WASHINGTON -- The left will make a big mistake if it ignores the lessons of the failed recall of Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin. The right will make an even bigger error if it allows the Wisconsin results to feed its inclination toward winner-take-all politics. The danger on the right is greater because winning an epic fight is a heady experience and conservatives can … [Read more...] about What Wisconsin Taught Us
Women in the Military: Recognizing Their Achievements and Sacrifices
While Republicans were busy defeating the Paycheck Fairness Act -- legislation aimed to fight gender discrimination in the workplace -- at least women in the military were making important progress and advancements. (Keep in mind that our 1.4 million-member active-duty force now serving includes about 225,000 women.) Some of the achievements and advancements made by women in … [Read more...] about Women in the Military: Recognizing Their Achievements and Sacrifices
Barack Obama and Wisconsin
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Ray Bradbury Dies
Word just breaking that author Ray Bradbury has died at the age of 91. Bradbury was the author of such works as Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, Something Wicked This Way Comes and a number of short stories (including I Sing The Body Electric, The Illustrated Man and others) Bradbury was a very special part of my youth, I spent hours reading from his considerable list … [Read more...] about Ray Bradbury Dies
Democrats May Have Consolation Prize In Wisconsin
While they lost the race for Governor and three of the four State Senate recalls, Democrats may have won a small consolation prize. With 100% of the ballots counted, former State Senator John Lehman (D) appears to have defeated incumbent Senator Van Wanggaard (R). The margin is less than 1,000 votes and has not been certified, but if it stands that would give the Democrats … [Read more...] about Democrats May Have Consolation Prize In Wisconsin
Scott Walker’s Victory, the Wisconsin Recall and Its Meaning
The Obama factor ...Even with the Republican victory on Tuesday, it remained an open question whether Mitt Romney, the party’s presidential nominee, can assume the momentum of Mr. Walker’s campaign. In exit polling of voters, 18 percent of Walker supporters said they favored Mr. Obama, and the president led in a matchup against Mr. Romney. Voters in the exit surveys also said … [Read more...] about Scott Walker’s Victory, the Wisconsin Recall and Its Meaning
Walker Wins
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Networks Call Race For Walker, State Senate Still Pending
UPDATE 10:30 PM PST We have 75% of the vote in and the race continues to tighten, now at 53-47%, with Republican Van Wanggaard leading Democrat John Lehman leading by about 2,900 votes. If you compare this to the last report, at 47% the math shows Democrat Lehman won 51.4% of the vote counted. Assuming he continued to do so with the remaining 25% of the vote (about … [Read more...] about Networks Call Race For Walker, State Senate Still Pending
Walker Leads In Early Returns
With about 17% of the returns in Governor Walker holds a commanding 61-39 lead but not much in from the urban areas yet and that will of course tighten results. However the exit polls are now adjusted to report a 52-48 Walker lead. … [Read more...] about Walker Leads In Early Returns
Confronting America Requires Wisdom and Stamina – Not Warships (Huanqui, People’s Republic of China)
With Leon Panetta on a tour of Asia to explain America’s military shift of attention away from Europe toward the Asia Pacific, perceived by most informed people who watch these events as an attempt to contain China’s influence, how should Beijing react? This editorial from China’s state-controlled Huanqui counsels Beijing leaders to remain calm, cool and confident, and not … [Read more...] about Confronting America Requires Wisdom and Stamina – Not Warships (Huanqui, People’s Republic of China)
Wisconsin Exit Polls
While it will likely take hour for the final count to be tallied, exit polls suggest that there will be a close win for incumbent Governor Scott Walker. There seems to have been massive turnout all over the state, in both liberal and conservative areas. But the exit polls show a narrow majority of voters supported the reforms and Governor Walker. The overall exit polls … [Read more...] about Wisconsin Exit Polls
Obama’s lethal weapons
President Barack Obama has considerably expanded the use of three lethal weapons in the war against terrorism that will likely return to bite the hand currently feeding them. Today’s well-deserved killing of Abu Yahya al-Libi, al Qaeda’s number two, is an example of one of those weapons. Ayman Al-Zawahiri may be the next target as successor to Osama bin Laden, who was … [Read more...] about Obama’s lethal weapons
What Does the Battle in Wisconsin Portend?
Whether Scott Walker wins or loses the recall race for governor in Wisconsin, the way the battle has played out is not the way the democratic process should work. Outside money backing Walker, much of it in large contributions from people or organizations that are pro-business and anti-labor, has played a large role, which is particularly unfortunate in what should have been … [Read more...] about What Does the Battle in Wisconsin Portend?
Our Missing Soldiers: No Rest ‘Until They Are Home.’
During his recent visit to Hanoi, in addition to the exchange of letters and a diary written by a U.S. and a Vietnamese soldier, respectively, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta discussed with his Vietnamese counterpart the continuing U.S. search for the remains of our soldiers still missing from the Vietnam War. The Washington Post reports: Monday’s meeting … [Read more...] about Our Missing Soldiers: No Rest ‘Until They Are Home.’
Under The Radar Races In Wisconsin
Of course most of the ink (and electrons) being spilled today are over the recall of Governor Walker, a race that most experts expect him to win. But there is another story that could be the silver lining for the left and the mantra in the post mortem analysis on Wednesday. Four GOP state senators are also on the ballot and if just one loses the Democrats take control of … [Read more...] about Under The Radar Races In Wisconsin
In Heart of Jersey Rothman Rhetoric Sours Fair Fight (Guest Voice)
In Heart of Jersey Rothman Rhetoric Sours Fair Fight by Scott Crass In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Pascrell supporter. Therefore, if someone were to say, “he’s biased,” I couldn’t disagree. … [Read more...] about In Heart of Jersey Rothman Rhetoric Sours Fair Fight (Guest Voice)
9th Circuit Rejects Petition For Review Of Proposition 8 Ruling
The 9th Circuit Court Of Appeals has rejected a petition by supporters of Proposition 8 to have the earlier ruling by a 3 judge panel reviewed by the court at large. The ruling had struck down Proposition 8 as violating the rights of gay and lesbian couples. The court also kept the current stay on the ruling in place for 90 days to give the opportunity for an appeal to the … [Read more...] about 9th Circuit Rejects Petition For Review Of Proposition 8 Ruling
Prime Time for True Believers
Political views have not changed much over 25 years, a Pew survey suggests, but party affiliation has driven more Americans to extremes than ever before. Understanding what they have in common prompts a new look at the work of a social philosopher whose work was praised by one Republican, Eisenhower in the 1950s, and rewarded with a Presidential Medal of Freedom by another, … [Read more...] about Prime Time for True Believers
America’s Next Step On The Road To Moolacracy
Thought privatization couldn't be taken to more idiotic heights in this country? Thought that money couldn't play an even larger role in our national political circus? Read on. Two senators, Tom Coburn (a Republican) and Mark Udall (a Democrat) have introduced a bill that would have their parties' national conventions paid for with private money, rather than the public … [Read more...] about America’s Next Step On The Road To Moolacracy
National Day of Blogger Silence
A national day of blogger silence. Now, let me get this straight: putting aside the actual issue that is sparking it, a national day of bloggers silence is supposed to be PUNISHMENT? … [Read more...] about National Day of Blogger Silence