Huge government bailouts have not solved this country's basic economic problem because the people awarding the money don't understand what the real problem is. It isn't a financial crisis that has spilled over into the general economy. It's a debt-based economy-wide problem with financial industry overtones. Making the financial industry whole does nothing to address this … [Read more...] about Bailout Bungling Likely To Continue
A Bush Do-Over Wish? Or Just Part of Legacy Building?
A lot has been said and written about the latest "exit" interview by President Bush with ABC's Charles Gibson. In her December 3 show, Rachel Maddow includes parts of this interview in a fascinating report on how Bush has assembled a team in the White House, including several former senior advisers such as Karl Rove and Karen Hughes, to "rewrite history" as part of the "Bush … [Read more...] about A Bush Do-Over Wish? Or Just Part of Legacy Building?
Obamamania Needs Reality Check
Barack Obama hasn't even been sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Yet, a myriad of public opinion polls reflect Obamamania to its ultimate fantasy conclusion: He can save the economy; he can wean us off foreign oil; he can restore America's good will and leadership throughout the world; he can ... Even the U.S. Mint in Connecticut has pressed a … [Read more...] about Obamamania Needs Reality Check
Big Three Automaker CEOs Beg Congress For More Money Again
They're rested. They're contrite (to a point). They've taken public relations advisers' advice and this time didn't fly on private jets. The big three automakers CEOs have been back in front of Congress again, making a revamped pitch for a bailout. Some call it a request, others call it begging but the bottom line is they're asking for taxpayer help. Will it work this time? … [Read more...] about Big Three Automaker CEOs Beg Congress For More Money Again
Nixon and Bush Walk into a Bar…
A decade and a half after he died, the ghost of Bad Presidents Past keeps reappearing, rattling his chains to remind us that, as George W. Bush leaves, he did not invent bad behavior in the White House. The latest batch of released Nixon tapes provokes a headline: "Ruthless, Cynical, Profane." In contrast to the President Present, Nixon was never someone you would want to … [Read more...] about Nixon and Bush Walk into a Bar…
It’s Coleman! No, It’s Franken. No, Wait…
The dog ate my ballot! That excuse is about the only one we haven't heard (yet) for destroyed, lost, misplaced, disappeared, missing, erroneous, unaccounted-for ballots in the now-eternal Senate race in Minnesota between Norm Coleman and Al Franken. As of this morning, that race was still too close to call. As you may remember, a long, long time ago, when only about … [Read more...] about It’s Coleman! No, It’s Franken. No, Wait…
Several Deep Breaths Reco’d for Minnesota, Nation
As the nail-biter of a U.S. Senate race in Minnesota creeps forward -- with Democrat Al Franken and Republican incumbent Norm Coleman stagnating in a soup of perpetual non-motion -- the shadow of self-perceived disgrace lengthens. While I can't source the comments now -- a reminder that I should probably save/bookmark everything -- I recall a number of recent reports quoting … [Read more...] about Several Deep Breaths Reco’d for Minnesota, Nation
Burger King’s “Burger Virgins” Ad Campaign Called Screwed Up
On the face of it, it's a stroke of utter genius. Burger King has launched a new international advertising campaign showing its worldwide quest for "Burger Virgins" who've never tasted the glories of The Great American Dish that has converted (some say perverted) taste buds around the world -- asking villagers and others labeled "Burger Virgins" to chomp a BK burger and then … [Read more...] about Burger King’s “Burger Virgins” Ad Campaign Called Screwed Up
Replacing Hillary: Paterson in the Spotlight
This week I examine some of the candidates who might fill Hillary Clinton's Senate seat in my latest Pajamas Media column. One of the more interesting sidebars in this story is how Governor David Paterson suddenly finds himself in a starring role he likely never anticipated or wanted. The original script of the Hudson Valley power brokers never included Paterson spending his … [Read more...] about Replacing Hillary: Paterson in the Spotlight
Rather than America’s, NATO Ministers Prefer to ‘Sing their Own Tune’: Izvestia, Russia
Engaging in a bit of Russian horn blowing, that nation's Izvestia newspaper puts a Russian spin on this week's meeting of NATO foreign ministers that ended yesterday. Izvestia columnist Ksenya Fokina writes in part: "Attempts by Washington to turn a regular meeting of Alliance foreign ministers into a comeuppance for Russia "over Georgia," haven't had the desired effect. On … [Read more...] about Rather than America’s, NATO Ministers Prefer to ‘Sing their Own Tune’: Izvestia, Russia
Canadian Grassroots Organization Rejects “Zionist” Hillel
The University of Ottawa chapter of PIRG (Public Interest Research Group -- one of the largest and most mainstream sources of college student activism) rejected a request by the campus Hillel to fund a speech on interfaith education efforts and sustainable development projects by the African Jewish community. The reason? Hillel's "relationship" with "apartheid Israel". … [Read more...] about Canadian Grassroots Organization Rejects “Zionist” Hillel
The Attempt To Get ANYTHING Against Obama
I mean, really (this is not a joke)... … [Read more...] about The Attempt To Get ANYTHING Against Obama
CNN Poll: Six In 10 Oppose Federal Automakers Bailout
When President-Elect Barack Obama said a few weeks ago that the automakers had not made their case very well for getting a big, fat federal bailout, it turns out he was speaking for a growing number of Americans: a new poll finds that a politically-poisonous six in 10 now oppose the federal government bailing out the big three auto makers: A national poll suggests that six … [Read more...] about CNN Poll: Six In 10 Oppose Federal Automakers Bailout
Saxby Chambliss Victory A Model For The GOP?
There's been lots of comment on Saxby's gushing over Sarah. Less on his victory as a model for the GOP: Chambliss told reporters at this Cobb County campaign headquarters Wednesday morning that he believes his double-digit runoff win can be a “model” for Republicans in the next election cycle. “This is the first election of 2010,” he said, as movers in the background were … [Read more...] about Saxby Chambliss Victory A Model For The GOP?
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The Election Without End
Larry J. Sabato on THE ELECTION WITHOUT END: Senate Aftermath of 2008 Continues Decades ago, a merry band of pranksters took to the streets of a state's capital city a few days after an election for governor. Riding in the van of a defeated candidate, the vehicle still much decorated with the slogans and banners of the electorally deceased nominee, the newly unemployed … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The Election Without End
Obama and Clinton – ‘The Shock Team’: From Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alscace of France
Now that Hillary Clinton has been nominated to be President-elect Obama's secretary of state, there's a new narrative going around Europe: 'Are we ready for this?' Jean-Claude Kiefer writes for France's Les Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace: "The political couple, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, had better prompt Europeans to reflect quickly, shake them out of their torpor … [Read more...] about Obama and Clinton – ‘The Shock Team’: From Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alscace of France
Richardson’s Life Lessons
Esquire scores some candid remarks from the former New Mexico Governor, reminding us yet again that Mr. Bill is both very funny, and perhaps a tad too straightforward on some topics for some people's taste. Of course, it's difficult to offend me -- I'm a dense, insensitive man -- thus, I had no problem with any of Richardson's comments ... but I'm just sayin', not everybody's … [Read more...] about Richardson’s Life Lessons
Are Iraqis Capable of Building Their Nation?: Kitabat of Iraq
Is President Bush being wrongly blamed for the faults of Iraq's people? It is a provocative thing to suggest, especially for an Iraqi. But in this article from one of Iraq's most controversial columnists, Khadir Taaher, it is Bush who is praised and Iraqis who are trashed for their failures. For Iraq's Kitabat newspaper, Taaher writes in part: "The administration of … [Read more...] about Are Iraqis Capable of Building Their Nation?: Kitabat of Iraq
Harvard Endowment Down 22% and Falling
The bigger they are, the harder they fall: Harvard University’s endowment, which stood at $36.9-billion on June 30, has lost at least $8-billion in the four months since then, the university’s president says. In a letter on Tuesday to Harvard’s deans, Drew Gilpin Faust said that Harvard’s endowment had lost at least 22 percent of its value since June 30 and had very likely … [Read more...] about Harvard Endowment Down 22% and Falling
Moishe Hertzberg of Mumbai
The two-year-old, in Israel now after his parents were gunned down last week, evokes tears and stirs a childhood memory. One day when I was ten, in a Bronx park, a band of kids from another neighborhood suddenly attacked half a dozen of us. In the melee, I was pinned against a tree by a bigger boy. He held me with one hand and kept driving a fist at my head as hard and fast … [Read more...] about Moishe Hertzberg of Mumbai