Reports continue to pour in from the chattering class about pushback from both sides of the aisle regarding the possible appointment of Caroline Kennedy to fill Hillary Clinton's soon to be vacant Senate seat. Allow me to add one more voice to the chorus from the perspective of one who has seen our junior Senator's seat occupied by persons of questionable qualifications for … [Read more...] about Caroline Kennedy: One More Dynasty We Don’t Need
Don’t Just Store It, Move It
Kevin Kelly on our digital reality: Digital information is very easy to copy within short periods of time, but very difficult to copy over long periods of time. That is, it is very easy to make lots of copies now, but very difficult to get the data to copy over a century. For two reasons: 1) Formats change. Because of rapid technological evolution the "language" which one … [Read more...] about Don’t Just Store It, Move It
Rasmussen: Americans Losing Confidence in Teachers Unions
While they remain a powerful backbone of the Democratic Party, a recent poll from Rasmussen Reports indicates that a growing number of Americans feel that the nation's two major teachers' unions are more interested in protecting their jobs and benefits than ensuring the education and opportunities of their young charges. [T]wo-thirds of U.S. voters (66%) say the teachers’ … [Read more...] about Rasmussen: Americans Losing Confidence in Teachers Unions
War Crimes As International Politics
I want to added a brief addendum to Pete's post. Quite frankly, I was astonished when I read the plain language and direct blame of the Senate report. Why? Well under international law there are clear provisions that require countries to prosecute said crimes, and the failure for the host country to do so opens up the way for any signatory to. If President Obama does not … [Read more...] about War Crimes As International Politics
USA: Pawn Shops Back In Business
While President Bush takes the so-called "victory lap" in Iraq and Afghanistan, his country folks reel under recession. It is a sad story of a mighty nation that is now groaning under unemployment, vanishing jobs and mortgage defaults. The Reuters reports that "more and more Americans from all social classes are pawning their possessions to make ends meet. "Pawn shop … [Read more...] about USA: Pawn Shops Back In Business
Do We Have the Will to Prosecute War Crimes?
After returning from a brief respite last week, Andrew Sullivan has been on a tear regarding torture, the Bush Administration, and prosecuting the latter for the former -- penning (by my count) 12 posts on the subject since yesterday morning, a number that may have increased by the time you read these words. Sullivan builds a compelling case, especially when you consider VP … [Read more...] about Do We Have the Will to Prosecute War Crimes?
Arne Duncan and Education
President-elect Obama continues to impress with his cabinet picks. The WaPo has a good primer on one of his latest: Arne Duncan for Secretary of Education. Duncan's résumé appeals to those identify themselves as reformers and tend to support tough accountability, charter schools, performance-pay plans and other steps that shake up the status quo. But his calls for … [Read more...] about Arne Duncan and Education
Rainy Day in Washington
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Rainy Day in Washington
Kennedy, Cuomo or None of the Above
New York's Governor David Paterson, himself a second-generation politician, is faced with a hard dynastic decision now that Caroline Kennedy has made it clear that she wants Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. In the Empire State, unlike those where money talks and talks, political bloodlines matter in the choice between a former president's daughter and a former governor's son, … [Read more...] about Kennedy, Cuomo or None of the Above
Cheers To Australia’s ‘Healthy’ Wine
During my recent longish stay in Australia, I have come to enjoy the wines there. Earlier, I preferred only French and Austrian wines. Now here comes a rather heartening/healthy news that would tempt me to make another visit to Australia asap!!! "Although the benefits of wine have been known for centuries, new bottles from (Australia's) 'Wine Doctor vineyard' are loaded with … [Read more...] about Cheers To Australia’s ‘Healthy’ Wine
Time For The California Budget Reality Check
In what has become an almost daily (I used to say annual) tradition the state of California is in another budget crisis which threatens to destroy our economy. Those of us who thought a $ 10 or $ 15 billion dollar deficit was bad are now pondering a debt of as much as $ 40 billion or more(out of total spending of $ 145 billion or around 20%). The result of such a crisis … [Read more...] about Time For The California Budget Reality Check
The Hero Who Made Bush’s Head a ‘Playground for His Shoes’: Iraqi News Agency
There is no disputing the fact that Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi, in hurling his shoes at President Bush, has struck a nerve in Iraqi society and in the Arab world in general. The headline on this article from the Al-Iraq News, which describes the editorial position of the Iraq News Network, apparently a TV broadcaster, says it all. The subhead of the article … [Read more...] about The Hero Who Made Bush’s Head a ‘Playground for His Shoes’: Iraqi News Agency
Baghdad Bids Bush Farewell … With its Shoes: Al-Iraq News
The Iraq shoe-throwing incident, in which an Iraqi reporter threw his footwear at President Bush during his last visit to Iraq as leader of our nation - is destined to go down in history as a symbol of George W. Bush's time in office. And the journalist who did the throwing - Muntadar al-Zeidi - is today being hailed as an Iraqi national hero. This editorial from Iraq's … [Read more...] about Baghdad Bids Bush Farewell … With its Shoes: Al-Iraq News
Bush Shoe-Dodging Video Watched Over 5 Million Times On YouTube
The Visible Measures Blog: At 9:00 PM Sunday night, just 7 hours after the first videos popped up, there were more than 120 placements, 24,000 views, and 600 comments. 12 hours later, at 7:00 AM Monday morning, the video [link] had spread far and wide, skyrocketing to more than 450 placements, 3.2 million views, and 35,000 comments. Since then, placements, views, and … [Read more...] about Bush Shoe-Dodging Video Watched Over 5 Million Times On YouTube
Caroline Kennedy Privately Campaigning For Hillary Clinton’s Senate Seat
For political junkies it was one of Campaign 2008's biggest moments: when Caroline Kennedy, daughter of assassinated President John F. Kennedy, became part of the Kennedy family group glaringly "passing the torch" of dynastic political change and Democratic party charisma to the party's eventual victorious nominee, Democratic Senator Barack Obama in a major p.r. blow to Obama … [Read more...] about Caroline Kennedy Privately Campaigning For Hillary Clinton’s Senate Seat
The Future of the Internet III
The Pew Internet & American Life Project surveyed internet leaders, activists and analysts to assess predictions about technology and its roles in the year 2020. The headline is that the phone becomes the primary device for online access. Ars Technica summarizes: More than three-quarters of experts and 81 percent of overall respondents agreed that the mobile phone would be … [Read more...] about The Future of the Internet III
No Recession Here…
Intrigued by a Memeorandum headline, PRESIDENT | VICE PRESIDENT | FIRST LADY | MRS. CHENEY | NEWS — Thank you for joining us for “A Red, White and Blue Christmas” at the White House! — This year's theme celebrates the patriotic spirit that unites us as Americans. During this hopeful season we are reminded …" I visited the White House site and somehow landed on the page … [Read more...] about No Recession Here…
March of the Gay Penguins
Remember a few years ago when social conservatives flocked to see March of the Penguins because, in part, penguins are one of only six monogamous animals on the planet and their story was supposed to reinforce the innate beauty of monogamy... or something? Well, it looks like penguins can once again serve as a metaphor for culture war social issues. A couple of gay penguins … [Read more...] about March of the Gay Penguins
Obama Taps Salazar, Duncan, Others For Cabinet
President-Elect Obama has chosen Colorado Senator Ken Salazar (D) to be Interior Secretary and he has reportedly accepted the nomination. He has also tapped Chicago School Superintendent Arne Duncan to be Secretary of Education. Salazar's departure means that yet another Senate appointment will be coming. It is possible Governor Ritter (D) would name Salazar's brother, … [Read more...] about Obama Taps Salazar, Duncan, Others For Cabinet
Obama Says Review Shows Nothing Inappropriate In Scandal As GOP Presses Issue
As the Illinois house OK's an impeachment inquiry into charges that Gov. Rod Blagojevich tried to sell the remainder of President-Elect Barack Obama's Senate seat term, Obama's team said a review shows there was nothing improper in contacts its staffers may have had with the four-letter-word-loving Illinois Governor. But the AP notes that there is a hitch on the details. … [Read more...] about Obama Says Review Shows Nothing Inappropriate In Scandal As GOP Presses Issue