That's what his attorney says, anyway. I know it's kind of a startling thought. I mean, when you say or hear or read the name "Abu Zubaydah," do you visualize a human being? I think that we are all so used to associating the name "Abu Zubaydah" with the descriptive identifier "high-value detainee" or "top Al Qaeda official" or "terrorist" that it might come as a shock to learn … [Read more...] about Abu Zubaydah Is a Human Being
Quote of the Day: On David Souter’s Resignation From The Supreme Court
Now that various reports have confirmed that Justice David Souter plans to retire from the Supreme Court at the end of this term, the question becomes not just who does President Barack Obama pick but how is that likely to go? Our political Quote of the Day addresses that question in this chuck of The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder's post: Let's face facts: there are many … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On David Souter’s Resignation From The Supreme Court
Washington Bank Heist
Willie Sutton said he robbed banks because that's where the money is, but it was never their money. They only handle and maneuver it around, like parking lot attendants. Yet, according to Sen. Dick Durbin, after smashing up financial vehicles and taking taxpayer billions for repairs, when it comes to the US Senate, banks "frankly own the place." As he tried unsuccessfully … [Read more...] about Washington Bank Heist
GOP Representative Virginia Foxx and Marshall McLuhan
This week Rep. Virginia Foxx, a grandmother, called the murder of Matthew Shepard, specifically the two convicted murderers' intent to kill a man for being homosexual, "a hoax." Mrs. Shepard, Matthew's mother, who has suppported hate-crime bills since her son's murder, was in chambers at the time. After a roar against Mrs. Foxx's blithe use of the word 'hoax' ensued, she issued … [Read more...] about GOP Representative Virginia Foxx and Marshall McLuhan
Obama and bin Laden Confront ‘Day of Reckoning’: As Safir, Lebanon
When a quarter million Western and Afghan troops confront al-Qaeda, the Taliban and whatever jihadi fighters they can muster from around the Muslim world - all in proximity to Pakistan's nuclear stockpile - what will be the result? According to Sateh Noureddine, columnist for Lebanon's As Satif, that moment is fast approaching. He writes in part: "The battle will pit the … [Read more...] about Obama and bin Laden Confront ‘Day of Reckoning’: As Safir, Lebanon
BREAKING NEWS: David Souter To Retire
Rachel Maddow just reported this breaking news, based on a report filed by Pete Williams, NBC legal correspondent. She is interviewing Pete Williams as I type. The report is based on statements made by several government sources who are, of course, as of right now, not named. The story has not been officially confirmed. MSNBC Story with Video Wikipedia on David … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: David Souter To Retire
Lower Taxes? You Can’t Handle It.
I had an interesting conversation with a friend today about a boardwalk that has been constructed on the beach in her city. It's a lovely walkway -- I've been on it -- and it was built with funds designated some years ago. You know... back when cities were flush (or at least solvent). But a beach boardwalk rests upon sand. Which blows. And so, the obvious is occurring: … [Read more...] about Lower Taxes? You Can’t Handle It.
Bunning To Retire ? Rival Announces Candidacy ?
In a move that could signal that endangered Republican Senator Jim Bunning is going to retire, State Treasurer Trey Grayson (R) has announced he is forming an exploratory committee to run for ther Senate in 2010, reportedly with the approval of Bunning. Speculation is Bunning will announce his retirement in the coming weeks. This would be good news to Republicans as Bunning … [Read more...] about Bunning To Retire ? Rival Announces Candidacy ?
Moderates? Who Needs ‘Em? (Guest Voice)
Moderates? Who Needs 'Em? by Rick Moran What's wrong with conservatism? Philosophically, absolutely nothing. There is a family argument going on at the moment where some question how conservative principles can be translated into a set of issues and policies that would lead to actual conservative governance but beyond that, everything is just peachy, right? … [Read more...] about Moderates? Who Needs ‘Em? (Guest Voice)
Deconstructing Swine Flu Mania
I don't know about you, but I felt a little shiver along my spine when I heard on Wednesday that the World Health Organization had raised its H1N1 swine flu threat level to five, on a scale of one-to-six. I didn't know what that meant, exactly. But news reports linking this threat level with the 1968 Hong Kong flu and the word "pandemic" were shaking my belief that the U.S. … [Read more...] about Deconstructing Swine Flu Mania
Chrysler Files Chapter 11
News breaking this morning that Chrysler has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the first automaker to do so since 1933. Details at this point are sketchy but it seems likely that some form of company will emerge from the process, although certainly in a very different form. The merger with Fiat does appear to be on track so that means that they will be working in the process … [Read more...] about Chrysler Files Chapter 11
Market Nuttiness Gets Nuttier
Yesterday the World Health Organization declared that an influenza pandemic was "imminent." The U.S government reported that in the first quarter of this year the Gross Domestic Product fell 6.1 percent. The number of unemployed continues to rise, and foreclosures continue to increase. Six of the country's 19 largest banks failed the government's stress test and will need more … [Read more...] about Market Nuttiness Gets Nuttier
New Hampshire’s Matriarchal Government Best Defines “Change”
I've written before about New Hampshire's state legislature: the House and Senate are both led by women and the Senate is majority female. When I've written about these details, I've also written that while it's something to cheer, we need to keep track of how exactly it might make a difference in governance and life in New Hampshire - and whether voters ultimately decide that … [Read more...] about New Hampshire’s Matriarchal Government Best Defines “Change”
Car Ploughs into Dutch Queen’s Day Parade – Four Killed, 13 Wounded
Both the BBC and the Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad report that a car has ploughed into a crowd of people in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn today during an official visit there by the Dutch royal family. The newspaper reports that four people were killed and 13 wounded and that it apparently was a deliberate action. According to the Handelsblad: An unidentified … [Read more...] about Car Ploughs into Dutch Queen’s Day Parade – Four Killed, 13 Wounded
Matthew Shepard’s Murder Was Not a Hoax, but This Law Will Be
Patrick Edaburn already wrote a very insightful article on yesterday's passage of yet more "hate crime legislation" in the House of Representatives, this time invoking the name of Matthew Shepard. While the people who abducted and murdered Shepard were certainly monsters of the most hateful sort, their biggest crime may not be the assault on Shepard's person, but the damage … [Read more...] about Matthew Shepard’s Murder Was Not a Hoax, but This Law Will Be
Republicans’ NRSC Uses Bush’s Support As Negative Against New Democrat Arlen Specter
The NRSC has started trying to hook up with Democratic primary voters in Pennsylvania to go after Senator Arlen Specter for his switch to the Democratic party because....brace yourself...George Bush supported Specter. So should the subtext for ALL Democrats now from the NRSC be that if ANY Republican was endorsed or even tolerated by Bush, Democrats should automatically vote … [Read more...] about Republicans’ NRSC Uses Bush’s Support As Negative Against New Democrat Arlen Specter
Some Scary Views On Pakistan
Newsweek has an interesting article about the need to get the military out of politics in Pakistan. As the article details, the army has not done much good and has actually caused a great deal of instability in the government. Meanwhile there are growing concerns about a possible Taliban takeover in the increasingly unstable country. President Obama is worried about a … [Read more...] about Some Scary Views On Pakistan
Congress Votes On Hate Crimes Law
The House has voted to approve a new hate crimes law named after Matthew Shepard. The vote was 249-175. The bill has been introduced in the Senate but a vote is not yet scheduled. President Obama has indicated he would sign the bill if it makes it to his desk. The law would broaden current laws to include attacks based on a victim's sexual orientation, gender identity or … [Read more...] about Congress Votes On Hate Crimes Law
Alex Lees: A Hero’s Final Great Escape
Alex Lees, 97, who was immortalised, not only in military, but cinematic history (in The Great Escape film - 1963) for his daredevil escape from the German prison camp in 1944, was buried yesterday at Paisley, the U.K. "But, while 50 of his fellow plotters were executed, after one of the most valiant but tragic escape attempts of the war, the young Royal Army Service Corps … [Read more...] about Alex Lees: A Hero’s Final Great Escape
Is Obama Accidental?
On the evidence of his press conference, our president of 100 days seems so right for this critical time that it tempts a secular humanist to suspect Barack Obama came to power, not just by the natural selection of a brutal political campaign, but some more mysterious process of intelligent design. How else to explain the qualities of mind and heart, and the eloquence to … [Read more...] about Is Obama Accidental?