British Prime Minister Tony Blair delivered a message after his party lost in local elections: "No more Mr. Nice guy. "Really. "Honestly. "Not kidding you..." The political carnage was so great that perhaps Hollywood is eying it to make a new movie "Friday the 5th" (it doesn't have as catchy a sound as "Friday the 13th," but it's "high concept." The changes were more … [Read more...] about Tony Blair Wields Political Axe After Poll Losses

Other recent changes in the White House were expected, but the announcement today that CIA Director Porter Goss resigned came abruptly ...with little explanation, when President George Bush announced it:CIA Director Porter J. Goss resigned today after less than two years on the job, President Bush announced at the White House. Bush said Goss offered his resignation this … [Read more...] about CIA Director Porter Goss Abruptly Resigns (UPDATED)

No, it's not a joke. That's what the costs are looking like for the NYC tribute. Is this irresponsible? Or should price not be a barrier? Sean Aqui shares his thoughts. … [Read more...] about 9/11 Memorial To Cost Nearly $1 Billion?

Be sure to check out J. Kingston Pierce's latest link-filled post over at The Reaction. Whatever his many criticisms of Bush and the Republicans, he says "there are reasons to be optimistic again". Indeed, he's hopeful and "ready for a change" after being "pessimistic for a long time now". … [Read more...] about Happy days are near again

According to the BBC, "A three-week voyage of discovery in the Atlantic has returned with tiny animals which appear new to science. They include waif-like plankton with delicate translucent bodies related to jellyfish, hundreds of microscopic shrimps, and several kinds of fish." It's a fascinating story. Be sure to check out the "In pictures" feature, too. … [Read more...] about New animals found in Atlantic

We may not be the only ones experiencing global warming. A new storm on Jupiter suggests that that planet "is in the midst of a global change that can modify temperatures by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit on different parts of the globe". Space.com has the story here. … [Read more...] about Climate change… on Jupiter

I have taken a hiatus from writing for weblogs, but I feel compelled to add this small tidbit to the supposed "debate" over immigration into the United States: For those of you/us who were among those fortunate enough to be born inside the United States, whether to parents who were citizens or aliens, legal or illegal, it is important to keep in mind that our very own status … [Read more...] about An accident of birth

It was not a good day for Great Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair whose Labour Party took a beating in local elections — leading to predictions that the cabinet may be reshuffled...and even suggestions that it may be time for Blair to go:Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labour Party suffered losses in Britain's local elections, indicating flagging voter support for his … [Read more...] about Blair’s Labour Party Battered In Local Elections

Last week Dick Meyer, editorial director of CBSNews.com wrote this piece where he discussed the fact that both political parties seem to feel they know what's good for you and will shove it down your throats if they have to. Now, he expands on that theme in this thought provoking essay titled "E Pluralism Unum." Once again, the original column must be read completely. In … [Read more...] about The American Vital Values Deficit

In a MUST READ TRANSLATED ARTICLE on the indispensible website Watching America, Christophe Ayad and Christophe Boltanski, writing in France's Liberation, takes a look at how Al Qaeda's bigwigs are adeptly using the media...and the Internet in particular. A small part of it:Within a week, bin Laden, Zarqawi and Zawahiri have all appeared on the Internet. The Internet is now, … [Read more...] about Al Qaeda’s Invasion Of The Media

It's a battle royal between the Senate, the House, GOPers in the Senate and the House and the White House. And, as the New York Times notes, it could even end in President George Bush casting his first veto:The Senate approved a $109 billion measure on Thursday to pay for the war in Iraq and Gulf Coast hurricane recovery, ignoring a veto threat by President Bush and an … [Read more...] about Senate Passage Of Spending Bill Divides GOP And Risks Bush Veto

Emails from some readers said they enjoyed our first embedded video on TMV, the Lou Costello outtakes. And some wanted more on a classic comedian. So click on the arrow above and see one of the and most popular comedy teams ever — Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis. Martin was the smoother, relaxed singer. Lewis, who idolized the older Martin, did a kind of facial and … [Read more...] about Since You Asked: Another Comedian Tribute (Martin & Lewis)

Emails from some readers said they enjoyed our first embedded video on TMV, the Lou Costello outtakes. And some wanted more on a classic comedian. So click on the arrow above and see one of the and most popular comedy teams ever — Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis. Martin was the smoother, relaxed singer. Lewis, who idolized the older Martin, did a kind of facial and … [Read more...] about Since You Asked: Another Comedian Tribute (Martin & Lewis)

You've gotten a song and dance from the politicians and oil company executives on skyrocketing gas prices so now sit back and enjoy THIS VIDEO cartoon-song from Atom Films: "I Can't Afford My Gasoline." … [Read more...] about “I Can’t Afford My Gasoline”

You rarely see such a good specimen of it in today's climate. Krikey. … [Read more...] about Racism Unmodified

One of the new leafs Bush administration members seem to have turned over is to inch towards more accessibility in less controllable situations. If they're not getting all that pesky publicity about keeping people who disagree from entering, they can then focus on their message. The problem is that if you are in a situation where polls show your support plummeting in terms of … [Read more...] about Rumsfeld Gets Blunt Questions And Follow Ups From Ex-CIA Official

Here's one (at times politically incorrect) view of it. … [Read more...] about The Immigration Debate

I guess I kind of lied when I said I'd be giving round-ups throughout the week. Sorry. Anyway, my computer is back in my hands, but I'm going to Miami this weekend (cue Will Smith music), so full posting probably won't resume until Monday. Thanks for your patience. … [Read more...] about I’m Back In Business

Over at The Reaction, if you'll excuse a quick pointer post, co-blogger Creature takes a critical look at the nature of the White House press briefing. It's become something of an embarrassment, but perhaps the White House itself is to blame. … [Read more...] about Fixing the White House press briefing

The Incredibles has solid advice for Republicans tempted to "take the gloves off" in Iraq. … [Read more...] about Of Power and Principles