Not sure what a proxy is? What a puppet looks like? Then read this, from the Jerusalem Post: [An Egyptian government] official told The Jerusalem Post by phone that two senior Iranian officials who visited Damascus recently warned Hamas leaders against accepting the [Egyptian cease fire] proposal. His remarks came as Hamas representatives met in Cairo with Egyptian … [Read more...] about Hamas: A Fatal Failure in Leadership and a Prize-Winning Puppet
Emerging Verdicts On George Bush’s 8 Year Legacy: Mixed, Abysmal, Weak Economic Gains
Some news organizations are now taking a stand-back-and-look examination of President George W. Bush, and let's just say that when they made their list of pluses and minuses they ended an extra page for the minuses - and their verdict will not make Rush and Sean very happy. The good news for George Bush: they are not (yet) calling him the worst President ever. The bad news: … [Read more...] about Emerging Verdicts On George Bush’s 8 Year Legacy: Mixed, Abysmal, Weak Economic Gains
2001: A Space Odyssey’s HAL Turns 17 Today
Wired News: SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't seen or read 2001: A Space Odyssey [link], this article contains details that reveal important plot developments. So, if you like to be a tabula rasa when you view a film or read a novel, stop here. 1992, or maybe 1997: HAL 9000, the master computer aboard the Discovery spaceship in the fictional film and novel 2001: A Space … [Read more...] about 2001: A Space Odyssey’s HAL Turns 17 Today
Obama’s Janus Dilemma
As he takes the oath in this aptly named month, Barack Obama is faced with looking both forward and back over an enormous list of national problems. Steering the country through economic minefields will obviously take almost all of his administration's energies but, to the extent that present difficulties are rooted in the disastrous Bush years, the past can't be totally … [Read more...] about Obama’s Janus Dilemma
Joe the Plumber Touches Down in Israel
I found myself unloading a healthy dose of skepticism over the prospect of Joe Wurzelbacher taking on the role of Middle East war correspondent in my new column at Pajamas Media, "No-Joe. Wurzelbacher is not Edward R. Murrow." I invite you to read and comment. For an opposing perspective, you are also encouraged to read the companion, contrasting piece by Bob Owens, "Pro-Joe: … [Read more...] about Joe the Plumber Touches Down in Israel
Obituary: Sri Lanka’s Brave Editor
The murder of Lasantha Wickramatunga, 51, a fearless and outspoken Sri Lankan editor, by unknown gunmen on January 8 brings to light the hazards faced by journalists who take their profession seriously. Here is a tribute to Wickramatunga in South Asia's wellknown magazine HIMAL: "On 9 January, Himal Southasian, Kathmandu held a meeting in memory of Lasantha Wickramatunga. … [Read more...] about Obituary: Sri Lanka’s Brave Editor
Libertarianism: If Not Now, Then When? (Guest Voice)
Is it time for Americans to take a truly seriously look at libertarianism? Joel S. Hirschhorn who is not happy with either party, says that if there is a time to consider libertarianism, the time is now. But what are its prospects? He also discusses someone who hasn't been in the headlines much these days: Ron Paul. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the views of TMV … [Read more...] about Libertarianism: If Not Now, Then When? (Guest Voice)
[video] “Honesty” – TN Coal Ash Victims Can’t Get Straight Answers
The video in this post was done by Molly Tillyer, who wrote me the following email: I grew up in a neighboring town (Oak Ridge). My younger brother and sister graduated from Harriman. My parents worked hard all their lives and built their dream home on the water about 3 years ago. [She later wrote me that her mother is a retired EEO investigator and Ethics Officer from … [Read more...] about [video] “Honesty” – TN Coal Ash Victims Can’t Get Straight Answers
Obama’s Silence on Gaza Has Already Tarnished His Halo: Rue 89 of France
This op-ed from France's Rue 89 belongs to a branch of the growing corpus of global reaction to Israel's offensive in Gaza, which could be entitled, 'Why Doesn't President-elect Obama Say Something.' Pascal Riché of the Rue 89 writes in part: To fight a war, one must perform many calculations. The enemy forces, the weather, the distance, the stockpiles of munitions. And … [Read more...] about Obama’s Silence on Gaza Has Already Tarnished His Halo: Rue 89 of France
The Crisis In Kashmir
Will there ever be peace? Here's an excellent backgrounder on the ongoing crisis. … [Read more...] about The Crisis In Kashmir
Around The Sphere
Our famous linkfest taking you to sites of varying viewpoints. Both Sides Of Blogosphere Note Obama/Gitmo/Centrism: President Elect Barack Obama's comment that he might not close Gitmo during his first 100 days in office is getting a lot of attention..and raising some eyebrows. Crooks and Liars' Nichole Bell finds his declarations indicating he'll do some stay the course (at … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere
Maureen Dowd On Bush And Cheney—To A Point
I love Maureen Dowd. I know Conservatives hate her (I hate Rush Limbaugh. I know Conservatives love him), but you have to admit she is good in what she does to Conservatives---as Limbaugh is good at infuriating Democrats. I thought Dowd's column in the New York Times this morning was particularly good. In "An Extremist Makeover?", she addresses what many have been … [Read more...] about Maureen Dowd On Bush And Cheney—To A Point
Should Israel Be Allowed To Destroy Hamas’ Rule In Gaza?
Columnist Charles Krauthammer argues that Israel is on the brink of destroying Hamas rule in Gaza and that this is a good development - -and that the world should stand back and let Israel do what it feels needs to be done. But not everyone agrees. GO HERE. … [Read more...] about Should Israel Be Allowed To Destroy Hamas’ Rule In Gaza?
Missing the Target on Israel
Vandals and hatemongers never seem to go out of style. Such was the case again this week out in Chicago. Vandals spray-painted the words “Death to Israel’’ on two synagogues and a Jewish school early Saturday in three separate incidents police say could be linked and are being investigated as hate crimes. Moshe Perlstein, rabbi at Lubavitch Mesivta of Chicago, said … [Read more...] about Missing the Target on Israel
Connecticut’s Proposed Newspaper Bailout: Will The News Media Be Neutered? (Guest Voice)
Is a local newspaper bailout by the state about to happen in Connecticut? And, if it does, what will it mean to the news media? In this Guest Voice post, authors and speakers Floyd and Mary Beth Brown warn that it could be a slippery slope, indeed. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Will the News Media be Neutered? By Floyd and … [Read more...] about Connecticut’s Proposed Newspaper Bailout: Will The News Media Be Neutered? (Guest Voice)
Cheney Swears In New Senators
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Cheney Swears In New Senators
Clinton-Lite: The Brew Without the Bill.
Change is coming! Change is coming! Change is the mantra that has been communicated to us over the last year or so during Barack Obama's improbable rise to become President-elect. The question to ask, of course, is a play on those words - "Is change really coming?" Over the past five weeks, Obama has put together a team that is very close to being termed as "Clinton-lite" … [Read more...] about Clinton-Lite: The Brew Without the Bill.
Sex Offender Wins Charity Lottery To Benefit Sex Abuse Victims
You can bet this will be all over the TV news next week. From KTUU-TV in Anchorage: The winner of the $500,000 lottery drawing came forward Saturday to collect his prize, and the man who will pocket a half-million dollars from a raffle designed to benefit a sex abuse victims charity is a three-time sex offender. Alec Ahsoak of Anchorage was convicted of sexual abuse of a … [Read more...] about Sex Offender Wins Charity Lottery To Benefit Sex Abuse Victims
Bush’s Legacy in “Bushctionary” Form
Americans are by now very familiar with the unique speaking style and vernacular of George W. Bush. His verbal gaffes, malapropisms and just plain mangling of the English language are so frequent and monumental that they collectively have earned the widely recognized names of “Bushisms” and “Bushspeak.” Several books have been dedicated to this speech phenomenon. Numerous web … [Read more...] about Bush’s Legacy in “Bushctionary” Form
Report: U.S. Rejected Israeli Plea For Raid On Iran But Endorsed Covert Action
A New York Times report now provides the answer to a question that many people have asked: with all the talk during the election campaign about how President George W. Bush was sure to either give a thumbs-up to a U.S. attack on Iran or look the other way if the Israelis did it, why didn't it happen? The answer: Bush nixed an attack but said covert action against Iran's … [Read more...] about Report: U.S. Rejected Israeli Plea For Raid On Iran But Endorsed Covert Action