Will Bloomberg Run--and Can He Win? The news media are a-twitter about the possibility of an all-New York race for the White House in 2008. Hillary Clinton (D) versus Rudy Giuliani (R) versus Michael Bloomberg (I) would somehow validate the Empire State (and the media's headquarters city). After all, it's been 64 years since New York could claim the major contenders … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: BLOOMIE IN THE BALLPARK
The Desperation of Terrorists
So much for the image of bombers as poor, under-educated, under-privileged, persecuted and desperate men acting out because they have no jobs, food or future: Sky News: Two Terror Suspects Are Hospital Doctors Two of the five terror suspects being held in the wake of the failed car bombings in London and Glasgow are hospital doctors working in the UK. The majority of … [Read more...] about The Desperation of Terrorists
Study: Diverse Independent Voters Could Swing 2008 Race
A new, comprehensive study of independent voters by the Washington Post in collaboration with the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University has bad news for both parties, but better news for the Democrats: (1) The Republicans continue to lose independent voter support. (2) Independent voter unhappiness with Washington and both parties could bolster a strong … [Read more...] about Study: Diverse Independent Voters Could Swing 2008 Race
Hillary Clinton’s Vice President
Depending on how you feel about the candidate (and everybody seems to feel strongly one way or the other), there is either far-sighted prudence or incredible arrogance in what Hillary Clinton’s most ardent backers have been doing this weekend. Buoyed by favorable fund-raising and poll numbers, they are debating in detail her running mate for ’08. After ticking off the … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton’s Vice President
Independents
A highly interesting study was conducted by The Washington Post in collaboration with the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University, about the infamous group of voters called "Independents." Who are they? What do they believe? Are they all the same? The results: The new survey underscores the Republican Party's problems heading into 2008. Fueled by … [Read more...] about Independents
Bill Moyers On Rupert Murdoch
Media mega-giant Rupert Murdoch is on the brink of owning the Wall Street Journal. And PBS' Bill Moyers has a few thoughts on that -- and what's happening to the American media in general: … [Read more...] about Bill Moyers On Rupert Murdoch
This Just In!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:Nader’s Ego Enters 2008 Race Massive Ego Fills Madison Square Garden The field of presidential candidates got a little more crowded today as the massive ego of consumer activist Ralph Nader announced that it was entering the 2008 race. For its historic announcement, Mr. Nader’s ego chose New York’s Madison … [Read more...] about This Just In!
Bulletin: Michael Jackson Alert
Is Michael Jackson moving to Maryland? Details here. … [Read more...] about Bulletin: Michael Jackson Alert
The Other Side of Diversity
My thoughts on Robert Putnam's new study, claiming that living in diverse locations exerts significant negative effects on people over the near- to mid-term (albeit harms that are reversed in the long-term). … [Read more...] about The Other Side of Diversity
Profiles in Timing
Last Thursday, Stephen Colbert addressed the speech that Republican Senator Dick Lugar gave on the floor of the Senate criticizing the Iraq War: … [Read more...] about Profiles in Timing
Pakistan President’s Wobbly War on Terror
After the London bombings two years ago, President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan had some advice for Tony Blair: “They should have been doing what they have been demanding of us to do--to ban extremist groups like they asked us to do here in Pakistan and which I have done.†Musharraf was a little testy about the revelation that at least two of the 2005 bombers had been … [Read more...] about Pakistan President’s Wobbly War on Terror
Flaming SUV Rammed Into Glasgow Airport
The third terrorist incident in the UK in three days: A burning car has been rammed into the terminal building of Glasgow Airport in Scotland, heightening terrorism fears with the UK already on alert over the discovery of two cars loaded with explosive materials in London. Police and witnesses described an SUV-style vehicle in flames being driven at full speed towards … [Read more...] about Flaming SUV Rammed Into Glasgow Airport
We Can’t Do It Alone
What message does the diversity rationale send to White people? … [Read more...] about We Can’t Do It Alone
Poll: Whopping 77 Percent Say The War Is Going Badly
If there wasn't sufficient reason for Republicans up for re-election to start to either distance themselves from the Bush administration or demand a change in Iraq war policy, this poll is it: A CBS News poll shows Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with the Iraq war, President Bush and the Congress, as well as the overall direction of the country. More Americans … [Read more...] about Poll: Whopping 77 Percent Say The War Is Going Badly
Around The Sphere June 30, 2007
Our linkfest offering readers a Hometown Buffet of links to blogposts from websites of many different viewpoints. Linked posts do NOT necessarily refect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Do Recent Supreme Court Rulings Mean Historical Rulings Are Danger? The Hill's Brent Budowsky warns that Brown V Board of Education and Roe V Wade are in "mortal peril." I hate to tell … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere June 30, 2007
RNC Chairman Sen. Martinez Blasts Immigration Bill Foes
If you thought the era of bad feelings within the GOP was over with the defeat of White House supported bipartisan immigration bill by opponents that included a good chunk of the Republican party's base, you may be wrong: The Chairman of the Republican Party on Friday lambasted Democrats and Republicans who helped kill an immigration bill in the Senate and challenged them … [Read more...] about RNC Chairman Sen. Martinez Blasts Immigration Bill Foes
Classic Comedy: A Classic Jerry Lewis Lip Sync
Lots of young people who see Jerry Lewis' films from many years ago note the similarity in styles between him and Jim Carrey. In this clip from "The Errand Boy," Lewis does a classic and somewhat innovative lip sync routine. Watch what happens when The Errand Boy slips into the big boss' office and indulges in a bit of fantasy: … [Read more...] about Classic Comedy: A Classic Jerry Lewis Lip Sync
London Bomb Plot Looks Like Al Qaeda Operation
There are reportedly stylistic fingerprints all over the operation involving the discovered bomb plot in London -- and all signs (and a surveillance photo) point to an Al Qaeda operation, ABC News reports: Al Qaeda's mantra, "If at first you don't succeed, try again," appears, according to officials, to be behind today's foiled car bomb plot in London with the same kind of … [Read more...] about London Bomb Plot Looks Like Al Qaeda Operation
The Price of Law and Order
It was never just about abortion. The struggle for America’s soul goes deeper, as the Supreme Court and Congress have been showing us this week. It was never as simple as faith vs. reason. Rational people can recognize a Higher Power, the religious can respect science and logic. What it has been about is the conflict between our hopes and fears, between the risks of … [Read more...] about The Price of Law and Order
Mike Gravel Vows to End the War on Drugs
I already mentioned this in the comments section of Holly's post, but I think it bears repeating. During last night's Democratic Presidential Debate at Howard University in Washington D.C., Mike Gravel gave a rather impassioned speech in which he denounced the War on Drugs and called for its immediate end: And one of the areas that touches me the most and enrages me the … [Read more...] about Mike Gravel Vows to End the War on Drugs