If you, like many Americans, are wondering whatever happened to the Iraqi Air Force during our invasion and occupation of Iraq---known as “Operation Iraqi Freedom”---it might be more instructive and revealing to ask, “What happened to the Iraqi Air Force in the years prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom?” Why should we ask this question? Because: [W]hen United States and … [Read more...] about Why the Iraqi Air Force Did Not ‘Show Up’ in 2003
Double Dip Recession
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Double Dip Recession
Interesting Stats From Larry Sabato
Larry Sabato always provides interesting information along with good analysis. Today is no different. We have the most Senate races this year (37) since 1962. We have the most Governor races this year (37) ever. We have over 400 contested House races (IE GOP and Dem both on ballot) which is one of the highest margins ever. Of course in many cases this is a token … [Read more...] about Interesting Stats From Larry Sabato
O’Malley trying to take away Military Voting in Maryland
I received this letter today from a concerned citizen in Baltimore County. The issue being addressed is the possible voiding of votes of our brave men and women in uniform who are deployed overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places around the world. Here is the letter: Dear Representatives and Senator, Can any one explain to me why Governor O'Malley is … [Read more...] about O’Malley trying to take away Military Voting in Maryland
Michael Bloomberg on Religious Freedom and the “Ground Zero Mosque” Controversy
The other day on Governor's Island, just off Manhattan, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, responding to the controversy surrounding the planned Islamic community center near Ground Zero, a overheated controversy drummed up by conservatives, most of whom are not New Yorkers and yet who want to tell New York what to do (e.g., Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich), gave what I can only … [Read more...] about Michael Bloomberg on Religious Freedom and the “Ground Zero Mosque” Controversy
Allawi: Still Our Safest Bet in Iraq?
Guest post by Peter Henne Peter S. Henne is a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project and a doctoral candidate at Georgetown University. Despite being an aspiring foreign policy wonk, I at first failed to realize the significance of August 31st, 2010. That is the date the US combat mission in Iraq will end. It is not that I was unaware of this date, or … [Read more...] about Allawi: Still Our Safest Bet in Iraq?
It’s Only “Activism” When They Don’t Like The Decision
One standout from all that's being said in reaction to Judge Walker ruling Prop 8 unconstitutional on both Equal Protection and Due Process grounds comes from Adam Bink: Of course, it’s only judicial “arrogance” or “activism” when they don’t like the decision. District of Columbia v. Heller [link], which struck down popularly supported gun control laws, legislated by the duly … [Read more...] about It’s Only “Activism” When They Don’t Like The Decision
Trust Us, We’re Corporations
Updated, 11.41 AM PDT. That's the message underlying the news that Verizon and Google have reached their own "self regulation" -- an agreement that violates the spirit, and perhaps the letter, of net neutrality. Net neutrality is, for the internet, akin to what happens on telephone networks: AT&T can't treat an incoming call from Verizon any differently than it treats one … [Read more...] about Trust Us, We’re Corporations
Critics Should Ponder ‘Positive Results’ of Iraq War: Jyllands-Posten, Denmark
So is it time for critics of the Iraq War to eat a little crow? According to this editorial from Denmark's leading newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, Iraq is far better off today - despite Bush's motives for the war and the massive civilian deaths - than it would have been with Saddam Hussein at the helm in Baghdad. And most controversially, it compliments the U.S.-led coalition for … [Read more...] about Critics Should Ponder ‘Positive Results’ of Iraq War: Jyllands-Posten, Denmark
How Does Popular Opinion About Gay Marriage Compare To Interracial Marriage During Loving v. Virginia?
Obviously today's ruling will bring about cries of judicial activism primarily from gay marriage opponents but also for conservative proponents that see judicial overreach. While comparisons to anti-miscegenation laws have been made by gay marriage supporters, I have seen no one actually compare public opinion during the 60s when Loving v. Virgina legalized interracial marriage … [Read more...] about How Does Popular Opinion About Gay Marriage Compare To Interracial Marriage During Loving v. Virginia?
Aid for the Rich
“Dropping Babies,” Abandoning Principles
WASHINGTON -- Rather than shout, I’ll just ask the question in a civil way: Dear Republicans, do you really want to endanger your party’s greatest political legacy by turning the 14th Amendment to our Constitution into an excuse for election-year ugliness? Honestly, I thought our politics could not get worse, and suddenly there appears this attack on birthright … [Read more...] about “Dropping Babies,” Abandoning Principles
Stop Calling Republicans ‘Hypocrites’ (Guest Voice)
Stop Calling Republicans ‘Hypocrites’ by Tina Dupuy It’s not that Republicans aren’t hypocrites - it’s more the label just isn’t an effective dig. First, hypocrite is a fancy foreign Greek word like amnesty, ethics or Europe – how is that going to appeal to Republicans? Second, espousing virtues you don’t personally have to live up to is basically the point of being a … [Read more...] about Stop Calling Republicans ‘Hypocrites’ (Guest Voice)
Increasingly Dangerous Political Demonization
Yes it can be dangerous. Like THIS (this link is NOT to The Onion but to a REAL news story). You don't need to call a psychic to guess where this kind of thing could lead...(on the other hand, after hearing a caller to Alan Colmes XM-carried show last night wish the liberal talk, Jewish show host was turned into "a lampshade" nothing surprises me about the unleashed political … [Read more...] about Increasingly Dangerous Political Demonization
That’s Life
A young person's video of a late-career Frank Sinatra hit that has lyrics fitting for 2010: … [Read more...] about That’s Life
An Outstanding and Non-Partisan Look at the History of US Budget Deficits
That's what historian Rick Shenkman presents here. It makes me feel good that someone as sharp as Shenkman is, nonetheless misses grammatical errors just as I do when I blog. Kidding aside, this article is worth the few minutes it'll take you to read it: It provides some good basic economics while putting the events it chronicles in context. [This has been crossposted at my … [Read more...] about An Outstanding and Non-Partisan Look at the History of US Budget Deficits
Soft-Core Net Neutrality: Is Google’s Verizon Deal Evil?
Bloomberg is reporting that Verizon and Google have reached a deal on how to handle Internet traffic: The compromise as described would restrict Verizon from selectively slowing Internet content that travels over its wires, but wouldn’t apply such limits to Internet use on mobile phones, according to the people, who asked not to be identified before an announcement. Google's … [Read more...] about Soft-Core Net Neutrality: Is Google’s Verizon Deal Evil?
If NATO Can’t Beat Taliban, it Should Buy Afghan Poppy: Die Welt, Germany
It seems absurdly simple and much cheaper than what we're doing now: Buy the poppy crop from Afghan farmers to deny the Taliban the funds they need to attack allied forces, and then destroy the poppy crop. According to this article from Die Welt columnist Ansgar Graw, if NATO can't beat the Taliban on the battlefield, it should do so in the drugs trade. For Die Welt, Ansgar … [Read more...] about If NATO Can’t Beat Taliban, it Should Buy Afghan Poppy: Die Welt, Germany
About Judge Vaughn R. Walker: He Says Prop 8 Unconstitutional for Lack of Due Process & for Violation of Equal Protection Clause
He was born in 1944 near end of WWII right before men and women coming home from one of the most brutal wars that ever was. A 'tween' during Korean War. Twelve years old when Hungarian Uprising was broadcast on television for weeks on end in 1956. A teenager during Selma and slaying of civil rights workers, a young man eligible for VietNam War, which was also the first time a … [Read more...] about About Judge Vaughn R. Walker: He Says Prop 8 Unconstitutional for Lack of Due Process & for Violation of Equal Protection Clause
Scribd Swamped By Prop 8 Traffic Surge
Who says no one wants to read the full decision? TechCrunch: The final ruling was leaked to Scribd and received over 50,000 hits “in a matter of minutes” according to Scribd Senior Director of Communications Michelle Laird — it’s up to over 125,000 reads as of this writing. CEO Trip Adler says, “a typical viral document gets 100,000 reads in 24 hours, this document has over … [Read more...] about Scribd Swamped By Prop 8 Traffic Surge