WASHINGTON -- Normal human beings -- let's call them real Americans -- cannot understand why, 10 months after President Obama's inauguration, Congress is still tied down in a procedural torture chamber trying to pass the health care bill Obama promised in his campaign. Last year, the voters gave him the largest popular vote margin won by a presidential candidate in 20 … [Read more...] about The GOP’s No-Exit Strategy (Guest Voice)
It’s Time To Lighten Up: With a Classic Pie-Fight
And who better to extricate us (for a while) from the name-calling of modern politics than the Three Stooges (who now seem civilized in comparison): FOOTNOTE: A lot of their work is available on DVD. … [Read more...] about It’s Time To Lighten Up: With a Classic Pie-Fight
New Breast Exam Guidelines
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about New Breast Exam Guidelines
When Bush dithered on Iraq
Jackson Diehl:[After months of deliberation in 2006], no one accused George W. Bush of dithering. So why does Barack Obama keep hearing the taunt as he deliberates about Afghanistan -- and why do even some who sympathize with his dilemma find it hard to shake the feeling that this commander in chief lacks resolve? One part of the answer is easy: Bush was renowned for … [Read more...] about When Bush dithered on Iraq
“You Can’t Vote Against Healthcare and Call Yourself a Black Man”
Geeeesum! Could Jesse Jackson be more insulting with this? The Rev. Jesse Jackson on Wednesday night criticized Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.) for voting against the Democrats' signature healthcare bill. "We even have blacks voting against the healthcare bill," Jackson said at a reception Wednesday night. "You can't vote against healthcare and call yourself a black … [Read more...] about “You Can’t Vote Against Healthcare and Call Yourself a Black Man”
Sherlock Holmes is on the case
Andrew Sullivan informs his readers that he is taking a brief pause to pore over Sarah Palin's new book:Since the Dish has tried to be rigorous and careful in analyzing Palin's unhinged grip on reality from the very beginning - specifically her fantastic story of her fifth pregnancy - we feel it's vital that we grapple with this new data as fairly and as rigorously as … [Read more...] about Sherlock Holmes is on the case
The netroots eat their own
On Monday, Think Progress trashed liberal pundit Mark Shields for allegedly saying, with regard to Obama's patience on Afghanistan,[It] makes me nostalgic for those days when we had a manly man in the White House who could say, “Let’s kick some tail and ask questions afterwards” you know? That’s what we really need instead of any reflection.Kevin Drum read TP's post and … [Read more...] about The netroots eat their own
Quote of the Day: On Barack Obama’s Bow
Our political/diplomatic Quote of the Day comes via Professor John Brown's must-read Public Diplomacy and Press Blog -- where he points us to a post by Steven W. Lewis on the Baker Institute Blog dealing with President Barack Obama's bow to the Japanese Emperor. This bow became the target of (what else?) a political controversy in the United States where Obama's critics … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Barack Obama’s Bow
New Study Predicts Stupak Will Have Chilling Effect on All Abortion Coverage
A new study out from George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services concludes that the Stupak-Pitts Amendment will have an expansive effect on abortion coverage over the entire insurance industry, "eliminating coverage of medically indicated abortions over time for all women, not only those whose coverage is derived through a health insurance … [Read more...] about New Study Predicts Stupak Will Have Chilling Effect on All Abortion Coverage
We’re Restored! The World Likes Us Again!
This has been bugging me all day. "I think that we've restored America's standing in the world, and that's confirmed by polls," [Obama] told CNN's Ed Henry in a wide-ranging interview this week during his trip to China. "I think a recent one indicated that around the world, before my election, less than half the people -- maybe less than 40 percent of the people -- thought … [Read more...] about We’re Restored! The World Likes Us Again!
Kristol admonishes conservatives
From the Weekly Standard: Republicans need to point out that Obama's economic policies aren't working. But they need to resist appearing to relish bad news for the country on Obama's watch. When rising unemployment numbers come out, there is occasionally an unseemly sense of celebration in the emails that come from various GOP offices. More in sorrow than in joy, more in … [Read more...] about Kristol admonishes conservatives
Yes, dogs really do bite mailmen
A "dog warning card" arrived with my mail today. Thanks to a New Jersey branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers, you can see the form online. The form provides invaluable advice, such as "Do not deliver mail if you feel endangered by an animal." For a better understanding of the threats faced by America's letter carriers, I recommend the following passage from … [Read more...] about Yes, dogs really do bite mailmen
Clinton: “No long-term stake in Afghanistan”
Monday NY Times, Page 1:Every time Mr. Obama declares that the United States will not have an “open-ended” military commitment in Afghanistan, he fuels a second concern of the powerful Pakistani military and intelligence establishment, which believes the United States commitment is fleeting. It is a concern that some of them say justifies Pakistan’s continuing ties to the … [Read more...] about Clinton: “No long-term stake in Afghanistan”
Breaking News: The Bottom Line on Reid’s Health Care Bill
From Politico: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s health reform bill comes in at $849 billion, and will reduce the federal budget deficit by $127 billion in the first 10 years, the Congressional Budget Office says, according to a senior Democratic aide. More here. I wonder if that's enough to perusade the Senate 3. … [Read more...] about Breaking News: The Bottom Line on Reid’s Health Care Bill
H1N1 Overreaction
With the onset of H1N1 flu there are many experts who think that the biggest problem is not the flu itself but the panic that comes with it. The overwhelming majority of people who get the flu will recover with no problem and in fact most people who get it might not even be aware they have it the symptoms are so mild. Yet with the media hype everyone panics, rushes to the … [Read more...] about H1N1 Overreaction
Judge Orders Compensation To Same Sex Couple
In what could be a significant development a federal judge in California has ordered damages to be paid by Sears to a same sex couple that was married during the five month period that same sex marriages were legal. This ruling would support the concept that any marriages performed during the period remain valid. I would think even those who oppose marriage equality would … [Read more...] about Judge Orders Compensation To Same Sex Couple
And So the Political Rhetorical Bar is Lowered Again
Some Christian conservatives are now praying for God to kill Barack Obama. … [Read more...] about And So the Political Rhetorical Bar is Lowered Again
A Palin-Beck Ticket in 2012?
Palin reportedly doesn't rule it out, although it was an idea prompted by Newsmax.com... Now, that would REALLY expand the GOP's existing base, and attract moderate Democrats, independent voters, moderate Republicans and Latino voters. If he's not available, why use the same approach to expand the GOP's base by inviting Rush Limbaugh? Actually a ticket like this would make … [Read more...] about A Palin-Beck Ticket in 2012?
Sarah’s Problem: The Real Point of the Newsweek Cover
What is it with people? Why is the media focused on a cover photograph that Sarah Palin posed for? She posed for the cover for another magazine and Newsweek got the rights to reproduce it on its cover. Obviously, Newsweek has a bias against Palin but to say the outfit is sexist is a bit of a stretch. If we must focus on the picture, I have a question... why is the … [Read more...] about Sarah’s Problem: The Real Point of the Newsweek Cover
Somali Pirates Hire Spokespeople?
Per a WSJ.com report (registration/subscription may be required) ... "We have attacked a ship with an American flag -- we tried to throw our ladders for climbing (but) it sped and (has) gone away," said Abdullahi Nor, who identified himself as a pirate spokesman. So if pirates hire spokespeople, are they really pirates? Maybe I'm stuck in Hollywood/Johnny-Depp mode, … [Read more...] about Somali Pirates Hire Spokespeople?