Ben Smith on liberating the transition's intellectual property: The Obama transition made a subtle, but dramatic, change to its intellectual property licensing yesterday, and the groups pushing for freer use of content on the Internet are releasing a letter this morning requesting two more changes to the way the transition is handling its online content. The letter is an … [Read more...] about “O” is for Open Government
Canada Crisis Part Deux
The political antics continue north of the border as the incumbent Conservative government and the new opposition coalition battle for position in advance of the possible change of power next week. Both sides have been releasing radio and TV ads to try and win support for their side. The battle is centered over a proposal by the government to drop public funding for the … [Read more...] about Canada Crisis Part Deux
Our Planet Contracts ‘The Truman Syndrome’: Folha, Brazil
Has this entire planet become a reality show? That's the contention of Portuguese writer João Pereira Coutinho, who writes in part for Brazil's Folha: "The epidemic of the 21st Century has a name: Truman Syndrome. The name belongs to the 1998 film The Truman Show with Jim Carrey in the principal role. You don’t remember it? I do: Carrey’s character was a kind insurance … [Read more...] about Our Planet Contracts ‘The Truman Syndrome’: Folha, Brazil
The Military Landscape that Confronts Obama: Novosti of Russia
What do the Russians see when they look at the military challenges that Barack Obama must now confront? This article from Russia's Novosti News Service lays out the general Kremlin view, in regard to Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and most importantly, Ukraine, Georgia and Russia. The author, military affairs Analyst Ilya Kramnik, anticipates that Obama will continue the … [Read more...] about The Military Landscape that Confronts Obama: Novosti of Russia
A Gay Version Of The Bible
And you know it has sparked debate... … [Read more...] about A Gay Version Of The Bible
Gregory To Take Over For Russert
Reports are that they have chosen a replacement for the late Tim Russert and it is NBC reporter David Gregory. I was a big fan of Russert and I think Gregory will make an excellent replacement. He is a balanced reporter and will do a good job in his new role. Congratulations. … [Read more...] about Gregory To Take Over For Russert
“That Lonely Thorn Tree”: An Asian Obsession Funds Killing in Zimbabwe
From Lin, who is trying to survive in Zimbabwe. Along with others on that patch of earth, with few resources, defending against men with rifles who lust for money offered by those who sell, not cocaine, not opium, but another addictive substance: the superstition of aphrodisiacs. Her story arrived in my mailbox this evening via a friend who has been to Zimbabwe many times, … [Read more...] about “That Lonely Thorn Tree”: An Asian Obsession Funds Killing in Zimbabwe
Jon Stewart on Mumbai
Normally I am neither a fan of The Daily Show or of profanity in humor, but I have to say this one is a good commentary on the horrific monsters of Mumbai. Warning, it is blue, so click at your own risk http://www.hulu.com/watch/46954/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-mumbai-tragedy … [Read more...] about Jon Stewart on Mumbai
The FIGMO Presidency
I remember when I was a young man in the military, that some of my buddies celebrated a new assignment, or nearing the completion of a tour of duty, for weeks, sometimes months by "going FIGMO." Although the military is famous for its acronyms, this particular one, "FIGMO," will probably not be found in official or semi-official military dictionaries, since the first letter … [Read more...] about The FIGMO Presidency
Jeb Bush Seriously Considering Florida Senate Run
As President George W. Bush winds down to his final days in the White House, a "given" has been that his record unpopularity, coupled with the strong wave of anti-George Bush feeling that forcefully swept the country on Election Day, has forever damaged the "Bush brand" and that it'll be many years before another Bush family member attains high office. Or dares to run. Think … [Read more...] about Jeb Bush Seriously Considering Florida Senate Run
Senate Update (Bumped and Updated)
Update #2: I'm tired of waiting for the Fulton County vote. We now have 70% of the ballots in and Chambliss still is over 60% which means Martin now would need over 75% of remaining ballots. He didn't even manage that in DeKalb County (Obama barely managed it himself). Race over: Chambliss wins. I will comment on the Minnesota race later Update: With about 66% of the … [Read more...] about Senate Update (Bumped and Updated)
The “New” Richard Nixon Tapes: A Bad Reputation Deserved
The American press and American public -- with the exception of some steadfast loyalists -- now have Nixon to kick around some more. And for good reason. The release of some 200 hours of Nixon White House recordings is going to provide a treasure chest of inside glimpses into the man who helped usher in the politics of polarization and who helped dismember … [Read more...] about The “New” Richard Nixon Tapes: A Bad Reputation Deserved
Canada Into The Canyon
Tab, The Calgary Sun … [Read more...] about Canada Into The Canyon
Outsourcing Journalism
Maureen Dowd strikes fear into the hearts of writers: Indians are writing about everything from the Pasadena Christmas tree-lighting ceremony to kitchen remodeling to city debates about eliminating plastic shopping bags. "In brutal terms," said Macpherson, whose father was a typesetter, printer and photographer, "it's going to get to the point where saving the industry may … [Read more...] about Outsourcing Journalism
Big 3 Change Tune But Still Fiddle
Top executives of Detroit's Big Three automakers got the memo when they delivered a lemon to Congress last month asking for $25 billion to keep their cars running. Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally and Chrysler LLC CEO Robert Nardelli said they would work for $1 per year if Congress granted them the loans. General Motors Chief Rick Wagoner was expected to follow … [Read more...] about Big 3 Change Tune But Still Fiddle
Prime Minister… Dion? How Canada’s Opposition Parties Have United to Bring Down the Conservative Government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Over the weekend, my friend Grace noted that "there [were] rumblings that two of [Canada's federal] opposition parties, the Liberals and New Democrats, [were] in the process of brokering a deal to throw out the Tories and form a coalition government with the support of the Bloc Québécois." (Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives, or "Tories," won the most seats in … [Read more...] about Prime Minister… Dion? How Canada’s Opposition Parties Have United to Bring Down the Conservative Government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper
The Key Characteristic Of Barack Obama’s Cabinet
It's anti-Bush. … [Read more...] about The Key Characteristic Of Barack Obama’s Cabinet
A Life on Film: James Reynolds
James Reynolds is an experienced actor with an extensive career. He is probably best known for his Emmy nominated role as Abe Carver on "Days of our Lives" but has also performed in the theater and appeared in a number of big screen films including "Mr. Majestyk" and "Fun With Dick and Jane." As author and film critic Betty Jo Tucker points out, his work and background extend … [Read more...] about A Life on Film: James Reynolds
Pirates Shoot At U.S. Cruise Ship In Failed Hijack Attempt
It's time to add terrorism on the seas to the long list of perils the United States faces as it careens into the 21st Century -- this time the ages-old plague of pirates at sea taking on a new twist: there has been an attempt to hijack an American cruise ship and shots were fired: Pirates chased and shot at a U.S. cruise liner with more than 1,000 people on board but … [Read more...] about Pirates Shoot At U.S. Cruise Ship In Failed Hijack Attempt
Give The Gift Of Abortion This Christmas
What do you give the woman who has everything? How about this: Here's an original holiday gift idea to help the person who may have everything, including a little something they don't really want. A new way to mark the festive yearend celebration of life -- a gift certificate for an abortion. This year for the first time, Planned Parenthood of Indiana is offering holiday … [Read more...] about Give The Gift Of Abortion This Christmas