Mike Lester, The Rome News-Tribune … [Read more...] about Sexism
Disaster Relief – How to Help! (UPDATED)
Want to assist cyclone survivors in Burma and earthquake survivors in China? TMV reader C Stanley suggests: In reading this story, where China is specifically listing an urgent need for tents, I was moved to research and give to an organization that had been mentioned to me recently - a group that provides tents and other subsistence items in natural disasters. One … [Read more...] about Disaster Relief – How to Help! (UPDATED)
The Declining American Newspaper: Buyouts At The Washington Post
Here's the latest sign of how American newspapers have fallen on hard times: More than 100 Washington Post reporters, editors, photographers, artists and other journalists will take early retirement packages offered by the company as a way to cut costs, reducing the newsroom staff by at least 10 percent. A number of familiar bylines will leave for good or no longer … [Read more...] about The Declining American Newspaper: Buyouts At The Washington Post
Holiday travel fun: trains, planes, and automobiles
More cool interchange photos. And so the holiday travel season begins... James Joyner points to Kevin Drum on the unfriendly skies and the $15 bag checking fee. Last week Fresh Air had an interview with The Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney who writes their "The Middle Seat" column. He warns us to watch out when we reach into those seat back pocket pouches on … [Read more...] about Holiday travel fun: trains, planes, and automobiles
(Updated) Limited Records Release Shows Why McCain’s Mental Health Is An Issue
Whether a president or presidential candidate should make their complete medical records available is a non issue. Voters have a right to know whether they are physically and emotionally fit. That is why the release today of a carefully redacted and relatively small portion of the medical records of John McCain, the presumptive Republican candidate, is many days late and … [Read more...] about (Updated) Limited Records Release Shows Why McCain’s Mental Health Is An Issue
Metrosexuals versus manly men: a reason voters will prefer McCain to Obama?
Types like she laughs: I never thought about it this way before, but John Ettorre just left a very interesting and unique (because I'd yet to see the argument made nor had it ever occurred to me before now) comment on this thread with Ellen Bravo's ten reasons why women should vote for Obama if he is the candidate. Writes John: And reason #11: he’s a metrosexual, with all … [Read more...] about Metrosexuals versus manly men: a reason voters will prefer McCain to Obama?
Hero Of The Beach
RJ Matson, The New York Observer … [Read more...] about Hero Of The Beach
What explains the fading 5-to-4 at the Supreme Court?
Amply demonstrating why she will be missed at the NYTimes (she accepted a buyout earlier this year and will be succeeded by national legal correspondent Adam Liptak) Linda Greenhouse wonders why so few 5-to-4 Supreme Court rulings this term: Something is happening, clearly. The question is what. The caveats against drawing any hard conclusions at this stage are obvious. For … [Read more...] about What explains the fading 5-to-4 at the Supreme Court?
McCain’s Second U-Turn on Immigration Reform
In what appears to be a clear signal that Sen. John McCain feels he has secured as much of the conservative base vote that he can for the general election, the candidate seems to have doubled back again on the question of comprehensive immigration reform. During the early, heated portion of the Republican primary McCain found himself in big trouble with the conservative base … [Read more...] about McCain’s Second U-Turn on Immigration Reform
The Countdown To Clinton’s Judgment Day
See? Dust. Just like the rest of 'em. I don't know what’s coming next, but I do know it's gonna be just like this. Hard. Painful. But in the end it's gonna be us. If we all do our parts, believe it, we'll be the ones left standing. Here endeth the lesson. – BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Mark it on your calendars: June 3, 2008 is Judgment Day for Hillary Clinton. This is the … [Read more...] about The Countdown To Clinton’s Judgment Day
Media & Blogs Sleep As Inflation Monster Bares Its Fangs
We bloggers/journalists love to chase political stories, while our response to the critical economic issues is generally similar to those related to climate change. I wonder when our fraternity would realise that environmental and economic issues are as much "political" and important as the ones perceived as the "real political" ones. I was again reminded of this when I … [Read more...] about Media & Blogs Sleep As Inflation Monster Bares Its Fangs
[UPDATE] Major Tornado Rips Through Towns 45 Miles from Denver Where DNCC Will Be Held
The Town of Windsor Colorado. population 16,000, was the worst hit, a substantial part of the town torn apart. People in various states of shock, and miraculously, an entire day care center of over 240 children, torn into toothpicks, but all children safe and sound. Update: Excerpt From The Denver Post, today, a day after: Hundreds of businesses and homes in the town of … [Read more...] about [UPDATE] Major Tornado Rips Through Towns 45 Miles from Denver Where DNCC Will Be Held
Ted Kennedy
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about Ted Kennedy
Madonna of China: Chinese Policewoman Saves Orphan Babies’ Lives by Breastfeeding Them
Most every night, I stay up late-late, long after everyone else is sleeping. I fly over the internet, looking, looking, trying to find something beautiful or restorative to share with you here at TMV, so either you go to sleep with a beautiful idea or image, or wake up with one. Tonight, finding something beautiful in this wide and groaning world, was easy. Because there is … [Read more...] about Madonna of China: Chinese Policewoman Saves Orphan Babies’ Lives by Breastfeeding Them
What a Trip with Peabody and Sherman Might Say About the Dem Fight Over Michigan and Florida
Senator Hillary Clinton has a point as it relates to the Michigan and Florida delegate-seating controversy. In fact, she has several points. Among them... Every vote should count. Michigan and Florida should be represented at the Democratic National Convention. Delegates ought to be seated by a formula reflective of the results in their states. These points reflect … [Read more...] about What a Trip with Peabody and Sherman Might Say About the Dem Fight Over Michigan and Florida
What’s Really Behind Hillary Clinton’s Big Battle Over The Michigan And Florida Delegations?
So what's REALLY behind Senator Hillary Clinton's big battle to seat the Florida and Michigan delegations and lump the two states' popular primary votes into hers, even though her own associates had originally backed the DNC's stand on "punishing" the two states for not obeying party rules -- and just one week after many analyists claimed Clinton was toning down her polarizing … [Read more...] about What’s Really Behind Hillary Clinton’s Big Battle Over The Michigan And Florida Delegations?
Battle of the Centrists
Thanks to Centerfield for pointing me towards this thoughtfully realistic post by Gruntled Center Brooks actually cited two cases of the corruption of the Washington system. The farm bill was one, and the energy bill was the other. I agree that both are bad bills, more of a sweetheart deal for the biggest agribusiness and oil companies. That they both passed Congress … [Read more...] about Battle of the Centrists
Than Shwe, Dictator of Burma Is No Hero: His Self-Awarded Medals
Than Shwe, as four (4), count them, four huge ships are anchored off Burma, ships filled with relief medical supplies, a helicopter, food, tents, clothing for the poor suffering people of Burma, and YOU Than Shwe, whose names literally mean "million gold' ...refuse to allow the ships into port to land. This, Than Shwe, is now three weeks after the entire planetary … [Read more...] about Than Shwe, Dictator of Burma Is No Hero: His Self-Awarded Medals
Obama Had Better Define Himself – and Do So Quickly
According to Brazilian columnist William Waack, after over a year of campaigning, Barack Obama has failed to sufficiently define himself. And the Republicans - with Hillary's help - have already begun to do just that. Explaining the vagaries of America's presidential race to Brazilians, Waack writes for O Globo: "Hillary made it quite clear to the Republican campaign … [Read more...] about Obama Had Better Define Himself – and Do So Quickly
Let’s have more passionate newscasts!
The New Yorker has a piece on Katie Couric’s ill-fated voyage with CBS: I don’t think that people want less news; they want, I believe, the same kind of informed passion and doggedness that TV-news people displayed while covering Hurricane Katrina, and they want anchors to go deep into issues. I would more than happily watch Brian Williams do an hour of news every night (and … [Read more...] about Let’s have more passionate newscasts!