RJ Matson, The New York Observer … [Read more...] about Vetting The Clintons
Michele Bachmann Tries To Rewrite History
Even though we're now smack, dab into the 21st century, there are apparently some politicians who forget about the wonders of video tape -- a form of recording that actually came to fruition on television in the 50s but hit it big time in the 1960s. So it has been around a while, but some seem to forget it from time to time. In October we ran THIS POST about how Michele … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann Tries To Rewrite History
Al Qaeda’s Al-Zawahiri Calls Obama “House Negro”
Al Qaeda has wasted no time issuing a not-so-thinly veiled threat to President Elect Barack Obama via a throw-down-the-gauntlet statement by Al Qaeda's number two official, whose words suggest that journalists should now add the adjective "racist" to "terrorist" when describing the group. Ayman al-Zawahiri, the organization's second in command, has warned Obama that he … [Read more...] about Al Qaeda’s Al-Zawahiri Calls Obama “House Negro”
Google Copyright Deal Moves Forward
Ars Technica: Yesterday, Judge John Sprizzo of Manhattan approved a lawsuit settlement between Google and book authors and publishers. In what can only be seen as a huge win for both Google and publishers, Google will pay out $125 million into a fund for copyright holders and be granted the right to put millions of out-of-print texts online. The settlement provides a glimpse … [Read more...] about Google Copyright Deal Moves Forward
Bush Admin’s ‘Special Gift’ For Obama
Think Progress provides an interesting example of Bush Administration's strategy to forcibly push "the political ideologues" down the throat of the new Obama administration. "The Washington Post reported this morning that between March and November, the Bush administration has 'burrowed' at least 20 political appointees into career civil service posts, initially depriving … [Read more...] about Bush Admin’s ‘Special Gift’ For Obama
Rupert Murdoch: No To ‘Gloom & Doom’
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch's, and his family's, adventures and victories in the field of journalism have won him admirers and critics. His detractors claim that he has trashed serious/traditional journalism. But journalism is neither static, nor a charitable activity. It has become a highly competitive business. It would be unfair to single out media owners for blame. The … [Read more...] about Rupert Murdoch: No To ‘Gloom & Doom’
Cheney and Gonzales Indicted… Sort Of
Even many of the more liberal blogs are having trouble buying in to this one. http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4AI11B20081119 It seems that Cheney owns stock in Vanguard Fund (yeah the one that tens of millions of people own stock in) and it in turn has a portfolio that owns some stock in a company which manages some of the private prisons in Texas. So … [Read more...] about Cheney and Gonzales Indicted… Sort Of
Barack Obama and Joe Lieberman: Obama’s Move Explained
Once again Jonathan Singer stands back, looks at a situation and offers a thoughtful and logical analysis. … [Read more...] about Barack Obama and Joe Lieberman: Obama’s Move Explained
Attorney General Holder ?
While speculation has buzzed over Secretary of State Clinton it now seems that the next US Attorney General will be Eric Holder. Holder, who would be the first African American AG, served as deputy to Janet Reno during the Clinton years. Holder has also been on the unofficial short list for appointment to the Supreme Court so it is possible his stay at the Justice Department … [Read more...] about Attorney General Holder ?
A Kinder, Gentler D.C. (Guest Voice)
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