With the approach of Super Bowl Sunday, talking heads are out on TV to handicap and cash in politically on the biggest game of all--a terror attack on American soil. The latest skirmish pits Sen. Kit Bond, ranking Republican on the Intelligence Committee, against White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, who took exception to Bond's flogging the notion that release of … [Read more...] about Terrorism as a Spectator Sport
Why Independent Voters Are Independent Voters: A Non-Role Model Senator
Right now the Demmies are coming under a lot of (justified) criticism for some of the ugly dealmaking that occurred with the big push to try and get health care reform, their addiction to earmarks and over the years some GOPers such as Senator John McCain and talk show hosts have blasted the Democrats on earmarks as well. Now read THIS: Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) has … [Read more...] about Why Independent Voters Are Independent Voters: A Non-Role Model Senator
Questions about Question Time
Nate Silver reviews the nuts and bolts of how Question Time for the President might actually work. If you think it makes sense (I do) then go sign the petition. Cross-posted at Conventional Folly … [Read more...] about Questions about Question Time
Obama’s Sagging Popularity
President Barack Obama's overall sagging popularity can be seen graphically via this poll composite from Pollster.com: And among crucial independent voters? A sign of the times: in New Hampshire, Obama is reportedly losing independent voters in droves. … [Read more...] about Obama’s Sagging Popularity
On Charles Leadbeater’s Open Cloud Declaration
The days of a free and open global internet have already passed. The global Internet has been supplanted, with little notice, by a series of national networks that have taken shape in recent years as companies have bowed to the laws of the countries they operate in. And, really, how else could it be? Google notwithstanding, do we really imagine a company saying, "We'll operate … [Read more...] about On Charles Leadbeater’s Open Cloud Declaration
Conservative Food Fight Over Tea Party Label
Political eyes and ears are now focused on the Tea Party convention whose big weekend speaker will be former Alaska Gov. and likely 2012 Presidential aspirant Sarah Palin. But there are now some big squabbles and divisions in Tea Partyland. … [Read more...] about Conservative Food Fight Over Tea Party Label
The Winds of Political Change (Guest Voice)
The Winds of Political Change by Michael Reagan This week, the State of Illinois concluded its primaries for its soon-to-be-open United States Senate Seat. This seat, President Obama’s until he won the presidency, has gained infamy with former Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s efforts to “sell” the seat to the highest bidder. The race will feature five-term … [Read more...] about The Winds of Political Change (Guest Voice)
McCain and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about McCain and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
Banker Caught Looking at Nude Women on Live TV Broadcast
File this increasingly popular You Tube in your OOPS!!! file. Here's a video of a banker caught looking at nude women on hits computer screen on a live Australian newscast. Note the guy at the computer to the left of the reporter's screen. … [Read more...] about Banker Caught Looking at Nude Women on Live TV Broadcast
Inadequate U.S. Weapons Deal Shows Failure of Taiwan President: Taiwan News, Taiwan
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou While Beijing is angry about U.S. plans to sell weapons to Taiwan, in Taiwan itself, the democratically-elected president of that country has come under attack for failing to acquire more and better weapons to defend the island. In trying to improve ties with Beijing and Washington, President Ma's version of what Bill Clinton would have called … [Read more...] about Inadequate U.S. Weapons Deal Shows Failure of Taiwan President: Taiwan News, Taiwan
So, Just How Crazy Are Republicans?
The blogosphere has been abuzz with the recent poll by Daily Kos/Research 2000 that points a not so favorable view of the Republican Party. The way the poll looks it gives a picture a party filled with bigoted know-nothings. This poll has bothered me for a lot of reasons. As a gay Republican who is a moderate, it felt like yet another slam against the party that makes one … [Read more...] about So, Just How Crazy Are Republicans?
Blogging Gets Old
Q: How many bloggers does it take to screw in a lightbulb? A: Who cares? That from Nicholas Carr's take on that Pew study: [B]logging is now the uncoolest thing you can do on the Internet. It's even uncooler than editing Wikipedia articles or having a Second Life avatar. In 2007, 28% of teens were blogging. Now it's down to 14%. Among twentysomethings, the percentage who … [Read more...] about Blogging Gets Old
Fauxrage and Festivals and Plum Lines, Oh My!
I suppose I've just become too jaded and cynical after these many years following politics and the various actors who commit the act of politicking. That's why I was immediately dubious when Sarah Palin began screaming for the head of Rahm Emanuel recently over remarks he made last August which included the use of the phrase "f***ing retarded." I had to fight off a few pangs of … [Read more...] about Fauxrage and Festivals and Plum Lines, Oh My!
SHATTERED LIVES AND SHATTERED NATION
Sir Winston Churchill, statesman and British Prime Minister during the 1940's and 1950's was at his best when insulting others with his famous wit. He was an originator of the political “sound-bite.” He may also have been blind to or in denial of the obvious steep decline of the British Empire from World War One through the Independence of India. At best he tried to … [Read more...] about SHATTERED LIVES AND SHATTERED NATION
Let’s Take Our Democracy Back!
Larry Lessig, the Harvard law professor perhaps best known for his copyright activism, shifted his focus in 2007 to corruption. Lessig has an interesting bio: He was, for example, the youngest member of the Republican delegation at the 1980 convention. He cheered Ronald Reagan on. He went on to clerk for two influential conservative judges: Richard Posner and Justice Antonin … [Read more...] about Let’s Take Our Democracy Back!
The Silencing Of The Dogs
My love for dogs is boundless and so naturally I read with curious interest a story in The New York Times earlier this week about dogs who had their vocal cords snipped, a surgical procedure called debarking. The result is rather than a bark -- ARFF -- or a Beagle's hoot owl howling -- AAARRROOO -- the sound usually is muted, muffled and raspy. Which is pretty funny coming … [Read more...] about The Silencing Of The Dogs
Vengeance or Intelligence?
"As Abdulmutallab keeps talking, Republicans won't take yes for an answer." That was Keith Olbermann tonight [kk: last night by now], talking about the Republican response to the news that Abdulmutallab is continuing to give authorities actionable intelligence using traditional, non-coercive interrogation methods. … [Read more...] about Vengeance or Intelligence?
Brown Sworn In
Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) has taken the oath of office from VP Biden. Not much of a quorum to see him but I am sure members have work to do. VP Biden seemed quite friendly about it, but from what I've read he's a classy guy. Senator Kerry (who by tradition has to escort the new member from his state) looked less than thrilled to say the least. Just to give you … [Read more...] about Brown Sworn In
Is Obama’s Leadership Now Lacking In Health Care Reform Push?
The question of the day now becomes: despite officials statements, is President Barack Obama's actual leadership role in efforts to salvage health care reform lacking? According to a report by The Huffington Post's Sam Stein it is: Despite urging Democratic senators on Wednesday to forge ahead on health care reform, President Obama and his aides have been largely hands-off … [Read more...] about Is Obama’s Leadership Now Lacking In Health Care Reform Push?
Listening Again to Republicans
Whiplash Alert: A few weeks after suggesting I might start voting all-Democrat (then changing my mind) -- and a mere two days after cringing (despite the source) at certain surveyed beliefs of the GOP base -- I discover that I'm again listening to (and agreeing with) certain proposals made by both GOP leadership and Republican friends of mine. My right-leaning readers are … [Read more...] about Listening Again to Republicans