You've heard of "straight shooters" -- people who say what they mean, and do what they say? "Twisted shooters" are their obvious opposite, and if there were awards for twisted shooters, I'd open the nominations today with two. One nom for the GOP leaders who decry any attempt to vote against war funding, except when it's them casting the "nay's." (What goes around comes … [Read more...] about Twisted Shooter Nominations
Tribe Theory – Reborn
Everyone knows that humans cannot survive in the wild as individuals. Throughout time humans have survived by banding together in tribes for the common good. Successful leaders ruled for the benefit of all and his tribe expanded often without the need of warfare. Great leaders know that their position and power depend on those within the tribe. Even he cannot survive in the … [Read more...] about Tribe Theory – Reborn
People, Not Technology, Distort Reality
James Joyner voices concern that rapid-fire communication technologies (Twitter, et. al.) may be forcing snap-decisions on issues before those issues can be fairly and fully evaluated. I share some of Joyner's concern. Compelled to react to the Iranian situation over the weekend and yesterday, I authored what I think (in retrospect) were some remarkably thin, shallow, … [Read more...] about People, Not Technology, Distort Reality
What the AMA is Really About (Hint: Not Health Care)
My friend Barbara O'Brien (a.k.a. Maha of the very fine Mahablog) runs the Mesothelioma Law & Politics blog at the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center and has been writing extensively on health-care reform. Take, for example, this must-read post on the American Medical Association's appalling (if all-too predictable) opposition to a "public option," that is, to a … [Read more...] about What the AMA is Really About (Hint: Not Health Care)
Come help us demonstrate our lack of support for the troops
Back in 2003 when I was still a card carrying member of the Republican Party, I swear that I felt like the only person in the GOP who opposed the Iraq war. But I kept right on protesting and speaking out against it, and finally my efforts have paid off. I see that today the entire House Republican membership is going to vote against further funding for the war. It's good to … [Read more...] about Come help us demonstrate our lack of support for the troops
Mounting Criticism of the ‘Disturbing’ Justice Dept DOMA Brief
The NYTimes editorial today on the recent Department of Justice brief defending DOMA: The Obama administration, which came to office promising to protect gay rights but so far has not done much, actually struck a blow for the other side last week. It submitted a disturbing brief in support of the Defense of Marriage Act, which is the law that protects the right of states to … [Read more...] about Mounting Criticism of the ‘Disturbing’ Justice Dept DOMA Brief
Admirable Nuance: Obama’s Measured Response to the Iranian Election and Its Aftermath
The right has been all over Obama's measured response to the Iranian election -- seriously, what was he to do? push America's weight around with the situation still unclear, and with allegations of corruption and vote-rigging unproven, however credible, thereby likely driving the wedge between Washington and Tehran deeper at a time when the U.S. is seeking to open up diplomatic … [Read more...] about Admirable Nuance: Obama’s Measured Response to the Iranian Election and Its Aftermath
Ex-Beatle McCartney For Meatless Mondays
The ex-Beatles pop music sensation Sir Paul McCartney and his two daughters are avidly campaigning for meatless Mondays to "reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the world's livestock, among the most serious contributors to global warming." The Independent reports: "The McCartneys have attracted support from across the worlds of showbusiness, science, business and the … [Read more...] about Ex-Beatle McCartney For Meatless Mondays
SPY HARD
News from two-thirds of the former Axis of Evil raises questions about whether US intelligence services are doing their jobs. How much do they really know about what's going on in Iran and North Korea? The meaning of election results from Tehran and insight into Kim Jong-il's successor are as opaque as they would have been in a world without air travel, computers, satellites … [Read more...] about SPY HARD
As Vatican Seeks Muslim Souls, Europe Fears U.S. Abandonment: La Stampa of Italy
Has President Obama's Cairo speech exposed a deep-seated European fear of 'Islamization?' This article from the country that houses the Vatican in part blames the Catholic Church for the phenomena. For Italy's La Stampa, Guido Ceronetti chastises his European brethren for being too lily-livered to support a stronger European defense and stand up to oppose those they fear - … [Read more...] about As Vatican Seeks Muslim Souls, Europe Fears U.S. Abandonment: La Stampa of Italy
California Budget Circus Part 23
The year was 1987. Ronald Reagan was President, Pac Man and Ms. Pac Man were tops at the video arcade, Michael Jackson was only slightly odd and NASA launched the Buck Rogers on the last of America's deep space probes (well maybe not that last one). However one other thing that happened that year was the California legislature failed to pass a budget on time and they have … [Read more...] about California Budget Circus Part 23
Joe Being Joe: Lieberman Says No to “Public Option” on Health-Care Reform
Joe Lieberman, non-Democrat, is always just in it for himself, isn't he? He's with McCain and the Republicans before the '08 election, campaigning vigorously against Obama, then he's with Obama, if not so much with the Democrats, whom he formally rejected following his loss to Lamont (becoming an "independent"), when Obama wins and the Republicans are reduced to an extremist … [Read more...] about Joe Being Joe: Lieberman Says No to “Public Option” on Health-Care Reform
Is Cheney “Rooting” for Another Attack on the U.S.?
First, it was Frank Rich. In a recent New York Times column, “Who Is to Blame for the Next Attack?”, in which Rich rightly condemns Cheney’s ongoing attempts to once again “using lies and fear… rewrite history and escape accountability for the failed Bush presidency…”, he also bemoans the incessant and groundless Republican attacks that the Obama administration is making … [Read more...] about Is Cheney “Rooting” for Another Attack on the U.S.?
Enough Already With Letterman/Palin
When the whole Letterman/Palin controversy first erupted I published a post in which I was critical of his comments which I found to be crude and insensitive, and I still think that they were. I still think Letterman is quite biased in his attitude and that he is largely intolerant of those with whom he disagrees. He shows little respect for those on the right and gives wide … [Read more...] about Enough Already With Letterman/Palin
Strong Words from Obama on Health Care Reform
From Obama's AMA speech today in Chicago, via Ben Smith at Politico: There are countries where a single-payer system may be working. But I believe -- and I’ve even taken some flak from members of my own party for this belief -- that it is important for us to build on our traditions here in the United States. So, when you hear the naysayers claim that I’m trying to bring … [Read more...] about Strong Words from Obama on Health Care Reform
The Difference Between “Tough” and “Bully”
Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham tells us what that difference is: … [Read more...] about The Difference Between “Tough” and “Bully”
How Ahmadinejad is Like Bush/Cheney/Rove
I haven't blogged on it, but I've been following the Iranian election, and post-election, closely -- and it's pretty clear that Iranian democracy is a sham. Here's Andrew Sullivan, bringing it home with some of the best analysis I've read (making a point that is sure to freak out the right): Ahmadinejad's bag of tricks is eerily like that of Karl Rove - the constant use … [Read more...] about How Ahmadinejad is Like Bush/Cheney/Rove
Post-Racialism in the Republican Party
Rumor has it South Carolina's Republican leaders are trying to persuade African-Americans to revise their overwhelmingly negative opinion of the GOP and maybe actually consider becoming Republicans. … [Read more...] about Post-Racialism in the Republican Party
A Demilitarized Palestinian State
Part of Netanyahu's agreement to establish a Palestinian state is the condition that the state be demilitarized. It isn't as radical an idea as it's made out to be. It is also flat wrong, and will make Israel less secure in the process. … [Read more...] about A Demilitarized Palestinian State
Iran’s Controversial Election: And Now The Crackdown Begins?
Is a major crackdown now underway in Iran? Some news organizations, including the BBC, say yes in the wake of controversial election results that have raised a slew of issues involving Iran, the Obama administration's proposed approach to it, the Middle East, and even American press coverage. UPDATE: Opposition candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi appeared at a protest rally. … [Read more...] about Iran’s Controversial Election: And Now The Crackdown Begins?