Yes, it was a political train wreck. First Thoughts nicely summarized the official launch of President Barack Obama's political campaign: *** Obama’s terrible campaign week: The campaign roll out over the weekend went well. Despite Republicans talking about the empty seats at Ohio State, he still draw four times the crowds (if not more) than Romney. But then Biden’s … [Read more...] about Bad Week for Barack Obama’s Campaign
John Edwards and the Two Americas
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Colombia Government Must Come Clean on Battle Drones (El Tiempo, Colombia)
How long will it be before America's friends and adversaries all have the same drone technology that the U.S. is using to such effect in places like Pakistan's tribal areas? Based on this article by columnist Laura Gil of Colombia's El Tiempo, that time has already arrived - along with some of the most complicated questions involving civil liberties, human rights and … [Read more...] about Colombia Government Must Come Clean on Battle Drones (El Tiempo, Colombia)
Ousted Richard Lugar’s “Scathing” Farewell Letter Details America’s Partisan, Ideological Mire
Shortly after he was ousted in a Republican primary yesterday by a Tea Partier for a variety of reasons including daring to reach across the aisle and work with Democrats, Indiana Senator Richard Lugar issued a kind of political farewell letter that several sites called blunt and scathing and ran in full. The letter is of particular interest to independent voters, centrists, … [Read more...] about Ousted Richard Lugar’s “Scathing” Farewell Letter Details America’s Partisan, Ideological Mire
If Things Don’t Work Out For ‘Ya’ in November, Change ‘Coarse’
For an example of the coarsening of our political discourse read this “eloquent” clarion call by the Greene County, Virginia, Republican Committee to change “coarse” in November to “armed revolution” should things not turn out to one's liking at the ballot box. Of course, “coarse” should be “course,” but when one calls for such a coarse course change, who really … [Read more...] about If Things Don’t Work Out For ‘Ya’ in November, Change ‘Coarse’
Book Review – Guest of Honor
In 2008 the United States elected a black President – the result was a very negative reaction by about 25% of the population. It's not the first time there was a reaction to shifts in racial equality. In his concession speech in 2008 John McCain mentioned T.R, Roosevelt's dinner with Booker T. Washington in 1901. Like most of us this was the first time author Deborah Davis … [Read more...] about Book Review – Guest of Honor
Book Review: Celluloid Strangers by Eric Wasserman
This is probably the first book review you've ever read by someone killed off in a book. Well, not me exactly -- but my namesake. Joe Gandelman (a different one, assuredly not as good-looking, wise or modest as me) was killed off in a great book I found by accident in one of my periodic searches on Amazon.com to see if there is anything with the name "Gandelman" on the … [Read more...] about Book Review: Celluloid Strangers by Eric Wasserman
Lukewarm Endorsements
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Amendment One Passes In North Carolina
Update: AP and other networks are projecting that Amendment One has passed. With about 30% of the vote in the people of North Carolina seem to be voting in favor of prejudice. About 57% of voters are currently supporting legislation that would ban all legal recognition of any relationship other than male-female marriage. … [Read more...] about Amendment One Passes In North Carolina
Lugar Loses Primary (UPDATE 3)
One of the better members of the US Senate has been defeated in the GOP primary in Indiana. From what I can tell his defeat is partly attributable to the perception that he has lost touch with voters and a poorly run campaign, so I can accept that in many ways he blew it. At the same time I am deeply troubled by the campaign run against him, attacking him for working with … [Read more...] about Lugar Loses Primary (UPDATE 3)
BREAKING: Latest Would-be Suicide Bomber a Double Agent
The New York Times is reporting that the "would-be suicide bomber dispatched by the Al Qaeda branch in Yemen last month to blow up a United States-bound airliner was actually a double agent who infiltrated the terrorist group and volunteered for the suicide mission," according to American and foreign officials. The Times: In an extraordinary intelligence coup, the … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Latest Would-be Suicide Bomber a Double Agent
Gold – a Most Civilized Investment
On Friday last, Warren Buffett's right-hand man and Berkshire vice chairman, Charles Munger, told CNBC, "Gold is a great thing to sew into your garments if you’re a Jewish family in Vienna in 1939," "but I think civilized people don’t buy gold; they invest in productive businesses.” Your meaning is well taken, Charles, but your two dichotomies are surely false. Civilized … [Read more...] about Gold – a Most Civilized Investment
Obama’s Gay Marriage Position: Is it All About Suburban Voters?
President Barack Obama continues to be under from many in his exasperated party base for not coming out squarely in favor of gay marriage. But there may be a political method to what some Democrats consider his political madness. MSNBC's First Read: Women, African Americans, independents, and suburban voters have all moved more in favor of same-sex marriage just over the … [Read more...] about Obama’s Gay Marriage Position: Is it All About Suburban Voters?
Romney Campaign
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Romney’s Birds Start to Roost
Did the winner of a year-long Obama bashathon in the Republican debates think it would go away once he won the nomination? Did Mitt Romney think he could swerve back from high-volume hyperbole and turn his rational attention to traditional GOP voters and Independents? Not so easy . He may no longer be battling the likes of those weird Ricks, Santorum and Perry, but he … [Read more...] about Romney’s Birds Start to Roost
Killing Fighter Pilots By Incompetence?
It appears that there may be a serious safety problem for pilots of F-22 Raptors, and it looks like there's some butt-covering by the brass over it. A full PDF of the official Air Force report on the crash of Capt. Jeffrey Haney is available here. The most chilling note, to me, is in the conclusion: "By clear and convincing evidence, I find the cause of the mishap was … [Read more...] about Killing Fighter Pilots By Incompetence?
Nonsensical new Voter ID laws
While working today, a show came on the radio about how cruel and nonsensical the new Voter ID law is and I just had to stop and do a movie. http://youtu.be/i3Bm4QuJE54 PS - If you want to see the follow up movie to "Little Stuff" I posted earlier on TMV, here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNkT3aQtqkM … [Read more...] about Nonsensical new Voter ID laws
Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant: Composing The Music Of The Markets
Mr. B. You're looking radiant. Today's visit to Stall #8 seems to have touched you in a very positive way. It has, Selig, It has. What was that wonderful music I was listening to with my headphones in there? It was so...so... Strangely recognizable, sir? Uplifting? A perfect something to go with your reading of this month's cover story in Bloomberg Markets … [Read more...] about Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant: Composing The Music Of The Markets
Eisenhower On Centrism
“I despise people who go to the gutter on either the right or the left and hurl rocks at those in the center.” –Dwight Eisenhower … [Read more...] about Eisenhower On Centrism
Rick Santorum Endorses Mitt Romney — by Email
Former Pennsylvania Senator and former GOP Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum has finally endorsed his bitter rival for the Republican nomination -- by email. So in the end Santorum did indeed endorse Romney but in a seemingly offhanded, low-key-as-possible way. The endorsement seems as joyous as trip to the dentist. A reader forwards this email Rick Santorum is sending … [Read more...] about Rick Santorum Endorses Mitt Romney — by Email