If you've emailed me a link for use on TMV and it hasn't appeared yet, that's due to a very hectic schedule here in Indio, CA. I barely have enough time left to do posts on this site and am too exhausted to post when I get back at night. BUT I will be back in San Diego on Sunday the 25th. In the meantime, your link will appear in our latest version of Around The Sphere later … [Read more...] about Note To Bloggers
Valentine Obama
Enablers
Jews should, absolutely, feel free to criticize Israel and Israeli policies when they think they've gone wrong. But I have a serious problem with Jews who excuse anti-Israel anti-Semitism, which gives cover to bigotry and is a setback to everyone who wants to have a serious discussion on the way in which anti-Semitic and anti-Israel politics intersect (and, on the flipside, can … [Read more...] about Enablers
How many Liberals does it take to change all of the Light Bulbs?
Legislator Wants Green Lights in California A California lawmaker wants to ban the use of incandescent light bulbs in order to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gases which are linked to global warming. Instead, compact fluorescent light bulbs (COLS) would become the alternative for California residents. This is a noble idea that responds to the fact that fluorescents … [Read more...] about How many Liberals does it take to change all of the Light Bulbs?
R.I.P. Molly Ivins
MSNBC: Newspaper columnist Molly Ivins has died of breast cancer at age 62. AUSTIN, Texas - Best-selling author and columnist Molly Ivins, the sharp-witted liberal who skewered the political establishment and referred to President Bush as "Shrub," died Wednesday after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 62. David Pasztor, managing editor of the Texas Observer, … [Read more...] about R.I.P. Molly Ivins
Apologies for Slavery?
Resolutions calling for an apology for slavery have been proposed and rejected many times, and the most recent debate is occurring in Virginia. The discussions are heated and hostile (as they always are), with some claiming they, personally, have no responsibility, some suggesting that those who should apologize -- and those to whom they would say it -- are long-dead, others … [Read more...] about Apologies for Slavery?
Non-Issue
If federalism sometimes leads to worse results for minority rights, and sometimes leads to better results for minority rights, why should we care about federalism? … [Read more...] about Non-Issue
Joe Biden Announces He’s In And Blasts Hillary Clinton’s Plan (SECOND UPDATE)
This has been moved up out of order due to the second update. Senator Joe Biden has announced that he's running for President and wasted no time entering the battle for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination -- by taking a swipe at the perceived front-runner:New presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden says rival Sen. Hillary Clinton's plan for Iraq would be a "disaster," … [Read more...] about Joe Biden Announces He’s In And Blasts Hillary Clinton’s Plan (SECOND UPDATE)
Literary Quote of the Day: George Orwell
UPDATE: image replaced with a very appropriate and funny one Today's literary quote of the day is from George Orwell's Animal Farm: All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. H/t E.E.B. As always share your thoughts on today's literary quote in the comment section of this post. … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: George Orwell
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. Jon Swift makes a strong case to lower the miminum wage. Well... sorta. Kinda. Andrew Sullivan is engaged in an interblog dialogue: a blogalogue. Go check it out. Callimachus notices that the life expectancy of Hispanics who have to serve time in jail goes down, while that of African-Americans... goes up. Read this article at … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
This is What I Expect from Genuine Conservatives
Bush seeks to cut farm program funds Trying to tighten the federal budget, the Bush administration on Wednesday proposed to reduce farm spending by $18 billion over the next five years. ...The administration is seeking to eliminate farm payments for wealthy producers, limiting subsidy payments to those making less than $200,000 in adjusted gross income annually. The … [Read more...] about This is What I Expect from Genuine Conservatives
Hobbits are real
(But Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli aren't. Sorry, LOTR fans.) A new human species may have been discovered, Homo floresiensis, according to the BBC: The tiny skeletal remains of human "Hobbits" found on an Indonesian island belong to a completely new branch of our family tree, a study has found. The finds caused a sensation when they were announced to the … [Read more...] about Hobbits are real
To See What Iraqi And Afghani Bloggers Have To Say
Visit the Carnival of the Liberated. … [Read more...] about To See What Iraqi And Afghani Bloggers Have To Say
A Special Day
My niece Lotte Yesterday evening: my brother-in-law phones us, my sister was having contractions. She was almost 42 weeks pregnant. If the baby wouldn't be here by Thursday morning 7.30 they would - to put it bluntly - go in and take it. Because the contractions were so bad / severe, my mother advised them to go to the hospital immediately. My sister wanted my mother and … [Read more...] about A Special Day
Exposing the lies: The Democratic Congress tackles global warming
It's almost enough to think you're living in the Twilight Zone, even to think that the mass hysteria predicted by Dr. Venkman in the mayor's office is about to become a reality. You know, dogs and cats living together. That sort of thing. (Don't get it? Here.) Pinch yourselves, friends. After years and years of irresponsible neglect and downright hostility under Republican … [Read more...] about Exposing the lies: The Democratic Congress tackles global warming
Bush Supports Ethanol
(This has been resposted from earlier today since the image vanished and we've hopefully fixed it.) … [Read more...] about Bush Supports Ethanol
Fighting Iran in Iraq Part 2
Fox News reports that the U.S. has compiled a ‘dossier’ Iran about Iran’s involvement in Iraq. According to Fox’s report, “the evidence would contain specifics including shipping documents, serial numbers, maps and other evidence which officials say would irrefutably link Iran to weapons shipments to Iraq.â€? The U.S. planned to release the dossier next week. … [Read more...] about Fighting Iran in Iraq Part 2
Bush & Cheney: A Case of Folie à Deux?
Folie à deux is a rare psychiatric syndrome that means "a madness shared by two." A symptom of this psychosis is a delusional belief transmitted from one individual to another. This syndrome is most often diagnosed in cases where two people live in close proximity and may be socially or physically isolated and have little interaction with other people. According to the … [Read more...] about Bush & Cheney: A Case of Folie à Deux?
You Want a Specific Answer?
In a long-ago interview with David Broder on "Meet the Press," then presidential-hopeful and budding-eccentric Ross Perot was challenged to provide details of a proposal he had made to trim government healthcare costs. In response, Perot argued that Broder had ambushed him, unfairly asking a question for which he (Perot) was not prepared. But Broder kept at it, to prove a … [Read more...] about You Want a Specific Answer?
It’s Miller Time!
I'm having difficulty staying focused on the Scooter Libby perjury trial. Trouble is, it has quickly descended into a battle of liars, and I just don't find that particularly interesting. And so we have the spectacle of disgraced New York Times reporter Judith Miller going head to head with one of Libby's lawyers over who is a better liar. What Miller says or doesn't … [Read more...] about It’s Miller Time!