According to CNN, Larry Flynt is leading the charge for a $5 billion bailout for the porn industry. Here is an excerpt: Flynt and Francis concede the industry itself is in no financial danger — DVD sales have slipped over the past year, but Web traffic has continued to grow. But the industry leaders said the issue is a nation in need. "People are too depressed to be … [Read more...] about The Porn Bailout
No Drama Obama Is A-OK
Sean Hannity of Fox News huffs and he puffs as he blows his infamous litany of sins committed by the Obama transition team. To hear him, one would think the Democrats are dead on arrival before Barack Obama even is sworn into office Jan. 20. Let's briefly examine these egregious acts in the minds of Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and others of his pedigree. … [Read more...] about No Drama Obama Is A-OK
Republicans Are So Popular
Today's funny, from TNR's Chris Orr: Dana Milbank hilariously tallies invocations of Ronald Reagan at [Monday]'s debate between the candidates for RNC chair. He comes up with a total of 16, which is fewer than the 22 guns that four of the contenders boast of owning in a comical display of yardsticking. But the most delightful burst of one-upsmanship has to be this: "Let … [Read more...] about Republicans Are So Popular
Senate Inches Toward Seating Illinois’ Burris: Obama’s Idea?
In what can only be described as a sort-of-slow-motion about face, the Senate is now showing signs that it's going to seat Roland Burris to take over President Elect Barack Obama's Senate spot after all. And, according to one report, the suggestion (a political offer they couldn't refuse?) came from the Obama team. CBS reports: Senate leaders began to clear the way … [Read more...] about Senate Inches Toward Seating Illinois’ Burris: Obama’s Idea?
Trillion-Dollar Hard Times
In the run-up to what had better be the most inspiring inaugural address ever, Barack Obama keeps breaking bad news about the economy, yesterday warning of "trillion-dollar deficits for years to come." (Today the Congressional Budget Office upped the ante by estimating a $1.2 trillion shortfall for 2009.) During his "media availability" yesterday, the President-Elect … [Read more...] about Trillion-Dollar Hard Times
The Bush Legacy That Wasn’t
While anguishing about the various awful messes George Bush leaves behind, we might take a moment or two to feel grateful for the things he wanted to do but didn't manage to inflict on this country and the world. In this regard consider Social Security. One of his announced priorities when he was re-elected in 2004 was to "reform" the Social Security system—to partially … [Read more...] about The Bush Legacy That Wasn’t
A Bad Staff Week for Obama (so far)
You knew the entire transition period couldn't go smoothly for President-elect Obama, but over the past couple of days, the transition has gone from a placid lake to riding high seas on the North Atlantic. First, Bill Richardson turned down his appointment to be Commerce Secretary because of possible ethics violations concerning campaign funds given to him while he was … [Read more...] about A Bad Staff Week for Obama (so far)
Dr. Sanjay Gupta… for Surgeon General?
The WaPo's Howard Kurtz is reporting that Obama has asked celebrity tele-Dr. Sanjay Gupta, he of CNN and CBS fame, to be the new surgeon general. Now, I'm in no position to question Gupta's abilities as a neurosurgeon or otherwise his medical qualifications. He may very well be an excellent doctor, as he seems to be (he performed brain surgery during the Iraq invasion in … [Read more...] about Dr. Sanjay Gupta… for Surgeon General?
Nigerian Motorcyclists Wear Pumpkin Helmets To Evade New Law
If someone in Nigeria calls someone else a "pumpkin head" they might be correct: Motorcyclists in Nigeria have been wearing dried pumpkin shells on their heads to dodge a new law forcing them to wear helmets, authorities say. Officials in the northern city of Kano said they had stopped several riders with "improvised helmets", following this month's introduction of the … [Read more...] about Nigerian Motorcyclists Wear Pumpkin Helmets To Evade New Law
RIAA’s Favorite Lawyer Nominated For A Top Justice Post
Larry Lessig is pleased that president-elect Obama has chosen Elena Kagan, his dean at Harvard Law School, for solicitor general. Kagan is credited with attracting major legal scholars to Harvard, especially Cass R. Sunstein from the University of Chicago and, more recently, Lessig himself from the Stanford University Law School. But Lessig may be less pleased with some of … [Read more...] about RIAA’s Favorite Lawyer Nominated For A Top Justice Post
The World Of The Very Rich
Word that German billionaire Adolf Merckle had committed suicide brought a couple of reactions from me. The first was, of course, sympathy for his family over the loss of a loved one but the second was a degree of either bemusement or cynicism over his feeling that his life was so ruined. I am not one to speak ill of the dead, and again I do feel the deepest sympathies for … [Read more...] about The World Of The Very Rich
It’ll Be Franken And Coleman (And Others) In Court In Disputed Minnesota Senate Seat Fight
Minnesota's long state political nightmare continues -- but it's Nirvana for journalists and talk show hosts. Republican Norm Coleman is going to court to challenge comedian Al Franken's hair-thin victory over Coleman in the bitterly contested Senate race that ended in a controversial recount. Bad news for Minnesota residents, since it'll likely drag on for months. Bad news … [Read more...] about It’ll Be Franken And Coleman (And Others) In Court In Disputed Minnesota Senate Seat Fight
Presidents
With the Inaugural coming up I thought I'd offer this to you for your enjoyment. It's a bit outdated but still fun. … [Read more...] about Presidents
After the Macworld Keynote
The highlight of an underwhelming MacWorld keynote [video] -- after the enhanced iLife, iWork, and an updated 17" MacBook Pro -- was the official death of DRM. Called for by Steve Jobs nearly 2 years ago, the deal that was finally done gives the record labels the variable pricing they've been after ($0.69, $0.99, and $1.29, their call). That and what Erick Schonfeld says is … [Read more...] about After the Macworld Keynote
Blago Le Pew And Roland Burris
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Blago Le Pew And Roland Burris
Gaza and Tehran’s Game of Three-Pocket Billiards: Le Figaro, France
So what or who is really behind the escalation in Gaza? According to French Historian Alexandre Adler, the answer to that question couldn't be more clear: Iran. And to be more specific - Iranian President Ahmahdinejad, who is fighting a rear-guard action against many people in his own government who desire an accommodation with the United States. But what is his game, … [Read more...] about Gaza and Tehran’s Game of Three-Pocket Billiards: Le Figaro, France
In Gaza The Souls Cry Out: The RainMakers, A Lost Story
We received today at National Catholic Reporter where I write a weekly column, the communiqué I've quoted from below. There are many things to say about Hamas and Israel and the Palestinians, but there are also untold stories about many good people in the Gaza region. This is only one such story: There are Catholic churches in Gaza. Gaza is a far more patchwork of peoples … [Read more...] about In Gaza The Souls Cry Out: The RainMakers, A Lost Story
Poll Backs Senate Nixing Burris From Taking Illinois Senate Senate
So much for the Democrats' triumphant first day of Congress, when they'd be sworn in amid a feeling of joy for their increased numbers. The now conventional-wisdom increased numbers are down by two. The ongoing Minnesota-based political soap opera featuring Democrat Al Franken accepting his razor-thin declared victory is unfolding amid signs that Republicans will most … [Read more...] about Poll Backs Senate Nixing Burris From Taking Illinois Senate Senate
Panetta, the Bushes and Spying
If and when he is confirmed, Leon Panetta will be running the CIA from the Headquarters Compound in Langley, Virginia, the George H.W. Bush Center for Central Intelligence. For those who have been fueling an uproar over the proposed new Director's lack of experience in the spook profession, the naming of the CIA's head office may offer some perspective. In 1998, urging … [Read more...] about Panetta, the Bushes and Spying
Obama’s Cabinet Building Phase: Mixed Reviews
So how is President Elect Barack Obama doing in his first major task -- building a White House governing cabinet? The reviews are mixed. While many of Obama's moves and decisions have pleased centrists, reassured some Republicans and perhaps concerned some progressives, the withdrawal of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson due to an FBI investigation was a major toe-stub in … [Read more...] about Obama’s Cabinet Building Phase: Mixed Reviews