News arrives in today's Times that the computer industry is working to introduce computers that boot up faster. This work is in response to human impatience with the time it takes a computer to boot up. Those three minutes, the impatient humans say, feel like "an eternity." Let me go on record as believing this is not a good idea. For more than 65 years I have been … [Read more...] about Let Computers Wake Up at Human Speed
The Barack Obama Variety Half Hour Show
Saturday Night Live has regained its legendary stride and has now once again become must-see viewing for anyone interested in great political satire. It's easy for satire attempts to flop and scoring requires precisely hitting and shattering shared assumption, Here's SNL's latest gem: a promo for The Barack Obama Variety Half Hour Show: … [Read more...] about The Barack Obama Variety Half Hour Show
Poll Vaulting: Zogby vs. the World
Another day and another round of polling descends upon us, and once again many are left with squinting eyes and wrinkled noses while looking at the results produced by Zogby in New York. In the same three day period when ABC/Post, Gallup, Newsweek, Rasmussen and Research 2000 all show Obama with leads varying from eight to twelve points and expanding, John Zogby shows a race … [Read more...] about Poll Vaulting: Zogby vs. the World
Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Poll: McCain Narrowing Gap With Obama
The old saying "It ain't over till it's over" is nowhere more evident in the latest Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Poll which now puts Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain within 5 points of frontrunner Democratic Sen. Barack Obama. Pollster John Zogby attributes it to McCain getting back on message: Republican John McCain continues to gain on Democrat Barack Obama, … [Read more...] about Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Poll: McCain Narrowing Gap With Obama
The McCain-Palin Campaign Split
On Meet the Press today, John McCain talked proudly about how Sarah Palin was "igniting" crowds, but behind the scenes, her candidacy also seems to be setting his campaign on fire. as open warfare breaks out in anonymous diatribes. McCain advisers, CNN reports, are becoming "increasingly frustrated with what one aide described as Palin 'going rogue'" while her people are … [Read more...] about The McCain-Palin Campaign Split
Obama Will Win
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Obama Will Win
Inside the Curious Mind of Jim Nuzzo
Jim Nuzzo was a senior aide to President George H.W. Bush and doubtless considers himself a sage voice of the Grand Old Party. Thus, it's no surprise that The Sunday Telegraph was thrilled to sit down with him for a chat about the future of the Republican Party. I'm not sure which election Mr. Nuzzo is watching, however, because his definitions of what will constitute the GOP's … [Read more...] about Inside the Curious Mind of Jim Nuzzo
Why I’m (Grudgingly) Supporting Obama
One more rat is leaving the ship... This is not the easiest post for me to write. I am at heart, a moderate Republican, a conservative. I have been involved with the party and have supported GOP candidates. I'm not looking forward to the coming Democratic tsunami that's coming. I have many liberal friends and I'm married to one, but that doesn't mean I always agree with … [Read more...] about Why I’m (Grudgingly) Supporting Obama
David Frum Says Presidential Race Over, Calls for GOP to Focus on Senate
In today's Washington Post, former Bush speechwriter David Frum argues that the Palinization of the McCain presidential run, while igniting the base, has badly backfired: There are many ways to lose a presidential election. John McCain is losing in a way that threatens to take the entire Republican Party down with him. The race is basically over: "The very same campaign … [Read more...] about David Frum Says Presidential Race Over, Calls for GOP to Focus on Senate
Book Review: Christina Thompson’s ‘Come On Shore And We Will Kill And Eat You All’
Twenty or so years ago, a small and comely twentysomething blond American stopped over in New Zealand on the way from her hometown of Boston to graduate school in Australia. She ended up spending an evening in a pub near Auckland where she met a group of Maoris and so liked what she saw -- the country in general and a hulkingly handsome Maori by the name of Seven in particular … [Read more...] about Book Review: Christina Thompson’s ‘Come On Shore And We Will Kill And Eat You All’
If You See This Child, Call 911
This little boy is missing. He is the the seven-year-old son of Julia Balfour, sister of movie actress Jennifer Hudson who was Academy-Award-nominated for her role as one of the Supremes. The missing little boy's name is Julian King, and he has vanished since his grandmother and uncle (Julia Balfour's and Jennifer's Hudson's mother and brother) were murdered on the south … [Read more...] about If You See This Child, Call 911
Sarah Palin, Fruit Flies, and the Party of Darkness
Believe it or not, Sarah Palin gave a "policy" speech yesterday in support of (and in support of full government funding of) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In her speech, Palin stressed that "the most valuable thing of all is information" and that "[e]arly identification of a cognitive or other disorder, especially autism, can make a life-changing … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin, Fruit Flies, and the Party of Darkness
Going There: Politics and Friends
The amorphous and omnipresent "they" advise that we should never discuss certain subjects with friends, politics included. Yesterday, I broke that rule -- and I broke it not with some borderline, persuadable friends, but with three of the most hard-right, Limbaugh-like friends I know. OK. So what possessed me to do that? What did I hope to accomplish? My goal was nothing … [Read more...] about Going There: Politics and Friends
Obama McCain Campaign Watch
On the second to last weekend of Campaign 2008, presidential candidates Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama and Republican candidate Sen. John McCain have a variety of ads peppering the airwaves. Here are two: From Obama: From McCain: What's most notable is that Obama here is talking to voters about what he proposes to do as President. McCain continues to stress … [Read more...] about Obama McCain Campaign Watch
Polls: Obama Increases Margins In Colorado, Florida, Ohio Swing States
Three state polls find Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama increasing his margins in swing states -- the important states of Ohio, Colorado and Florida. And the economy and independent voters moving towards Obama have a lot to do with it. In Colorado, which once seemed as if it would be a big battleground state, if the current poll holds up, Obama will win by … [Read more...] about Polls: Obama Increases Margins In Colorado, Florida, Ohio Swing States
McCain Campaign Tensions Swirl Around Palin And Former Bush Aides
As the battle between presidential wannabes Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain heads towards its final week, one candidate remains the subject of continued media scrutiny, cryptic and at times disrespectful references by other candidates and even presumed supporters, a catalyst for a circular firing squad within one campaign, a stated partial reason … [Read more...] about McCain Campaign Tensions Swirl Around Palin And Former Bush Aides
Yet Another Republican for Obama: Charles Fried
Don't expect the likes of Bill Kristol or Charles Krauthammer, or even David Brooks, to switch allegiance anytime soon, or ever, but the list of Republicans -- and fairly high-profile ones -- coming out for Obama is getting longer and longer: Colin Powell Ken Adelman Arne Carlson William Weld Now it's distinguished conservative intellectual Charles Fried, solicitor … [Read more...] about Yet Another Republican for Obama: Charles Fried
Palin Channels Pat Nixon
Across a divide of decades, Sarah Palin is openly fueling the class-based resentment that motivated the Nixons in the 1960s but could only be expressed back then in coded terms like "the silent majority." In her interview with Brian Williams this week, Palin evoked memories of what Pat Nixon let slip publicly only once in 1968 in an interview with Gloria Steinem, whose … [Read more...] about Palin Channels Pat Nixon
Michele Bachmann and the Hardball “Trap”
As the death spiral of the 2008 election spins down to single digit days remaining, this weekend finds me in foul spirits, getting a bit angry, and even taking a good friend to task. The reason is an incident which probably should have faded from the political radar by now, but apparently won't be going away. It involves the recent incendiary remarks by Minnesota 6th District … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann and the Hardball “Trap”
Let’s Find A Better Word Than Hoax, Okay?
I was not initially moved to blog about the Ashley Todd affair because it stank of being phony from the jump. Furthermore, I didn't want to add another drop to the oceans of invective that have accumulated in this most rancorous presidential campaign. But all of that changed when I was able to confirm to my satisfaction that, while the McCain campaign most certainly did not … [Read more...] about Let’s Find A Better Word Than Hoax, Okay?