Most of us will eventually confront the fact that someday we are going to die. But few of us have to do so at such a young age and even fewer will do so with the dignity and grace of 11 year old Brenden Foster. When he was eight years old Brenden was diagnosed with leukemia and was told his prognosis for long term survival was not good. Earlier this year he was told that the … [Read more...] about The True Spirit Of Thanksgiving
Bailout Turkey
Fire Departments: Deep Fried Turkey Could Pose Serious Fire Hazard
WARNING: Deep fried turkey could be hazardous to your health and draining on your insurance policies, since sometimes when people deep fry turkey, the poultry turkey isn't the only turkey that gets fried. The word is getting out across the United States and even beyond: Fire Departments across the United States are warning that deep fried turkey is a fire … [Read more...] about Fire Departments: Deep Fried Turkey Could Pose Serious Fire Hazard
Really Cool Science: Vol. 1
I've decided to start what will hopefully be a long running series highlighting both basic and applicative scientific breakthroughs that have the possibility of drastically changing our lives in the next 20-50 years. If you see anything you want to add, send it over. For my first entry, I want to talk about two breakthroughs that might be used to make next generation … [Read more...] about Really Cool Science: Vol. 1
Gates at the Pentagon (and What It Says About Obama)
As you've surely heard by now, it looks as though Obama will ask Defense Secretary Robert Gates to remain at the Pentagon for at least a year, if not longer. We'll see if the anonymous sources are right. I suspect they are. This has been rumoured for some time, after all, and, as far as I know, no other names (e.g., Nunn) have been leaked or floated. As I put it a couple of … [Read more...] about Gates at the Pentagon (and What It Says About Obama)
Do It Yourself Thanksgiving Cartoon
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Do It Yourself Thanksgiving Cartoon
Klein: Bush Legacy Marred by ‘Intellectual Laziness’
Earlier today, a colleague forwarded a link to Joe Klein's latest: a slightly premature post mortem on the Bush Presidency, in which Klein forces himself to acknowledge the good points of those eight years. His position on immigration was admirable and courageous; he was right about the Dubai Ports deal and about free trade in general. He spoke well, in the abstract, about … [Read more...] about Klein: Bush Legacy Marred by ‘Intellectual Laziness’
Gates Reax: The Thoughtless and The Thoughtful
Reading Ben Smith's blog late yesterday afternoon, I was struck by the empty-headed hysteria of one commenter's response to the news that President-elect Obama would retain Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense: We'll never get out of Iraq and Afghanistan with that war mongerer hanging on. It's time for real change not more of the same from Bush's lackey That comment … [Read more...] about Gates Reax: The Thoughtless and The Thoughtful
Obama View
In the face of change, the timeless Barbara Walters scores another "get" with an exclusive interview with the Obamas, in which the new President talks about moral responsibility and the First Lady reveals that her daughters will be making their own beds in the White House. Detroit automakers, Barack Obama tells her, are "a little tone deaf to what's happening in America … [Read more...] about Obama View
After Dalai Lama Who?
With the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama 'Tenzin Gyatso', 73, not keeping good health in recent times, there is speculation that a "regent" may be appointed for the interim period after the passing away of the present Dalai Lama. The Times of London reports that the Tibetan exiles are keen to prevent China from hijacking his reincarnation, as it has tried to do with … [Read more...] about After Dalai Lama Who?
The Debate Within The GOP
Which comes first -- the idea or the message? … [Read more...] about The Debate Within The GOP
Senator Bill Clinton? Just Shoot Me Now, Please.
You know, it seems like it was only last week when I was reflecting on one of the positive aspects of Hillary Clinton's possible appointment as Secretary of State, that being the fact that we here in New York would finally get our other Senate seat back. (Ok, it actually was last week.) But now a couple of sadistic editorialists at the Washington Post have taken it upon … [Read more...] about Senator Bill Clinton? Just Shoot Me Now, Please.
A Black Friday Sonnet
For most Americans, the big day this week is Thanksgiving. For retailers, however, and for economists as well, it’s the day after Thanksgiving. This is "Black Friday," traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year, the day retailers hope to get into the black, the harbinger of overall holiday sales strength. The sonnet that follows describes the worries currently … [Read more...] about A Black Friday Sonnet
GA Supreme Court Rules Part of Sex Offender Law is Unconstitutionally Cruel and Unusual
We can only hope this bodes well for Wendy Whitaker, the Georgia woman who may lose her home for teenage sex with a classmate. The AJC: The Georgia Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down another provision of the state’s tough sex-offender law, calling mandatory life sentences for offenders who fail to register a second time “grossly disproportionate” punishment. In a 6-1 … [Read more...] about GA Supreme Court Rules Part of Sex Offender Law is Unconstitutionally Cruel and Unusual
Cartoon: Things To Be Thankful For
Click the cartoon for a full size image. For more, visit Small World Cartoons. … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Things To Be Thankful For
Progressive Republicans: Why Bother?
Occasional TMV contributor Dennis Sanders recently interviewed Travis Johnson, the founder of a new group attempting to recyle the concept of "Progressive Republicans." I appreciated much of what Johnson told Sanders -- for instance, on why his group co-opted the term "progressive" ... Progressive traditionally refers to Republicans. Heck, Teddy Roosevelt ran for another … [Read more...] about Progressive Republicans: Why Bother?
The Truth About Thanksgiving
It may not be what you think... … [Read more...] about The Truth About Thanksgiving
Obama Economic Dream Team
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Obama Economic Dream Team
Giving Thanks (Guest Voice)
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving -- a day of giving thanks. And what's that all about? Humorous Tom Purcell puts on his serious hat and tells us in this Guest Voice: Giving Thanks by Tom Purcell I get to sit at the big table this year. I speak of Thanksgiving, the finest day of the year -- my favorite holiday since I was a kid in the 1970s. My parents had a tiny dining … [Read more...] about Giving Thanks (Guest Voice)
Milk
Tomorrow is the thirty year anniversary of the assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, by another city supervisor Dan White, who had recently resigned and wanted his job back. Today the biopic Milk opens in New York, Los … [Read more...] about Milk