There has been much begrudged acknowledgment of Time Magazine's designation of Barack Obama as the Person of the Year. The pick was such a no-brainer that, while perhaps deserved, left many grumbling with its anti-climatic qualities. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not an Obama hater. I was a relatively early supporter of Obama's and found him exciting both throughout the … [Read more...] about Bloggers of the Year
Tough Year
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...] about Tough Year
Four Weeks And Counting (Guest Voice)
Some people are ticking off the days when George Bush will leave the White House. And Democrats are, too...In this Guest Voice post, author Martha Randolph Carr notes that this doesn't seem like the normal, pro forma change of administrations this time. Guest Voice posts do Not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its authors. Four Weeks and Counting by Martha … [Read more...] about Four Weeks And Counting (Guest Voice)
For San Diego, It’s Mission Impossible
This is a sp sp spor spor sports story. But not to worry, political junkies. It's also a story about a town in search of redeeming values. The San Diego Chargers are the epitome of the city they represent. They tease you with their talent. But fall on their face when it counts. Sunday's win in Tampa Bay coupled with a Denver loss to Buffalo allows the Chargers to once … [Read more...] about For San Diego, It’s Mission Impossible
Transcript & Podcast of Eleanor Smeal on New York’s U.S. Senate seat
BlogHer Contributing Editor PunditMom has the goods: The pundits continue to chew on the question of who will take Hillary Clinton's Senate seat if, and when, she is confirmed as Secretary of State. Caroline Kennedy is getting the bulk of the media's attention, but there is another Carolyn that is getting support from The Feminist Majority and NOW -- New York Congresswoman … [Read more...] about Transcript & Podcast of Eleanor Smeal on New York’s U.S. Senate seat
Shoes for Rick Warren
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Shoes for Rick Warren
Blagojevich, Fitzgerald–and Obama
As the President-Elect vacations in Hawaii and the besieged governor hunkers down back home, the relentless prosecutor keeps chipping away at their state's institutionalized corruption. Today there is a leaked backgrounder in the Washington Post, headlined "Secret Tapes Helped Build Graft Cases In Illinois," detailing five years of what Fitzgerald calls "wide-ranging schemes … [Read more...] about Blagojevich, Fitzgerald–and Obama
The Decline and Fall of the “Blago-Rahma” Storyline
The sad and sordid tale of Rod Blagojevich has undoubtedly been an unexpected feast for pundits during a lame duck holiday season which is normally quite dull for observers of politics. The meal has, of course, been particularly juicy for Republicans, exhausted from seemingly endless news cycles devoted to GOP politicians caught in scenarios which ranged from the embarrassing … [Read more...] about The Decline and Fall of the “Blago-Rahma” Storyline
Blagojevich: Biopic Movie Casting Call Suggestions Hit The Internet
It's the stuff Hollywood scrambles to find: a story about a powerful figure who seemingly crosses the line. Just what Hollywood loves. He refuses to acknowledge he crossed it, faces a personal and career abyss but vows to fight. Just what Hollywood loves. And he uses lots of four-letter words. Just what Hollywood loves. Speculation is now running rampant: if Hollywood turned … [Read more...] about Blagojevich: Biopic Movie Casting Call Suggestions Hit The Internet
Job Creation 101
Job Creation 101 The word is that when President Obama looks at taxes, he won't be seeking to lessen our surging deficit by doing away with Bush tax cuts for the rich. Why? Because the thinking of Democratic circles in Washington is that, while these tax breaks may have been excessive, during a recession with so many job losses we need the rich to stay that way so they can … [Read more...] about Job Creation 101
Gen. Clark: Taking Command, Again
I have always admired retired Gen. Wesley Clark, and rooted for him during the 2004 elections. As we remember, once the general declared his candidacy for the presidency of the United States---as a Democrat---he was excoriated by the righteous Right. As a matter of fact, when Wes Clark was considering throwing his hat in the race and after he was skewered by Elaine Kamarck, … [Read more...] about Gen. Clark: Taking Command, Again
A Very Sacred Christmas Tree
Author's Note: As we have for the past ten years, my wife and I once again attended the beautiful “Tree of Angels” ceremony in our church recently. Except for one sad aspect, a sign of the times, there is not much that has changed about the ceremony or about the feelings it evokes. Therefore, I would like to share my thoughts and emotions as I wrote them down last year --- … [Read more...] about A Very Sacred Christmas Tree
Rick Warren and the Gay Community: ToMAYto, ToMAHto
Last week, I thought Andrew Sullivan's post, "Taking Yes for an Answer" -- re: the Rick Warren/Obama inauguration debate -- would prove to be the definitive post on that subject, after all the dust had settled. I now think Sullivan has been trumped by the self-dubbed "Hollywood Farm Girl," in a post titled "the big rick's yamaka." … [Read more...] about Rick Warren and the Gay Community: ToMAYto, ToMAHto
Another first for Twitter: Tweeting the Plane Crash
No one was killed. 38 were hurt. Just 1 tweet. (Warning, adult language!) Silicon Valley Insider: In another first for Twitter, passenger Mike Wilson tweeted his miraculous escape. Read from the bottom up. And then buy this man (and everyone else on the plane) a vodka tonic! This was crash #2 for Mike, "Maybe I should start taking the bus." Maybe? He's making the news … [Read more...] about Another first for Twitter: Tweeting the Plane Crash
Mark Felt as a Washington Henry Hill
Following his recent death, pundits were lining up to sing the praises of Mark "Deep Throat" Felt and his role in the downfall of Richard M. Nixon and the Watergate Plumbers Local 107. This weekend I found myself reading a decidedly-different perspective on Felt's life and times in Clarice Feldman's column, "Deep Throat: Too Late the Hero." Feldman brushes straight past the … [Read more...] about Mark Felt as a Washington Henry Hill
A Must-Read for the Holidays
If you read nothing else this holiday season, read this contribution to the NYT -- a short, true story about the "real meaning" of the season. … [Read more...] about A Must-Read for the Holidays
The Richter Scales: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
More from The Richter Scales. … [Read more...] about The Richter Scales: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Bailout Industries Still Don’t Get It
In what is an increasingly common story it looks like various bailed out-industries still don't get it. Despite being near-disaster financially and after obtaining billions of dollars in taxpayer money, they are still behaving like they own the world and we just live in it. Reports first indicated bailed-out banks paid up to $ 1.6 billion dollars (that's $ 1,600,000,000.00 … [Read more...] about Bailout Industries Still Don’t Get It
Taking Choice And Individuality For Granted
I was getting caught up on my favorite economic blogs and ran across a couple of posts that really got me questioning my assumptions about my worldview. It was triggered by reading this absolute nightmare of a post (which is amazing since it's so curt and passive) that gave credence to some ideas that had been floating in my head. Briefly, everyone is worried about another … [Read more...] about Taking Choice And Individuality For Granted
Dissin’ Detroit and Its Consequences for Conservatism
Now that President Bush has decided to go over Congress' head and provide General Motors and Chrysler bridge loans through March, I think now is the time to see how the GOP and conservatives in general handled the issue. This is only my view and it's the view of a crank living in Minnesota. However, in the glorious age that we live in, with handy little computers connected to … [Read more...] about Dissin’ Detroit and Its Consequences for Conservatism