This is a topic we've covered on our radio show a couple of times, but there is a video available over at Town Hall with an open forum for comments where the debate over the drinking age continues. I'll share a few of my own observations, but first some of the early comments from readers for you to consider. First, jfb1138 is squarely against it. The problem is that young … [Read more...] about Old Enough to Drink?
Arms Shipments Underscore Danger of Chinese Government
The presidential election was held in Zimbabwe more than three weeks ago. While it's widely rumored that strongman Robert Mugabe was ousted by voters, we don't know for sure. That's because his government has refused to reveal the results. Mugabe apparently intends to cling to power, continuing to exercise his reign of terror (and error), thuggishly intimidating opposition, … [Read more...] about Arms Shipments Underscore Danger of Chinese Government
“W”: Oliver Stone’s New Film On President George W. Bush
History will provide many interpretations of George W. Bush, his life & times. Here comes the cinematic version. Oliver Stone, a three-time Academy Award winning film director and screenwriter, is making a film on President George W. Bush (simply called W) and would be shot in Louisiana. Bush experts have already begun to dissect the screenplay. W would come as a farewell … [Read more...] about “W”: Oliver Stone’s New Film On President George W. Bush
The Politics of Starvation
The growing world food crisis looks like a montage in a disaster movie--crowd scenes of hungry rioters in Haiti, Egypt and Africa's Ivory Coast; close-ups of emaciated mothers holding out starving children to anyone who will feed them; well-fed gray men in paneled rooms clucking impotently. Before the World Bank meeting last weekend, president Robert Zoellick talked about … [Read more...] about The Politics of Starvation
TV politics: Audience first, issues second
The New York Times buried a lede big-time in its story about the Clinton-Obama Pennsylvania debate. That debate was widely criticized for the way the hosting network and its moderators, Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos, devoted the first half of the 90-minute debate to questions of little substance, such as the importance of wearing American flag lapel pins. … [Read more...] about TV politics: Audience first, issues second
President Correa: Prove Your Charges of CIA Infiltration!
Has the CIA infiltrated the Ecuadorian intelligence services - and is Ecuadorian intelligence feeding information to the Colombian government? These charges have been leveled by Ecuador's President Correa against his own intelligence services - and there are some in Ecuador who are demanding he provide evidence. Carlos Freile writes for Ecuador's La Hora, "We Ecuadorians … [Read more...] about President Correa: Prove Your Charges of CIA Infiltration!
New McCain Fund Gets Around Donation Limits
Perhaps these maneuvers are what Senator Obama had in mind when he said he wanted to negotiate with the Republican Nominee on a fair campaign finance agreement. I also imagine that the FEC might have something to say about these tactics if they had a quorum. The new structure allows up to $70,000 in individual contributions by channeling the money into different … [Read more...] about New McCain Fund Gets Around Donation Limits
Gallup Tracking: Clinton Rising And Obama Dropping
Within days of the crucial Pennsylvania Democratic Presidential primary, the Gallup Daily Tracking poll and and one other shows Senator Hillary Clinton is showing signs of "Big Mo" (momentum) -- and that rival Senator Barack Obama's campaign may be sagging. Trending is what you really need to look for...and some of the new polls aren't good news for Obama. … [Read more...] about Gallup Tracking: Clinton Rising And Obama Dropping
Guest Voice: The Most Powerful People in America
Here is another Guest Voice by Joel S. Hirschhorn who is highly critical of both parties.. Guest Voice columns do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. The Most Powerful People in America by Joel S. Hirschhorn They are not the rich and superrich, nor the politically powerful running the two-party plutocracy, nor the greedy heads of banking and … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: The Most Powerful People in America
No Slap for Bush; Pope’s Unspoken Endorsement of John McCain
Those who were waiting for Pope Benedict to issue President Bush a 'slap in the face' over the Iraq War have been sorely disappointed. In fact, according to Patrik Etschmayer of Switzerland's Nachrichten newspaper: "No one should believe that the Iraq War is really that high on the Pope's agenda. When it came time for the Holy See to endorse a candidate for the last … [Read more...] about No Slap for Bush; Pope’s Unspoken Endorsement of John McCain
The economy’s fine. You, however, may be psychotic
Via Think Progress, we find a rather unusual tidbit from a recent John McCain interview. When the topic turns to the economy in general and gas prices in specific, Senator McCain is proposing a summer vacation from gas taxes to help out Americans. Strangely, though, he doesn't seem to think it's really going to change much. I’m very concerned about it, Neil. And obviously … [Read more...] about The economy’s fine. You, however, may be psychotic
Can This New Poll Be Right? Well, Maybe . . .
Newsweek magazine's latest national poll has Barack Obama ahead of Hillary Clinton by a whopping 19 points among Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters. Mind blowing, no? Well, maybe not according to this analysis by Charles Franklin at pollster.com. HAT TIP TO BACK ALLEY MEDIA … [Read more...] about Can This New Poll Be Right? Well, Maybe . . .
Clinton Supporter Spreads Info Alleging Obama Link To 70s Radicals
It's increasingly clear that the Clinton campaign's negativity is so intense that it will eventually be compared to the infamous negative number Republicans George Bush and Karl Rove played on Senator John McCain in the 2000 South Carolina primary -- but the Clinton campaign's negativity is unrelenting....and now offers a new twist: In the latest melody in the medley of … [Read more...] about Clinton Supporter Spreads Info Alleging Obama Link To 70s Radicals
Political Parties: How Many are Too Many?
The hue and cry for independent and third-party candidates has seemingly died down during the current campaign season -- though I doubt those who favor something beyond the R-and-D paradigm will remain quiet for long. Before they renew their efforts, they may want to read and consider the implications of “A systemic problem” -- one of the articles featured in The Economist’s … [Read more...] about Political Parties: How Many are Too Many?
Danny Federici (1950-2008)
MORE HERE. … [Read more...] about Danny Federici (1950-2008)
Fair and Balanced?
At Politico, John Harris and Jim Vandehei take their turn scolding the media for scolding ABC. Though I don't agree with everything they write, I do -- even as an Obama supporter -- agree with their essential thesis: It is not reporters’ job to promote the opposition’s story lines — especially dubious ones like the suggestion that because Obama does not favor flag pins on … [Read more...] about Fair and Balanced?
News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: April 19th
A biweekly feature of news and opinion pieces from the Israeli and Palestinian press. 1.) Last Friday, Israel's Housing and Construction Ministry announced its decision to build 48 new houses in the West Bank settlement of Ariel and 52 houses in the settlement of Elkana. Israel has defended the decision by noting that they will merely be a part of the existing settlement … [Read more...] about News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: April 19th
John Zogby Polls Pennsylvania’s Primary — Interview (Guest Voice)
In this Guest Voice post, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review columnist Bill Steigerwald interviews pollster John Zogby, who discusses trends in Pennsylvania days before the crucial Pennsylvania Democratic presidential primary: John Zogby Polls Pennsylvania's Primary by Bill Steigerwald The name Zogby -- like Gallup -- has become synonymous with polling and public opinion … [Read more...] about John Zogby Polls Pennsylvania’s Primary — Interview (Guest Voice)
Blogs & Media Love To “Hate” Hillary Clinton?
One can understand when a staunch Republican declares that he/she "hates" a presidential candidate from another party. But it stumps me when even the so-called Democrat-supporters are quoted in the media saying they "hate" Hillary Clinton. I can understand Democrats "opposing", "disagreeing", "dis-approving", "disliking", etc., etc., their own party candidate, but why "hate"... … [Read more...] about Blogs & Media Love To “Hate” Hillary Clinton?
Neil From Buffalo Makes a Confession
Our friend Neil is a member of Hillary Clinton's core constituency: A 66-year-old blue-collar worker and Roman Catholic with a high school education from Buffalo, New York, a gritty Rust Belt city, who was a Navy medical corpsman. Neil voted for Clinton on Super Tuesday because he believed that she had the requisite experience and the "balls," as bluntly put, to lead the … [Read more...] about Neil From Buffalo Makes a Confession