As a prolific Letters to the Editor writer (not all that prolific in getting them published), I appreciate a good Letter when I see one. That was the case this morning. In the New York Times Letters, "Bush’s Final News Conference, and His Legacy," I read this letter that truly says it all---in 157 priceless words: To the Editor: President Bush’s defense of his … [Read more...] about Bush’s Legacy, In 157 Words
Is Smart Enough?
At her confirmation yesterday, Hillary Clinton invoked the concept of "smart power" as a guide to American diplomacy. In his hearings, Education Secretary Arne Duncan cited Barack Obama as a role model for America's school children. “Never before," he said "has being smart been so cool.” And in another hearing room, Senators were mooning over Nobel Prize-winning physicist … [Read more...] about Is Smart Enough?
New York’s Perfect Storm of Appointments
The local press here in the Empire State is reporting that Republicans are pushing to remove Governor David Paterson's power to appoint a new senator for Hillary Clinton's seat and force a special election for the position. Such a move would be perfectly legal under the U.S. Constitution but it will face some stiff opposition. Republicans in New York's Legislature are … [Read more...] about New York’s Perfect Storm of Appointments
Farewell President Gore
TA Frank in The Guardian contemplates what a delightfully boring eight years it might have been: No one thought Al Gore would be a loveable president, but, after eight years in the White House, he has gotten truly tiresome. The droning voice, the purchase of an eco-friendly robot dog, the campaign for carbon-free diamonds - all these things were hard to take, and he has … [Read more...] about Farewell President Gore
Bin Laden Calls For Holy War Against Israel And Attacking U.S. On “New Fronts”
Al Qaeda terrorist chief Osama bin Laden has surfaced again in an audiotape posted on an Al Qeada-friendly website. His latest: calling for a holy war against Israel due to the bloodshed in Gaza and for attacks against the United States on "new fronts." As often happens with bin Laden tapes, initial reports have journalistic hedges on whether the message really comes from … [Read more...] about Bin Laden Calls For Holy War Against Israel And Attacking U.S. On “New Fronts”
Gaza and Israel: Thomas Friedman is naive
Hopeful, and with all due respect, but naive. Read his op-ed in Wednesday's New York Times here. Key portion: Israel de facto recognizes Hamas’s right to rule Gaza and to provide for the well-being and security of the people of Gaza — which was actually Hamas’s original campaign message, not rocketing Israel. And, in return, Hamas has to signal a willingness to assume … [Read more...] about Gaza and Israel: Thomas Friedman is naive
Hillary Clinton: So What’s Next In USA, India & Pakistan?
The selection of Hillary Clinton as US Secretary of State was a masterstroke by president-elect Barack Obama to win over the disgruntled Democrats, and to provide a feminine touch to the American foreign policy that had fallen in the hands of macho men who have created havoc in different parts of the world during the past few years. In fact the leaders in Europe, Asia and … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton: So What’s Next In USA, India & Pakistan?
Shovel Ready
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about Shovel Ready
Inaugural Hits Misses (Guest Interview)
On January 20th Barack Obama will be sworn in as President and the most scrutinized part of the ceremony will be his inaugural address. Just how important is it? What about some past inaugural speeches in American history? And what can we expect? In this Guest Interview, columnist Bill Steigerwald interview presidential rhetoric specialists Jerry Shuster to get some … [Read more...] about Inaugural Hits Misses (Guest Interview)
Really Bad Idea: A Watch That Spies on Your Kids
Over at Motherlode: Adventures in Parenting, Lisa Belkin spotlights Lok8U, a British manufacturer of a watch, called Num8, that will track your kids. From its website: num8 is the world’s first GPS locator device that has been specifically designed with children in mind. It tells you exactly where your child is... And unlike similar locator products, num8 has been cleverly … [Read more...] about Really Bad Idea: A Watch That Spies on Your Kids
Looking For Work ?
If you're looking for a job here is a new opening.... Australia offers 'best job in world' on paradise island - Yahoo! News The job is to act as caretaker for an island in the Great Barrier Reef off of Australia. The "island caretaker" will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of "a few minor tasks" -- and report to a global audience via … [Read more...] about Looking For Work ?
“The Way Back” For the Republican Party (Guest Voice)
So now what does the Republican party do? In this Guest Voice post that appeared in the moderate Republican Ripon Society Journal and is being run here with their permission, former Republican Congressman Tom Davis has some specific suggestions that some will feel make great sense, and some stalwarts won't like at all. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of … [Read more...] about “The Way Back” For the Republican Party (Guest Voice)
Israel Vs Hamas – Shoot the Doggie
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Israel Vs Hamas – Shoot the Doggie
Unnecessary Concerns: Democratic Leadership Should Have Little Fear of an Obama Administration (Guest Voice)
Is the Democratic party Congressional leadership playing power games already with President Elect Barack Obama? And did they show the same backbone to President George Bush? In this Guest Voice Walter and Rosemary Brasch look at this issue. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Unnecessary Concerns: Democratic Leadership Should Have … [Read more...] about Unnecessary Concerns: Democratic Leadership Should Have Little Fear of an Obama Administration (Guest Voice)
Cheer Up: Why the Recession is Beautiful!: Financial Times Deutschland
Worried about the economic crisis? Is your car being repossessed? Were you an investor in Bernie Madoff's ponzie scheme? Then this is the article for you. Andreas Theyssen, chief political editor of Germany's Financial Times Deutschland, recently penned this article of reasons to love the global economic downturn. Theyssen writes in part: "It’s really difficult to … [Read more...] about Cheer Up: Why the Recession is Beautiful!: Financial Times Deutschland
Fuel Cell Stunt Backfires (sort of)
A new member of the House named Eric Massa decided to make a bit of a publicity stunt by driving a fuel cell car to his swearing in this week. One minor problem, the car he drove can only go 150-200 miles without a recharge and the drive to DC was around 300 miles. So he had to use two cars. Each car had to be towed to and from his dropoff points meaning the tow trucks … [Read more...] about Fuel Cell Stunt Backfires (sort of)
Senator Burris and the Dems
I still think Senate Democrats should have said no to Burris. He wasn't elected. Surely there should be room to block questionable appointees (by soon-to-be impeached governors looking to stick it to anyone and everyone). Could there not have been a special election? Still, now that it's almost over -- that is, now that Burris is set to be sworn in -- I suppose I'm with … [Read more...] about Senator Burris and the Dems
Juxtaposition: Bush, Obama, Gitmo, and the So-Called War on Terror
Bush held his final press conference yesterday and was, according to the easygoing NYT, "by turns impassioned and defiant, reflective and light-hearted." Surely, though, few people were paying attention to this last gasp of a failure of a president, so eager are so many to see him go, with Obama the de facto president ahead of his inauguration, set to undo so much of the … [Read more...] about Juxtaposition: Bush, Obama, Gitmo, and the So-Called War on Terror
Zogby Poll: Obama Increases Favorable Rating Amid Modest Expectations
A new Zogby Interactive poll has two bits of good news for President-Elect Barack Obama: #1 He has increased his favorable rating since he has been elected. #2 He faces modest expectations despite jokes and some pundit's contention that he is perceived as a kind of Superman. President-elect Barack Obama enjoys a favorable rating from 60% of likely voters, as well as … [Read more...] about Zogby Poll: Obama Increases Favorable Rating Amid Modest Expectations
Chance To Bid Bush And Cheney God Bless, Or Good Riddance
Roll Call, Congress.org, is providing the opportunity for Americans to write, and have delivered by e-mail or regular mail, a farewell message to President Bush or Vice President Cheney. This is their message: TELL PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH GOODBYE This is your last chance to send your final thoughts to President George W. Bush. Do you send him off with cheers or … [Read more...] about Chance To Bid Bush And Cheney God Bless, Or Good Riddance