Next year is my ten year "anniversary" with my spousal equivalent -- though we've always had to wonder, anniversary of what??? In our case we chose the date that made the difference. (There's also the question of which finger to wear the ring on -- by wearing it on the traditional wedding finger am I trying to pass as a married straight man in this rural Georgia town?)We're … [Read more...] about Gay trend watch: wed on vacation, honeymoon at home!
Steve Axtell: The Walt Disney Of Puppet Makers Unveils “Hands Free Remote Controlled” Puppets
Away from the public spotlight, a Ventura-based puppet maker who was enchanted by Muppets creator Jim Henson's creations as a kid has now become the Walt Disney of puppet makers. In reality, he has been on that track now for several years -- but today he literally ushers in a revolution in puppetry, ventriloquism and character robots. You'll be seeing many more "hands … [Read more...] about Steve Axtell: The Walt Disney Of Puppet Makers Unveils “Hands Free Remote Controlled” Puppets
Gun Ban Gunned Down
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Gun Ban Gunned Down
With Low Turnout, Zimbaweans May Be Voting to End Mugabe’s Reign
What if a thug government held an election and almost nobody voted? That appears to be what's happening today in Zimbabwe. Violent intimidation by strongman president Robert Mugabe toward the supporters of Morgan Tsvangirai caused the insurgent candidate to withdraw from today's runoff election several days ago. Besides wanting to protect his supporters from increasing … [Read more...] about With Low Turnout, Zimbaweans May Be Voting to End Mugabe’s Reign
CERN LHC Lawsuit to be Dismissed?
According to this report from the New York Times, the Federal Government is moving to dismiss the lawsuit attempting to stop the activation of the CERN Large Haldron Collider in France. A large portion of the motion to dismiss seems to be coming from legal maneuvering as opposed to an argument on the merits of the case. Calling its claims “overly speculative and not … [Read more...] about CERN LHC Lawsuit to be Dismissed?
Book Review: ‘Twilight At Monticello’ & Jefferson’s Paradoxical Views On Slavery
. To visit the homes of many famous people is usually not to really know them. A conspicuous exception is Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the third president's self-designed masterpiece of Palladian architecture where he lived for 56 historic years -- from 1770 before he wrote the Declaration of Independence until his death on July 4, 1826. Monticello, Italian for "little … [Read more...] about Book Review: ‘Twilight At Monticello’ & Jefferson’s Paradoxical Views On Slavery
They’re Nekid I Tells Ya !
One of the more bemusing stories of the day involves a man from Texas named Robert Hurt. Hurt is a rancher (and father of 14) from Kerrville Texas. Over the years he has made several trips to Washington DC and he is not happy with what he has seen. While visiting our nations capital he was appalled to find that many of the buildings have artwork that portrays women who are … [Read more...] about They’re Nekid I Tells Ya !
“Books Not Bombs,” What a Liberal Idea
The Iraqi refugee crisis--and it is a crisis--continues to draw my interest, and, the refugees, my compassion. Perhaps it is because of my personal involvement in another refugee crisis in the seventies; perhaps it is because, in my opinion, the tragedy is a direct, albeit unintended result of our disastrous decision to invade Iraq and our equally disastrous mismanagement … [Read more...] about “Books Not Bombs,” What a Liberal Idea
June Worst Dow Month Since Great Depression
No matter what the reason, if the Democrats fail to win the White House this year they should be sued for political malpractice. They say people vote their pocketbooks but these days a lot of folks can't afford pocketbooks: U.S. stocks tumbled, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average to its worst June since the Great Depression, as record oil prices, credit-market … [Read more...] about June Worst Dow Month Since Great Depression
House Holds First Hearing on Employment Discrimination Against the Transgendered
I had the great honor of attending this historic event. Here are my brief thoughts on the hearing. And if Glen Lavy represents the best the right has arguing against us on this point, we should win this one in a landslide. Talk about an utterly embarrassing performance. … [Read more...] about House Holds First Hearing on Employment Discrimination Against the Transgendered
The Real Issue for Obama and McCain: Religion
Most people observing the American presidential election of 2008 regard health care, Iraq and perhaps immigration as the major issues of the campaign. But Juan Gabriel Vasquez, a columnist for El Espectador of Colombia, believes that there's one issue that overshadows all the rest. Vasquez writes in part: "Among the things of most concern to citizens, according to the … [Read more...] about The Real Issue for Obama and McCain: Religion
The Defensive Attributes of Stigmatization
How the intense stigmatization of such things as rape and racism actually help reify their presence in society. … [Read more...] about The Defensive Attributes of Stigmatization
Obama and McCain, struggling with high gasoline prices
Rivals Barack Obama and John McCain agree on one thing – that persistence of $4-a-gallon gasoline will damage their electoral prospects. Obama democrats often place the blame on Big Oil, speculators and price gougers while McCain’s people blame controls on drilling offshore or in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Both sides agree that the US has compelling reasons both … [Read more...] about Obama and McCain, struggling with high gasoline prices
Supreme Court Roundup (Part One)
As most of you know the Supreme Court has been fairly busy the last few days handing down a series of rulings. I had hoped to post a little of my very amateur legal comments on the decisions but have been somewhat swamped by work lately so I haven't had a chance to post until now. Since it just came down today I thought I would start with the Heller decision (more properly … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Roundup (Part One)
Manhattan Project For Energy Independence
One of the least reported stories recently is that of Virginia Congressman Randy Forbes. So far it has gotten coverage from just the Wall Street Journal and Tom Sullivan Show, plus a few other people. Forbes has been in the House since 2001 and has recently made a very interesting proposal which is being ignored by both his fellow legislators and the media in general. … [Read more...] about Manhattan Project For Energy Independence
Obama, McCain, Two Hangmen, and Camus
(For a different perspective on the subject of this post, note this contribution from TMV Chief Joe Gandelman earlier today.) --------------------------------- I was four years old in 1969, the year Mason Proffit’s “Wanted!” album was released. It was several years later that I remember first hearing the signature song from that album, “Two Hangmen” -- the chorus of … [Read more...] about Obama, McCain, Two Hangmen, and Camus
September 10 Mindset
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about September 10 Mindset
Glenn Greenwald Takes Olbermann’s Recent Defense of Obama & FISA into a Back Room; Only Greenwald Comes Out
Glenn Greenwald has administered a swift and deadly kick to Olbermann's credibility on the issue and to any lingering hope that Olbermann might recover sufficient detachment to be considered a reliable commenter on any issue relating to his Hero, Barack Obama. Now that Obama has made his position on FISA crystal clear, Olbermann has apparently decided how he is going to … [Read more...] about Glenn Greenwald Takes Olbermann’s Recent Defense of Obama & FISA into a Back Room; Only Greenwald Comes Out
The itch explained
It turns out that while making the cycling video (thanks for the kind comments and emails!) I was bit by a spider. That bite turned into an adventure in itching the likes of which I had not endured before, but not near as bad as the shocking story of "M" told in this week's New Yorker. Itching is quite the diabolical sensation: Though scratching can provide momentary … [Read more...] about The itch explained
SCOTUS limits policy on campaign finance
The Election Law Blog has a helpful summary of today's Supreme Court decision against limits on campaign financing. The Court ruled that just because a candidate is wealthy does not justify increasing the fundraising limits on his opponent. This follows previous court rulings that frown on limiting the fund raising of candidates. I do not personally agree that money and … [Read more...] about SCOTUS limits policy on campaign finance