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?
Qunnipiac Poll: Obama Approval Dips Below 50% For First Time
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