UPDATE: 2/12/09: Here's the video of Courtney Martin on O'Reilly's show. He tells her that if she can show that she called out sexism against Sarah Palin, he'll apologize. Here is one instance of when Martin did that (O'Reilly didn't do his homework before making the bet) and this instance is of Martin calling out sexism levied against Palin by...O'Reilly. Be prepared for … [Read more...] about [update] Bill O’Reilly Insults Helen Thomas After Just One Obama Presser
PETA Does It Again
I am a big advocate of animal rights and am often quite disturbed when I see the abuse of animals that some people tolerate. However, I have never been a fan of PETA because they take legitimate issues and push them to ridiculous extremes. In addition, they often advocate ridiculous things in pursuit of their agenda. In case you were never a fan of 90s Pop music, the … [Read more...] about PETA Does It Again
Executive Pay Rule Targets Wrong Culprits
It would be premature to comment with much authority on Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner's national press conference Tuesday because it lacked too many details. Generally, it was greeted by a sour response from the banking industry and investors. The Dow Jones industrial average, the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq each fell more than 4 percent … [Read more...] about Executive Pay Rule Targets Wrong Culprits
Hearing Voices: GOP Fever Dreams
In this national nightmare, it's hard to tell if all the voices we hear are real or the products of overheated imaginations. Was that the new Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele saying that the Obama stimulus plan was "laughable" and that the economic mess is only "about 18 months old. The reality of it is, Bush inherited a recession. He got us through … [Read more...] about Hearing Voices: GOP Fever Dreams
Pity The Poor “Stressed” Bankers
The stock market took a dive today. The Dow dropped more than 380 points. Why? Because the financial life support program announced by the new Secretary of the Treasury has a "stress test" provision. More specifically, in order to get government bailout money in the future banks will have to prove that, even if economic times get tougher, they will be able to repay government … [Read more...] about Pity The Poor “Stressed” Bankers
Two Letters on the Stimulus Bill
I know that there are "professional" letters-to-the-editor writers (one is yours truly), and sometimes some experts and "expert opinions" find their way to the "Letters pages." Additionally, one sometimes has to put up with "the angry diatribes and political screeds long regarded as editorial stock in the trade." (more on this later) But generally, such letters represent … [Read more...] about Two Letters on the Stimulus Bill
Israeli Exit Polls: Livni/Kadima=30 Seats, Netanyahu/Likud=28
These can change - I've seen it, it happens. But this is the most current spread for now. What I don't get is: Livni had the most last time too - but couldn't form the coalition and that's what got us to today. So, now what? According to Jameel: 10:27 PM What happens next: [that's 3:27EST] 1. Final Results to be announced by 6 AM [11pmEST] 2. President Shimon Peres … [Read more...] about Israeli Exit Polls: Livni/Kadima=30 Seats, Netanyahu/Likud=28
Did Obama Play the GOP on the Stimulus Bill?
Calling the president "a master rope-a-doper," Noam Scheiber has an interesting take on what may have been Obama's strategy in dealing with the Republicans over the stimulus bill: For weeks now, Obama has soared above the fray -- inviting dour-looking Republicans to the White House for cookies and patiently hearing them out on Capitol Hill. Once again, the Republicans have … [Read more...] about Did Obama Play the GOP on the Stimulus Bill?
Stimulus Bills: Side by Side
If you're seeking, as I have been, a more detailed comparison of the competing House and Senate stimuli than is typically available in the MSM, check out this post at ProPublica. Reviewing that analysis, one would think the right leaners would be quite pleased with the compromise version, especially the increase in "Tax Cuts," the total for which is up nearly $76B in the … [Read more...] about Stimulus Bills: Side by Side
Stimulus Passes Senate In Round Two But Round Three Will Be Most Difficult
The Senate has passed President Barack Obama's economic stimulus bill with a smidgen of Republican support -- but Round Three could be the most difficult stage yet, as the Senate and House try to reconcile differences that some on each side consider irreconcilable. Or are they? The Washington Post reports: The Senate today passed an economic stimulus bill that President … [Read more...] about Stimulus Passes Senate In Round Two But Round Three Will Be Most Difficult
The Stimulus Is Unimportant Compared To The Real Mess
Until the bank situation is resolved the stimulus can't really help stimulate much at all. I have concerns about it specifically but everyone should recognize that it is just a drop in the bucket compared to the most pressing concern. So, how is their plan for that going? Let's turn to the esteemed Yves Smith at Naked Capitalism (emphasis mine): [Fiasco] That one word … [Read more...] about The Stimulus Is Unimportant Compared To The Real Mess
Obama’s (Not-Ready-For) Prime-Time Presser
Did you watch the big shindig last night? I did. It had a few high points, but a lot more of it was dark comedy. You can catch up with my impressions of it and what lessons we can take in my latest column at Pajamas Media today. … [Read more...] about Obama’s (Not-Ready-For) Prime-Time Presser
Republican Moderates Backing GOP Stimulus Threatened To Be Targeted By Republican Group
File this in your Here We Go Again Department file: A GOP group is putting Republican lawmakers "on notice," threatening to campaign against anyone who breaks ranks to vote for the more than $800 billion economic recovery package. The National Republican Trust PAC put out a statement Tuesday claiming it would provide financial support for primary challengers to any … [Read more...] about Republican Moderates Backing GOP Stimulus Threatened To Be Targeted By Republican Group
OH-Sen 2010 Open Seat Race Likely to Include Fierce, Expensive Democratic Primary
Chris Baker might come to owe me dinner, because wisely I didn't bet that Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher will not run against each other in a Democratic primary to be the party's nominee to fill retiring U.S. Senator George Voinovich's seat. I only wagered that Brunner and Ohio congressman, Tim Ryan, wouldn't be facing off. Still, I … [Read more...] about OH-Sen 2010 Open Seat Race Likely to Include Fierce, Expensive Democratic Primary
Rick Lazio for New York Governor?
I normally require some anti-depressants and vodka to think back on the New York Senate election of 2000, but enough time may have passed for me to now do so without breaking down sobbing and going to lie down in a dark room. At the time, I invested a fair amount of my time, energy and money in a futile effort to help Rick Lazio prevent our Senate seat from being carpetbagged … [Read more...] about Rick Lazio for New York Governor?
A-Rod, Juiced
Alex Rodriguez, aka A-Rod, aka A-Fraud, has admitted that he took "a banned substance." However, he claims that he didn't know what it was: "I am guilty of being negligent, naïve, not asking all the right questions." He claims further that he hasn't taken it, or anything like it, since 2003, when he tested positive (see SI's story for more). In other words, it wasn't his … [Read more...] about A-Rod, Juiced
A Porn Star For Senator?
Is the Stormy Daniels boomlet serious or a just publicity stunt? Will she really against run against Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican who was linked to the "D.C. Madam" scandal or not? The debate rages.... But it makes sense. She has experience: she has done on the screen what politicians do to voters. … [Read more...] about A Porn Star For Senator?
Will Barack Obama Have A Beer With Sean Hannity?
President Barack Obama has left himself open to the idea that he could sit down and have a beer with conservative talker Sean Hannity. And on Fox News the Prez' Press Secretary Robert Gibbs left the suggestion open...and apparently Hannity is open to the idea. Here's the video: Question one: Does this mean Obama will later have a pizza with Rush Limbaugh? Question … [Read more...] about Will Barack Obama Have A Beer With Sean Hannity?
Public Service and Replacing Lost Jobs: Two For One Solution (Guest Voice)
So what should the government do now to try and boost employment? In this Guest Voice, TMV reader Marc Pascal, an independent business and management consultant in Phoenix, offers some specific ideas which include reinstituting the draft. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Public Service and Replacing Lost Jobs: Two For One … [Read more...] about Public Service and Replacing Lost Jobs: Two For One Solution (Guest Voice)
Quote of The Day: Learning From Icon Ronald Reagan’s Mistakes
Today's political Quote of the Day is actually more like a MUST READ of the day -- policy analyst David Adesnik's column "Reagan As Statesman: Learning From An Icon’s Mistakes" on Doublethink Online: Ronald Reagan embodies the ideal to which conservatives aspire. Yet Reagan has transcended his status as simply a conservative giant and has become an American icon. On the … [Read more...] about Quote of The Day: Learning From Icon Ronald Reagan’s Mistakes