After seven-plus years of stubborn certainty, the Decider suddenly reversed himself today on two major issues--the $700 financial bailout and relations with North Korea. In a deathbed conversion to consensus, the Administration stepped back from the Paulson Plan to buy toxic mortgage-backed securities and moved toward injecting capital directly into the nation’s banks, a … [Read more...] about Bush’s About-Faces
How John McCain Could Still Win This Thing
I'll preface this post by saying that the most conservative parts of the GOP base will not agree with it... nor will they see any reason McCain should care about the votes of people like me. I'm not a Republican, and I see that party as corrupted and twisted beyond all recognition these days. They've fully earned their time in the wilderness, and I know many (former) … [Read more...] about How John McCain Could Still Win This Thing
Humanity: A Moral History. A Needed Lesson.
The summer before I experienced the smoke of the burning World Trade Center sucked into my kitchen by a whirring window fan, I read Jonathan Glover's brilliant work, Humanity: A Moral History of the Twentieth Century. In it, Glover looked across all of the genocides of the twentieth century to find common attributes -- sympathy, empathy and respect -- that can help us … [Read more...] about Humanity: A Moral History. A Needed Lesson.
The McCain Mob Exposed (Part 2)
If you missed Pete Abel's post Thursday (he has part 1), go back and read it. When I read Andrew Sullivan's Weimar America post on Tuesday I thought the reader was stretching. I went back and reread it today. These are scary times. McCain and Palin are playing with fire. And I'm not giving McCain a pass (even as I understand why Obama must). I've not forgotten that just … [Read more...] about The McCain Mob Exposed (Part 2)
Sarah Palin, the AIP, and the Extremist Fringe
So McCain and Palin want to smear Obama with guilt by association over his non-relationship with Bill Ayers, eh? Well, perhaps more attention ought to be paid to Palin's long and ongoing relationship with the extremist Alaska Independence Party (AIP) and its leaders. And perhaps Palin ought to be asked why she has associated -- and rather closely (she was a card-carrying … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin, the AIP, and the Extremist Fringe
Some Hillary Clinton Supporters’ Payback
The efforts against Democratic party nominee Barack Obama go on... … [Read more...] about Some Hillary Clinton Supporters’ Payback
Talk Radio And The Case Against Barack Obama For President
BUTTONWILLOW, Ca -- Thank God it's Saturday. That means I can turn on the radio dial and not be flooded with the most painful part of a 500 mile drive up California's coast: going from market to market and getting only conservative talk radio. The reason: unless you're a Republican partisan, this week conservative talk radio seemed infiltrated by Democratic Party moles doing … [Read more...] about Talk Radio And The Case Against Barack Obama For President
A Day on Wall Street (Cartoon)
This cartoon was drawn in 2002 but has managed to remain timeless. It's especially appropriate for this week. Click the cartoon for a full size image. For more cartoons on more topics, go to Small World Cartoons. … [Read more...] about A Day on Wall Street (Cartoon)
Bush Happens
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Bush Happens
The Only Thing We Have to Fear…
Like my fellow TMV bloggers, I'm glad to see John McCain attempt to confront and unravel some of his supporters' increasingly worrisome (mis)perceptions about Barack Obama. I agree with those who say that the direction McCain's campaign has gone was both disappointing and surprising, and I have no trouble understanding why some Republicans and conservatives have withdrawn … [Read more...] about The Only Thing We Have to Fear…
Will McCain-Palin Follow Up Ayers With Wright?
I mentioned the other day that, for McCain-Palin, it has now all come down to Ayers -- but that, with desperation deepening, it could be Wright again before too long. As the WSJ reported yesterday, however, despite all the negativity coming out of the McCain-Palin campaign, the Wright card may not be played after all: Top McCain campaign officials are grappling with how … [Read more...] about Will McCain-Palin Follow Up Ayers With Wright?
Quote Of The Day: The Historical October Stockmarket Presidential Election Indicator
The political Quote of the Day comes from SFO magazine which notes that the behavior of the stock market has predicted presidential election outcomes throughout history. Here's part of the article: There is a litmus test that has predicted the winner and loser of every presidential election over the past 100 years. If the Dow has risen 3.3 percent or more in October, the … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: The Historical October Stockmarket Presidential Election Indicator
John Sherffius on Sarah Palin
My hometown newspaper normally publishes some superb political cartoons by Ben Sargent, who has been drawing editorial cartoons for the Austin American-Statesman since 1974. This morning, it published one that I found particularly timely and appropriate. It is one by John Sherffius, who regularly publishes in the "Boulder Daily Camera." Sherffius began his editorial … [Read more...] about John Sherffius on Sarah Palin
Europe’s Financial Meltdown: Saving Capitalism
From the European Tribune: German federal finance minister Peer Steinbrück has a plan. On Wednesday, he published an eight-point plan, to be presented at the G7 meeting of finance ministers.... No word about nationalisation, but definitely about new regulation. Condensed summary: 1. Obligation to keep innovative financial instruments on the balance sheet, and they must … [Read more...] about Europe’s Financial Meltdown: Saving Capitalism
Riot-Peppered Wake Up Call For Onetime Arab-Jewish Model Israeli City
It was once a city touted as a model of Arab-Jewish coexistance in Israel. But, according to Pajamas Media's Dina Kraft, it isn't any more: On Israel’s Mediterranean coast, the usually sleepy port city of Acco has been hit by an ugly wake-up call: its Arab and Jewish residents currently need hundreds of police officers in riot gear to keep them from attacking one … [Read more...] about Riot-Peppered Wake Up Call For Onetime Arab-Jewish Model Israeli City
Three Cheers for John McCain
I don't even need to do a long, drawn out analysis of this (h/t to TPM) for you. Just watch the video below and consider my view that this is the John McCain I've known for a long time and respected. High time we saw this long overdue moment. Good job, Senator. … [Read more...] about Three Cheers for John McCain
Troopergate Continues Palin Drag on McCain Campaign
In the end, the biggest victory for the McCain-Palin team regarding Troopergate was in getting the results of the investigation released late on a Friday night. That's not such an effective tactic these days, however, as this will likely be the only story besides the economy making the rounds of the Sunday morning shows and Monday headlines. While four different points were … [Read more...] about Troopergate Continues Palin Drag on McCain Campaign
Troopergate: Small Woman, Small Beer
Yes, there are three and a half weeks to go until Election Day, but the news that Sarah Palin violated ethics laws and abused her power as Alaska governor has the air of a coda. It is not merely further confirmation that John McCain's running mate is a venal incompetent and pathological liar, but that her time on the national stage should be fittingly short. As political … [Read more...] about Troopergate: Small Woman, Small Beer
Of Tempers and Temperament
With John McCain tanking, I have sometimes wondered why on earth am I still supporting him. Giving it some thought, I come up with one answer: I know what I'm getting with the Arizona Senator. I don't know what I'm getting with Barack Obama. I know that I am getting a man that supports the environment and that tends to be more gay-friendly than past GOP nominees. I … [Read more...] about Of Tempers and Temperament
Australia: Kangaroo On Dinner Table
Recently I was served a kangaroo dish by my daughter at her home in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. It so happens that the fascinating kangaroo is the national animal of Australia and finds a place of honour on the country's coat of arms. On seeing my raised eyebrows, my son-in-law explained: "Don't worry dad, we are also serving a national cause by opting for a … [Read more...] about Australia: Kangaroo On Dinner Table