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?
North Georgia Way….
On my way to Clarkesville, Georgia this morning to visit a old college buddy I haven't seen in 10 years, I heard Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind" on the radio. I usually listen to MP3s or satellite radio while traveling, but for some reason I just turned on the standard radio this time. I was a little past Gainesville, Georgia when Lightfoot's song came on. … [Read more...] about North Georgia Way….
Strange Fruit
It had to come to this. Yesterday Drudge and Fox News blared a headline that would tear at the conscience of America. A white, female McCain staffer was robbed at an ATM machine in Pittsburgh. And then when the "large, dark-skinned, black" assailant noticed her McCain bumper sticker he became "enraged" and proceeded to fondle her and then carve a letter "B" in her face. It … [Read more...] about Strange Fruit
What Bush Has Wrought: ‘It’s All Incredible’ – Folha, Brazil
'FRIEND'S CLUB' [Het Parool, The Netherlands] Politically, electorally and economically, the damage inflicted on the United States by the Administration of George W. Bush is incalculable. Such is the verdict of Fernando Canzian of Brazil's Floha newspaper. Opening with a discussion of Oliver Stone's new film 'W,' Canzian writes in part: "WASHINGTON: Between the … [Read more...] about What Bush Has Wrought: ‘It’s All Incredible’ – Folha, Brazil
Voting for the Weekend
The New York Times had an interesting piece today on the history of our nation's Tuesday voting schedule. They first point out that some other countries have much higher rates of electoral participation. Despite all the money and the news media hysteria, and even with record numbers of Americans heading to the polls, the United States won’t even come close to the top nations … [Read more...] about Voting for the Weekend
Republicans Against Proposition 8
The common perception is that the GOP is anti-gay. While there are many Republicans who are homophobic, there are also many who are very gay-friendly and willing to stand up for gay rights and, in this case, against Proposition 8, the proposal that would ban gay marriage in California. One such person is Tom Campbell a former Republican legislator in California. He … [Read more...] about Republicans Against Proposition 8
Greenspan, Greed and the Blame Game
Congressmen who used to hang on every word and kiss his ring got rough with the former Fed chairman yesterday, as Henry Waxman bullied him to admit his fault for the subprime mortgage crisis ("Were you wrong?") and got a qualified mea culpa ("Partially"). The Greenspan grilling is at the respectable end of the national rage over the collapsing economy, bracketed on the far … [Read more...] about Greenspan, Greed and the Blame Game
A Brief Time Out for Ms. Dunham
I knew that Barack Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, had broken her hip and was enduring some other problems, but it seems that things are even more grave than that. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says he's not sure his gravely ill grandmother will live to see Election Day. "Without going through the details too much, she's gravely ill. We weren't sure … [Read more...] about A Brief Time Out for Ms. Dunham
Krauthammer Vents, Weld Backs Obama
Does anyone care that Charles Krauthammer will be voting for McCain? Oh, no, he's not one of those "wet-fingered conservatives leaping to Barack Obama before they're left out in the cold without a single state dinner for the next four years," as if that's the only reason so many of them are lining up behind Obama, he's the courageous, trend-bucking conservative who sees … [Read more...] about Krauthammer Vents, Weld Backs Obama
The World Wants Obama
The entire world wants Barack Obama. If he were to stand for President of Earth, he’d be voted in by 75% to 99% in favor from Chile to Papua New Guinea and Iceland to South Korea. Web developer Seth Carnes and a few friends have set up an interesting web site called “THEWORLDFOR.COM: Help select the new President” where non-Americans (and Americans) can vote to choose … [Read more...] about The World Wants Obama
Troy Anthony Davis Gets Stay of Execution
The AJC brings the good news: The federal appeals court in Atlanta on Friday stayed the execution of Troy Anthony Davis, who was scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection Monday evening. “Upon our thorough review of the record, we conclude that Davis has met the burden for a stay of execution,” the court said in a ruling issued by Judges Joel Dubina, Rosemary Barket … [Read more...] about Troy Anthony Davis Gets Stay of Execution
The Culinary Equivalent of Homeschooling
Michael Pollan was making his case for food as a national security issue Monday on Fresh Air. Terry Gross asked him about Obama being mocked for liking arugula instead of iceberg lettuce. Pollan said he would have advised him not to talk about it: Dukakis did the same thing. He talked about endive in Iowa, and these...candidates get to Iowa, and the farmers are complaining … [Read more...] about The Culinary Equivalent of Homeschooling