Yawn. That's the apparent reaction so far to the public over the abuse of power/political revenge scandal swirling around New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Is this more evidence of the disconnect between political junkies, political activists, the media and the country at large? Or could it be too early to gauge a reaction? A poll by the Pew Research Center for the People … [Read more...] about Pew Poll: Christie Story Attracts Little Public Interest
(Updated) Fars News or Just Farce?
UPDATE: The Jerusalem Post today has a pretty good take on Fars’ “dramatic scoop.” Fars — in all seriousness— reported that revelations of mass NSA surveillance made public by Edward Snowden were actually an effort by the American-Nazi extraterrestrials to hide their nature to a human world they hoped to dominate. Read it here. == Original Post: These … [Read more...] about (Updated) Fars News or Just Farce?
The Unofficial Moderate’s Vigilance List for 2014
What do we moderates have to worry about? Plenty. After all, if you’re a moderate, trouble comes at you from both sides. To make matters even more interesting, our sources of trouble keep changing from year to year. Over at The New Moderate, I’ve been updating our Vigilance List each year to reflect our current jitters. Some items may have moved up or down the rankings or … [Read more...] about The Unofficial Moderate’s Vigilance List for 2014
Town Of Greece v. Galloway Redux
Today we will be taking a look at the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment and the issue of public prayer. As noted above the case name (should you wish to look elsewhere for more information) is Town of Greece v. Galloway. This one is already getting a lot of press coverage. This case began in the community of Greece, New York (a small town in upstate New York near … [Read more...] about Town Of Greece v. Galloway Redux
Quote of the Day: Realism vs. Reality in Terrorism
Our political Quote of the Day comes from David Adesnik visiting fellow at the Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). He works on isolationism, national security strategy, and democracy promotion, and is part of AEI’s American Internationalism Project. Adesnik was a research analyst at the Institute for Defense Analyses and served … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Realism vs. Reality in Terrorism
Conscripted Into Obamacare, I Conscientiously Object
I have been trying to work out why I am so upset about Obamacare. We already live in a social democratic state that forcibly takes my money through taxes for things that I don't think anyone's money should be taken for. I may feel there is a better way to build the roads than have the government pay for them through massively redistributive taxation, collected essentially … [Read more...] about Conscripted Into Obamacare, I Conscientiously Object
Book: Hillary Clinton’s Political ‘Hit List’ Includes Sen. Claire McCaskill and John Kerry
The latest freak-out to make the news cycle on Monday is former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's political 'hit-list' of enemies. Politico's 'bombshell' is adapted from Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes' new book "HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton. The authors allege that Clinton and her aides kept an extensive spreadsheet on endorsements from the 2008 … [Read more...] about Book: Hillary Clinton’s Political ‘Hit List’ Includes Sen. Claire McCaskill and John Kerry
Gates Is No Rumsfeld (Updates)
UPDATE III: The Hill reports that President Obama is downplaying the charges his former Secretary of Defense makes in his memoir. Obama dismissed questions about his commitment to the war in Afghanistan, after Gates wrote in his book that Obama did not believe in his own war strategy. “Just as I have continued to have faith in our mission, most importantly, … [Read more...] about Gates Is No Rumsfeld (Updates)
Chris Christie bridgegate scandal: Jersey Shore Fort Lee (Video Animation)
The video animators at Taiwaan's NMA offer this typically-off-the-wall take on New Jersey Chris Christie's bridge crisis: … [Read more...] about Chris Christie bridgegate scandal: Jersey Shore Fort Lee (Video Animation)
J.J. Abrams’ “S.” Delivers Mystery, Love, and Political Armageddon
While those who live in it might balk at the phrase “geek culture,” we’re still perfectly willing to acknowledge the brave souls who fly our banners proudly. In the world of character-driven science fiction, J.J. Abrams is a household name, bringing us critically acclaimed television series such as Alias, Lost, and Fringe. He’s no stranger to the big screen, either: he’s … [Read more...] about J.J. Abrams’ “S.” Delivers Mystery, Love, and Political Armageddon
A War On The Poor
As Republicans and Democrats argue about whether they should extend unemployment insurance to the long termed unemployed, Paul Krugman writes that the Republican argument is part of a war on the poor: Right now Republicans are doing all they can to hurt the poor, and they would have inflicted vast additional harm if they had won the 2012 election. Moreover, G.O.P. … [Read more...] about A War On The Poor
Federal Authorities Investigating NJ Gov. Chris Christie’s Use of Sandy Relief Funds
When it rains, it pours: Gov. Chris Christie, who is under fire for the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal, is now facing an investigation by federal officials whether he improperly used Superstorm Sandy relief funds to produce tourism ads that starred he and his family. You will recall that last week, Gov. Christie threw his deputy chief of staff Bridget … [Read more...] about Federal Authorities Investigating NJ Gov. Chris Christie’s Use of Sandy Relief Funds
How cold is it? Creating a cloud in a house (Video)
How cold is it? One guy could create a cloud in his house: … [Read more...] about How cold is it? Creating a cloud in a house (Video)
(Updates) Promise Zones, Economic Freedom Zones and a Kid from Harlem
UPDATE II: I will be the first to admit that, until last week, I had no clear idea of what the President’s “Promise Zones” program is. I also had not heard about the Promise Academy Charter Schools -- a partnership with Harlem Children’s Zone, Inc. to “give children in Harlem a high-quality, well-rounded education” -- until I saw and listened to a product of that … [Read more...] about (Updates) Promise Zones, Economic Freedom Zones and a Kid from Harlem
Why Chris Christie’s Unconvincing Performance As Victim Won’t Matter When It Counts: 2016
CHRIS CHRISTIE AND BRIDGET ANNE KELLY New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is not the first bully to make a name for himself in politics, but then our memories are awfully short. After all, we already have forgotten revelations during the 2012 presidential campaign of Mitt Romney's star turn as a gay-bashing high school bully. And face it, Dick and Liz Cheney are so … [Read more...] about Why Chris Christie’s Unconvincing Performance As Victim Won’t Matter When It Counts: 2016
Christie’s conservative problem
WASHINGTON -- What is the greatest fear of conservatives when they warn against the dangers of big government? It is that a leader or the coterie around him will abuse the authority of the state arbitrarily to gather yet more power, punish opponents and, in the process, harm rank-and-file citizens whose well-being matters not a whit to those who are trying to enhance their … [Read more...] about Christie’s conservative problem
“Trust me” journalism, TIME style
On display today: journalism-as-an-op-ed: juicy on claims, thin on sources. Center court: "A Nightmare Returns" (print title) in the January 20, 2014 edition of TIME. Journalist, Aryn Baker, the magazine's Middle East Bureau Chief: a title you have to discover by searching the TIME website, no biographical details in print, no bio link online. The first named source … [Read more...] about “Trust me” journalism, TIME style
Dignity and Recognition (Part 2)
This is the fourth part of the serialization of All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies, and the Politics of Dignity (Berrett-Koehler, 2006). The ideas in this book are further developed in my recent novel The Rowan Tree. CHAPTER 2: DIGNITY AND RECOGNITION (Continued) What Would a Dignity Movement Look Like? In both business and government, many people act as if finding the right … [Read more...] about Dignity and Recognition (Part 2)
Republicans circle wagons around Chris Christie
Slowly, and most-assuredly the partisan-two step is beginning in the case of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's political crisis involving the intentional slowing down of traffic on the world's busiest bridge in an act of political retaliation. Christie contends he knew nothing about his aides actions and fired some highly visible ones. But when the crisis broke last week, many … [Read more...] about Republicans circle wagons around Chris Christie
Polar Vortex: To Warm Up – Move to Alaska! (News, Switzerland)
Should the human race be concerned when the Behring Strait is warmer than Nashville, Tennessee? While climate change deniers talk themselves blue in the face about how global warming is a hoax given how cold it is in America, columnist Patrik Etschmayer of Switzerland's News writes that global warming isn't the issue at hand, but increasingly dangerous and unpredictable … [Read more...] about Polar Vortex: To Warm Up – Move to Alaska! (News, Switzerland)