FiveThirtyEight's Nate Silver now calculates that the Republicans' changes for taking over the Senate have improved but their goal is stymied by a Democratic "firewall": Polls show the Republican candidate having gained ground in a key Senate race, Wisconsin — and Republicans have put another Senate race, in West Virginia, squarely into play. But strong polling for … [Read more...] about Nate Silver: Republican Senate Takeover Chances Better But Checkmated by Democratic “Firewall”
Quote of the Day: Jim Carrey on Cultivating a Better Universe
Yesterday I published THIS POST from the press room of New York City's Sheraton Hotel while attending the Clinton Global Initiative. It began by noting the presence of actor Jim Carrey, who was there in a serious capacity as founder of the Better U Foundation. The post contrasted the huge array of government officials from all over the world, academics, actors, writers, … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Jim Carrey on Cultivating a Better Universe
The War Behind the Endless Wars
From reports on Bob Woodward's new book, an old story emerges--how wars now take on a life of their own with the military pressing for more troops, handcuffing even a President desperate for a way out. "I don't think you win this war," Woodward quotes Gen. David Petraeus. "I think you keep fighting. It's a little bit like Iraq, actually...Yes, there has been enormous … [Read more...] about The War Behind the Endless Wars
Why Does Obama Hate Tax Cuts? (Guest Voice)
Why Does Obama Hate Tax Cuts? by Michael Reagan In his recent town-hall appearance, President Obama sought to pin the blame for the nation’s economic troubles on the so-called Bush tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003. That’s not all that surprising, since the president appears to believe that the federal government is the sole and rightful owner of what you think is … [Read more...] about Why Does Obama Hate Tax Cuts? (Guest Voice)
Don’t Ask Me Again
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Don’t Ask Me Again
Haggard Defends Bishop Eddie Long On Sex With Teen Boys
So far three young men are claiming anti-gay Bishop Eddie Long used cash, cars and expensive trips to pressure them into sexual relationships. On Inside Edition last night, Ted Haggard said he can empathize: "I think he's heartbroken, I think he's confused," Haggard said on the program Wednesday. "I'll tell you how I felt. I felt like I'd ruined my life." Haggard's wife, … [Read more...] about Haggard Defends Bishop Eddie Long On Sex With Teen Boys
Would Ronald Reagan Fit into Today’s Tea Party?
It has been noted now by many commentators that former President Ronald Reagan would probably not be accepted into today's Tea Party becausse the Republican party in general and the Tea Party in particular has moved so far right and also practices a different brand of conservatism. Is that a fair statement or not? Here's a roundup of varying views. … [Read more...] about Would Ronald Reagan Fit into Today’s Tea Party?
Drop in Obama’s Gallup Daily Tracking Poll
President Barack Obama's numbers have varied a bit on the Gallup Daily tracking poll for weeks -- but today there is bigger overall jump. 48% disapprove and 43% approve which is unusual because BOTH his approval and disapproval ratings changed by 2% (2% less approval and 2% approval). There has not usually been a 48-43 gap. On some recent days Obama seemed closer to edging … [Read more...] about Drop in Obama’s Gallup Daily Tracking Poll
Tempest in a Very Small Teapot
WASHINGTON -- Is the tea party one of the most successful scams in American political history? Before you dismiss the question, note that word “successful.” Judge the tea party purely on the grounds of effectiveness and you have to admire how a very small group has shaken American political life and seized the microphone offered by the media, including the so-called … [Read more...] about Tempest in a Very Small Teapot
Chambliss’ Office Says It Was Source of Threatening Anti-Gay Slur
Following up on last night's post... Saxby's office says it was the source of yesterday's hateful slur. AJC: But in a statement, Chambliss' office said it has not discovered exactly who was behind the slur, and has turned the matter over to the Senate sergeant at arms. The office employs 42 people. "The [sergeant at arms] has worked side by side with our personnel to … [Read more...] about Chambliss’ Office Says It Was Source of Threatening Anti-Gay Slur
Do former Republican Senator Al D’Amato and the Clinton Global Initiative Have Anything in Common?
Solutions and Consensus Focus at Clinton Global Initiative Versus Partisan Bile
New York City, NY -- The Clinton Global Initiative's panel on Building Parternships to Empower the World's Smallholder Famers at the Sheraton Hotel on 7th Avenue here sat down and there were two familiar faces on the stage. One was from the political world: Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsak. The other...you just KNEW you knew his face from somewhere. Why, it was … [Read more...] about Solutions and Consensus Focus at Clinton Global Initiative Versus Partisan Bile
Extremists and the Media Put World on a Hair Trigger: La Nacion, Chile
As we've been pointing out over the past few weeks, concerns over events in the United States that are perceived as Islamophobic are global in scope - in this case, from South America. This article by Raul Sohr of Chile's La Nacion warns that people both in and out of the Muslim world best tread carefully, so as not to allow the next attack to trigger events even worse than … [Read more...] about Extremists and the Media Put World on a Hair Trigger: La Nacion, Chile
The Forest and the Tree
Real Clear Politics does a "gotcha" on Barack Obama's comment made in a speech to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus: … [Read more...] about The Forest and the Tree
The Costs and Gains of “He Said/She Said” Journalism
One consequence is that traditional news organizations are losing good reporters and the new media is gaining them. … [Read more...] about The Costs and Gains of “He Said/She Said” Journalism
Signs of Hope and Gloom: Tweet theft, new heft, new judges, old mortgages, and OK Go with puppies!
The nation’s fourth-largest home lender halts evictions of homeowners in 23 states this week. Seems like someone forgot to actually read the paperwork! In a related story, no one on the face of the earth has ever read an entire software licensing agreement before initialing. Ethicists and theologians speculate if engaging in the forced practice of initialing is actually … [Read more...] about Signs of Hope and Gloom: Tweet theft, new heft, new judges, old mortgages, and OK Go with puppies!
Who Is “Multi-Format Inc”?
Apple Sued for the Sale of Video Programming on iTunes (Jack Purcher / Patently Apple) http://j.mp/bMbZK7 http://techme.me/A5Fo 20 minutes ago via Techmeme That's the tweet from TechMeme that alerted me to the "news." The lawsuit appears to be concerning the sale and enabling of downloaded video content like movies and HDTV programming on iTunes to all of Apple's hardware … [Read more...] about Who Is “Multi-Format Inc”?
CEO Salaries – You Would Not Want Them
We all know that cash is merely a means of facilitating barter. It was invented tens of thousands of years ago to bridge the gap between the stuff I need now and the time when I can provide something back of value. The objective is to effectively value the services provided by the various participants in the economy. Is it perfect? In the huge picture it is pretty darn … [Read more...] about CEO Salaries – You Would Not Want Them
The Decidedly Unconservative Nature of the Tea Party Establishment
The Tea Party movement is a nebulous mass of citizenry, uncoordinated, not centrally directed, with no discernible "leadership," and actually rejects the hierarchical organizational model for a fierce, unbridled independence. Your mama. If recent events in Delaware as well as the growing electoral involvement of the tea party movement tells us anything, it is that an … [Read more...] about The Decidedly Unconservative Nature of the Tea Party Establishment
Unsustainable Growth
A few weeks ago I wrote: Our economy is built on cheap natural resources. While oil gets most of the publicity to day it's not just oil. We are also approaching cheap copper, cheap iron, cheap rare earth minerals, cheap phosphorus and yes cheap water. Our credit based economy requires economic growth to pay the interest and that economic growth is dependent on cheap and … [Read more...] about Unsustainable Growth