A conservative blogger is reportedly threatening a liberal blogger with a lawsuit. (Should we all hire lawyers to parse our words and images now?) … [Read more...] about Now Blogging Is Getting Litigious Among Bloggers
Literary Quote of the Day: George Eliot
How many of us have labored through impossibly long and dense tomes in literature classes that are considered to be masterpieces? Or classics? Or classic masterpieces? And we just don't get it? I certainly put George Eliot’s “Middlemarchâ€? (1871) in that category when I had to read it in a lit class. But when I picked it up years later, I found it to be beautifully … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: George Eliot
Analyzing 24
Hooked on 24? Over at The Reaction, Heraclitus has posted his initial reactions to -- really a thorough analysis of -- the first episode of the current season. I don't watch the show -- nothing against it, I just haven't found the time to commit myself to it -- but there's a lot here to think about whether you're hooked or not: terrorism, torture, executive authority, all … [Read more...] about Analyzing 24
The Message Of Dr. King
Was there more to his message than most Americans seem to acknowledge these days? The answer is "yes," according to Mirror On America -- and we're even given parts of some of his other, less publicized speeches and audio and video links. Has some of his message been blurred? … [Read more...] about The Message Of Dr. King
Now Hanging Of Saddam Hussein’s Half-Brother Is Controversial
The Iraq government is now faced with yet another probable public relations problem on its hands -- this time apparently more a quirk of grisly fate than of execution bystanders seemingly out of control:Iraqi government officials have shown journalists video of the hanging of two of Saddam Hussein's aides, during which one of the men was decapitated. The film shows Barzan … [Read more...] about Now Hanging Of Saddam Hussein’s Half-Brother Is Controversial
Unity08
Unity08 is a project to encourage the two parties to move back towards the center. The plan is to host an online political convention to nominate a bi-partisan presidential ticket from Candidates passed over by the major parties. Unity 08 will use its resources to get their candidates on the ballots in all the states. The idea is that the two parties will have to become more … [Read more...] about Unity08
Free Speech on Trial in the Court of Public Opinion
One could argue that all sides of this debate have lost perspective. If decorum wasn't already dead, it may be now. Then again, as messy and unpleasant as this situation is, it may be the surest of signs that the First Amendment is alive and well. … [Read more...] about Free Speech on Trial in the Court of Public Opinion
It’s Not Exactly the Trial of the Century, But . . .
There is an anticlimactic air surrounding the perjury trial of L. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, which gets under way tomorrow in Washington. For one thing, to the dismay of lefties and overeager journalists everywhere, White House consigliere Karl Rove skated despite having his dirty hands all over the Joseph Wilson-Valerie Plame affair. For another, President Bush, who … [Read more...] about It’s Not Exactly the Trial of the Century, But . . .
The Never-Ending Struggle For Civil Rights (REPOSTED)
Note: This ran in yesterday's edition but we are reposting it today. Newer posts are below this one so when you're done keep scrolling. When I was first cutting my teeth in the newspaper business, my editors sent me out on "house ends," visits to homes where I would interview families of interest because something very bad of interest had happened to them. It was the late … [Read more...] about The Never-Ending Struggle For Civil Rights (REPOSTED)
Ailing Print Media Department: Time Inc. Cuts More Jobs
The continued fallout and shakedown from the early 21st century's new media mix is again sparking financial -- and jobs -- fall out in the print media. Time Inc. will reportedly cut 150 more jobs. The significance of this increases when you consider that the once-dominant company sliced off 600 jobs last year. The New York Times:People magazine’s article this week on … [Read more...] about Ailing Print Media Department: Time Inc. Cuts More Jobs
Around The Sphere January 15, 2007
Our famous linkfest offering you links to sites with MANY different viewpoints. Links do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its cobloggers. Does It Matter If It's Called A "surge," "escalation" or "augmentation?" YES, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Dick Polman writes on his blog. He makes the case that this indeed almost Orwellian. A small quote:This battle over … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere January 15, 2007
This Just In!!!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:Bush’s Pants Spontaneously Combust President’s Pants on Fire during ‘60 Minutes’ Interview President George W. Bush narrowly escaped serious injury last night when his pants spontaneously burst into flame during an interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes.â€? Millions of Americans who tuned into the CBS news program … [Read more...] about This Just In!!!
China Moves on Darfur
After years of stalling, China may finally be exerting real pressure on Sudan to end its genocide in Darfur. Great news, if true. But what's the long-term impact? … [Read more...] about China Moves on Darfur
Here We Go Again
Critics of President George Bush's surge/escalation/augmentation plan for Iraq are undercutting the troops (does this include the military present and past who've criticized it?). Can you guess who said this? Here's more...and you'll know:Cheney brought Osama bin Laden in to the argument, saying that attempts to reverse U.S. policy on Iraq was exactly "what he wants." He … [Read more...] about Here We Go Again
A Song Parody 4 U
From The Garlic the song parody "Baghdad, With The Surge On Tap," a spoof of the classic standard, “Surry, With The Fringe On Top, from Oklahoma. Words and the original music provided. … [Read more...] about A Song Parody 4 U
MLK Day (almost)
Shaun published a fantastic post earlier today because of Martin Luther King day. As commenter Steve K. pointed out in the comment section of that post: "a lovely, well thought out tribute to Dr. King, civil rights in general, and the power that's held by good people everywhere if only they'd know that they have it." Like Shaun, I published a post on MLK (day) as well. If … [Read more...] about MLK Day (almost)
Hope from the Erosion of Party Identity
Both the NY Times and the Washington Post had articles pointing out the significant number of Republicans who voted with the Democrats on the early agenda items. Eighty-two Republicans joined Democrats in approving an increase in the minimum wage; 68 Republicans backed the new majority’s measure that puts into force remaining recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission; 48 … [Read more...] about Hope from the Erosion of Party Identity
Iraq & The Waiting Game
As noted by Yours Truly after President Bush's speech on Iraq the other night, a big reason that the "new" strategy won't work is that the bad guys will simply wait until it plays itself out. As if on cue, Leila Fadel and Zaineb Obeid of McClatchy Newspapers, which journo for journo may be doing the best work out of Iraq, report that: "Mahdi Army militia members have … [Read more...] about Iraq & The Waiting Game
Turkey Considers Invading Northern Iraq
Turkish President Erdogan seems to be considering invading Northern Iraq to do something about the PKK-problem: Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Friday reaffirmed Turkey's right to send troops into Iraq to crush Kurdish rebels there and chided U.S. officials for questioning it. "The Turkish Republic will do whatever is necessary to combat the terrorists when the time comes, … [Read more...] about Turkey Considers Invading Northern Iraq
The Minimum Wage Raise: Questions for Supporters
Although I understand why quite some people believe that there should be some kind of official minimum wage and why the Democrats have voted to raise the minimum wage recently I have to say that as a moderate liberal conservative (I say moderate because, among other reasons, I'm not a 'typical' liberal conservative: one could say that I am less conservative on quite some issues … [Read more...] about The Minimum Wage Raise: Questions for Supporters