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?
Red Indians: “America’s Broken Promises”
While the US media and the blogs are going hysterical about the health care issues of "Americans", Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press Writer) provides us with a moving insight into the continued poverty, deprivation and neglect of the "other" Americans --- the indigenous people who live within the borders of the United States of America. The story revolves round the … [Read more...] about Red Indians: “America’s Broken Promises”
On “Fair” Taxes
Taxes are the means through which we pay for the infrastructure of civilization. While I can't exactly say I'm happy to pay them, I understand, expect and accept that I will always pay a big chunk of my wages out in taxes each year. I believe in community, taxes come with it. Nancy Folbre, an economics professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has a piece on the … [Read more...] about On “Fair” Taxes
Has the Obama Administration Destroyed America?
The short answer: "No" The somewhat longer answer: "Well, at least not yet." It's true that our citizens are not dropping dead in the streets of disease and starvation. Nor have Skynet's robots begun ravaging the landscape. Much to the consternation of many Republicans, President Obama has stubbornly refused to declare America a Muslim Nation and set fire to the … [Read more...] about Has the Obama Administration Destroyed America?
UPDATED: Iran’s Election Results Deemed Questionable, Logical
Supporters of Iranian president-elect Mir Hossein Mousavi stand at the gate of their university campus during a rally in Tehran on June 15, 2009. By Olivier Laban-Mattei/Getty. H/t + cutline credit: Andrew Sullivan. ------------- Dueling interpretations are the inevitable result when outsiders attempt to decipher the indecipherable. Cases in point: this post from … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Iran’s Election Results Deemed Questionable, Logical
Microsoft’s Bing: Bringing Around the Tech Press
Yesterday Fred Wilson proposed we give bing a chance. He set his default search to Bing and promised his reaction to it in the coming days. Later TechCrunch's MG Siegler reminds us that back in the 90s he was something of a Microsoft fanboy before going on to admit: I mocked Bing from the second I heard its name, as basically a non-starter. But here we are a few weeks later, … [Read more...] about Microsoft’s Bing: Bringing Around the Tech Press
Panetta Says Cheney Sounds Like He Almost Wants U.S. Attacked
Uh, oh. Brace yourself for the outrage machine to perhaps go into full gear -- or will it be (rightfully) distracted by truly significant, substantive events now unfolding in Iran? CIA Chief Leon Panetta this weekend said what some writers and analysts have hinted at over the past few months: from former Vice President Dick Cheney's comments about Obama administration security … [Read more...] about Panetta Says Cheney Sounds Like He Almost Wants U.S. Attacked
Iranspiration
My first reaction to the situation in Iran was rooted in base gratitude for the fact that I live in a country where the transfer of power is a "reasonable, peaceful" process. One commenter had a different reaction: I was happy when I saw the Iranian chaos. To me it demonstrates the growing liberalism and the increasing level of freedom of expression that is arising in … [Read more...] about Iranspiration
Ahmadinejad And Boss
Taylor Jones, Hoover Digest This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Ahmadinejad And Boss
The Illogic Of DADT
Since it has been in the news of late, I have been pondering the issue of the illogic of the current Don't Ask Don't Tell policy with regard to our Armed Forces.As I understand it, the theory is that having openly gay men and women serving in the military would cause disruptions to morale because people would be uncomfortable having a gay person living and working with … [Read more...] about The Illogic Of DADT
Max Cleland’s Return
Max Cleland ended a seven year hiatus from public life this month when he attended the D-Day ceremony on the cliffs of Normandy. The former Georgia senator was named secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission by President Obama in May. In that capacity he served as the official escort of the president and First Lady at Normandy. American news outlets largely … [Read more...] about Max Cleland’s Return
Iran: What You See Is What You Get
From a westerner's perspective whose only expertize on Iran is finding it on a map, Friday's national election was a fraud. What else would you expect? When westerners apply U.S. standards for fair elections to a foreign country run by a theocracy, you're guilty of wishful thinking and probably smoking an illegal substance. Get over it. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed … [Read more...] about Iran: What You See Is What You Get