Rick Perlstein's excellent book Nixonland exploits a college fraternity motif to explain the entirety of Richard Nixon's political appeal.. At Whittier College, Nixon's alma mater, there was the social "in" crowd that formed an elite social club called the Franklins. Only the wealthiest students could deign to join the Franklins. Young Nixon, ever the outcast in this circle … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin: Orthogonian
Sarah, We Hardly Knew Ya
My first reaction was shock... until reality stepped in. Sarah Palin says she will resign her post as governor of Alaska at the end of July. Nothing this woman does surprises me anymore. It took about a nanosecond for the pundits and second guessers to opine on her future from the cable channels to websites and Twitter. I haven't a clue what she plans to do, if anything. … [Read more...] about Sarah, We Hardly Knew Ya
Palin Resigning as Alaska Governor
There was speculation that Alaska Governor (and right-wing darling) Sarah Palin would not run for re-election in 2010, both to give time to run for President in 2012, and to avoid a potentially embarrassing upset defeat which could derail her political career altogether (see Allen, George). But in a stunning announcement, Gov. Palin is in fact planning to resign the … [Read more...] about Palin Resigning as Alaska Governor
I Wasn’t Expecting This…Sarah Palin Will Resign As Alaska’s Governor
From MSNBC.com: Report: Palin resigning as Alaska governor I generally don't try to anticipate the strategies of politicians, I have a life to live, but I certainly wasn't expecting Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to resign her office this early, before campaigning for the 2012 Presidential election began in earnest. I'm sure even if there is a follow-up announcement regarding the … [Read more...] about I Wasn’t Expecting This…Sarah Palin Will Resign As Alaska’s Governor
Palin Quits As Governor
UPDATE: MSNBC is now reporting that sources tell Andrea Mitchell that Palin is out of politics for good. They indicate this is NOT a first step in a 2012 campaign for President but her decision to shift from political candidate to some sort of pundit type. I agree that there certainly seems to be more behind this story that meets the eye, perhaps a new scandal or possibly … [Read more...] about Palin Quits As Governor
Laugh in Tune! Listen to the Capitol Steps’ 4th of July Show
Laugh in Tune! Listen to the Capitol Steps' 4th of July Show on your local NPR station or online! Tune in to hear Mark Sanford, Joe Biden, Arlen Spector, and several Somali pirates as we perform our July 4th radio special in front of a large audience in a confined space. Get local broadcast info now. Hear what's in store on this promo clip. Find a Station or LISTEN … [Read more...] about Laugh in Tune! Listen to the Capitol Steps’ 4th of July Show
Road To A More Sensible Immigration Policy
On the surface, it is extremely suspicious the New York Times news pages are working in concert with the Obama Administration's initial steps towards immigration reform: A kinder, gentler approach in stark contrast to those employee raids conducted by the junior George Bush. I'll use the link to the story and you can decide for yourself. What I do know is that Obama's … [Read more...] about Road To A More Sensible Immigration Policy
The Dreaded Double Dip
After plunging in 2008 and early this year, since March the Dow soared some 36 percent. In the last two weeks, however, it has taken another nasty slide. Could this a signal we are about to experience.... The Dreaded Double Dip There are few worse fears among the seers who give guidance to The Street, Than an upward turn they claimed to discern that … [Read more...] about The Dreaded Double Dip
Michael Jackson: Symbol of a Near-Dead Music Industry – Nachrichten of Switzerland
Is Michael Jackson - and along with him U2 and Madonna - the last vestige of a music industry in its death throes? For Switzerland's Nachrichten newspaper, Patrik Etschmayer writes in part: "Ever since Michael Jackson, King of Pop, extra-terrestrial, and whatever else he was dubbed, shuffled off this mortal coil, commentators around the world have absolutely flipped. … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson: Symbol of a Near-Dead Music Industry – Nachrichten of Switzerland
Happy Motoring, America; Shafted Again
A rogue oil commodities broker was caught manipulating a spike in world oil prices forcing his company to eat $10 million in losses. The disclosure occurred Tuesday when the price of crude oil reached a year's high $73.50 a barrel at a time when the U.S. posts its highest demand on gasoline for the summer vacation season. By Thursday oil prices fell to $66.50 a barrel, down … [Read more...] about Happy Motoring, America; Shafted Again
More News from Mother Nature
Being socked in by repeating lines of storm fronts, I find myself with more time for those pesky internets than I might have liked. Today's exhibit in photography is an interesting effect found when rain clouds totally swamp a set of mountain peaks, with ghostly tendrils hanging down from the main cloud body like moss on a tree. There's an entire line of mountain peaks beyond … [Read more...] about More News from Mother Nature
Judge Overturns Guilty Verdicts in MySpace Suicide
Wired: A federal judge on Thursday overturned guilty verdicts against Lori Drew, issuing a directed acquittal on three misdemeanor charges. Drew, 50, was accused of participating in a cyberbullying scheme against 13-year-old Megan Meier who later committed suicide. The case against Drew hinged on the government’s novel argument that violating MySpace’s terms of service was … [Read more...] about Judge Overturns Guilty Verdicts in MySpace Suicide
Quote of the Day: On Republican Opposition to Sonia Sotomayor
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt, on GOP opposition to President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor: Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will begin confirmation hearings July 13, shrugged off the GOP concerns being raised about Sotomayor, saying some in the GOP were going to oppose … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Republican Opposition to Sonia Sotomayor
Mark Sanford, Mental Case?
I've written a lot already on the whole Mark Sanford saga and I don't intend to write too much more on it this morning. Let me just say this: Is it really necessary to delve into the man's psyche, and specifically to do so without actually examining him, and, what's more, so publicly? He does seem to be going through some sort of adolescent mid-life crisis. And he does … [Read more...] about Mark Sanford, Mental Case?
Recession Fizzles Fireworks Displays (Or Not?)
With America mired in a recession, and the latest job numbers worse than expected, it's a natural "hook" for a story about fireworks throughout the country. Is the recession causing fireworks displays to fizzle? There are some contradictory reports. For instance, NBC News reports that financial crisis has caused many communities to either eliminate fireworks, cut back or … [Read more...] about Recession Fizzles Fireworks Displays (Or Not?)
Michael Jackson – Now it starts
The headline says it all: LAPD Under Scrutiny After Jackson's Death Let the speculation and creation of conspiracy theories begin... --- Cross-posted between Random Fate and The Moderate Voice. --- Technorati : LAPD, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson death Del.icio.us : LAPD, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson death Zooomr : LAPD, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson death … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson – Now it starts
For Those Lost To Us In These Last Many Days
THE LITTLEST LAZARUS How can you have died? No, no. 'Tooo young, tooo young,' hoot the owls in the night pines... How can you have died with your wings spread out so beautifully, two little silver-gray fans with vanes perfectly aligned, literally zipped shut so as to make your feathers air-tight, impervious to being split by wind... All so you could fly. So you could … [Read more...] about For Those Lost To Us In These Last Many Days
Honduras: Set the bar high for democracy in the Americas
With US support, the Organization of American States has threatened to expel Honduras. The Pentagon has cut off military ties. Our Secretary of State wants the actions of the Honduran government to be "condemned by all". Kathy describes this situation as one of regional democracy at work. Personally, I am more inclined to James Kirchick's view that it is extremely strange … [Read more...] about Honduras: Set the bar high for democracy in the Americas
Bombs-Away Bolton Urges Israel to Strike Iran
Here he is, heaving and gasping, ecstasy contorting his face as he fantasizes: … [Read more...] about Bombs-Away Bolton Urges Israel to Strike Iran
Gays In The Military Now!
This week, both the editorial columns in both the New Republic and the New Yorker are demanding that Barack Obama demonstrate his commitment to gay rights by revoking "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" so that gay men and women can serve openly in the US military. The editors at both publications seem to have forgotten the conventional wisdom of just a few months ago: Don't make the … [Read more...] about Gays In The Military Now!