Aislin, The Montreal Gazette … [Read more...] about Shoe Target
The Next Senate’s Power Brokers
When not over-analyzing the Blagojevich scandal, the MSM has focused much attention on Obama's cabinet picks. But any active student of government knows that the chairs of the various Congressional committees are every bit as influential, if not more so. Nothing much happens on the Hill without their input. Today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced his … [Read more...] about The Next Senate’s Power Brokers
First It Was “So?” — Now It’s “So What?”
Most Americans remember with incredulity and disgust Dick Cheney's arrogant and condescending answer when he was asked what he thought about polls that indicated two-thirds of Americans believed the war in Iraq was not worth fighting, that the cost in lives was not worth the gains. Cheney responded with one single word! “So?” the vice president said. Eight months … [Read more...] about First It Was “So?” — Now It’s “So What?”
I Left My Brain in San Francisco
In the wake of the recent victory by Joseph Cao, the folks over at The Next Right envision what it might be to run a Cao-type candidate in San Francisco. They name this guy, who is Korean, Rob Wong (I thought Wong was a Chinese name). It's an interesting and even an appealing read until you get to the last few paragraphs: At the same time, this Gay Marriage stuff has gotten … [Read more...] about I Left My Brain in San Francisco
Obama’s Ideology and Pragmatism: More Common Law Than We Might Think (Guest Voice)
Is President Elect Barack Obama a quintessential pragmatist? There's some debate about that and whether pragmatism means being at conflict with ideology. In his second Guest Voice post Calgary-based writer Scott Payne argues that it may not be as clear-cut as many think. Obama's Ideology and Pragmatism: More Common Law Than We Might Think By Scott Payne There has been … [Read more...] about Obama’s Ideology and Pragmatism: More Common Law Than We Might Think (Guest Voice)
An “Obesity Tax?” Empire State Slides Further into Satire
Given the season, if you see me publishing another article on New York Governor David Paterson, you might suspect it would involve his upcoming task of appointing a new senator. You would be mistaken. Like many other states, New York is facing hard financial times and Paterson is looking for ways to cut costs and shore up our coffers. An admirable goal, but one of his plans has … [Read more...] about An “Obesity Tax?” Empire State Slides Further into Satire
The Coleman-Franken Race—One Side’s View
I have just received this "Current Status Report" from the "Franken Camp" (The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee) on the Coleman-Franken Senatorial race. I don't know how objective it is, but at first blush it looks quite comprehensive and interesting. Since this is a "Moderate" site, I am sure that if someone has a "Status Report" from the "Coleman Camp," it … [Read more...] about The Coleman-Franken Race—One Side’s View
Time for a Robinson Rule?
I'm not well-versed enough in college football to know if this is fair analysis by the LGM crowd. But I do know that the lack of Black coaches in D-I football is a long-standing problem, and one the NCAA has bent over backwards to avoid correcting. LGM's story is about the coaching moves by Auburn University, which just fired Tommy Tuberville after a disappointing 5-7 2008 … [Read more...] about Time for a Robinson Rule?
Kristof and Kristol on the Auto “Bailout”
Nicholas Kristof and William Kristol. While only one letter separates the last names of these two men, their views could not be more separate. Both Kristof and Kristol have now published their opinions in the New York Times on the American automobile industry "bailout." With a couple of exceptions, Kristof and Kristol seem to have similar concerns and objectives on this … [Read more...] about Kristof and Kristol on the Auto “Bailout”
Solving the Healthcare Crisis
There are around 300 million people in the US. About 50 million, or one in six, is without health insurance coverage. Health insurance costs are growing at double digit rates, and have for many years. A Proposal Eliminate State Governance: Every State regulates health and other insurance providers. This was quite relevant when companies were small and most employees were … [Read more...] about Solving the Healthcare Crisis
Soak The Rich!
Soak The Rich! Somewhere always in the tax code There somehow seems to be a glitch Providing some folks with huge windfalls And those folks are always rich. In these very trying times though Quirks like these we have to ditch It's time to dump past ways of taxing Make a fundamental switch. Some group's gotta take the dive soon Patching deficits a bitch Some … [Read more...] about Soak The Rich!
Mirror Mirror On The Wall…
Today South Africa seems to be competing with Iraq in providing sensational copy for different reasons. Associated Press takes note of the newly-crowned Miss World Kseniya Sukhinova from Russia. In the photo above Sukhinova stands with first princess Parvathy Omanakuttai from India and second princess Gabrielle Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago during the Miss World contest … [Read more...] about Mirror Mirror On The Wall…
Obama’s Pragmatic Foreign Policy: Richard and Henry Return….
As President Elect Obama assembles his new foreign policy/national security team, there have been a number of comments and observations made by various interest groups. Those on the far left are upset that he has not appointed enough 'progressives' to the team while those on the far right are convinced he is ready to give away the store by not naming enough hard-liners. Of … [Read more...] about Obama’s Pragmatic Foreign Policy: Richard and Henry Return….
Terrorism: Stop Blaming CIA, ISI Or RAW
It is not that the spy agencies of the USA, Pakistan and India have abolished their "dirty tricks" departments. The reason we should stop blaming CIA, ISI and RAW is simple. For too long we have blamed our "hands" for cutting someone else's throat, while absolving the "heads". The photo above is self explanatory. President Bush, or for that matter Pakistan's Asif Zardari or … [Read more...] about Terrorism: Stop Blaming CIA, ISI Or RAW
Some Background on That Shoe Incident
A little background on those shoes hurled at President Bush at an Iraqi press conference seems in order. In traditional Mideast culture, the foot is considered the filthiest part of the human body. This is reflected in a book in which I spend quite a lot of time, the Bible, and it plays an important role in an annual event on the Christian calendar. Maundy … [Read more...] about Some Background on That Shoe Incident
President Bush & Iraq’s Farewell “Gift”
Well done, President George W. Bush. As a sportsman, I admired your ducking capability and your witty response when, on receiving an Iraqi journalist's shoes, you reacted by saying that "the shoe number is 10". Why don't you try these shoes for a change...and know if it pinches? You insisted on a "farewell" visit to your favorite destination --- Iraq. It seems that "boots" … [Read more...] about President Bush & Iraq’s Farewell “Gift”
Memo To Minnesota, Just Follow The Rules
In the never-ending saga that is the Minnesota Senate race, we have been hearing rhetoric from all sides (I'd say both sides but, given the mess, I think it's more than two sides). Some are yelling about stopping possible fraud while others talk about the need to count 'every vote'. Well the simple fact of the matter is that no side is going to be happy here. Fraud happens … [Read more...] about Memo To Minnesota, Just Follow The Rules
The Story Behind The Iraqi Journalist Bush Shoe Throwing Incident
When George Bush was running for President, he was considered in terms of campaign contributions to be one of the most well-heeled candidates. Today's big media sensation was a story about an Iraqi journalist who also tried to make Bush a well-soled President, by throwing shoes at him. What was behind the incident? It now appears the journalist was living in a part of Iraq … [Read more...] about The Story Behind The Iraqi Journalist Bush Shoe Throwing Incident
GWB Practices Ducking Skills at Press Conference
BBC: In the middle of the news conference with Mr Maliki, a reporter stood up and shouted "this is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog," before hurtling his shoes at Mr Bush, narrowly missing him. "All I can report is a size 10," Mr Bush said according to the Associated Press news agency. BBC VIDEO … [Read more...] about GWB Practices Ducking Skills at Press Conference
My Thoughts on the Auto “Bailout” in Kristof’s Words
In response to my post yesterday, decrying the fact that Republican Senators from Southern states with foreign car manufacturers fiercely oppose the proposed emergency loan to save American automakers Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, I received several comments supporting the Senators and attacking the auto workers unions. Worried about what the failure of one of the … [Read more...] about My Thoughts on the Auto “Bailout” in Kristof’s Words