Democrats dreaming of a Harry Truman type upset on election day might take a deep breath if this piece in The Politico is any indication. It's finding: Just over a week before Election Day, signs of widespread Republican enthusiasm are apparent in the early-voter data, including in some places with highly competitive statewide races. Yet at the same time, for Democrats … [Read more...] about Indications from Early Voting: Republicans Are More Enthused
California Democratic Oasis? Jerry Brown Doubles His Lead Over Whitman As Boxer Holds Steady
At a time when some analysts including The Daily Beast's Election Oracle are predicting that Republicans will gain control of not just the House but the Senate due to a big enthusiasm gap between Republican and Democratic voters, a Los Angeles Times poll finds California is a kind of refuge from Democratic doom and gloom -- a place where former Gov. Jerry Brown is now actually … [Read more...] about California Democratic Oasis? Jerry Brown Doubles His Lead Over Whitman As Boxer Holds Steady
Quote of the Day: On a Key Obama Administration Failure
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Frank Rich who looks at why the Obama administration hasn't gotten credit and respect for some of its accomplishments -- and at one if its key failures with long-term consquences: PRESIDENT Obama, the Rodney Dangerfield of 2010, gets no respect for averting another Great Depression, for saving 3.3 million jobs with stimulus … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On a Key Obama Administration Failure
Australian Julian Assange: WikiLeaks Saga & Pentagon Papers
Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the Pentagon Papers, said the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange had been “pursued across three continents” by Western intelligence services. Ellsberg compared the Obama administration’s threat to prosecute Mr. Assange to his own treatment under President Richard M. Nixon, reports The New York Times. (Julian Paul Assange, born 1971, is an Australian … [Read more...] about Australian Julian Assange: WikiLeaks Saga & Pentagon Papers
Myanmar (Burma): Junta Relies On Astrologers?
Myanmar's (Burma) ruling military junta made a sudden decision Thursday to change the country's flag, national anthem and official name. Burma will have general elections in two weeks, country's first election in 20 years. There was also an order that the old flags must be burnt, giving rise to a speculation that the ruling junta has done all this at the behest of astrologers. … [Read more...] about Myanmar (Burma): Junta Relies On Astrologers?
The Noble Sacrifice of a Heroic Midget
Erick Erickson: … [Read more...] about The Noble Sacrifice of a Heroic Midget
Vatican: Israel Cannot Use Bible to Justify Settlements
It's not often that I agree with the Pope on anything, so when it happens, it's worth noting. … [Read more...] about Vatican: Israel Cannot Use Bible to Justify Settlements
Carl Paladino’s Campaign Is Almost Broke
The Scouts' motto is "Be Prepared" and you'd think that would also fit for someone running for New York's Senate seat when it comes to campaign funds. Particularly if he's a millionaire. But when it comes to Tea Party movement favorite and GOP candidate for Senate Carl Paladino..NOT! Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino's campaign is running on empty, according … [Read more...] about Carl Paladino’s Campaign Is Almost Broke
Union Fires Man For Wearing Bush Sweatshirt To Honor Son
A union worker was fired for wearing a Bush sweatshirt and hat while setting up the stage for an Obama event. The sweatshirt and hat were from the Aircraft Carrier USS George H W Bush, where the man's son is serving. So a man wears a shirt to honor his son, who is in the line of fire to protect free speech, and is told by the labor union to stop or be fired. Nice … [Read more...] about Union Fires Man For Wearing Bush Sweatshirt To Honor Son
Gays in the Military? … The Greeks Had it Right: Causeur, France
Are Gays in the military a hindrance, a help, or is the entire issue ultimately inconsequential? According to Jerome Leroy of France's Causeur, Gay troops have proven themselves for thousands of years - and in ways today's hetero-heavy soldiers might find tremendously uncomfortable. For Causeur, columnist Jerome Leroy writes in small part: Gay American soldiers can … [Read more...] about Gays in the Military? … The Greeks Had it Right: Causeur, France
Tea Party Candidate Picks a Fight Over Pledge of Allegiance
From the Boston Herald: … [Read more...] about Tea Party Candidate Picks a Fight Over Pledge of Allegiance
What happens when nobody remembers life before the 1960s?
I'm not usually a fan of trite generational analysis, where demographers coin cute terms to describe this or that cultural development of each micro-generation. But there is one point on which generational analysis holds true: the party you support in your young adulthood tends to be the party you support for the rest of your life. Obviously there are exceptions to this, but … [Read more...] about What happens when nobody remembers life before the 1960s?
White House Promotes Efforts To Help Stop Recession’s Damage to Women
On this past Thursday, the White House hosted a small conference call for online media with senior administration officials to discuss the impact of the recession on women and how the Administration's agenda is affecting women. Led by Cecilia Rouse, Member of the Council of Economic Advisors and Jen Psaki, White House Deputy Communications Director, the on-the-record call was … [Read more...] about White House Promotes Efforts To Help Stop Recession’s Damage to Women
She Found It On The Internet: VA Textbook Says African Americans Fought For The South In The Civil War
The war between the states was a war between peoples of all colors, on both sides of the fight. White men, and enslaved and free African Americans all those sides [sic]... Thousands of Southern blacks fought in the Confederate ranks, including two black battalions under the command of Stonewall Jackson.-- Our Virginia: Past and Present, Joy Masoff Joy Masoff is not trained … [Read more...] about She Found It On The Internet: VA Textbook Says African Americans Fought For The South In The Civil War
Bill Clinton to the Rescue
The feel-your-pain politician of all time has saddled up to snatch his beloved Democratic Party from Karl Rove and the Tea Party villains who have her tied to the tracks for the oncoming November 2 locomotive. This is Bill Clinton at his best, telling crowds, “Essentially what our party is asking in these elections is four years to get out of a hole the American people gave … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton to the Rescue
The Party That Subpoenas First, Wins
If the Republicans win the House in November, which now seems likely, word is out they mean to attack the President by subpoenaing documents related to his administration's actions and policies since coming into office. The aim here is two-fold: embarrass and weaken the president in preparation for his 2012 reelection bid; and distract the public from a deep recession for which … [Read more...] about The Party That Subpoenas First, Wins
Newsweek: Democrats Closing the Enthusiasm Gap?
Is this yet another instance of the up again down again media narrative that often marks big stories? Amid predictions that the Democrats are going to lose the House -- and lose big -- and others that there is an outside chance the GOP could secure the Senate, Newsweek has a story that says Barack Obama's poll numbers are up. And that the Democrats are closing the enthusiasm … [Read more...] about Newsweek: Democrats Closing the Enthusiasm Gap?
Obama in India: 26/11 & Fresh WikiLeak Stink Bombs
United States President Barack Obama’s visit to India is just a few weeks away but New Delhi and Washington DC are caught up in an ugly sparring over the US government's withholding of information about David Coleman Headley, an American intelligence operative, who played a key role in the run-up to the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008 (better known as India's 26/11). Add to … [Read more...] about Obama in India: 26/11 & Fresh WikiLeak Stink Bombs
Does Anyone Want To Give Advice (Legal And Otherwise) About Starting a Non-profit And Credit Union?
If you've read either Ron Beasley or my ramblings you'll know that we think that the problems that society faces are structural in nature and only going to get worse due to peak resources, demographics, deflation, etc. In light of this belief I am growing increasingly involved in ground up movements to address these issues at their foundation, which is working towards moving … [Read more...] about Does Anyone Want To Give Advice (Legal And Otherwise) About Starting a Non-profit And Credit Union?
All Programs Considered: The Value of NPR
While the Right kicks NPR and the rest of us tend to think of it as defined by Morning Edition and All Things Considered and Fresh Air, Bill McKibben (writing before Juan) takes a look at the rest of NPR in The New York Review of Books: The most important name in that other world is Ira Glass, the inventor of the show This American Life. He learned his craft at the big NPR … [Read more...] about All Programs Considered: The Value of NPR