These are historic political times. C-SPAN has long been the definitive chronicler of that history. Last week C-SPAN opened up its historical chronicle to the world. The full C-SPAN archive is now available at C-SpanVideo.org and -- bloggers take note -- you can search, clip, excerpt and embed it. That's 23 years of history through five presidential administrations; 160,000 … [Read more...] about C-SPAN Brings History Alive Through Digital Archive
Why Health Care Reform Passed After It Seemed It Was Dead
I've often noted that the conventional wisdom has a)short shelf-life b)many fathers when it proves to be correct c)deadbeat dads who insist it wasn't theirs unless they are forced into a DNA test where paternity nails down their parenthood. One conventional wisdom that was prevalent in the new and old media was that after GOPer Scott Brown's election health care reform was DOA … [Read more...] about Why Health Care Reform Passed After It Seemed It Was Dead
Washington’s not broken anymore!
Three long weeks ago, I made the case that Scott Brown single-handedly broke Washington:As recently as January 18, the day before Scott Brown’s election, there was no firm consensus that Washington was broken. Now it is a staple of high-minded conversation. Imagine for a moment, that instead of Scott Brown, Massachusetts voters had elected Sen. Martha Coakley. The House and … [Read more...] about Washington’s not broken anymore!
Healthcare victory party
What does victory mean for the Democrats? Yglesias: Barack Obama will go down in history as one of America’s finest presidents.Drum: Even if this is [Obama's] high point, then, his presidency will have been pretty successful based just on his first year. But if he manages to grow in office and accomplish even more? Then he'll be the most successful president of the past … [Read more...] about Healthcare victory party
A november win will not mask this Republican loss
Having followed the American health-care reform debate since the 2008 election campaign, it is clear that this issue is very personal to every American. It is also clear that this issue of health-care is not only about the substantive question of how do the citizens of the worlds richest and most powerful country go about attaining health-care coverage, but it also asks the … [Read more...] about A november win will not mask this Republican loss
What are rights (and what do they have to do with health care)?
In my previous post I mentioned that health care is a "right" and not a privilege. Several commenters mentioned that my definition of "rights" was fundamentally different than that spelled out in the Constitution. In short, the Constitution speaks of negative rights - those that cannot be abridged by the government. Alas, freedom of speech, or religion, or the press are … [Read more...] about What are rights (and what do they have to do with health care)?
Acorn Goes Bye Bye
One more whipping boy out of the political agenda. Given the probable corruption I'm not real sorry to see them go. … [Read more...] about Acorn Goes Bye Bye
Interview with Matthew Alexander
Continuing my series of interviews with persons of interest with respect to major issues of the day, I bring you this interview with military Matthew Alexander (a pseudonym), an Air Force officer credited with conducting interrogations that led to the successful targeting of Al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musad al Zarqawi, and the author of How to Break A Terrorist: The U.S. … [Read more...] about Interview with Matthew Alexander
Remember the Good Old Days When Republicans Cared Nothing for Public Opinion?
It wasn't that long ago -- only a little over a year. Now, you can add public opinion to the growing list of Principles Republicans (Now) Hold So Dear (emphasis is in original): … [Read more...] about Remember the Good Old Days When Republicans Cared Nothing for Public Opinion?
Some Initial Reaction to Passage of HCR Bill (TWO UPDATES)
In addition to the right-wing calls to repeal health care reform, which have been going on since well before it actually passed, the immediate reaction to yesterday's historic passage of the Affordable Health Choices Act has included one act of actual, and one act of implied, violence, and a veiled call for secession. … [Read more...] about Some Initial Reaction to Passage of HCR Bill (TWO UPDATES)
Financial Markets Move Quickly & Democracy Moves Slowly
Next up, financial reform... The crash of 1929 happens in 1929 [and] Glass-Steagall, which reforms Wall Street in a radical way, doesn't happen until 1933. There aren't even proper hearings on Capitol Hill about the crisis of '29 until I think late '32. And so it's not that surprising it's taken a while. That from a Michael Lewis interview with Terry Gross last week. He was … [Read more...] about Financial Markets Move Quickly & Democracy Moves Slowly
Have the Republicans In Essence Walked Into a Democratic Trap on Health Care Reform?
Time's Mark Halperin makes the (convincing) case that they have. … [Read more...] about Have the Republicans In Essence Walked Into a Democratic Trap on Health Care Reform?
Health Legislation Can Be Funny Business
In my continual quest to lighten things up when Murphy's Law strikes -- i.e. the cantankerous new health legislation -- I download U-Tube versions of the late night comics. Well, folks, I can't wait nor plan to stay up tonight hours past my bedtime so I stole what's available from the Huffington Post. From Lea Lane: She offers 10 bonuses from the health legislation you … [Read more...] about Health Legislation Can Be Funny Business
One European View on Health Care Passage: Good for America, Bad for the World
After last night’s passage of Health Care Reform in the House of Representatives, we have been flooded with American views on and analyses of the good, the bad and the ugly of that historic bill. But, what does the rest of the world say about it? Germany’s Spiegel has a provocative piece this morning with the interesting title,” US Health Care -- Good for America, Bad for … [Read more...] about One European View on Health Care Passage: Good for America, Bad for the World
CA Proposition 14: Democracy with Independent Voters
Here's the latest round-up of news and views about California's open primary initiative, Proposition 14, on the ballot June 8. Partisans showed their true colors last week with back-room deals and litigation on the ballot wording. Prominent independent attorney Harry Kresky's commentary on HuffPo "Words Matter" sheds lots of light on the nature of our democracy. And Phil … [Read more...] about CA Proposition 14: Democracy with Independent Voters
Change Has Come to America
Well, it's done. Pretty much. After all that's happened -- after all the right-wing tea-party and town-hall protests, after all the Republican lies about death panels and whatever else they could make up, after all the news media's ignorant reporting and regurgitation of Republican talking points, after the election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts, after all the compromises … [Read more...] about Change Has Come to America
Copyright Battle Over Marvel Superheroes
If ever you thought those advocating copyright term extensions were looking out for the interests of artists, not corporations, think again. This case lays bare the ugly copyright sausage factory: [Copyright lawyer, Marc] Toberoff is tackling what could be one of the most significant rights cases in Hollywood history; it’s certainly the biggest involving a superhero franchise. … [Read more...] about Copyright Battle Over Marvel Superheroes
Health Care Reform a Policy Victory for Moderates
The health care reform debate of the past year has highlighted a growing gap between our politics and actual policy-making, and the misplaced emphasis on the former. Politically, health care reform sparked one of the most partisan and radical legislative debates we've seen in years. But paradoxically the resulting policy is about as centrist and moderate as you can get while … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform a Policy Victory for Moderates
Yes, They Made History (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- Yes, we did. Finally, President Obama can use those words. The passage of health care reform provided the first piece of incontestable evidence that Washington has changed. Congress is, indeed, capable of carrying through fundamental social reform. No longer will the United States be the outlier among wealthy nations in leaving so many of its … [Read more...] about Yes, They Made History (Guest Voice)
A Major Victory For The Have Nots
In the end, it was a battle of the haves against the have nots. The nots won 219-212 as if it was a high scoring basketball game that extended into 10 overtimes. President Obama is set to sign the new health legislation bill into law within the next 24 hours. Some critical repairs to the law is now in the Senate's court. For 10 hours Sunday I watched C-Span coverage of … [Read more...] about A Major Victory For The Have Nots