A new study by the National Urban League reveals that only 8 percent of major Sunday morning talk show guests in the past 18 months were black — but the question now becomes: so what do you suggest producers do about it? What's interesting in this study is that by implication it's suggesting that producers who have X amount of minutes to deal with an issue need to be … [Read more...] about Study Says Few Blacks On Sunday Morning TV Talk Shows: Issue Or NOT?

This is an allegation that could prove to be an ongoing problem for the United States:Leaked emails from two former prosecutors claim the military commissions set up to try detainees at Guantanamo Bay are rigged, fraudulent, and thin on evidence against the accused. Two emails, which have been obtained by the ABC, were sent to supervisors in the Office of Military Commissions … [Read more...] about Allegations Surface That Guantanamo Trials Were Fixed

The relationship between Al Qaeda and the recent bombings in London is being put under the microscope by investigators in Great Britain and in Saudi Arabia — and it seems to underscore once more the apparent role of Al Qaeda as a kind of corporate office where franchises throughout the world operate with guidance from the home crew: LONDON, July 31 — British and … [Read more...] about British And Saudis Investigate Al Qaeda Link To Bombings

It's getting curiouser and curiouser and downright confusing in the Plame scandal, dubbed Rovegate by some, with a Time magazine tidbit that contradicts one of Karl Rove's key contentions:As the investigation tightens into the leak of the identity of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame, sources tell TIME some White House officials may have learned she was married to former … [Read more...] about Rove Is Plame Confusing

There's a new, major medical find in the tragic battle against Alzheimer's disease: a new study has determined that the warning signs could appear 10 years before it's diagnosed. USA Today notes:The new report underscores the scientific view that Alzheimer's begins to injure the brain years before the hallmark symptoms of severe memory loss appear, says William Thies, … [Read more...] about Alzheimer’s Warnings Signs Appear 10 Years Before

Be careful, Democrats: President George Bush is a Prez who's incredibly physically fit (and can probably beat up most of you — except perhaps Hillary):President Bush was pronounced "fit for duty" after an annual checkup Saturday showed that the 59-year-old commander in chief, an avid mountain bike rider, had lost 8 pounds since his last physical exam in December.... In … [Read more...] about Doctors Say Bush Is Incredibly Physically Fit

Cross-posted to Random Fate. --- Joe Gandelman, of The Moderate Voice, who is kind enough to allow me to post here, has written of his opposition to the apparent rebranding by the current Administration of President George W. Bush of the so-called "Global War on Terror". Gandelman writes: The idea that this battle is more than just military, is a sound one. But I thought … [Read more...] about …on “rebranding”, learning, cynicism, and loss

For the spouse who has everything, here's a GREAT anniversary gift for you:MANSA (INDIA): From celebrity toenails to fart machines, e-bay probably can't get stranger. But reality just did. Malsinghwala, a tiny village in Punjab's Mansa district, has put itself up for auction. Lock, stock and barrel, or rather tractor, states a resolution passed unanimously by residents. A ride … [Read more...] about The PERFECT Anniversary Gift

Former President Jimmy Carter has blasted Guantanamo — and you can almost hear the ghost of the late Ronald Reagan saying "There you go again..." Carter — one of the 20th century's least successful Presidents and 20th century's most successful and most socially constructive (literally) ex-Presidents — has bedeviled literally EVERY President who followed him … [Read more...] about Carter Blasts Guantanamo As “Disgraceful” And “Unjust”

These aren't happy times for the U.S. Airline industry. Many airlines are struggling. But, quiet and with little fanfare, one airline has taken a unique approach to cut its costs and improve it services: it has used the expertise of its own employees. And it's showing results. … [Read more...] about How An Airline Began To Turn Its Troubles Around

Several more facts need to be addressed regarding the story of gay rights billboards being rejected in Georgia, previously pointed out by TMV here. 1) The company in question owns nearly every billboard in the state [This was written in the Gay Orbit post, but was not found in the article linked. For the purposes of the post, I assume it's true--David] 2) The company … [Read more...] about How Can You Use the Billboard When You Cannot…Speak?

Greetings from Helena, Montana! TMV's posts will start late today (due to three shows yesterday plus a local TV interview). Due to logistics (a long drive) TMV's own posting may be limited today. However, our co-bloggers may have some things to say today...so stay tuned. And TMV will post in the morning — and then at the very end of the afternoon. So do check back … [Read more...] about Our Posts Will Start LATE Today

READ THIS and let us know if it doesn't make YOUR BLOOD BOIL. You would not have seen this kind of silliness coupled with an almost unimaginably weird viewpoint even 10 years ago. Our hope: the mother will find herself a lawyer and see if there is a big, fat lawsuit she can file against those bringing charges against her son. Charges dropped or not: the fact they were brought … [Read more...] about Some Government Law Enforcement Officials Need To Find Other Jobs

A company that controls many billboards in Georgia is smack, dab in the middle of a controversy since it won't allow one particular message to be shown. Is this justified? READ IT YOURSELF HERE. Now, putting aside personal views on social issues, putting aside partisanship, putting aside liberal/conservative/moderate ideology -- is this message inflammatory? If so, how? … [Read more...] about Banning Messages On Billboards In Georgia

STOP THE PRESSES! Larry King has gotten beaten by Nancy Grace!! But, no, we're not talking about a physical beating. The rising CNN Headline News host has gotten more ratings than CNN's longtime (and we do mean loooooooooooooongtime) king King. Why should this matter? TV Newser has the ratings details and notes that it's being suggested that Grace is being groomed to … [Read more...] about Larry King Gets Beaten By Nancy Grace

Spain is facing a press controversy that Barcepundit says is akin to the Rovegate. READ THE DETAILS HERE but he makes a good point: Once again we seem to see an instance where outrage is being limited only to those with whom one side disagrees. This scandal also involves some press leaks...a court....an order issued to a leading newspaper. Also, the biggest political … [Read more...] about Spain’s Own Wilson/Rove/Plame Scandal

After reading some of John Roberts' memos from the White House counsel's office in the early 1980s, I have thoughts on him beyond his heartthrob status: I like him. Forget that he's generally conservative, but apparently not a rigid ideologue, or particularly polarizing. He blames the Supreme Court for its own bitchiness in the 1980s:In early 1983, Mr. Roberts was asked to … [Read more...] about John Roberts to Supreme Court: Die or Leave

In many cities now throughout the United States health experts are saying mosquitos truly bite — in more ways than one. The problem: there are increasing fears that the West Nile virus is popping up all over the United States. You can see the acclerating number of cases being reported across the U.S.A In San Diego County, the Union Tribune notes, two dead birds have … [Read more...] about West Nile Threat Seen Growing Fast In U.S.

It sounds like Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld needs to get some New York City lawyers skilled in taking landlords to court out to Uzbekistan ASAP:Uzbekistan formally evicted the United States yesterday from a military base that has served as a hub for combat and humanitarian missions to Afghanistan since shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Pentagon and State … [Read more...] about U.S. Kicked Out Of Air Base In Uzbekistan

A little way below Joe suggests that Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf may be getting tougher on Pakistan-bred terror by kicking foreigners out of the country's madrassas. While that is indeed a good sign even if it leaves possible Pakistani terrorists-in-training free, a couple other stories have come out this past week suggesting that Musharraf may be somewhat complicit … [Read more...] about Understanding Musharraf