Welcome to the new look site. Well about 75% ready but good enough for production. The major changes: - A large slider bar with various categories and posts. The bar shows a number of featured posts per certain categories. This allows more content to get featured with a very slick graphic look (notice how the background changes with the categories). You can go to the … [Read more...] about The New Look TMV
Is mass killing now a ritual?
Earlier this fall, Malcolm Gladwell explored this question from a sociological perspective, in a piece called “Thresholds of Violence.” The growth in school shootings, he writes, has behaved like “a slow-motion, ever-evolving riot.” Think of how a riot develops: it begins when someone with a low “threshold of violence” decides to break a shop window; then, as it grows, people … [Read more...] about Is mass killing now a ritual?
Trump’s popularity is frightening. Republicans need to clean house (Guest Editorial)
Donald Trump has a lot in common with the fascists of the early 20 th century, though it's doubtful he has read enough history to realize that. He is hyper-aggressive in his approach to the world, promising an unrestrained bombing campaign intended to kill not just fighters of the Islamic State, but their families as well.… … [Read more...] about Trump’s popularity is frightening. Republicans need to clean house (Guest Editorial)
Daryl Cagle Cartoon: Shooting NRA and GOP
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: Shooting NRA and GOP
Peak Oil II
I discussed Peak Oil here a few days ago. I talked to my sister last night and for the first time we agreed on most issues. She retired from a major oil company 2 years ago as a world famous up stream geologist. She agreed that the Alberta Tar Sands proved to be an economic disaster and will probably be entirely shut down within a year or two. She also agreed we have … [Read more...] about Peak Oil II
It’s Walt Disney’s Birthday, Here Are Some Quotes.
Walt Disney, the man who started an empire that has entertained millions of children around the world for decades, turns 114 years young on Friday. Happy Birthday, Walt! While there is plenty of folklore around Disney, who was born on Dec. 5, 1901, it’s without question that the company he founded has brought joy to many.… … [Read more...] about It’s Walt Disney’s Birthday, Here Are Some Quotes.
FBI Investigating San Bernardino Shooting As An ‘Act Of Terrorism’ (Video added)
The FBI officially confirmed Friday the San Bernardino, California, shootings were being investigated as an act of terrorism. During a press conference aired nationally David Bowdich, the assistant director in charge of the FBI in Los Angeles, asked that anyone with information related to the shootings call the agency. He said there were still questions to… … [Read more...] about FBI Investigating San Bernardino Shooting As An ‘Act Of Terrorism’ (Video added)
Polls Have Performed Poorly In Predicting Past Nomination Battles
Donald Trump might be back on top of the Republican polls, and Hillary Clinton has led the national Democratic polls, but based upon past history this does not mean they will win the caucus and primary voted. David Brooks, among others, think that Republican voters will look at matters differently when they actually go to vote, and he predicts Trump will not win. I’ve noted … [Read more...] about Polls Have Performed Poorly In Predicting Past Nomination Battles
San Bernardino shooting: Attacker pledged allegiance to ISIS, officials say
Breaking news via CNN. Yes, there does appear to be an ISIS connection with the mass murders in San Bernardino. Now the task is to confirm whether it was inspired by ISIS (two "lone wolfs") or ordered by it: Investigators think that as the San Bernardino, California, attack was happening, female shooter Tashfeen Malik posted a pledge of allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr … [Read more...] about San Bernardino shooting: Attacker pledged allegiance to ISIS, officials say
CNN/ORC Poll: Trump takes biggest lead yet, Jeb Bush nosedives
Billionaire Donald Trump is riding high in the latest CNN/ORC Poll. If polls were a stock market you could say Donald Trump is booming. He's breaking his previous polling record. And this poll was before the carnage in San Bernardino and before Trump said "there's something going on" with Syrian Muslim refugees and said … [Read more...] about CNN/ORC Poll: Trump takes biggest lead yet, Jeb Bush nosedives
Are Better Days Ahead for Our Veterans?
Homelessness, suicide and unemployment, along with physical and mental health problems and drug and alcohol abuse issues, have continued to plague our veterans from recent wars. But there are some encouraging trends. Accusations that Veterans Administration (V.A.) health care facilities veterans were “underserving” or delaying care to its patients resulting in “the death … [Read more...] about Are Better Days Ahead for Our Veterans?
Saving the GOP from Itself
Lauren Fox describes the effort of three Republican Senators to save the party (or at least themselves) from its extremist, fact-challenged, political self-destruction on Planned Parenthood on Talking Points Memo. Three Republican senators Mark Kirk (R-IL), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski(R-AK) weren't about to let their party gut Planned Parenthood without a fight. … [Read more...] about Saving the GOP from Itself
Politix Update: Republicans Turn To Cruz As Their Savior As Concerns Turn To Panic
THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF VIOLENT CRIMINALS ARE DEMOCRATS. ~ TED CRUZ (November 30, 2015) The Anybody But Trump Express has been gaining steam as panic -- and I mean abject, white-knuckled panic -- over the possibility that a foul-mouthed billionaire upstart could back into the presidential nomination spreads through the Republican Party leadership, and the Mister … [Read more...] about Politix Update: Republicans Turn To Cruz As Their Savior As Concerns Turn To Panic
Authorities look for links to militants in San Bernardino mass murder
By Yasmeen Abutaleb and Lisa Baertlein SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (Reuters) - The couple suspected of killing 14 people at a holiday party in California amassed thousands of rounds of ammunition and a dozen pipe bombs, authorities said on Thursday as they sought clues to the pair's motives and whether they had links to Islamist militants. Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and his wife, … [Read more...] about Authorities look for links to militants in San Bernardino mass murder
Another drop in a bucket of blood
WASHINGTON -- The common denominator in mass shootings is the use of firearms. Variables such as political ideology, religious fervor and mental illness are motivating factors, but death comes from the gun. Until our society recognizes that simple truth, the list of place names that recently added Colorado Springs and San Bernardino will have no end. I don't … [Read more...] about Another drop in a bucket of blood
What Would Ron Paul say about the Attacks on Paris? (Guest Voice)
What Would Ron Paul say about the Attacks on Paris? by Thomas Hoffman With ISIS escalating it's presence through the most horrifying terrorist attacks France has ever experienced, France has already begun the process of retaliation. The terrorist ring leader Abdelhamid Abaaoud has been eliminated. With the economy in its current state, and ISIS on the rise we are in need … [Read more...] about What Would Ron Paul say about the Attacks on Paris? (Guest Voice)
So Wondering about a Mother Who Purposely Chooses Murder Over Loyalty to Her Own Child
I wonder. I dont have answers. I am a mother. A grandmother. I just so heart-heavy wonder how, and yes, I hold the woman to the higher heart bond with her little six month old child.... how can a woman who is so far grown, not a teenager, a woman closer to age 30 than 20... how can a woman who has had the sanctity of giving birth, and yes, it is painful, and yes it can be … [Read more...] about So Wondering about a Mother Who Purposely Chooses Murder Over Loyalty to Her Own Child
Greater Enthusiasm Seen For Sanders On Social Media Might Propel Him To Victory
Anyone on social media will not be surprised by this. The Washington Post displayed two word clouds from Zignal Labs showing what is being said about the candidates. The top is obviously on Hillary Clinton, and the bottom on Bernie Sanders: The words used to describe Clinton are quite different than those used in relation to Sanders, with the largest words being … [Read more...] about Greater Enthusiasm Seen For Sanders On Social Media Might Propel Him To Victory
Upcoming Site Changes – UPDATED
** UPDATE - 12/3/2015 ** Reminder to myself: when doing site security updates, give yourself more time. :) We will be officially rolling out the new site Friday night through early Saturday morning (12/4 - 12/5). We will come out of the gates functional with all posting and commenting enabled but will be adding more pieces throughout next week. Thank you for your continued … [Read more...] about Upcoming Site Changes – UPDATED
Climate talks are in quicksand despite dire UN warnings against failure
By Brij Khindaria The Paris Climate Conference (COP 21) is sinking in the quicksand of emotion and geopolitics, which are overwhelming the complex science highlighted by United Nations bodies dealing with environment and climate change. The opening days attended by President Barack Obama this week were studded with catastrophic warnings and heroic declarations about the … [Read more...] about Climate talks are in quicksand despite dire UN warnings against failure