I suggested this morning that (1) the "co-op compromise," as an alternative to the "public option," was DOA, given the intransigence of Republican leadership; and (2) the public option -- perhaps with tweaks, but largely as proposed in House Commerce and Senate HELP -- would likely become law. Others -- here, here, and here -- suggest a non-public-option compromise remains … [Read more...] about The Persistent Nudge to Compromise
The Ideological Gulf (Back into the Breach)
It's unfortunate that what I brought online yesterday was colored by some distracting background noise, and I very much regret that I allowed a defensive reaction to intrude on the larger point I was trying to make. Since that point got lost in the shouting and attacks (and with the acknowledgment that I may have some hitherto unrecognized masochistic pathology), I'm going to … [Read more...] about The Ideological Gulf (Back into the Breach)
Barney Frank Bats Down “Nazi” Charge At Town Hall
Rep. Barney Frank batted down a heath care reform protester who not only asked him a question suggesting he supported a Nazi policy (Barack Obama's healthcare reform) but also held a Hitler-like doctored photo of Obama. And Frank did what a politician needed to do: confront this toxicity of polemics head on: The Los Angeles Times' Tim Rutten deals with the issue of the … [Read more...] about Barney Frank Bats Down “Nazi” Charge At Town Hall
A Full-Disk Photo of the Earth
NASA has posted the first infrared image taken with the newest weather satellite, and it is amazing. Hurricane Bill is visible in the full disk view of the Earth, and the photo shows how huge these storms are. --- Cross-posted between Random Fate and The Moderate Voice. --- … [Read more...] about A Full-Disk Photo of the Earth
Quote for the Day: Rahm Emanuel
For alternative takes on the general subject discussed below, check here. ---------- Mr. Emanuel, as quoted in an article on the front page of today's NYT, New York edition: “The Republican leadership ... has made a strategic decision that defeating President Obama’s health care proposal is more important for their political goals than solving the health insurance … [Read more...] about Quote for the Day: Rahm Emanuel
Remembering Robert Novak — Interview (Guest Voice)
Remembering Robert Novak -- Interview by Bill Steigerwald Conservative columnist and CNN “crossfire” host Robert Novak died Tuesday at age 78 after a year-long battle with brain cancer. Known as the “Prince of Darkness” – by his friends – because of his pessimistic persona, Novak was a tough political reporter from the old school who caused more than his share of … [Read more...] about Remembering Robert Novak — Interview (Guest Voice)
‘Russian Obama’ Emerges in Volgograd: Vremya Novostei, Russia
Transplanted from Guinea-Bissau twenty years ago, a 37-year-old Afro-Russian watermelon salesman is making waves by running for a local parliamentary seat in Russia's Volgograd Oblast (formerly Stalingrad). This news item by Natalia Rozhkova of Russia's Vremya Novostei newspaper examines his candidacy and chances of winning, and compares how minority candidates in Russia … [Read more...] about ‘Russian Obama’ Emerges in Volgograd: Vremya Novostei, Russia
So What’s the Endgame in Iraq?
So what's the endgame in Iraq? Skillful foreign policy decision makers will think through the various scenarios and be ready for them. George Friedman, in a Stratfor Intelligence Report article on RealClearWorld looks at some of them. And his key conclusion: whatever happens, Iran must be factored into it. Here's just a small part of the piece, the ending: The American … [Read more...] about So What’s the Endgame in Iraq?
Social Media Is Not A Fad
It's a fundamental shift in the way we communicate. John Battelle: True, to a point. What it really is, is the release of how we already communicate, but now at scale. It's not a shift in *how* we communicate, it's a step function in our *ability* to communicate. There's an important difference there. One could argue that means a fundamental shift, but such a statement … [Read more...] about Social Media Is Not A Fad
How Polling Really Works
Just another lesson for us Yanks from the wise Sir Humphrey … [Read more...] about How Polling Really Works
Australia’s Big Gas Deals With China & India
Kevin Rudd's government is in a celebration mode following Australia's twin victory in finalizing 20-year-long liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deals with India and China. A sales and purchase AUD 25 billion agreement between ExxonMobil and Petronet LNG of India signed last week is the "dawning of a new trading partnership." Under the agreement, Exxon Mobil will supply … [Read more...] about Australia’s Big Gas Deals With China & India
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Who’s On First?
Larry J. Sabato: WHO'S ON FIRST? Does the Ballot Order of Candidates Make a Difference? (Ten Principles That Answer the Question) Every year, about this time, I hear from people who have watched their state set the order of candidate appearance on the fall ballot. Some states put candidates in chronological order of their official filing with the elections board, while … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Who’s On First?
Officials Knew Where ‘Missing Ship’ Was
According to news reports the 'missing ship' wasn't really missing as officials had good evidence of where it was the whole time. The secrecy was intended to protect the crew from a hijacking and the danger of being killed by those in control of the ship. I'm still not sure what is really going on here. I'm not saying the story doesn't pass the smell test, it is possible … [Read more...] about Officials Knew Where ‘Missing Ship’ Was
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: A Note on the Sotomayor Confirmation Vote
Alan I. Abramowitz: A Note on the Sotomayor Confirmation Vote - Explaining the Votes of Republican Senators. Like almost everything else in Congress, Senate votes on Supreme Court nominations have become much more polarized along party lines in recent years. That was certainly true of the recent vote on President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor. While all 59 Democrats … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: A Note on the Sotomayor Confirmation Vote
Another Presentation on the Basics of Health Care Reform Proposals
A few days ago, I published links to primers on health care reform from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Here is a fun visual overview of current health care reform proposals. (WARNING: The biases of the presenters are apparent. But if you know that going in, I think that you can sift the policy preferences out and keep the information in.) Thanks to Meredith … [Read more...] about Another Presentation on the Basics of Health Care Reform Proposals
No Bipartisan Consensus? Time To Use The Majority!
The last 48 hours have served as a clarifying moment in the health care debate. First, the White House sent out trial balloons this weekend on abandoning the public option. Progressives were not amused and organized intensely for the first time this summer. Finally the left is matching the intensity of the right - and it took a perceived betrayal by the White House to do … [Read more...] about No Bipartisan Consensus? Time To Use The Majority!
Readers Digest Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
In the morass of new and old media, a big media story has been breaking -- or, rather, a story that would have once been a big media story. It's not as big as it once would have been -- and isn't being played up the way it would have been even 5 years ago -- because the subject of this story has gone from being a powerful media giant to more of a weakening relic from bygone big … [Read more...] about Readers Digest Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
DNA Can Be Faked; Tampering Can Be Found
News that scientists have demonstrated the possibility of fabricating DNA is bound to be fodder for the conspiracy theorists among us. “You can just engineer a crime scene,” said the lead author of the new study. Oh, swell! Ars Technica has previously reported that there's not a lot of science to the rest of forensic science. Thankfully, their read of this study suggests … [Read more...] about DNA Can Be Faked; Tampering Can Be Found
NBC News Poll: Health Care Reform Fear Mongering Seems to Be Working
A new NBC News poll reflects that Americans remain skeptical about the Democrats' health care reform plans. For example, "a plurality" believes that the Democrats' health plan would worsen the quality of health care; a result that, according to MSNBC.com, "is virtually unchanged from last month’s NBC/Wall Street Journal poll." Fair enough. The president and the Democrats … [Read more...] about NBC News Poll: Health Care Reform Fear Mongering Seems to Be Working
Finding Humor In Serious Work
Studying how zombies might take over the world sounds like something for The Journal of Irreproducible Results, but it's really serious science: Science ponders zombie attack --- Cross-posted between Random Fate and The Moderate Voice. --- Technorati : humor, research, science, zombies Del.icio.us : humor, research, science, zombies Zooomr : humor, research, science, … [Read more...] about Finding Humor In Serious Work