"I wish the intelligence had been different, I guess." That, in a nutshell, is George W. Bush's valedictory thought about invading Iraq, in interviews with Charlie Gibson on ABC this week. "A lot of people put their reputations on the line and said the weapons of mass destruction is [sic] a reason to remove Saddam Hussein," Bush added. But the historical record shows … [Read more...] about Debriefing Bush
Action Movie
Some conservatives are now claiming that the Mumbai massacre was made worse because Indians simply aren't tough and manly enough. We heard this same refrain from these characters after Virginia Tech. It was appalling and juvenile then, and it's appalling and juvenile now. … [Read more...] about Action Movie
Say Goodbye To Plastic
Nouriel Roubini has been the most prominent Cassandra for the financial crisis, especially when it comes to his understanding of the fundamental drivers. In the 90s he studied banking and deficit induced international economic crises and then used his understanding to predict that the United States was most likely the next victim. Of course no one listened to him as it was … [Read more...] about Say Goodbye To Plastic
Hopeless Economists
I had a simple notion to help ease the economic crisis. Instead of funneling endless amounts of public money to financial institutions in hopes some will trickle down to consumers and businesses, give consumers and businesses the money directly. And the mechanism to do this? Suspend the payroll tax for a year and pay Social Security benefits with some of the borrowed money now … [Read more...] about Hopeless Economists
Dow Drops 680 Points Amid Recession Confirmation
The Dow Jones industrial average plunged 680 points today as a report confirmed that the United States is in a recession and a key manufacturing index fell to a 26-year low. CNN reports: Stocks got hammered Monday, as investors bailed out on confirmation that the U.S. is in a recession and indications that it's likely to continue for some time. Treasury prices … [Read more...] about Dow Drops 680 Points Amid Recession Confirmation
The Nature of Justice
There seems to be a slowly growing clamor about whether Obama is going to order some sort of independent commission to determine whether to bring charges against administration officials for their role in torture of "detainees" (a combination of battlefield combatants, common criminals, globally renowned terrorists and random people handed over to us, often for large sums) and … [Read more...] about The Nature of Justice
Clinton
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star … [Read more...] about Clinton
How ‘Bout We Try More Capitalism?
Everyone right now is focusing on the financial crisis and with good reason. There are so many claimed causes spanning decades. What really caused all this is the government monkeying around with the basic rules of capitalism, and by that I mean hard-core basic economics. The first basic rule: Price is set by one thing only – Supply and Demand. Cost is NOT relevant to … [Read more...] about How ‘Bout We Try More Capitalism?
Obama Presents His Notably Centrist National Security Team
President Barack Obama has unveiled his national security team -- formally announcing names that had already drip-dropped into the news media over the past few weeks...names that are notably centrist in character and reputation. The biggest two names: his formal rival for the Democratic Presidential nomination New York Senator Hillary Clinton and present Bush administration … [Read more...] about Obama Presents His Notably Centrist National Security Team
Official Announcement: U.S. In Recession Since December 2007
It's now official: here's an announcement that many Americans already knew, despite the White House's efforts for more than a year not to use the dreaded word, despite talk radio hosts saying it was merely overblown and inaccurate rhetoric by Democrats and despite Phil Gramm's instance that those who complained were whiners with fiscal mental problems: The United States has … [Read more...] about Official Announcement: U.S. In Recession Since December 2007
When Americans Torture, Americans Die
That's the lesson drawn by a 14 year military veteran who volunteered as an interrogator during the height of violence in Iraq. Torture is immoral, unnecessary, and gets Americans killed. It's as simple as that. … [Read more...] about When Americans Torture, Americans Die
White Women Can Jump
Christo Komarnitski, Bulgaria … [Read more...] about White Women Can Jump
Take A Peek At Super-Quick Internet News Aggregater memeorandum
Take A Peek at memeorandum -- if you haven't already. When memeorandum first started TMV did a Take A Peek on it, and in reality it doesn't need one from TMV anymore. But we did get some new readers this year. So in case you don't know about it....you need to. Not only have thousands of bloggers, non-bloggers and news media types made it a part of their daily (or hourly) … [Read more...] about Take A Peek At Super-Quick Internet News Aggregater memeorandum
Free Nationwide Porn-Free Wireless Web?
Despite objections from the wireless industry and some consumer groups, the WSJ says outgoing Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin is pushing a plan to offer free, pornography-free wireless Internet service to all Americans: The proposal to allow a no-smut, free wireless Internet service is part of a proposal to auction off a chunk of airwaves. The winning … [Read more...] about Free Nationwide Porn-Free Wireless Web?
Obama Introduces National Security Team
I'm listening to it on NPR - right now Joe Biden is speaking: LISTEN LIVE | Obama Names Hillary Clinton Sec. Of State The president-elect announces his national security team: Senator Hillary Clinton Sec. of State, Defense Sec. Robert Gates, Eric Holder Attorney General, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano Sec. of Dept. of Homeland Security, Susan Rice Ambassador to the … [Read more...] about Obama Introduces National Security Team
Protecting America from the Dangers of Gay Adoption
We're pleased this week to welcome a fresh entry in the political new media community in the person of James Richardson and his new web site, The Skepticians. James was the Republican National Committee’s Online Communication Manager for the 2008 Presidential election, supporting John McCain's bid for the White House and was instrumental in providing many bloggers and new media … [Read more...] about Protecting America from the Dangers of Gay Adoption
The Tesla Roadster: “Only the Rich Can Afford It. Should Taxpayers Back It?”
Randall Stross, writing in the Business section of the NYTimes, asks: [W]hy should taxpayers fork over the capital that Tesla needs? The Roadster is not much more than a functioning concept car that sells for $109,000. The company is requesting $400 million in low-interest federal loans as part of the $25 billion loan package for the auto industry passed by Congress last … [Read more...] about The Tesla Roadster: “Only the Rich Can Afford It. Should Taxpayers Back It?”
Covering Obama And McCain: What Was It Really Like?
Some answers from CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic and John Bentley: Watch CBS Videos Online PERSONAL NOTE: From the standpoint of someone who is a political junkie, a former political science major, a former full-time journalist and a blogger who wrote extensively on this campaign there were several truths that I took from this year: 1. Barack Obama exceeded initial … [Read more...] about Covering Obama And McCain: What Was It Really Like?
More Distressing News from Mumbai
Times of India: Deccan Mujahideen email threatens DelhiAccording to police sources, Deccan Mujahideen has warned of a repeat of Mumbai terror attack at Indira Gandhi International Airport and three railway stations. Times of India: 3 RDX bombs found around Taj and TridentThe scope of the terror attack on Mumbai was much wider, The Times of India has reliably learnt. The … [Read more...] about More Distressing News from Mumbai
Two Must Read Roundups On The Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai, India
Be sure to read: 1. Barcepundit HERE. ...and 2. Jules Crittenden HERE. … [Read more...] about Two Must Read Roundups On The Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai, India