Trapped methane gases under the ocean threaten to rapidly speed up global warming if they're released. But by how much and how quickly? Amba has the answers. … [Read more...] about Not With A Bang, But With A Burp

In a speech at Boston's Faneuil Hall marketplace (a wonderful part of the city that I frequented regularly during my years at Tufts), John Kerry said that dissent during wartime is patriotic, "a response to Republican critics who insist that questioning the conduct of the war in Iraq emboldens America's enemies," according to a report in The Washington Post. Said Kerry: "I … [Read more...] about Patriotism and dissent

It's not much, but it's something. And, for what it is, it's awfully important: One of the Roman Catholic Church's most distinguished cardinals has publicly backed the use of condoms among married couples to prevent Aids transmission. Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini said that in couples where one had HIV/Aids, which could pass to the partner, the use of condoms was "a lesser … [Read more...] about Prominent Catholic leader defends limited condom use

This is just an addendum to Swaraaj's excellent posts on the situation in Nepal — see links below. ********** It's not a major story here in North America, but the political crisis in Nepal — marked by pro-democracy protests in Kathmandu, a clampdown by state police, and King Gyanendra'a promise to restore democracy — continues. You can find a historical … [Read more...] about The pro-democracy protests in Nepal

Perhaps it's due to changes in "learning tools". … [Read more...] about College Students Seem To Enjoy Getting Their Education More These Days

Who says that just because someone comes from a powerful family (or has friends in a powerful family) that means they not only don't have to make the same sacrifices that other less powerful people seemingly feel they don't have to make — but that they can't DEMAND that they make the same sacrifices? Already he's a role model for many politicians and their relatives who … [Read more...] about Prince Harry Reportedly Demands He Be Allowed To Fight

The blood-shed continues in Nepal. Despite the tough statements from the U.S., the U.K. and India, King Gyanendra of Nepal seems to be in no mood to seek truce with his own countrymen. One wonders how long this suicidal road would be. The TMV readers may be wondering why I keep returning to Nepal in these columns when equally suicidal confrontations are still raging elsewhere … [Read more...] about Nepal Burns: World Watches the Spectacle

AP via Haaretz: CAIRO - In his first new message in three months, Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden said in a tape reelased Sunday that the West's suspension of aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government proved Washington and Europe were conducting "a Zionist crusaders war on Islam." "The blockade which the West is imposing on the government of Hamas proves that there is a … [Read more...] about Bin Ladin Fulminates

Two one-time political heavyweights are showing the public competing political poses in a time-bomb-like issue that faces the state of California: inadequate levees. On one side, President George W. Bush who refused to declare a pre-emptive disaster for California's iffy levees. Bush's political numbers in California are best described by this book title. On the other side, … [Read more...] about Schwarzenegger Blasts Bush On Response To California Levee Problem

The rumblings have started again about dumping Vice President Dick Cheney....but are they (a) out of the blue, (b) some politicians and a conservative journalist trying to send a message to the Veep or (c) a classic case of a feeler being floated out there by a higher official using a journalist to send a message to the Veep and test the public political waters for an … [Read more...] about Rumblings About Dumping Cheney Resurface (UPDATED)

And they're actually sounding a lot like Democrats. … [Read more...] about Republicans Feeling Gas Pains

This will be of special interest to football fans, those who've followed the city of San Diego's plight and those who've been shaking their heads at how cities will do virtually anything to retain big league athletic teams that demand new stadiums:For four years, the Chargers and the city of San Diego have scrimmaged over the team's wish to play in a new football stadium. … [Read more...] about San Diego To Chargers: See Ya

Due to an extremely long and tough day, TMV's own posts will begin later this morning, after 6:30 a.m. San Diego time. Just to show you how TMV does this blog. Yesterday he drove to Orange County. En route he stopped at a Starbucks to do some posts. Then he went to his hotel. Later that night at the hotel he did some posts — ending at 1 a.m. He was up at 5:30 a.m. to … [Read more...] about TMV’s Own Posts Will Begin Later This Morning

Opinion: Hands off! Even from the grave, journalistic pitbull Jack Anderson still ready to rumble April 20, 2006 | For more than half a century, Jack Anderson reveled in the rough-and-tumble that is high-stakes journalism and politics of Washington, DC. Even now, four months after his death at 83 in December, the journalistic icon who covered and harried a covey of presidents … [Read more...] about Today’s Word on Journalism (Ted Pease at USU)

Of interest to those following the Duke rape case, how the usage of alcohol affects people's perceptions of blameworthiness in rape cases--for both the victim and the perpetrator. Hint: Women get hosed. … [Read more...] about Alcohol in Judging Rape Culpability

Kanak Mani Dixit, and his team of journalists, have played a pioneering role in Nepal for over a decade through their magazine Himal South Asian. On April 8, this gentle man with a sly sense of humor was abruptly tossed in jail. About 200 other Nepalese journalists also have been rounded up in the last two weeks. Dixit is the editor of Himal, Himal Southasian and the … [Read more...] about Himal of Nepal: A Salute To A Pioneering Magazine

Find out who here. … [Read more...] about Iraq Has A New Prime Minister

A CIA officer has been fired over media leaks — on a day when there also allegations that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice leaked information to an Israeli lobbyist. So on one hand there's the news that the administration is clamping down on leaks...and an allegation that an administration official leaked. In the case of the CIA official, the Washington Post … [Read more...] about CIA Officer Fired Over Media Leaks

Paramount Pictures is planning to beam its once-lucrative Star Trek franchise back into movie theaters — with a top-of-the-line A-list director and a story line that will essentially be a prequel:More than three years after the last "Star Trek" movie crashed at the box office, the venerable sci-fi franchise is being revived by the director of the upcoming "Mission: … [Read more...] about Star Trek Franchise Will Be Beamed Back Up Into Movies

My analysis of the 9th circuit's Harper v. Poway School District ruling is finally up at The Debate Link. Prepare yourselves, it's a doozy! … [Read more...] about I Promise, I Deliver