Our famous linkfest offering you links to sites with MANY different viewpoints. Links to not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its cobloggers. If You Like To Give Charitable Deductions Be Warned that IRS rules have changed for 2007. The Mathematics Of Troop Strength is put under the microscope by James Joyner. Read his entire calculation but here's a fraction of it 4 … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere December 26, 2006

As we go through life, our passions may be rechanneled and we discover new talents and put most our creative energies and time into the new ones. It's part of personal growth. Jazz Shaw started out doing creating this blog but basically stopped blogging and now occasionally writes on this blog. One reason: his new passion is filmmaking. And his latest short is "The Making of … [Read more...] about “The Making Of A Very Zombie Christmas”

...at The Digital Diplmat for two reasons: (1) It's a great centrist site that focuses on foreign policy. (2) It's the newest incarnation of a site done by our coblogger Justin Delabar. He has been busy the past few months and we ONLY just learned that our email address to him was outmoded and there were some problems with his codes. But he may be contributing more to TMV now … [Read more...] about Take A Peek….

Report: Iran's Oil Exports May DisappearIran is suffering a staggering decline in revenue from its oil exports, and if the trend continues income could virtually disappear by 2015, according to an analysis published Monday in a journal of the National Academy of Sciences. ...If the United States can ''hold its breath'' for a few years it may find Iran a much more conciliatory … [Read more...] about Maybe this is why Iran is acting so cranky

More friction between the U.S., the Iraqi government...and Iran:Iraqi and Iranian authorities slammed the United States on Monday for having arrested several Iranians who were visiting Iraq. A U.S. official said the Iranians were suspected of involvement in attacks against Iraqi security forces. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini warned that "this … [Read more...] about Arrest By U.S. Of Iranians Irks Iraq’s President

Today's literary quote of the day is, once again, an entire poem. This time from one of my all-time favorite poets, Wislawa Szymborska. She won the Nobel Prize (literature) in 1996. On death without exaggeration.On Death, without Exaggeration It can't take a joke, find a star, make a bridge. It knows nothing about weaving, mining, farming, building ships, or baking cakes. In … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Wislawa Szymborska

A reader sent me these humorous quotes attributed to the late (traditional) conservative icon Senator Barry Goldwater: Humorous Quotes attributed to Barry Goldwater 1909-1998, American Statesman, Senator, Republican Presidential Candidate "A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away." "I have long said that there are more leaks … [Read more...] about Humorous Quotes From Goldwater

He's baaaaaaaaack... … [Read more...] about Oh, No…

But it's only for today. … [Read more...] about America’s Latest “Ghost Town”

Some thoughts HERE. … [Read more...] about Is A Black President Possible?

Ethiopia has had enough of the Islamists in Somalia.Ethiopia officially plunged into war with Somalia’s Islamist forces on Sunday, bombing targets inside Somalia and pushing ground troops deep into Somali territory in a major escalation that could turn Somalia’s internal crisis into a violent religious conflict that engulfs the entire Horn of Africa. The coordinated … [Read more...] about Ethiopia Attacks Islamists in Somalia

I'm aware of the fact that quite some founding fathers are, still, highly popular and respected, but there are also those who seem to be more criticized than praised (at least by some). Alexander Hamilton is one of those founding fathers who are - even now - criticized by many. Therefore, I wonder what you think of the views of this founding father of your country. Please … [Read more...] about What About Hamilton?

The AP, via Breitbart, reports that famous singer James Brown died earlier today. Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, he said.The exact cause of death is - as of yet - unknown. Brown was (and still is) … [Read more...] about James Brown Dies

This is a different world from 20 years ago, where more and more seniors are vigorous and living longer and — in one case, a senior's own work has helped him live longer himself and become a milestone:In late afternoon last Dec. 31, Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, then 97, was alone at home in Houston in his study preparing a lecture when a sharp pain ripped through his upper … [Read more...] about DeBakey Proved The Old Adage “Physician Heal Thyself”

...for the great Al Hirt playing an intense trumpet in The Green Hornet theme. A minor (we'd say major) classic: … [Read more...] about And Now A Musical Break

...of Spanish ventriloquist Señor Wences. UPDATE WITH A PERSONAL NOTE: I actually got into ventriloquism partially BECAUSE of Señor Wences. In the late 80s I got a letter in the mail from a ventriloquist's group noting that a testimonial/tribute dinner would be held in NYC to celebrate Wences' birthday. If you couldn't come, it said, can you kindly send a … [Read more...] about The Classic Ventriloquism (UPDATED)

Silent Night - by the Temptations. Savor it HERE. … [Read more...] about A Special Christmas Song

… [Read more...] about Merry Christmas

Why Kos is on my blogroll. … [Read more...] about The Big Dog

...here is how Santa Claus does his thing every Christmas Eve:    Science of Santa Claus: Jolly Old Elf Really Can Deliver Presents in One Night, Says NC State Engineer … [Read more...] about For those who cannot accept “it’s magic”…