In just about a half an hour, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report return from a week long hiatus after their hilarious Indecision 2008 convention coverage. While they were on break, I took the opportunity to speak about that coverage with Dr. Robert J. Thompson, Professor of Television and Popular Culture and Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television … [Read more...] about Indecision 2008 convention coverage: analysis & comment
Dow Drops 500 Points Today
As I mentioned in a post last night, the Wall Street financial crisis is THE major political issue facing the country right now. There are lots of complex responses to offer, involving a mix of regulation, de-regulation, streamlined regulation, bailouts, etc. I personally agree with Barack Obama's charge that excessive de-regulation of the financial services sector over the … [Read more...] about Dow Drops 500 Points Today
Pink Floyd’s Richard Wright dead at 65
At his home after a battle with cancer. More here and here. _______________ Photo Creative Commons copyright: ©2006, patrizio1981. … [Read more...] about Pink Floyd’s Richard Wright dead at 65
Another Crimp In Iraq’s “Democracy”
I don't know if it's still the case, but when I was an "expat" working in Saudi Arabia, one could not travel to Israel, show evidence of such a visit in your passport, and still hope to be able to return to Saudi Arabia. But, then again, we have not spilled the precious blood of our young men and women in the sands of Arabia, nor squandered our resources to bring democracy … [Read more...] about Another Crimp In Iraq’s “Democracy”
Money Under the Mattress?
Childhood nightmares of the 1930s Depression are back today with the fall of Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch as the unthinkable becomes the possibly avoidable in a national economic meltdown. "Will the U.S. financial system collapse today," asks economist Paul Krugman, "or maybe over the next few days? I don’t think so--but I’m nowhere near certain." As a small-account … [Read more...] about Money Under the Mattress?
Catapulting the Propaganda on Taxes
If there ever was a doubt that a lie repeated often enough can supplant the truth in people's perceptions of reality, take a look at the two graphs below. The first is from the Tax Policy Center and compares the after-income effects of the McCain and Obama tax proposals. Now, take a look at what Americans believe each candidate's tax proposal will do: Although … [Read more...] about Catapulting the Propaganda on Taxes
What A Wicked Web That Wall Street Weaves
Isn't it extraordinary that even though the huge Wall Street firms that keep failing one after another got to write their own rules, they were so greedy that they didn't even realize it when they began eating their own tails? Merrill Lynch, which agreed to sell itself yesterday to Bank of America to keep from tanking, and Lehman Brothers, which is tanking and will seek … [Read more...] about What A Wicked Web That Wall Street Weaves
As if Obama Doesn’t Have Enough Problems
It's not often that I quote the New York Post, but they are quoting some specific sources in the Iraqi government on this one. OBAMA TRIED TO STALL GIS' IRAQ WITHDRAWAL WHILE campaigning in public for a speedy withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, Sen. Barack Obama has tried in private to persuade Iraqi leaders to delay an agreement on a draw-down of the American military … [Read more...] about As if Obama Doesn’t Have Enough Problems
Lehman Bros and Bush
Paul Zanetti, Australia … [Read more...] about Lehman Bros and Bush
50 Questions For The Campaign’s Last 50 Days
Look at THIS LIST and you'll know what to look for. This illlustrates how this election truly is now up for grabs... … [Read more...] about 50 Questions For The Campaign’s Last 50 Days
The Biden-Hillary Swap
This just in from Andy Ostroy. But ever since Sen. John McCain added plucky Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to his ticket, the old adage nice guys finish last is beginning to take on new meaning in this year's presidential contest. It's time to dump Biden and replace him with Sen. Hillary Clinton. I don't care how it's done. Campaign chief David Axelrod can figure that out. And the … [Read more...] about The Biden-Hillary Swap
Sarah Palin and the full “Dairygate” Timeline
I need to thank alert reader Lee Indiana for pointing me to what is now, unfortunately, being called "Dairygate" in some circles and setting me off on a morning's expedition with The Google. Even if you are already aware of the strange goings on between the Alaska state government and the long, winding tale of the Matanuska Maid dairy in Anchorage, (later referred to as "Mat … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin and the full “Dairygate” Timeline
Lehman Brothers To File Bankruptcy, BOA Buys Merrill Lynch, Washington Mutual and AIG Uncertain
Note: This is a corrected version of an earlier post in which I demonstrated Sunday Afternoon Brain Fog. Thank you to our attentive readers for pointing my error out. As we feared (and as I tried to overlook) Lehman Brothers has announced they will file for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection, probably ending the 158 year history of the corporation. Hopes for a buyout by either … [Read more...] about Lehman Brothers To File Bankruptcy, BOA Buys Merrill Lynch, Washington Mutual and AIG Uncertain
Why McCain Became “McNasty”
Cross-posted at The Square Deal: Reading a lot of the blogs, the most common complaint about John McCain is that he has gone negative. "Why O, Why isn't he the McCain of 2000?" People ask. Alex Massie and Ezra Klein give a very plausible answer. Klein shares an article from Politco that talks about how McCain tried to be a "different kind of Republican" going on … [Read more...] about Why McCain Became “McNasty”
How the World Sees Palin—and Us
If you don’t give a hoot about how the rest of the world views our country, proceed no further. If you have a little bit of curiosity as to what other people, other countries think of us, then join me in taking a look at such views. As a translator for WatchingAmerica.com, I scan the Dutch and Spanish newspapers for articles that, when translated, will give Americans a … [Read more...] about How the World Sees Palin—and Us
The September 11 that Washington Ignores … 1973: Bottup, Spain
General Augusto Pinochet and associates: Brought to power in a bloody, CIA-sponsored coup on September 11, 1973 As any Chilean will tell you, 2001 wasn't the first time something horrific happened on September 11th. On that day in 1973 and in the crucible of the Cold War, the democratically-elected government of Chile was toppled in a CIA-sponsored coup. Examining the … [Read more...] about The September 11 that Washington Ignores … 1973: Bottup, Spain
Financial Crisis on Wall Street
When Bear Stearns sold out in a panic to JP Morgan this March, Wall Street breathed a sigh of relief. Yes, one of the most venerable institutions in American financial history bit the dust. But JP Morgan prevented an even greater catastrophe by buying Bear Stearns out at $10 per share. Today, Wall Street is facing a graver crisis as Lehman Brothers faces total collapse, and … [Read more...] about Financial Crisis on Wall Street
Cartoonists Views Of Sarah Palin, Lipstick And The News Media
Dems GOP agree on bias: Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com Lipstick, pigs and the press: John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune The Pigs Respond: Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Cartoonists Views Of Sarah Palin, Lipstick And The News Media
Sign McCain Went Too Far In Ads: Criticism From Karl Rove
Once upon a time you would never think that GOP political maven Karl Rove would ever even think of remotely criticizing a Republican presidential candidate for going too far in campaign ads -- but Rove has done just that in comments to Fox News in which he suggested that McCain's campaign ads have started to go over the line. What does this mean? Rove's comments … [Read more...] about Sign McCain Went Too Far In Ads: Criticism From Karl Rove
Uncanny Palin Imitation
Just in case you somehow missed it, Tina Fey's imitation of Sarah Palin on SNL isn't just good... it's downright scary. The accent, the pronunciation of certain words, the lilt in her voice on exclamatory points. And the look, with very little effort, is such that you could really confuse the two. (UPDATE below) UPDATE: Via Hot Air, another one from Lisa Nova which is … [Read more...] about Uncanny Palin Imitation