I'm a pretty firm supporter of immigrant rights. But I've been forced to concede at least one major harm that it appears to be causing, afflicting untold numbers of otherwise normal, "rational" Americans: Pure, unabashed insanity. Two examples of anti-immigrant activists who, to put it gently, appear to have lost their minds. … [Read more...] about The Perils of Illegal Immigration

Yesterday, Reaction co-blogger Creature asked if things are really changing with respect to the treatment of detainees in U.S. custody, that is, to the Bush's Administration's position on the Geneva Conventions. I agree that it's a flip-flop, one that could possibly "help repair [America's] standing in the world community," but it's actually more a rhetorical flip-flop than … [Read more...] about Spinning Geneva

The Denver Post is reporting that "President Bush will likely cast the first veto of his presidency if the Senate, as expected, passes legislation to expand federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research". The source: Karl Rove himself. This is bipartisan legislation. It even has the support of flip-flopper Bill Frist in the Senate. As I put it last year: "It is imperative … [Read more...] about Stem-cell legislation — Bush’s first veto?

The rich get richer. … [Read more...] about White House Salaries

Yesterday was a day of mourning for Pink Floyd fans around the world. Roger "Syd" Barrett, the band's co-founder, has died at the age of 60. For more on the life and death of Syd, as well as on all things Pink Floyd, please visit Brain Damage. (As well, see my old friend Orrie's Pink Floyd site, AllFloyd.) Syd was the soul of Pink Floyd. The early hits, "Arnold Layne" and "See … [Read more...] about Syd Barrett (1946-2006)

India vows to get those responsible for the worst bombing in Mumbai in 13 years. Foreign governments express outrage and shock and vow (again) to combat terrorism. And then there are the human terms: at least 186 people killed: Eight explosions occurred in 30 minutes starting at 6 p.m., ripping through rush-hour crowds in the city of 16 million. Much of the rail network was … [Read more...] about Email From Bombay Explains Railway Terror Setting And Hope

As we reported on Friday, it looked as though right-wing candidate Felipe Calderon had just barely won the presidency over left-wing candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. After counting and re-counting, Calderon led Lopez Obrador by just 0.57 percentage points. But, rightly or wrongly, Lopez Obrador isn't about to concede, let alone give up without a fight. According to the … [Read more...] about Allegations of fraud taint Mexico’s presidential election

TMV's posts will be limited the next two days. Today he will drive more than 200 miles, doing events in Los Angeles County. Tomorrow he leaves for Iowa to do a county fair there. He will be posting (if conditions from his hotel allow) over the weekend, but won't be able to post on Monday due to travel. But, as always, our always independent co-bloggers will have somet … [Read more...] about TMV’s Posts Will Be Limited The Next Two Days

They're sometimes wrong. … [Read more...] about Beware Of Newspaper Headlines

The Mirror Gag — featuring Groucho and Harpo Marx. A classic (posted on You Tube). You can buy and explore their comedy by starting here. … [Read more...] about Comedy Greats: The Marx Brothers

From investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: BUSH THE VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT Credit Card Numbers Traced to Secure, Undisclosed Location, President Says At a press briefing at the White House today, President George W. Bush revealed that he had been the victim of identity theft for the past five years and that his Social Security and credit card numbers had been traced to a … [Read more...] about This Just In!

...in Washington, D.C. … [Read more...] about Citizen Smash Is Back On Duty

Letters written by Albert Einstein to his family have shed light on the scientist's personal life, including a string of extramarital affairs. says the BBC. The German-born scientist travelled extensively and wrote hundreds of letters to his family, unsealed by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Monday. The letters shed new light on the personal life of one of the 20th … [Read more...] about Albert Einstein’s Personal Life Is Now An Open Secret

BBC: Blasts rock Mumbai rail network There have been at least six blasts on commuter trains in the Indian financial capital, Mumbai (Bombay), police say. It is not yet clear what caused the blasts, which occurred during evening rush hour in the suburbs on the busy Western Railway. Police told the BBC more than 20 people were wounded in one blast and four or five of these … [Read more...] about Terrorism in India (Bombay)

In 21st century politics that means you go after him and try to discredit and destroy him personally. The linked post is very well attributed with specific links so it is NOT just your typical blog rant. Unfortunately, we've now see the same kind of tactics creep in the blog world in recent months with the case of a conservative revealing the identity of a prominent … [Read more...] about If Someone’s Arguments Seriously Challenge Yours What Do You Do?

Says Andrew J. Bacevich in the Washington Post: "In Iraq, lives differ in value — and so do deaths. In this disparity lies an important reason why the United States has botched this war." Bacevich is a professor of history and international relations at Boston University. "Last November in Haditha , a squad of Marines, outraged at the loss of a comrade, is said to have … [Read more...] about “What’s an Iraqi Life Worth?” asks a Boston University Professor

Four people have appeared in court to be arraigned with the murder in Washington of Alan Senitt, a young Jewish activist from London widely tipped to go on to a high-flying political career, says the Independent. "Even though Washington has grown inured to violent crime - mostly drug-related but which has not spared even rich enclaves like Georgetown - the murder of Mr Senitt … [Read more...] about Death of a Promising Politician in Washington

This post even has a good picture of him. … [Read more...] about More On Russia’s Now Dead No. 1 Terrorist

Has Tony Snow moved perilously close to the day when he becomes Tony Schmo — someone who starts to appear less a smooth advocate and persuader for his administration's policies and more a standard for-partisans-of-one-party-only talk show host transplanted to do his schtick at the White House? You decide:The White House belittled former President Clinton's policy of … [Read more...] about Has Tony Snow Jumped The Shark As Administration Press Spokesman?

We know (and appreciate) that TMV gets readers from many different viewpoints so THIS POST is likely to generate a lot of thought -- and debate. … [Read more...] about Soldiers And Free Speech: What Are The Limits?