Obviously, Dan Riehl was trying to prove a point when he wrote that if Democrats support abortion, they should ask themselves, "Isn't it time to euthanize [Harry] Reid's wife?". I'm just not sure he fully understands which point he actually proved (and no, the link does not go to Riehl's post). … [Read more...] about Boomerang
What’s Missing In The Abortion Red Herring
Last November, Chris Mathews, an astute observer of Washington politics, expressed his fear the abortion issue may kill health care reform legislation. The House had just passed its version 220-215 but only after an amendment spearheaded by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Michigan) that banned any federal funding for abortions. The host of MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Mathews" said as a … [Read more...] about What’s Missing In The Abortion Red Herring
Transportation Secretary Adds Voice to Health Debate
Some might consider it a jarring leap for the DOT's head honcho to chime in on health care reform. But remember that Ray LaHood is a lifelong Republican who spent 14 years in the U.S. House representing Illinois' 18th Congressional district before President Obama tapped him for his cabinet. In a commentary apparently slated for the print edition of tomorrow's Chicago … [Read more...] about Transportation Secretary Adds Voice to Health Debate
Rahm Emanuel – The Enforcer
Taylor Jones, Politicalcartoons.com This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Rahm Emanuel – The Enforcer
Bye-Bye Limbaugh and Beck?
Forty years ago, a line of actors and actresses came out on a Manhattan stage and dropped their robes to face the audience naked. My reaction then was "That's interesting, now what else have you got?" As it turned out, very little. Despite sketches by Samuel Beckett, John Lennon and other literati, "Oh Calcutta" was deemed "sophomoric and soporific" by a New York Times … [Read more...] about Bye-Bye Limbaugh and Beck?
The Real Problem Is The American Dream
I've been tuning in to the conversation going on around Jeremy Rifkin's latest book, The Empathic Civilization. In it Rifkin argues that technology is ushering in a new, empathic, model of society. The modern age is coming to an end; the future belongs to the connected, empathic, global citizen. In a recent interview with Moira Gunn, Rifkin says that for America to retain … [Read more...] about The Real Problem Is The American Dream
Texas Board of Education: Making Their Own History
After months of wrangling, and highlighted by several days of acrimonious debate and political stupidity, the Texas State Board of Education passed a new set of curriculum standards yesterday. There are... um... some problems. The standard for studying the Age of Enlightenment, for example, will no longer include Thomas Jefferson. Lucky young Texans will instead include the … [Read more...] about Texas Board of Education: Making Their Own History
A Logical Shift in Radio
I'm off on another campaign road trip today, so Mid-Stream Radio needs to take a week off. Fortunately, my partner in crime will leap into the breach and commit acts of journalism later this morning on Ladies Logic Radio at 10 a.m. eastern time, along with Gary Gross of True North. They'll be covering Bob Bennett's curious take on earmarks, Bart Stupak's uphill battle on … [Read more...] about A Logical Shift in Radio
Iraq’s Security Forces: ‘Heroes of the Nation’ – Sotal Iraq, Iraq
By anyone's measure, it has been a long, hard road for the Iraqi people. This article by columnist Imad Al Akhras of the newspaper Sotal Iraq, reflects evident pride, and heaps almost Koranic praise on the nation's security forces for giving Iraqis a chance to, 'follow in the footsteps of the civilized world.' For Sotal Iraq, Imad Al Akhras writes in part: The … [Read more...] about Iraq’s Security Forces: ‘Heroes of the Nation’ – Sotal Iraq, Iraq
For The Teachers
This one is for all the music and art teachers out there.. God Bless Them All … [Read more...] about For The Teachers
Court Reform: A Personal Case History
I went to the mail box the other day and found what at first glance appeared to be a pleasant surprise. It was a missive telling me I was a beneficiary of a class action suit I had no idea was even in the works. An insurance company with which I've had a life policy for about 30 years seems to have stiffed many of its policy holders on some dividends and a court was about to … [Read more...] about Court Reform: A Personal Case History
Reading the Tea Leaves With Blinders On
Matthew Yglesias has a superb piece today responding to the "tea leaves" crowd who predict electoral disaster for the Democrats if health care reform becomes law: … [Read more...] about Reading the Tea Leaves With Blinders On
Three Myths About Health Care Reform
Fat Man Speaks Against New Atkins Diet
I am a grizzled veteran of the weight-loss wars and have yet to win a battle. So, it was with much fear and angst I read today that the famous Atkins diet is making a comeback. Its reincarnation is "The New Atkins For A New You: The Ultimate Diet For Shedding Weight and Feeling Great," a best seller in that genre. Folks, it's a ripoff as are so many diet books. All it does … [Read more...] about Fat Man Speaks Against New Atkins Diet
Misreporting, Spin, and Ambiguity
Here is The New Republic's Jonathan Cohn on some of the reports that have been flying around the Internet concerning health care reform: … [Read more...] about Misreporting, Spin, and Ambiguity
Under-reported Reasons Catholic Bishops Meet with Stupak and Other Politicians on Healthcare
Hello there, and thanks CStanley for holding the fort by yourself and with good will regarding a debate elsewhere about Catholic Bishops meeting with Stupak. (see one of CStanley's comments about this matter below in CODA) I teach on occasion at a Catholic hospital and am an oblate/ associate with the Sisters of Charity, Leavenworth, who run many hospitals nationwide. The more … [Read more...] about Under-reported Reasons Catholic Bishops Meet with Stupak and Other Politicians on Healthcare
An Example Of Why Not To Trust Headlines/Ledes In Economic Reporting
On Yahoo there is the headline "Feb. retail-sales report provides hope for economic recovery." From the article: Retail sales posted a surprising increase in February as consumers did not let major snowstorms stop them from racking up purchases. The advance, the biggest since November, provided hope that the recovery from the Great Recession is gaining momentum... For … [Read more...] about An Example Of Why Not To Trust Headlines/Ledes In Economic Reporting
Iraq: The Undeniable Victory of George W. Bush – Le Figaro, France
Now that Iraq has held what is widely percieved to be successful nationwide elections, is it time for the critics of George W. Bush to admit that Iraq has turned out to be a success? This article by columnist Ivan Rioufol of France's Le Figaro argues that without the much-derided former president and his neoconservative allies, there would be no democracy in Iraq. For Le … [Read more...] about Iraq: The Undeniable Victory of George W. Bush – Le Figaro, France
UPDATED Breaking News: Judge Sumner Okays Reform Language for California Proposition 14 Open Primaries Ballot Referendum
UPDATE: Attorney Harry Kresky just issued this statement about Judge Sumner's ruling this afternoon on Prop 14. (Harry Kresky is general counsel of IndependentVoting.org – a national association of independents with organization in 40 states) “The Court's ruling on the ballot summary for Proposition 14 ensures a fair and objective statement of what the initiative, if passed, … [Read more...] about UPDATED Breaking News: Judge Sumner Okays Reform Language for California Proposition 14 Open Primaries Ballot Referendum
Karl Rove “Proud” U.S. Tortured Detainees
Karl Rove says he is "proud we used techniques that broke the will of these terrorists... Yes, I'm proud that we kept the world safer than it was, by the use of these techniques. They're appropriate, they're in conformity with our international requirements and with US law." Of course, the U.S. did a lot of nasty things to its detainees, at Abu Ghraib and elsewhere, and a … [Read more...] about Karl Rove “Proud” U.S. Tortured Detainees