Do US Civil War guerrillas have something to teach us about ISIS today? I think they do, especially the means through which ISIS "soldiers" become radicalized. There are a few patterns that have emerged among violent radical Islamists that resemble the path through which young men in Civil War Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee became violent bushwhackers who violated every … [Read more...] about Do U.S. Civil War guerrillas have something to teach us about ISIS?
Is democracy a ‘fetish’?
WASHINGTON -- It's important for those who favor the popular election of our presidents to separate their arguments for direct democracy from the outcome of a particular contest. My colleague George F. Will's recent column in defense of the Electoral College offers an excellent opportunity to make a case that has nothing to do with the election of Donald Trump. … [Read more...] about Is democracy a ‘fetish’?
A new solution for Trump and his team: ignore the law
WASHINGTON -- Trump lieutenant Newt Gingrich has proposed an elegant solution for all the conflicts of interest swirling around the president-elect and his team of billionaires: Ignore the law. President-elect Donald Trump, Gingrich said, should let those in his administration do as they wish with their personal fortunes and business interests and pardon them if they … [Read more...] about A new solution for Trump and his team: ignore the law
Merry Freakin’ Christmas
December 25, 2016 Note to readers: This is the latest entry in Baby DonDon’s diary. The series imagines that President-elect Donald Trump has the emotional make-up of a five-year-old and confides his deepest thoughts—such as they are—to Andrew Feinberg, and to readers, every day. In his private moments, he always thinks of himself as Baby DonDon. Ho ho ho! Say “Merry … [Read more...] about Merry Freakin’ Christmas
Maybe Christmas is the Christian Hanukkah
Hanukkah, the quiet, little holiday that survives a noisier, bigger winter festival, begins with the lighting of the first candle against the darkness this Saturday night—which is also Christmas Eve. Year after year, the assessments begin and the questions accumulate: Is Hanukkah the Jewish Christmas? Which one came first and how are they related? (Of course, the real … [Read more...] about Maybe Christmas is the Christian Hanukkah
Israel and its Settlements (Guest Voice)
Israel and its Settlements by jdledell By now everyone has probably heard about the screams from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Trump team over the UN condemnation, with U.S. abstention, of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The U.S abstention was a first for the Obama Administration which up to this point has vetoed every UN resolution critical … [Read more...] about Israel and its Settlements (Guest Voice)
Merry Christmas
From all of us here at TMV, Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanuka to you and yours. photo credit: Sheba_Also 11.6 Millon Views A Very Merry Christmas in Red and Green-1 via photopin (license) … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas!
The reason for Christmas: … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas!
Cartoon: Snowflake Safe Place
Snowflake Safe Place by Clay Jones There’s a new tale-tell sign of a conservative who can’t think for himself and has to rely on GOP talking points to voice their opinion. It’s not just the so-called and nonexistent “War On Christmas.” If you’re in an argument on social media or see a post by someone and they use the term “snowflake,” they’re using talking points. What’s … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Snowflake Safe Place
Happy Hanukkah!
The story of Hanukkah, as told by History.com: "According to the Talmud, one of Judaism’s most central texts, Judah Maccabee and the other Jews who took part in the rededication of the Second Temple witnessed what they believed to be a miracle. Even though there was only enough untainted olive oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued … [Read more...] about Happy Hanukkah!
“Lost” Christmas Song Showstopper: Liza Minnelli Singing “Ding-a-ling, I Feel SO ChRiStMaS-eY!”
Ah, the Christmas spirit is all over the place now -- in the music, people rushing to stores, and drivers on the highway who now smile pleasantly when they give you the finger. So here...for a special holiday treat...is a RARE find: a "lost" Christmas song showstopper, from a 1965 ABC TV one-shot network airing of an original musical about Red Riding Hood. In this zippy … [Read more...] about “Lost” Christmas Song Showstopper: Liza Minnelli Singing “Ding-a-ling, I Feel SO ChRiStMaS-eY!”
On the 11th Day of Christmas…
This is a repeat from a December 24, 2013 post but well worth “re-listening.” On the 11th Day of Christmas, the Singing Sergeants gave to thee…… “O Holy Night,” A famous carol originally based on a French poem by Adolphe Adam and performed by TSgt Daniel Anderson, TSgt Hannah Rigg, and accompanied by TSgt Taylor Armstrong. Recorded at Hangar 2, Bolling AFB, DC. "The … [Read more...] about On the 11th Day of Christmas…
Happy Holidays Merry Christmas – It’s Not What You Say It’s How You Say It (Guest Voice)
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas - It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It By John L. Micek Another year, another fake 'War on Christmas' is almost in the books. On Sunday morning, a great many of us will wake up, pad quietly downstairs, pour some coffee and wish our spouses and children a Merry Christmas. Others among us will light candles, recite prayers, and wish … [Read more...] about Happy Holidays Merry Christmas – It’s Not What You Say It’s How You Say It (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: Betlehem and Trumps hate gift
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Betlehem and Trumps hate gift
The hidden risk of slaying Cambodian monsters
The hidden risk of slaying Cambodian monsters by David Anderson Late last month the International Court in Cambodia affirmed the (2012) convictions and life sentences of two criminals. It was an encouraging win for international accountability at the top, but the final affirmation has greater implications. Defendant Khieu Samphan, 85, (former “President of the Central … [Read more...] about The hidden risk of slaying Cambodian monsters
Partisanship is a Powerful Drug
Ezra Klein details the signs of GOP addiction on vox.com. We are about to learn whether Republicans are more addicted to power or to ideas. This is, it’s worth noting, a live debate. In the Bush years, the GOP cut taxes, expanded Medicare, and started two wars without paying for a dime of it. Then after Barack Obama took office, Republicans became very worried about budget … [Read more...] about Partisanship is a Powerful Drug
Right-Wing Shenanigans in Oklahoma
The Democratic Party doesn't have a monopoly on shenanigans, as evident by a scandal that recently surfaced in the state of Oklahoma. From Tulsa news station KOTV: "Allegations of scandal and a cover-up at the Oklahoma Capitol surfaced Wednesday after a published report said state Rep. Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa, allegedly sexually harassed and then fired his legislative … [Read more...] about Right-Wing Shenanigans in Oklahoma
Reuters Exclusive: Trump seeks names of officials working to counter violent extremism
By Warren Strobel and Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has asked two Cabinet departments for the names of government officials working on programs to counter violent extremism, according to a document seen by Reuters and U.S. officials. The requests to the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security … [Read more...] about Reuters Exclusive: Trump seeks names of officials working to counter violent extremism
Daryl Cagle Cartoon: Puppies for Putin
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Daryl Cagle Cartoon: Puppies for Putin
One man is planting mangroves in Indonesia to stave off tragedy
There’s a spot in the Indonesian seaside village of Tongke-Tongke where people like to hang out at sunset. It’s a boardwalk winding through a dense forest of mangroves along the coast. The tangled root systems of the trees poke out of the water, like tent poles holding up the tree trunks. Teenagers in this town of… … [Read more...] about One man is planting mangroves in Indonesia to stave off tragedy