According to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, embattled and incredibly corrupt Governor Rod 'Tony Soprano' Blagojevich may announce his decision to step aside and/or resign on Monday. She made the statement on Meet The Press earlier today. There is however considerable question as to exactly what stepping aside would mean. Is he going to resign or will he merely step … [Read more...] about Governor Soprano To Step Aside? Maybe? Maybe Not?
Putin Had Best Not Underestimate Obama: From Le Monde of France
The world is waiting: it's a meeting as inevitable as it is dramatic. President Barack Obama will come face to face with one of the most ruthless political players on the world stage, Russian 'Prime Minister' Vladimir Putin. It's the heaviest of heavyweight political bouts. And the question on everyone's lips?: Who will come out on top - and can Obama hold his own? … [Read more...] about Putin Had Best Not Underestimate Obama: From Le Monde of France
The Goodbye Governors
As Rod Blagojevich struggles to keep his office after trying to sell a US Senate seat, spare a thought for Eliot Spitzer who lost his for buying bed time with a hooker. On the eve of Change in America, their stories reflect the extremes of old politics--the self-made thief and the self-righteous reformer--both brought down by failure to hide their raw ambition behind the … [Read more...] about The Goodbye Governors
The End of Auto Life Support
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about The End of Auto Life Support
Indian Journalist In Pak LeT ‘Terror Camp’
An Indian woman journalist has provided a detailed on-the-spot report from the headquarters of Pakistan's controversial Lashkar-e-Taiyyebba, or Taiba, (LeT), allegedly the epi-center of "new wave of terrorism". Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist who was captured alive in Mumbai, is supposed to have studied here. (See my earlier post "Terror Update: Pakistan, USA and … [Read more...] about Indian Journalist In Pak LeT ‘Terror Camp’
Around The Sphere
Our famous linkfest to posts of varying viewpoints. The Bush Administration Continues To Work On Having The Worst Environmental Record In American History: The White House is removing protections for endangered species before Bush leaves office. Is Removing Illinois's Senate Seat For Sale Governor Via Court Order A Good Idea? Ann Althouse has no sympathy for Rod … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere
Rumsfeld’s $49 Billion “Miscalculation”
There are three people whose monumental lies, misconceptions, miscalculations, mis-prognostications about the war in Iraq have been shocking and will live---with my apologies to president Roosevelt---in infamy. The saddest part is that these three people happen to be the three highest officials in the land charged with the sacred duty of keeping our country safe and … [Read more...] about Rumsfeld’s $49 Billion “Miscalculation”
Blagojevich: Giving Governors a Bad Name (Guest Voice)
How bad is Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich? In this Guest Voice post "raging moderate" writer and political comic Will Durst says the Senate Seat For Sale guy is giving governors a bad name and has also done the unthinkable: he has damaged the image of Chicago politics. Blagojevich: Giving Governors a Bad Name Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Hats off to the Illinois … [Read more...] about Blagojevich: Giving Governors a Bad Name (Guest Voice)
Terror Update: Pakistan, USA & Mafia Don
It is getting murkier and murkier. Dawood Ibrahim, India-born mafia don (who is said to be safely hiding in Pakistan), is emerging as a key suspect in "the funding and logistical support for the November 26 terrorist strike on Mumbai." Dubbed as “India’s Osama Bin Laden”, Dawood is also allegedly behind the 2006 Mumbai train bombings (which killed at least 200 people); and … [Read more...] about Terror Update: Pakistan, USA & Mafia Don
Are We “Hard-Wired” for Justice? Ask Your Brain
A research team from Vanderbilt University has released the findings of a new study which seems to indicate that humans are pre-programmed to recognize unfair, unjust situations and are prone toward a finding of guilt and punishment of the perpetrators. (They should have enough material to draw upon. Some archaeologists in England announced this week that they found the oldest … [Read more...] about Are We “Hard-Wired” for Justice? Ask Your Brain
Just For a Moment, Rest and Remember Yourself
Dick Cheney’s “So?” Revisited
This week's TIME issue, "The List Issue," takes an interesting and comprehensive look back at 2008 through a "collection of serious and not-so-serious Top 10 lists." The list includes: *Top 10 under-reported stories *Top 10 medical breakthroughs *Top 10 green stories *Top 10 political lines *Top 10 movies *Top 10 books Of course, also the … [Read more...] about Dick Cheney’s “So?” Revisited
Senate UAW Screw
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Senate UAW Screw
U.S. Senators and Japanese, German and Korean Automobile Manufacturers
What do the following U.S. Senators have in common? *Bob Corker , Tennessee *Richard Shelby, Alabama *Jim DeMint, South Carolina *Mitch McConnell, Kentucky 1. They are all Republicans 2. They all have Japanese, German, or Korean auto plants in their states 3. They all (except Kentucky) have "right-to-work" laws. 4. They all detest the United … [Read more...] about U.S. Senators and Japanese, German and Korean Automobile Manufacturers
Downwind Of Bush Rule No. ?
The Bush administration has sneaked another rule into the deregulation books. This one definitely passes the smell test. The rule: Poultry and livestock farmers no longer have to report emissions from animal waste. The Environmental Protection Agency said the rule change would "enable authorities to better focus their attention on hazardous substance releases that … [Read more...] about Downwind Of Bush Rule No. ?
Education as Business
Malcolm Gladwell -- the freaky-haired author of smart, nonfiction bestsellers -- tackles the challenge of identifying good teachers. (Don't be fooled by the first part of the article, where Gladwell focuses on football and quarterbacks; it's only a set up for the rest of the article.) In examining the good-teacher question, Gladwell offers this: Eric Hanushek, an … [Read more...] about Education as Business
Financial Crisis for Dummies
In case you missed it in the December 2008 issue of The Atlantic, Henry Blodget offers a remarkably accessible analysis of the mess in which we currently find ourselves. In fact, it's the clearest, cleanest such analysis I've seen so far. If you take time to read it, I highly recommend you print it first, or pick up a copy of the magazine at a newsstand. An easy read -- … [Read more...] about Financial Crisis for Dummies
Mr. Gates’ Difficult Transition
So far, it appears that Defense Secretary Robert Gates will be the only Republican holdover from the Bush cabinet who will serve with the Obama administration. I have always considered Gates to be a good and capable person and applaud Obama's decision to keep him on, especially in a position and in an environment that requires common sense, levelheadedness and that quality … [Read more...] about Mr. Gates’ Difficult Transition
Confederate Senators From Japan
In killing the Detroit bailout this week, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Toyota joined his colleagues Dick Shelby of Honda and Bob Corker of Nissan in upholding a basic American principle: Blame all economic woes on greedy unions. After shoveling billions out the door for Wall Street bastions of free enterprise, McConnell expressed the worry that “a government big … [Read more...] about Confederate Senators From Japan
Operation Michigani Freedom
Put away your pencils and calculators. Lock up the accountants and economists in a closet. The solution to the auto industry's woes has been found and it comes to us courtesy of John Cole. (Hat tip to James Joyner for pointing the way and providing additional snark.) We have been repeatedly reminded - generally by Republican congressmen - that Iraq is shaping up quite nicely, … [Read more...] about Operation Michigani Freedom