A new poll shows Americans overwhelmingly want a change from what the Bush administration is giving American on several fronts -- and the desire cuts across party and non-party lines: One year out from the 2008 election, Americans are deeply pessimistic and eager for a change in direction from the agenda and priorities of President Bush, according to a new Washington … [Read more...] about Poll: Americans Want Change From Bush Direction And Agenda
You Can Call Me IRV
Those of you who have been on this planet 40-plus years will probably remember Bill Saluga. No, you might not remember his name, but I bet you remember his signature schtick as Raymond J. Johnson Jr. ... ya doesn't has to call me Johnson. You can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay, or you can call me Johnny ... Inspired by Mr. Saluga -- and recognizing that I'm just not, … [Read more...] about You Can Call Me IRV
Iron Fist
Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria … [Read more...] about Iron Fist
India’s Big Challenge: How To Stop Public from Relieving in the Open
If the neighbouring Pakistan is struggling to get rid of its military dictatorship, a democratic India is battling to ensure that its teeming millions start using the loo and stop defecating in the open. You see the the developing countries have to battle on many fronts...each demanding immediate action!!! The "loo" problem is so acute that New Delhi hosted World Toilet … [Read more...] about India’s Big Challenge: How To Stop Public from Relieving in the Open
Fear of the Year
Gays, pro-choicers and the liberal elite can relax. The Republicans have found their domestic target for '08 and, from all indications in New Hampshire, it is now illegal immigrants who are threatening the very fabric of American society. "It's becoming a litmus test of how conservative you are," according to a professor of political science quoted by the McClatchy … [Read more...] about Fear of the Year
The Logic of the Obama Plan…(Or, Why Security Guarantees Matter)
The New York Times ran a front-page article yesterday about Obama's plan to aggressively pursue diplomacy with Iran over the nuclear issue. In my opinion, the approach that Obama detailed is very logical: unconditional negotiations, better carrots, harsher punishment for non-compliance, and a reduced American presence in the Persian Gulf. Not everyone in the blogosphere had … [Read more...] about The Logic of the Obama Plan…(Or, Why Security Guarantees Matter)
Bhutto Recrafts Her Image
It's not exactly clear how she's done it, but Benazir Bhutto has effectively recast herself as Pakistan's "democratic savior." Interestingly, as The Hill reported not long ago, Bhutto has invested in a major PR campaign to give her image a makeover. To the tune of a quarter million dollars, she has hired the lobbying firm BKSH & Associates to obscure her poor record and … [Read more...] about Bhutto Recrafts Her Image
Gen. Musharraf Cracks The Whip: “Shut Up You Civilians”!
In declaring martial law, a besieged President General Pervez Musharraf has finally ripped asunder the pretensions of returning his volatile country to some form of democracy. Obviously, the General has come to believe that his powerful mentor and benefactors in the United States are not really serious when they proclaim that they are "deeply disturbed" that Pakistani … [Read more...] about Gen. Musharraf Cracks The Whip: “Shut Up You Civilians”!
New Profiles in Courage: Senators Schumer & Feinstein
Following the news and many opinions concerning Judge Mukasey and water-boarding, I came to the following conclusions: 1) We need an Attorney General 2) Judge Mukasey is likely to be a competent (if not an excellent) Attorney General 3) GWB will not put forth a "better" nominee than Judge Mukasey 4) The Senate should confirm Judge Mukasey so that he can clean-up the … [Read more...] about New Profiles in Courage: Senators Schumer & Feinstein
Transatlantic Comparisons For Scare-Mongering
There is a certain obsession with the United States in European debates, but there also seems to be a certain obsession with France in the US. Rudy Giuliani for instance recently campaigned with: If we are not careful and you don't elect me, this country will be to the left of France. Ezra Klein takes issue with that: We could elect Dennis Kucinich and 10 more Democratic … [Read more...] about Transatlantic Comparisons For Scare-Mongering
Are Republicans Really Scared of Hillary Clinton?
Taylor Marsh, who has her own popular blog, writes in the Huffington Post that, yes, Hillary Clinton IS being treated differently than the other Democratic candidates: It's interesting that when I write pieces about Clinton I'm attacked for being in her camp. But when there's an all-out attack, with most of the venom focused on her personally or she and her husband, it's … [Read more...] about Are Republicans Really Scared of Hillary Clinton?
Musharraf Declares Martial Law in Pakistan (UPDATE)
UPDATE: Musharraf Speaks on TV Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said he declared a state of emergency and martial law Saturday because Pakistan is at a "critical and dangerous juncture." The nation is going through "some very rapid changes," Musharraf said in a televised address to the nation after declaring martial law. Despite immediate condemnation from … [Read more...] about Musharraf Declares Martial Law in Pakistan (UPDATE)
Rudy & Dubya: Loyalty Trumps All
There are plenty of reasons why Republican front-runner Rudy Giuliani would make a lousy president. Like personal turpitude and an anger-management problem, flip-flopping to suit the moment, an affection for using the stick before trying the carrot, and a simplistically shallow grasp of defense and foreign policy. But no reason is more troubling than the fact that like … [Read more...] about Rudy & Dubya: Loyalty Trumps All
“Bounty Hunter” Duane ” Dog ” Chapman’s Show Pulled After Racist Phone Call
Duane " Dog " Chapman has issued an apology in attempt to bail himself out from a controversy involving a phone call he made using racist language that led to his popular show "The Bounty Hunter" being pulled from the A&E Network. At issue: use of the "n-word" which also derailed comedian/actor Michael Richards' career. The link to the phone call (we won't embed it on this … [Read more...] about “Bounty Hunter” Duane ” Dog ” Chapman’s Show Pulled After Racist Phone Call
Out of the Ashes: California Fires Provide Arnold With a Chance to Shine
The audience cheered. They roared, in fact. You’d think it was for a movie star or something. The guy they were cheering for was shouting “GO CHARGERS, GO!!†in the heart of San Diego Chargers country. The location was what had been the team’s home before 25,000 shell-shocked people took it over for nearly a week, taking refuge from a massive natural disaster. The … [Read more...] about Out of the Ashes: California Fires Provide Arnold With a Chance to Shine
Guest Film Review: Elizabeth:The Golden Age
Here's a Guest film Review by Dan Schneider, who has this heavily-visited website and whose reviews for TMV have been highly popular. Film Review Of Elizabeth: The Golden Age Copyright ©2007 by Dan Schneider To flee the brats of Halloween, my wife dragged me to see Elizabeth: The Golden Age, even though the reviews I'd seen of it made Halloween, and the need to get … [Read more...] about Guest Film Review: Elizabeth:The Golden Age
Torture, Arson, Flood, War: Some Vitamins for the Soul
On mission to post-trauma sites, I drag along a raggedy old journal I've handwrit over the decades. Inside the old moleskine, well, it's overheavy with quotes from Heschel, Berry, Lorca, Mechtilde, and others. Freeze-dried nourishment for the climb. Tonight, here in the Rockies with snow hanging heavy in the white night sky, the big wood owls land on the roof with such a … [Read more...] about Torture, Arson, Flood, War: Some Vitamins for the Soul
Bush Uses Veto To Nix Bipartisan $23 Million Water Bill
It sounds as if President George Bush wasn't kidding when he suggested that one reason he's still "relevant" is because he has the veto power: after years of not using it, he seems to be in a phase of government by veto...even on a bipartisan measure for a $23 million water bill: President Bush delivered his threatened veto of a $23-billion water bill Friday, but Congress … [Read more...] about Bush Uses Veto To Nix Bipartisan $23 Million Water Bill
New Science Frontier: Making Men Out of Mice…!!!
It can run for hours at 20 metres per minute without getting tired. It lives longer, has more sex, and eats more without gaining weight. Could the science that created this supermouse be applied to humans? asks The Independent. "The mouse can run up to six kilometres (3.7 miles) at a speed of 20 metres per minute for five hours or more without stopping. Scientists said that … [Read more...] about New Science Frontier: Making Men Out of Mice…!!!
CNN Ought to ‘Confine’ Lou Dobbs
Is CNN's Lou Dobbs an, "insolent man who uses xenophobic, protectionist, anti-immigrant messages against Latin American countries to affirm his vulgar patriotism?" According to this op-ed article from Colombia's El Tiempo, "CNN should confine Dobbs to a program called The Hour of Chauvinism, because this would help all of us distinguish between reason and its … [Read more...] about CNN Ought to ‘Confine’ Lou Dobbs