Embattled Newark Mayor Corey Booker -- seemingly doing more back steps than Ginger Rogers did with Fred Astaire -- has been working mightily to undo the damage many feel he has done to Barack Obama's campaign. Analysts differ. Were his comments defending Mitt Romney on Bain Capital's use as an issue a political mistake? Due to his own Wall Street ties? Did it reflect his … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Newark Mayor Corey Booker Tells MSNBC’s Rachael Maddow GOP Distorting His Comments
VIDEO: Obama Explains Why Bain Capital Matters As An Issue Against Mitt Romney
Here's a video of Barack Obama's explanation of why the issue of Bain Capital is not a distraction but at the center of a philosophical debate at play in election 2012. The issue has now gotten enmeshed in talking points on both sides. Here's Obama's explanation so you can judge for yourself: … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Obama Explains Why Bain Capital Matters As An Issue Against Mitt Romney
Price of NATO Survival: Diminished Sovereignty (Die Zeit, Germany)
With their resources drying up like a pond in the hot sun, can NATO do what is necessary to ensure the Alliance's continued relevance in a world that appears increasingly unstable? For Die Zeit, columnist Claudia Major writes that to survive as an institution, NATO members must achieve a far higher degree of integration and trust, and the sacrifice of a greater measure of … [Read more...] about Price of NATO Survival: Diminished Sovereignty (Die Zeit, Germany)
Will The Supreme Court Reconsider Its Citizens United Ruling?
Just over two years after its controversial ruling in Citizens United, the U. S. Supreme Court is being challenged to reconsider the heart of its decision. The State Supreme Court of Montana voted 5-2 to uphold a 100 year old Montana law that flies in the face of Citizens United. The Montana law was passed to reduce the influence of copper barons in controlling the state’s … [Read more...] about Will The Supreme Court Reconsider Its Citizens United Ruling?
Merkel Fires Obama; Takes Hollande to Woodshed (Die Welt, Germany)
German dominance over Europe, particularly since Europe's foreign debt crisis began, has been a major topic of discussion throughout the continent, with the wounds of World War II clearly on display - particularly in Greece. But when the Germans themselves start satirizing their own influence, it is a sure sign that Berlin is getting used to its growing influence. In this … [Read more...] about Merkel Fires Obama; Takes Hollande to Woodshed (Die Welt, Germany)
American ‘Grandees’ Should Pay Debt to Pakistan and be Grateful (The Frontier Post, Pakistan)
Rather than imposing conditions on delivering promised funds to Pakistan - such as reopening NATO's supply route through the country, should Washington give Pakistan the money it has promised with gratitude? With the shadow of the friendly-fire incident at Salala hanging over the NATO Summit in Chicago, this angry editorial from The Frontier Post argues that Pakistan has paid a … [Read more...] about American ‘Grandees’ Should Pay Debt to Pakistan and be Grateful (The Frontier Post, Pakistan)
30 Days For Defendant In Tyler Clementi Case
The sentence came down today, 30 days for the Rutgers webcam spying case defendant Dharun Ravi. He will also perform 300 hours of community service. Personally I have mixed views on the sentence. On the one hand Ravi is, in my opinion, a rotten human being who helped drive Tyler Clementi to suicide. On the other hand I have problems with punishing someone for what they … [Read more...] about 30 Days For Defendant In Tyler Clementi Case
Democrats and Republicans in Love
Barney Frank is getting married and Al Gore is going steady as Mitt Romney exchanges air kisses with George W. Bush behind closed doors. With the coming of Spring, not-so-young men’s fancies turn lightly to what passes for love in the body politic. Frank, the retiring Congressman whose name is on Dodd-Frank, the President’s financial regulation law, nonetheless won’t be … [Read more...] about Democrats and Republicans in Love
Democrat Star Cory Booker Goes Off Script..With Truth.
Sadly, the Democrat leaders we have today are decidedly anti free market and capitalism. Most regular folk Democrats I know are not. So, there is a disconnect there. But, every once in awhile, you can find a Democrat leader willing to break from the pack, and show disgust over those that demonize what made this country the most prosperous nation on earth, the free … [Read more...] about Democrat Star Cory Booker Goes Off Script..With Truth.
Earmarks- Playing Congressional Whack-A-Mole
Congressional earmarks keep popping up no matter how much good government groups and sympathetic members of Congress try to suppress them. And many of the politicians who rail against earmarks are the ones who find ways to use them, keeping the earmarks hidden by labeling them differently or burying them within legislation. But an earmark by any other name… The majority of … [Read more...] about Earmarks- Playing Congressional Whack-A-Mole
Rush Limbaugh’s Ratings Suffer “Significant” Drop
There is some good news today: Rush Limbaugh took a significant ratings hit in some key radio markets last month in the wake of the Sandra Fluke controversy. The conservative radio host's ratings fell 27 percent in the key 25-54 demo in New York City, 31 percent in Houston-Galveston, 40 percent in Seattle-Tacoma, and 35 percent in Jacksonville, according to a selection … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh’s Ratings Suffer “Significant” Drop
Newark Mayor Corey Booker Backtracks On Criticizing Obama Campaign Over Bain Issue
Yesterday I did this post about how refreshing it was that Newark Mayor Corey Booker seemingly deserved to be displayed in a museum for his criticism of the Obama's use of the Bain Capital issue against presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney. And I was not doing so as a conservative Republican blogger (I am not one) or someone who is an activist for anyone in this campaign … [Read more...] about Newark Mayor Corey Booker Backtracks On Criticizing Obama Campaign Over Bain Issue
Romney Mittspeaks
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibiged. … [Read more...] about Romney Mittspeaks
Facebook’s Future: Clues from the Past
Media ghosts hover over Facebook’s I.P.O. with a valuation of $105 billion, raising old questions about how to turn the attention of millions into profit from advertisers. The answers have never been clear, but for someone who spent decades in that search, the past suggests a rocky road to future profits for new bridegroom Mark Zuckerberg's enterprise. In 1997, when stock … [Read more...] about Facebook’s Future: Clues from the Past
Liz Cheney for GOP V.P.
WASHINGTON - Don't tell me Republicans are going to make Elizabeth Cheney, former “Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs," go through the Senate farm system. Don't tell me Sen. Marco Rubio is a better vice presidential choice than Dick Cheney's eldest daughter, Elizabeth. She beats him on experience alone, though we all know that doesn't matter to … [Read more...] about Liz Cheney for GOP V.P.
Iraq & Your Precious Tax Dollars At Work: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Save for some Republicans who remain blindered to larger realities, most people concluded long ago that the Iraq war was a fool's mission that wasted thousands of American and many tens of thousands of Iraqi lives, bled resources from the war in Afghanistan, bankrupted the federal treasury, lowered the U.S.'s standing in the world, and accomplished none of its goals save for … [Read more...] about Iraq & Your Precious Tax Dollars At Work: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
The Purple Heart: Reflecting the Changing Nature of War and of U.S. Society
. The Purple Heart is the oldest U.S. military decoration, one that has not only changed in name, but also in purpose and award eligibility criteria. During its 220-year existence, the Purple Heart, perhaps more than other military decorations, has reflected and continues to reflect the changing nature of warfare and, more importantly, the changing character of the nation … [Read more...] about The Purple Heart: Reflecting the Changing Nature of War and of U.S. Society
A Choice of Capitalisms
WASHINGTON -- In this election, we're not having an argument that pits capitalism against socialism. We are trying to decide what kind of capitalism we want. It is a debate as American as Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, and Henry Clay -- which is to say that we have always done this. In light of the rise of inequality and the financial mess we just went through, it's a … [Read more...] about A Choice of Capitalisms
How to Lose Independent Voters
Mr.Reince Priebus of the RNC: there are many ways to lose your credibility with independent voters when you open your mouth in the future and this is one of them. It is beyond transparent, patently false partisan, CYA spin. (So Sean Hannity is a mole? Wait: Rush Limbaugh has the answer: it was all the Clinton's doing.) … [Read more...] about How to Lose Independent Voters
Newark N.J. Mayor Cory Booker Calls Obama Campaign Attacks on Bain “Nauseating”
I've gotten so utterly tired of the professional partisan bloviators on both sides on cable and talk radio and of the partisan spinners that cable shows invite on knowing that they are going to try to cram through as many talking points as they can for their party and candidate. The partisan spinners make everyone who follows politics an ace psychic since you can tell … [Read more...] about Newark N.J. Mayor Cory Booker Calls Obama Campaign Attacks on Bain “Nauseating”