Gems like these are why I so enjoy reading James Joyner at Outside the Beltway: The two parties and their constituent interest groups have done a superb job of poisoning the well. Republicans have virtually ensured that we’ll never have anything short of a massive defense budget and we’ll never have the sort of confiscatory tax brackets for high earners that they have in … [Read more...] about Poisoned Wells and Hamster Wheels
Can we blame Main-Street yet?
My girlfriend is mad, I mean really mad. Apparently she has seen a side of me she never thought was there. Anyone hearing her talk would think that I caused her bodily harm or cheated on her, but no her anger was brought on after a conversation about the recession – more specifically banks and bankers roles within the recession. My better half’s reaction towards folks … [Read more...] about Can we blame Main-Street yet?
NBC’s Brian Williams: Serious. And Funny.
You'll remember that the other day I pointed to a Poytner finding that The Daily Show is serious about its media criticism. Well it turns out Jon Stewart may have some real competition. The LATimes finds NBC News anchor Brian Williams -- fresh off a 30 Rock cameo and Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me Bill Clinton impersonation -- takes his comedy seriously: Stewart, host of Comedy … [Read more...] about NBC’s Brian Williams: Serious. And Funny.
Health Care Bill Goes to the Senate Floor
My computer is more than usually slow tonight (and that's saying a lot), so probably the whole world knows this by now, but the Democrats just achieved cloture on health care reform. They got the 60 votes they needed, including all the conservative Democrats whose votes were in question, and including Joe Lieberman. … [Read more...] about Health Care Bill Goes to the Senate Floor
Obama’s China Trip Announces a ‘World Without Leadership’: Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
Now that we've gotten some of the Chinese reaction to president Obama's trip, it's time to start sampling the reaction of the rest of the world. This article by the great Thomas Klau of Germany's Financial Times Deutschland is not encouraging - and points out that without the U.S. able to exercise effective leadership, it's time to grapple seriously with stronger global … [Read more...] about Obama’s China Trip Announces a ‘World Without Leadership’: Financial Times Deutschland, Germany
Sexual Politics in Health Care
As Harry Reid pressures holiday-homebound Democrats to vote for a start of the Senate health care debate, Republican resisters have found a new weapon to use against the bill--a sudden deep concern about how it might threaten women's bodies. Seizing on a quasi-government task force's report this week recommending that annual mammograms start at 50 rather than 40, the GOP has … [Read more...] about Sexual Politics in Health Care
Live Streaming Video of Senate Health Care Reform Debate And Vote
BREAKING @ 3 pm ET: Senate Democrats have secured the 60 votes needed to move the bill forward to floor debate. Details at Politico. Here is a live streaming video feed of the Senate health care reform debate. The actual vote on whether to let the bill come to the Senate floor for debate and amendments is expected between 8 and 9 pm EST. This live video will remain at the … [Read more...] about Live Streaming Video of Senate Health Care Reform Debate And Vote
Has Barack Obama Joined An Exclusive Presidential Club?
Is he now a member of the "immediately failed Presidents club" (which includes Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan)?" Details here. … [Read more...] about Has Barack Obama Joined An Exclusive Presidential Club?
Bad Medical Reporting, Denialism, and Public Health
This month's perfect storm -- poor medical reporting, denialism, and public health. Marketplace yesterday: For years, our medical system focused on the individual. The thinking was, even if only one life was saved, everyone should get tested. But the new studies show not everyone needs screening. In fact, too much screening can do more harm than good. Dr. Louise Russell … [Read more...] about Bad Medical Reporting, Denialism, and Public Health
Key Senate Health Care Reform Vote Today: Did Reid Do His Homework?
Today the Senate is expected to hold a key health care reform vote. And if President Barack Obama has a bundle of political clout riding on this vote, so does Majority Leader Harry Reid. Reid, in an increasingly tough (some pundits suggest seemingly fruitless) battle for re-election who was never a darling of the Democratic party's liberal wing, could be in a weakened … [Read more...] about Key Senate Health Care Reform Vote Today: Did Reid Do His Homework?
Would We Win World War II Today? A Response
Yesterday, Rick Moran graced our humble pages once again asking the question which I have placed once again in the title of this response. (You can find another copy of the essay at his home page, with plenty of interesting comments from readers.)He also recommended the new History Channel series, World War II in HD. (I'm watching additional portions of that today, and it's … [Read more...] about Would We Win World War II Today? A Response
“Michele Bachmann:Going Crazy”
City Pages, an alternative weekly here in Minnesota has done a write-up about Michele Bachmann, who represents the Sixth District. Many people already know her from her rants on Fox News and other national media outlets, but the City Pages story starts from the beginning, when she unseated a moderate Republican State Senator to her time in St. Paul when she showed the same … [Read more...] about “Michele Bachmann:Going Crazy”
Hezbollah’s Man in Iran Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour Has Enemies In Iran
By most measures, Hezbollah's Man in Iran Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour should be a hero -- yet he now faces some severe critics and staunch enemies there. Why? In a must-read piece on RealClearWorld, Meir Javedanfar, RCW's Iranian-Israeli Middle East analyst and a regular contributor to RealClearWorld and co-author of The Nuclear Sphinx of Tehran: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the … [Read more...] about Hezbollah’s Man in Iran Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour Has Enemies In Iran
The Hidden ‘Arrogance’ Behind Obama’s Royal Bow: Global Geographic Times, China
What is the significance of President Obama's habit of bowing to foreign royalty? Continuing with our coverage of China's reaction to president Obama's Asia tour, Diguo Zhunjiang for China's state-controlled Global Geographic Times asserts that while this results in a great loss of face for the United States, he warns his readers not to be lulled into a sense of complacency by … [Read more...] about The Hidden ‘Arrogance’ Behind Obama’s Royal Bow: Global Geographic Times, China
Here Is Why Chris Matthews Drives Me CRAZY
It's not his opinions or the fact he's a boot-licker. It's not his sexism or that he switches positions depending on who looks like the winner at the moment. … [Read more...] about Here Is Why Chris Matthews Drives Me CRAZY
“Is Sarah Palin Qualified To Be President?”
Chris Matthews just put that question to Judd Gregg on Hardball. Gregg's answer: … [Read more...] about “Is Sarah Palin Qualified To Be President?”
“I’m Sending Out This Invocation…”
Jackson Browne sings about his imagination: … [Read more...] about “I’m Sending Out This Invocation…”
Could We Win if We Had to Fight World War II Today? (Guest Voice)
Could we Win if We Had to Fight World War II Today? by Rick Moran The debate over "The Greatest Generation" and whether the way America is today could duplicate their stunning achievements in winning two wars and fighting through a depression while maintaining unity has been hashed and rehashed by far superior minds than mine. But I just can't help thinking about it … [Read more...] about Could We Win if We Had to Fight World War II Today? (Guest Voice)
Why Republicans Should Vote Yes Tomorrow
We've reached a point where my friend Ed Morrissey and I must come to a parting of the ways on the current health care debate, though we've seen eye to eye on most portions of it up until now. Tomorrow, the Senate will face a procedural vote to open debate on their version of the bill. Note: This is not a vote on the bill itself, signaling approval or disapproval. It's simply a … [Read more...] about Why Republicans Should Vote Yes Tomorrow
Sarah Palin Loves Meat
So many tasty morsels so many are uncovering. (All that and not one link to Andrew Sullivan. I'll spend Saturday enjoying his finds.) One topic Sarah touches on that's relevant to my interest in food is her love of meat. From page 18: I love meat. I eat pork chops, thick bacon-burgers, and the seared fatty edges of a medium-well-done steak. But I especially love moose and … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Loves Meat