Retailers are hoping today will be a black Friday sequel. Meanwhile, while personal bankruptcy is at a record high it's the credit card companies getting the bailout: American Express announced Tuesday it's getting a $3.39 billion "capital injection" from the US Treasury. For you and me new credit card rules are set to stop card companies from applying higher interest rates … [Read more...] about The “Self-Control” Credit Card
Eartha Kitt, Rest in Peace
Sadly, late on Christmas Day we learned that Eartha Kitt, the singer of Santa Baby, had passed away. She was 81. My generation became acquainted with her as Catwoman on the old Batman TV show. The following generation knows her -- her voice, anyway -- as Yzma in The Emperor's New Groove. Her actual working career spans seven decades. Here's some vintage Eartha for … [Read more...] about Eartha Kitt, Rest in Peace
Retailers Get Coal In Stocking: Holiday Sales Dismal
Santa Claus gave retailers a big, fat lump of coal in their stockings this holiday season as retail sales nosedived to the worst in decades -- a sign that a economy already rocked by financial waves is heading into yet choppier 2009 waters. And there was yet another ominous sign for brick-and-mortar businesses: the Internet's top retailer reported its BEST holiday SEASON … [Read more...] about Retailers Get Coal In Stocking: Holiday Sales Dismal
Pakistan & India: Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Possibly not, per this brief report by Dave Schuler at OTB. For context, Schuler offers the following: Over the period of the last 60 years hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, have died in three wars between the two countries. The most recent of those wars in 1971 was the most severe ... Violence and threats of violence are far too plentiful this holiday season. … [Read more...] about Pakistan & India: Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Obama and the Food Chain
During holiday stuffing season, healthy-eating advocates are looking forward to a trim President with good nutritional habits to inspire an obese nation. The New York Times reports: "To advocates who have watched scattered calls for changes in food policy gather political and popular momentum, Mr. Obama looks like their kind of president. "Not only does he seem to … [Read more...] about Obama and the Food Chain
Blago Atty. Invites Rahm for a Chat
The Washington Post is reporting that embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's attorney is asking for investigators to bring in a number of witnesses for a chat, including Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. I'm not sure what Santa may have left in Blago's stocking this year, aside from the odd lump of carbonized Carboniferous vegetable matter, but he could he be up to … [Read more...] about Blago Atty. Invites Rahm for a Chat
Population Shifts Shuffling House Seats
I hope you all had a great Christmas, but it's time to begin burning off that big holiday dinner and get back to work. One story which may have slipped beneath your radar over the holiday was flagged by James Joyner on Wednesday, as detailed in the Politico. As per constitutional dictate, each ten years we have to take a look at the shifting populations of the several states … [Read more...] about Population Shifts Shuffling House Seats
He Who Will Now Help The Poor Will Himself Find Blessing
Many of you may recognize the title to this post as a line from the Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas. The song is based in part on the story of Saint Wenceslaus I who was known for giving to the poor and less fortunate during the 10th century. In the song, he goes out to help the poor 'on the feast of Stephen'. Some of our more traditional Catholic or Orthodox readers can … [Read more...] about He Who Will Now Help The Poor Will Himself Find Blessing
Something To Keep In Mind In This Troubled Economy
As Christmas winds down and we approach a New Year, amid bad economic news, it's worth keeping in mind the words of this musical number (as performed in a 2008 stage version). Every word doesn't fit -- but a lot of them do: The film version of this classic and lively musical is still available on DVD: … [Read more...] about Something To Keep In Mind In This Troubled Economy
When ‘Hussein’ is the Most Beautiful Word: From Al-Watan of Oman
What word is the entire Arab world waiting with bated breath to hear pass President-elect Obama's lips? According to this op-ed article from Al-Watan of Oman - that word is Barack Obama's middle name, 'Hussein.' And more than that, Atef Abdul Jawaad writes for the Arabic-language newspaper, Arabs want the president-elect to come clean on why he is so determined to enunciate … [Read more...] about When ‘Hussein’ is the Most Beautiful Word: From Al-Watan of Oman
Christmas Present For Obama: Poll Shows Honeymoon Is Strong
President Elect Barack Obama has gotten a nice Christmas present from a poll: a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll not only shows that his honeymoon is continuing but that he is impressing more people than before. And he's coming into office with better honeymoon period polling numbers than any president in some 30 years: Call it a love affair so far between Barack … [Read more...] about Christmas Present For Obama: Poll Shows Honeymoon Is Strong
Recession
Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria … [Read more...] about Recession
Love and Property
Some of you may know that I'm currently in an open relationship with my girlfriend (as I continue to cement my place as the liberal hippie of the TMV crowd). One of the reasons why is that traditional "closed" relationships are a little too reminiscent of the view of women-as-property (property being, at root, that to which you have the right of exclusive use). At times, … [Read more...] about Love and Property
Peace on Earth
Merry Christmas to everyone! I am about ready to head to my parents for the annual feeding frenzy and gift exchange, but before I venture out in the heatwave (50 degrees in Baltimore), I wanted to share one Christmas wish with our readers. Faith and religion, are two of the most segregated items in our society. I can not count the number of denominations that exist within … [Read more...] about Peace on Earth
Santa Bankrupt?
Via Gideon. UPDATE: And then there's this cartoon from Mexico: … [Read more...] about Santa Bankrupt?
Christmas in Prison
This will be the 14th Christmas behind bars on contempt charges for H. Beatty Chadwick, who allegedly hid $2.5 million from his wife in divorce proceedings: After a hearing yesterday, Delaware County Court President Judge Joseph P. Cronin Jr. turned down Chadwick's latest request for Christmas furlough, declaring him "a significant risk of flight." Had the court let him out … [Read more...] about Christmas in Prison
Christmas Memories And Greeting Cards
Christmas is a time of joy but December 2008 is also a time of stress for many this year and, after the presents are opened, reality will show its face after the presents are opened and the wrappings are discarded. Yet, can this also be time of joy in another sense? Are Americans starting to reaffirm some values that were ignored in recent years? Humor columnist Tom Purcell … [Read more...] about Christmas Memories And Greeting Cards
Deck The Halls
Tab, The Calgary Sun … [Read more...] about Deck The Halls
The Obligatory Christmas Wishes Post
To all of TMV's readers and especially our wonderful commenting community, whether we agree or disagree on the issues of the day, my wife and I would like to wish you all a safe, happy holiday season (and yes, a Merry Christmas) and a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year. Here's a special greeting from the newest member of our tribe, Max, who my wife continues to embarrass by … [Read more...] about The Obligatory Christmas Wishes Post
No Man Is A Failure Who Has Friends
I know for many out there this has been a difficult year, many of us face tough financial times and some may wonder what life is really all about. Fortunately Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra answered the question for us. I know times can be tough my friends, but remember the true meaning of life and real success. If you are loved and if you love others then you have more … [Read more...] about No Man Is A Failure Who Has Friends