Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd recently unveiled his vision for making Australia the most "Asia-literate country" in the West. In continuation of this theme Rudd would be the keynote speaker at the fortnight-long OzAsia cultural festival at Adelaide that showcases arts, music and dances of Asia-Pacific region. A special symposium would be held on the occasion "to … [Read more...] about Australia: Kevin Rudd’s Asian Honeymoon
Left Misses McCain’s Assets: The Economy, Iraq and Congress – Le Figaro, France
How good are McCain's chances of winning on November 4th? It's a question on the lips of many - and not only in the United States. French author and political scientist Nicolas Lecaussin makes a persuasive case - chock full of the latest economic and war statistics - to show that the chattering classes and "the Left" couldn't be more wrong - and that between the two candidates, … [Read more...] about Left Misses McCain’s Assets: The Economy, Iraq and Congress – Le Figaro, France
What’s in a Name?
Since the selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate, I've heard people I know and people on blogs immediately pigeonhole the governor. The governor has been pinned with the view that she is a card-carrying member of the religious right and that she is mean-spirited and nothing more than a Christian version of the Taliban wanting to teach creationism and banning … [Read more...] about What’s in a Name?
Remix America: Make thee a mashup as fast as you can!
Kaltura Wired's Threat Level brings word of an ambitious new nonprofit organization. Remix America is headed by Emmy Award-winning comedy television writer Fred Graver, and was co-founded with Norman Lear. Their goal is to use mashups to engage an online audience in political ideas and expression. And, through a licensing arrangement with Kaltura for an online video … [Read more...] about Remix America: Make thee a mashup as fast as you can!
My day with Brooks Jackson of Factcheck.org
I had the distinct pleasure today of hosting Brooks Jackson, Director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center's Factcheck.org at Maryville College today. He gave a 10 minute interview with our local NPR affiliate in Knoxville, WUOT, and then gave a great talk in front of a lively group of students, faculty and members of the community. I also had the chance to chat with Brooks … [Read more...] about My day with Brooks Jackson of Factcheck.org
“You can’t put lipstick on a pig” CRAZINESS!
There were time, when I was a wee lad, my father and I tried to make the messes we made in the garage (working on something) look better by scooting boxes around, throwing a sheet over an obscure hunk of metal, etc. And I remember clear as day, my mother saying to both of us many times: You can't put lipstick on a pig... Come to think of it, my grandparents were fond of … [Read more...] about “You can’t put lipstick on a pig” CRAZINESS!
India and America: ‘Howdy Pardner!’ – The Hindustan Times, India
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: By obtaining a waiver for India's nuclear program which operates outside the rules of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty -with powerful American help - he has just won the greatest victory of his entire career. Some Indians are asking, 'Why is Washington so good to us?' What's behind the Bush Administration's overwhelming support for … [Read more...] about India and America: ‘Howdy Pardner!’ – The Hindustan Times, India
Ron Paul to Shake Things Up! (For Bob Barr?)
Apparently some of the rumors running around are true. Ron Paul is going to make a "major announcement" tomorrow. His presidential campaign may be ended, (except in Montana where the Constitution Party has conscripted him as their candidate without so much as a by-your-leave) but he still seems to be mixing things up in the final weeks of the election. I just contacted Bob … [Read more...] about Ron Paul to Shake Things Up! (For Bob Barr?)
Palinomics in Alaska – Taxing and spending
I was surprised at how hard Republicans hit Obama on taxes last week. Of all the problems that have been on voters' minds in the last few months—Iraq, health care, the housing market, gas prices, etc.—I would guess that high taxes are pretty low on the list of concerns. And it seems like an easy enough issue for Obama to counter. Most Amercians would receive a … [Read more...] about Palinomics in Alaska – Taxing and spending
John McCain is No George Bush
John McCain is desperate to put some distance between himself and that guy with totally-opposite policies and philosophy, George W. Bush. Unlike George W. Bush, McCain wants to bring "change" to Washington. He wants to change the way we do business in Washington. Unlike this President, McCain wants to reach across the aisle, to his friends Democrats and Independents … [Read more...] about John McCain is No George Bush
The REAL Palin choice for the Ticket?
Everyone is out there searching for "the real Sarah Palin." I say, why restrict ourselves to only one Palin? Check out the proposal in the video below. Hey... why not? If there's anything in the political arena more attractive than Monty Python, I want it found and beaten with a wrench immediately. Or perhaps put in the comfy chair and poked with soft cushions. … [Read more...] about The REAL Palin choice for the Ticket?
Gallup Daily Tracking: McCain Retains 5 Point Lead Over Obama
The question now is: is Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's lead over Democratic Sen. Barack Obama a convention "bounce," or a sign of a larger 2008 political realignment in the wake of his pick of Gov. Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential running mate? That'll be the question to keep in mind more and more as the latest Gallup Daily Tracking poll shows McCain … [Read more...] about Gallup Daily Tracking: McCain Retains 5 Point Lead Over Obama
A Brief Moment of Outrage
If I may, I would like to take a moment to interrupt your normal rage of righteous indignation over this or that with a brand new entry in the "Why On Earth Would You Say That?" competition. Out on the campaign trail once again, Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden took time out to say, I hear all this talk about how the Republicans are going to work in dealing … [Read more...] about A Brief Moment of Outrage
What is Palin’s Position on Vice-Presidential Exemptions?
About one year ago, Rep. Henry Waxman noticed---not that it was hard to notice---that Vice President Cheney believed that his office is in a unique Constitutional position. That it is exempt from various government requirements that apply to every other branch of government. Cheney’s claimed exemption, then, was on the requirement for executive agencies to report each year … [Read more...] about What is Palin’s Position on Vice-Presidential Exemptions?
Kidnapping Mahmoud
An Israeli cabinet minister (and former Mossad agent) has floated the possibility of kidnapping Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and bringing him to trial for war crimes in The Hague. "[A]ll options are open in terms of how he should be brought," said Rafi Eitan, who, while with Mossad, helped kidnap Adolf Eichmann. Ahmadinejad has made threats against Israel, but he … [Read more...] about Kidnapping Mahmoud
Obama vs. McCain: Why I’m Back on the Fence
This morning, I wrote at my own blog that I've pulled the Obama sticker off of my truck; that although I'm not suddenly a McCain supporter, I can no longer be counted in the Obama column. In short, that I'm back on the fence. This is causing a bit of consternation, some of which appears to be driven by some rather offensive (to me) assumptions (I'm a woman, and therefore … [Read more...] about Obama vs. McCain: Why I’m Back on the Fence
Sarah Palin Scares Hillary Clinton Supporter Ed Koch
Ed Koch, the former New York Mayor who has been highly-critical of some Democrats in recent years and was an active supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton for President, is now endorsing Obama-Biden. Sarah Palin is a plucky, exciting candidate, but when her record is examined, she fails miserably with respect to her views on the domestic issues that are so important to the people … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Scares Hillary Clinton Supporter Ed Koch
Back on the Air
Today we'll be doing a bit of an ad hoc show on Mid Stream Radio. (For one hour starting at 1:00 pm eastern, Noon central or 10:00 am pacific.) In the first half, we'll find out if there is any possibility that people would be willing to pay more taxes and accept less services from the government if it would result in our generation leaving a better future for those who come … [Read more...] about Back on the Air
On an Issue Perhaps as Important as Sarah Palin
This little post has nothing to do with Sarah Palin, with the conventions, or with the elections. Nevertheless, it is equally important, or much more important, depending on your priorities. It has to do with your life and the lives of your loved ones. A good friend sent me a link to a video. I get so many of these that I only view a few of them. I am glad, however, that … [Read more...] about On an Issue Perhaps as Important as Sarah Palin
Raise My Taxes, Please
Yes, I talk to my cats. I point this out because after reading the title of this piece and the modest proposal to follow, many of you will likely suspect that the author is some sort of deranged recluse hiding out in a third floor, cold water walk-up, subsisting on a diet of bread fried in fatback and three gallons of Thunderbird per week who talks to his cats all day. … [Read more...] about Raise My Taxes, Please