From the transcript of President Obama's news conference last night in response to Lynn Sweet's question about the arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr. at his home in Cambridge: OBAMA: Well, I should say at the outset that Skip Gates is a friend, so I may be a little biased here... Now, I don't know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts, what role race played in that. … [Read more...] about Harvard’s Henry Louis Gates Jr., “A Black Man in America” (Continued)
Why Moderate Republicans Suck
Okay, that the above title might be a bit harsh. But even so, we Moderates really are in a world of hurt. The moderate/liberal movement in the GOP that once had the likes of Thomas Dewey and Dwight Eisenhower is barely alive these days. Some of that is due to the fact that social conservatives have driven moderates out of the party with their emphasis on issues like … [Read more...] about Why Moderate Republicans Suck
Don’t Buy A Kindle; Give It A 1-Star Review
Defective By Design updates it's 1-star reviews and tags action. They've generated hundreds: If you haven't written a review yet, here are direct links to the review forms. Take a few minutes to explain to potential Kindle buyers why they shouldn't get one: 6" Kindle, Kindle DX. If your review wasn't published by Amazon, definitely let us know. We'll be busy picking our … [Read more...] about Don’t Buy A Kindle; Give It A 1-Star Review
The Obama Health Plan as Seen By Ted Kennedy
President Obama has just finished his news conference, intended to explain his health care reform plan and to gather support for an early passage. While I am sure the O’Reillys and the Limbaughs will judge the conference to be a miserable failure, I believe that the president did a good job in generally outlining the need for, the objectives of, the intended results and the … [Read more...] about The Obama Health Plan as Seen By Ted Kennedy
At Last: A Mainstream Answer to Fearmongering on Health Care
The argument against public health care is so strong that the health insurance industry has to cherrypick and misrepresent poll data in order to make its case that the current system is a better deal: … [Read more...] about At Last: A Mainstream Answer to Fearmongering on Health Care
Could Obama Be Choreographing The Healthcare Reform Story Suspense
What if the ongoing new and old media narrative about suspense over the fate of President Barack Obama's centerpiece healthcare reform was really all in effect choreographed -- and a bill was more of a done deal that many know? The L.A. Time's Andrew Malcomb looks at the possibility HERE. … [Read more...] about Could Obama Be Choreographing The Healthcare Reform Story Suspense
The Obama-Cheney Merge
Long time readers will recall that I was one of those annoying dogs yapping at the heels of Dick Cheney when he had all those secret meetings with oil industry executives while establishing U.S. energy policy. I differed from the Bush administration's position that executive privilege shielded the content of those meetings, as well as the industry attendees. Yes, I'm sure the … [Read more...] about The Obama-Cheney Merge
Russia’s Opposition and Liz Cheney: Allies Confronting Obama – Nezavisimaya Gazeta of Russia
Is President Obama more aligned with Russian President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin than Bush was? And is Liz Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, a better advocate for the Russian opposition that President Obama? According to this intriguing article By Alexei Victorovich Chadayev for Russia's Nezavisimaya Gazeta, the answer to both questions is … [Read more...] about Russia’s Opposition and Liz Cheney: Allies Confronting Obama – Nezavisimaya Gazeta of Russia
I Can’t Believe I Said This
Conspiracy theories know no political boundaries. The assassinations of President Lincoln and Kennedy and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks are replete with theories still being debated today. But, the current so-called "birther" flap over President Obama boggles rationality. And, therein rests the problem with all conspiracy theorists: They won't accept factual … [Read more...] about I Can’t Believe I Said This
Rest in Peace, Vatito, Little Guy
Gidget the Chihuahua, Taco Bell star, has died. She was 15 years old. The owner of Studio Animal Services in Castaic says Gidget suffered a stroke late Tuesday and had to be put down. This little dog caused controversy when she appeared in Taco Bell ads with a male voice-over, saying "Yo quiero Taco Bell," in Spanish: "I want Taco Bell." It made my whole family laugh to … [Read more...] about Rest in Peace, Vatito, Little Guy
Ripples
Kaiser Health News has an interesting article about the health care problems of some of the people who live in Mike Ross's district. Ross is one of the Blue Dog Democrats who is threatening to deep-six Obama's health care reform package unless changes are made (most notably eliminating or eviscerating the public option). Here are some excerpts: … [Read more...] about Ripples
Honesty Option for Health Care
The debate is heading for rock bottom. "If you like your plan," Barack Obama promises for the umpteenth time in the Rose Garden yesterday, "you'll be able to keep it. And each bill provides for a public option that will keep insurance companies honest, ensuring the competition necessary to make coverage affordable." At tonight's press conference, will someone please ask … [Read more...] about Honesty Option for Health Care
Ringling Brothers, Slave Mongers? Time to Stop Going to Animal Circuses?
One might wonder, did the exhibition for money, beatings, and slavery of creatures, lead to 'hey good idea,' let's do the same to vulnerable humans? Human slaves of every race, the Scots and Irish tribes and the clans to the British, the underclass of peasant farmers under Rome, the Africans taken by their own kings, the Aztec and Mayans and Inkans, also enslaved by their own … [Read more...] about Ringling Brothers, Slave Mongers? Time to Stop Going to Animal Circuses?
Divergent Interests
We've all heard the same tragic stories. Some of us have even seen it played out. A couple decides to make their lives happier by drinking heavily. It works nicely for awhile. Then one partner sees the dangers and backs away, while the other doesn't have the will or the ability to do so, leaving his or her mate to mourn a foolish collective error. We're seeing something akin … [Read more...] about Divergent Interests
A First Person Account Of California’s Budget Cuts
I am shocked to discover this morning I am a victim of the on-going budget cuts in California's MediCal system. It seems so simple on the surface but in reality is a life-threatening disaster. I am a diabetic low-income senior. My health is dependent on testing my blood glucose levels to determine the dosages of insulin I require to maintain a normal life. This is achieved … [Read more...] about A First Person Account Of California’s Budget Cuts
Lincoln’s Republicans: A Party of Big Activist Government
We're all familiar with the party of Lincoln as emancipator of the slaves. But listening to the nearly 30 hours of David Blight's Open Yale course on The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, 1845-1877, I've learned a thing or two about the birth of the Republican party. It came of a very exciting time in politics: [T]he Republican Party was really born amidst hundreds of meetings … [Read more...] about Lincoln’s Republicans: A Party of Big Activist Government
Gerson Echoes Brooks
Consistent with memes given voice in David Brooks' column yesterday -- ref. here and here -- the WaPo's Michael Gerson writes: It is difficult to imagine that an overwhelmingly Democratic Congress will do nothing on health reform. But as deadlines slip, and moderate arguments gain in momentum, the legislation is likely to disappoint liberal Democrats in several ways. William … [Read more...] about Gerson Echoes Brooks
Is Regina Benjamin Too Fat?
I'm trying very hard to give a good chicken butt who the Surgeon General is, though it may wind up being a futile battle. Yes, the SG is technically in charge of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and has some vaguely defined duties in the event of a health emergency, and they can put warning labels on your smoke and your booze. But they never really seem to do very … [Read more...] about Is Regina Benjamin Too Fat?
Health Reform: Common Ground Proposals
Playing Solomon, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) suggests flexibility on insurance coverage of abortions as one possible compromise to a heated meme in the reform debate. Elsewhere, Conor Friedersdorf suggests that rather than taxing the rich to be pay for health care reform, why not simply "un-support" them? (Note to Conor: Intriguing idea, but just in case no one else nitpicks … [Read more...] about Health Reform: Common Ground Proposals
Parades and Tolerance, Then and Now (Guest Voice)
Parades and Tolerance, Then and Now by Brian Blum My nearly sixteen-year-old daughter Merav attended the Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade two weeks ago. She had heard about the event, the controversy it had engendered, and thought it would be interesting to see what all the fuss was about. It’s funny how time tends to curl around and repeat itself. When I was sixteen, I … [Read more...] about Parades and Tolerance, Then and Now (Guest Voice)