MSNBC: Ill. court issues stay; Rahm back on the ballot. From NBC's John Yang: The Illinois Supreme Court has just issued a stay of the appeals court's order knocking Rahm Emanuel off the ballot and directing the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners to restore his name to the ballot. This is a strong indication that the court will accept the case and, perhaps, of … [Read more...] about Rahm’s On Again
My New Year’s Reading Resolution
Last year, I joined one of the zillions of reading challenges in book blogging circles. The idea is you commit to reading a certain minimum number of books by the end of the year. I, quite ambitiously, committed to read 100 books by the end of 2010. You can see how well THAT went, here. (That page was formerly titled "The 100 Books Reading Challenge." Not wanting to be … [Read more...] about My New Year’s Reading Resolution
Move Over Sarah, February Belongs To Michele
With proposals for a Palin-Free-February gaining publicity if not traction, liberals can rest easy. Michele Bachmann is ready and waiting to fill the void should the pundits wish to give Mama Grizzly a respite. In a January 5 article on a possible presidential bid, I gave Bachmann credit for being an excellent fundraiser. It was oversight not to mention her ability to draw … [Read more...] about Move Over Sarah, February Belongs To Michele
Has Tunisia Inspired Egypt’s Protests?
Has Tunisia inspired big protests going on in Egypt? It sounds that way. The Christian Science Monitor reports: The scope of Egypt's protests today, calling for greater freedom and downfall of strongman President Hosni Mubarak, is unprecedented. Though tens of thousands took to the streets of Cairo in 2005 calling for democratic reform, today's protests are far … [Read more...] about Has Tunisia Inspired Egypt’s Protests?
I’m With Stupid At The State Of The Union
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Pogo Was a Piker
"We have met the enemy," the comic strip character said four decades ago, "and he is us," but a new generation of politicians is making that look like an understatement. As the President rules out immediate Social Security cuts, Rep. Paul Ryan, head of the Ayn Rand caucus, prepares to answer the State of the Union with his plan to scale back benefits for what his guru called … [Read more...] about Pogo Was a Piker
GOP to Push for a DC Same Sex Marriage Ban
Republicans apparently plan to continue their symbolic leadership style with yet another gesture. What better symbol to underscore their retro-orientation than the tried-and-true same-sex threat to marriage? The Hill: House conservatives say they will pursue legislation that would ban gay marriage in the nation’s capital. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the … [Read more...] about GOP to Push for a DC Same Sex Marriage Ban
Date Night
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Widespread Hatch Act Violation By Bush Aides
Will you hear this story discussed much on many conservative radio and cable talk shows? In the way our political discussion works, don't hold your breath to hear much about this -- which does not seem to be a small matter: A long-running federal investigation has found that White House political aides to President George W. Bush engaged in widespread violations of a … [Read more...] about Widespread Hatch Act Violation By Bush Aides
Republicans Take Credit for Improved Economy
Ben Smith broke this story: … [Read more...] about Republicans Take Credit for Improved Economy
Pinocchio
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Arizona Legislator Ties Loughner’s Actions to Roe v. Wade
Arizona State Senator Linda Gray opined on a local radio show that the Roe v. Wade decision has created a culture of "disrespect for human life" that might have influenced Jared Loughner's shooting spree. … [Read more...] about Arizona Legislator Ties Loughner’s Actions to Roe v. Wade
Pres. Obama Affirms Support for Social Security and Current Retirement Age
For me, as a progressive liberal, this is a first principle, so I was relieved to hear that Pres. Obama plans to come out against cutting Social Security benefits or raising the current retirement age, in his State of the Union speech tonight. … [Read more...] about Pres. Obama Affirms Support for Social Security and Current Retirement Age
The Repeal of DADT: A Look at Our Allies
During the long and hard battle to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, many arguments were provided, both pro and con. One of the arguments offered against repeal was the allegation that in those countries where gay troops serve openly, the effectiveness of their military has been negatively affected. Many (including this writer) have used the Israeli military, one … [Read more...] about The Repeal of DADT: A Look at Our Allies
A Super Economic Cycle In Our Future?
Just when you thought the economy couldn't possibly get any better (you do think that, don't you?), word comes from Davos that these current best of economic times are just the start of even greater and more wondrous economic times to come. Davos, of course, is where 2,500 of the world's richest folks, hedge fund mangers, CEOs and the like, along with those who control much … [Read more...] about A Super Economic Cycle In Our Future?
Biden On Jury Duty: Good Idea ?
News reports out that VP Joe Biden reported for jury duty today but was subsequently excused. Now I think we all appreciate the symbolism of him reporting just like any other citizen but the fact is he is not just any other citizen. He was never going to serve on a jury for the simple reason that if he did the loser in the case would have had a solid basis for appeal. In … [Read more...] about Biden On Jury Duty: Good Idea ?
Obama’s Surge: A Media Fable
The story line is set: What George W. Bush tried to do by doubling down in Iraq, Barack Obama is accomplishing with a wave of empathic vigor--health care for 9/11 responders, repealing DADT, consoling and uplifting the nation after the Tucson atrocity and now the State of the Union. "What Obama seeks," says New York Magazine, "is to reconnect with the essence of why he was … [Read more...] about Obama’s Surge: A Media Fable
Why Does Rahm Emanuel Scare His Opponents So?
MSNBC: An Illinois Appeals Court has ruled that former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel's name can't appear on the ballot for Chicago mayor because he didn't live in the city in the year before the election. … [Read more...] about Why Does Rahm Emanuel Scare His Opponents So?
Those Words My Father and Others Said and Say
EDITOR's NOTE: TMV uses "newspaper standards" in its post with occasional exceptions if running an embed of a C-SPAN or cable excerpt. Since words are the subject of this post, we are running this post as is. (WARNING -- This story contains adult language and is not intended for children.) Or, should I say immature children under 80 years of age. We see the warning at … [Read more...] about Those Words My Father and Others Said and Say
How Obama Can Define Moderation
WASHINGTON -- President Obama faces a choice in this week's State of the Union message: Does he spend the next two years consolidating the gains he has made, or does he go into retreat? My prediction: He will go for consolidation that conservatives will try to label as retreat, even as they attack him for not retreating fast enough. Obama will deliver his … [Read more...] about How Obama Can Define Moderation