President Barak Obama has now crossed the "danger zone" threshold: according to a new Quinnipiac Poll, his approval rating has now fallen below 50 percent for the first time in the latest poll that shows a gradual declining trend as he loses the support of a chunk of independent voters. The poll also finds that support for the war in Afghanistan has slipped -- which suggest … [Read more...] about Qunnipiac Poll: Obama Approval Dips Below 50% For First Time
How not to lure us back to the “new” GOP
This week the United States Senate briefly turned their attention away from Obama / PelosiCare and considered President Barack Obama's nomination of U.S. District Judge David Hamilton to an appellate court position, and the results were instructive. During the tenure of George W. Bush, much was made of the judicial nomination and confirmation process, with debates raging over … [Read more...] about How not to lure us back to the “new” GOP
Health Care Reform: Celebrate, Don’t Deride, the Doubters
I'm a day or more late to this meme and many others have already chimed in. So be it. I'll now add my voice to those who have risen to the defense of the Senate 3 -- Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) -- who are "proving tough sells" on health care reform. Importantly, I rise to the defense of the Senate 3 as someone who would … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform: Celebrate, Don’t Deride, the Doubters
New Yorkers React to the KSM Terror Trials
Having taken the time to talk through the entire Khalid Sheikh Mohammed affair with people on both side of the aisle, I've finally drawn some conclusions. I don't think the real problem here is whether President Obama - through the office of Eric Holder - made the right or wrong call on this. The sticking point is that he made both calls by deciding to send one group to … [Read more...] about New Yorkers React to the KSM Terror Trials
Barack Obama’s ‘Umbrella Moment’ In China
The media will continue to speculate about the outcome of President Barack Obama's visit to China. However, small gestures matter. The Times of London observes that Obama carrying his own umbrella while alighting from the Air Force One "may be just the right stick for China". "Perhaps that simple umbrella moment really mattered. It showed China’s people that the arrogant … [Read more...] about Barack Obama’s ‘Umbrella Moment’ In China
Blaming McCain for Palin?
Andrew Sullivan reminds us all how Sarah Palin came to be driving the dialogue today: [W]hat I didn't fully come to terms with, until the Palin farce, was the full extent of John McCain's recklessness and cynicism. This is worth keeping in mind through all this. The only reason we even know about Sarah Palin is John McCain. Certainly McCain's VP pick brought some sudden … [Read more...] about Blaming McCain for Palin?
We Remember: Ten Years Ago at Texas A&M University
Over the weekend, I wrote a lighthearted piece on one of the ways the Aggies are preparing for the big Thanksgiving football game against their archrival, the University of Texas. Exactly 10 years ago tonight, the Aggies were also preparing for the game, when tragedy struck. One of the great traditions at Texas A& M---a 90-year-old tradition---has been to build a huge … [Read more...] about We Remember: Ten Years Ago at Texas A&M University
The Lesson of Fort Hood: ‘Muslims Cannot Be Trusted’: Al Watan Voice, Palestinian Territories
In the years that we have pursued this project, today's posting is one of the strangest international press articles I can recall. And while it indicates that Hamas may be allowing more press freedom than we thought - the conclusions of the author are anything but comforting. Keeping in mind that the accused killer is of Palestinian origin, the author of this article from … [Read more...] about The Lesson of Fort Hood: ‘Muslims Cannot Be Trusted’: Al Watan Voice, Palestinian Territories
China Keeps Tight Rein on Obama During Visit
He came. He saw. His charisma was controlled. That in a nutshell seems to be the emerging verdict on President Barack Obama's trip to China: China kept the famous Obama charisma in check in a visit that won't be seen as a turning point. AFP paints a portrait of a visit that was more zzzz than pizazz: Something got lost in transit in US President Barack Obama's visit to … [Read more...] about China Keeps Tight Rein on Obama During Visit
More Respect For The Left Coast, Please
I'm bummed out on politics for the moment and as Keith Olbermann does more often than not escape into the world of sports entertainment as Plan B. Just to piss off Glenn Beck and annoy Rush Limbaugh who hasn't thought of it, I am applying for the position of College Football Czar as an adviser to President Obama. With the powers invested in me by executive order, the first … [Read more...] about More Respect For The Left Coast, Please
A Change of Venue for the Trials of 9/11 Terrorists?
There has been a lot of angst, criticism and just plain political hysteria surrounding the Obama administration’s decision to try Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the alleged 9/11 mastermind, and other terrorists, in a federal civilian court, just blocks from Ground Zero. I will be the last one to pass judgment on the emotions and feelings---pro or con this decision---of relatives and … [Read more...] about A Change of Venue for the Trials of 9/11 Terrorists?
Hoffman “Unconceeds” In NY 23 Race As Loss Margin Narrows
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