Over the past couple of weeks we have seen discussions of financial hurricanes striking New York but it now looks like there is an outside chance the city could see a real one, or at least a pretty substantial tropical storm. Currently the threat is only a tropical wave which has brought some pretty substantial rain to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic but at least two … [Read more...] about New York Hurricane ?
John Coltrane: An Appreciation
As a very grown-up 18 year old (or so I thought), I traveled to New York City alone for the first time during my senior year in high school. Some 40 years later, I vaguely recall getting off a Trailways bus at the Port Authority and walking out into the teeming throngs on 42nd Street. I lunched on a freshly-sliced roast beef sandwich at an Irish pub near Madison Square Garden … [Read more...] about John Coltrane: An Appreciation
Mr. Obama and the “Ghost of Charisma Past”
The death of a young person is a tragedy that freezes their image in time and subjects it to romantic embellishments. The deceased becomes a template. On the morning of November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy had served as President of the United States for two years and ten months. He was poised to be renominated by his party in 1964 and would have likely defeated the … [Read more...] about Mr. Obama and the “Ghost of Charisma Past”
Obama and McCain: The Incredible Shrinking Candidates’ – O Globo of Brazil
The financial crisis and the huge bailout being pursued by the federal government beg the question: When the deal is done, will it tie the hands of the next president so much that he won't be able to fulfill his campaign promises, ie.: cut taxes, revamp health care, rebuild the American military, etc.? Continuing with our Brazilian escapade of recent days, O Globo's chief … [Read more...] about Obama and McCain: The Incredible Shrinking Candidates’ – O Globo of Brazil
Disturbing Developments In Britain and France
While we have been focused on things here in the US, there have been a couple of somewhat-disturbing developments in Europe with regard to their laws and Islam. In England it was decided that Islamic Court Rulings are enforceable by the force of the government. In France a divorce was granted to a Muslim man because his wife lied about being a virgin. I considered … [Read more...] about Disturbing Developments In Britain and France
McCain Campaign At War With Old Media New York Times And New Media The Politico
Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain clearly is a wartime presidential candidate, giving out signs that he'll be a tough wartime President. At war with the old -- and now the new -- news media, that is.... In the past 24 hours, McCain's side has accused the New York Times of seeking to undermine their campaign and shill for Democrat Barack Obama. And when a … [Read more...] about McCain Campaign At War With Old Media New York Times And New Media The Politico
Cubs WIN !
I hope you will forgive this diversion from politics but as a die-hard Cubs fan (is there any other kind ?) I had to post to celebrate the fact that, with a victory over the Mets tonight, the Cubs have secured the best record in the National League and thus will have home field advantage through the entire playoff series. I'm not counting any chickens yet, but this will help … [Read more...] about Cubs WIN !
Troy Anthony Davis Stay Of Execution Denied
With hours to go a devastating blow: Davis' only hope for a reprieve lies with the U.S. Supreme Court after the state high court by a 6-1 vote rejected his stay request Monday. Supporters say the doubts merit a new trial. The courts have consistently disagreed. A divided Georgia Supreme Court has already rejected his request for a new trial by a 4-3 vote. The Georgia … [Read more...] about Troy Anthony Davis Stay Of Execution Denied
McCain Leads in Rural America (But Not By Enough)
I wrote a couple of weeks ago about how John McCain essentially drove a wedge between rural and urban America with the Sarah Palin pick and the overall tone of the RNC. And although I still think that is one of the biggest strategic benefits she brings to the ticket, a new poll from the Center for Rural Strategies suggests he still has some work to do to win rural voters by the … [Read more...] about McCain Leads in Rural America (But Not By Enough)
Is America Turning Socialist? It Always Was …: The Times of India
MAN'S SHIRT SAYS: 'CITIZEN' CAPTION READS: 'RESCUE BRIGADE' [Het Parool, The Netherlands] What does it mean to be 'socialist?' Now that the Bush Administration - regarded by many as the most right-wing, free-market, deregulation-oriented administration in living memory has opted for the largest tax-payer bailout of private business in world history - it's a question of … [Read more...] about Is America Turning Socialist? It Always Was …: The Times of India
Paulson Power
Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Paulson Power
Guest Voice: The Federal ‘Anything but Reserved’; 9/11 Terrorists Strike Again
This guest column is from Ned Lips, the second of his submissions we've published. See here for the first. As always, “Guest Voice” posts do not necessarily represent the opinions of TMV or its writers. ------------------ President Bush has called for dramatically increased powers for the Executive Branch/Treasury. Before we make that leap, perhaps we should evaluate … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: The Federal ‘Anything but Reserved’; 9/11 Terrorists Strike Again
GOP and Diversity
One of the common complaints I've heard against the GOP during their convention here in Minnesota is how less-diverse was the makeup of the attendees. The thought behind the complaint is that the Republicans are hopelessly bigoted and racist, the last bastion in America for those who are fearful of anyone other than White Anglo Saxon Protestants. While I would agree … [Read more...] about GOP and Diversity
Vote on Palin Now
This is a heartfelt "Amen" to Shaun Mullen's post below, with my own takes that can be read here and here. If you have a strong opinion about Gov. Palin's qualifications, PBS offers you a chance to vote on the question here. … [Read more...] about Vote on Palin Now
Palin: An Apocalypse Of A Different Kind
John McCain's last media availability was on August 13. Sarah Palin has not had a media availability in the 25 days since she burst on the national scene and has sat for only two interviews, one with ABC News at which she took offense because she was asked a few tough questions and one with the ever-indulgent Fox News that was a scripted love feast. The Palin Cone of Silence … [Read more...] about Palin: An Apocalypse Of A Different Kind
Washington Post: Lots Of Bush People Running McCain Campaign
If the tone and style of GOP Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain's campaign seem a bit deja vu to you, the Washington Post underscores the reason why: When Gov. Sarah Palin flew home to Alaska for the first time since being named the Republican vice presidential nominee, she brought along at least half a dozen new advisers to conduct briefings, stage-manage her first … [Read more...] about Washington Post: Lots Of Bush People Running McCain Campaign
Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
Debate grows over the Bush administration Wall Street meltdown bailout, a sharply divided electorate seems more divided, a crucial debate grows closer and Palinmania breaks out in Florida. Our linkfest guide takes you to weblogs of varying opinions as the news cycles get more dramatic in financial and political terms. WHY SOME PEOPLE HATE "THE ELITES": It's because the best … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
Throw the Bums Out!
For the last few days, I've been writing about risk and responsibility. Specifically, I've tried to point out that individual decision-making played at least some role in setting up this current financial crisis. Some seem to think I'm saying that the borrowers are the primary problem in all this -- but that's not it. What I am trying to point out is that although lenders … [Read more...] about Throw the Bums Out!
You’ll Still Be Able To Sleep In Your Car
As Congress is once again about to be stampeded into a disastrous policy by a faith-based Administration that refuses to disappear before it wrecks our lives completely, yet another twist of the knife is being contemplated by our economic masters. They now want (this is no joke!), they really now want to not only take over the toxic mortgage debt generated by a wacky crowd on … [Read more...] about You’ll Still Be Able To Sleep In Your Car
The Irrelevant Presidential Candidates
As they prepare for their first debate, Barack Obama and John McCain will be upstaged this week by people who will be out of power in four months--members of the Bush Administration and Congress, many of whom retire voluntarily or otherwise at year's end. No matter what the candidates say, our economy will be on the operating table in Washington, with the surgery being … [Read more...] about The Irrelevant Presidential Candidates