As the RNC goes through the motions of finding a new (or perhaps not so new) leader, many Republicans may be thinking the same thing as CNN: all hope rests on this decision. While I don't disagree that the leader of the Party is an important post and that the right or wrong person will make a difference in the future of the Party, I think it is misguided to pin the entire … [Read more...] about The RNC Elects the Chair, But the Base Decides the Future
Amazing: Ohio’s Schools Rated 7th-Best in Country
Education Week, the publication of a not-for-profit organization that seeks excellence in education, says Ohio has the seventh-best public education program among all the states. Ohio was given a B- overall. For a severely cash-strapped state whose public school funding program has been ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court on four different occasions, this is, … [Read more...] about Amazing: Ohio’s Schools Rated 7th-Best in Country
Rewarding Regulators Like the Regulated
What do you get when you cross a brief, vegetative vacation with an extremely fast-start to the new year? For me, those circumstances recently combined to create a very bad case of "writer's block." Nor was it a single-issue case of writer's block like Andrew Sullivan experienced after his respite. Mine was a pervasive block; it was the Hoover Dam of writer's … [Read more...] about Rewarding Regulators Like the Regulated
On Michelle Obama, American Girl; and Black & Gay in America
Ta-Nehisi Coates discusses Michelle Obama with an outspoken publisher and former Black Panther—his father... The first line of Ta-Nehisi Coates' must read piece in the January/February Atlantic, American Girl, puts a distinctly 21st century twist on the "Clinton was the first Black president" trope. Says Coates, "The first time I saw Michelle Obama in the flesh, I almost … [Read more...] about On Michelle Obama, American Girl; and Black & Gay in America
Why The Fuss Over Panetta And Gupta?
Over the past few days we have seen a great deal of controversy over the pending nominations of Leon Panetta as CIA director and Sanjay Gupta as Surgeon General. The airwaves have been crackling with various legislators and pundits objecting to the selections. I must admit that, when I first heard the two names, I also wondered about them but as, I have considered them, I find … [Read more...] about Why The Fuss Over Panetta And Gupta?
Mumbai Terror: Pakistan Govt’s Denial, Confession, Denial
The Pakistan government is in a tizzy. After days of denial, and emphatically stating that no Pakistani national was involved in the last month's bloody terror attack in Mumbai (Bombay), its National security adviser Mahmud Durrani made a dramatic announcement on Wednesday. He said that Ajmal Kasab, the lone survivor among the Mumbai attackers (who is in the Indian police … [Read more...] about Mumbai Terror: Pakistan Govt’s Denial, Confession, Denial
Showing Respect to a Hero: President George W. Bush – Kitabat of Iraq
With all of the derision being pointed in President Bush's direction from almost every region of the world, the last place one would expect to read an article praising him is an Iraqi newspaper. Of course in this case, we are talking about controversial Iraqi writer Khadir Taahar, perhaps the most pro-American op-ed writer in that country. In this article published in Iraqi … [Read more...] about Showing Respect to a Hero: President George W. Bush – Kitabat of Iraq
Is Blaming “the 60 Years of Occupation” a Euphemism for “One-State Solution”?
I think it is, even though I think that at least some people who make that reference think to themselves that they are open to a two-state solution. I've been writing about this need to press the debate about the Gaza-Israel conflict into an answer to the question, "One state or two"?" from the beginning, asking occupiers of cyberspace and real life to respond. I've gotten … [Read more...] about Is Blaming “the 60 Years of Occupation” a Euphemism for “One-State Solution”?
An Update On Gaza
People are taking sides swiftly in this conflict. Here's a comprehensive roundup with links galore from the perspective of those who feel Israel is defending itself -- one that has links from various perspectives. And here's a cartoon that also sees it that way: Cartoon by Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...] about An Update On Gaza
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: INAUGURATIONS PAST AND PRESENT
Larry J. Sabato on INAUGURATIONS PAST AND PRESENT - How Will Obama Measure Up? Rituals matter in any society, but in a democracy they are especially significant. Most authoritarian regimes are stable for long periods of time; the barrel of a gun ensures it. Democratic societies can change rapidly with public opinion, and a new administration is frequently the polar opposite … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: INAUGURATIONS PAST AND PRESENT
Thomas Geoghegan is Just So Cute!
Of the many complaints being registered regarding Rod Blagojevich's Senate appointment (and, to a lesser extent, David Paterson's upcoming choice in New York) perhaps one of the strangest showed up today in a New York Times guest editorial by Thomas Geoghegan. He wins points for originality, to be sure, by not arguing against the "taint" of the embattled governor or the … [Read more...] about Thomas Geoghegan is Just So Cute!
Feinstein Now Says She Supports Panetta For CIA Chief
What a difference a day -- and perhaps a call from President-Elect Barack Obama -- makes... Now California Senator Dianne Feinstein says she supports Obama's reported choice for CIA chief, Leon Panetta. After saying the bandwagon might have shaky wheels, she has now jumped on the bandwagon.. It was big news when Feinstein had a brittle reaction to the news that Obama … [Read more...] about Feinstein Now Says She Supports Panetta For CIA Chief
The Heavens Will Judge Bush Harshly: El Tiempo of Colombia
We have now entered a period in which we are destined to see many 'goodbye Bush' articles in the international press. But it's a fair guess that this article by Salud Hernández-Mora of Colombia's El Tiempo newspaper, is one of the most scathing we are likely to encounter. OUCH! Hernández-Mora writes in part: "You couldn't possibly begin the year better. The infamous … [Read more...] about The Heavens Will Judge Bush Harshly: El Tiempo of Colombia
Sanjay Gupta
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star … [Read more...] about Sanjay Gupta
The Porn Bailout
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