Let me start out by saying that probably no one will read this blog post. Why do I say that? Because it's about telling my fellow moderate Republicans to stop whining about the state of the party, acting like little kids holding their breath until the party bosses listen to them is something that people don't want to hear. People would much rather me complain about how … [Read more...] about …Either Stay Loudly or Leave Loudly
Obama Fires It Up in Williamsburg
At last, the fiery candidate Barack Obama has returned to inspire the troops in support of the stimulus bill. Obama's speech in Williamsburg to House Democrats undoubtedly carries some risk, as David Gergen pointed out tonight. But I think the moment called for it. Frankly, I've found it a bit demoralizing to watch ideological conservatives claim that the stimulus … [Read more...] about Obama Fires It Up in Williamsburg
The Caroline Kennedy Smear
In the aftermath of the Hillary Clinton replacement soap opera, there is a footnote to the misadventure of JFK's daughter in seeking the seat--the price of getting involved with political pygmies in the desire to continue a family tradition of public service. The New York Times, which played a part in discrediting Caroline Kennedy as not ready for prime time, has gone back … [Read more...] about The Caroline Kennedy Smear
AP Claims Copyright of the Iconic Obama Poster Image
AP has riled the copyfighters again and the blogs are all over it. This time AP is claiming the copyright and asking for credit and compensation for use of the image artist Shepard Fairey used to build his iconic Obama HOPE poster: "The Associated Press has determined that the photograph used in the poster is an AP photo and that its use required permission," the AP's director … [Read more...] about AP Claims Copyright of the Iconic Obama Poster Image
Mr Card, Clothes Do Not a President Make
I did not see Mr. Andrew Card's interview where he apparently criticized the Obama White House for their relaxed dress code. I understand that he said something to the effect that “there should be a dress code of respect” in the White House and that he wished Mr. Obama “would wear a suit coat and tie.” Apparently he also said: The Oval Office symbolizes…the … [Read more...] about Mr Card, Clothes Do Not a President Make
Boxer to Head New Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Global Women’s Issues
From a blog post by Nicholas Kristof at the New York Times: The U.S. Senate is taking a welcome step: empowering a subcommittee specifically charged with global women’s issues. It’s the first time a subcommittee has had that mandate, and it will be led by Barbara Boxer of California, who will surely use her voice and spotlight to do some good on these issues. ... Issues … [Read more...] about Boxer to Head New Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Global Women’s Issues
Independent Commission To Investigate Dutch Government’s Support For U.S. Iraq Invasion
Just as Americans have had a thousand questions about the Iraq war, there have been many and persistent questions and concerns in the Netherlands as to how the Dutch government came to its decision to support the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Today, the Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reports: Dutch parliament has voted to support the institution of an independent … [Read more...] about Independent Commission To Investigate Dutch Government’s Support For U.S. Iraq Invasion
Larry Flynt is Right: ‘Adult Entertainment’ Comes Before Autos – Jornal de Negocios, Portugal
When one looks at the issue in purely economic terms, do purveyors of porn like Larry Flynt have a point in their quest for a bailout by the U.S. government? In this article from Portugal's business daily, the Jornal de Negocios, Frederico Bastião, a professor of 'crisis economic theory', makes a very strong case that adult entertainment deserves a bailout far more than … [Read more...] about Larry Flynt is Right: ‘Adult Entertainment’ Comes Before Autos – Jornal de Negocios, Portugal
Shoot A Wall Street Executive For Charity
I hope to be able to provide video if they put it up on the web site but one of my favorite talk show teams is giving all of us a little stress release. From their Press Release today: Talk 650 KSTE morning show hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty are tired of the financial injustice as the U.S. government awards multibillion-dollar companies with bailouts. This Thursday, … [Read more...] about Shoot A Wall Street Executive For Charity
Stimulating Consumerism, Encouraging Debt
I realize that part of what the economy needs is more consumer spending on big-ticket items, and so I understand why Republicans pushed successfully for a $15,000 tax credit for homebuyers to go along with a tax incentive for carbuyers, both now part of the Senate's stimulus package, but is encouraging more spending at a time when jobs are being lost and the credit market has … [Read more...] about Stimulating Consumerism, Encouraging Debt
Rough Seas Ahead: Government Intervention Is Failing
There are various steps of intervention that the government can take when it is trying to react to a crisis. The first step is to merely signal that the climate is undesirable and that it is looking into options. The next step is to change monetary policy to be more accommodating. The next is to make small scale interventions by bringing together private parties and getting … [Read more...] about Rough Seas Ahead: Government Intervention Is Failing
Remember the Moderates: Thomas Curtis
There has been much news about Michael Steele's ascension to the Chairmanship of the GOP. As the first African American to head the party, there is a hope that the GOP can reach out to African Americans. Over the last few decades, the GOP has not been known for being forward thinking when it comes to civil rights. But there was a time when the GOP was the party that … [Read more...] about Remember the Moderates: Thomas Curtis
Pope Benedict XVI and the Benedict Arnold of the Church: Bishop Williamson
I am a Catholic for all my life. Not 'a recovering Catholic.' But, 'a discovering Catholic,' with roots deep in old ethnic traditions. Watching and attempting to understand all the Vatican's decisions over all these years, is like reading a Gothic novel with every third page torn out. Little or no sunshine until a matter is a fait accompli, or as in this case, a fait … [Read more...] about Pope Benedict XVI and the Benedict Arnold of the Church: Bishop Williamson
More About That Alleged $10 Laptop
The one I mentioned the other day. It's not $10. And not a laptop: There's a reason that India's $10 Sakshat computer is just $10. It does almost nothing. What we thought would be a humming notebook equipped with Wi-Fi and 2GB RAM turns out to be little more than a box with sockets -- no keyboard, no monitor. The Sakshat is a 10"x5" plastic box which, despite an official … [Read more...] about More About That Alleged $10 Laptop
Selling the Stimulus: How Republican Spin Is Dominating the Narrative, and What Democrats Need To Do To Fight Back
Yesterday, my friend Creature noted that public support for the current economic stimulus plan has fallen to 37 percent, attributing this decline to "the failure of Democrats to get their message out." Ryan Avent, linking to Steve Benen, made the same point over at Yglesias's place: "[C]onservatives are winning the public relations battle, and as a result, public support for … [Read more...] about Selling the Stimulus: How Republican Spin Is Dominating the Narrative, and What Democrats Need To Do To Fight Back
Separating the Serious from the Unserious Opposition
I've written often in comments here at TMV that much of the Republican Party's opposition to the "pork" in the stimulus bill is offered in bad faith. I say this for two reasons: 1) Most of these Congressmen voted for the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act in 2003. This was the largest expansion in entitlements since LBJ. Nobody who approved this legislation can … [Read more...] about Separating the Serious from the Unserious Opposition
Democrats Need To Be Ali, Not Tyson
Reading Publius' post on Republican priorities got me thinking about how the meta narrative for the Republican party is so much different than for the Democrats, and how the Democrats are failing to appreciate it. The gist of his post was that the stimulus is going to help millions of people, and the Republicans are obstructing it by objecting to pieces that are (largely) good … [Read more...] about Democrats Need To Be Ali, Not Tyson
SCOTUS: Justice Ginsburg Having Surgery Today for Pancreatic Cancer
MSNBC just announced that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is having surgery in NYC today for early-stage pancreatic cancer. She is 75 years old. AP via Washington Post: Ginsburg Is Hospitalized With Pancreatic Cancer … [Read more...] about SCOTUS: Justice Ginsburg Having Surgery Today for Pancreatic Cancer
Economy-Killing Wall Street Bonuses
Americans are furious about Wall Street bonuses. They believe these rewards are massively excessive, undeserved, and in the current economic environment totally inappropriate. All true. But what should really be getting people angry is that these bonuses in large measure are responsible for this country's present economic woes. The size of Wall Street bonuses have long … [Read more...] about Economy-Killing Wall Street Bonuses
Shinseki Steps Up To The Plate
I have consistently applauded Obama's selection of General Eric Shinseki to head the Department of Veterans Affairs. When he was selected, I posted his gracious words of acceptance, in which he said in part: A word to my fellow veterans: If confirmed, I will work each and every day to ensure that we are serving you as well as you have served us. We will pursue a … [Read more...] about Shinseki Steps Up To The Plate