You won't read the following headlines in newspapers or online this year. But that doesn't mean if wouldn't be a more interesting world if you did: Cold Fusion Achieved In North Dakota Refrigerator Congressional Republicans Opt To Focus On Compassion Toward Poor And Needy Congressional Democrats Put Principle Above Expediency President Obama Appoints Robert Reich As … [Read more...] about Headlines I’d Like To See In 2011
Egypt Gets Its Tiananmen Square Moment
After the dramatic Tunisian uprising in the Middle East, violent unrest has broken out in Cairo and other Egyptian cities. Nowhere is the U.S. dilemma more urgent than in Egypt, writes Shadi Hamid, director of research at the Brookings Doha Center and a fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution. "The January 14 popular revolt in Tunisia, … [Read more...] about Egypt Gets Its Tiananmen Square Moment
Obama Address Challenges America To Return To Glory … Of 50 Years Ago?
I can describe President Obama's State of the Union speech in three words. Just do it. I can describe Wisconsin Republican Rep. Paul Ryan's rebuttal in one word. Huh? And, Mr. President, what's this 1960's Sputnik moment? Nice try for the metaphoric oratory to goose our nation's return to excellence. To my ears, the Soviet space shuttle orbit played second fiddle … [Read more...] about Obama Address Challenges America To Return To Glory … Of 50 Years Ago?
Obama’s State of the Union Address: Turning Point for His Presidency or Not? (UPDATED ROUNDUP)
Will President Barack Obama's State of the Union address be seen as a turning point for his Presidency or not? The (pundit/voter) jury is most assuredly still out and reaction coming in is in many ways expected since a lot of it is understandably emerging along partisan lines. But these three impressions can be noted: OBAMA'S SPEECH will be criticized for being a laundry … [Read more...] about Obama’s State of the Union Address: Turning Point for His Presidency or Not? (UPDATED ROUNDUP)
Full Video and Full Text of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Speech
Was he or wasn't he moving towards the middle? That seems to the prevailing question pundits asked before and after President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech tonight. Was he holding out an olive branch to GOPers? Will this speech be seen one day as representing a recalibration of the Obama Presidency? Or will it be quickly forgotten? Here's the complete … [Read more...] about Full Video and Full Text of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Speech
Not Enough Vegetables in the State of the Union
As I write this, President Obama has finished telling us the State of the Union is "strong" and is signing autographs as he leaves the House floor. During his speech, President Obama was bright, optimistic, and hopeful, touting American innovation and the positive future ahead for us as a country. I understand why he said this. When times are darkest, the president … [Read more...] about Not Enough Vegetables in the State of the Union
A brief criticism before SOTU starts
I have mixed feelings about America's custom of State of the Union speeches. The Constitution specifies that the president "shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." From Thomas Jefferson to Woodrow Wilson, presidents reported to Congress by … [Read more...] about A brief criticism before SOTU starts
A SOTU Post – The Quiet Coup
Sorry I haven't been posting much recently but my heart isn't in it. As I have said before what passes for politics in the United States is nothing but tribal warfare and has little to do with policy or law. I think an even better analogy might be sports. I haven't been paying much attention to politics because I find basketball and football to be more entertaining and less … [Read more...] about A SOTU Post – The Quiet Coup
Pro-democracy protests in Egypt could be a game changer
As anti-government demonstrations in Egypt gather force, Tuesday’s huge turnout could be the game changer that sets the country and the Arab world on the path for which pro-democracy, and human rights campaigners have long fought. Demonstrations against Hosni Mubarak’s steel-fisted regime were banned in 1981 and secret service and police, which are the main forces behind … [Read more...] about Pro-democracy protests in Egypt could be a game changer
Michele Bachmann Rewrites Civil War History (What Civil War?)
Tea Party favorite Michele Bachmann is either showing incredible ignorance or an attempt to rewrite history. In this video she seems to have forgotten -- or chosen not to mention -- a teenie-weenie thing called the "Civil War." Watch it (and get ready for some try to play defense attorney with her comments because in politics these days you always defend your own political … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann Rewrites Civil War History (What Civil War?)
It Sounds Like Filibuster Reform Will Happen
Well..in part... … [Read more...] about It Sounds Like Filibuster Reform Will Happen
State of the Union 2011
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about State of the Union 2011
SOTU: Is There A Real Point To Discussing It?
As we move closer to the time for the State of The Union speech I am starting to wonder about whether it is really worth debating to discussing. Don't get me wrong I understand that is something of a state occasion for us and that the President will propose an agenda. But at the same time we all already know pretty much what the agenda will be. I don't mean any disrespect … [Read more...] about SOTU: Is There A Real Point To Discussing It?
Stop Scapegoating Sarah Palin: Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Switzerland
Is Sarah Palin being wrongly blamed for the assassination attempt against Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords? Columnist Andreas Ruesch of Switzerland's Neue Zurcher Zeitung writes that Palin is being castigated for America's deeply-ingrained habit of politicians attacking opponents in stark military terms. For the Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Andreas Ruesch writes in part: That … [Read more...] about Stop Scapegoating Sarah Palin: Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Switzerland
Glenn Beck Loves a Good Laugh
Like when he talks about someone who has gotten death threats due to his on the air demonization. (Sometimes it isn't "laugh and the whole world laughs with you," Glenn.) The sad part here: Beck is a broadcast talent who could probably still get mega-ratings and be highly popular among conservatives if he lowered it...just a notch (or two..or three.). … [Read more...] about Glenn Beck Loves a Good Laugh
Why Lieberman’s ‘Joe-mentum’ Became ‘No-mentum’
And so in the end Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman’s “Jo-mentum” became “No-mentum.” The news that Lieberman would not seek re-election is being pointed to as an example of how centrists can’t survive. Is that what happened? Is Arizona Senator John McCain’s best bud yet one more example of an independent, centrist politician falling victim to ideologues out to get him or … [Read more...] about Why Lieberman’s ‘Joe-mentum’ Became ‘No-mentum’
Rahm’s On Again
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?