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
Incredibly Tragic News About a Wonderful Blogger
I just now learned that Jon Swift has died. I'm typing those words and I can't even believe it. … [Read more...] about Incredibly Tragic News About a Wonderful Blogger
The Bunning Factor
Sen. James Bunning, R-Kentucky, is going away, mercifully, because he is retiring at the end of this legislative session. Despite his mean, selfish arrogant demeanor, he leaves an indelible stamp on national fiscal policy that will not go away. Liberals won't admit it. Only the hardest corp of Republican conservatives and Tea Partiers embrace it. "It" is the continued … [Read more...] about The Bunning Factor
Gregg Proposes Repealing Health Care Reform (before it has even passed)
Prominent Republican Senator Judd Gregg has a new battlecry: Repeal health care reform. Of course there is a teenie-weenie problem: Health care reform hasn't even passed yet. The Hill reports: A top Republican senator on Wednesday proposed the possibility of repealing any healthcare law that is passed by congressional Democrats using the reconciliation … [Read more...] about Gregg Proposes Repealing Health Care Reform (before it has even passed)
Ask the Right Questions – Get Better Answers.
We’re asking all the wrong questions, thereby incorrectly framing our national debates. It's no surprise we're getting lousy answers and really moronic debates. Let's break this dangerous impasse for the sake of our nation's survival. We won’t get good answers unless we ask the right questions. We won’t be able to work through the difficult processes of correcting the … [Read more...] about Ask the Right Questions – Get Better Answers.
“No” Country for Old Men
Jim Bunning and Charles Rangel, with nothing in common but well-styled silver hair, took over the Congressional spotlight this week by refusing to "go gentle into that night." The 79-year-old Bunning, called one of America's Five Worst Senators by Time Magazine and described by Bill Clinton as "so mean-spirited he repulsed even fellow know-nothings," made his last hurrah by … [Read more...] about “No” Country for Old Men
Obama Inches Towards Reconciliation on Health Care Reform
ABC's Jake Trapper (a highly reliable reporter who is well-sourced) reports that President Barack Obama is going to soon signal that he will back use of the controversial "reconciliation" process to pass health care reform if GOP cooperation isn't in the cards. And it looks like it isn't so... White House officials tell ABC News that in his remarks tomorrow President … [Read more...] about Obama Inches Towards Reconciliation on Health Care Reform
Running Against Success in Texas (Good Luck With That)
There's lots of commentary out this morning about incumbent Rick Perry's win over Kay Bailey Hutchison in the Texas GOP gubernatorial primary. The general take-away seems to be that Governor Perry benefited from (as Jonathan Martin puts it at the Politico) "an anti-Washington message in an already volatile political environment". Considering the overwhelming wins yesterday by … [Read more...] about Running Against Success in Texas (Good Luck With That)
What the Vancouver Olympics Meant to Canada
MUST-WATCH VIDEO BELOW! The Olympics are over, and many of us Canadians are experiencing a serious post-Olympic hangover -- it was such a high, after all, and it's hard now to adjust back to "normalcy" -- but there is no denying that the Vancouver Winter Games was a deeply meaningful event for this country. Whether there is a long-term effect remains to be seen, but I do … [Read more...] about What the Vancouver Olympics Meant to Canada
If You Want To Be A Cool Kid At School
You always watch OK Go's videos: … [Read more...] about If You Want To Be A Cool Kid At School
A Not So Greatest Hits List
As part of the launch of his new campaign web site, George Phillips (candidate for Congress in New York's 22nd district) has compiled a list of the "Top Ten Hits" of his opponent, Maurice Hinchey. (D-NY) Included are priceless video memories of the congressman calling for a takeover of the oil industry by the federal government, accusations that George Bush intentionally let … [Read more...] about A Not So Greatest Hits List
A Battle for Turkey’s Soul?
Is the world now watching a battle for Turkey's soul? Austin Bay, in a piece on RealClearWorld, argues that it is: Over the last two weeks, the Turkish police have detained and interrogated several dozen retired military officers allegedly involved in plotting an intricate coup d'etat. The government, led by the "moderate Islamist" Justice and Development Party (AKP), … [Read more...] about A Battle for Turkey’s Soul?
VIDEOS: Sarah Palin on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show and Mitt Romney on David Letterman
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made her highly-publicized appearance on The Tonight Show on Jay Leno's second day back amid ratings indicating Leno was getting a whopping re-sampling from late night viewers. Meanwhile, David Letterman had on former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Leno's audience received her warmly in the interview and her prepared jokes -- and throughout … [Read more...] about VIDEOS: Sarah Palin on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show and Mitt Romney on David Letterman
Disingenuous Quote of the Day
Regarding Democrats' threat to pass health care reform through reconciliation ... ... the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, warned that Republicans would use the health issue to bludgeon Democrats in this year’s midterm elections. If the Democrats “jam” an expansive bill through Congress, Mr. McConnell said, “it will be the issue in every single race in … [Read more...] about Disingenuous Quote of the Day