The phrase conjures a clear-eyed figure standing tall above the partisan fray to assess merits of candidates and their stands on issues, and there may be such paragons, but for the most part the so-called Independent Voter appears to be a ragtag collection of the too lazy, dim, immature, self-involved or all of the above to take the political process seriously and think for … [Read more...] about Myth of the Independent Voter
Excellent Election Night Guide
I had been working on a post to offer our readers some House districts to keep an eye on to gauge how the night was going, what seats would offer a hint that the night was bigger or smaller than expected. But Nate Silver of 538.com has beaten me to the punch. His election guide post is amazingly detailed and well worth your attention Election Night Guide … [Read more...] about Excellent Election Night Guide
No Final Victories
. BRISTOL, Pa. -- It was just four years ago that the Democratic Party began its comeback in what now seems like another country. The economic collapse was not in anyone's imagination, but the nation's political mood was sour. A substantial majority was fed up with George W. Bush, weary of the Iraq War and ready to vote for Democratic congressional candidates who … [Read more...] about No Final Victories
Democracy’s Death Spiral – Enjoy The Circus
So please enjoy the bread and circuses of the election which the Central State is holding for your entertainment in the Coliseum. No expense has been spared. The quote above is the last paragraph in Charles Hugh Smith's post at Zero Hedge, Concentrated Wealth and the Purchase of Political Power: Democracy's Death Spiral. In the U.S., the ever-greater concentrations of … [Read more...] about Democracy’s Death Spiral – Enjoy The Circus
British Seem OK With Gay Service Members
Doesn't seem to be causing issues in their military. … [Read more...] about British Seem OK With Gay Service Members
Which Special Interest Is Spending The Most ?
The answer might surprise you. … [Read more...] about Which Special Interest Is Spending The Most ?
Native American Vote May Be Pivital in Alaska: Indian Country Today, Native America
Here's a story that if true, remains on no pundit's radar screen: Might Native American vote be the decider in the race for Alaska senator? Author Mark Trahant, a member of the Shoshone and Bannock Tribes, writes that 'the only way Lisa Murkowski returns to that office is if Alaska Native voters turn out in large numbers and write her name on the ballot.' For Native American … [Read more...] about Native American Vote May Be Pivital in Alaska: Indian Country Today, Native America
Charlie Sheen “Death Watch?”
With reports like these, some news outlets may start preparing the "evergreen" obit..just in case.. … [Read more...] about Charlie Sheen “Death Watch?”
Saudi Arabia Again Proves Mettle Battling Terrorism: Al Seyassah, Kuwait
Who deserves the credit for uncovering the Halloween parcel bomb plot? According to the editor-in-chief of Kuwait's Al Seyassah, Ahmad Abdal Aziz Al Jarallah, that glory should go to the Saudi security services and their leader, King Abdullah Bin Abd Al Aziz. Jarallah credits the Saudi king with pursuing the most effective ways of battling the global 'disease' of terrorism, and … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia Again Proves Mettle Battling Terrorism: Al Seyassah, Kuwait
How Many Senate Seats Might The Tea Party Save For Dems ?
That was one of the the topics on Hardball today, just how many Senate seats would probably have gone to the GOP with a more moderate or mainstream nominee ? The most obvious pick is Delaware, a state that was 99% certain to go Republican with Mike Castle but is now equally certain to stick with the Democrats in their battle against "Not A Witch". I can think of four … [Read more...] about How Many Senate Seats Might The Tea Party Save For Dems ?
Impending Mid-term Election Doom
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved … [Read more...] about Impending Mid-term Election Doom
Houdini
The magician and escape artist Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926: Houdini spent the final years of his life relentlessly exposing the trickery of spirit mediums who claimed they could contact the dead. "He told the Los Angeles Times in 1924 that it takes a flimflammer to catch a flimflammer," said [Jewish Museum curator Brook Kamin] Rapaport. "And he folded aspects … [Read more...] about Houdini
Ohio: Rejecting Politics As Usual & Anti-Muslim Fearmongering
The GOP candidate for Ohio treasurer, outgoing Ohio House Rep. Josh Mandel (17th District - sadly, my district), has been called out nationwide for his and his campaign's widespread use of anti-Muslim imagery, rhetoric and, according to Politifact, falsehoods. Late last week, the Ohio Elections Commission, composed of a Democrat, a Republican and an Independent, unanimously … [Read more...] about Ohio: Rejecting Politics As Usual & Anti-Muslim Fearmongering
The Editor’s Corner
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a copy editor at The New Yorker? Well, it's just as you imagined. Rigorous. And wonderful. … [Read more...] about The Editor’s Corner
PEW Poll to Democrats:
There goes the House and there is virtually no way for it not to happen. … [Read more...] about PEW Poll to Democrats:
Note to Obama: Don’t Bargain with Your ‘Political Assassins’ – News, Switzerland
The American left isn't the only left angry at President Obama - just a day before the 2010 midterm elections. So what's the takeaway lesson for Obama from what looks to be a big pick-up for Republicans? According to Swiss columnist Regula Staempfli, it's that playing footsie with people that want you politically dead was a foolish strategy from day one. Referring to the Jon … [Read more...] about Note to Obama: Don’t Bargain with Your ‘Political Assassins’ – News, Switzerland
Halloween Horrors: From Stranger Danger to Pot-Laced Candy
Lenore Skenazy, writing in the WSJ, says today is the day when America market-tests parental paranoia: If a new fear flies on Halloween, it's probably going to catch on the rest of the year, too. Take "stranger danger," the classic Halloween horror. Even when I was a kid, back in the "Bewitched" and "Brady Bunch" costume era, parents were already worried about neighbors … [Read more...] about Halloween Horrors: From Stranger Danger to Pot-Laced Candy
Closely Divided Not Deeply Divided
Jon Stewart's media critique claims "the image of Americans that is reflected back to us by our political and media process is false," that "we know, instinctively, as a people, that if we are to get through the darkness and back into the light, we have to work together." He says we already are, "the truth is...we work together to get things done every damned day!" Stewart … [Read more...] about Closely Divided Not Deeply Divided
Why Harry Reid Could Win (Alternate Media View)
I just finished sending a reply to someone on my Twitter account saying Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is doomed to lost his race to Tea Party favorite Republican Sharon Angle despite some polls that show him within striking distance -- when I saw this Las Vegas Sun column. In it, Jon Ralston explains why he thinks Reid could pull of a win -- an upset at this point -- even … [Read more...] about Why Harry Reid Could Win (Alternate Media View)
Washington Uplift
At one point, the Stewart-Colbert crowd was urged to jump up in unison to get a seismic reading (no luck), recalling the day in 1967 when Vietnam protesters tried to levitate the Pentagon by chanting at it. That didn't work, either. Washington is hard to move at any time for any reason, particularly sanity. For a long-time observer of such events now reduced to watching … [Read more...] about Washington Uplift