Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has now been impeached: so now comes the trial....thus guaranteeing a continuation of a story that has "legs" and that's a boon to newspaper cartoons everywhere: The Illinois House of Representatives impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich for abuses of power after federal prosecutors accused him of trying to auction President- elect Barack … [Read more...] about Illinois House Impeaches Gov. Blagojevich: Now Comes The Trial
Kennedy vs. King Polling in New York
Rasmussen has released the results of a poll in New York pitting Democrat Caroline Kennedy against Republican Peter King in the 2010 special election to serve out the remainder of Hillary Clinton's term in the Senate. For the moment, let us ignore the fact that the test question pits a person who has not yet been appointed to the seat against a Congressman who has not … [Read more...] about Kennedy vs. King Polling in New York
No Revolution for the Health Czar
As Tom Daschle was explaining his goals as the new "health czar" at a Senate confirmation hearing, one metaphor for the failed system was looking down at him from the dais. If Ted Kennedy had been an average citizen with a brain tumor last July, he would most likely not be alive now to take part in what seems a serious attempt to confront the health-care mess that has been … [Read more...] about No Revolution for the Health Czar
Sanjay Gupta, Big Pharma Flack
I'm still not sold on Sanjay Gupta for surgeon general. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I dislike the very idea of putting Gupta in charge of public health. As I wrote on Tuesday, when the story broke, Dr. Gupta "seems to be very much a part of, as well as a defender of, the status quo, namely, the corporatized health care system controlled by Big Pharma and the … [Read more...] about Sanjay Gupta, Big Pharma Flack
Your Conservatism Is Too Small
Alex Massie has a wonderful post on how dogmatic the Republican Party has become and ties it to the history of the Conservative Party in the UK after the age of Thatcher. Reaganism helped revitalize the GOP and ushered in a conservative era in the United States. But as Massie notes, the party has become stuck in its past, unwilling to change as the nation changes, and that … [Read more...] about Your Conservatism Is Too Small
Stimulate the Future
I confess I have not read the stimulus package that almost President Obama has crafted, but I have read the many reports as to what it contains and I thought I would throw in my two cents worth as well. My hope is that Obama makes huge changes to the way our government works. I have proposed many, and there are others. For this package, however, I would suggest a growth … [Read more...] about Stimulate the Future
On “Miserable Failures”
I had heard that "googling" the words "miserable failure" would take one to President Bush's official biography site. After hearing this morning that another 524,000 Americans lost their livelihood in December alone, raising the nation's unemployment rate to 7.2 percent, and that 2.6 million Americans have lost their livelihood in 2008, making 2008 the worst year for layoffs … [Read more...] about On “Miserable Failures”
What If The New York Times Goes Out of Business in May?
Michael Hirschorn speculates in The Atlantic: At some point soon—sooner than most of us think—the print edition, and with it The Times as we know it, will no longer exist. And it will likely have plenty of company. In December, the Fitch Ratings service, which monitors the health of media companies, predicted a widespread newspaper die-off: “Fitch believes more newspapers and … [Read more...] about What If The New York Times Goes Out of Business in May?
If Jimmy Carter Lived in Sderot …
If Jimmy Carter lived in Sderot or anywhere else in range of missiles from Gaza, he would not have written the ignorant and naive op-ed linked below. Please, Jimmy, stop being manipulated by terrorists and go plant a garden or something. Jimmy Carter / Washington Post: An Unnecessary War Shmuel Rosner of the Jerusalem Post commented: "One thing I can say for sure: … [Read more...] about If Jimmy Carter Lived in Sderot …
Jobs Down in December
AP via MSNBC: Job losses rise in Dec., unemployment 7.2 pct.; December figures cap a year featuring job losses every month Trying to survive a deepening recession, employers are cutting their work forces to the bone, leaving more Americans unemployed and with dim prospects of finding a new job any time soon. The Labor Department reported Friday that the jobless rate rose … [Read more...] about Jobs Down in December
Excerpts on Clarence Thomas
BUMPED, with the link fixed. My two well-received posts this summer on Black Conservatism have been been reposted on Racialicious (here and here). In honor of the occasion, I have put up some excerpts from a larger piece I've been working on explaining how Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas fits in with my theory. It's long, but I think it's worthwhile if you find Justice … [Read more...] about Excerpts on Clarence Thomas
A Fitting Song For Congress
President Elect Barack Obama yesterday urged members of both parties in Congress to move swiftly to act on an economic stimulus package. Here's a song that tells us what we are likely to get: … [Read more...] about A Fitting Song For Congress
Obama Certified As President
Although it seemed to get fairly minimal coverage in the media, earlier today (January 8th) there was a joint session of Congress in which they formally elected Barack Obama as President and Joe Biden as Vice President. This is a standard routine every four years though of course there was a certain level of history to the election of the first African American … [Read more...] about Obama Certified As President
And You Thought Your Ex Was Bitter
As a lawyer I couldn't resist posting this story. The basic story is that the husband donated a kidney to his wife and she subsequently had an affair. Now that they are getting divorced he wants the kidney back, or absent that he wants financial compensation. I am not sure which is worse, the woman having an affair after he gave up a kidney or him filing this claim, when … [Read more...] about And You Thought Your Ex Was Bitter
Classic Jazz: Fats Waller’s “Your Feets Too Big”
Here's some classic jazz for those who hate jazz as well as those who love it (one that almost everyone loves). The great jazz pianist/singer/composer Fats Waller doing his song "Your Feets Too Big" (circa 1940s): More on Waller's music HERE. … [Read more...] about Classic Jazz: Fats Waller’s “Your Feets Too Big”
Congress Pushes Obama to the Left on Stimulus
Joe references lots of Democratic concern over the Obama economic stimulus plan. What's striking about it is that the pressure is coming from the left much more than the right. Sure, there are Blue Dog Democrats concerned about deficits. But Obama has assuaged the fears of them by speaking openly and frankly about the perils of long-term debt and by consulting with them on a … [Read more...] about Congress Pushes Obama to the Left on Stimulus
Happy Birthday To The King
Since I (we) nearly forgot to mark his birthday, this seemed the best video pick. Still one of the greatest, if only he could have stuck around to celebrate with us today. … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday To The King
Gaza: Pride of the Arabs – Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
To what degree does the Arab world hold the United States responsible for the deaths being inflicted on innocent Palestinians in Gaza? The level of perceived U.S. complicity is a constantly moving target, but as Israel's offensive drags on, the level of anger from the 'Arab street' being aimed toward the United States appears to be growing. This editorial from Algeria's Le … [Read more...] about Gaza: Pride of the Arabs – Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
Will Obama’s Call For 21st Century Economy Be Delayed By Democrats?
President-Elect Barack Obama today delivered a stark warning about the state of America's economy in a speech clearly aimed to rally public and political support to get a massive stimulus and economic re-orientation policy in place ASAP. He called for laying the groundwork for a sound 21st century economy -- but the real, hard-nosed question now will be: if the political and … [Read more...] about Will Obama’s Call For 21st Century Economy Be Delayed By Democrats?
World Cartoonists Look At Gaza, Israel And Hamas
The events in Gaza continue to have a polarizing effect throughout the world. This is also evident in the work of cartoonists throughout the world, whose commentaries reflect these varying viewpoints (each side feels it is absolutely correct). Here's a cross section: Breaking the Rules: Yaakov Kirschen, The Jerusalem Post, Dry Bones War On Hamas: Paresh … [Read more...] about World Cartoonists Look At Gaza, Israel And Hamas