President Barack Obama is now running the political gauntlet on health care reform. The time to jumpstart the proposed legislation is past. Now it's crunch time: Obama's must get it passed to avoid him and his party from being politically crunched and the Republicans are hoping Democrats will crunch him for them as they make their own strongest effort to hear the snap. And, … [Read more...] about Obama Runs the Gauntlet On Health Care Reform: Will House Democrats Derail it?
Checkmate on the Global Warming Argument?
Oh lovely. Here's a fine complication for those folks who question some of the global warming assertions: Critics of the teaching of evolution in the nation’s classrooms are gaining ground in some states by linking the issue to global warming, arguing that dissenting views on both scientific subjects should be taught in public schools. [...] For mainstream scientists, … [Read more...] about Checkmate on the Global Warming Argument?
Health Care Reform: Those “Irreconcilable Differences”
In an Editorial last Friday, USA Today discussed how the health summit exposed “irreconcilable differences” between Democrats and Republicans on the issue of health care reform. It said in part: That at least makes it clear where reform goes from here. Obama and his party have three choices: They can give up and blame GOP intransigence. They can try to settle for the … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform: Those “Irreconcilable Differences”
Wide Stance II?
Republican anti gay politician state Senator Roy Ashburn was arrested for alleged drunk driving.. after leaving a gay bar -- and CBS News notes that as details come out it gets worse, worst and worster for him in the media. … [Read more...] about Wide Stance II?
Obama, Democrats Ready to Move Forward on Health-Care Reform
It looks like the process has been worked out: Sen. Tom Harkin told POLITICO that Senate Democratic leaders have decided to go the reconciliation route. The House, he said, will first pass the Senate bill after Senate leaders demonstrate to House leaders that they have the votes to pass reconciliation in the Senate. It's not clear how Senate Democrats will "demonstrate" … [Read more...] about Obama, Democrats Ready to Move Forward on Health-Care Reform
The Big Lie About Reconciliation (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- For those who feared that Barack Obama did not have any Lyndon Johnson in him, the president's determination to press ahead and get health care reform done in the face of Republican intransigence came as something of a relief. Obama's critics have regularly accused him of not being as tough or wily or forceful as LBJ was in pushing through civil rights and … [Read more...] about The Big Lie About Reconciliation (Guest Voice)
Irony in Three Parts
The Republican-controlled Missouri House has officially voiced opposition to an individual mandate to purchase health insurance. Last weekend, Missouri Republicans lauded retiring U.S. Senator Kit Bond. One of the speakers heaping praise on Bond was Catherine Hanaway, who once served as an aide to the Senator and subsequently as Speaker of the State House. Hanaway … [Read more...] about Irony in Three Parts
Thou Shall Not Use the Word ‘Census’
At the very least, you shouldn't use it like the RNC did for the purpose it did. And at least two Republicans agree ... Two House Republicans have signed on to legislation that would outlaw fundraising mailings that could be confused with official Census documents. The bill, introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney, was inspired by a Republican National Committee mailing … [Read more...] about Thou Shall Not Use the Word ‘Census’
A Personal Note: Mourning Blogger Journalist Al Weisel aka Jon Swift
So much has been written about the sudden and tragically untimely death of Al Weisel aka Jon Swift that this morning I read the blog tributes and thought: how can I DARE try to add to it? What gives me the right to even try? So many moving and relevant things have been said by those who knew him. I didn't -- yet I did. And some things need to be said that perhaps … [Read more...] about A Personal Note: Mourning Blogger Journalist Al Weisel aka Jon Swift
The Americanization of Me
Age and ego conspire on an 86th birthday to see my life as a metaphor for America over the past century. In 1921, “The Americanization of Edward Bok” appeared. Bok was, as I am, the child of immigrants who became, as I would, editor of a large magazine and took part, as I did, in public life. His book won a Pulitzer Prize and is still read, an artifact of those Horatio Alger … [Read more...] about The Americanization of Me
John Boehner Plays The Br’er Rabbit Card
Is John Boehner, in a gesture of cross-the-aisle compassion, trying to help Democrats not lose seats in Congress later this year by warning them not to pass health care legislation? Or is the Republican leader of the House playing the old Br'er Rabbit card? Br'er Rabbit, you'll recall, in a popular Disney movie, was in a tight spot. The critter was about to be done in by … [Read more...] about John Boehner Plays The Br’er Rabbit Card
Race, Academics, and Context
I teach at Towson University which is the second largest public university in Maryland. Yesterday, it was announced that an adjunct art professor was fired because he used the "N" word during lecture. The adjunct, Allen Zaruba, said that he made the comment (click here for the comment) in the course of illustrating the rights and benefits of adjunct professor at Towson … [Read more...] about Race, Academics, and Context
Do the Crime, Do the Time. Forever.
We're in a buyer's market across the board. If you're ready to spend money on a home, you're a hot commodity. And if you're ready to spend money to expand your business, you're even hotter. When roughly one out of every ten Americans is looking for work, competition for jobs is fierce. So in this economic climate, these folks are pretty much out of luck: With the … [Read more...] about Do the Crime, Do the Time. Forever.
A Tale of Two Primaries
Are primary battles good for the party, good for the voters, good for democracy? Or do they just waste money, burn out candidates and spark internal wars? In my new column today at Pajamas Media I look at two primary battles: McCain vs. Hayworth in Arizona and Crist vs. Rubio in Florida. Some party leaders seem to feel these types of brawls weaken the party and make the … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Primaries
Ruthless Google: ‘Time for Politics to Step In’ – Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany
Has Google gotten so intertwined in all of our personal information, and so threatening, even to rivals like Microsoft, that the only thing that can tame it is government? Two articles we have posted within the last 24 hours suggest that one way or another, the bell is tolling for Google in Europe. In the first from Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung, columnist Thorsten … [Read more...] about Ruthless Google: ‘Time for Politics to Step In’ – Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany
Try to Remember
There are too many 100-proof corn syrup versions of this song. The original (which I was lucky enough to watch and hear live, twice) is still the best: … [Read more...] about Try to Remember
Texas Democrats Get An Oops in the 22nd
Not exactly the kind of nominee you want: The victory in the 22nd Congressional District yesterday by LaRouche Democrat Kesha Rogers sent an unmistakable message to the White House, and its British imperial controllers: Your days are numbered. (From her official campaign web site) Just to make it clear, I'm not taking one fruitcake and labeling and entire party with … [Read more...] about Texas Democrats Get An Oops in the 22nd
Ok Go Is Back & Better Than Ever!
Their new video, "This Too Shall Pass," debuted Monday night at Ignite LA, the O’Reilly Media-founded lecture series celebrating passion and innovation. In the 2 days since, the video has taken the web by storm gathering an impressive 1,379,047 views. Watch in 1080p HD. Or here... Why the unconventional premiere? NewTeeVee: The reason is that Adam Sadowsky of Syyn Labs was … [Read more...] about Ok Go Is Back & Better Than Ever!
Health Care Reform Set To Pass Via Reconciliation
Nothing is a done deal until it's done -- and I've gotten my hopes up too many times to let down my guard until this thing is over the finish line -- but I will say this much: Right now, the finish line appears to be inches away. Chris Bowers has the timeline: … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform Set To Pass Via Reconciliation
Hugo Chavez Calls Terrorism Indictment a U.S.-Spanish Plot: ABC, Spain
Continuing with our coverage of an issue almost completely absent from what has come to be known as the mainstream media, we posted two articles today that touch upon the hemisphere's newest alliance, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, which is meant to be a U.S.-free answer to the Organization of American States. The first article, a news item from … [Read more...] about Hugo Chavez Calls Terrorism Indictment a U.S.-Spanish Plot: ABC, Spain