MORE HERE AND HERE. … [Read more...] about Sergeant Merlin German (1986-2008)
Colonel David Hackworth: An Appreciation
Hackworth (right) with S.L.A. Marshall in Vietnam (1966) There's a guy in virtually every organization who is a pop-off, and David Hackworth fit that description perfectly. But unlike most pop-offs, this man – the most highly decorated soldier in American military history – was reliably on target. So much so that his career ended with the threat of a court martial because … [Read more...] about Colonel David Hackworth: An Appreciation
Credit-Card Crackdown
Being held up at gunpoint is a minor problem for most Americans compared to having money stolen from them by credit-card companies. Now, as the economy worsens, regulators are finally bestirring themselves to prevent some of the theft. The Washington Post reports: "The Federal Reserve and two other banking regulators are set to unveil today one of the most aggressive efforts … [Read more...] about Credit-Card Crackdown
A Moment of Rest Away From The Whirling Whir of the World: A Lost Story
This is Abebe Bikila. He is from Ethiopia. He was overlooked and did everything wrong. His was not an auspicious beginning. His father was a shepherd, and it was expected Abebe would be a shepherd too. But, he decided there would be more food for him and his family if he joined the Regimental Bodyguards. He did so, but did not progress past the rank of private. He … [Read more...] about A Moment of Rest Away From The Whirling Whir of the World: A Lost Story
Bye-Bye Red Ken!
Ken Livingstone is a vicious bigot and I won't miss him. BBC:Boris Johnson has won the race to become the next mayor of London - ending Ken Livingstone's eight-year reign at City Hall. … [Read more...] about Bye-Bye Red Ken!
Can Any Candidate Take Us Out of Oceania and Back to the USA? Or Is That Solely Up To Us?
In psychology, there is a concept called Normalization of Violence, that comes strongly into play in our times. It puts people to sleep in the midst of being surrounded by assault. 'Normalization of violence' sometimes leads people to act like the people of Oceania in Orwell's 1984, having the equivalent of Two Minutes Hate daily, and then back to life as usual. Or unusual. … [Read more...] about Can Any Candidate Take Us Out of Oceania and Back to the USA? Or Is That Solely Up To Us?
Methodists protest rejection of same-sex unions
On Wednesday delegates at the United Methodist Church's General Conference voted that marriage should not include same-sex unions and that homosexual acts are not compatible with Christian teaching. Not a surprise, the votes: Approved, 517-416, keeping the statement that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Rejected, 574-298, a measure … [Read more...] about Methodists protest rejection of same-sex unions
Rumors Of Conspiratorial Underground Movements Are Usually Bull$*#&
I want to draw TMV readers' attention to the article earlier this week in the NYT about Debbie Almontaser. An Arab-American woman, she started a school in Brooklyn last fall known as the Khalil Gibran International Academy. The goal was to bring young people of Arab descent together with those of other ethnicities in order to create a cadre of students who would become … [Read more...] about Rumors Of Conspiratorial Underground Movements Are Usually Bull$*#&
Macrame Journalism
I was born in 1943, just in time to enjoy town squares, in the small rural towns. By the 1950s, and the arrival of better highways and more comfortable cars, residents of those towns had started to drive to larger regional cities to shop, eat, and see a movie. Around the town square, businesses closed, leaving darkened brick shells through which dry goods, sundries, hardware, … [Read more...] about Macrame Journalism
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Another Twofer
Larry J. Sabato on OLD MATH, NEW MATH, AND THE DISPUTE OVER THE "POPULAR VOTE" AND Alan I. Abramowitz on THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING REPUBLICAN BASE. OLD MATH, NEW MATH, AND THE DISPUTE OVER THE "POPULAR VOTE" Little consensus on measure of primary participation Give Hillary Clinton credit. She has shown toughness, stamina, and persistence in one of the longest … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Another Twofer
Noonan Nails It
You go, girl. … [Read more...] about Noonan Nails It
Clinton, Obama, McCain, and Shakespeare: Relentless War Silences Those Who Demanded Peace
Shakespeare is a greater psychologist and political strategist than most famous others. Shakespeare spoke more insightfully and poignantly about what happens when a republic/ empire becomes mired in war than the current candidates, Senators Clinton, Obama and McCain, who essentially speak of timelines only, "100 years" if need be, or "Out" right now. Their points are useful … [Read more...] about Clinton, Obama, McCain, and Shakespeare: Relentless War Silences Those Who Demanded Peace
Bush Accomplishments
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Bush Accomplishments
Gallup Daily Tracking Poll: McCain Beats Obama By 6 Points
The latest Gallup Daily Tracking Poll provides the most vivid red flag warning yet for Democratic Senator Barack Obama in his battle with Senator Hillary Clinton for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination: presumptive GOP nominee Senator John McCain now enjoys a six point lead over Obama and only a one point lead over Clinton. This will be a welcome piece of data for … [Read more...] about Gallup Daily Tracking Poll: McCain Beats Obama By 6 Points
New Hampshire considers Public Financing of Campaigns
Hat tip "Just $6" blog Public Funding in the Granite State? Stay Tuned. Governor John Lynch (D-NH) will sign legislation next month appointing a seven member commission to examine and recommend options to establish a system of public funding of elections. … [Read more...] about New Hampshire considers Public Financing of Campaigns
Comfort in Numbers
Math time again. According to RCP, Obama has 1,738 total delegates (1,489 pledged plus 249 super), leaving him 286 shy of the magic 2,024 he needs to clinch the nomination. As of today, again according to RCP, he's holding at roughly 45% in national polls on average -- a threshhold that he has effectively been at or above for the last two-plus months, despite all the … [Read more...] about Comfort in Numbers
Colbert & Stewart: One Formidable Opponent
Howard Dean was on The Daily Show last night. The interview was all smiles and laughs but chock-a-block full of important and substantive information. It went on for an unusually long 9 minutes and ran right up into the commercial break. Stewart commented on Jeremiah Wright on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday's shows and -- in contrast to every other cable news show -- his … [Read more...] about Colbert & Stewart: One Formidable Opponent
The Compromising Of ABC News?
We don't usually link to Drudge Report because so many of his original news items have later proven to be inaccurate. But this Drudge item is backed up with info from elsewhere -- and it could mean ABC News will be thrust into Democratic primary controversy once again. Here's his lead: Just hours before the Indiana and North Carolina presidential primaries, ABC NEWS has … [Read more...] about The Compromising Of ABC News?
Zogby Poll: Big Obama Lead Over Clinton In North Carolina And Tie In Indiana
Yesterday we ran a post about polls out of North Carolina hinting at what could be a possible upset -- a win by Senator Hillary Clinton in the Democratic Presidential primary there. But now a new poll by Zogby -- a pollster that did well in predicting the Pennsylvania vote -- puts Obama way ahead in North Carolina and locked in a tie with Clinton in Indiana: Five days … [Read more...] about Zogby Poll: Big Obama Lead Over Clinton In North Carolina And Tie In Indiana
Go Ahead. Fill in the Blanks. Now What?
Here and elsewhere, much has been written about the latest chapter in the saga of the angry preacher from Chicago -- perhaps too much. Regardless, I hope you'll tolerate at least one more (seriously belated) take on this story. First, it's no surprise to regular readers that I'm an Obama fan. I've been especially passionate about defending him in the wake of the Wright … [Read more...] about Go Ahead. Fill in the Blanks. Now What?