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
Obama And The White Working Class
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune … [Read more...] about Obama And The White Working Class
Ted Stevens’ Trial Set to Kick Off in Washington
Largely without notice during the banking dust up, the trial of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens is gearing up in Washington. Jury selection is beginning this week. Sept. 22 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Senator Ted Stevens's bid for a seventh term may be decided by 12 people he has never met in a courthouse thousands of miles away from his home state of Alaska. Jury selection in the … [Read more...] about Ted Stevens’ Trial Set to Kick Off in Washington
Memo To Chicken Little On The Economy: The Sky Is Not Falling
Over the last couple of weeks, we have been treated to a series of stories which have given the impression that it is only a matter of days before the entire US economy collapses into a hopeless pit of doom. With all due respect to some of these economic Chicken Littles, the situation is not quite that bad. To be sure, there are some major problems with the mortgage system … [Read more...] about Memo To Chicken Little On The Economy: The Sky Is Not Falling
A Musical Interlude: Cuban Pete
With so much grim economic news and political partisans screaming at each other (and those in the middle) it's time to offer some fun things on TMV once more. So for starters: Here is my favorite You Tube lip synch. A young teen lip synching Jim Carey's version of Cuban Pete as done in The Mask. This kid (now two years older) is a genius: And here is the ORIGINGAL Cuban … [Read more...] about A Musical Interlude: Cuban Pete
Opposition Growing to Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB)
I haven't seen any polling on the Paulson bailout plan. But my guess is that politicians in both parties have been polling this privately and are discovering that the American people oppose this plan in its current form. While many people - including regular folks and highly-informed elites - recognize that some form of bailout is necessary, the manner in which we are told to … [Read more...] about Opposition Growing to Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB)
How Our ‘American Masters’ Drove Iraqis to Compare Israel to Iran: Kitabat of Iraq
Iraqi Legislator Mithal al-Alusi: Punished for visiting Israel. So how is Iraq's experiment in Western-style democracy coming along, a curious American might ask? Judging from the recent dust-up over Iraqi legislator Mithal al-Alusi, who decided to visit Israel to attend an anti-terror conference - Iraqis is still have a long way to go. Mr. al-Alusi has been stripped of … [Read more...] about How Our ‘American Masters’ Drove Iraqis to Compare Israel to Iran: Kitabat of Iraq
Guess Who’s Not Being Ruled Out As Treasury Secretary In A McCain Administration?
When a spokesman won't rule something out, it's not ruled out. That's unfortunately, or fortunately, the way it works in politics. And in this video you can see that the issue remains open: if people vote for John McCain for President does this mean they could get Phil Gramm as Treasury Secretary? We originally had this post as shorter with just a link, but it merits giving … [Read more...] about Guess Who’s Not Being Ruled Out As Treasury Secretary In A McCain Administration?
A Political Satire Song Break
The Capitol Steps on Barack Obama HERE. You can buy their great CDs here (I have quite a few). Unlike left and right talk radio who only deride one side, the Capitol Steps poke fun at them all. … [Read more...] about A Political Satire Song Break
In Which I Solve the Financial Crisis
People are already analyzing and over-analyzing the responses to the financial meltdown, such as they are, while others are writing off Paulson's only partly formed proposition before it gets off the ground. Since I'm sure that both the President and Congress are waiting with worms on their tongues to see what I have to say on the subject, I may as well wade in and solve this … [Read more...] about In Which I Solve the Financial Crisis
Obama McCain Prepare For Friday Debate Sound Bite Contest
Friday night is The Big Debate in Mississippi between presidential wannabes Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain and both candidates are reportedly hard-at-work preparing for the debate -- and the all important battle of the enduring sound bite, which could shape the conventional wisdom regarding who won and who lost. And boost one of them in the … [Read more...] about Obama McCain Prepare For Friday Debate Sound Bite Contest