First, here's outgoing President George Bush's legacy as described by the great CBS newsman Bob Schieffer: Watch CBS Videos Online And, second, here's George Bush's legacy as described by George Bush in his farewell speech tonight. Which seems closest to the mark? Your views and discussion are welcome in our comments section below. … [Read more...] about Two (Different) Views Of George Bush’s Legacy
Almost Done
Tab, The Calgary Sun … [Read more...] about Almost Done
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The 2008 Election in Perspective
Larry J. Sabato on The 2008 Election in Perspective: Just What We Would Have Expected The following is an excerpt from the forthcoming book, The Year of Obama: How Barack Obama Won the White House. The book, which features several frequent Crystal Ball contributors as well as other journalists and scholars, will be published by Pearson Longman in March 2009. --The … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The 2008 Election in Perspective
Thanking the SCHIP Republicans
As reported yesterday, the House passed a bill expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), similar to the bills that President Bush rejected last year (twice, as I recall). Though I have not relinquished my fiscally conservative tendencies, I believe this latest House vote on SCHIP was the right thing to do. In fact, of all the types of programs funded … [Read more...] about Thanking the SCHIP Republicans
Miracle On The Hudson Continues Amazing Record
As news reports continue to suggest that everyone survived the jet crash in New York City, we cannot help but to reflect on the miracle of that fact. By all accounts the pilot and crew deserve major credit for this by making an amazing 180 degree turn around Manhattan to land safely on the Hudson River. The passengers also deserve a lot of credit for reacting quickly and … [Read more...] about Miracle On The Hudson Continues Amazing Record
US Airways Flight Crashes Into Hudson River
Breaking news via WCNC: A US Airways flight headed to Charlotte has crashed into the Hudson River in New York City. Flight 1549 left from Boston and was headed to Charlotte when it tried to divert to La Guardia Airport in New York City. The plane landed in the Hudson River. New York City firefighters are responding to the crash. It was not immediately clear if there … [Read more...] about US Airways Flight Crashes Into Hudson River
Women’s Issues, Obama the Feminist and the 111th Congress
The Ms. Special Winter 2009 Inaugural Issue is now out with a cover image of President-elect Barack Obama wearing a t-shirt that says, "This is what a feminist looks like." From a media advisory prepared by Ms.: When the publisher of Ms., Eleanor Smeal, and the chair of the Feminist Majority Foundation board, Peg Yorkin, met Barack Obama, he immediately offered … [Read more...] about Women’s Issues, Obama the Feminist and the 111th Congress
Santorum Apoplectic about McCain, Obama Getting Along
I've never been a fan of the self-righteous Rick Santorum. I celebrated his departure from the Senate two years ago. And today, he does absolutely nothing to convince me to modify my decidedly non-moderate dislike for him. Why the editors of the Philadelphia Inquirer agreed to give Santorum a bully pulpit is a mystery, but they did. And the ex-senator uses that forum to … [Read more...] about Santorum Apoplectic about McCain, Obama Getting Along
Barack Obama & The Australian Model
Who should be the role model for centre-left US president-elect Barack Obama? The Sydney Morning Herald's political editor quotes the Wall Street Journal columnist William McGurn, formerly chief speechwriter for George Bush: "It should be Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd" whose Labor Party has made their peace with the global economy. Knowledgeable Americans have pointed … [Read more...] about Barack Obama & The Australian Model
Cheneyworld: Robot Gone Wild
Watching the VP interview by Jim Lehrer on PBS last night recalled the movie "Westworld" about a theme park in which lifelike robots run amok and start killing. It came out at the time that an automaton named Dick Cheney, codenamed Backseat by the Secret Service, was serving in the White House, getting toilet leaks fixed and installing a headrest for Betty Ford on the … [Read more...] about Cheneyworld: Robot Gone Wild
Bob Woodward On What Obama Should (Not) Emulate From Bush
Who better to look back on the Bush legacy and to advise the incoming President on what to emulate or not to emulate from Bush's presidency, than Bob Woodward. Bob Woodward is the author of four books on President Bush, "Bush at War," "Plan of Attack," "State of Denial" and "The War Within," and in Woodward's own words: There's actually a lot that President-elect … [Read more...] about Bob Woodward On What Obama Should (Not) Emulate From Bush
Obama and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Will He or Won’t He?
In what Fox News calls "a startling pronouncement," President-elect Obama is said to be planning to overturn the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy. I am not gay, but I am ex-military and I have long and often supported a change in not only how we treat those who want to serve their country---regardless of sexual orientation---but also in how we view our active … [Read more...] about Obama and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Will He or Won’t He?
Steve Jobs Takes Medical Leave Through June
Late yesterday afternoon in a letter to employees, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced he will take a medical leave of absence until the end of June, "during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought." Jobs said he will "remain involved in major strategic decisions" throughout. Tim Cook, Apple's chief operating officer, … [Read more...] about Steve Jobs Takes Medical Leave Through June
California Budget
I had been planning to write a couple of columns, one on the issues of the federal budget and one on the budget here in California. Since Governor Arnold will be giving his State of the State address this morning it seemed to make sense to do California today. I will be reworking a prior post on the subject and would welcome comments. However I would like to make a request. … [Read more...] about California Budget
Is Bush Honoring Uribe for Peace or for War?: Semana of Colombia
Criticism of the three 2008 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients - and the man who gave it to them "for their work to improve the lives of their citizens and for their efforts to promote democracy, human rights and peace abroad" is widespread. This year is unusual in that all of those who President Bush awarded are from other nations - former British Prime Minister Tony … [Read more...] about Is Bush Honoring Uribe for Peace or for War?: Semana of Colombia
The Logic of Choosing Hillary is Now ‘Obvious to All’: Le Figaro, France
How are Europeans reacting to Hillary Clinton's performance during her confirmation hearings to be secretary of state? Judging by this gushing editorial from France's Le Figaro - 'bowled over' might be a good phrase. For Le Figaro, Pierre Rousselin writes in part: "The care she took preparing for her hearing, her grasp of the issues and her natural authority worked … [Read more...] about The Logic of Choosing Hillary is Now ‘Obvious to All’: Le Figaro, France
How Far Should We Accommodate ?
I caught this story on the local news and it struck a chord with me because of a broader topic which is a personal pet peeve for me. I don't really intend this post to be a specific comment/discussion of the story cited, since there is some debate as to whether or not the zoo comment was made. If it was actually made it was entirely improper and the woman was properly upset. … [Read more...] about How Far Should We Accommodate ?
Wall Street Journal/NBC News Poll: Americans Strongly Back Obama And His Stimulus Proposals
A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds that Americans strongly support President Elect Barack Obama -- and that a whopping majority of Americans want Republicans to compromise rather than stand on principle and oppose his proposals...a number that includes a huge number of Republicans. The percentage who approve the way he's handling the transition: 71 percent -- … [Read more...] about Wall Street Journal/NBC News Poll: Americans Strongly Back Obama And His Stimulus Proposals
NY Post Offensive Headline about Shaking Babies (Guest Voice)
Note: This was sent to us as an email. Due to the media and other issues it raises -- and its possibility for discussion in comments -- we asked permission to run it as a Guest Voice post. We're only removing phone numbers from the original, due to the controversy over some websites clogging up phone lines. Otherwise, it is run here intact. Subject: Re: NY Post Offensive … [Read more...] about NY Post Offensive Headline about Shaking Babies (Guest Voice)
“We Cannot Live Without Our Lives” Either: Jews, Privilege, and Anti-Subordination
The guest-posting stint at Feministe has begun! It'll will be a seven part series on Jews, anti-Semitism, anti-subordination, and Israel. I'll post a link to each post here as it comes up, but you'll need to head over yonder to get the full bit. Part one is now available here. … [Read more...] about “We Cannot Live Without Our Lives” Either: Jews, Privilege, and Anti-Subordination