Short Title: "The Dutch Government Collapse, No Yawning Matter" Judging from the number of comments in response to my “Back-to-Back Dutch Government Crises: First Iraq, Now Afghanistan,” and to subsequent updates on the collapse of the Dutch coalition government over the weekend, the reaction was one big yawn. On the surface, such indifference on our part might be … [Read more...] about When the Dutch Pull Out of Afghanistan, Can the French and the Germans Be Far Behind?
When The Republcans Take Charge
Newsweek has what we called a thumbsucker posing what if the Republicans were in control of Congress and the White House. I don't mean to put words in their mouth, but the answer is: Not much. The article divides the issues confronting our federal executive and legislative branches albeit I must observe that health reform and gays in the military would never see the … [Read more...] about When The Republcans Take Charge
“An Egomaniac With an Inferiority Complex”
Adele Stan at AlterNet unpacks Glenn Beck's keynote speech at CPAC. Via Heather at Crooks and Liars and Digby at Hullabaloo. Complete video set at YouTube. … [Read more...] about “An Egomaniac With an Inferiority Complex”
U-Turn on Health Care (and More)
Democrats are rediscovering the old saying, "just as well to be hung for a sheep as a lamb," as they edge toward passing health care by a simple majority in the face of Republican roadblocks that have aroused public outrage. "I've had many conversations this week with the president, his chief of staff, and Speaker Pelosi," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Friday. "And … [Read more...] about U-Turn on Health Care (and More)
Colin Powell: U.S. Is Not Less Safe Under Barack Obama
Former military man and former Secretary of State Colin Powell has again put himself at odds with official Cheney-branch Republican talking points by asserting that the United States is in fact not less under President Barack Obama: Claims that the United States is less safe under President Obama are not credible, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said on "Face the … [Read more...] about Colin Powell: U.S. Is Not Less Safe Under Barack Obama
Majority in CNN Poll: Government is Broken
A new CNN poll finds that a majority of Americans now feels that government is broken: Americans overwhelmingly think that the government in this country is broken, according to a new national poll. But the CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey, released Sunday morning, also indicates that the public overwhelmingly holds out hope that what's broken can be … [Read more...] about Majority in CNN Poll: Government is Broken
Poll: Obama’s Support Nosedives Among Iowa Independents
President Barack Obama's support among Iowa independent voters is taking a nosedive, a new Iowa Poll shows. Mark Halperin reports on his lively The Page site: On Obama approval among Iowa independents: Currently: 38% November: 48% On Obama's handling of his job: Currently: 46% approve November: 49% approve There is considerable analysis and speculation … [Read more...] about Poll: Obama’s Support Nosedives Among Iowa Independents
Sarah Palin – The Symbol of Cynicism (Guest Voice)
Sarah Palin - The Symbol of Cynicism by Tina Dupuy Sarah Palin will always be a Hail Mary Pass. She is a last-ditch, slapdash shot for a win. Regardless of facts, faux pas or folly, conservatives will continue to tout her as an asset as long as she continues to act like a battering ram to their opposition. If she still throws jabs, utterly doe-eyed to the implications (i.e. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin – The Symbol of Cynicism (Guest Voice)
Obama’s Healthcare Summit Scam (Guest Voice)
Obama’s Healthcare Summit Scam by Floyd and Mary Beth Brown “The proposal to televise a February 25 health-care summit with Republicans grew out of a conclusion by top White House advisers that Obama had bested House GOP leaders during a 90-minute televised discussion in Baltimore last month,” according to the Washington Post. We thought ObamaCare was pronounced dead … [Read more...] about Obama’s Healthcare Summit Scam (Guest Voice)
Obama and Jobs
Deng Coy Miel, Singapore This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obama and Jobs
Top DOJ Attorney David Margolis Nixes OPR Report Recommendation
Author's Note: The last sentence of the first paragraph has been slightly edited for clarity. Justin Elliott at TPMMuckraker has comprehensive details about yesterday's exoneration of John Yoo and Jay Bybee, the Bush lawyers who crafted memos designed to give the C.I.A. and the White House legal cover for their torture program -- euphemistically called "enhanced … [Read more...] about Top DOJ Attorney David Margolis Nixes OPR Report Recommendation
Chalabi Tells General Odierno: ‘Mind Your Own Business’ – Iraq News Agency, Iraq
As the March 7 Iraqi national elections approach, America's apparent attempt to inject some balance between ruling Shiites and the Sunni minority have resulted in controversy. And at the center of the storm is none other than Ahmad Chalibi, a man who was a major force behind the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, who once sat next to Laura Bush during a State of the Union address, and … [Read more...] about Chalabi Tells General Odierno: ‘Mind Your Own Business’ – Iraq News Agency, Iraq
Tiger Woods Speaks
Brian Fairrington, Cagle Cartoons This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Tiger Woods Speaks
CPAC Straw Poll Winner: Ron Paul
The straw poll at the CPAC is always closely watched to see which Presidential wannabe (announced or othersie) has won conservatives' hearts and if there's a significance to the winner. But the poll hasn't always been a (pardon the expression) tea leaf revealing the future. This year's winner: Ron Paul. The significance: it underscores the strength of Tea Party movement support … [Read more...] about CPAC Straw Poll Winner: Ron Paul
Defending the MSM from liberal attacks
Don't tell anyone I'm saying nice things about the MSM. But here goes. Kevin Drum says he can't recall the media ever giving "any kind of serious treatment" to the question of whether patients should be allowed to be health insurance across state lines (which Republicans think is a good thing and Kevin thinks is a very bad thing). Kevin quotes Bob Somerby, who says the media … [Read more...] about Defending the MSM from liberal attacks
Health Care Reform in 60 Days Using Reconciliation?
Harry Reid is now saying that health care reform will be passed by April, using reconciliation: … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform in 60 Days Using Reconciliation?
Pick Your Poison: Premium Hike Or Tax Hike On Health Plans
In researching data as fodder for a column touting the much ballyhooed televised summit on health care legislation next Thursday between President Obama and members of both parties in the House and Senate, I was dumbstruck by urban legends that usually get in the way of a good story. It involves cost containment. For-profit insurance carriers apply a model using premiums, … [Read more...] about Pick Your Poison: Premium Hike Or Tax Hike On Health Plans
Mullah Baradar: The confusion grows
US and Pakistani agents captured the Taliban #2 in the southern port of Karachi, far from the Afghan border. We know that much, but we don't know the real story. The NY Times reports that Baradar's capture was an accident. The WaPo reports that it was the result of growing cooperation between US and Pakistani intelligence. Huh? In fact, those competing story lines may … [Read more...] about Mullah Baradar: The confusion grows
The “outrageous” left
Yes, folks, it's that time again. Another fundraising letter arrived in the mail and I'm going to quote some of its hyper-partisan excess for the purpose of general amusement. Since the previous installment in this series was about Bill Clinton, this time we turn to Steve Forbes, writing on behalf of the Heritage Foundation. Dear Fellow American, The left has been … [Read more...] about The “outrageous” left
Alexander Haig, former Secretary of State and Military Man, dead at 85
Alexander Haig, a longtime major military figure and advisor to three Presidents who had Presidential aspirations that never quite translated into popular support, is dead at 85. Haig's name was a major one for decades in the Unites States -- and beyond: a General known inside and outside of the United States. A major adviser in the Nixon administration when Richard Nixon … [Read more...] about Alexander Haig, former Secretary of State and Military Man, dead at 85