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…
And Now Special Christmas Chanuka Videos For All Of You
From one of the greatest and most beloved singers...ever: And for those who celebrate Chanuka, here's one for you from the great Tom Lehrer: … [Read more...] about And Now Special Christmas Chanuka Videos For All Of You
A Christmas Carol: Name Your Favorite Versions
All through the year, we here at TMV spend our time debating the great issues of the day, political and social, and often the debate gets pretty heated. But today I am offering the ultimate in controversial topics... naming your favorite versions of the Christmas classic, Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol. Since there have been both film versions and innumerable TV show … [Read more...] about A Christmas Carol: Name Your Favorite Versions
Yuletide: Retracing Joseph & Mary’s Journey
"Why are you standing there with a donkey?" said an old Palestinian man. "This is a nice modern city, and you're standing there with a donkey! What are you trying to say? What's wrong with you?" With this quote BBC correspondent Aleem Maqbool begins his fascinating description of his walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem, retracing a journey made by Joseph and Mary in the … [Read more...] about Yuletide: Retracing Joseph & Mary’s Journey
“We have betrayed our legacy.”
So says Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu of the failure of his country, South Africa, to push for Robert Mugabe to step down from power in Zimbabwe. Read about his comments here. South Africa's government can, if it chooses, play a key role in catalyzing a peaceful transition of power in the wake of last year's sham election in Zimbabwe. [This has … [Read more...] about “We have betrayed our legacy.”
Environmental Catastrophe in East Tennessee
A retention pond at the Kingston, Tennessee steam plant holding hundreds of millions of gallons of coal fly ash burst today, spilling toxic sludge into the nearby town of Harriman. At present, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) estimates that 3.1 million cubic feet of fly ash has oozed into the Clinch River. Already, there are reports of dead fish along the banks of the … [Read more...] about Environmental Catastrophe in East Tennessee
Report: Cheney Admits To CIA And FBI That He Helped Leak Plame Name
Investigative reporter Murray Waas has an exclusive: his reporting indicates that Vice President Dick Cheny has in effect admitted to the CIA and to the FBI that he was instrumental in revealing the identity of a CIA agent but not, the Veep insisted, on purpose. Vice President Dick Cheney, according to a still-highly confidential FBI report, admitted to federal … [Read more...] about Report: Cheney Admits To CIA And FBI That He Helped Leak Plame Name
Coleman-Franken: Dec. 23, 6:43 PM (It Is Now ’09)
AP's Brian Bakst reports in Yahoo! News that the Minnesota Canvassing Board "scheduled a Jan. 5 meeting and its chairman said the panel's work could spill into Jan. 6 — the day the next Congress convenes." As we left it yesterday evening, Franken was leading by 48 votes, but the Canvassing Board made one correction that brought Franken's lead down to 47 votes. There are … [Read more...] about Coleman-Franken: Dec. 23, 6:43 PM (It Is Now ’09)
One Wise Man
Tab, The Calgary Sun … [Read more...] about One Wise Man
Obama Team Report On Contacts with Blagojevich Unlikely To End News Story
President Elect Barack Obama's transition team released its report on contacts its staff had with Illinois Rod Blagojevich in the Senate seat for sale scandal, and while it did not show inappropriate conversations with the Governor known for his big hair-do and letter-limited vocabulary, it is unlikely to totally remove the blemish that some see as a possible scandal from the … [Read more...] about Obama Team Report On Contacts with Blagojevich Unlikely To End News Story
‘The Banana States of America’: From Panama America, Panama
I want to wish all of the people who read or work at the Moderate Voice for helping WORLDMEETS.US pursue our project on behalf of the American people. All of us wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year at the end this very exciting and news-packed year. Our feature story today is from Panama, and asks: Has the United States become the equivalent of what we … [Read more...] about ‘The Banana States of America’: From Panama America, Panama
Semi-Creeped-Out by Obama’s Grassroots Movement
As a reminder: I voted for Obama and volunteered time to help his campaign, making calls to and knocking on the doors of undecided voters. Net: I was a willing and enthusiastic member of what Campaign Manager David Plouffe -- in a Dec. 19 email to Obama supporters -- characterized as "the most powerful and effective grassroots movement in America." Acknowledging those … [Read more...] about Semi-Creeped-Out by Obama’s Grassroots Movement