Move.On.org has run an ad with a headline that deserves nothing less than utter, unadulterated condemnation from thinking Americans of both parties, including those who feel his decision to give an exclusive to Fox News after his report to Congress injects him into partisan politics and is a public relations fiasco. To mince no words, this is the kind of language that cause … [Read more...] about With Enemies Like This, General Petraeus Gets New Friends
Get A Life Department
I mean, REALLY... … [Read more...] about Get A Life Department
In Europe, A Tougher Attitude Towards Anyone Who’s Different
It's not just Muslims who are becoming more radicalized in Europe. FPPassport notes that anti-Semitism as well as anti-Islamic and anti-foreign sentiment are on the rise throughout the region. In Switzerland, for example, there is an effort to initiate a new -- and absurdly harsh -- deportation policy in which "entire immigrant families would be kicked out of Switzerland if … [Read more...] about In Europe, A Tougher Attitude Towards Anyone Who’s Different
What Happened Between Israel and Syria Recently? Rumors Abound.
The news that Israel conducted a flyover of Syrian territory has caused something of a diplomatic incident between the two countries. Syria has expressed strong outrage that its sovereignty was violated, and proudly claims that it effectively retaliated by hitting one of the invading planes with anti-aircraft weaponry. Israel, meanwhile, has not been forthcoming with an … [Read more...] about What Happened Between Israel and Syria Recently? Rumors Abound.
Britney Spears: To Some It Was Like Watching The Fat Elvis
...but without the talent. Britney Spears bombed bigtime on MTV. Click on those links but here's a full quote from Times Online: At least she should have plenty of spare time to look after the kids. Britney Spears's long-awaited career relaunch at last night's MTV Video Music Awards produced some excruciating car-crash television when the fallen superstar opened … [Read more...] about Britney Spears: To Some It Was Like Watching The Fat Elvis
Was The Latest Osama bin Laden Tape A Forgery?
Osama bin Laden's latest video debut got widespread coverage as usual -- but now a new issue has arisen: Are there specific signs in that video that it's actually a forgery and not a recent video of bin Laden? A debate is raging on the Internet on the right and left -- and it's likely to continue but people on both sides note some things that are making all of them raise … [Read more...] about Was The Latest Osama bin Laden Tape A Forgery?
Is There a “Right Brain†and a “Left Brain�
I have often wondered if there wasn’t a physiological difference between those on the Left and those on the Right. Apparently there is, according to the Los Angeles Times:Exploring the neurobiology of politics, scientists have found that liberals tolerate ambiguity and conflict better than conservatives because of how their brains work. In a simple experiment … [Read more...] about Is There a “Right Brain†and a “Left Brainâ€?
Pillorying Petraeus
Now that this President has damaged one American tradition, separation of church and state, he is creating conflict over another that goes back to the days of George Washington, the line between civilian and military in policy decisions. Tomorrow Gen. Petraeus will testify before Congress and be vilified by a full-page ad in the New York Times. As grave as the conflict is over … [Read more...] about Pillorying Petraeus
Journalism’s Future: Will Subjectivity Trump Objectivity? Does It Matter?
Once upon a time, I was a newspaper reporter and editor. Over nearly four decades in the business, I saw the world, covered the O.J. Simpson trials and a few wars, did investigative work that got laws passed than nobody paid any attention to, mentored a bunch of rising stars, won some awards, made my mother proud and eventually got so burned out that I quit the business. Barely … [Read more...] about Journalism’s Future: Will Subjectivity Trump Objectivity? Does It Matter?
Waiting For Petraeus: Stepping Back And Looking At Iraq
As General David Petraeus gets ready to deliver his report on the "surge" (most likely he will say it is working and will argue for it to continue into the spring, at the very least), there are two MUST READ pieces. First, this Huffington Post piece by former George Bush strategist Matthew Dowd. Here are some of his key points, with some observations from my little corner in … [Read more...] about Waiting For Petraeus: Stepping Back And Looking At Iraq
How To Talk On Your Cell Phone
From moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe: … [Read more...] about How To Talk On Your Cell Phone
Abbott & Costello Slowly I turned or Niagara falls
Yesterday I noted that Time Magazine's website that lists and shows embeds from TV's all-time top 100 shows included the classic Abbott & Costello Show which inspired Jerry Seinfeld's show. Some readers emailed and asked to see a classic A&C bit. So here is one. The famous "Sloooooooowly I turned..." vaudeville bit that the Three Stooges and many other entertainers did as … [Read more...] about Abbott & Costello Slowly I turned or Niagara falls
UPDATE: Democrats Debate in Spanish on Univision
UPDATE - More substantial coverage from AP via Washington Post. UPDATE - AP via New York Times Debate Coverage Miami Herald Pre-Debate Article UPDATE - According to The Washington Times: Panic in the press room "Are we going to have audio?" "Vamos a tener audio?" Reporters who didn't speak Spanish were already anxious about the translation devices that … [Read more...] about UPDATE: Democrats Debate in Spanish on Univision
General Petraeus Makes A Big Public Relations Mistake (UPDATED)
You'd think that tomorrow night after giving his report to Congress Gen. David Petraeus would try to maximize his message by not in any way getting enmeshed in anything that would appear as if he's being political or trying to evade journalists who may have tough questions. But the latest is that after his address tomorrow he and Ambassador Ryan Crocker will give -- you … [Read more...] about General Petraeus Makes A Big Public Relations Mistake (UPDATED)
The Best 100 TV Shows Of All Time
Time Magazine offers this GREAT LIST complete with embedded videos. This is TMV's MUST VISIT site of the day -- and you'll have hours of fun and enjoyment going through the list. Lo and behold, yours truly who is a student, fan and practitioner of comedy (some say especially in the posts I try to write seriously on TMV) went to this site and found one of my FAVORITE … [Read more...] about The Best 100 TV Shows Of All Time
Hillary’s Experience
Lately there havve been some attacks on Hillary Clinton. The main line of attack these days: she says she's experienced, but she's not as experienced as she likes to pretend she is. Obama even went so far as to say that he wonders since when "First Lady" is considered experience for a presidential candidate. Republicans have basically adopted the same line of attack and we … [Read more...] about Hillary’s Experience
Neo-Nazis Arrested — In Israel (UPDATED)
They often tell you that the best advice in real estate is "location, location, location." Someone should have also given that advice to some neo-Nazis who chose to operate....in Israel: In a case that would seem unthinkable in the Jewish state, police said Sunday they have cracked a cell of young Israeli neo-Nazis accused in a string of attacks on foreign workers, … [Read more...] about Neo-Nazis Arrested — In Israel (UPDATED)
Manolo: Osama bin Laden Seriously Needs A New Makeover
Osama bin Laden resurfaced in a video last week with a new message that suggested he yearns to be an op-ed writer or start a blog -- and with a new look. But Manolo, Pajamas Media's vigilant and outspoken fashion expert, thinks the merciless terrorist's new look is a bomb and that he needs a makeover: One of the Manolo’s internet friends has asked the Manolo what he … [Read more...] about Manolo: Osama bin Laden Seriously Needs A New Makeover
Kyla: Your 15 Minutes of Fame Are Up
Allow me to offer a modest prediction: Kyla Ebbert will rue the day that she made a big deal out of being taken aside by a Southwest Airlines employee at a San Diego airport when she tried to board a flight to Tucson because she had the temerity to wear a tank top and short skirt in 100-degree weather. If you're not hip to the tabloid sensation of the moment, the employee … [Read more...] about Kyla: Your 15 Minutes of Fame Are Up
Europe Turns Right
My latest article for Pajamas Media is up. The subject of the post: recent developments in Europe (the Right has been successful and is likely be even more successful in the coming years) and the effect this will have on the American-European relationship and on how Europeans think about America and Americans in general. Furthermore I wonder whether Europe may be less … [Read more...] about Europe Turns Right