Joel Hirschhorn is a passionate and intriguing political writer. Several months ago, I picked up a copy of his latest book, Delusional Democracy: Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government -- a field guide to eight essential reforms for advancing Independent politics. Mandatory voting is one of those reforms and the subject of Joel's latest commentary at … [Read more...] about The Roots of Reform
Are You Literate or Illiterate?
Hey, this is a funny story!...It seems that about one-third of the people living in Washington D.C., the US capital, are 'functionally illiterate', compared with about one-fifth nationally, according to a report on the District of Columbia. And I once thought that illiteracy was associated with developing countries!!! But wait a minute. What is the definition of … [Read more...] about Are You Literate or Illiterate?
India Supplies Nuke Component to the US
Now this is called Full Circle...As India and US struggle to hammer out a civilian nuclear agreement, some heavy water is quietly flowing between the two countries, reports The Times of India. "For the first time, India exported 4.4 metric tonnes of heavy water to an American firm — Spectra Gases, headquartered in New Jersey with branches in the UK, Germany and Singapore. … [Read more...] about India Supplies Nuke Component to the US
A Tale of Two Wars & Two Marches (Reposted)
Marches on the Pentagon: October 1967 (top) and March 2007 EDITOR'S NOTE: There has been a lot of comment on this post which ran earlier, so we're moving it up for afternoon readership. There are NEWER posts underneath it so please SCROLL DOWN when you're through. In October 1967, I covered an anti-Vietnam War protest March on the Pentagon for my college newspaper. That … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Wars & Two Marches (Reposted)
“Divide Pakistan to eliminate Terrorism”: A Controversial Book
To view the CNN ad regarding this book please click here... Amazon.com provides the following 'Book Description': DIVIDE PAKISTAN TO ELIMINATE TERRORISM is Syed Jamaluddin's vision to address issues related to combatting terrorism emanating from Pakistan which have dramatically transformed the entire region into a systematically controlled network having vicious effects … [Read more...] about “Divide Pakistan to eliminate Terrorism”: A Controversial Book
“Magical Negroes” and “un”reality
The number of fantasies that have been indulged over the course of this nation’s psychotic race-relations history is quite amazing, and David Ehrenstein’s op-ed in today's LA Times merely gives voice to yet another: that white people need benign, unreal black role-players because they are both guilty about (and for) -- and afraid of -- the reality. Unfortunately, he's … [Read more...] about “Magical Negroes” and “un”reality
Straight Talk Express II
A Failed War
A well written, and intense column at the Washington Post by Ayub Nuri, Iraqi, journalist, student. When the war against Iraq was about to start, Ayub was afraid. Not for the war - no, he feared that “George W. Bush might change his mind about overthrowing the Iraqi regime.â€? Now, four years later, looking back, Ayub Nuri concludes that it has been a bitter … [Read more...] about A Failed War
Rep. Duncan Hunter at Captain’s Quarters
Duncan Hunter, Republican Representative and contender for the Republican presidential nomination, wrote a guest post for Ed Morrissey's Captain's Quarters. Ed has "extended invitations to all campaigns to have their candidates post their messages to CQ readers", so it's quite likely that this will not be the last guest post by a candidate. It's an interesting read, without … [Read more...] about Rep. Duncan Hunter at Captain’s Quarters
The GOP Bait and Switch
I tend to agree with the distinction Paul Krugman pointed out in today's New York Times (Subscription) "Don’t Cry for Reagan" ...Mr. Reagan’s administration, like Mr. Bush’s, was run by movement conservatives — people who built their careers by serving the alliance of wealthy individuals, corporate interests and the religious right that took shape in the 1960s and … [Read more...] about The GOP Bait and Switch
The Event: Chapter 11
Mick LaSalle published the 11th chapter of The Event. It's, once again, a great, entertaining read and... it's becoming more and more disturbing I have to admit. Point of mild criticism: in reality it seems much more likely to me that 'liberals' would applaud the World Faith initiative instead of conservatives of course. There's a very surprising development. Something … [Read more...] about The Event: Chapter 11
American Soldier
Jules Crittenden wrote a great article for Pajamas Media about John Eade: Vietnam veteran. Truly a great read. … [Read more...] about American Soldier
Palestinian Finance Minister: We have to Stop Begging
My, my, who would have thought: a Palestinian minister who says that the Palestinians should stop begging, well, beg less that is, and, instead, should become self-sufficient. Meanwhile, he wants the West to help the PA out now, which is struggling financially. I have said in the past that the West should not sponsor the PA until it recognizes Israel, but I am afraid that I … [Read more...] about Palestinian Finance Minister: We have to Stop Begging
Anna Politkovskaya on Beslan and the Death of Russian Democracy
Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered a couple of months ago. She was well known for her dedication to democracy and truth. She wasn't afraid to criticize Russia's rich and powerful. The Guardian publishes three extracts of the book Anna Politkovskaya finished just before her death. Part one can be read here, part two here. Part three is yet to be … [Read more...] about Anna Politkovskaya on Beslan and the Death of Russian Democracy
Poll: Majority Of Americans Feel Prosecutors’ Firings Were Political
Yet another bit of bad news for President George W. Bush and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales: a new Newsweek poll finds that a majority of Americans believes the controversial firing of Republican-affiliated prosecutors were indeed political. A clear majority of the public believes the Bush administration’s firing of eight U.S. attorneys was politically motivated, … [Read more...] about Poll: Majority Of Americans Feel Prosecutors’ Firings Were Political
Around The Sphere March 19, 2007
Our linkfest bringing you intriguing reading from many different viewpoints from all over the blogo-you-know-what. Linked posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV. Fox News Is Getting Very Predictable. You just KNEW they would try to discredit Valerie Plame like this. (Why don't they just change the name of the network to Fox Defense Lawyers and be done with … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere March 19, 2007
Guest Poet: Guns, Butter, Penury
And now another gem from TMV's favorite artist of verse, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet: Am I the only one who understands that a country whose economy is debt sodden and sputtering can't afford a bloated military engaged in foolish and monstrously expensive foreign adventures? Guns, Butter, Penury By Michael Silverstein A country can enjoy its perks By … [Read more...] about Guest Poet: Guns, Butter, Penury
Global Warming Ark
Check Out Our Authors-Authors’ Archive Page
A brand new feature on TMV: Check out our authors' bios-authors' archive page. It's located under our Tip Jar Paypal icon (which is there if you wish to tip TMV for the words of golden wisdom on this site). If you click on it, you'll get bios of all of TMV's co-bloggers and if you click on their names it'll give you all the posts they have written under their own bylines. Note … [Read more...] about Check Out Our Authors-Authors’ Archive Page
The Esurance Secret Agent
Is she a feminist icon? … [Read more...] about The Esurance Secret Agent