The Republican National Committee chairman, who has been charging audiences up to $20,000 a pop for his words of wisdom, offered up a free sample, accusing Democrats of being willing to “flip the bird to the American people” in the health care debate. Michael Steele's elegant formulation came after Tom Coburn combined his credentials as an MD and evangelist on the Senate … [Read more...] about Where Have All the Grownups Gone?
Is ‘Wimp’ the New ‘Sissy’?
An Inside Higher Ed Quick Take: The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education has written to Yale University to protest pressure on a student group to change a T-shirt designed to mock Harvard University by quoting F. Scott Fitzgerald's analysis that "I think of all Harvard men as sissies." Concern that forms of "sissy" are insulting to gay people and others led the … [Read more...] about Is ‘Wimp’ the New ‘Sissy’?
Osama Bin Laden’s Family Found in Iran
Osama bin Laden’s closest relatives, including a wife and children who disappeared from his Afghan camp at the time of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, are living in a secret compound in Iran, reports The Times of London. "There has been uncertainty about the family’s whereabouts for the past eight years, with reports that some of the children had been killed in … [Read more...] about Osama Bin Laden’s Family Found in Iran
Will Sean Goldman Be Home For Christmas?
When I first heard the news last week, my first instincts were to rush to my computer and hurriedly put together a joyful post that justice had finally been done. However, after a series of events where hopes were raised only to be heartbreakingly and repeatedly dashed, something told me not to rush on this one. I am talking about the five-year rollercoaster of emotions … [Read more...] about Will Sean Goldman Be Home For Christmas?
Christmas Health Care Package
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Christmas Health Care Package
Festive Spirit, Poverty…And The Solution?
Why celebrity young men such as Prince William of England, or young leading politician Rahul Gandhi of India, decide to spend a night at a place where the "poorest of the poor" in society spend their entire lives? Publicity? However, such symbolic acts do catapult homelessness, poverty, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency, family breakdown, and other social issues into … [Read more...] about Festive Spirit, Poverty…And The Solution?
When A Bad Prayer Goes Good
I don't know if "jaw-dropping" is strong enough for this story: … [Read more...] about When A Bad Prayer Goes Good
Naivete in Surprising Places
It seems obvious to me why Fox invited Jane Hamsher on to be interviewed about her opposition to the Senate health care reform bill. It's not clear to me that she does, though -- or maybe she does and isn't bothered by it. Whichever it is, I think Steve M. gets it exactly right. He quotes from Jane's response to the Daily Kos diarist who attacked her (in a rude and … [Read more...] about Naivete in Surprising Places
For the Political Junkie’s ‘Keep File’
Chris Cillizza's "5 Myths about a president's first year" -- to be published in Sunday's WaPo, available now online, and previewed in Cillizza's blog yesterday afternoon. … [Read more...] about For the Political Junkie’s ‘Keep File’
Another Grey Morning
One of JT's finest (lyrics below video) ... … [Read more...] about Another Grey Morning
The Fruitcake Chronicles: An Unfortunate Headline (Part 5 of 6 installments)
Steve Forester despised his floral patterned, living room glider rocker as well as its accompanying gliding ottoman. It was a gift from his mother-in-law, but no one sat in the awkward contraption but the family cat. Even the cat would have preferred a recliner. Still, the rocker was the first piece of furniture to greet visitors as they entered the Forester household. It … [Read more...] about The Fruitcake Chronicles: An Unfortunate Headline (Part 5 of 6 installments)
Some Christmas Carols
Following up my post on the classic book A Christmas Carol I thought I'd offer a couple posts on some classic Christmas Carols. The first is Silent Night. I suspect some (or most of you) already know some of this story but it is still an amazing one to consider. In December 1818 a man named Joseph Mohr was deeply troubled. He was the assistant pastor of the church in … [Read more...] about Some Christmas Carols
How Sweet Is Nebraska’s Sweetheart Deal?
Lindsay Graham's appearing everywhere he can complaining about Nebraska's sweetheart deal, here on this evening's All Things Considered: "It's OK for a senator from any state to advocate for their state. Once the federal government puts money on the table in an appropriate fashion, it's OK to go get your fair share," Graham said. "What I don't think is OK is for a senator … [Read more...] about How Sweet Is Nebraska’s Sweetheart Deal?
Pres. Obama Fudges the Truth on Public Option
He said in an interview with the Washington Post that he did not campaign on the public option: … [Read more...] about Pres. Obama Fudges the Truth on Public Option
Court Affirms Patent Infringement Judgement Against Microsoft Word
This afternoon Microsoft lost its appeal of a patent claim against Word: The ruling, by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit -- which handles many patent and trademark cases -- may signal the endgame of a long-running dispute between Microsoft and Toronto-based i4i Ltd. On August 12, a jury in a federal U.S. district court in Texas ruled in favor of i4i … [Read more...] about Court Affirms Patent Infringement Judgement Against Microsoft Word
Crime Down? It’s Obvious Why.
Social and legal analysts from all political and economic persuasions are at a loss for satisfying and complete explanations of America’s dropping violent crime rates. A similar phenomenon is occurring simultaneously in many other advanced western nations – even with better healthcare systems than ours. May I suggest a few obvious explanations that we all may have … [Read more...] about Crime Down? It’s Obvious Why.
Jingle Bells: Season’s Greetings
Here's wishing everyone health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in 2010. Happy holidays!!! … [Read more...] about Jingle Bells: Season’s Greetings
Why did the crime rate drop so much in 2009?
According to the FBI, the national homicide rate dropped 10 percent in 2009. Property crimes also dropped significantly in 2009. Crime, broadly speaking, is now at levels not seen since the early 1960s. No longer is this just a New York City miracle. It's a national story. Why did that happen? Crime used to be the most ideological debate point in American politics. … [Read more...] about Why did the crime rate drop so much in 2009?
A Tale of Two Polls
Here is an interesting item from Greg Sargent: … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Polls
Tiger Woods’ Fall from Grace: Only in America – Rue 89, France
With news of the adultery of Tiger Woods, American Puritanism is once again a topic of conversation in Europe. To the average European, his fall from grace is as Shakespearean as it is American. For France's Rue 89, Pierre Haski writes in part: "There is certainly something very American about this psychodrama, in which a private matter brings down from his pedestal an … [Read more...] about Tiger Woods’ Fall from Grace: Only in America – Rue 89, France