Our Quote of the Day comes from centrist writer John Avlon, who worked for then-President Bill Clinton and during 911 was working for New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He notes how some are puzzled by how Barack Obama has been doing political business...as a centrist...trying to unify the country and indicating that respecting and reaching out to opponents isn't a sign of … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Obama Writes The Post-Partisan Playbook
Moving Beyond the ‘Great Disruption’
David Brooks expresses reserved hope that Obama's presidency could be the end of the "Great Disruption," echoing themes penned by Andrew Sullivan more than a year ago. The following contrast in Brooks' column rings particularly true. He notes first that, in the late 1960s and beyond, "Republicans tended to win elections because liberals were associated with disorder and … [Read more...] about Moving Beyond the ‘Great Disruption’
From the Hudson to the Potomac: Courage and Hope for a Depressed Nation (Guest Voice)
Today is a day to ponder courage and hope. In this Guest Voice post, journalism professor and author Walter Brasch offers some specifics to ponder. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV and its writers. From the Hudson to the Potomac: Courage and Hope for a Depressed Nation by Walter Brasch The people are good at anointing who they … [Read more...] about From the Hudson to the Potomac: Courage and Hope for a Depressed Nation (Guest Voice)
Obama And The One Year Rule
When Bill Clinton became President in 1993 the outgoing President George Bush announced to the media that he was adopting what might be termed the one year rule. Bush stated that as a former President he would follow a self imposed ban on any public comments regarding President Clinton for the first year of his administration. While unfortunately this example was not … [Read more...] about Obama And The One Year Rule
Inauguration Crowd
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Inauguration Crowd
Mountaintop
UPDATED: Today’s Barack Obama Inauguration Schedule With Times
Yesterday we ran a schedule for today's inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Here's an updated schedule: » 8:25 a.m.: Obamas leave Blair House for prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church » 8:35 a.m.: Prayer service … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Today’s Barack Obama Inauguration Schedule With Times
The French and the World Expect Much from Obama: Le Parisien, France
One more day - in fact eight hours from now - our nation will have a new president. And as we have pointed out ad infinitum - the world is watching, and praying, that Barack Obama can deliver. This article from France's Le Parisian illustrates that the mushrooming excitement and hope now being expressed at the Washington Mall is a reflection of the hope - unrealistic or not … [Read more...] about The French and the World Expect Much from Obama: Le Parisien, France
Why Bush Won’t Get Recognition He Deserves: Financial Times Deutschland
As America prepares to embark on the Barack Obama era, the world continues to ruminate over the tenure of his predecessor. The administration of President George W. Bush, by most current accounts, has been the most disastrous of modern times. But are we perhaps denying him credit for at least one high-profile success? According to this op-ed by Hubert Wetzel of Germany's … [Read more...] about Why Bush Won’t Get Recognition He Deserves: Financial Times Deutschland
Presidential Inaugural Speeches: George Bush’s First Inaugural Address
Eight years ago, a Texas Governor named George Bush was sworn into office as the 43rd President of the United States, with his father, a former President proudly looking on in the audience. The context: an angrily contested election. His message? Here was his vision 8 years ago today: … [Read more...] about Presidential Inaugural Speeches: George Bush’s First Inaugural Address
Obama Gives Hope
World Cartoonists Say Goodbye To President George Bush
World cartoonists are busy saying goodbye to President George Bush, a President who gave them such terrific material over the years. Here's a cross section of their work: The Bush Years Tab, The Calgary Sun Bush Facing History Patrick Chappatte, The International Herald Tribune … [Read more...] about World Cartoonists Say Goodbye To President George Bush
Obama Hails McCain In Bipartisan Appeal
How much different would things have been in terms of the tone of American politics if in 2000 President George Bush had held a dinner honoring his defeated Democratic opponent for the Presidency, Al Gore? And how would the past four years have gone if he had held a dinner honoring John Kerry? We'll never know that -- but the idea will be tested now after a remarkable … [Read more...] about Obama Hails McCain In Bipartisan Appeal
Presidential Inaugural Speeches: Gerald R. Ford’s Remarks on Taking the Oath of Office as President
On August 9, 1974 Richard Nixon resigned the office of the Presidency due to fall out over the Watergate scandal, and Gerald Ford was sworn in. He didn't make what really was an inaugural address. But he was eloquent. Once Ford pardoned Nixon, he lost a significant amount of support. And history has generally been kind to him. But note, again, how he was arguing here for … [Read more...] about Presidential Inaugural Speeches: Gerald R. Ford’s Remarks on Taking the Oath of Office as President
Giving Bush Credit
George Bush's top 5 foreign policy successes, via RealClearWorld HERE. … [Read more...] about Giving Bush Credit
Around The Sphere
Our linkfest taking you to sites of varying viewpoints. Links do not necessarily reflect the views of TMV or its writers. George Bush Disappoints Some Allies (and perhaps the Media) by not pardoning Scooter Libby. Why Wasn't The Gay Bishop On HBO's inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial? Was the problem HBO? Some flatly call it censorship. But The Atlantic's Marc … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere
Israel’s Difficulties in Claiming Victory in Gaza
Most of world outside the US, especially on the Arab street, will see the Gaza ceasefire as a gain for Hamas whatever the spin put on it by Israel and its supporters. Billions of Chinese, Indians and Africans will likely agree with the Arab street. In today’s globalized world, this would be a sorry result for Israel’s existential struggles. Few people outside the West … [Read more...] about Israel’s Difficulties in Claiming Victory in Gaza
Rick Warren: The Perfect Inaugural Prayer, Bar None
In respect, Rev. Warren, here is one of the most perfect prayers I know... I hope you will use it for the inauguration of our new President, Obama. Really the inauguration prayer needs no other words than these... for this prayer I believe is in some way already written, in millions of languages, into the souls of human beings who made it to earth. It is a prayer … [Read more...] about Rick Warren: The Perfect Inaugural Prayer, Bar None
Inauguration
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...] about Inauguration
A Very Non-PC Take On MLK
As Elyas said, MLK's dream was far broader than its popular representation. In fact, he had lost much of his popularity for being against Vietnam and focusing on anti-poverty issues, but viewed those as integral to civil rights. Most interesting to me, he spoke out against ""socialism for the rich and rugged free market capitalism for the poor," a theme that obviously dominates … [Read more...] about A Very Non-PC Take On MLK