A few quick hits as we all try to sort out the meaning of yesterday's Democratic victory in New York's heavily Republican 26th Congressional District: Politico: "Have Democrats cracked the code for 2012?" Nate Silver, NYT/538: "Six Months After Midterm Disaster, Hopeful Signs for Democrats." Steve Benen sums it up: "What we saw in Buffalo was a test -- how is the … [Read more...] about The Aftermath of NY-26, Looking Ahead to 2012
A Political Kiss of Death for Paul Ryan?
THIS STATEMENT of support from an admirer of Paul Ryan will not help him with many independent voters, moderate voters and will probably re-energize Democrats everywhere. … [Read more...] about A Political Kiss of Death for Paul Ryan?
The Corruption of the Gingriches
So you remember that huge no-interest revolving charge account Tiffany gave Newt Gingrich? Well, even with Tiffany's explanation and The Newt's dismissals, the story just doesn't make any sense. It's still not clear how it worked and why the Gingriches needed it (other than to buy lots of really, really expensive jewelry, though they surely have enough money of their own not to … [Read more...] about The Corruption of the Gingriches
Supreme Court Upholds “Legal Arizona Workers Act” (Chamber of Commerce v. Whiting)
This case has been closely watched by those involved on both sides of the illegal immigration debate. It involves an Arizona law known as the Legal Arizona Workers Act that requires employers to use E-Verify to ascertain the legal status of prospective employees and provides for sanctions, including revocation of state business licenses, for those who do not, and who … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Upholds “Legal Arizona Workers Act” (Chamber of Commerce v. Whiting)
Supreme Court Upholds Arizona Immigration Law (No Not That One)
The Supreme Court voted 5-3 to uphold an Arizona law which in effect shuts down businesses for hiring illegal immigrants. Justice Kagan did not participate, presumably because she had been US Solicitor General during the lower court reviews of the case. Those opposing the law said it was improper because of federal control over immigration law, but the Congress had included … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Upholds Arizona Immigration Law (No Not That One)
India Will Invest $5 Billion in Africa
India is Africa's second biggest trading partner after China -- and it's trying to play catch up with China in Africa. One way: it's announcing that it will give $5 billion in aid/investments in Africa. Details: pp Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com The Economist has a piece about India playing catch up. Here's the … [Read more...] about India Will Invest $5 Billion in Africa
WSJ On Taxes
An interesting article from the Wall Street Journal on the potential impact of tax increases. Obviously just as an article from a progressive web site would have a tilt, this one does too, but at the same time math is math. … [Read more...] about WSJ On Taxes
Still More Sarah Palin Birth Hoax Evidence?
Take a look at this photograph. A close look. As a layperson, does this look like a one-month premature baby less than 24 hours after its birth? Of course it doesn't, which is the view of a neonatologist. The baby is Trig Palin, who was being held in the arms of Sarah Palin's mother. If you're sick of the whole business of why Palin continues to be evasive about … [Read more...] about Still More Sarah Palin Birth Hoax Evidence?
Bill Clinton to Paul Ryan: Hochul Win No Excuse to Do Nothing
WASHINGTON - Nicely placed microphone, ABC. This is the stuff people love to hear. "So anyway, I told them before you got here, I said I’m glad we won this race in New York," Clinton told Ryan, when the two met backstage at a forum on the national debt held by the Pete Peterson Foundation. But he added, “I hope Democrats don't use this as an excuse to do nothing." - ABC … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton to Paul Ryan: Hochul Win No Excuse to Do Nothing
MSNBC’s Ed Schultz Suspended For a Week: Issues on the Air Apology for Calling Laura Ingraham “a Right Wing Slut” (VIDEO) UPDATED
And so America's talk show political culture rolls on with the latest ugly, reprehensible example that you would not want young kids to hear and learn from coming from -- a bona fide talk show host. MSNBC's rising talk show star progressive talker Ed Schultz has been suspended without pay for a week for a sexist, vulgar lash out comment aimed at a conservative talk show host … [Read more...] about MSNBC’s Ed Schultz Suspended For a Week: Issues on the Air Apology for Calling Laura Ingraham “a Right Wing Slut” (VIDEO) UPDATED
It Was One Crazy, Crazy Baseball Game
When it's the 19th inning of a ballgame approaching six hours and 600 hitters and you've used your last pitcher, what you gonna do? Philadelphia Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel scratched his head extra hard and finally turned to infield position player Wilson Valdez, who later said he hadn't pitched since a backyard game in his native Dominican Republic in 2002. … [Read more...] about It Was One Crazy, Crazy Baseball Game
Political Lolapalooza: Newt Gingrich’s Diamond Studded Hypocrisy & Other Tales From The Crypt
Five hundred thousand at Tiffany’s? There’s a simple explanation. The guy clearly buys his engagement rings in bulk. ~ STEVEN COLBERT There is little pleasant going on in national politics these days, but the slow but steady self-destruction of Newt Gingrich is a joy to behold. As well as inevitable. It was inevitable that his run for the presidential roses would … [Read more...] about Political Lolapalooza: Newt Gingrich’s Diamond Studded Hypocrisy & Other Tales From The Crypt
The Tea Party is Yesterday’s News
WASHINGTON -- When Richard Nixon won his 49-state landslide over George McGovern in 1972, Pauline Kael, the legendary New Yorker film critic, was moved to observe: “I live in a rather special world. I only know one person who voted for Nixon.” All of us can have our vision distorted by the special worlds we live in, and what was a problem for Kael in 1972 is now an … [Read more...] about The Tea Party is Yesterday’s News
‘America Cannot Be Trusted’ (Samidoon, Palestinian Territories)
It seems that when it comes to the Middle East, President Obama can't win. With blistering criticism from Israelis over his assertion that peace talks with the Palestinians be based on the 1967 borders, this article from Samidoon of the Palestinian Territories rips into Obama as insincere about wanting justice for Arabs, and criticizes America for long favoring Arab despots and … [Read more...] about ‘America Cannot Be Trusted’ (Samidoon, Palestinian Territories)
The First Stage of Grief
It's denial, of course. … [Read more...] about The First Stage of Grief
Is Gov. Perry Doing ‘Irreparable Harm’ to Texas A&M?
As an Aggie, as a Texas resident, and as someone who disapproves of Gov. Rick Perry’s views and policies, of course my attention was immediately drawn to an editorial in the (Bryan-College Station) Eagle with the title: “Gov. Perry is doing irreparable harm to A&M” While my alma mater has had its ups-and-downs when it comes to football (two unforgettable “ups” occurring … [Read more...] about Is Gov. Perry Doing ‘Irreparable Harm’ to Texas A&M?
Loughner Ruled Non Competent
Not exactly a stunning decision by the judge but he has ruled that Arizona shooting suspect Jared Loughner is not competent to stand trial. This will most probably result in his being sent to a mental hospital for a long long time. Although I am generally a law and order kind of guy, this seems a reasonable ruling. The man is clearly deranged and we do not punish people … [Read more...] about Loughner Ruled Non Competent
Not a “Right of Return” Question, or, Josh Rogin Needs To Read Better
Foreign Policy Magazine blogger Josh Rogin has a piece up announcing "White House: Jewish 'refugees' right of return should be 'on the table'". I read that, and I was rather shocked. "Right of return" for Jewish refugees? That would be rather bizarre. While there were a little less than a million Jewish refugees forced to flee from their homes in Arab countries during the time … [Read more...] about Not a “Right of Return” Question, or, Josh Rogin Needs To Read Better
Student Loans, Private Universities and NPR
The factoid, from the June Harper's Index, sent my blood pressure north and my fingers to the keyboard: Amount of federal money that went to National Public Radio in 2010: $2.7 million To Jerry Falwell's Liberty University: $446 million WTH? … [Read more...] about Student Loans, Private Universities and NPR
To Some Republicans “Denial” IS a River
One of the things that was stunning last night was to read some of the comments on weblogs and on Twitter about the NY 26 election insisting...shouting...that this had nothing to do with Medicare. That's like saying Christmas has nothing to do with Jesus' birth. This is a problem now locked into our political debate where there is a belief that if you say something over and … [Read more...] about To Some Republicans “Denial” IS a River