Never underestimate the ability of political junkies to trumpet polls no matter how significant they may -- or may not -- be but the poll at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference will likely be perceived as significant since it likely reflects GOP undercurrents, the impact of appearances by some candidates, a candidate who won even though he didn't appear - -and it … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney Wins Southern Republican Leadership Conference Straw Poll
GOP Opportunity and Peril in the SCOTUS Nomination
The announcement of the retirement of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has brought us once again to the edge of change, though probably not as much as you might think or the kind of change some of you were hoping for. Frankly, I long ago gave up hope that presidents of either party would start appointing truly independent, non-partisan judges - the kind that will … [Read more...] about GOP Opportunity and Peril in the SCOTUS Nomination
Black Friday
Some days turn out brutal in the news business and yesterday, April 9, 2010, was one of them. My lazy mind chalks it up as Black Friday. Having spent half of my adult life in the newspaper business, I was never absolutely certain why negative news attracted the most readership. A conflict between two opposing ideas is one thing. That's drama. As a police reporter, I was … [Read more...] about Black Friday
START Treaty Will Do Nothing to Prevent the Inevitable Blast: Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
What chance is there really of a world free of nuclear weapons, as President Obama has described it? As much as we might like the idea, Bartosz Weglarczyk of Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza warns that the world has yet to prepare itself for the more likely scenario: sooner or later, someone is going to detonate one. For Gazeta Wyborcza, Bartosz Weglarczyk writes in part: It's … [Read more...] about START Treaty Will Do Nothing to Prevent the Inevitable Blast: Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
Who Are the Most Influential Figures in the Republican Party
The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza offers THIS LIST. FYI, I totally agree with him on number one -- Haley Barbour. The Mississippi governor and head of the potent Republican Governors Association has long been one of the smartest politicians in the country, including during the years when he wasn't governor and worked for the party. He's a tough attack dog, knows how to … [Read more...] about Who Are the Most Influential Figures in the Republican Party
Supreme Degradation
The President's choice to succeed John Paul Stevens on the Court may be less significant for the country than the ugly confirmation process that is sure to follow. A legal saint, if there were one, would only be the excuse for a Senate auto de fe to embarrass the Obama Administration and curry favor for Tea Party votes in November. "Justice Stevens," the New York Times … [Read more...] about Supreme Degradation
Tiger Woods’ Nike Ad becoming Subject of You Tube Derision
So who was the genius who thought it would be great to make a Nike ad for Tiger Woods (as if he needs the money) at this point where his image has not yet been restored? And who thought of the idea of using his dead father's voice while Tiger sits there and contemplates? In one sense, if Nike wants to get its name out -- and is THAT what it's all about for a big company … [Read more...] about Tiger Woods’ Nike Ad becoming Subject of You Tube Derision
Sarah Palin Reloads and Fires
Sarah Palin gives a visual representation of her foreign policy experience ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sarah Palin, who gave up her career as governor of Alaska to become a fresh, powerful and informed voice on U.S. foreign policy and … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Reloads and Fires
Bart Stupak Announces Retirement
RJ Matson, Roll Call This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Bart Stupak Announces Retirement
God I Love The Pope! No, Not in THAT Way, I’m Not Even Catholic (Guest Voice)
God, I love the Pope! No, not in THAT way, I'm not even Catholic by Taylor Jones However tragic the story of what Pope Benedict XVI might have known, and when he might have known it, the fact is that the current pope has a GREAT face for caricature! Also, his personality and, thus far, his papacy, are a blessing for editorial cartoonists the world over. Regardless of … [Read more...] about God I Love The Pope! No, Not in THAT Way, I’m Not Even Catholic (Guest Voice)
In West Virginia, Coal Miners’ Slaughter (Guest Voice)
In West Virginia, Coal Miners' Slaughter by Michael Winship The high cost of energy in America was paid in human lives this week, with the deaths of more than two dozen miners in a massive explosion at the Upper Big Branch coal mine in West Virginia. It's the worst mine disaster in a quarter of a century. Upper Big Branch is owned by Massey Energy … [Read more...] about In West Virginia, Coal Miners’ Slaughter (Guest Voice)
Obama’s Supreme Court Choice – Settle For Bronze Or Go For The Gold
With the retirement of Associate Justice John Paul Stevens from the United States Supreme Court, President Obama will make his second nomination to the nation's highest court. His previous choice, Sonia Sotomayor, was a center left mainstream judge. After a bit of grumbling and some delays, her nomination resulted in bipartisan confirmation. This time, the political … [Read more...] about Obama’s Supreme Court Choice – Settle For Bronze Or Go For The Gold
Analogizing Poland’s Political Loss to Future Possibility
I went to college, studying modern foreign governments among other things, in the era of Lech Walesa (so much did it affect my college years and learning that I thought the song, Safety Dance, was actually, Save Gdansk) and the Solidarity Movement. Additionally, I'm a quarter-Polish - my paternal grandfather came over as a stowaway in a pickle barrel during the later part of … [Read more...] about Analogizing Poland’s Political Loss to Future Possibility
Vast Majority of Gitmo Detainees Were Innocent: Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld Knew, and Didn’t Care
This, of course, is not news to anyone who has been paying attention all these years. What is newsworthy is that a senior staff member in the former administration has asserted this in a sworn affidavit: … [Read more...] about Vast Majority of Gitmo Detainees Were Innocent: Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld Knew, and Didn’t Care
Air Tragedy Kills Poland’s President
AP is reporting that a plane crashed in dense fog over Russia early this morning killing all 96 people on board. Among the dead, President Lech Kaczynski and his wife along with some of the country's top military and civilian leaders. The Telegraph: Poland has suffered more than is any country’s right. Its story is one of repeated occupations, partitions and tyrannies. … [Read more...] about Air Tragedy Kills Poland’s President
Birther with an MD and a commission
Birther stories are generally worth ignoring, regardless of whether they're about Barry or Trig. But this one really got under my skin:An Army flight surgeon could face reprimand or dismissal from the service after stating in an online video that he’ll refuse deployment to Afghanistan because of concerns he has about President Barack Obama’s birth certificate. Lt. Col. … [Read more...] about Birther with an MD and a commission
U.S. Adoptive Parents Return Their Child To Russia
This is obviously not the kind of issue I usually blog about, but I am doing so now because (a) it's absolutely horrifying; and (b) it has international implications: … [Read more...] about U.S. Adoptive Parents Return Their Child To Russia
So Soon We Forget Ye, Justice Stevens
Good grief! The ink had not dried from Justice John Paul Stevens resignation statement when media types and Supreme Court junkies were providing their replacement short lists to President Obama. I haven't seen a stampede of fearless predictions such as these at least since two weeks ago when the Baseball Writers Association predicted next October's World Series winner. I … [Read more...] about So Soon We Forget Ye, Justice Stevens
A Case For TV Ads
I skip ads when I watch television. I don't think of this behavior as "stealing" because I've paid to have those television signals beamed into my home*. I do, sometimes, worry about missing out on shared experiences that help bind people together. Let me give you an example. If I were to say "toy bunny" and "going-and-going" .... and asked you to write another word or … [Read more...] about A Case For TV Ads
Politics And Old Cars
My wife tells me I need to get rid of my beloved rotary engine Mazda RX-8. She makes a good case. Our three person, two driver family doesn’t need four cars. Sure, our 16 year old will get a license in a couple of weeks, but she can’t drive a stick shift, and we just got her a new car for her birthday. And, my wife points out, I almost never drive the RX-8. Then she … [Read more...] about Politics And Old Cars