Patrick Chappatte, Le Temps, Switzerland … [Read more...] about FINANCIAL TURMOIL and the NOBEL PRIZE
Can’t Wait for More Debates (Guest Cartoonist)
This is a Guest Cartoon by moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe who will be joining TMV soon as a coblogger. … [Read more...] about Can’t Wait for More Debates (Guest Cartoonist)
Malcolm Gladwell on Juries and Race
Over the past couple days we've had some compelling posts about the "race card" and "racism without racists" here at TMV. Those posts have drawn very vibrant comment threads; the kind of discussion that makes blogging vital. I hope I might add to and continue that discussion with this re-posting of a piece I wrote about a SXSW keynote address Malcolm Gladwell gave back in March … [Read more...] about Malcolm Gladwell on Juries and Race
McCain’s Death Throes
It's always sad to see a venerated figure descend into self-parody. Like Michael Richards - Kramer from Seinfeld - who circled around the toilet bowl in a fit of racist rage in a stand-up comedy show, the McCain brand is quickly turning an election defeat into a humiliating rout. Yes, the economy is the fundamental factor here. But McCain's decision to turn the last month into … [Read more...] about McCain’s Death Throes
McCain Palin Campaign Rallies: Calls To “Kill” That “Terrorist” Obama
Independent voters and many thoughtful Republicans and Democrats have over the past 8 years decried the deterioration of American national election rhetoric. Now the campaign of Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin seems to be sparking ominous reactions from some supporters. The two incidents have gotten some press … [Read more...] about McCain Palin Campaign Rallies: Calls To “Kill” That “Terrorist” Obama
Half Of Australia Is “Virgin”
The 'outback' and the 'bush' have an iconic status in Australian life. A recent report for the Pew Environment Group and Nature Conservancy said that Australia had the highest number of endemic mammal and reptile species in the world. "Three million square kilometres (1.1 million sq miles) — an area 12 times the size of mainland Britain — have been left pristine. We were … [Read more...] about Half Of Australia Is “Virgin”
No Decision on Troy Anthony Davis Appeal
A decision on whether or not the Supreme Court would grant cert in the case of Troy Anthony Davis had been widely-expected today. The Court apparently needs more time: The high court issued orders Monday addressing the appeals of numerous cases, but none as to whether it will accept or reject Davis’ appeal. Instead, the court, in a listing on its docket, said it will meet in … [Read more...] about No Decision on Troy Anthony Davis Appeal
Does John McCain Suffer from the “S” Syndrome?”
Do you repeatedly confuse words that begin with S? Such as, for example, do you say salt instead of sugar, or---to your wife, or husband---sweaty instead of sweetie? If so, you may be afflicted by the very same ailment that McCain may be suffering from. In his Sunday New York Times column, "Pitbull Palin Mauls McCain," Frank Rich is quite concerned about McCain's physical … [Read more...] about Does John McCain Suffer from the “S” Syndrome?”
Why The Ayers Gambit Fails
Several readers have pointed out that I completely failed to give a full explanation of why the McCain gambit on the Ayers - Obama "connection" fails on its face. (This has nothing to do with my previous column on the eventual outcome of the election.) One example of the GOP's hopes can be found in this post at Hot Air, where every effort is made to stitch together any particle … [Read more...] about Why The Ayers Gambit Fails
Why McCain Will Win
Yes, I know, that’s probably a surprising headline, but if you give me a chance to explain myself we may have a new point of discussion. Earlier I talked about how the McCain campaign’s choice to bring up Bill Ayers would not be a wise decision. I stand by that analysis. The media is going to address the question of why McCain is talking about it more than the relationship … [Read more...] about Why McCain Will Win
One New Fact
In my civil rights roundup today, I referenced an AP analysis which argued that Sarah Palin's charge that Obama "pals" with terrorists had a "racial subtext", as well John Cole's claim that he really did not see it. I noted that while I essentially agree with Cole, I thought that the case raised some interesting hypotheticals worth exploring in a later post. Read the rest of … [Read more...] about One New Fact
A Brief Pause (in the Campaign) to Think of Our Returning Troops
I am a retired military officer and support the real war on terror, but opposed our invasion of Iraq and continue to oppose that disastrous war. But, you betcha, I support the troops. My support does not consist of just displaying a "Support the Troops" magnet---see below. I support them by praying that as few of them as possible will make the ultimate sacrifice or return … [Read more...] about A Brief Pause (in the Campaign) to Think of Our Returning Troops
Undecided No More: It’s Obama
Almost a month ago, I wrote that I had taken the Obama sticker off the back of my truck and gone back on the fence. In large part, I needed to take a step back. Having declared myself for a candidate, I was finding myself defensive of him, and thus not able to evaluate positions fairly. Likewise, the screeches and screaming that arose around Sarah Palin's elevation to the … [Read more...] about Undecided No More: It’s Obama
No Bailouts for Jobless or Homeless
In the porkathon to pass the bailout bill, Congress balked at two measures--to extend jobless benefits for the unemployed and allow bankruptcy judges to reduce penniless homeowners' mortgages. So much for Main Street, where signs of a 1930s Depression are cropping up everywhere: *New figures show 760,000 lost jobs this year. Of the 9.5 million Americans out of work, two … [Read more...] about No Bailouts for Jobless or Homeless
Civil Rights Roundup: 10/06/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Obviously, this column by the treasurer of the Buchanan County (Va.) GOP (and county representative on McCain's Virginia leadership team) is not racist. After all, the author denied that it was, and we all know that's good enough when it's a White guy! It's worth noting again -- this election will be a pivotal one in terms … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 10/06/08
Is Election 2008 Over? Chickens and Eggs Edition
To read Howard Wolfson this morning, one would think that we should start packing things up here at TMV and preparing to launch our new online endeavor in recipe-sharing for Icelandic food enthusiasts. Given the continual sag in McCain-Palin poll numbers and the seemingly desperate nature of Big Mac's decision to send his running mate out calling Obama a terrorist buddy, it's … [Read more...] about Is Election 2008 Over? Chickens and Eggs Edition
Bill Kristol Advises Sarah Palin to Get Dirty
Leave it to Bill Kristol to drop names and to say the Wrong Stuff. In his New York Times, "The Wright Stuff" column, Kristol---who met Sarah Palin once in Alaska over a year ago---pretends that he now knows her intimately. Intimately enough to give her the wrong advice on the Wright Stuff. Kristol not only feels it is great for Palin to muck-rake, exaggerate and even lie … [Read more...] about Bill Kristol Advises Sarah Palin to Get Dirty
Evangelical Split On LGBT Rights?
Bishop Harry Jackson was a guest on The Michelangelo Signorile Show on Friday to respond to the fact that Mark Buse, John McCain's Senate Chief of Staff and a longtime McCain adviser (and a Freddie Mac lobbyist whose firm earned $460,000 in lobbying fees in late 2003 and 2004) is now widely known to be gay. Signorile yesterday: Jackson, pastor of the Hope Christian Church … [Read more...] about Evangelical Split On LGBT Rights?
Stock Market Tumbles Below 10,000
Despite the recently signed bailout, world markets are now reeling -- and the stock market has now fallen below 10,000: Stocks tumbled Monday, with the Dow Jones industrial average falling below 10,000 for the first time in nearly four years, as European governments' rush to prop up failing financial firms underscored the global reach of the credit crunch. Credit … [Read more...] about Stock Market Tumbles Below 10,000
McCain, Obama Campaigns Now Moving Into Full Attack Mode
"Of course, you know, this means WAR!" That's essentially the response of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign to several news stories in which GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's campaign virtually telegraphed its intention to go intensely negative and try to turn Obama's past associations into an issue. Then, over the weekend, GOP Vice … [Read more...] about McCain, Obama Campaigns Now Moving Into Full Attack Mode