This is happening as you read it: To: Bob Shrum, James Carville, Ed Schultz and Democratic National Committee Staff From: Howard Schmidlap, President Political Sandbaggers Corp, Oriskiny Falls, N.Y. RE: We may face bigger challenges from GOP now (but probably not). First, kudos again to all of you for being such great "moles" and embedding yourselves in the GOP … [Read more...] about Are Democratic Moles Still at Work in the GOP?
A Legacy We Dare Not Leave
WASHINGTON -- You might not have noticed that another round of U.N. climate talks is under way, this time in Doha, Qatar. You also might not have noticed that we're barreling toward a "world ... of unprecedented heat waves, severe drought, and major floods in many regions." Here in Washington, we're too busy to pay attention to such trifles. We're too busy arguing about … [Read more...] about A Legacy We Dare Not Leave
‘Fiscal cliff’ talks turn sour: Are prospects for deal vanishing?
'Fiscal cliff' talks turn sour: Are prospects for deal vanishing? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Meetings between Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and congressional leaders on Thursday marked the first post-election acrimony between the parties in their pursuit of a solution to the “fiscal cliff.” Republicans stewed over the fact the White House has … [Read more...] about ‘Fiscal cliff’ talks turn sour: Are prospects for deal vanishing?
Two Nations, Indivisible
Maybe it is 1860 all over again. Within days after President Obama's re-election, disgruntled red-state Republicans (and even some terminally alienated blue-state GOP diehards) were petitioning their states to secede from the Union. Granted, these latter-day rebels were scanty in number and could easily be dismissed as cranks. Secession has been a touchy issue on these … [Read more...] about Two Nations, Indivisible
What’s Going to Happen to John Boehner?
John Nichols was saying just now in an extended interview that John Boehner isn't leading his caucus. And that's one of the reasons (there are several more) that he's confusing and ...confused. He's been babbling on about deficit-cutting options but making no sense. Part of the problem, says Nichols, is that Paul Ryan believes his, um, service as vice-presidential … [Read more...] about What’s Going to Happen to John Boehner?
New Election Results: Obama’s Victory Over Romney Bigger than Bush Over Kerry
As the Nov. 2012 election results continue to trickle in, it's now clear that President Barack Obama's victory over GOPer Mitt Romney is bigger than President George Bush's victory of Senator John Kerry in 2004. First Read: ** Obama’s victory was more decisive than Bush’s in ’04: And here’s one final observation about the 2012 race. Per the excellent work by the Cook … [Read more...] about New Election Results: Obama’s Victory Over Romney Bigger than Bush Over Kerry
Abbas wins UN ‘birth certificate’ for Palestine state
Abbas wins UN 'birth certificate' for Palestine state (via AFP) The UN General Assembly on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to recognize Palestine as a non-member state, triggering scenes of joy on the streets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In a major defeat for the United States and Israel, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas won what he called a "birth … [Read more...] about Abbas wins UN ‘birth certificate’ for Palestine state
“Hazing?” The Proper Word is “Rape”
Another story where the victim isn't called a rape victim because he's got a penis. We really do live in a rape culture. It's where we ignore, dismiss, and/or laugh at the rape of men and boys. Of course, it's true that these are merely allegations. Perhaps those accused are innocent, although from what I've seen much "hazing" culture is very much like what is described … [Read more...] about “Hazing?” The Proper Word is “Rape”
US Fiscal Cliff Talks Stall as Both Sides Dig In
US fiscal cliff talks stall as both sides dig in (via AFP) US Democrats and Republicans bickered on Thursday over whether to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans, as crunch negotiations on avoiding the so-called fiscal cliff stalled. Republican speaker John Boehner met Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, after a Wednesday phone call with President … [Read more...] about US Fiscal Cliff Talks Stall as Both Sides Dig In
India to change hate speech law after Facebook row
India to change hate speech law after Facebook row (via AFP) India is set to amend its hate speech laws following a public outcry over two women arrested for posting comments on Facebook after the death of hardline politician Bal Thackeray. The new guidelines by the communications and information technology ministry will make it harder for police to arrest … [Read more...] about India to change hate speech law after Facebook row
Barack Obama, John Boehner and Lincoln (Guest Cartoonist)
Barack Obama, John Boehner and Lincoln by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: Obama and Boehner in the news: Boehner sees no fiscal cliff progress after Geithner meeting Debt Ceiling Showdown: Obama, Boehner Diverge On Demands A ‘Curt’ Call Between Obama and Boehner Boehner wants ‘specific plan’ after fiscal cliff meeting with Geithner Boehner Crafts Compromiser Image … [Read more...] about Barack Obama, John Boehner and Lincoln (Guest Cartoonist)
Five Predictions About What Will Happen at the Obama – Romney Lunch
Here are my predictions on today's Obama-Romney lunch. I may not be a psychic but, hey, my predictions are better than Dick Morris'. Prediction: 1. Romney will say 47% of the lunch was bad. 2. Romney will make a sundae at the sundae bar, point to it and tell Obama: "I built that." Obama will point around the White House room and tell Romney: "I won this." 3. Romney … [Read more...] about Five Predictions About What Will Happen at the Obama – Romney Lunch
Washington’s Norquist Affliction — LBS (Lazy Brain Syndrome)
If policies about complex issues with far-reaching consequences could wisely be based on two, three or four word slogans, Congress could be replaced with a cage full of parrots who cast their votes by squawking "Government is the problem," "No taxes," "Starve the Beast." This, however, is not a very good mode of governance, the views of Grover Norquist on the matter … [Read more...] about Washington’s Norquist Affliction — LBS (Lazy Brain Syndrome)
Hiding the Church’s Treasure
WASHINGTON -- To say that the Belle Harbor neighborhood on New York City's Rockaway Peninsula was slammed by Hurricane Sandy understates the case. Like many other parts of the region, it has suffered the kind of devastation we usually associate with wars. In these circumstances, people turn to government, yes, but they look first to trusted friends and to neighborhood … [Read more...] about Hiding the Church’s Treasure
Republican Denial
"Denial," Mark Twain wrote, "ain't just a river in Egypt." And so, as John Boehner insists that raising taxes on the rich is off the table -- and Obamacare must be on the table -- Republicans continue to live, Frank Rich writes, in Fantasyland: As GOP politicians and pundits pile on Romney in defeat, they often argue that he was done in by not being severely … [Read more...] about Republican Denial
Obama Has Romney for Lunch (Again)
The President, who ate his challenger’s lunch on November 6, is repaying the social obligation with a White House meal today, thus confirming Tea Party fears that they had the wrong candidate this year. In their view, the loser should not be breaking bread with Barack Obama but still breaking heads. (Four years later, John McCain is showing how it’s done.) Soon after the … [Read more...] about Obama Has Romney for Lunch (Again)
Is Democracy Always The Best Option ??
This stems from a discussion I was having with a friend of mine. Obviously the ideal concept is for all people to live in free and democratic societies. But we have enough trouble managing one here, where we’ve had centuries of democratic concepts both in the US and in the UK. Even there it took centuries of effort to transition from the absolute monarchy system to various … [Read more...] about Is Democracy Always The Best Option ??
Panel to vote on new Egypt constitution amid turmoil
Panel to vote on new Egypt constitution amid turmoil (via AFP) A divisive panel boycotted by liberals and Christians was set Thursday to vote on a draft new Egyptian constitution, amid mounting protests over President Mohamed Morsi's assumption of sweeping powers. Morsi insisted in a magazine interview Wednesday that he will surrender his controversial new … [Read more...] about Panel to vote on new Egypt constitution amid turmoil
The Most Dangerous Man In America
OK, not really. Or mostly not really. Except maybe in the fiscal sense. I'm talking about Grover Norquist. In the past quarter-century, he has probably done more to distort US fiscal policy than anyone. There's nothing inherently wrong with a low-taxes policy. But when it's wielded like a mace in all situations, it isn't a policy, it's a creed, and as we're beginning to … [Read more...] about The Most Dangerous Man In America
What Motivates John McCain on Benghazi and Susan Rice? (Updates)
UPDATE III: Andrew Rosenthal at the New York Times also ‘takes note’ of how Republicans (I would be more specific and call it the ‘Benghazi Desperados’) have “applied standards to Rice, the current U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, that they would never apply to a Republican administration official, and never have.” Rosenthal rightly adds parenthetically, “Where was … [Read more...] about What Motivates John McCain on Benghazi and Susan Rice? (Updates)