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

This has been a chaotic couple of weeks for TMV and some of this site's co-bloggers. As a result, there are some stories we've been a bit behind on...but thanks for your patience! For instance, yesterday TMV was gone the bulk of the day and evening and totally away from a computer. The SAME situation will happen today...but hopefully our co-bloggers will be offering you some … [Read more...] about Note To Readers

I have been striving for several days to put together a post that encompasses a number of different, seemingly disparate topics into one whole than points to a fundamental principal upon which our Constitution is based. I have failed. I have been so busy trying to establish myself in the US again after moving back from France that I have not had the time to compose the words … [Read more...] about What does the United States stand for?

Police in New Windsor NY knock down "lewd" snow sculpture to protect the tender sensibilities of passersby. Hat-Tip to Shakespeares' Sister. … [Read more...] about Dumber

How about J-o-h-n K-e-r-r-y. Republican fundraisers are going to have a ball with this one. … [Read more...] about How Do You Spell “Dumb”?

RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY Cover Story: Saudi Religious Extremism In Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, law is based on the Qu'ran and religion governs daily life. Shops are obliged to close three times a day for prayer, and Saudi television devotes hours to programs about religion, frequently broadcasting images of the holy city of Mecca, the site of the Hajj … [Read more...] about R & E Newsweekly: Saudi Religious Extremism