As he serves out his time, the self-styled Decider is putting Americans through the most agonizing period of indecision in three-quarters of a century, leaving a unified nation holding its breath until January 20th. Paul Krugman cites today's parallel with the "power vacuum" in 1932-1933 that was "disastrous for the U.S. economy, at least in part because the outgoing … [Read more...] about Bush’s Impossible Achievement
Can Americans Tolerate a Bush-Obama Transition—To Better English, That Is.
My English diction is far from perfect, and sometimes I rationalize for this weakness. Nevertheless, I would expect a little better from our politicians and national leaders. George W. Bush's malapropisms and other abuses of the English language are both embarrassing and legendary. Sen. Joe Biden "immortalized" Rudy Giuliani's political sentence structure as "a noun … [Read more...] about Can Americans Tolerate a Bush-Obama Transition—To Better English, That Is.
Clinton Pick a Bold Expression of Obama’s Strength: From Die Welt, Germany
There seems to be a chasm opening up between Britain and the Continent over whether Hillary Clinton is a good choice to be U.S. secretary of state. It seems the British are largely - but not universally - convinced that this isn't a good idea for Obama. On mainland Europe, however, the idea is much more widely seen a wise move by the President elect. Take for example, this … [Read more...] about Clinton Pick a Bold Expression of Obama’s Strength: From Die Welt, Germany
Foot Soldiers In The Cable News Wars
The three major cable TV news channels are backed into a corner reaching for niche audiences which in the broadest terms can be described as preaching to the choir: Fox for conservatives; MSNBC for liberals and CNN for those disgusted with the biases of the former two. The election of Barack Obama and strong Democratic majorities in both Houses has forced role-reversals for … [Read more...] about Foot Soldiers In The Cable News Wars
Time Magazine And Angelina Jolie
Will this raise eyebrows? … [Read more...] about Time Magazine And Angelina Jolie
Internet Usage Up, Sexual Offenses Against Kids Down
Counter intuitive? Michael Masnick at TechDirt: We've been pointing out for a while that the supposed "threat" of online sexual predators has been blown way out of proportion, thanks to the press and politicians' desire to create moral panics that allow politicians to make themselves look good while passing useless laws. The Berkman Center, at Harvard, is about to come out … [Read more...] about Internet Usage Up, Sexual Offenses Against Kids Down
‘Irrational Exuberance’ of 1990s Unwound
Aaron Task: Any way you slice it, the 2008 is shaping up to annus horribilis for the U.S. stock market. Heading into Friday's session, in which an early rally effort quickly faded, the S&P was down 49% year-to-date and on track for its worst year ever. Down 43% year to date, the Dow is heading for its second worst year in history, the WSJ reports, trailing only the 53% … [Read more...] about ‘Irrational Exuberance’ of 1990s Unwound
‘Get Out of Iraq Now’: End the Occupation – La Jornada Editorial, Mexico
It isn't only Iran, Syria and Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr who are dissatisfied with the new U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement now in the hands of the Iraqi National Assembly. According to this scolding editorial from La Jornada of Mexico, there are a good number of people in that country who regard the American presence in that country as an unmitigated disgrace that … [Read more...] about ‘Get Out of Iraq Now’: End the Occupation – La Jornada Editorial, Mexico
Modern Pirates Making Big Bucks: $150 Million In 12 Months
The news is now out: Pirates are making big bucks. A warning to America's big three automakers: Don't let this give you any ideas... But using ships at sea to update and expand upon the centuries-old tradition of pirating is really raking the (tax-free) money in , according to reports: More than $150 million have been paid to pirates around the Horn of Africa over the … [Read more...] about Modern Pirates Making Big Bucks: $150 Million In 12 Months
Superman
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com … [Read more...] about Superman
Google SearchWiki: Customize Your Search Results
The Official Google Blog: Today we're launching SearchWiki, a way for you to customize search by re-ranking, deleting, adding, and commenting on search results. With just a single click you can move the results you like to the top or add a new site. You can also write notes attached to a particular site and remove results that you don't feel belong. These modifications will be … [Read more...] about Google SearchWiki: Customize Your Search Results
Franken Narrows Coleman’s Lead in Minnesota Senate Recount
Democratic challenger Al Franken seems to be narrowing the gap, but there's still a long way to go. Here's the latest from the Star Tribune: The U.S. Senate recount continued Thursday without major glitches across Minnesota, as tabulators and the volunteers watching them settled into an increasingly familiar routine of thumbing, counting and sorting. With about 46 percent … [Read more...] about Franken Narrows Coleman’s Lead in Minnesota Senate Recount
Hillary to State Dept. – Finally Some Good News for New York
If this Associated Press release is to be believed, the nomination of Hillary Clinton to head up the State Department is all but a done deal. WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama plans to nominate Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state after Thanksgiving, a new milestone for the former first lady and a convergence of two political forces who fought hard for the … [Read more...] about Hillary to State Dept. – Finally Some Good News for New York
An Interesting Choice for Agriculture Secretary
Tom Philpott at The Grist had an interesting post the other day wondering whether Obama's food/ag policy is withering. Among the possibilities for Agriculture Secretary he discusses: John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association. Boyd helped lead the fight to hold USDA accountable for its long history of stiffing black farmers; his nomination is being … [Read more...] about An Interesting Choice for Agriculture Secretary
‘Largest Demonstration in Five Years’ Held in Support of U.S. Security Deal: From Iraq’s Azzaman
The men in the photo above may not look all that enthusiastic, but according to this news account from Iraq's Azzaman newspaper, they were part of the largest demonstration held in Iraq for the past five years. And what was the demonstration for? It was, believe it or not, in favor of passage of the Status of Forces Agreement with the United States held in none other than … [Read more...] about ‘Largest Demonstration in Five Years’ Held in Support of U.S. Security Deal: From Iraq’s Azzaman
Health Care in a Sick Economy
As jobs disappear and economic anxiety spreads, the incoming Congress is showing signs of getting serious about health care reform, and the entrenched health insurers are signaling their willingness to negotiate. Two trade groups, America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, are saying they would guarantee coverage for people with … [Read more...] about Health Care in a Sick Economy
Michael Mukasey Sudden Illness, Update
A statement from Department of Justice just released says about Mr. Mukasey who is 67 years young/old: "The Attorney General is conscious, conversant and alert. His vital statistics are strong and he is in good spirits. He is receiving excellent care and appreciates all of the good wishes and prayers he has received. The doctors will keep him overnight for further … [Read more...] about Michael Mukasey Sudden Illness, Update
What an Obama-Palin Administration Would Have Done For Our Economy
Note: For the sake of letting bygones be bygones, I have been pondering about posting this piece of political satire. However, after watching Palin's absolutely lame and ghastly news conference tonight on the occasion of her gubernatorial pardon of the Alaska Thanksgiving turkey, I am just going to let it rip, and damn the torpedoes. (Parents, you may not want to let your … [Read more...] about What an Obama-Palin Administration Would Have Done For Our Economy
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: In The Red Corner…
Cordel Faulk - IN THE RED CORNER... Here's the worst kept secret in politics: Presidential campaigning never ends. For periods of time it becomes quieter--a little subtler--but it never stops. Every morning 100 senators, 50 governors, quite a few grandees in the House of Representatives, and an assortment of corporate titans all hear their Rice Krispies shouting "2012!" … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: In The Red Corner…
Attorney General Michael Mukasey Collapses Onstage Tonight (UPDATED)
Attorney General Michael Mukasey collapsed tonight while giving a speech to the Federalist Society in Washington, according to three senior administration officials. Details about Mukasey's condition were not immediately available at 8:40 Pm MST. The film clip of Mr. Mukasey at the podium shows him wearing his glasses and in full formal business dress, talking away and … [Read more...] about Attorney General Michael Mukasey Collapses Onstage Tonight (UPDATED)