In the first episode of the great Yes, Prime Minister, "The Grand Design," new PM Jim Hacker meets with the government's chief scientific advisor to discuss defence policy. The advisor, a hawkish Austrian, argues that the Soviet Union would use "salami tactics" to take over Europe, that is, a "slice-by-slice" plan with no one slice so grave as to compel the West (or the U.K., … [Read more...] about The salami tactics of Hugo Chavez
Barry Manilow: The Danger Of Differing Ideas
What's seemingly spreading faster in America than obesity, people sharing their private secrets as they talk loudly on cell phones in supermarkets or restroom stalls (perhaps even while tapping their foot three times), or than the critical need for Viagra? It's the idea -- oh, please Lord SAVE US -- that if you're around someone who has a different idea, perspective or take … [Read more...] about Barry Manilow: The Danger Of Differing Ideas
Blackwater USA: A Law Unto Itself
Blackwater choppers: A familiar sight over Baghdad How richly ironic that, like the U.S. in Iraq, Blackwater USA is a law unto itself – answerable to no one no matter how questionable its actions may be. As reported here yesterday, Iraq has withdrawn the license of the controversial security firm, which provides many of the mercenaries who work alongside U.S. troops and … [Read more...] about Blackwater USA: A Law Unto Itself
Michael Mukasey: An Ability To Communicate?
Pejman Yousefzadeh, a thoughtful writer who posts on the conservative site Red State, has looked at a Wall Street Journal op-ed piece that Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey' wrote four years ago on the Patriot Act and likes what he sees. His post should be read in full, but here's his conclusion: Quite clearly, the challenge of combating terrorism is going to … [Read more...] about Michael Mukasey: An Ability To Communicate?
Is The GOP Writing Off Hispanic And Black Voters?
It's getting to the point now where anyone interested in political science has to ask: does the Republican Party have a political death wish when it comes to black and Hispanic voters? Is the big tent shrinking to a pup tent? Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson has become the fourth leading GOP presidential candidate to shun the PBS debate this month at a … [Read more...] about Is The GOP Writing Off Hispanic And Black Voters?
Guest Poet: A Hecka Of A Trifecta
Another poetic gem from TMV's favorite poet, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet: A lot of people think that the 2008 presidential election will be a subway series, with ex-New York City Mayor Giuliani topping the Republican ticket and New York Senator Clinton topping the Democrats. But what if a third party candidate steps into the election fray in 2008, one spoken of … [Read more...] about Guest Poet: A Hecka Of A Trifecta
OJ’s Memorabilia
Tab, The Calgary Sun … [Read more...] about OJ’s Memorabilia
Growing Up In America
Ali Khan, a young American of Pakistani descent: … [Read more...] about Growing Up In America
Child Molesters Can Be Found Everywhere
Federal Prosecutor Arrested In Child Sex Sting DETROIT -- A U.S. Justice Department official has been arrested on suspicion of traveling to Detroit over the weekend to have sex with a minor. John David R. Atchison, 53, an assistant U.S. attorney from the northern district of Florida, was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Detroit Monday afternoon. An undercover … [Read more...] about Child Molesters Can Be Found Everywhere
Quote of the (Yester)day
Cross-posted to the Debate Link As so often is the case, my quote of the day comes from quite some time ago. This one comes from a Chinese Newspaper (one year prior to the communist takeover) commenting on the application of segregationist law in Alabama: We cannot help having some impressions of the United States which actually already leads half the world and which would … [Read more...] about Quote of the (Yester)day
Headline of the Day
CNN.com: "Crocs, kids, and escalators a bad combination? It turns out they're talking about the shoes, rather than the vaguely sinister reptile, which diminishes the coolness. Still, great headline though. … [Read more...] about Headline of the Day
It’s Not Like O.J. Murdered Somebody
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about It’s Not Like O.J. Murdered Somebody
Another Republican Moderate Gone: Ramstad Won’t Seek Re-election
All within a week....the thinning ranks of Republican moderates or GOPers who had an independent streak. First Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel says he won't run for re-election. Then defeated Rhode Island former Senator Lincoln Chafee quits the GOP altogether. And, now, Minnesota's Rep. Jim Ramstad says he has had enough, too: U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad announced today that … [Read more...] about Another Republican Moderate Gone: Ramstad Won’t Seek Re-election
Turn Us On: TMV On the Radio
If you’ve been waiting for a chance to bust my chops . . . er, talk back to me, I'll be making two radio appearances off of my posts at TMV. At 8:45 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday night, I'll be on The World Tonight on CHQR in Calgary, Alberta Canada, with host Rob Breakenridge. The topic: My post today n "O.J.: 'Race Neutral & All Too Human. You can listen in here. At 4 … [Read more...] about Turn Us On: TMV On the Radio
Okay, But What If He Was Right?
While Erwin Chemerinsky has just been rehired by the UC-Irvine law school, some folks are asking whether a politically reversed scenario would have been resolved similarly, with similar support from across the aisle. I say yes, it would. Exhibit A? The liberal academic response to the hold-up by left-wing interest groups of conservative professor (now judge) Michael W. … [Read more...] about Okay, But What If He Was Right?
Blackwater USA Kicked Out of Iraq
Blackwater Mercenaries Iraq's Interior Ministry has canceled the license of Blackwater USA, the controversial American security firm that supplies many of the American mercenaries in the war zone, after company bodyguards allegedly shot dead eight civilians and wounded 13 others in west Baghdad. Said Brigadier General Abdul Kareem Khalaf, a spokesman for the ministry: "It … [Read more...] about Blackwater USA Kicked Out of Iraq
Threatening Postcards Terrorize Marion County, Florida Schools
If they are serious, they need to be arrested. If they sent them as a joke, they need to be arrested. Someone is using postcards to terrorize Marion County, Florida schools: Investigators in Marion County, Fla., are searching for the author of nine postcards sent to different schools on the same day with the words 'Jihad-Boom" and handwritten cartoons of a building … [Read more...] about Threatening Postcards Terrorize Marion County, Florida Schools
Today is Constitution Day!
This is one of the holidays I was rather vague on as a child, sort of like Lag B'Omer or Tu B'Shvat. Whereas the overwhelming majority of US citizens need not learn the finer points of the Jewish holiday cycle, we should all know about Constitution Day. AP via Yahoo News - Study: Teens blank on Constitution Day Constitution Day was created by Congress in 2004. It was … [Read more...] about Today is Constitution Day!
They Hated Her…They Really Hated Her! Sally Field Censored On Emmys
In 1985 actress Sally Field won an Oscar and bubbled to millions of TV viewers and the Academy: "You like me, you really like me!" She wasn't as well liked last night -- when she was censored at the Emmys which cut off part of her anti-war comments. Who's to blame? Some news reports specify it is Fox, Rupert Murdoch's company which includes Fox News, the … [Read more...] about They Hated Her…They Really Hated Her! Sally Field Censored On Emmys
As Predicted Yesterday, GWB Has Tapped Mukasey for AG
Washington Post: President Bush today announced his nomination of retired federal judge Michael B. Mukasey to become the nation's 81st attorney general, moving to install a law-and-order conservative at the Justice Department to help wage the war on terrorism while hoping to avoid a confirmation fight with Senate Democrats. … [Read more...] about As Predicted Yesterday, GWB Has Tapped Mukasey for AG