Since I got some well thought responses to my last post regarding efforts to reach better fuel mileage goals I thought I would respond back in a post that would be easier for everyone to read. As I said in my original comments, I am strongly in favor of reaching the goal of better fuel efficiency both for environmental and national security reasons. But I am also conscious … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts On Hybrids And Fuel Economy
I Don’t Understand This Thinking
I really don't get the thought process in Michael's recent post. There seems to be an almost glee that the Republicans aren't backing the stimulus bill because then that opens up the opportunity to make it more "progressive." This goes back to the problem I have with DC "compromise," "bipartisanship," etc. Elsewhere in life, compromise usually refers to a synthesis of a new … [Read more...] about I Don’t Understand This Thinking
Obama-Backed Freedom of Choice Act Draws a Clever Pro-Life Response: “What the FOCA?!”
As President Obama's liberal base gets impatient with his moderate moves, he may be tempted to drop a nuclear policy bomb sure to draw gratitude from activists: actively push Congress to send him the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), as he promised to sign in a widely-shared Planned Parenthood speech. The bill is basically an abortion time-warp, returning the country back to the … [Read more...] about Obama-Backed Freedom of Choice Act Draws a Clever Pro-Life Response: “What the FOCA?!”
Gov. Rod Blagojevich: As Seen On TV!
It was artist Andy Warhol who said that one day everyone will have their 15 minutes of fame. On Monday and Tuesday, Illinois' beset Gov. Rod Blagojevich seemed to want to take the 15 minutes allotted to all Americans and use them all up himself. He skipped his own impeachment trial for his biggest media blitz yet, two-days of appearing all over the tube, and the … [Read more...] about Gov. Rod Blagojevich: As Seen On TV!
Generals Behind the End of Torture
After 20 years of military service, I have an "acquired" deference for superior officers, active duty or retired. While I still respect and appreciate the service of all who served in the military, junior or senior to myself, continued respect and admiration for higher ranking retired military do not seem to come unconditionally these days. I have to be frank, politics … [Read more...] about Generals Behind the End of Torture
GOP Lawmakers Reaction To Obama Congress Visit: Strategy Or Happenstance?
Was it happenstance (possible), or a strategy (possible)? On January 23 we ran this post that indicated that Republicans in Congress were going to pursue a two-pronged strategy in dealing with President Barack obama: (1) Since Obama enjoys high popularity and is a new President they would praise him for his outreach efforts. (2) They would also drag their heels on Democratic … [Read more...] about GOP Lawmakers Reaction To Obama Congress Visit: Strategy Or Happenstance?
The First BlackBerry President
For more, visit Small World Cartoons. … [Read more...] about The First BlackBerry President
National Pie Week?
I've long since given up on fighting the trend of having a day, week or month to commemorate everything under the sun. We have talk like a pirate day, alcohol awareness week, (do we get a discount?) and all 12 slots on the calendar are taken up for somebody's history awareness month. (Note to Congress: my dog is still waiting for basset hound awareness month.) Anyway, if we're … [Read more...] about National Pie Week?
The Great Recession; or, Why Do the Republicans Hate America?
McClatchy: The nation's current recession is likely to be the longest since World War II, and by some measures could be the worst since the Great Depression, a new Congressional Budget Office forecast said Tuesday. Without a major economic stimulus plan, "the shortfall in the nation's output relative to its potential would be the largest – in terms of both length and … [Read more...] about The Great Recession; or, Why Do the Republicans Hate America?
Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is re copyrighted and licensed to appear on this site. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot
Obama’s First Week
Here is what we know after seven days of Change: (1) The new president is aggressively attacking the economic downturn and, though perhaps too eager to make tax-cut concessions to roll up a bipartisan score, is realizing that nothing will appease Republican know-nothings and, as a result, showing some signs of toughening up in getting a stimulus bill passed without … [Read more...] about Obama’s First Week
In Support of the Purple Heart for PTSD
Yesterday, in my post "PTSD and the Purple Heart," I commented on Tyler E. Boudreau's New York Times column “Troubled Minds and Purple Hearts,” where he makes an eloquent case for awarding the Purple Heart or a new decoration to those veterans who have suffered psychic wounds in combat. Since then, I have come across a couple of excellent letters to the Editor of the New … [Read more...] about In Support of the Purple Heart for PTSD
Presidential Honeymoons – A Messy Process
Howard Fineman, the Washington-based political columnist writing for msnbc.com, contends the honeymoon between President Obama and Congress is over. Not so fast, Mr. Fineman, whom I consider one of the better political observers in the media. A political honeymoon is the brief period the president gets what he wants from Congress with almost no questions asked. That's a … [Read more...] about Presidential Honeymoons – A Messy Process
On the Hudson and Beyond: What it Takes to Be a Hero – Die Zeit of Germany
One of the stories that has gotten tremendous coverage around the world, but has tended to get short-shrift due to the inauguration, is that of the miraculous ditching of a passenger jet in New York's Hudson River. One fine example is this article from Germany - which extols heroism and describes how one can spot true heroism by praising the pilot who pulled off the … [Read more...] about On the Hudson and Beyond: What it Takes to Be a Hero – Die Zeit of Germany
So Who Should Replace Bill Kristol As The New York Times’ Columnist?
Here's one idea (and we have linked to him and he is indeed solid). … [Read more...] about So Who Should Replace Bill Kristol As The New York Times’ Columnist?
On Obama’s Bipartisanship And Transportation Realities (Guest Voice)
Is President Barack Obama's avowed penchant for bipartisanship a double-edged sword? Could it sometimes mean that poor decisions or poor personnel choices are carried foward? And are there some transportation issues the U.S. has yet to seriously address? In this Guest Voice post blogger Average Joe looks at these issues. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion … [Read more...] about On Obama’s Bipartisanship And Transportation Realities (Guest Voice)
Mr. President.. You Cannah Change The Laws of Physics (Or Economics)
The Obama adminstration this week announced that it would be setting new guidelines for fuel efficient to apply to the 2011 model year cars and trucks. Let me make it clear from the beginning that I am a strong supporter of efforts to improve fuel mileage for both environmental reasons and national security reasons. However I think perhaps the adminstration is going a bit … [Read more...] about Mr. President.. You Cannah Change The Laws of Physics (Or Economics)
Political Pressure Crashes Bailed Out Citicorp’s Plan For $50 Million Jet
Citicorp is now like the kid who went into a toy store, picked out the most expensive toy and his parents sternly told him to put it back. In the latest public relations fiasco to hit a troubled bailed-out American corporation that still throws around big bucks, the bank is caving into pressure from President Barack Obama and dropping plans to buy a $50 million corporate jet … [Read more...] about Political Pressure Crashes Bailed Out Citicorp’s Plan For $50 Million Jet
A Law Requiring Cameraphones To Click When Taking Photos?
From TechDirt's Pointless Law department: John writes in to let us know of new legislation in Congress that would require all cameraphones to "click" when taking a photo. The idea, of course, is to "protect the children" so that predators can't secretly take photos. The law is similar to one found in South Korea, so it's hardly a new idea -- though it still doesn't make much … [Read more...] about A Law Requiring Cameraphones To Click When Taking Photos?
We Live in Public
Ondi Timoner's documentary, We Live in Public, won a grand jury prize at Sundance Saturday. The documentary video looks at often overlooked Internet pioneer Josh Harris, a dot com millionaire who built a television network for the web, Pseudo Programs, back when most of us were still on dial-up. Pseudo closed down in September 2000, and Harris moved on to his Quiet … [Read more...] about We Live in Public