WASHINGTON -- There was an unexpected poignancy to the moment. Barack Obama, who once strode across the political landscape as a master of the persuasive arts, found himself needing to prove that mastery all over again. In a single speech, his task was to: prevent the result of one special Senate election from calling into question his agenda or his power; respond to … [Read more...] about State of the Union Math Test (Guest Voice) (UPDATED)
Justice Alito’s “Joe Wilson Moment”
AMERICAblog's John Aravosis was one of the first to point it out, in his SOTU live-blogging: … [Read more...] about Justice Alito’s “Joe Wilson Moment”
The Last Farewell
Just in case you get overheated in SOTU debates, a little beauty … [Read more...] about The Last Farewell
SOTU and Response: Nice Talk But Mostly For Show
Let me make it clear from the start that I've never been one who thinks that events like the State Of The Union are much more than a splashy show. It's the closest we come to a formal state occassion and so we make the most of the hype but it rarely lasts much beyond a few days. Just to test the theory, can any of us remember much from any prior SOTU ? Has there ever … [Read more...] about SOTU and Response: Nice Talk But Mostly For Show
SOTU Night in America
I live-blogged Obama's State of the Union address, with commentary before and after. So if you're interested in a pro-Obama, more or less liberal perspective, check it out. I'll be adding more to it, including reaction from others, as the night goes on. … [Read more...] about SOTU Night in America
Ornament Maker Depicts Barack Obama but Not Vladimir Putin
How patriotic are Russians - and how afraid of the wrath of Vladmir Putin? This news item from Russia's Vremya newspaper offers some insight into Russia's nationalistic soul. For Vremya, reporter Sergey Anisimov writes in part: Nizhny Novgorod Christmas ornament manufacturer Ariel has refused several requests from private companies to manufacture Christmas ornaments with … [Read more...] about Ornament Maker Depicts Barack Obama but Not Vladimir Putin
SOTU Live Blog
I don't want to clutter up the main page, so I'll be live-blogging the State of the Union over at my place. … [Read more...] about SOTU Live Blog
Black Horse and a Cherry Tree
But I said, no, no, no, no, no, I said no, no, you're not the one for me: … [Read more...] about Black Horse and a Cherry Tree
State of the Union
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Couran This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about State of the Union
The iPad
It's here... NYTimes: Mr. Jobs, appearing energized but gaunt, a result of his ongoing health challenges, unveiled the iPad at a press event here on Wednesday morning. Its features and specifications, once the stuff of Internet myth, are now sharply in focus: The half-inch thick, 1.5 pound device will feature a 9.7-inch multi-touch screen and is powered by a customized … [Read more...] about The iPad
Obama the Uniter-in-chief
I wanted to write a reflective piece on Obama’s first year, but glancing at the blogosphere this has already been done – to death (How many "What does Massachusetts mean for Obama” articles can you write?). But then I came across this article from the UK Guardian – “Fox most trusted news channel in US, poll shows”. Fox News has a higher approval rating than Obama. What … [Read more...] about Obama the Uniter-in-chief
Facebook and Privacy
I am not very computer savvy, nor “Twitter,” “Facebook,” or other social-networking-sites-savvy. However, at the insistence of my “kids,” I joined Facebook. I use Facebook sparingly, mainly to look at photos of relatives and friends and, being concerned about privacy, I have kept my “Profile” very lean and my posting very limited. On the other hand, I notice that many … [Read more...] about Facebook and Privacy
Quote of the Day: Earth to Obama…Bipartisanship has Failed
In contrast to some who are arguing that President Barack Obama needs to win over the center and somehow shake some bipartisanship into 21st century America's political culture, some others argue that bipartisanship has failed, Obama has hurt himself for coming across as a political wimp who's easy to be rolled and that he has to start to show a more ideologically principled … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Earth to Obama…Bipartisanship has Failed
Tired Old Terrorists
This week brings intimations of mortality from Osama bin Laden and Carlos the Jackal, two aging terrorists who achieved reknown by cutting short the lives of countless unknown others in pursuit of their ideology. The mastermind of 9/11 is reduced to making an audiotape to hitchhike on the "accomplishment" of the 23-year-old loser who couldn't find his way to the lavatory to … [Read more...] about Tired Old Terrorists
The Final Nail In John Edwards’ Political Coffin
Andrew Young's book is reportedly devastating -- revealing Edwards to be even more of a sleaze than even tabloid coverage indicated. … [Read more...] about The Final Nail In John Edwards’ Political Coffin
The Adventures Of Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant (Episode I: Two Guys Share)
Morning Mr. B. What can I do you for today? Shoe shine? Trim? Towel after a sit down? Got some new Esquires in yesterday. The latest Economist is on the rack in stall 8. No, Selig. Thanks, though. Just came in to brush my hair. Get away from it all for a few minutes. Heavy is the head, sir. Heavy is the head. You can say that again, Selig, Would you believe it? … [Read more...] about The Adventures Of Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant (Episode I: Two Guys Share)
China to Ban Eating Cats and Dogs
The old joke has been that in China when they walk their dog they really wok their dog. And catsup might have real cat. But no more: From serving it with turtle to stewing it with snake, China has savoured the delights of dog and cat meat for thousands of years. But now, the country known for its experimental culinary traditions could be about to end a centuries-old custom … [Read more...] about China to Ban Eating Cats and Dogs
Apple Tablet Day
It may turn out that the reason I'm so ho-hum about the Apple tablet -- the iSlate? -- to be unveiled at a high-profile press event today (starting at 10 a.m. Pacific) is that it's more about content than it is about technology: Apple’s goal is to offer a new platform for content creators to reinvent books, magazines and online content — in addition to offering a new avenue … [Read more...] about Apple Tablet Day
Obama: The sky is falling!
A few days ago, I took issue with my esteemed co-blogger for describing objections to the Citizens United ruling as unfathomable. Now let me turn around and challenge the rhetorical fireworks display that President Obama put together. In his weekly radio address, the President declared, This ruling opens the floodgates for an unlimited amount of special interest money … [Read more...] about Obama: The sky is falling!
The Press Was Met
Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett met with direct resistance from David Gregory when she claimed that the president had turned the economy around:Let's, let's just remember where we were a year ago, David. We were losing 700,000 jobs a month. We were in the middle of the worst economic meltdown in our nation's history. Our financial system was on the brink of collapse. We had … [Read more...] about The Press Was Met