You've heard of a concession speech? Now there's an unconcession: Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the special NY 23 election, has withdrawn his concession. Hoffman, who jumped in the race in response to the "liberal" positions of the Republican Party candidate, state Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava -- a decision that ultimately forced Scozzafava out of … [Read more...] about Hoffman “Unconceeds” In NY 23 Race As Loss Margin Narrows
CBS News Poll: Obama’s Rating Dips Amid Independent Voter Unhappiness
The bad news for President Barack Obama today isn't only economic: his ratings have declined again, amid further signs that he is losing independent voter support. His overall approval rating has dropped to 53 percent, a CBS news poll finds. Approval for Mr. Obama's handling of the situation in Afghanistan has dropped as well as more Americans now disapprove than … [Read more...] about CBS News Poll: Obama’s Rating Dips Amid Independent Voter Unhappiness
We Need a Civilian ROTC (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- Imagine a time when government work was exciting, widely admired, and much sought after. It seems an outlandish thought at a moment when you cannot turn on your television without hearing government spoken of as almost an alien creature. It is cast as far removed from the lives of average Americans and more likely to destroy the achievements of private … [Read more...] about We Need a Civilian ROTC (Guest Voice)
Uncle Sam Gets It For Us Retail
In a world where shoppers for anything costing more than $10 expect to see a for sale sign, a world where workouts and restructurings that dramatically change the amount debtors ultimately pay creditors in the marketplace, a world where even the most predatory credit card issuing banks are usually willing to negotiate down outstanding debt of individuals to save on litigation … [Read more...] about Uncle Sam Gets It For Us Retail
Be Careful What You Wish For, Part 328
Michael Cohen, over at Politico, has once more dredged up the same old, tired cloth rending which we always seem to get from the oppressed majority. (Yes, you read that correctly... the oppressed majority.) Tired of the difficulties encountered in doing business with the minority party, Michael bravely calls for an end to the "GOP's filibuster folly." How dare a party with … [Read more...] about Be Careful What You Wish For, Part 328
Arrogating the Middle Ground
Writing about "The Excommunication Of Lou Dobbs" in Forbes, one Roger Kimball is perturbed by the claiming of the "middle ground" by Dobbs' critics. Elevating political discourse. Drawing a line in the sand. Polite company. A middle ground. Get it? If you're Media Matters, CNN or The New York Times, you are in the happy position of proposing that what you espouse is … [Read more...] about Arrogating the Middle Ground
Introducing the U.S.’ New Bomb
The U.S. has a big new bomb that can penetrate some 60 feet of concrete: … [Read more...] about Introducing the U.S.’ New Bomb
Recovery Board Spokesperson: People ‘Make Mistakes’
It's an indisputable statement, but not exactly one destined to build taxpayer confidence in their government. Responding to an ABC News investigation into stimulus data being reported for non-existent Congressional districts, the Recovery Board's Communications Director, Ed Pound, is quoted as saying: We report what the recipients submit to us ... Some recipients … [Read more...] about Recovery Board Spokesperson: People ‘Make Mistakes’
Passing The Buck at Walter Reed
My initial five or six draft postings on this issue found their way to the cutting room floor because of the outrage I felt over the loss of life at Ft. Hood. My outrage has shifted from the shooter to the enablers of this tragedy: the people who passed the buck at Walter Reed. According to the linked article by NPR, several members of the psychiatric staff at Walter Reed … [Read more...] about Passing The Buck at Walter Reed
Palin’s POWs
Four decades after being tortured in a North Korean prison camp, John McCain is trapped in a slow drip of accusations from Sarah Palin as she embarks on weeks of media ubiquity to promote her aptly titled, "Going Rogue." A New York Times review notes that "the most sustained and vehement barbs in this book are directed not at Democrats or liberals or the press, but at the … [Read more...] about Palin’s POWs
Advocating For A Consumer Financial Protection Association
Amelia Tyagi, on Marketplace today, arguing that a Consumer Financial Protection Association could help level the playing field and force banks to be honest with their customers: Once upon a time, banking was a pretty boring business. Banks took deposits, made loans, and people paid them back. Profits were modest but predictable. And then the industry was deregulated, and … [Read more...] about Advocating For A Consumer Financial Protection Association
CBS News Poll: Fewer than 1 in Four View Palin Favorably
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin may have won the hearts of GOPers, conservative pundits and conservative bloggers, but a recent CBS News poll indicates she most assuredly isn't the favorite of those who may not be fans of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, or Glenn Beck: She may be among the biggest names in politics at the moment, but former Republican vice presidential … [Read more...] about CBS News Poll: Fewer than 1 in Four View Palin Favorably
Water on the Moon
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Water on the Moon
John Yoo Slimes Up the WSJ’s Op-Ed Page Again
I'm sure we're all very shocked to hear that the man who subverted and perverted the law to give his masters the pseudo-legal cover to run a torture program against Arab and Muslim detainees doesn't want the methods used against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to be revealed in open court. … [Read more...] about John Yoo Slimes Up the WSJ’s Op-Ed Page Again
Hunger in America
One of the goals Barack Obama set for his presidency was the elimination of hunger among children by 2015. Whether or not he achieves that goal, Obama is the first American president even to commit to achieving it. Having said that, he has a difficult road ahead of him, because more Americans -- including children -- are living with hunger at least some of the time: … [Read more...] about Hunger in America
Chinese Netizens Have ‘Sharp Words’ for President Obama: Global Geographic Times, China
According to China's state-run Global Geographic Times, the state-controlled Internet chat rooms are filled with tough questions for, and sharp criticism of, President Obama. On his Global Geographic Times blog page, a man named Tian Yifeng lays out some of the comments and explains why they show the insight of Chinese Netizens. The topics of the comments run the gamut, from … [Read more...] about Chinese Netizens Have ‘Sharp Words’ for President Obama: Global Geographic Times, China
Still Troubled Times, Still A Good Question
Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello singing "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?" (Lowe wrote the song, which I never knew before): … [Read more...] about Still Troubled Times, Still A Good Question
Gallup Shock: Health Coverage Not Gov’t Responsibility (Guest Voice)
Gallup Shock: Health Coverage Not Gov't Responsibility by Jon Wells An astounding Gallup poll recently came out that states that a majority of Americans (50%-47%) now believe the government shouldn't be responsible for making sure everyone has health insurance. That's amazing in and of itself, but when you look at the trend it's simply astonishing. Just three years ago … [Read more...] about Gallup Shock: Health Coverage Not Gov’t Responsibility (Guest Voice)
Quote of the Day: On 911 Terrorists Being Tried In NYC
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Dick Polman, who in a post that needs to be read in full contrasts what some Republicans used to say about trying terrorists in federal court before a Democrat was in the White House. Here's a small part of it: But never mind the ample track record of civilian-court prosecutions, and never mind whatever Giuliani said in the past. … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On 911 Terrorists Being Tried In NYC
The Ultimate Test of Obamas Hope Message
I still think about what happened on 9/11 with some level of disbelief, even after 8 years. I try to think about how Americans, especially New Yorkers must have felt that day and I am filled with awe and sadness – awe because of the strength of character New Yorkers showed during and after the event with rescue and community relief efforts, and sadness because of what the … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Test of Obamas Hope Message