WASHINGTON -- Over the long run, the most important impact of an election is not on the winning party but on the loser. Winners feel confirmed in staying the course they're on. Losing parties -- or, at least, the ones intent on winning again someday -- are moved to figure out what they did wrong and how they must change. After losing throughout the 1930s and '40s, … [Read more...] about The Conservative Learning Curve
Celebrations as Pot Becomes Legal in Washington State
As someone who does not use marijuana (I've tried it, I seriously don't like it, stopped playing with it years ago, it makes me depressed and paranoid) I was thrilled recently when multiple states injected sanity into their marijuana laws, some at least legalizing it for medicinal use and some legalizing recreational use outright. There were celebrations as this new law went … [Read more...] about Celebrations as Pot Becomes Legal in Washington State
Poll Gives Obama Edge in Poll Over Republicans on ‘Good Faith’ Bargaining Efforts Amid Shifting Political Dynamics
A new poll again underscores the fact that in political terms President Barack Obama is probably at his political peak as he plays what Dean Esmay calls a high-stakes game of "chicken" with GOPers in Congress over the fiscal cliff. U.S. voters trust President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies more than congressional Republicans to make “good faith” efforts to deal … [Read more...] about Poll Gives Obama Edge in Poll Over Republicans on ‘Good Faith’ Bargaining Efforts Amid Shifting Political Dynamics
Ike’s Bluff (Book Review)
Ike's Bluff (via The Christian Science Monitor) Ike's Bluff By Evan Thomas Doubleday It’s been quite a year for the president. No, not Barack Obama. And not even Bill Clinton’s much-lauded speech at the Democratic National Convention. The president who has had, perhaps, the most surprising year is none other than No. 34, Dwight Eisenhower. Continuing… … [Read more...] about Ike’s Bluff (Book Review)
If Lincoln’s Time Was Like Today (Guest Cartoonist)
If Lincoln's Time Was Like Today by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: Watch: President Obama's Twitter Q&A on #My2k Obama hosts 'fiscal cliff' chat on Twitter Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression "WHAT A HOOT" certainly sums up … [Read more...] about If Lincoln’s Time Was Like Today (Guest Cartoonist)
Ryan Trails Rubio in Makeover for 2016
A month after Obamageddon, survivors of the ruins start makeovers for another presidential faceoff. The test runs suggest Paul Ryan will need more cosmetic help than Marco Rubio to play GOP champion of the middle class in 2016. Trading quips about “good diners” in New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina, the young front runners address a tribute dinner to Jack Kemp, a former … [Read more...] about Ryan Trails Rubio in Makeover for 2016
The DVR Named HAL
This is more than a little disturbing. Verizon has applied for a patent on a DVR that would use video and sound monitors to observe you as you watch TV in order to target advertising. … [Read more...] about The DVR Named HAL
Congress & President Playing Chicken
Note about the fight between Congress and the President over tax hikes and spending cuts: While I am almost certainly going to be accused of "supporting Obama" on this, I would prefer people take my word because I have said this over and over and over again for more than 15 years including multiple times on my blog and about multiple Presidents and Congresses: When … [Read more...] about Congress & President Playing Chicken
Somewhere Out There
Walk outside some clear evening next summer, and look to the south (assuming you're in the Northern hemisphere!). You'll see a bright red star - Antares - and if you're familiar with the night sky, you'll recognize the constellation Scorpius. Look above Scorpius, into a fairly dark area without many bright stars. This is the constellation of Opiuchus (a bit of trivia here: … [Read more...] about Somewhere Out There
Obama Rules Out New Debt Ceiling Showdown
Obama rules out new debt ceiling showdown (via AFP) President Barack Obama warned Wednesday he would reject any deal to end a looming fiscal crisis that let Republicans wield new leverage next year over lifting the cap on government borrowing. Obama staked out his position after the New York Times reported that Republicans may bow to his demand to hike… … [Read more...] about Obama Rules Out New Debt Ceiling Showdown
Jazz Legend Dave Brubeck Dies
Jazz genius Dave Brubeck has died one day short of his 92nd birthday. Brubeck was the central figure of jazz music for more than 50 years. Brubeck was born in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Concord, California, and grew up in Ione. He was of English (maternal), Swiss, and possibly Native American Modoc Tribe multi-ethnic (paternal) ancestry His father, Howard … [Read more...] about Jazz Legend Dave Brubeck Dies
Yes Minister
From time to time we all need to have a good laugh, especially in times like these. One of my favorites programs (or perhaps I should say programmes) is the absolutely brilliant BBC series Yes Minister and it's successor, Yes Prime Minister. For those not familiar with the programs, they follow the trials of a UK government minister named James Hacker as he works hard to … [Read more...] about Yes Minister
Rock. GOP. Hard place.
It's no longer just Boehner or another benighted Republican. The whole party has put itself in the position of losing the good faith of its two most notable support groups: business and the tea partyers. You've notice that; I've noticed it; and Greg Sargent sets the scene with President Obama entering, stage left. How long will the major GOP-aligned interest groups, … [Read more...] about Rock. GOP. Hard place.
The Presidential Cabinet: Who Will Obama Pick? [Infographic]
Via Nerdwallet. An infographic on who Obama will pick: Via: NerdWallet … [Read more...] about The Presidential Cabinet: Who Will Obama Pick? [Infographic]
Homeless Boy Steals Talent Show (Video)
A controversy (what else?) rages on parts of the Internet. Is this real or "fake" (his hair was too good, etc.). From Korea's version of "America's Got Talent": a homeless boy steals the talent show. It is an uplifting piece: … [Read more...] about Homeless Boy Steals Talent Show (Video)
Syria and Chemical Weapons: An Unmovable Line in the Sand?
Are we seeing the beginning of the end of Syria's detestable Bashar-al Assad regime -- or the beginning of a new international crisis swirling around it? Or both? A new line in the sand is being sternly drawn by American officials over the Assad regime using chemical weapons, but the question is whether this will be an enduring line in the sand. Abraham Lincoln once said: … [Read more...] about Syria and Chemical Weapons: An Unmovable Line in the Sand?
Tea Party Purges and Departures
“History repeats itself,” Karl Marx proclaimed, “first as tragedy then as farce.” The Tea Party is now acting out a pathetic parody of Communism’s Great Terror of the 1930s in the name of ideological purity and for the same reason, paranoid fear of losing control over true believers. In the fiscal cliff’s shadow, House Republicans remove from key committees two … [Read more...] about Tea Party Purges and Departures
Dysfunction and Lies: Senate Vote Beyond Shameful
Updated. This is why Congressional approval rating is in the doldrums. There was a Republican in the White House when Congress passed the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. And a Republican, Bob Dole (KS), who helped push it through. It was the culmination of a legal movement that got national purchase with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. On … [Read more...] about Dysfunction and Lies: Senate Vote Beyond Shameful
Israel Faces Lowest Point in Europe Relations in Decades (Guest Voice)
Israel faces lowest point in Europe relations in decades (via The Christian Science Monitor) The unusually strong European rebuke of Israel’s plans to tighten its grip on land sought for a Palestinian state marks at least a 30-year low point in relations, say Israeli foreign policy scholars. While the nature of Europe’s complaint is not new, the tone reflects both … [Read more...] about Israel Faces Lowest Point in Europe Relations in Decades (Guest Voice)
Ailes: Buh-Bye for Now to Karl Rove and Dick Morris on Fox News
If you ever had any doubt that Fox News maven Roger Ailes was a smart businessman who tries to protect his brand, this news erases it: New York Magazine reports that Ailes has ordered until-this-election-considered-a-political-genius Karl Rove and the-most-reliably-wrong-pundit-on-the-air Dick Morris kept off the air -- or at least not put on the air unless producers get … [Read more...] about Ailes: Buh-Bye for Now to Karl Rove and Dick Morris on Fox News