As I alluded to in my first post, the foundations of morality and its influence on individual and group behavior is a growing interest amongst social and cognitive scientists. Based on genetics studies and better brain imaging, it's becoming readily clear that humans aren't tabula rasa, even as we have to accept that it will long (if not always) be a mystery to how nature … [Read more...] about Innate Moral Spheres Key to Group Differences?
Making an Invisible Minority Less Invisible (Guest Voice)
Did the media cover the full racial aspects of Barack Obama's run or did they miss some aspects? And since his election as President, has there been a shift? Has there been a renewed interest in minorities -- not only in politics, but in other aspects of American life? In this Guest Voice post, journalism professor and author Walter Brasch looks at some of these issues. Guest … [Read more...] about Making an Invisible Minority Less Invisible (Guest Voice)
Bush Left Behind
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about Bush Left Behind
Joining TMV
After many years of reading TMV I finally took the plunge and asked to join as a writer, and I’d like to thank Joe for accepting it. I’m sure greasing his palms through the years didn’t hurt and now that he’s successful enough to hang out with celebrities I thought I’d call in the favor. My focus is going to be a little bit different and I want to spend this first post talking … [Read more...] about Joining TMV
Palin Saboteurs Want to Kill Her Career Now (Guest Voice)
Is former Republican ticket Veep candidate Gov. Sarah Palin getting a bum wrap? In this Guest Voice column, authors and speakers Floyd and Marth Beth Brown argue that Palin has been targeted by the party's Old Guard. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Palin Saboteurs Want to Kill Her Career Now By Floyd and Mary Beth … [Read more...] about Palin Saboteurs Want to Kill Her Career Now (Guest Voice)
Texas School District Solves Immigration Problem
As I said yesterday, what this country needs today is less partisan bickering and more people willing to find creative, goal oriented solutions to real problems. Today, my friend Ed Morrissey brings to light a group of educators in Texas who are doing just that. In a move sure to draw praise from immigration reform advocates around the nation, one Dallas school district has … [Read more...] about Texas School District Solves Immigration Problem
Clinton at State…Does It Make Sense?
For any incoming President, building a Cabinet team can be a bit like piecing together a puzzle. Even if you don't begin with a nod to identity politics, pledging as Bill Clinton did during his transition to the presidency, to have a Cabinet that "looks like America," presidents want to have teams that bring not only competence, but also allow them to placate various groups … [Read more...] about Clinton at State…Does It Make Sense?
Not Politics or Real News, Just Something About the Upcoming Star Trek Movie
Since there is more to life than politics and other "real" news, some may be interested in reading why I'm "A bit bummed about the new Star Trek movie". … [Read more...] about Not Politics or Real News, Just Something About the Upcoming Star Trek Movie
Biggest Drop In U.S. Retail Sales In October On Record
A sign once again of the troubled economy President-Elect Barack Obama will be inheriting from President George Bush comes in the latest retail sales figures -- which show the month of October set an unfortunate and troubling record: Retail sales and prices of goods imported to the U.S. dropped by the most on record, signaling the economy may be in its worst slump in … [Read more...] about Biggest Drop In U.S. Retail Sales In October On Record
Representing “Material Cooperation with Intrinsic Evil”
For many years I looked at the Roman Catholic Church, in the modern era despite the efforts of Pope John Paul II, as remarkably open-minded and receptive to ideas that were not necessarily compatible with the orthodoxy pronounced by the central authority. Part of this view was influenced by the first college I attended, Christian Brothers College, now Christian Brothers … [Read more...] about Representing “Material Cooperation with Intrinsic Evil”
Obama’s First Global Test
Is it Europe? … [Read more...] about Obama’s First Global Test
The Fault Lies Not With Them, but Within Ourselves
Repeatedly, we proclaim that we are tired of the tactics of attack; we say we want civil discourse. Yet those who play to the extreme get rewarded with listeners and ditto-heads. So, who is responsible, those who throw the grenades, or those who cheer the explosions? Read "Can civility make a comeback?" and consider. --- Cross-posted to Random Fate. … [Read more...] about The Fault Lies Not With Them, but Within Ourselves
Obama to Post Weekly Address on YouTube
FDR had his fireside chats, Obama will have YouTube. His administration plans to bring government into the 21st century in a big way. From the Washington Post: Today, President-elect Obama will record the weekly Democratic address not just on radio but also on video -- a first. The address, typically four minutes long, will be turned into a YouTube video and posted on … [Read more...] about Obama to Post Weekly Address on YouTube
Quote Of The Day: On Reports Obama Considering Hillary Clinton For Secretary Of State
Amid many reports that President Elect Barack Obama is considering his former Democratic nomination rival Sen. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, MSNBC's Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann offer one possible Machiavellian theory of why at First Read: The best reason for Obama to be looking for a place in his cabinet for Clinton is simple: to … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: On Reports Obama Considering Hillary Clinton For Secretary Of State
Obama And McCain To Meet To Find Ways To Work Together
It this yet another sign that Arizona Sen. John McCain will now revert to his previous role as a Senate deal-maker ally for the White House -- this time a White House occupied by the Democrat who defeated him in the Presidential race -- and that the 2000 version of McCain will return to the forefront? Time's Mark Halperin has this release from the Obama camp: "On … [Read more...] about Obama And McCain To Meet To Find Ways To Work Together
A Katrina of Cash?
Almost half the $700 billion bailout money has been shoveled out the door, but nobody is keeping track of it. "It's a mess," says Eric M. Thorson, the Treasury Department's inspector general, who has overseen the dispensing of $290 billion so far until a special inspector general takes over. "I don't think anyone understands right now how we're going to do proper oversight … [Read more...] about A Katrina of Cash?
Honeymoon Suite
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about Honeymoon Suite
The Iran-Saudi Arabia Cold War
One of the untold stories about the effects of U.S. involvement in the Middle East has been the escalating power struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia for control of the region. At the height of the insurgency in Iraq, for instance, Saudi Arabia—a supposed U.S. ally—was funneling money and volunteers to the Sunni insurgency to undermine the Maliki government, which … [Read more...] about The Iran-Saudi Arabia Cold War
How the NFL Network is Destroying America
Ever since the National Football League made the self centered, cash grabbing decision to launch the NFL Network, fans of various teams around the country have had to resign themselves to the idea that, for at least one week out of the season, they would be robbed of a chance to support their team. This week it was supporters of the New York Jets and the New England Patriots … [Read more...] about How the NFL Network is Destroying America
8 Years On, The Depressing Task Of Comparing Bush’s Words To His Deeds
GEORGE WALKER BUSH: THEN AND NOW I had long planned to post an abridged text of George Bush's 2000 Republican National Convention acceptance speech closer to Inauguration Day and compare his words with his deeds, but the post-mortems already are flying fast and furious. This includes a lot of revisionist clap-trap from conservative bloggers whose heads remain firmly up their … [Read more...] about 8 Years On, The Depressing Task Of Comparing Bush’s Words To His Deeds