Watching these town hall battles -- which seem to have settled into a stasis as supporters of health reform have decided to show up finally -- has convinced me of one thing: Obama is winning this August health care battle. No, his ideas aren't necessarily winning plaudits among various elements of elite political commentary. Nor are skeptics necessarily embracing any of the … [Read more...] about Is Kenneth Gladney a Democratic Plant?
Follow the Money?
Sometimes, money does the following. … [Read more...] about Follow the Money?
The Danger to the West of Not ‘Helping Russia’: Le Monde, France
Is it incumbent on the West to 'help' Russia overcome its past of self destructive behavior and global domination? According to André Fontaine of France's Le Monde, if President Obama's vision of a 'strong, peaceful and prosperous Russia,' occupying 'its rightful place as a great power' were to come to pass without that - we're all in trouble. In this warning directed in … [Read more...] about The Danger to the West of Not ‘Helping Russia’: Le Monde, France
Dick Cheney’s “Battlefield Experience”
A couple of weeks ago, Time Magazine's cover story was "The Final days of Bush and Cheney." It was a fascinating, intimate look at what TIME’s Managing Editor Richard Stengel himself describes as "The tale of the rift between George W. Bush and Dick Cheney...an inside look at the complex relationship that shaped so much of this decade." The special report also tells us … [Read more...] about Dick Cheney’s “Battlefield Experience”
Good news: Saving our children has become easier
In these dismal times, there is a piece of good news for over three billion poor people around the world. An effective public private partnership is required to make it work but the methods are quite easy and low cost. According to the World Health Organization and several other expert groups, it will prevent the loss of nearly one percentage point of GDP on average caused … [Read more...] about Good news: Saving our children has become easier
Basic Economics: What Works, What Doesn’t
The government wanted to reanimate the auto industry. It allocated billions to car makers to help them produce more energy efficient vehicles. This might reduce our dependence on wasteful polluting vehicles in a few years, or it might not. Just by offering cash for clunkers, however, within one week tens of thousands of inefficient gas guzzlers were replaced on our roads by … [Read more...] about Basic Economics: What Works, What Doesn’t
Mastering the Art of Marriage
Nora Ephron's new movie recalls the morning Julia Child burned my breakfast toast. In the 1970s, her husband Paul and I were in their Cambridge kitchen talking heatedly about politics while Julia sort of tended the broiler but was more interested in leaning over to hear what we were saying. When smoke started pouring from the oven, she pulled out a tray and dumped the … [Read more...] about Mastering the Art of Marriage
Lame Questions for Alberto Gonzales. Cheesy, Whiny Answers
I enjoy Deborah Solomon's weekly interviews ("Questions For...") in The New York Times Magazine, a column that has appeared in the Times' weekend magazine since 2003. Although her interview techniques and the published results of her interviews have come under fire, I find them interesting and generally learn something from them. Sadly, I could not say the same about her … [Read more...] about Lame Questions for Alberto Gonzales. Cheesy, Whiny Answers
SLOW TRAIN TO HELL
I am never surprised by the ignorance of many people, but some expressions of stupidity sometimes amaze me. I find it difficult to swallow when some Americans compare any U.S. elected official they oppose to Chancellor Adolph Hitler of Germany’s Third Reich. Many years ago, a few on the left suggested that of President Bush but most mainstream Democrats publicly repudiated … [Read more...] about SLOW TRAIN TO HELL
Reading Incomprehension Strikes the Palin Faithful
I know all about being a die hard fan, so immersed in your belief that you tend to deny reality. After all, I'm a veteran of decades of support for the New York Jets. (This is the year! I SWEAR it is this time!) Unfortunately, we sometimes have to face up to the fact that our team simply sucks. This is a lesson that could prove useful to "Smitty" over at The Other McCain blog, … [Read more...] about Reading Incomprehension Strikes the Palin Faithful
MIA Hurricane Season, PLUS Climate Challenge Update
I was outside this morning having my first cup of coffee and looking at the dismal progress of my tomatoes, (which are totally failing to ripen) and it got me to thinking about the odd weather we've been having this summer. Summer is, of course, the traditional hurricane season, but have you seen many of them in the news? I haven't seen much about it in the blogosphere. I … [Read more...] about MIA Hurricane Season, PLUS Climate Challenge Update
Is The Town Hall Meeting Now A Political Antique?
Isn't it time to ask the question? Isn't it perhaps time to consider deep sixing the traditional big-issue Town Hall meetings held by elected officials? Haven't these meetings now become little more than media events, events literally begging to be manipulated by interest groups on each side? Aren't traditional Town Halls now overwhelmed by the power and impact of new … [Read more...] about Is The Town Hall Meeting Now A Political Antique?
This Time, the Americans Have Gone Too Far!: The Frontier Post, Pakistan
While the United States is having some success targeting militants in Pakistan with drone aircraft, winning over the local population on the ground is another story. According to this angry editorial from Pakistan's Frontier Post - a newspaper located along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border that often has a militant flavor to it - American disrespect for the locals and plans … [Read more...] about This Time, the Americans Have Gone Too Far!: The Frontier Post, Pakistan
Anti-Health Care Nazi
Gary McCoy, Cagle Cartoons This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Anti-Health Care Nazi
Stupidity as a Pre-Existing Condition
The rowdiness will no doubt subside, but could civility save the "debate" over health care? The signs are not encouraging. Today the President devotes part of his weekly address to "dispelling the outlandish rumors that reform will promote euthanasia, cut Medicaid, or bring about a government takeover of health care. "That’s simply not true. This isn’t about putting … [Read more...] about Stupidity as a Pre-Existing Condition
Planetary Puberty
In Puberty on the Scale of a Planet, Dot Earth's Andrew C. Revkin posits we are a teenage species at this moment. He asks, what do we want to be when we grow up? 9 Billion People + 1 Planet = ? At a quickening pace, humanity is etching its signature across the Earth, diverting waterways and downing forests, spreading pythons to the Everglades and American bullfrogs to … [Read more...] about Planetary Puberty
Page One: Unemployed Alaskan Woman Has Facebook Account
I can't quite make out her name in all the clutter, but based on her profile she apparently lost her job recently and, as such, might understandably be very concerned about making sure she had health care for her and her very large family. More from the mother of several: [W]ho will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. … [Read more...] about Page One: Unemployed Alaskan Woman Has Facebook Account
Those Town Halls — Ouch!
Several weeks ago, about 425 active and retired employees of The San Diego Union-Tribune were asked in an email newsletter they publish what they would do if they were dictator for a day. Naturally, most of the replies were humorous. Allow me to don the imperial crown for a moment. I would tell the demonstrators disrupting town hall meetings with their elected … [Read more...] about Those Town Halls — Ouch!
Required Foreign Policy Reading
The always-thoughtful Dave Schuler has some required foreign policy reading: If you only read one thing today, read the for-the-record answers from the Director of National Intelligence to questions from the Senate Intelligence Committee in April 2009. At the very least read the tickler summary from the blog of the Federation of American Scientists, which has done a … [Read more...] about Required Foreign Policy Reading
Want To Help The Uninsured? Just Give Them Insurance Already!
In my prior post on why I though the current health reform bill would fail to help most people, SteveK linked to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation with an outrageous claim: Myth 10: Expanding health insurance coverage to all, or even a large share of the uninsured, will cost far more than the country currently spends on health care. FACT: Because both the uninsured … [Read more...] about Want To Help The Uninsured? Just Give Them Insurance Already!