I think most of us, regardless of faith, find it difficult to make it through the holiday season without watching at least one version of A Christmas Carol. The warmth and spirit of this classic are such that they transcend class, culture and belief to simply bring a smile to our hearts. But there are a couple of things that many of us don't realize, both the impact that … [Read more...] about A Christmas Carol
Mumbai’s Trident & Taj: Guests Are Back
Although Mumbai's (or Bombay's) 550-room luxury Trident Hotel (photo above) did not put up its usual festive Christmas tree this year, its loyal clients are returning. Much of the credit for this goes to Rattan Keswani, president of Trident Hotels in India, and his team for turning the bloody war zone into a normal hotel again...that too within three weeks of the dastardly … [Read more...] about Mumbai’s Trident & Taj: Guests Are Back
Merry Christmas 2 U: Rocking Around The Christmas Tree
Here's a bit of Christmas music to get you on your way. In 1958 a young country-western singer named Brenda Lee did a song called "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree." Two years later it became a huge hit -- and a Christmas standard. Here are two wonderful You Tube renditions of the song. First, watch this young You Tuber deliver a superb performance of the Christmas … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas 2 U: Rocking Around The Christmas Tree
Christmas Eve
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star … [Read more...] about Christmas Eve
TO OUR TMV READERS AND COMMENTERS: Blessed Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Holy Solstice, Bright Kwanzaa, y Feliz Navidad…and… How Totally Cool It Is To Be A Child in Winter….
These photo montages are to wish all OUR TMV READERS and COMMENTERS the warmest of the holiday season. We treasure you. As we say 'back to home': You're good people. And, for all persons, no matter their knowings and beliefs... May every soul in some way be made happy everywhere in this ever fissioning, ever challenging, ever horrible, ever deeply humane world. Picasso … [Read more...] about TO OUR TMV READERS AND COMMENTERS: Blessed Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Holy Solstice, Bright Kwanzaa, y Feliz Navidad…and… How Totally Cool It Is To Be A Child in Winter….
Merry Christmas (Andy Griffith)
I wanted to take just a moment tonight to wish all my fellow bloggers and all of our readers a very Merry Christmas. With thanks to Andy Griffith and company, I offer a scene from what is perhaps the best Christmas episode ever. [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBsarIO_suw&feature=related[/YOUTUBE] May you and yours have the most joyous of holidays and … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas (Andy Griffith)
Tom Cruise’s Valkyrie: ‘Intimidated By History’ – From Die Welt, Germany
For those considering seeing the movie Valkyrie, which is opening tomorrow, WORLDMEETS.US has been translating German reviews of the film. Moderate Voice readers will recall last week's review by the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, which offered high praise of Tom Cruise's latest project. … [Read more...] about Tom Cruise’s Valkyrie: ‘Intimidated By History’ – From Die Welt, Germany
A Christmas Story Retold
(Click the cartoon for a full size image.) You may pardon the cartoonist for this on the Eve of Christmas. But still, it will not be long until the sales reports come in. Still, good tidings to you and all of your kin! For more, visit Small World Cartoons. … [Read more...] about A Christmas Story Retold
The Bush-Cheney Rewrite History Road Show
I know it is Christmas eve and we should be focusing on family, religion, goodwill, peace and other noble subjects---and I will, after I get the following off my chest. (And, in a way, knowing that I have done so will help me enjoy the holidays, and all the future New Years, better.). What prompted my humbug moment was a superb piece in the Washington Post by one of my … [Read more...] about The Bush-Cheney Rewrite History Road Show
Holiday Reading List
In case you're bored by Friday and looking for suggestions, here's my prospective line up -- a combo "wish list" and "catch up list," for those slow moments between now and Jan. 5. Gary Becker's and Richard Posner's respective takes on the Bernard Madoff scandal, published Dec. 21 at their shared blog, one of my newly discovered favorites Various articles from the two … [Read more...] about Holiday Reading List
Plaxico Gun Runner?
The police have now conducted a raid on the New Jersey home of New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Given the amount of time that's passed since his last arrest, you might think that he'd have cleaned up the place a bit. Police yesterday seized a small cache of weapons and ammo from the Totowa, NJ, home of troubled Giants star Plaxico Burress, possibly setting up … [Read more...] about Plaxico Gun Runner?
Waiting For Santa
Michael Kountouris, Greece … [Read more...] about Waiting For Santa
Hope For The Future
A new smugglers' tunnel between Egypt and Gaza was recently discovered. No. This one wasn't bringing in assault rifles or land mines. It specialized in Viagra and iPods. Given the opportunity, it seems, people in every part of the world would rather focus on having better sex lives and ready access to Madonna downloads than acquiring instruments to kill one another. Perhaps … [Read more...] about Hope For The Future
Newspapers’ Latest Meltdown: Washington Post And Baltimore Sun To Share Content
Just ask anyone who is or has been a reporter or editor on a newspaper and they will tell you that in a new era where there are many depressing stories about the newspaper industry, they never thought they'd see the day when they'd read a story like this -- within the context that this is now happening in many parts of the country so it's part of an emerging norm: The … [Read more...] about Newspapers’ Latest Meltdown: Washington Post And Baltimore Sun To Share Content
Michelle Obama’s List and Mine
E-mail from the First Lady-Elect: "While many of us will spend the holidays counting our blessings and sharing dinner with loved ones, millions of people around the country won't be so fortunate. Donating to your local food bank will help provide a holiday meal to people in your community who can't afford one. "Talking with the families of deployed troops was one of the … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama’s List and Mine
Against the Truth: Pope Benedict XVI, the Natural Order, and “Human Auto-Emancipation”
I couldn't help but chuckle when I read this headline at the BBC yesterday: Gay groups angry at Pope remarks. Really. You don't say. Now, these "gay groups" have good reason to be angry not just at the pope's remarks but at the pope himself: Speaking on Monday, Pope Benedict said that saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behaviour was as important as … [Read more...] about Against the Truth: Pope Benedict XVI, the Natural Order, and “Human Auto-Emancipation”
John O’Sullivan, Crazy Conservative; or, Is Palin Really Like Thatcher?
Why crazy? For writing, in response to conservative "snobs," that Sarah Palin and Margaret Thatcher "have a great deal in common." Honestly, I can't bring myself to quote from, let alone comment on, this ridiculous piece. Well, okay, here's the kicker: But she has plenty of time, probably eight years, to analyze America's problems, recruit her own expert advice, and … [Read more...] about John O’Sullivan, Crazy Conservative; or, Is Palin Really Like Thatcher?
End the Copyright War
Larry Lessig likens the Hollywood content industry's battle against "peer-to-peer piracy" to the failed prohibition era battle against "intoxicating liquors." Lessig believes that prosecuting online file sharing is turning a generation criminal: The copyright industry has used every legal means within its reach (and some that may not be so legal) to stop Internet "pirates" … [Read more...] about End the Copyright War
Some Year End Thoughts on Coleman-Franken
It now seems clear that we won't know the outcome of the Minnesota Senate race until next year, but Senator Norm Coleman has come forward with some observations which seem downright fatalistic. “I feel fairly confident. In the end, the good Lord’s going to decide,” Coleman told the local Fox affiliate. “The numbers look good to us. Certainly there’s uncertainty. I’m not … [Read more...] about Some Year End Thoughts on Coleman-Franken
Last Minute Shopping?? Try The Twelve Days Of Christmas…
If you haven't bought a gift for that special someone yet, you could try giving them the fabled Twelve Days of Christmas, but if you do the cost will run anywhere from $21,000 to $87,000 (depending on whether you repeat the gifts for each day or just buy them once). For the last couple decades the company PNC Wealth Management has tracked the cost of the items, first as a … [Read more...] about Last Minute Shopping?? Try The Twelve Days Of Christmas…