Is the election of Barack Obama more than just a power shift? In this Guest Voice post, author Martha Randolph Carr argues that it is. A Kinder, Gentler D.C. by Martha Randolph Carr Cycles in D.C. politics sometimes last for a generation, sometimes only for the first 100 days of a new presidential term. Right now, politicians from both sides of the aisle are working a … [Read more...] about A Kinder, Gentler D.C. (Guest Voice)
So, Where Exactly is Yemen?
We read or hear the names of a plethora of countries every day. But I have to confess that as closely as I try to follow world news and foreign affairs, I can't always identify the locations of some countries. In this era of globalization and of the projection of US power and influence, it seems sort of important for we Americans to be more aware of the world around us. … [Read more...] about So, Where Exactly is Yemen?
Carmaker Lament
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Carmaker Lament
UPDATE: Alaska Senator Ted Stevens Defeated
NYTimes The Caucus: Update | 8:43 p.m. With most of the remaining ballots counted in Alaska, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich appears to have unseated long-time Senator Ted Stevens, widening the Democrat’s lead to 3,724 votes. The new count pretty much closes the door on Mr. Stevens’ hopes of re-election. According to the latest official count by the Alaska Division of Elections, … [Read more...] about UPDATE: Alaska Senator Ted Stevens Defeated
The Sad Truth Behind Germany’s ‘Obama Shortage’: Die Zeit of Germany
Of the emerging pantheon of articles about why other nations lack their own Obamas, this article from Germany is particularly eye-opening. According to Werner A. Perger of Die Zeit, Germany's political parties discourage charismatic figures who tend to take the initiative. And why is that? It seems that the road Adolph Hitler and his Nazi party took that nation down is the … [Read more...] about The Sad Truth Behind Germany’s ‘Obama Shortage’: Die Zeit of Germany
Spellings On The Way Out?
The Chronicle's News Blog: As the days of the Bush administration wind down, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings has watched a series of top aides leave early, including her chief of staff, her chief financial officer, and her under secretary for higher education. Ms. Spellings, however, has repeatedly promised to stay until the end, January 20, 2009. But will she? … [Read more...] about Spellings On The Way Out?
A Galaxy of Stars Comes Out for Equal Rights for Gays and Lesbians in the Military
As a retired military officer, a low-ranking one, the highlight for me of the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer was what I called "the galaxy of stars," dozens of retired generals and admirals that appeared on the INVESCO Field stage in support of Barack Obama the night of his nomination. In my post on this event, I also noted that the Obama campaign … [Read more...] about A Galaxy of Stars Comes Out for Equal Rights for Gays and Lesbians in the Military
Triumph of the Turncoat Houdini
Today's escape from losing his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee caps Joe Lieberman's career of having it both ways in two decades of sanctimonious posturing and backroom politicking. With a novelist's eye for the absurd, Joan Didion nailed him in her reporting of the 2000 election campaign: "Senator Lieberman, who had come to the nation's attention … [Read more...] about Triumph of the Turncoat Houdini
Genocide and Chaos in the Congo
Please check out Michael Kavanagh's "Five Million Dead and Counting" at Slate, a reporter's account of the ongoing civil war and atrocities in North Kivu, an eastern province of the Congo: There are now more than 1 million displaced people scattered throughout the province. In the last 10 years of fighting, more than 5 million people have died in the Congolese conflict -- … [Read more...] about Genocide and Chaos in the Congo
Holiday Film Extravaganza
If' you'd like a short break from politics, I will be manning the co-pilot's chair this afternoon for a special holiday edition of Movie Addict Headquarters with author and film critic Betty Jo Tucker. We'll be talking to film critic Nell Minow about some of the classic holiday films of all time, both new and old. Nell Minow writes as “The Movie Mom” for Beliefnet. She has … [Read more...] about Holiday Film Extravaganza
Joe Lieberman: The Survivor
Joe Lieberman may have been a Democrat, he may now be an independent, and some progressive Democrats may think he is a closet Republican. But what is indisputable is that he is a survivor: he has come out of a meeting with Senate Democrats upset over his role in supporting losing GOP Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain with little more than a slap on the wrist. He did so … [Read more...] about Joe Lieberman: The Survivor
Why John Kerry’s Loss in 2004 Was “The Luckiest Thing to Happen to Democrats in 40 Years”
Duke political scientist David Rohde had an interesting piece at The New Republic yesterday on why the Democrats are much better off today because of Kerry's loss to Bush in '04. Basically, Rohde's argument goes, "had Bush lost in 2004, the Democrats simply wouldn't be anywhere near as powerful as they are now." Kerry and Edwards would have faced "a hostile GOP Congress" … [Read more...] about Why John Kerry’s Loss in 2004 Was “The Luckiest Thing to Happen to Democrats in 40 Years”
Sarah Palin’s Big Fat Book Deal
If you see a parade over the next month, it may not be the Thanksgiving Day parade. It could be likely to be book publishers lining up to put in a bid to publish defeated GOP Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin's reported book deal...which could fetch $7 million. A roundup is HERE. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin’s Big Fat Book Deal
Shrill Partisanship Not Embraced By Some New Lawmakers
Is the style of shrill partisanship now falling out of style in Congress? According to The Christian Science Monitor, among some members, yes: The freshman Class of 2008 converged on Capitol Hill for orientation this week not just to learn the ways of Washington but also to try to change them. Their ranks include lawyers, governors, mayors, and former congressional staff, … [Read more...] about Shrill Partisanship Not Embraced By Some New Lawmakers
And The (Corruption) Beat Goes On In Iraq
Shaun Mullen's powerful post, "Iraq Status Of Forces Agreement: No Time To Break Out The Party Hats," brought back the flood of memories, the emotions, the pent-up anger and frustration Americans have experienced over the past six years as a result of, as Mullen puts it, "the evil that [Dick Cheney's, Donald Rumsfeld's and Richard Perle's] little adventure in Iraq unleashed." … [Read more...] about And The (Corruption) Beat Goes On In Iraq
Kissing Hillary
An editor who didn't get an expected promotion once cabled Henry Luce of Time Inc, "If you didn't intend to kiss me, why did you keep me standing on my tippy toes?" The image comes back as days stretch out over the possible appointment of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, creating the first tiny crisis of the Obama Administration in the making. As in all matters … [Read more...] about Kissing Hillary
Barack Obama’s Presidential Role Model
Should it be Lincoln -- or FDR? … [Read more...] about Barack Obama’s Presidential Role Model
Allies and Rivals: Will Hillary Be Secretary of State?
There has been much speculation -- it has been reported, through anonymous sources, that Obama discussed the job with Hillary at their meeting in Chicago last week, and Bill is apparently being vetted with respect to his many international dealings and connections -- and now one newspaper (and one newspaper alone), Britain's Guardian, is reporting that Hillary will accept … [Read more...] about Allies and Rivals: Will Hillary Be Secretary of State?
Left Wing Seething over Lieberman’s Possibly Escaping the Noose
Let's take a quick poll here and have a show of hands if you didn't see this one coming. CNN is reporting that Joe Lieberman looks to be a "shoe-in" to keep his chairman's seat on Homeland Security and stay in the Democratic Caucus, while being "punished" by losing some less prestigious position. Predictably, his opponents in the Democratic base who are still boiling mad over … [Read more...] about Left Wing Seething over Lieberman’s Possibly Escaping the Noose
A Utah Cartoonist Looks At Prop 8 And The Mormon Church
Two cartoons from the Salt Lake City Tribune's Pat Bagley: Proposition 8 Gay Mormon … [Read more...] about A Utah Cartoonist Looks At Prop 8 And The Mormon Church