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Senate Leaders Eye More Compromise This Year
Senate leaders eye more compromise this year (via AFP) US Senate leaders put aside their partisan bickering Tuesday as they kicked off the first session of President Barack Obama's second term by seeking to "do things differently" to avoid gridlock. Congress faces tremendous challenges in the year ahead, primarily in the need to address the country's … [Read more...] about Senate Leaders Eye More Compromise This Year
The Last Liberal?
Over at World Affairs Journal, James Kirchick has a remarkable piece on former Senator Joe Lieberman, one that, fair warning, matches my own perceptions as a former campaign volunteer for the Senator perfectly: In January 2004, the New Republic endorsed Joe Lieberman for president. By this time, recriminations against Democrats who had supported the Iraq War (or, in the … [Read more...] about The Last Liberal?
Paul Krugman’s Cloying Tribute To Timidity, Mediocrity And Failure
In yesterday's New York Times, columnist Paul Krugman looked over the Obama presidency to date and found it praiseworthy. And to those progressives who might be profoundly disappointed in this President (and his party) Krugman opined: "...maybe progressives — an ever-worried group — might want to take a brief break from anxiety and savor their real, if limited, … [Read more...] about Paul Krugman’s Cloying Tribute To Timidity, Mediocrity And Failure
Israel Votes in Ballot Seen Producing Swing to Right
Israel votes in ballot seen producing swing to right (via AFP) Israelis voted Tuesday in an election likely to return Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as head of a rightwing coalition that will face the challenges of peacemaking with the Palestinians and Iran's nuclear programme. After a slow start, the pace of voting picked up, with long queues forming … [Read more...] about Israel Votes in Ballot Seen Producing Swing to Right
France’s Risky Return as Player on the Global Stage
France's risky return as player on the global stage (via AFP) It spearheaded the international campaign that led to Moamer Kadhafi's downfall, and now its troops are battling Islamists in Mali. But France's dramatic return as a major player on the international stage carries as much risk as kudos, analysts said. France once had the second biggest colonial … [Read more...] about France’s Risky Return as Player on the Global Stage
How Romney Spent Day One of the New Term
For the aged, waking up every morning comes as a gift. Yesterday had a ribbon on it. The TV screen was a flood of flags, bunting, crowds, Inaugural stands, Lincoln Bibles and all the other patriotic paraphernalia of the day. Best of all was the realization that it was not Mitt Romney being sworn into the Oval Office. After a year of haunting fear that in my final years … [Read more...] about How Romney Spent Day One of the New Term
Surprise! Virginia Republicans Redraw State Senate Districts
On a day that is a holiday for many United States citizens, Republicans in the Commonwealth of Virginia redrew state senate district lines Monday afternoon. The Virginia Senate is tied at 20-20. This move -- redrawing district lines approved in 2011 (pdf) -- is designed to tilt the numbers to 21 Republican-19 Democratic. If signed by Republican Governor Bob McDonnell, the … [Read more...] about Surprise! Virginia Republicans Redraw State Senate Districts
The Relevance of Chuck Hagel’s Combat Service
I have in the past defended Senator Chuck Hagel, President Obama’s choice for Secretary of Defense, against allegations that he is “anti-Semitic,” against attacks for his lack of appetite for “elective” wars, etc. That has been easy because those accusation are either unfounded or -- in the case of Hagel’s reluctance to take our nation into unnecessary wars -- because they … [Read more...] about The Relevance of Chuck Hagel’s Combat Service
A Memory of Senator Proxmire
I watched the Inauguration and Lunch, and await the Parade. I have nothing to add to the festivities, save that it was a great speech. It is also, appropriately, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I have nothing as valuable to add as undoubtedly an army of other, more eloquent writers will say. So I will pass on that. Instead, let me tell a story that only I can tell, though it is a … [Read more...] about A Memory of Senator Proxmire
This Just In!
This just in from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Congressional Republicans heaped fulsome praise on President Obama’s second Inaugural Address today, saying that it had given them a detailed list of things to thwart over the next four years. “My big fear was that the speech would be full of vague platitudes that wouldn’t be … [Read more...] about This Just In!
The Amazing Grace of It All
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Hussein Obama's second inauguration was every bit as historic as his first -- not because it said so much about the nation's long, bitter, unfinished struggle with issues of race, as was the case four years ago, but because it said so little about the subject. Reflect for a moment: A black man stood on the Capitol steps and took the oath … [Read more...] about The Amazing Grace of It All
State Department Releases Names of American Casualties in Algeria
Victoria Nuland, Spokesperson for the State Department has just issued the following statement: We can now confirm the death of three U.S. citizens in the terrorist attack in Algeria: Victor Lynn Lovelady, Gordon Lee Rowan, and Frederick Buttaccio. We extend our deepest condolences to their families and friends. Out of respect for the families' privacy, we have no … [Read more...] about State Department Releases Names of American Casualties in Algeria
Obama: It’s More Than “…Made for this Moment”
At request from several commenters to augment Obama's recent remark about the American people being 'made for this moment.' The letter below was written in 2001 for people struggling in many ways across the world, and perhaps fills out a bit the idea of being made for a moment-- and to my mind, beyond the moment... well into a complete era. That's my understanding... we are … [Read more...] about Obama: It’s More Than “…Made for this Moment”
Obama Issues Inaugural Call for Unity, Equality
Obama issues inaugural call for unity, equality (via AFP) President Barack Obama issued a impassioned call for national unity and equality on Monday, warning political "absolutism" must not thwart change and renewal, as he was inaugurated for a second term. Obama was publicly sworn in for another four White House years before a crowd of hundreds of … [Read more...] about Obama Issues Inaugural Call for Unity, Equality
Video: President Barack Obama’s 2013 Inaugural Address
Here's a video of the full 2013 inaugural address of President Barack Obama: This will remain on the top of TMV throughout the day. … [Read more...] about Video: President Barack Obama’s 2013 Inaugural Address
Text of President Barack Obama’s Second Inaugural Address
Here's the full text of President Barack Obama's second inaugural address, which the White House has released to news organizations. This is via the Wall Street Journal: Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring … [Read more...] about Text of President Barack Obama’s Second Inaugural Address
Inauguration 2013 Schedule: Times and events for Obama’s Celebration
Inauguration 2013 Schedule: Times and events for Obama's celebration (via NJ.com) President Barack Obama was officially sworn in to his second term in a private ceremony Sunday. But the public celebration is today. Obama's second inauguration ceremony includes a speech, a parade, and performances from James Taylor, Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce. Here is a … [Read more...] about Inauguration 2013 Schedule: Times and events for Obama’s Celebration
We The People…
I have long had a fantasy that at a Presidential inaugural, someone will approach the great Lynn Ahrens to come and perform this classic song from my youth. I have been able to recite the preamble to the US Constitution by heart since childhood because of that lovely little song and cartoon. I would like to think that whether you like this President, hate this President, … [Read more...] about We The People…
MLK’s Instruction for Successful OverThrows
Problem is, many movements fail, because they do not follow ALL of his tenets. In Letter From Birmingham Jail, Martin wrote the four premises to successful overthrow of egregious laws, circumstances, and prejudicial actions that did direct harm to an entire race of persons. His tenets are only four, but each is built on the other, like links holding a suspension bridge … [Read more...] about MLK’s Instruction for Successful OverThrows