Petraeus revelations keep making a bad tale worse as Paula Broadwell’s ghost and Jill Kelley’s pet FBI agent trot onstage. If this be prurience, reader be patient, there is a larger point. Woman No. 1’s gush book was remarkable for its access to the CIA director, says her writing partner, a Washington Post editor who had no idea of how far it went. “I always wondered,” he … [Read more...] about Clueless and Shirtless in the Sex Scandals
Beltway Kabuki
With the election over we are now starting to focus on the fiscal cliff that we are supposed to fall over in December. We have people on both sides acting as if the world will end if their plans and proposals are not adopted. And it's all for show. At the risk of making a not very bold prediction I can give a pretty good idea of what will happen in the next couple of … [Read more...] about Beltway Kabuki
Secession Craziness (Really)
Updated: petitions from citizens in 49 states: 11:45 pm Pacific, 14 November It's the meme of week on Facebook: let's secede from the union! The Washington Times has reported that citizens have filed petitions on a White House website requesting that 23 states be allowed to secede. But the number is short. Almost every state has a petitioner. And news media: the states … [Read more...] about Secession Craziness (Really)
Voter Polarization? That’s For Ratings
Ever wonder why news organizations paint political contests as horse races? That's because it leads to prognostications (the more controversial the better) and that leads to eyeballs. But once again, Mark Newman, Department of Physics and Center for the Study of Complex Systems, University of Michigan has created election maps that are not "winner take all" (zero-sum game) … [Read more...] about Voter Polarization? That’s For Ratings
On Election Day, Money and Magical Thinking (Guest Voice)
On Election Day, Money and Magical Thinking by Michael Winship Forty years ago, as a young, aspiring political operative, I was a staff member on Senator George McGovern’s presidential campaign. We thought we could beat Richard Nixon but famously lost every state in the union except Massachusetts (with the District of Columbia thrown in as a forlorn consolation … [Read more...] about On Election Day, Money and Magical Thinking (Guest Voice)
Afghan Women Learn Literacy Through Mobile Phones
Afghan women learn literacy through mobile phones (via AFP) Afghanistan has launched a new literacy programme that enables Afghan women deprived of a basic education during decades of war to learn to read and write using a mobile phone. The phone is called Ustad Mobile (Mobile Teacher) and provides national curriculum courses in both national languages, … [Read more...] about Afghan Women Learn Literacy Through Mobile Phones
Conclusions from the 2012 Elections
The 2012 elections surprised both sides and hit a reset button on the Obama administration -- and American politics. Here are 10 conclusions: 1. So much for Citizens United destroying the fabric of America with big bucks automatically meaning victory. Billionaire Sheldon Adelson would have gotten more bang for his buck if he had visited The Chicken Ranch. 2. Republican … [Read more...] about Conclusions from the 2012 Elections
Looks Like the Election Effectively Threw Out Grover Norquist
Thank you for your sensible, pro-Obama vote and for the rescue of the Senate from the right. We have a number of nice prizes for you, voter. One of the prizes may well be the political death of Grover Norquist. ... The election was an overwhelming rejection of the the political philosophy advocated by Norquist and his allies. 24 Republican Senate incumbents and … [Read more...] about Looks Like the Election Effectively Threw Out Grover Norquist
Petraeus Scandal: Where Will Investigations Take Congress?
Petraeus scandal: Where will investigations take Congress? (via The Christian Science Monitor) Conspiracy theorists are offering all kinds of dark and convoluted guesses for why President Obama was not informed of the extramarital affair that brought down former CIA director David Petraeus until two days after the Nov. 6 elections. But in the end the explanation … [Read more...] about Petraeus Scandal: Where Will Investigations Take Congress?
As Rick Perry Said: “Oops…”
This is an x-rated "Oops." … [Read more...] about As Rick Perry Said: “Oops…”
Lame Ducks And Polar Bears
Congress returns to work today, and we'll once again be treated to a nearly endless series of "lame duck" proclamations. They have 16 days to accomplish something, or do nothing, or waddle somewhere in between. And despite what you've heard, it isn't all about the fiscal cliff (a term I already hate with something approaching a passion). Somewhere out there is a farm bill, … [Read more...] about Lame Ducks And Polar Bears
A Who’s Who of the Petraeus Military Sex Scandal
A Who's Who of the US military sex scandal (via AFP) The sex scandal that downed CIA chief David Petraeus has ensnared another top US general and is becoming ever more complex as it reverberates around the corridors of power in Washington. Here is a look at the main characters and the tangled web of intrigue that links them: GENERAL DAVID PETRAEUS The… … [Read more...] about A Who’s Who of the Petraeus Military Sex Scandal
Petraeus Poor Judgement (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 Petraeus Poor Judgement (Cartoon)
Quote of the Day: Bobby Jindal Joins Ranks of GOPers Edging and Urging Towards More Moderate
Republicans aren't shifting further to the center as fast as quickly or sharply as defeated Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney discarded past positions-- even NASCAR racers at the Daytona 500 can't move that fast -- but our Quote of the Day comes from Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, whose comments to The Politico are indicative of an emerging parade of GOPers who are … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Bobby Jindal Joins Ranks of GOPers Edging and Urging Towards More Moderate
Israel Concerned about US Support Post-election (Guest Voice)
Israel concerned about US support post-election (via GlobalPost) Will there be a price for the perception that Netanyahu favored Romney? Abraham Rabinovich JERUSALEM — “Netanyahu gambled,” read a recent headline in the Tel Aviv daily Yediot Achronot. “We will pay.” The article by political commentator Sima Kadmon was referring to Prime Minister Benjamin… … [Read more...] about Israel Concerned about US Support Post-election (Guest Voice)
The Jobs Proposal That Should (But Won’t) Happen
Now that we are moving into a new administration and a new Congress there are new debates on how to solve the many problems we face, including unemployment The first thing I would propose is a major public works program that would be on par with those of the New Deal. There is almost nobody out there who disputes the fact that our infrastructure is a mess. For example I’m … [Read more...] about The Jobs Proposal That Should (But Won’t) Happen
Lessons from FDR’s Reelection to Obama’s
Week One of soul-searching ends with Democrats happily stunned and Republicans still just stunned. Profundity about 2012 will have to wait, but intriguing questions arise not only about the future of American politics but culture. Consider polling failures to predict the President’s victory compared to those that misread FDR’s reelection in 1936. Back then, a previously … [Read more...] about Lessons from FDR’s Reelection to Obama’s
A Couple of Credit Tips (Thanks To Clark Howard)
Note: This is a repost of an earlier article, but with the holidays coming up I thought it worth a repeat One of the talk shows I periodically listen to is the Clark Howard show. Howard is a consumer advocate and often provides some useful advice regarding how to protect yourself financially. I have heard a couple pretty important tips in the last few weeks so I thought I … [Read more...] about A Couple of Credit Tips (Thanks To Clark Howard)
Gerrymandering: Time To End The Not-So-Slight of Hand
One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again ... while expecting a different result. By that measure, there are many things wrong with our electoral system. Let's look at just one: political gerrymandering. It helps explain why last week most voters cast Democratic ballots in the races for the U.S. House of Representatives but a majority of the … [Read more...] about Gerrymandering: Time To End The Not-So-Slight of Hand
It’s the Demographics, Stupid (Updated)
Update: Although titled, “The GOP is no party for blacks, Latinos and gays,” Jonathan Capehart’s piece in today’s Washington Post discusses how the GOP can fix this by spending less time “figuring out what went wrong and more time figuring out how to talk to these voters in a way that broadens its appeal rather than insults potential supporters.” Good read. … [Read more...] about It’s the Demographics, Stupid (Updated)