The concluding paragraph in the Washington Post’s announcement that “Trump won’t run for president in 2012,” pretty much says it all from the Republican front: Trump’s decision not to run is likely to be greeted by a sigh of relief by most Republican Party strategists who viewed Trump as a major distraction for the more serious contenders for the nomination. To … [Read more...] about Donald Trump Throws in the Towel—In ‘Style’
First, They Came for the Pension Funds
Today makes it official: … [Read more...] about First, They Came for the Pension Funds
How To Read A Legal Opinion (Reposted)
On a TMV comment thread I was presented with this question: “Well, now that you have brought up the subject of reading legal opinions, Elijah, I have my opening to ask HOW, in your view as a legal professional, a layperson *should* read a legal opinion?" Because of the many discussions on legal topics, constitutional issues and political policy issues that touch on court … [Read more...] about How To Read A Legal Opinion (Reposted)
BREAKING… ABC News Reports What We Already Knew **UPDATED**
WASHINGTON - Donald Trump isn't running for president. Embarrassing that NBC News didn't even get the story first. Lawrence O'Donnell should be on fire tonight. Okay, to update, Tapper broke it on Twitter, but NBC local affiliate has the story too, so not so embarrassing (though ABC had it first). I'll post more when something pops up that isn't simply snark on … [Read more...] about BREAKING… ABC News Reports What We Already Knew **UPDATED**
The Dog Who Helped Take Down OBL
There has no question more frequently asked about the Navy SEAL raid on Osama bin Laden's compound than the identity of the hound that accompanied the raiders. President Obama met behind closed doors with the raiders -- members of SEAL Team Six and the dog -- but its identity has remained as secret as the inner workings of Team Six itself. Now the dog has been … [Read more...] about The Dog Who Helped Take Down OBL
God is Funny, Even When I’m Not.
I occasionally enlist satirical or ironic wit to drive home my more salient points. Humor has a way of penetrating defenses and bypassing even the most formidable interior walls. Also, humor is really funny! Even the most astute and solemn theologian must come to grips with the origins of funny. Either all jokes rose from the pit of hell or our God is hilarious. The fact … [Read more...] about God is Funny, Even When I’m Not.
Newt The Libertarian
Appearing on Meet the Press on Sunday, Newt Gingrich aired his objections to the mandatory health insurance provision of the ACA. He did agree that individuals should be responsible for their health care costs. His counter proposal, not unreasonable on its face, was that individuals who did not want to purchase health insurance be required to post a bond that would cover … [Read more...] about Newt The Libertarian
J’accuse! Special Victims Unit, French Edition
WASHINGTON - Talk about a high level perp walk. Dominique Strauss-Kahn was frog-marched into the Manhattan division of the Special Victims Unit in handcuffs (classic photo). All that's missing was the bumper music from NBC's "Law & Order SVU." From the stories now hitting the fan, it looks like IMF's man had a history of "womanizing," but everyone protected him. From … [Read more...] about J’accuse! Special Victims Unit, French Edition
News in the Age of Drudge
An editor, goes an old journalism bromide, separates wheat from chaff and prints the chaff. The biggest chaff-maker on the Internet, according to a new study, is Matt Drudge who still outdoes Facebook and Twitter in telling millions what they should know. “He can look into a huge stream of news,” says an admirer, “find the hot story and put an irresistible headline on … [Read more...] about News in the Age of Drudge
Are Ron & Rand Paul Racists?
Does saying that they would have voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act had they had the opportunity make the libertarian father-son tandem of Ron and Rand Paul racists? Before I offer my answer to that provocative question, let's note that except for more overt examples like denying blacks the right to vote or refusing Latinos service at a pancake house, racism is very … [Read more...] about Are Ron & Rand Paul Racists?
Mike Huckabee Endorses Donald Trump… sort of
WASHINGTON - When you look at the Politico - GWU poll today you can see why Mike Huckabee took a pass on running for president. Even with the economy in shambles, 72% of Americans "approve of" Pres. Obama "personally," with 52% approving of his job as president, even if that slides into the crapper when the economy is listed: 42 percent to 57 percent — between those polled … [Read more...] about Mike Huckabee Endorses Donald Trump… sort of
The Crown Prince Of Darkness Is At It Again
The least that can be said about Erik Prince is that he worships a very unusual God. The son of the co-founder of the ultra-conservative Family Research Council, Prince considers himself a Christian of the highest order who holds strong views on the sanctity of life. How then to square this with Prince's decidely un-Christian avocation as an entrepreneur specializing in death … [Read more...] about The Crown Prince Of Darkness Is At It Again
Bet On The Kid!
Oh boy, forget pay-per-view, this should be on Prime Time, Must-See TV! Our inaugural Ignorant-Dolt-of-the-Week is up for the fight of her life. High School Sophomore Challenges Bachmann To Basic ‘Fact Test’ On U.S. Constitution; In expounding upon the Constitution, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) rarely troubles with reading it. Her musings on the subject have earned … [Read more...] about Bet On The Kid!
Naming The Ways The Republican Party Can Commit Presidential Suicide in 2012
Has there ever been a scenario in modern presidential politics where the only person to have a shot at knocking off an incumbent is considered to be a pariah by much of a party's base? I speak, of course, of Mitt Romney, who is the only contender in a field of Republican wannabes who range from loons to mediocrities, but despite his furious tacking to the right is far too … [Read more...] about Naming The Ways The Republican Party Can Commit Presidential Suicide in 2012
Lincoln Would Weep
WASHINGTON -- Republicans are unhappy with their field of presidential candidates and yearn for someone who will come along to save them. But here’s what the GOP doesn’t want to confront: its problem lies not in its candidates, but in itself. The candidates appear much smaller than they are because the party’s primary voters and core interest groups insist upon cutting … [Read more...] about Lincoln Would Weep
A Moderate’s Extreme Love of Mama’s Fire Tibetan Barbecue Sauce and Mama’s Fire Tibetan Hot Sauce (Food Review)
I’ve always known one thing: NOTHING is a more polarizing subject than hot sauce or barbecue sauce. But you can’t be moderate in your praise of Mama’s Fire Tibetan Barbecue Sauce and Mama’s Fire Tibetan Hot Sauce. I know and love spicy food. When I lived in India and in Bangladesh as a journalist, I became passionate about spicy foods. When I did shows in Texas in my later … [Read more...] about A Moderate’s Extreme Love of Mama’s Fire Tibetan Barbecue Sauce and Mama’s Fire Tibetan Hot Sauce (Food Review)
Robert Gates on “60 Minutes” Praises Obama’s Courageous Call
Defense Secretary Robert Gates - who's served eight presidents - on "60 Minutes" tonight: "I worked for a lot of these guys. And this is one of the most courageous calls, decisions that I think I've ever seen a president make. For all of the concerns that I've just been talking about. The uncertainty of the intelligence. The consequences of it going bad. The risk to the lives … [Read more...] about Robert Gates on “60 Minutes” Praises Obama’s Courageous Call
Ain’t Freedom Grand?
I sure think it is. Wish we had us some of it in this country. … [Read more...] about Ain’t Freedom Grand?
The Corruption Of The Revolving Door
Between 2006 and 2010, at least 219 former SEC staff appeared before their former agency on behalf of private-sector clients in 800 different matters, according to a new database created by the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) and shared with iWatch News . POGO obtained copies of the ex-SEC employees’ disclosure forms through a Freedom of Information Act request. … [Read more...] about The Corruption Of The Revolving Door
A Feel-Good Moment For Any Day
What a human -- and humanizing -- moment from Paul Simon! During a show in Toronto earlier this month, he invited Rayna Ford to the stage after she said something to the effect that she learned to play guitar on the Simon song "Duncan." He handed her a guitar and the mike and gave her the stage, then performed with her. The crowd, predictably, went wild! "Duncan" … [Read more...] about A Feel-Good Moment For Any Day