David Brooks is usually clueless but he at least dips a toe in the cold sea of reality today. He rightly observes that voters like Medicare and Medicaid and that any serious cuts are unlikely. Americans don’t particularly like government, but they do want government to subsidize their health care. They believe that health care spending improves their lives more than any other … [Read more...] about David Brooks Takes A Sip Of Reality
Chuck Hagel, ‘A Touch Anti-Semitic’? A ‘Bugaboo Issue’.
In his announcement that he is nominating Senator Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense, the President said: And Chuck recognizes that American leadership is indispensable in a dangerous world. I saw this in our travels together across the Middle East. He understands that America stands strongest when we stand with allies and with friends. I would assume that … [Read more...] about Chuck Hagel, ‘A Touch Anti-Semitic’? A ‘Bugaboo Issue’.
PPP Poll: “Congress somewhere below cockroaches, traffic jams, and Nickelback in Americans’
This is actually a non-story about a poll (but we'll report it anyway). From Public Policy Polling: Our newest national poll finds that Congress only has a 9% favorability rating with 85% of voters viewing it in a negative light. We've seen poll after poll after poll over the last year talking about how unpopular Congress is but really, what's the difference between an 11% … [Read more...] about PPP Poll: “Congress somewhere below cockroaches, traffic jams, and Nickelback in Americans’
China Press Freedom Campaign Swells with New Rally
China press freedom campaign swells with new rally (via AFP) Protesters rallied Tuesday for a second day to call for press freedom in China, as social media users and celebrities backed a campaign which poses a test for the nation's new leaders. Scores of people, some carrying mourning flowers, gathered outside the Guangzhou offices of the Southern Weekly, … [Read more...] about China Press Freedom Campaign Swells with New Rally
Hagel in Your Face (Cartoon)
LEGAL NOTICE ON CARTOON: This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Reproduction elsewhere without licensing is strictly prohibited. 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 Hagel in Your Face (Cartoon)
India Vows Response After ‘Ghastly’ Pakistan Attack
India vows response after 'ghastly' Pakistan attack (via AFP) India accused Pakistan of killing two of its soldiers in a "ghastly" attack Tuesday and mutilating one of the bodies along the tense disputed border between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said India would deliver a "proportionate response" to the killings in … [Read more...] about India Vows Response After ‘Ghastly’ Pakistan Attack
Talk Show Host Alex Jones on CNN Piers Morgan’s Show: Was Jones “an Argument for Gun Control”?
And now it's the stuff of instant media legend. And -- it's not hard to predict -- lots of $$$ for talk show host Alex Jones. Jones, who has led the petition drive to deport Piers Morgan for his strong anti-gun control stance, was on Morgan's show. And the sparks did fly. Prediction: even though comedians may mock it, even though moderates, liberals and centrists may feel … [Read more...] about Talk Show Host Alex Jones on CNN Piers Morgan’s Show: Was Jones “an Argument for Gun Control”?
Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant, Gets A Lesson In The New American Capitalism
(The scene is the executive washroom of Goldman Sachs. Washroom attendant Selig Cartwright has been pacing nervously, awaiting his employer, Mr. B, who arrives in a huff) I got your message, Selig, and this better be important. I've been trying to get documentation on my new gardener, make sure he's legal, and the paperwork is fearsome. It is important, Mr. B. I think we … [Read more...] about Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant, Gets A Lesson In The New American Capitalism
Tarantino’s Dynamite “Django Unchained” and the Critics [Spoiler Alert]
... 75 percent of everyone polled said it isn't Congress' or the president's role to pressure Hollywood to make less-violent movies and TV shows. [...] Meanwhile, 68 percent of liberals say the NRA bears more blame than Hollywood, but 74 percent of conservatives blame Hollywood more than gun-ownership advocates. However, 60 percent of all respondents agree that mental illness … [Read more...] about Tarantino’s Dynamite “Django Unchained” and the Critics [Spoiler Alert]
Gabby Giffords Takes on Gun Lobby
Shot ex-congresswoman takes on US gun lobby (via AFP) Former US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a famous survivor of gun violence, launched a major initiative on Tuesday to challenge the nation's powerful gun lobby and press for tougher gun laws. Giffords, shot in the head in January 2011 while meeting constituents in her native Arizona, unveiled … [Read more...] about Gabby Giffords Takes on Gun Lobby
Death of a Journalistic and Literary Giant: Richard Ben Cramer Dies
The death of a journalistic and literary giant: Richard Ben Cramer has died at 62. The Daily Beast's John Avlon says it all: News that Richard Ben Cramer died swept through the Twitterverse on Monday night, even before a hint of his passing hit the Internet. It was oddly appropriate, because the cult of Richard Ben Cramer was always first a word-of-mouth initiation, as … [Read more...] about Death of a Journalistic and Literary Giant: Richard Ben Cramer Dies
China Must Have Capacity to Shoot Down American Satellites (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
As an emerging world power, does China need the capacity to eliminate American satellites? In recent days, the buzz from the intelligence community has been that within the next few weeks, China is likely to hold another test of its capacity to destroy or disable satellites in space. According to this editorial from China's state-run Huanqiu, whether or not China holds such a … [Read more...] about China Must Have Capacity to Shoot Down American Satellites (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
McCain’s 12-Year War Against Chuck Hagel
Unseen in the cloud of preemptive dust over the nomination for Secretary of Defense is more than a decade of fallout from a friendship with John McCain that broke apart into bitterness. Chuck Hagel had supported the fellow Vietnam veteran’s run for president in 2000 but then angered his Senate colleague to the point that McCain, moving to the Neo-Con Right, approvingly … [Read more...] about McCain’s 12-Year War Against Chuck Hagel
What is in the Water Some Republicans are Drinking?
Can someone explain to me what's in the water so many Republicans seem to be drinking? It's not just that "compassionate conservativism" now seems to have been a phrase popular two centuries ago: basic civility, decency and manners also seem to be out the window, trumped (excuse the expression) by an overpowering urge to show partisanship in almost all reactions. For instance … [Read more...] about What is in the Water Some Republicans are Drinking?
Chuck Hagel: Why Obama is Using Political Capital on Pentagon Pick
Chuck Hagel: why Obama is using political capital on Pentagon pick (+video) (via The Christian Science Monitor) At first blush, former Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska seems an odd pick for secretary of Defense. He is a Republican, a point that frustrates Democrats who would rather see one of their own in this key Cabinet slot. But, to many Republicans, he’s a RINO – … [Read more...] about Chuck Hagel: Why Obama is Using Political Capital on Pentagon Pick
Don’t Blame Shanahan
WASHINGTON -- The question consuming Washington right now has nothing to do with the debt ceiling, immigration reform or the composition of President Obama's second-term Cabinet. It's whether Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan should have pulled his limping superstar, Robert Griffin III, from Sunday's game before the young quarterback further injured his tender knee. … [Read more...] about Don’t Blame Shanahan
Worker Fired For Taking Time To Care For Dying Wife
This is one of those stories that I suspect will develop considerably as time goes on. The basic story is that a city worker in Massachusetts was fired for taking off to much time while caring for his wife, who was dying of cancer. The worker is now suing alleging that there was racial bias involved (he is white and the person who took his place is hispanic) Setting aside … [Read more...] about Worker Fired For Taking Time To Care For Dying Wife
Why Chuck Hagel Will Make a Tremendous Secretary of Defense (Updates).
UPDATE II: As expected, Republicans -- especially the Neocons -- are coming out in force to sabotage Chuck Hagel’s nomination for SecDef. Fred Kaplan at Slate predicts that these people -- he calls them the “resisters” -- have four main concerns: “They fear that Hagel will cut the military budget. They fear that he’ll roll over if Iran builds a nuclear weapon. They fear … [Read more...] about Why Chuck Hagel Will Make a Tremendous Secretary of Defense (Updates).
Secretary Clinton is Back
WASHINGTON - The much anticipated return of Secretary Clinton was preceded by a flurry of insane drivel from the right, which began with vile attacks of "Benghazi flu" after she suffered a concussion, the reason for her brief absence on the scene. A blood clot was subsequently found and Clinton's been undergoing treatment since. There remains some question about whether … [Read more...] about Secretary Clinton is Back
This Just In!
This just in from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Just hours after being sworn in at the U.S. Capitol, the freshman class of House Republicans said that they were disappointed that they failed to shut down the government on their first day in office. “We were all like, ‘O.K., we’re sworn in, let’s shut this thing down,’” said … [Read more...] about This Just In!