that … [Read more...] about What Role Does The Internet Play On Global Psyche?
Patience
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Patience
The Digital Depository: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
I was one of those impressed that Obama had a whole new whitehouse.gov site live at noon on inauguration day. On the other hand... At the exact moment Barack Obama was inaugurated, all traces of President Bush vanished from the White House Web site, replaced by images of and speeches by his successor. Attached to the Web site had been a booklet entitled 100 Things Americans … [Read more...] about The Digital Depository: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
The Bipartisan Tango
The Washington air is filled with fake piety as Republican survivors of 2008 try to feign amity with a popular president and vote against him by making villains out of Congressional Democrats. In the House, they lined up unanimously against the stimulus bill, despite more schmoozing with Barack Obama than any recent president, while blaming Nancy Pelosi for their … [Read more...] about The Bipartisan Tango
Wells Fargo — A Dividend In Our Favor
Good news out of the failing financial sector, finally. Wells Fargo Bank reports it will pay back the federal government $371.5 million in its first quarterly bailout installment. Wells Fargo is believed to be the first major bank receiving TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program) to do so. In an internal memo obtained by The Remmers Report, Wells Fargo said the quarterly … [Read more...] about Wells Fargo — A Dividend In Our Favor
Super Bowl Thoughts
I wrote a Super Bowl post yesterday at my blog that included comments on the game itself. I've been a Steelers fan since the mid-'70s, when, as a young boy growing up in Montreal, I fell in love with Bradshaw and Harris and Swann and Stallworth and the Steel Curtain. Even before I came to be a Canadiens fan in hockey, which is more or less mandatory in that city, they were … [Read more...] about Super Bowl Thoughts
Obama Interview with Al-Arabiya Cause for Arab Shame: Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Here's a contrarian Arab view of President Obama's first formal interview since taking office, which he decided to give to Al-Arabiya, an Arabic news broadcaster based in the United Arab Emirates. In stark contrast to the nearly across-the-board praise the president has received for the gesture, Mohammad Al-Khalif of Saudi Arabia's Al-Riyadh newspaper says that it's not only … [Read more...] about Obama Interview with Al-Arabiya Cause for Arab Shame: Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Obama Sends Supporters Email Asking For Support On Stimulus Plan
We've seen President Barack Obama take to the airwaves, pitching his economic stimulus plan. We've seen Obama take to the Internet, using You Tube to pitch his stimulus plan. Now he's taking to his supporters' email boxes, sending them an email urging them to clamor for support of the plan by "hosting or attending an Economic Recovery House Meeting this weekend." Here's the … [Read more...] about Obama Sends Supporters Email Asking For Support On Stimulus Plan
Tom Daschle Sends “Deeply Embarrassed” Letter To Senators Apologizing For His Taxes Mess
If this appointment sails through comedians will start saying the Obama administration is getting more passes than the San Diego Chargers. President Barack Obama has issued a statement saying he is "absolutely" standing by health secretary designate former Majority Leader Tom Daschle despite messy details that came out about Daschle's tax history. The betting according to … [Read more...] about Tom Daschle Sends “Deeply Embarrassed” Letter To Senators Apologizing For His Taxes Mess
Peace? Plan?
A post by Dylan Matthews, guest-blogging for Ezra Klein, has been nagging at me for a couple of days now. Netanyahu's policy position here is based entirely on negatives. He doesn't want to divide Jerusalem, even though annexing East Jerusalem is illegal and would cripple the Palestinian economy. He doesn't want a return to 1967 borders, even though that would secure Israel … [Read more...] about Peace? Plan?
Shoe Thrown At Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao In Britain
Now that George Bush is no longer President of the United States, it seems that political protesters with a lot of sole have found a new target to try and shoe: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had a shoe hurled at him at Cambridge University by a protester who verbally laced into him. Agence France-Presse reports: A SPEECH by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at Britain's … [Read more...] about Shoe Thrown At Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao In Britain
Iraqi Provincial Elections Help Iraq Democracy And Maliki’s Party Amid Some Disappointments
Iraq's provincial elections represent a double whammy victory: for Iraq's experiment in democracy and for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's party. For Iraq's democracy: putting aside any debate over whether the United States was correct to go into Iraq, the elections showed that the system could work -- despite the many warts that appeared in this election. For Maliki's … [Read more...] about Iraqi Provincial Elections Help Iraq Democracy And Maliki’s Party Amid Some Disappointments
Turkey And Israel
Yaakov Kirschen, The Jerusalem Post, Dry Bones This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on this site. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Turkey And Israel
Michael Phelps & the End of the Marijuana Prohibition
The NYTimes reports today that despite enforcement on both sides of the border, the Mexican marijuana trade is stronger than ever. That's according to law enforcement officials! Anita Bartholomew looks at the price tag of the War on Drugs and concludes America can’t afford marijuana prohibition. And Michael Phelps' apology is still making the news rounds. Radley Balko has … [Read more...] about Michael Phelps & the End of the Marijuana Prohibition
Big Ben and Joe Willy
As a native from the 'burgh, from the small town of Beaver Falls, I was thrilled that my Pittsburgh Steelers won their record setting SIXTH VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHY! My hometown quarterback Joe Willy Namath presented the trophy to the Rooney family on the 40th anniversary of Namath's Super Bowl III win. It was a great game throughout. The Arizona Cardinals showed they truly … [Read more...] about Big Ben and Joe Willy
Before the Storm: Obama’s ‘Masterful’ Gesture Toward Muslims – Financial Times Deutschland
There seems to be no end to the plaudits for Obama from the German press. This editorial from the Financial Times Deutschland says of Obama's interview with Arab broadcaster Al-Arabya, "Obama had a real chance to set a harmonious and cooperative tone for relations with the Arab world. And he made masterful use of that chance. … … [Read more...] about Before the Storm: Obama’s ‘Masterful’ Gesture Toward Muslims – Financial Times Deutschland
Regarding President Obama as a ‘Messiah’ Does Him No Favors: The Jakarta Post, Indonesia
Even in Indonesia, where the level of Obama-mania intensity rivals that of almost any other nation, a word of caution about expectations is creeping into the domestic debate. In this examination from The Jakarta Post, Julia Suryakusuma joins the growing chorus of columnists around the world for people in their nations to get a grip and not expect miracles from President … [Read more...] about Regarding President Obama as a ‘Messiah’ Does Him No Favors: The Jakarta Post, Indonesia
A Favorite Quote from Super Bowl 2009
one of the commentators on NBC said ".... a lot of things in football is when you do them." The commentator's name is not Yogi Berra, or Bear. But, just for a minute there... Sincerely, your humble horribly sports-challenged reporter, dr.e … [Read more...] about A Favorite Quote from Super Bowl 2009
Super Bowl, No Wonder People are Glued to the Screen
49 seconds left and the guys in the Yellow, Steelers, have just taken it to the 10 The crowd is apoplectic. I dont even know how to spell that word I mean watching the crowd they look like they are in slow motion scream on second try Holmes TOUCHDOWN .... both feet on the ground multiple cameras say so 35 seconds to go. Harrison, can't tell whether he's … [Read more...] about Super Bowl, No Wonder People are Glued to the Screen