Apparently some folks think this is the answer. … [Read more...] about “Wanna Have A Good Time…”

Amid growing controversy swirling around renewal of the Patriot Act and reports that President George W. Bush personally approved secret spying on Americans, Bush has thrown down the gauntlet to Congress and critics, essentially saying that the War On Terrorism is his to conduct as he sees fit. That's the bottom line if you watched his radio address this morning (delivered … [Read more...] about Bush-Approved Spying On Americans Sparks Controversy

AP via the Cincinnati Enquirer: WASHINGTON - Ohio's largest labor union endorsed political newcomer Paul Hackett on Friday in his Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate against recognized labor champion U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown, a surprising move that signals a potentially damaging split in union support. The United Auto Workers said that its 17 area councils and 10 at-large … [Read more...] about AP: Hackett wins UAW nod

What can you say about a classy actor? Except that there are so few who truly fit into the top ranking of that category. And John Spencer was one of them. No matter when you saw him, he held the screen. He was the consummate late 20th century, 21st century character actor — and how sad it is that he won't be around...as a person (because he was well liked) and as an … [Read more...] about “West Wing” Actor John Spencer Dies Suddenly At 58

Once again, apologies to our readers but it has been logistically impossible for TMV himself to post much the past few days — and it's fortunate our co-bloggers have picked up our slack. There are still some important stories we haven't addressed here and TMV's own posts will resume later today, after 6:30 a.m. San Diego time. TMV was away the whole day yesterday — … [Read more...] about TMV’s Own Posts Begin Later Today

I wish to say a few words about Wisconsin's former Senator, William Proxmire, who died yesterday. I believe that Senator Proxmire was a rare political incarnation of everything I and (I believe) this site aspire to be. Independent without being indecisive, passionate without being partisan, Proxmire stood up for his ideals and pushed for each of us to live up to our own as … [Read more...] about Senator William Proxmire

The title of this post is sarcastic - I didn't realize until now that there WAS such a thing as Hooters Air. … [Read more...] about What An Asset to America!

CQ Today Midday Update FRIDAY, DEC. 16, 2005 – 2:27 P.M. Edited by Joe Warminsky Patriot Act Conference Agreement Stalls in Senate A nearly unanimous bloc of Senate Democrats, joined by a handful of Republicans, blocked consideration of a bill Friday that would reauthorize the 16 expiring provisions of the Patriot Act, leaving in limbo the sections of the law that are set … [Read more...] about CQ: Patriot Act Conference Agreement Stalls in Senate

UUA: The Unitarian Universalist Association's opposition is based on concerns over civil liberties, including religious liberty, the right to privacy, and due process. The UUA has never before opposed the confirmation of a nominee to the Supreme Court... … [Read more...] about UUA opposes Alito confirmation as threat to civil liberties

From the Cleveland, Ohio Gay People's Chronicle: Man jailed for breaking a nonexistent law is cleared by Eric Resnick Warren, Ohio--A gay man who spent four months in jail for breaking a nonexistent anti-gay sex law has had his name cleared by an appeals court. Keith Phillips’ conviction of “importuningâ€? was overturned by the Eleventh District Court of Appeals in a … [Read more...] about Did You Know That This Can Happen in America?

May I be permitted a spot of narcissism? Wampum, a great blog in its own right, has opened up nominations for the 2005 Koufax Awards — awards for left-of-center/liberal blogs. Although I blog here at TMV and am happy to call myself a moderate, broadly speaking, I think my work at The Reaction qualifies me for that sector of the blogosphere. If you like The Reaction, … [Read more...] about THE KOUFAX AWARDS

As many of you know, I've been extremely critical of the conduct of the war in, and occupation of, Iraq (see here, here, and here, for example). But I do hope this election proves to be of lasting success. After all, however much we may dislike President Bush, however much we may be critical of his mismanaged war, what matters here is the well-being of the Iraqi … [Read more...] about On the Iraqi election

Humanity 1, Bush 0. It's yet another White House flip-flop, but at least it's hypocrisy in the right direction. From The Washington Post: The White House and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) reached agreement today on a measure that would ban torture and limit interrogation tactics in U.S. detention facilities, a provision that the Bush administration had strongly resisted but that … [Read more...] about Bush agrees to McCain’s torture ban

Over at The Reaction, Grace Miao expresses deep revulsion at the interference of U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins in the Canadian election campaign. (Plus, see the comments.) Truly and utterly inappropriate. … [Read more...] about Canadian election, American interference

Bryan Curtis has an interesting piece on Frank Rich — "The Butcher of the Beltway" — at Slate. Curtis makes a valid case against Rich, however much he may like his politics, and I would tend to agree that Rich operates very much within "a kind of airtight ideological bunker" that offers "reaffirmation" and "the issuance of a crisp verdict" to New York's disgruntled … [Read more...] about Why Frank Rich’s liberalism is all the rage

If they vanish (unless they're banned) blog writers notice. Sometimes it's a computer glitch. Sometimes it's not. And if it's not it could be worst. And if it is the worst they feel the loss. And it hurts (and as a former guest-blogger at Dean's World, TMV feels it, too). … [Read more...] about People Who Comment On Weblogs Are Indeed Appreciated

Up until now we've looked at all this fuss over the Christmas/holiday controversy with a combination of bemusement, mild dismay and a wonderment that with all that is going on this world some folks have to create a major controversy as if we don't have enough already. And we have understood that some people felt very deeply about this. But now it's apparently being taken to a … [Read more...] about Protect Christmas Symbols But Refuse To Do So For Chanuka Symbols

Is he opening a can of worms or putting a spotlight on a can that has food and showing it has worms? Actor Morgan Freeman, one of Hollywood's best character actors ever, has problably ruffled some feathers with this one:NEW YORK -Morgan Freeman says the concept of a month dedicated to black history is "ridiculous." "You're going to relegate my history to a month?" the … [Read more...] about Morgan Freeman Calls Black History Month “Ridiculous”

You think you've had an embarassing dating experience? I think this may trump. … [Read more...] about Awk…Ward

Yet another milestone in Iraq's transition to democracy: another vote in which Iraqis flocked to the polls, showing a clear thirst for democracy. And this should be good news for several sides: For Iraqis, who are clearly getting an appetite for elections in which candidates have names other than Saddam. For the Iraq war's staunchest supporters, who see the vote and the … [Read more...] about Iraqis Show They Love To Vote