We read a lot of blogs (we USED our blogroll by the way and read all sides) but somehow didn't know until just now that on June 8 due to one of our posts we were inducted by Shrillblog into the Ancient and Hermetic Order of the Shrill. Here's the intro: Joe Gandelman is a professional voice. His schtick on the internet is that of a professional moderate voice, someone who is … [Read more...] about How Did TMV Ever Miss This Post?

There are some political themes that are repeated so much that even if they have some validity they become truly painful arguments to hear — and as welcome to hear as a dentist announcing you need three root canals. Diversity is a valid concern, when advocated in situations where there is a glaring deficiency or proveable need. But, no we don't agree one iota with Anita … [Read more...] about Give Us A Break Department: Roberts Nomination Setback To Diversity?

"Them Flashy Liberals" is the latest in a series of posts I've written on liberal bias in American academia. Since my other posts date from my pre-TMV days, I'll provide the links and a brief excerpt to the whole set here, starting from the earliest to the latest. "Purely Academic" [T]here are some important differences between under-represented ideologies vs. … [Read more...] about (How) Is Academia Slanted to the Left?

Yes, it's finally time to offer a formal statement to the readers each week who write that this CAN'T be a moderate site because we DARE to criticize a Republican or DARE to criticize a Democrat or DARE to link to a conservative site or DARE to link to a liberal site. Guess what? We USE our big blogroll to read for our OWN pleasure, to see what people with different … [Read more...] about A Note To Our “How Can You Call Yourself A Moderate” Critics

Some people will do ANYTHING for a laugh:NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. - Police are on the lookout for the naked tickler. Investigators said they believe one man could be responsible for a series of bizarre break-ins in which a naked man enters victims' rooms while they are sleeping and tries to tickle their feet.Sounds like a heel to me. MORE:The naked tickler struck again in New … [Read more...] about He’s Kootchey Kootchey Koo Koo

Americablog's John Aravosis has a fascsinating post about online etiquette that should be ready by everyone (and everyone will have their own ideas, of course). Here's the intro:This is one in a series of posts about how to best use the Internet in a way that gets your message heard and doesn't piss off the person you're trying to influence. I usually tick some people off by … [Read more...] about Online Etiquette

A suspected suicide bomber was shot dead in London today — underscoring the city's threat, it's heightened security and raising fears that the bombings that have happened so far may be the new modus operendi. Sky News:Police have killed a suspected suicide bomber at a Tube station in south London. Armed officers opened fire on the suspect after he hurdled a ticket … [Read more...] about London Jittery: Suspected Suicide Bomber Shot Dead

While the country (and weblogs) stay glued to Rovegate and Robertspath (he looks like he will be confirmed) another intriguing story — and controversy — has been unfolding in New York. It's about kids and AIDS drug trials. It pits the New York Times against an investigative reporter who does much of his reporting on the Internet. Read the Times story here. Then … [Read more...] about Controversy Over Kids And AIDS Drug Trials

From the Canada desk: A few weeks ago, the House of Commons passed Bill C-38, the bill to sanction same-sex marriage, 158-133. Late Tuesday night, the more heavily Liberal Senate, our appointed upper house, passed it 47-21. And late Wednesday afternoon, Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, standing in for Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, gave the bill royal assent. Canada thus … [Read more...] about Same-sex marriage in Canada: We’re #4! We’re #4!

Are we heading — for one brief, shining moment — towards a major political battle where the slash-and-burn, take-no-prisoners, the best defense is an good offense politics of the early 21st century may take backseat to a different style? The style: a political battle more akin to many battles in the 20th century where people could greatly — adamantly — … [Read more...] about Roberts Defuses The Political Fury

Michael Reynolds of the great centrist blog The Mighty Middle notes that yesterday's attack in London comes two weeks after the last one. So he has a plan. A way to show SOLIDARITY to Londoners and to send terrorists a message. He's going to London. He's going to fly to London in two weeks. He's going to defiantly ride the Tube. And he wants you to go too. … [Read more...] about Sending A Message And Showing Solidarity With Londonders

We always encourage people to read the work of a blogger who goes that extra mile by putting aside the published stories and op-ed pieces and actually doing THEIR OWN interview. And now we have another solid example. The Talking Dog has interviewed Putitzer Prize winning Professor David Hackett Fischer by phone from his home in Massachusetts. Fischer, University Professor at … [Read more...] about Blogger Interview With A Pulitzer Prize Winner

In fact, it can be a bitch — but a true lapdog can handle it. We thank K. Wohlfarth for the photo. … [Read more...] about Blogging Can Be Difficult

This is enough to make anyone flip their wig:DRESDEN, Germany (Reuters) - Bald men in Germany have no entitlement to state support for toupees, a court ruled Wednesday. Throwing out a legal challenge by a bald 46-year-old man, the court said the state was not discriminating against men even though health insurance covers the cost of wigs for women. "In contrast to women, the … [Read more...] about Why William Shatner Will Never Move To Germany

The chances of a filibuster on Supreme Court nominee John Roberts now look as small as John Dean's or John Kerry's chance to win the Presidential nomination — and avoiding one almost as big as Ann Coulter's Adams' Apple. (How's THAT for a sentence offending partisans on both sides?):The possibility of a filibuster against John G. Roberts, President Bush's nominee to the … [Read more...] about Chances Of Filibuster On Roberts Diminishing

If you have any doubt that there will be a full-court press on finding out Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' position on abortion at Senate confirmation hearings consider these doubts erased by this:WASHINGTON (AP) - Just over half of all Americans - and a solid majority of women - want to know John Roberts' position on abortion before the Senate votes on whether to elevate … [Read more...] about Roberts Will Be Put Under Microsope On Abortion Position

Here's a bit of news that keeps abreast of PC laws:CANADIAN Miss Universe Natalie Glebova was forced to take off her official sash at a local festival celebrating Thailand when Toronto authorities invoked a law against sexual stereotyping. The winner of the international beauty competition held in Bangkok in May, Glebova was to open the festival last weekend sporting her … [Read more...] about Miss Universe Violates The Law

There were more explosions in London's Tube Stations today — described by officials as "minor," but leading to the evacuation of several tube lines in what officials called a "serious" incident. Now, as investigators look into this and an incident involving a bus, the question is going to be: were these done by the same, well organized group that's believed to be linked … [Read more...] about More Terror Blasts In London’s Tube

Cross posted at The Smoking Room The opening of this story on a renewed federal push for a reporters' shield law - protecting them under most circumstances from divulging anonymous sources - has one of the most inappropriate and sycophantic leads in a mainstream outlet I've ever seen:Watergate, the prisoner abuse scandal at Iraq's Abu Ghraib jail, tobacco companies making … [Read more...] about Reporters’ shield legislation draws plaudits…by writer, in story

Everything seems to be going Hillary's way lately. The Roberts nomination is perfect for her--he's moderate enough that she doesn't have to oppose him, but conservative enough that she'll look bipartisan if she supports him. … [Read more...] about Clinton is Rolling