Before there was a CIA, during World War II, there was the OSS and now more than half a century later the National Archives is releasing files on almost 24,000 Americans who worked for the agency, including Julia Child. Although she will be mentioned in the same breath as Valerie Plame, there was nothing covert about Julia, with whom I worked for more than a decade and whose … [Read more...] about Outing Julia Child
Debate coach’s profane performance caught on YouTube
The Chronicle tells us that A Professor Is in the Hot Seat After Mooning Debate Judges: A debate coach for Fort Hays State University, in Kansas, is under review by the institution after he swore at officials and mooned judges at a tournament earlier this year, in an incident that was recorded and uploaded to YouTube. The coach, William Shanahan III, a professor of … [Read more...] about Debate coach’s profane performance caught on YouTube
The Four Day Grind
While it has cropped up many times over the years, another unanticipated bit of fallout from surging energy costs has been a renewed interest in both telecommuting and the four day work week. Chrysler is looking into it again, Howard County, Md. has adopted it, along with Brevard County Community College in Florida, among others. Some of these early adopters are seeing benefits … [Read more...] about The Four Day Grind
Cartoonists Views Of Michael Phelps
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune And there's more: … [Read more...] about Cartoonists Views Of Michael Phelps
Questioning Elizabeth Edwards’ ‘Excruciating Anguish’
I have to admit being gullible enough to have accepted John Edwards story as I watched the first telling. That didn't last long. But what about Elizabeth? Mickey Kaus notes that both the People Magazine cover story and the National Enquirer agree that she is the victim. Not Kaus: Elizabeth Edwards, rather than being its victim, is in on it up to her eyeballs! Why do I think … [Read more...] about Questioning Elizabeth Edwards’ ‘Excruciating Anguish’
The New Jersey Hospital Crisis Revisited
Imagine being admitted to a hospital for major surgery only to find out that while the surgeon and anesthesiologist are poised to do their jobs, the nurses are somewhere else. That situation is analogous to why the New Jersey hospitals crisis, the worst in the U.S. and a harbinger of things to come elsewhere as the nation's health-career system slowly collapses, is not going … [Read more...] about The New Jersey Hospital Crisis Revisited
Pakistan’s Pervez Musharraf: Countdown Begins?
Reports from Pakistan indicate that Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf is losing ground fast. The Guardian states that British and American diplomats are attempting to find an exit for Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf, a staunch western ally, before he is dragged through a humiliating impeachment process. "Musharraf has been one of the Bush administration's closest … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s Pervez Musharraf: Countdown Begins?
Pakistan-India Celebrate Independence Day
India was split into two countries --- Pakistan and India --- in August 1947 when the British ended their colonial rule. Pakistan celebrates its independence day today (August 14), while India a day later on August 15. The photograph above shows Muhammad Ali Jinnah and M.K. Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi), both designated as "Father of the Nation" by the newly independent nations … [Read more...] about Pakistan-India Celebrate Independence Day
The Need For Campaign Reform (Guest Voice)
This Guest Voice post is by CBS veteran newsman and anchor Bob Schieffer. In this excerpt from his new book, Bob Schieffer's America, he looks at the issue of campaign reform and the realities facing those who seek it. From Bob Schieffer's America by Bob Schieffer: Campaign 2004 cost nearly a billion dollars. In 2008, spending in just the presidential race alone will … [Read more...] about The Need For Campaign Reform (Guest Voice)
A “Turning Point” in the Georgia Conflict? (A News & TMV Blog Post Round-Up)
Note: There have been a number of posts at TMV during the last few days on the Russia-Georgia conflict. I've listed them at the end. At The New York Times, Andrew E. Kramer discusses the peace plan brokered by the French (as the country holding the rotating presidency of the EU). According to him, it provided the Russians with a rationale for pushing further into Georgia … [Read more...] about A “Turning Point” in the Georgia Conflict? (A News & TMV Blog Post Round-Up)
McCain Lip-sync
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about McCain Lip-sync
‘John McCain Repeatedly Misquotes Chairman Mao’: From China’s Global Geographic Times
Now John McCain has gone and done it! The Chinese have picked up on the fact that the Republican candidate for president has been misquoting the Great Helmsman Himself, Mao Zedong - and they are not pleased. According to this op-ed article by Wang Qichao of China's Global Geographic Times: "In almost every campaign speech he mentions that, 'It's always darkest before it … [Read more...] about ‘John McCain Repeatedly Misquotes Chairman Mao’: From China’s Global Geographic Times
Russia vs. Georgia: Implications for the U.S.
Economists know that the total cost of a decision can only be truly measured when its "opportunity cost" is considered: this "opportunity cost" is the loss of ability to make other choices given the resources consumed in implementing the original decision. Simply, if I buy guns, I can't buy butter because I've already spent my money. Political decisions also can only be … [Read more...] about Russia vs. Georgia: Implications for the U.S.
Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Bill Gwatney Killed by Gunman
Currently, the motive for the murder of Arkansas Democratic party chair Bill Gwatney is unknown. (NYT) Gwatney, a supporter of Hillary Clinton and a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, was shot in his office at Democratic party headquarters in Little Rock. (NYT) He was rushed to the hospital, but died several hours later.(NYT) The police said that the … [Read more...] about Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Bill Gwatney Killed by Gunman
Irony Alert. McCain: “In the 21st Century, Nations Don’t Invade Other Nations”
Would that he were right. You can see the video (via Think Progress) below. … [Read more...] about Irony Alert. McCain: “In the 21st Century, Nations Don’t Invade Other Nations”
Energy policy – How can we find a path for the future if we don’t know where we are starting from?
This is the first in a planned series of posts on energy policy, arguably one of the most critical, long-term problems facing not only the United States but the world, and an issue that is already being discussed in the current electoral campaigns. Fundamentals – The nature of energy What do we mean when we talk about energy? Most people think of oil, and when they … [Read more...] about Energy policy – How can we find a path for the future if we don’t know where we are starting from?
‘Georgia: The Proxy War that Could Go Global’: From Germany’s Frankfurter Rundschau
Continuing on with our European coverage of the crisis in Georgia, this article by Karl Grobe of the German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau, written just after the crisis mushroomed last week, contains a number of arresting comments that convey the gravity of the situation. Grobe writes in part: "This is now more than a limited confrontation within the borders of what … [Read more...] about ‘Georgia: The Proxy War that Could Go Global’: From Germany’s Frankfurter Rundschau
Julia Child: Agent 450
Interesting article about all of the celebrities who worked for the OSS during World War Two. Good for them. … [Read more...] about Julia Child: Agent 450
Ayesha Siddiqua: Pakistan’s Brave Woman
Six months ago I wrote about a brave Pakistani woman who has been relentlessly fighting the two arbiters of her country's destiny, Pakistan's army and the US administration. (See here...) When she was virtually hounded out of Pakistan, Dr Ayesha Siddiqa sought refuge in the world of US academia. Here is Ayesha Siddiqua's fresh salvo from the Stanford University as reported … [Read more...] about Ayesha Siddiqua: Pakistan’s Brave Woman
Powell Endorsement Of Obama Coming Soon?
Will former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorse Democratic presumptive nominee Senator Barack Obama? Yes...wait...he might not. Will Powell go to the Democratic convention to endorse Obama? Yes...wait...he might not. Once again Colin Powell, the charismatic military former military commander with the great bio, is in the spotlight and continuing his role as one of the … [Read more...] about Powell Endorsement Of Obama Coming Soon?