If there was ever truly bad news for the White House and the Republican party, the latest Gallup poll is definitively it: A new Gallup Poll will only reinforce those who claim that while the rich get richer most Americans don't feel they are sharing in the growth in our economy. The stock market may be climbing and the unemployment remains relatively low, but 7 in 10 … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll Shows Most Americans Feel Economy Getting Worse
The Implications Of A Michael Bloomberg Independent Run
So if New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg runs for President in 2008 as an independent as now seems likely, what ARE the implications? Read Jonathan Singer's intriguing (and always thorough) analysis HERE. And be sure to re-read Jeremy Dibbell's excellent earlier post on the issue HERE. … [Read more...] about The Implications Of A Michael Bloomberg Independent Run
Healthy Comments Are A Sign Of Healthy Discussion
Comments are the blessing and bane of weblogs. Here at TMV, we value comments from readers because we try (and hope) that on most posts, at least, discussion in comments represent vigorous but thoughtful debate. Ditto on on our posts. But let's admit something that's a fact of life about sites such as this that have popped up in the Internet revolution. Just as the concept … [Read more...] about Healthy Comments Are A Sign Of Healthy Discussion
Iraq: A Sad Story Grows Sadder Still
The sad story of Alex R. Jimenez, one of the two U.S. soldiers kidnapped and feared dead after an Al Qaeda-led ambush in May in the Triangle of Death, has grown sadder still with the news that his wife may be deported. Yaderlin Jimenez, like her husband, is a native of the Dominican Republican, but she entered the U.S. illegally prior to marrying him in 2004. She has been … [Read more...] about Iraq: A Sad Story Grows Sadder Still
Thank You Thomas Friedman
Thomas Friedman wrote a good column for the New York Times about Britain’s University and College Union decision to call on its members to boycott Israel. Friedman's main point: the decision, or call, to boycott Israel is based on bias. To be more precise, on anti-Semitism. As Friedman explains, the situation in Israel is far more complicated than the anti-Zionists like to … [Read more...] about Thank You Thomas Friedman
Can Rory Stewart Fix Afghanistan?
If you're into the concept of national sovereignty, central governments and all that kind of stuff, then Afghanistan is a seriously beautiful but broken place. I happen to believe strongly that Afghanistan is, in fact, ungovernable, as a succession of foreign occupiers have learned to their dismay. But that doesn't mean that the culture and history of this wild place … [Read more...] about Can Rory Stewart Fix Afghanistan?
No-confidence
Larry Wright, The Detroit News … [Read more...] about No-confidence
Hillary Clinton Spoofs The Last Scene Of The Sopranos
This Hillary Clinton video spoofing the last scene of The Sopranos is a masterful use of American culture. Can you spot the real cast member from The Sopranos? … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Spoofs The Last Scene Of The Sopranos
Big News from Bloomberg
He appears on the cover of Time with Arnold Schwarzenegger with the headline "Who Needs Washington?" He's the subject of a BusinessWeek special report, "The CEO Mayor: How New York's Mike Bloomberg is creating a new model for public service that places pragmatism before politics." He's rumored to have recently had a "long, private discussion" with former Dem senator David … [Read more...] about Big News from Bloomberg
Happy Juneteenth!
Happy Juneteenth, everybody! … [Read more...] about Happy Juneteenth!
The Limits Of Political Junkiedom
Rich Horton wrote another column for my blog, and it is - if I may say so - another must read. The subject: political junkies. Excerpt: Ah, the joys of being young and in a near perpetual state of indignation. Today, I have a lot more sympathy with my old professors. Yes, I still think it wouldn’t kill them to have some basic knowledge of the present political scene, even … [Read more...] about The Limits Of Political Junkiedom
Public Financing of Senate Campaigns
June 20th the "Fair Elections Now Act" will have its first hearing before the Senate Rules Committee. Lead sponsors Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) will testify in support of the bill. This hearing is an important step in advancing the Fair Elections Now Act in the Senate, and winning full public financing for all congressional races. The four part … [Read more...] about Public Financing of Senate Campaigns
Center of Attention
Kevin Sullivan has an interesting post up about employers vs. family. Justin Gardner notes that Michael Bloomberg talks like a candidate. Bye bye Nifong. Isaac Newton - one of mankind's greatest scientists - believed that the would end no earlier than 2060. Something - I bet - many people did not know about Newton is that he was more than 'just' a scientist: he was … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Tough, and Realistic, Standards on Auto Emissions
Every now and then I like to publish a guest post: either by blogreaders, other bloggers or experts in their own field (whatever field that may be). A couple of days ago, I published a post about John Kerry's proposal about energy, fuel efficiency, global warming, etc. After publishing it, I came in contact with the so-called "Auto Alliance" who support the … [Read more...] about Tough, and Realistic, Standards on Auto Emissions
Obama Calls Clinton Memo “A Mistake”
The Associated Press reports (via Yahoo!): Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama on Monday said his campaign made a "dumb mistake" when it circulated a memo criticizing rival Hillary Rodham Clinton's financial ties to India. In an interview with The Associated Press, Obama disavowed the memo which carried the headline — "Hillary Clinton (D-Punjab) — and … [Read more...] about Obama Calls Clinton Memo “A Mistake”
Fake Stuff
From moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe: … [Read more...] about Fake Stuff
Pakistan, Britain, Salman Rushdie And Free Speech
A knighthood given to a prominent and highly controversial author who lives under a death threat....sparking a new threat from a Pakistan bigwig that it could justify suicide bomber attacks... followed by what seems to be a classic CYA denial -- while the original intimidating threat still lingers out there. Welcome to the continuing security-constrained world of author … [Read more...] about Pakistan, Britain, Salman Rushdie And Free Speech
Iraq: Suffer the Little Children
I have seen a lot of awful things over a long career in journalism and learned a long time ago to compartmentalize them. But there are times when the sights, sounds and smells of inhumanity are too big for the little box I put this stuff in and it comes vomiting out. When that happens, it usually is because children are the victims. Well, it happened again. Take a close … [Read more...] about Iraq: Suffer the Little Children
Barry Lando’s Take on Iraq
Pieter Dorsman writes: One of the drawbacks of the political blogosphere is that there is very little dialogue between the left and right sides, or the anti-war and pro-war camps. And if it ever happens, it isn't all that pleasant to read. Yet, the time has come to get an exchange of ideas going and I was prompted to do so after reading Barry Lando's Web of Deceit and noticing … [Read more...] about Barry Lando’s Take on Iraq
Large Number Of White House Emails Missing
So let's get down to the bottom line in the case of the missing emails. Either: --The Bush White House is TERRIBLY misunderstood and it's all the Democrats and the mainstream media, working in conjunction as they rub their palms with glee in a political vendetta to smear the stalwart White House's image. or --The Bush White House is TERRIBLY incompentent or --The … [Read more...] about Large Number Of White House Emails Missing