Reports coming out today that the Massachusetts legislature might try to change the succession law to allow a temporary replacement to be appointed to fill the Kennedy seat. I will be interested to see the legal foundation for such a change (if it indeed happens, obviously rumors tend to fly at a time like this). As far as I can remember from my law school days you generally … [Read more...] about Massachusetts To Change Election Law?
John McCain on Ted Kennedy
Ben Smith characterizes it as a "classic" statement. But "classy" was the "c" adjective it prompted for me. I'd also add "genuine" and "heartfelt" to the list. Judge for yourself. … [Read more...] about John McCain on Ted Kennedy
The Lion and a Cub
In 2002, when I was still working for JoAnne Barnhart, the Commissioner of Social Security, I traveled with her to Boston for an event unveiling a program called "Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency." Senator Ted Kennedy was instrumental in getting the legislation passed and the Commissioner wanted to present him the 1st Ticket at the ceremony. He was larger than life. I … [Read more...] about The Lion and a Cub
Nancy Reagan on Ted Kennedy
Per The Hill's Blog Briefing Room, the former First Lady issued the following statement on the passing of the Lion of the Senate: I was terribly saddened to hear of the death of Ted Kennedy tonight. Given our political differences, people are sometimes surprised by how close Ronnie and I have been to the Kennedy family. But Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, … [Read more...] about Nancy Reagan on Ted Kennedy
Microsoft’s Photoshop Blunder Becomes A Meme
And in other news.... Microsoft apologized Tuesday for using photo editing techniques to change the race of a person depicted on the company's Web site. In a photo on the company's U.S. Web site, three businesspeople--one black, one white and one Asian are shown as part of a pitch for Microsoft's business productivity software. In the same photo on the site of Microsoft's … [Read more...] about Microsoft’s Photoshop Blunder Becomes A Meme
The Kennedy Boys: Back Together at Last
As has already been noted here by some of our fine writers, Ted Kennedy has at long last gone on to join his equally famous siblings in history. While he was the youngest of nine, most of the early attention was focused on Joe, who died in the war, John the iconic president, Bobby - who came close but was cut off before following his brother - and Ted himself. Ted, I think, … [Read more...] about The Kennedy Boys: Back Together at Last
Ted Kennedy and Mary Jo Kopechne
Every person's life is like a kaleidoscope. Some pick up another's life, hold it to the light and all the glass chips fall this way or that. And the person sighting through the cylinder puts it down and turns away, saying they've seen it all, when in fact, they've only seen one facet, one pattern in another's life. Thus some remember only one thing or two about the life of … [Read more...] about Ted Kennedy and Mary Jo Kopechne
Senator Kennedy Dies
Just breaking, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) has died at the age of 77 after a battle with cancer. This marks the first time in 56 years that there has not been a Kennedy in the Senate. However I do not expect this condition to remain forever. The late Senator's son Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) may well run for the Senate at some point and there are many Kennedy family members still … [Read more...] about Senator Kennedy Dies
How To Fudge the Truth With Precise Language
As Spencer Ackerman thoroughly documented here, those two memos from 2004 and 2005 that former vice-president Dick Cheney wanted the CIA to release because, he said, they would prove that a set of alternate procedures torture produced actionable intelligence that saved lives and prevented terrorist attacks, prove no such thing. … [Read more...] about How To Fudge the Truth With Precise Language
Fijian Government Silences Methodist Choral Festival
Here. I would say, "Everybody's a critic," but truth is the government's dislike of the festival has nothing to do with music and everything with the Methodist Church's opposition to the coup which brought the government to power. [Sort of crossposted on my personal blog.] … [Read more...] about Fijian Government Silences Methodist Choral Festival
The IG Report on Torture and Related Subjects
Despite the CIA's delaying tactics, which have been going on for months now, the much-anticipated Inspector-General's Report on the CIA's Bush-era interrogation program came out yesterday, as promised the last time the release date was postponed. Also yesterday, Attorney-General Eric Holder announced his intent to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate "cases of abuse … [Read more...] about The IG Report on Torture and Related Subjects
The West’s ‘Profound Hypocrisy’ Over Lockerbie ‘Suspect’s’ Release: Le Quotidien d’Oran, Algeria
Is it possible that Western officials were surprised by the welcome given by Libyan despot Mouammar Qadaffi to Lockerbie bombing convict Abdels al-Megrahi? Or could it be that their outrage stems from the embarrassment they feel over the way the story has been covered by the Western media? Reflecting a swath of Muslim reaction to the story, K. Selim of Algeria's Le Quotidien … [Read more...] about The West’s ‘Profound Hypocrisy’ Over Lockerbie ‘Suspect’s’ Release: Le Quotidien d’Oran, Algeria
The Gathering Storm: H1N1
WaPo: Swine flu could infect half the U.S. population this fall and winter, hospitalizing up to 1.8 million people and causing as many as 90,000 deaths -- more than double the number that occur in an average flu season, according to an estimate from a presidential panel released Monday. That panel, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), … [Read more...] about The Gathering Storm: H1N1
Shuttle Launch Scrubbed (Deja Vu)
Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning and we've got another scrub. In this case it was an equipment issue with the failure of a Liquid Hydrogen valve to report proper closing. Obviously when it comes to Liquid Hydrogen you do NOT want to mess around with possible problems. Having volatile fuels leaking out at launch leads to some very messy outcomes. Right now they are on a … [Read more...] about Shuttle Launch Scrubbed (Deja Vu)
Little League Is Awesome, Despite The Hype
As I write this, Chula Vista, Calif., is about to play San Antonio in a preliminary round of undefeated teams in the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Penn. The Chula Vista all-star team is the equivalent of the 1927 Yankees. They slugged 46 home runs in their last eight games and shutout their first two World Series opponents 29-0. Sally Jenkins, the … [Read more...] about Little League Is Awesome, Despite The Hype
Birthers: Beyond Obama’s Deep Pockets
It you're unhappy with the info and facts presented so far on President Barack Obama being born in the United States, why not start a new debate about...his foreskin? h/T Hinessight … [Read more...] about Birthers: Beyond Obama’s Deep Pockets
In Defense of the GOP
It's almost funny. In a post yesterday, I suggested we seek to be the type of citizens described by Mark Slouka in Harper's; citizens who are ... capable of humility in the face of complexity ... formed through questioning and therefore unlikely to cede that right ... resistant to coercion, to manipulation and demagoguery in all their forms. Almost immediately, a … [Read more...] about In Defense of the GOP
Political Torture Wars: It’s Cheney Versus Obama Again (Cheney Vindicated Or Not?)
Former Vice President Dick Cheney issued a statement today that is yet one more chapter in the ongoing battle of Cheney versus the Obama Administration -- and precision accuracy -- again. The issue: the administration's decision to appoint a Special Prospector to look into specific allegations of torture under the Bush administration. The second issue: the release of CIA … [Read more...] about Political Torture Wars: It’s Cheney Versus Obama Again (Cheney Vindicated Or Not?)
Veterans Push Back Against Big Oil
Guest post by Frankie Sturm Frankie Sturm is communications director at the Truman National Security Project and a freelance journalist. Ed. note: As part of our ongoing relationship with the Truman National Security Project, I'm pleased to announce that we'll be cross-posting some pieces from Operation FREE, a new initiative that seeks to raise awareness about the links … [Read more...] about Veterans Push Back Against Big Oil
Wires Suck: Eric Giler Demos Witricity
Ted Talks: Eric Giler wants to untangle our wired lives with cable-free electric power. Here, he covers what this sci-fi tech offers, and demos MIT's breakthrough version, WiTricity [Wikipedia entry] -- a near-to-market invention that may soon recharge your cell phone, car, pacemaker. Endgadget: What started out as an MIT project two years ago has now progressed into a … [Read more...] about Wires Suck: Eric Giler Demos Witricity