WASHINGTON - We just can't leave it alone. Writing about Hillary Clinton and her prospects for 2016 is just too delectable, too enticing, too historically epic in proportions that keeping it all alive until Mrs. Clinton decides is what any political writer worth his or her salt will do. You're going to have to decide what's worth reading, because right now it's a crap storm … [Read more...] about Following Hillary, from “Field-Clearing” to Gossip
Cardinals Look to Conclave After Pope’s Resignation
Cardinals look to conclave after pope's resignation (via AFP) Catholic cardinals from around the world were summoned Friday to meetings that will set a date for a conclave to elect a new pope, the day after Benedict XVI's historic resignation. The dean of the College of Cardinals, Angelo Sodano, sent out formal invitations to the "pre-conclave general congregations… … [Read more...] about Cardinals Look to Conclave After Pope’s Resignation
Happy Sequester Day!
Sequester. Automatic draconian cuts. It was an idea both sides considered so bad, so awful, so incredibly dumb that surely no responsible politician, political leader or party would let it stand. Welllllll... Happy Sequester Day, America! Nineteen months after it was put into place, the sequester has arrived. Barring unexpected developments, President Obama will … [Read more...] about Happy Sequester Day!
John Kerry: Hope for Recasting Europe’s Image in American Eyes (Der Tagesspiegel, Germany)
Is Secretary of State John Kerry uniquely qualified for steering America's Asia pivot back toward the Old Continent? For Der Tagesspiegel, Christoph von Marschall writes that Kerry's life history and familiarity with Europe makes him the E.U.'s 's best bet for reminding Americans where most of their bread is buttered. For Der Tagesspiegel, Christoph von Marschall, lays out … [Read more...] about John Kerry: Hope for Recasting Europe’s Image in American Eyes (Der Tagesspiegel, Germany)
Bond, Black Bond
Hi all. Before I kick things off, I'd like to invite you to my film blog over at chocolateteddyfilms. If you're into the tweeting thing, follow me @ChocoTeddyFilms. Now begins the post. ... I wanted to find an excuse to write about the best television series of all time, The Wire, but I couldn’t find one. This is the next best thing. Whatever the case, if you … [Read more...] about Bond, Black Bond
Bob Woodward’s Weird War on Obama
In four decades, he has gone from journalistically exposing widespread White House criminality that forced a presidential resignation to elder-statesman pique that places himself at the center of a false balance between Barack Obama and the GOP pygmies threatening the economy. Summoning up the days of Deep Throat, Bob Woodward complains publicly about being pressured by “a … [Read more...] about Bob Woodward’s Weird War on Obama
Kansas Sen Roberts’ Pragmatic Demeanor Getting Out of Dodge
Historic Quote:“Balancing the budget is like going to heaven. Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.” Missouri Congressman Jack Buechner(R)in the 1980's. Given what's about to happen, it's sure timely. By Scott Crass Standing Pat? Philosophically speaking, maybe not. For Pat Roberts, the senior Republican Senator from Kansas who calls Dodge City home, … [Read more...] about Kansas Sen Roberts’ Pragmatic Demeanor Getting Out of Dodge
Kim Jong-Un and Dennis Rodman ‘Sit Together, Talk and Laugh’ (Xinhua, People’s Republic of China)
It may be the most unlikely pairing in the history of sports or diplomacy. According to this news item from China's state-run Xinhua, witnesses report seeing former NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman taking in a basketball game with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. And according to the report, the two communicated jovially without an interpreter. The Xinhua news report … [Read more...] about Kim Jong-Un and Dennis Rodman ‘Sit Together, Talk and Laugh’ (Xinhua, People’s Republic of China)
VAWA Passes Despite Majority Republican Opposition
With only 87 Republican House members voting in favor, and 138 voting against, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Senate version of the Violence Against Women Act. Democrats, without a single no vote, joined a minority of Republicans to send the legislation to the President's desk by a final vote of 286 to 138. Before the Senate version came to a vote, a … [Read more...] about VAWA Passes Despite Majority Republican Opposition
Pope Benedict XVI’s Final Day: Live Report
Pope Benedict XVI's final day: Live Report (via AFP) 1845 GMT: In Castel Gandolfo, young pilgrims have taken up position, some carrying a banner reading: "Benedict, we'll be with you to the very end." People have gathered to pray in the local parish church on the square. Cries of "long live the pope" burst spontaneously around the square. .1830 GMT:… … [Read more...] about Pope Benedict XVI’s Final Day: Live Report
Democracy on the brink in Romania
Although many people are cynical about it, an enormous amount of political science data shows that it's in the US and the rest of the world's best interests to see more democracies around the globe. Democracies tend to be more stable, less warlike, less violent, and more economically stable (yes, believe it or not, even what Greece has been through recently to pales compared to … [Read more...] about Democracy on the brink in Romania
Earth To Stock Market. Earth To Stock Market. Are You There Stock Market?
Yesterday the Dow hit a five-year high. Today it opened just 89 ticks below its all-time high. What could cause such optimism? The sequester that takes effect Friday, which besides guaranteeing many thousand layoffs and reduction in some critical public health and research spending, illustrates in an undeniable fashion that our national government is dysfunctional. Could … [Read more...] about Earth To Stock Market. Earth To Stock Market. Are You There Stock Market?
Ending the permanent crisis
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune[/caption WASHINGTON -- This has to stop. Ever since they took control of the House of Representatives in 2011, Republicans have made journeys to the fiscal brink as commonplace as summertime visits to the beach or the ballpark. The country has been put through a series of destructive showdowns over budget issues we once resolved … [Read more...] about Ending the permanent crisis
How About A New American Dream Instead ?
As we continue with back and forth bickering in Washington with the left playing fear games and the right stubbornly digging in with an unreasonable agenda I can't help but reflect on a discussion we had last year, which I'd like to renew. When President Kennedy made the proposal that we land a man on the moon it was less than two months after the first man had gone into … [Read more...] about How About A New American Dream Instead ?
Woodward Says White House Threatened Him: Will Appear on Sean Hannity’s Fox Show
In 24 hours the Washington Post's Bob Woodward has become the focus of a major media and political story. He charged that a senior White House official threatened him. GO here for details. This then became a major story on weblogs and on ideological talk shows -- with often predictable reactions depending on the writer or talker's political party. GO here for details and to … [Read more...] about Woodward Says White House Threatened Him: Will Appear on Sean Hannity’s Fox Show
And the Scare Award Winner…is Sarah Palin
On the eve of sequester, both sides are outdoing themselves in terrifying Americans about catastrophic cuts, but the name in the award envelope is a golden oldie with a double feature of horrors. Sarah Palin returns to warn that government will not only break down but is hoarding bullets to deal with the enraged taxpayers. “If we are going to wet our proverbial pants over … [Read more...] about And the Scare Award Winner…is Sarah Palin
Losing Congressional Seniority Hurts, But Not As Much As Bickering
Historic Tidbit: Edith Nourse Rogers was among the first women to serve in Congress (her 35 plus years have only been surpassed by Barbara Mikulski). And Rogers, who served Massachusetts from 1925 until her death learned the disadvantages to being outnumbered by gender. One day, Rogers asked a male colleague to yield during debate and he replied, "Not now. It's not very often … [Read more...] about Losing Congressional Seniority Hurts, But Not As Much As Bickering
Once ‘Just a Sergeant,’ Today Leader of the Mightiest Military
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel addresses Pentagon employees and service members during an all-hands call on Hagel's first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. Photo DOD Proud of what had been disparaged by politicians and pundits alike, the new Secretary of Defense spoke about his enlisted military service and took pride in being introduced to an all-hands meeting at the … [Read more...] about Once ‘Just a Sergeant,’ Today Leader of the Mightiest Military
Voting Rights Act: Poised to be Gutted by the Supreme Court?
Is the Voting Rights Act poised to be gutted by a Supreme Court where the conservatives still wield considerable clout? It sounds that way: Conservative justices on the Supreme Court expressed skepticism Wednesday about whether the federal government should still be requiring preclearance of voting system changes in certain places with a history of racial discrimination in … [Read more...] about Voting Rights Act: Poised to be Gutted by the Supreme Court?
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s First Day in Words and Images
Chuck Hagel and his wife, Lilibet, arrive for Hagel's first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. After an unnecessarily bitter and partisan confirmation process, Chuck Hagel is now the 24th Secretary of Defense and the first enlisted combat veteran to lead the Department of Defense. After his swearing-in ceremony, the new Secretary of Defense had the following message … [Read more...] about Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s First Day in Words and Images