Every so often it seems that temperate blogs come down with an acute case of hand wringing over what "partisanship" is, whether it's good or bad, and which people are guilty of doing it more, or if it's equal. This is often a flareup of the chronic What is a Centrist/Moderate Syndrome and the dreaded Civility vs. Decency Debate. It drives me up the wall. This post is a bit … [Read more...] about Oh Boy, Here We Go Again
Is Bipartisanship Evaporating On Obama’s Economy Stimulus Plan?
Is bipartisanship evaporating on President Barack Obama's stimulus plan -- where each side, after talking about the lofty and elusive goal of national unity, reverting to the dominant position of the past two decades: where each party digs in its heels? What is unfolding now could ultimately be part of the process where party leaders forcefully air their preferences and, in … [Read more...] about Is Bipartisanship Evaporating On Obama’s Economy Stimulus Plan?
The Right Job for Caroline Kennedy
Writing about her withdrawal from seeking Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, I committed a journalistic sin--burying the lead. The last sentence was: "The Obama Administration should ask her to serve as ambassador to Great Britain (as her grandfather did) or France or Ireland, where her intelligence and instincts, along with her Kennedy and Bouvier background, could be an … [Read more...] about The Right Job for Caroline Kennedy
Banking Crisis
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on this site. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Banking Crisis
Getting all Squirrely
My friend and old partner in blogging crime, Ron Beasley, has been on hiatus from Newshoggers for while, dealing with some medical issues and the forces of mother nature. Today, though, he rejoins the fold. In addition to years of incisive political and social commentary, Ron is also a skilled photographer and digital artist. This weekend he shares a photograph of a squirrel … [Read more...] about Getting all Squirrely
Lincoln’s Metamorphosis From Frontiersman To Great Emancipator
By SHAUN MULLEN GUEST VOICE When I used to go into the homes of African-Americans as a newspaper reporter there were two constants: I was there because something bad had happened and the images of three famous Americans would be on the living room walls. They were John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln. I was reminded of this as I read several pieces … [Read more...] about Lincoln’s Metamorphosis From Frontiersman To Great Emancipator
“Billions” Of Frogs Eaten By People Every Year
Get ready for some news that is shocking: each year billions of people have frogs in their throats. Literally: Up to one billion frogs are taken from the wild for human consumption each year, according to a new study. Researchers arrived at this conclusion by analysing UN trade data, although they acknowledge there is a lot of uncertainty in the figure. France and … [Read more...] about “Billions” Of Frogs Eaten By People Every Year
Political Duet: Obama Girl And Obama Sing
Politicians are notorious for giving voters a song and dance. Here's President Barack Obama giving a song, at least, with one of his favorite fans -- Obama girl (with the little help of some media technology): … [Read more...] about Political Duet: Obama Girl And Obama Sing
Bookmark it: Recovery.Gov
Towards the close of his first weekly address, President Obama promises: We’ll launch an unprecedented effort to root out waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary spending in our government, and every American will be able to see how and where we spend taxpayer dollars by going to a new website called recovery.gov. More transparency via the web. For now the site is only the … [Read more...] about Bookmark it: Recovery.Gov
Blagomania; or, My Own Personal Pearl Harbor
Here's what (still) Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich told the AP a couple of days ago: Dec. 9 to my family, to us, to me, is what Pearl Harbor Day was to the United States. It was a complete surprise, completely unexpected. And just like the United States prevailed in that, we'll prevail in this. (TNR's Isaac Chotiner calls it the Quote of the Century. At the very least, … [Read more...] about Blagomania; or, My Own Personal Pearl Harbor
Throw Some Meat At The GOP Feet
If President Obama wants to see his $850 billion stimulus package approved by 80% of Congress, perhaps he should throw dissident Republicans and conservative Democrats a morsel of meat to nibble. That would be House Republican leader John Boehner's call for deeper tax cuts. Boehner proposes lower federal income tax rates in the two lowest brackets rather than provide a $500 … [Read more...] about Throw Some Meat At The GOP Feet
Conservative Double Standards: J. Harvie Wilkinson III on Judicial Appointments
I quote Chait, who quotes Wilkinson: In today's Washington Post, conservative judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III appeals for an ideological truce in appointments that just happens to coincide with the exact moment Democrats have retaken the nominating power: So the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit is set for a takeover. Popular commentary has it that the court, on … [Read more...] about Conservative Double Standards: J. Harvie Wilkinson III on Judicial Appointments
Republican Congressional Leaders Talk About Meeting With Obama
We've all read the stories. Now you can GO HERE and watch what Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) said. … [Read more...] about Republican Congressional Leaders Talk About Meeting With Obama
Mexican Drug Wars A Form Of Genocide
The depravity of the Mexican drug wars has surpassed the horrific and bizarre. The Mexican military Friday said they arrested a man for dissolving at least 300 bodies in acid for one of the cartels for $600 a week over the past decade. Mexican officials in Tijuana paraded the man, identified as Santiago Meza Lopez, in front of reporters and said he had confessed. They … [Read more...] about Mexican Drug Wars A Form Of Genocide
Obama’s ‘I Won’ Comment
When I first read about the comment at Politico, it didn't sound like Obama; it sounded more like "I'm the Decider" ... President Obama listened to Republican gripes about his stimulus package during a meeting with congressional leaders Friday morning -- but he also left no doubt about who's in charge of these negotiations. "I won," Obama noted matter-of-factly, according … [Read more...] about Obama’s ‘I Won’ Comment
Gallup Poll: Obama 68% Approval Rating But Another Poll Underscores Growing Opposition
A new Gallup Poll finds that President Barack Obama's debut as President has netted him a 68 percent approval rating -- the highest of the past 8 Presidents were were elected to their first term. But a Rasmussen Reports poll finds approval lower -- and the number of conservatives who are unhappy about Obama to be on the rise. Gallup reports: In the first Gallup Poll … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Obama 68% Approval Rating But Another Poll Underscores Growing Opposition
Obama Needs Kings!
Received wisdom is that Obama will face his biggest challenges from the left. With that in mind it's worth watching this week's Bill Moyers Journal. His guests include Thomas Frank, David Sirota, Patricia Williams and Melissa Harris-Lacewell. From much to quote, I choose Princeton's Harris-Lacewell: One of the images I've been using as we've been going around the country … [Read more...] about Obama Needs Kings!
Obama’s First Weekly Radio You Tube Address As President
President Barack Obama delivered his first weekly address -- formerly called the President's Weekly Radio Address -- on radio and You Tube. It was mostly boilerplate stuff but the key section is that he is framing discussions so far in Congress as being on track with both parties. No demonization (yet) of GOPers who are dragging their heels. And he's also warning that there is … [Read more...] about Obama’s First Weekly Radio You Tube Address As President
Another Innuendo Over a CBO Report: TRICARE For Life
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is an excellent secondary health insurance program supplementing Medicare for certain military retirees and their families. Recently, the internet has been awash in mass e-mail messages and web posts---including at several reputable web sites devoted to the military---trashing President[-elect] Obama for allegedly trying to cut funds in the budget for … [Read more...] about Another Innuendo Over a CBO Report: TRICARE For Life
What Republicans Must Do: Interview with Andrea Tantaros (Guest Interview)
The raging question continues to be: so what should the Republicans do next? What's the best strategy to become the majority party once again? In this Guest Interview, columnist Bill Steigerwald interviews Republican stragetist Andrea Tantaros who has some specific ideas. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. What Republicans Must … [Read more...] about What Republicans Must Do: Interview with Andrea Tantaros (Guest Interview)