As I was pondering the Bush/Obama transition today it occurred to me that this is really going to be the first one of the blogging era. To be sure sites like Moveon.org were around in the late 90's and did play a role in the 2001 changeover, but it really was not until 2004 and 2008 that blogging became a major factor on the net. This made me wonder how the more ideological … [Read more...] about How Will Blogs Handle The Transition ??
Andrew Sullivan, Rod Dreher, and Eightmaps
A mash up of public information about who donated to Proposition 8 in California and a Google map plotting all of that information out is causing a bit of a stir in the old blogosphere. Rod Dreher of Crunchy Con first wrote about the map saying this, Here is a Google map that allows you to find your way to the homes of people who donated money to Prop 8 in California. It's … [Read more...] about Andrew Sullivan, Rod Dreher, and Eightmaps
Calderon Displays Mexican Weakness in Meeting With Obama: La Jornada, Mexico
According to the editorial board of Mexican newspaper La Jornada, Mexican President Felipe Calderon badly mishandled his first meeting with President-elect Obama on Monday, by offering to cooperate in a 'war on terror' that has little to do with Mexico, and that Obama is unlikely to espouse in the first place. According to the daily, this once more reveals the ineptness and … [Read more...] about Calderon Displays Mexican Weakness in Meeting With Obama: La Jornada, Mexico
USA TODAY/Gallup Poll: “Stratospheric Expectations” For Obama
A new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds there are "stragospheric expectations" that incoming President Barack Obama will be able to deliver on his many campaign promises and help the US be in better shape four years from now: Americans are as down as they've been in decades about the state of the country and its polarized politics, even as they express soaring confidence that … [Read more...] about USA TODAY/Gallup Poll: “Stratospheric Expectations” For Obama
The Hyperpowerful Jew
Part II of the Feministe guest post series is now up. This was originally supposed to be Part III, but I flipped it with the second post -- it will be coming next. I am so looking forward to these comments again. … [Read more...] about The Hyperpowerful Jew
In Farewell Address, Bush Touts Homeland Security and Rightly Praises Our Military, But…
During his numerous recent legacy-building interviews culminating in his farewell address to the nation tonight, President Bush has repeatedly touted that his actions have kept the country safe since 9-11. This might well be one of the few accomplishments of which Bush could be rightly proud. It is thus especially regrettable that his administration has failed to take … [Read more...] about In Farewell Address, Bush Touts Homeland Security and Rightly Praises Our Military, But…
Two (Different) Views Of George Bush’s Legacy
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