An illegal alien who is drunk kills a young girl. So is it an immigration issue -- or a drunk driving issue? Or both? Reasonable people can discuss it, but go to CROOKS AND LIARS HERE and watch an absolutely livid Bill O'Reilly in a screamfest with Geraldo Rivera. This is a must-view piece of video for several reasons. One is that it underscores how two people who were … [Read more...] about It’s Bill O’Reilly Versus Geraldo Rivera
“Accuracy, Schmaccuracy”
What does it matter as long as your saying something that to people who hear it can discredit and demonize someone who is creating problems for your "sports (politics) team." Right, Senator Hatch? But then Senator Hatch, when called on it did clarify and issue a correction. It was a mix-up (and after all, the two names DO SOUND THE SAME..) TMV thanks Americablog for the … [Read more...] about “Accuracy, Schmaccuracy”
Classic Comedy: Ernie Kovacs’ Final Show’s Opening Credits
In our final look at television comedy pioneer Ernie Kovacs, here's a piece of tape that I alluded to in my first post this week. I noted that he died in a car crash in January 1962 but a few weeks later ABC aired his final comedy special, taped a month earlier, with an advisory at the beginning that Ernie would have wanted it to be enjoyed. Here is the beginning of that … [Read more...] about Classic Comedy: Ernie Kovacs’ Final Show’s Opening Credits
Guest Poet: Making Friends With North Korea
And now another gem from TMV's favorite artist of verse, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet: Should we outsource the printing of U.S. hundred dollar bills to North Korea? Heck, why not. They already make almost as many as our own Treasury, the quality of their product is excellent, it would bring them into the world economy in a big way, and think of the printing cost … [Read more...] about Guest Poet: Making Friends With North Korea
The Dutch in Afghanistan
A good, interesting article in the New York Times about Dutch soldiers in Afghanistan and about the tactics used by them to fight the Taliban: rather than advancing for reconnaissance or to attack, the Dutch soldiers pulled back to a safer village. “We’re not here to fight the Taliban,â€? said the Dutch commander, Col. Hans van Griensven, at a recent staff meeting. … [Read more...] about The Dutch in Afghanistan
The Natural
RJ Matson, The New York Observer … [Read more...] about The Natural
Guantánamo Follies & Military Commissions Act 2006
Each development in the show trials of Guantánamo Bay inmates brings fresh evidence of how urgent it is for the courts to strike down the Military Commissions Act of 2006 and for Congress to rewrite it, says an editorial in The New York Times. "There has been much speculation about the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear an appeal from a group of Guantánamo Bay … [Read more...] about Guantánamo Follies & Military Commissions Act 2006
Florida Moves Towards Reenfranchising Ex-Felons
And it's Republican Governor Charlie Crist leading the way. Kudos. … [Read more...] about Florida Moves Towards Reenfranchising Ex-Felons
Poetic Justice
John Derbyshire on the recently released British sailors: 15 British Agressors [sic] must be EXECUTED." That was the placard being held up by some beetle-browed Iranian outside the British Embassy in Tehran. Well, I don't entirely disagree. I certainly think that those British captives who have let themselves be put forward on Iranian TV, that woman wearing a headscarf, and the … [Read more...] about Poetic Justice
Shot Clock
Publius nails it: A lot of people think the administration has no clear policy vision for Iraq and the Middle East more generally. That’s not true. They have a very clear vision -- run out the clock. That’s the common thread across a number of fronts right now. They are simply playing for time in order to dump everything in the laps of their successor. Foreign policy is … [Read more...] about Shot Clock
McCain’s March
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about McCain’s March
Giuliani: Continues to Support Public Funding for Abortion
In an interview with CNN, Republican candidate (and frontrunner) Rudy Giuliani said that he continues to support public funding for some abortions. He explained: “Ultimately, it’s a constitutional right, and therefore if it’s a constitutional right, ultimately, even if you do it on a state by state basis, you have to make sure people are protected.â€? For those who do … [Read more...] about Giuliani: Continues to Support Public Funding for Abortion
Through the Looking Glass With Monica
I must admit to a case of Prosecutor-Gate fatigue, but there’s a development involving Monica Goodling that beggars belief. The last time I checked in with Goodling, who is the beleaguered White House’s liaison with the beleaguered Justice Department, she claimed that she had been falsely accused in connection with the scandal and would take the Fifth when called before … [Read more...] about Through the Looking Glass With Monica
Hostage Crisis: Reporter’s Notebook
Amy Kellog of Fox News provides an interesting first-person account of how she was caught off guard while listening to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad... Read on... … [Read more...] about Hostage Crisis: Reporter’s Notebook
Bush Asserts Powers While Congress Has Ceded Them?
At the root of the ongoing struggles over many issues and policies now you can see a key strand: the issue is over the powers of the Presidency and how much power and influence Congress has to advise, consent and, in many, cases shape final national policy. A key theme in many commentaries by administration critics (partisan and those who are not writing from a Democratic … [Read more...] about Bush Asserts Powers While Congress Has Ceded Them?
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: BRIGHT REFLECTIONS
Reader Responses on Potential VP Candidates Last week, tongue firmly planted in cheek, the Crystal Ball endeavored to quash all of the much-too-early talk of potential vice presidential candidates with our own extensive list of the top candidates for the number two spot on each party's presidential ticket in 2008 (read more). Because we are still a year and more out from … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: BRIGHT REFLECTIONS
Wartime Encounter
Wartime Encounter is a little book (only 147 pages long) written by Harm de Blij, which tells, in the words of Peter Gould, “of a time, place and circumstance that must never be forgotten.â€? This time: the second world war. The place the Netherlands. The circumstances: occupied by one of the most ruthless, brutal forces / ideologues the world has ever seen; the Nazis. De … [Read more...] about Wartime Encounter
Iraq’s Killing Fields: More US/British Soldiers Dead
An Iraqi holds a British soldier's helmet after a road side bomb hit a British patrol in Basra, Iraq. Iraq continues to remain a killer zone for foreign troops stationed there. Not much is known how successful the American army's 'surge' is, or it's cost in terms of civilian life and property. But the latest reports and pictures are indeed disturbing. "A U.S. Army … [Read more...] about Iraq’s Killing Fields: More US/British Soldiers Dead
Grab That Cash with Both Hands and Make a Stash
It's all about the money, stupid: Sen. Barack Obama raised at least $25 million for his presidential campaign in the first quarter of the year, nearly matching Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's record-setting total and making it all but certain that Democrats will face a costly and protracted battle for their party's nomination. Collectively, the Democratic candidates raised … [Read more...] about Grab That Cash with Both Hands and Make a Stash
Middle East Mission: Nancy Pelosi Marches On!
Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by Tom Lantos (in red tie), points to dried fruits and herbs during a tour of a central Damascus market in Syria. Photograph: Hussein Malla/AP If you can't beat them then join them! That's an old saying which President George W. Bush needs to follow to upstage the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's much-publicised trip to the middle east. Sitting and … [Read more...] about Middle East Mission: Nancy Pelosi Marches On!