What do we know about President Elect Barack Obama and the new and old media? He knows how to use it. Just as FDR pioneered the effective use of radio and as JFK pioneered the effective use of TV as Presidential communication tools, Obama is showing signs that he will be a media-savvy President who'll use these two strands and the "new media": 1. He tapped into the Internet … [Read more...] about More Signs Of Obama’s Media Smarts: He Does a PSA
“Mozart Of Madras”: Rahman Wins Golden Globe Award
Bollywood's celebrated film music director, Allah Rakkha Rahman has created history by becoming the first Indian to bag the prestigious Golden Globe Award on Sunday. Rahman has sold nearly as many albums as Madonna, reports Reuters. "His scores for a host of Indian language movies have fused global influences from hip-hop and rap to Broadway musicals and Indian folk music in … [Read more...] about “Mozart Of Madras”: Rahman Wins Golden Globe Award
Will Army Create Chubby Center For Overweight Recruits?
The U.S. Army is fighting the war in Iraq. It's fighting the war in Afghanistan. But now a top recruiter is suggesting it may soon open a third front: A war against flab due to the heavy fact that many recruits are now overweight: The Army has been dismissing so many overweight applicants that its top recruiter, trying to keep troop numbers up in wartime, is … [Read more...] about Will Army Create Chubby Center For Overweight Recruits?
Harry Reid’s Curious Tendencies
Lately I've found it difficult to figure out precisely what might be motivating Harry Reid. You would think this would be a time for popping champagne corks and perhaps even some resting upon laurels. Sitting at the head of a newly enlarged Senate majority and with his party's candidate poised to take the White House, things would seem to be fairly well under control for him. … [Read more...] about Harry Reid’s Curious Tendencies
Bush Unguarded
Revealing, Introspective, Gracious. Three attributes that are not usually attached to President George W. Bush were on display this morning at his final press conference. Bush showed a humble side of himself when talking about the Presidency, his love of the job, and sharing with the White House press corps the "disappointments" that he endured during his eight years at the … [Read more...] about Bush Unguarded
The Bush Legacy, As Ben Sargent Saw It
My hometown is fortunate to have as a resident Pulitzer Prize winner, cartoonist Ben Sargent. Sargent has been contributing political cartoons to the Austin American-Statesman since 1974. One of Sargent's favorite subjects for his cartoons has been George W. Bush, both as Texas governor and as the 43rd president. Most of the cartoons depicting Bush have not been very … [Read more...] about The Bush Legacy, As Ben Sargent Saw It
Hamas: A Fatal Failure in Leadership and a Prize-Winning Puppet
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