The University of Virginia's Larry Sabato, in the latest edition of his must-read Crystal Ball, points out that tht common political wisdom of New Year's Day is often wrong when it comes for President: Jan. 1, 1960: If Democrats nominate the very young, Catholic John F. Kennedy, they will throw the election away. 1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson, a “Southern … [Read more...] about Sabato: The Common Political Wisdom of New Year’s Day is Often Wrong for President
Ending the gun lobby’s con game
WASHINGTON -- The apologists for the weapons industry -- they pass themselves off as the gun rights movement -- demonstrate their intellectual bankruptcy by regularly contradicting themselves with a straight face. On the one hand, President Obama's modest initiatives to keep guns out of the wrong hands are denounced as an outlandish abuse of his executive powers. House … [Read more...] about Ending the gun lobby’s con game
Top 10 Movies to Watch in 2016: ‘X-Men’, ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Bourne 5’ Included in Fandango Survey, But Who Tops the List?
Another year is in the books, but 2015 did not depart without leaving us some great movies. Golden Globe nominees are already in the books, and the Academy is gearing up to crown some fine achievements in filmmaking. But alas, all good things must come to an end. And so with the new year, we turn… … [Read more...] about Top 10 Movies to Watch in 2016: ‘X-Men’, ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Bourne 5’ Included in Fandango Survey, But Who Tops the List?
How Trump Will Lose
Ezra Klein explains (well, sort of) on vox.com. Many people — myself included — thought it would look something like this: Trump says something truly beyond the pale. Media erupts. GOP elites erupt. Republican primary voters receive a strong signal that Trump lacks either the qualities necessary to win the presidency or the temperament necessary to be the president. Voters … [Read more...] about How Trump Will Lose
Kim Jong-Un Bomb tester
Copyright 2016 David Donar. All rights reserved.Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Kim Jong-Un Bomb tester
Bernie Sanders On The Nightly Show
Bernie Sanders was on The Nightly Show last night, coming out right after a brief segment on the skywriting about Donald Trump at the Rose Parade. Above is the extended version of Larry Wilmore's interview with Sanders. Above is the extended video of the panel, with Bernie Sanders included. The usual serious topics from interviews with Sanders came up on the show, … [Read more...] about Bernie Sanders On The Nightly Show
Video: Full Speech of President Obama announcing executive action on gun control
In light of the comments of some on Fox News and conservative websites claiming President Barack Obama used onions to make himself cry or faked it (a further example of the toxic nature of partisanship in the United States), some TMV readers have asked us to post the COMPLETE speech by President Barack Obama on gun control so they can watch it unedited and comment on … [Read more...] about Video: Full Speech of President Obama announcing executive action on gun control
Republican candidates flirt with lawbreakers
Republican candidates flirt with lawbreakers by Dana Milbank Washington Post Columnist WASHINGTON -- Ammon Bundy and the other armed militants occupying a federal facility at a wildlife refuge in Oregon have a beef with the administration -- the Teddy Roosevelt administration. "It has been provided for us to be able to come together and unite in making a … [Read more...] about Republican candidates flirt with lawbreakers
Oregon Civil Disobedience: Will It Spread Nationwide?
Oregon Civil Disobedience: Will It Spread Nationwide? Tyrades! By Danny Tyree Have you taken sides in the eastern Oregon anti-government standoff? As you've probably heard, on January 2 a group of armed activists (Citizens for Constitutional Freedom) seized control of a federal building at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. They say they've settled in for the long haul, … [Read more...] about Oregon Civil Disobedience: Will It Spread Nationwide?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Violates Laws of the Universe (Guest Voice)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Violates Laws of the Universe by Thomas Hoffman A short while ago, in a movie theater very near, I saw the first Star Wars film I actually enjoyed in years. The Force Awakens re-awakened my interest in Star Wars. However, all Star Wars movies have flaws, and this one was no exception. This Star Wars film violates the laws of the universe. The … [Read more...] about Star Wars: The Force Awakens Violates Laws of the Universe (Guest Voice)
Conservatives versus “conservatives”
I guess we owe the right an apology for understanding them all too well. They are having a fight among themselves that is more hurtful and meaningful than is their fight against librulism and goddam Obamaists. Their struggles been going on forever, or so it seems. Very few, if any, in their party handle the public spotlight with grace. They have stacked up a lousy economic … [Read more...] about Conservatives versus “conservatives”
Violating the Constitution is Not a Public Right
by Walter Brasch For at least 17 years, the officials of Monroeville, Pa., a 30,000 population Pittsburgh suburb, have recited the Lord’s Prayer before every council meeting. This violates the First Amendment. And it’s not even a gray area. Finally, the ACLU sent the council a letter, threatening to file a lawsuit. The response by Bruce Dice, the city solicitor, was … [Read more...] about Violating the Constitution is Not a Public Right
Future Work Environment
Education may not have been a prerequisite for the jobs most factory workers previously performed, but now that many manufacturing positions have migrated from the developed world, workers may not have the knowledge or skill set to perform jobs in a high tech environment. New factory jobs may require computer proficiency to run the machines that fabricate numerous products. … [Read more...] about Future Work Environment
North Korea Says It Has Tested Hydrogen Bomb
North Korea has successfully conducted a hydrogen bomb test, the country reportedly announced Wednesday. The announcement came hours after South Korea’s meteorological service detected a 5.1-magnitude “artificial earthquake” near Pyongyang’s main nuclear test site. China, Japan and South Korea earlier said that there were indications the tremor was man-made, suspecting that … [Read more...] about North Korea Says It Has Tested Hydrogen Bomb
Benefits Seen Two Years After Legalization Of Marijuana In Colorado
AlterNet noted the two year anniversary of legalized marijuana in Colorado, describing the economic benefits along with the decrease in incarceration: 1) Thousands Not Arrested for Marijuana in Colorado This initial and foundational aspect of marijuana legalization is often overlooked – marijuana arrests in Colorado have plummeted. We’ve seen possession, cultivation and … [Read more...] about Benefits Seen Two Years After Legalization Of Marijuana In Colorado
10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Vote for Donald Trump
10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Vote for Donald Trump by Chris Jennewein Donald Trump’s campaign for the Republican nomination has dominated the American political news cycle for six months. If you haven’t followed the daily developments, here’s a short list to cut through the media clutter and help you make your decision about whether to vote for him in the upcoming caucuses … [Read more...] about 10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Vote for Donald Trump
The Saudi-Iran crisis is rooted in a centuries-old power struggle
Since Saudi Arabia’s execution of Shiite cleric Nimr Baqr al-Nimr, tensions have ratcheted up between the Sunni-ruled Gulf state and Shiite Iran, with talk of a widening sectarian conflict. But are there irreconcilable differences between the two branches of Islam? And if not, what is fuelling the hostility that threatens to spill over in the volatile… … [Read more...] about The Saudi-Iran crisis is rooted in a centuries-old power struggle
Helping Hands with the Mississippi River Floods
As floodwaters around St. Louis and more northern points around the Mississippi River recede, “deadly floodwaters continue to surge slowly southward” and points south are bracing for the worst. Accuweather.com reports that the Mississippi River is expected to reach moderate or major flood stage at many locations in Tennessee, Arkansas, this week and that "[F]looding along … [Read more...] about Helping Hands with the Mississippi River Floods
Obama, wiping tears, makes new push to tighten gun rules
By Roberta Rampton and Ayesha Rascoe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday described new steps his administration will take to tighten gun rules and urged Americans to vote for candidates who do more to prevent gun violence, wiping back tears as he remembered children who died in a mass shooting. As Obama delivered a powerful address in the White House, … [Read more...] about Obama, wiping tears, makes new push to tighten gun rules
Is “the Impossible” the real 2016 contender?
Since starting my little experiment with blogging in December 2003, one recurring theme has been the conventional wisdom. I've often reflected it, been influenced by it, but noted at regular intervals not to TRUST IT. (I did one special column on it). It's conveniently swept under the rug when proven wrong and immediately replaced by a new highly touted and parroted … [Read more...] about Is “the Impossible” the real 2016 contender?