RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about The Republican National Convention Reprised
The RNC’s Two Americas: Small towns vs. big cities
In speech after speech at last week's RNC, Republicans argued that one of Sarah Palin's virtues as a candidate is her upbringing in a small town. It was a way for voters to connect with her and at the same time provided an opportunity to attack Obama for the cardinal sin of being too "cosmopolitan" (a phrase uttered without irony by the former mayor of one of the biggest cities … [Read more...] about The RNC’s Two Americas: Small towns vs. big cities
Iraq Would Be a Fool to Refuse America’s ‘Outstretched Hand’: Azzaman of Iraq
Once again we have an article by that inimitable columnist from Iraq's Kitabat newspaper, Khadir Taahar. Taahar is responsible for previous articles we have translated, such as 'The American CIA:'Defender of Humanity'; 'Security Deal With America is Iraq's 'Opportunity of a Lifetime'; 'Teheran 'Infiltrating' and 'Poisoning' Iraqi Culture!; Iraqi Shiites! Stand Up and Reject … [Read more...] about Iraq Would Be a Fool to Refuse America’s ‘Outstretched Hand’: Azzaman of Iraq
Trig Paxson Van Palin: The Child Safely Arrived
Todd and Sarah Palin have named their little guy Trig, which according to the family, is a Norse word meaning "true" and "brave victory:" The name is in honor of his great uncle, a Bristol Bay fisherman. The name Paxson comes from a snowmobiling area in Alaska which the Palins cherish. If this little boy's names are an indication of his family's hopes for him, their … [Read more...] about Trig Paxson Van Palin: The Child Safely Arrived
The Smart/Shrewd Divide
After eight years of obstinate stupidity in the White House, the change voters should want most is a combination of common sense and common decency. "You can't beat brains," JFK used to say, but this year's debate has somehow been shifted to a mistrust of intelligence--at first by Hillary Clinton's attacks on Barack Obama as naïve, followed by John McCain's claims of wisdom … [Read more...] about The Smart/Shrewd Divide
It’s Football Season!
OK, time for a politics-free discussion. I love football - all levels of it. In my hometown of Maryville, Tennessee our high school team has won 63 games in a row and roughly 111 out of the last 112. They've won 4 straight Tennessee 4A state championships, and 7 of the last 8. Yeah, you could say Maryville High School is pretty good. ESPN ranks them 7th best in the country at … [Read more...] about It’s Football Season!
Sarah Palin Goes to Kuwait
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait -(July 28, 2007) During her recent visit to Kuwait, Gov. Sarah Palin discussed Alaska issues with Staff Sgt. Duane Middleton at an Army dining facility. The governor was visiting Alaska Army National Guard Soldiers stationed in Kuwait. Middleton is a member of 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry, and lives in Wasilla, Alaska. (The legend of this photo reads a … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Goes to Kuwait
Governor Sarah Palin: This is Wasilla
An Iraq War Veteran’s View of The Republican Convention
In part as a response to vicious reports that “Democrats had desecrated” American flags at Invesco Field, I wrote, “The U.S. Flag: America’s Symbol, or Political Football?” There I said, While, at worst, it appears that the manner in which one or two individuals handled the thousands of flags, left for pickup or for storage at a shipping dock at Invesco Field, may not … [Read more...] about An Iraq War Veteran’s View of The Republican Convention
Civil Rights Roundup: 09/08/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Hopefully, the Senate will fast track the passage of the ADA when it returns from recess. Students registering to vote on college campuses is confusing registrars. The DOJ is widening its investigation after an Asian student with perfect SAT scores was rejected from Princeton University. The student says that he was … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 09/08/08
2006 Alaska Gubernatorial Debate w/Palin, Halcro and Knowles
Hat-tip to Plunderbund for posting. I've not yet watched it but about three minutes into watching, the video cut out and was replaced by a screen that said "not available...try later." I refreshed the page and it came back, but at the beginning. So just a warning. … [Read more...] about 2006 Alaska Gubernatorial Debate w/Palin, Halcro and Knowles
42 Years Ago Today Captain James Kirk . . .
. . . FIRST STEERED THE USS ENTERPRISE INTO WARP DRIVE. … [Read more...] about 42 Years Ago Today Captain James Kirk . . .
Obama McCain: The Electoral Vote Tightens
From MSNBC's First Read: After the conventions and the candidates’ VP picks, Obama still maintains a slight electoral lead, according to NBC’s map. Obama has 228 electoral votes to McCain’s 200, with 110 electoral votes in the toss-up column. The changes from last month, when Obama held a 217-189 advantage: Missouri moves from toss-up to Lean McCain, Pennsylvania moves … [Read more...] about Obama McCain: The Electoral Vote Tightens
Quote of the Day: On NBC Axing NBC Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews As MSNBC Anchors
The political quote of the day comes from Talk Left's Big Tent Democrat (who I had the pleasure of meeting a few years ago at a blogging conference where he and some top conservative bloggers respectfully discussing politics invited me to join them for a drink) on NBC's decision to as NBC dumped Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews as MSNBC anchors: Fox News is not a … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On NBC Axing NBC Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews As MSNBC Anchors
Here comes the RAIN: “My Muslim Faith…”
Senator Obama slips up and says "my Muslim faith" in an interview with George Stephanopoulus: http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Politics/13078.htm While Israel Insider has issues with Senator Obama, the video doesn't lie: And here's the transcript: STEPHANOPOULOS: You mention your Christian faith. Yesterday you took off after the Republicans for suggesting … [Read more...] about Here comes the RAIN: “My Muslim Faith…”
Wal-Mart Mom Takes “Heartbeat Away” Argument off the Table
Bill Kristol generally and typically has a lot of ludicrous, self-serving and, at times, incredibly silly stuff in his weekly New York Times column. However, this morning’s column, “A Heartbeat Away,” takes the cake. Not only does he ignore and contradict everything he has ever said about Barack Obama---in order to make McCain’s choice of Palin a little less aPalin’ … [Read more...] about Wal-Mart Mom Takes “Heartbeat Away” Argument off the Table
Benjamin Barber: happiness doesn’t come from a shopping mall
Benjamin Barber argues in his latest book, Consumed: How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults, and Swallow Citizens Whole, that the market has consumerism has begun to replace citizenship. From an interviewed in the Free Lance Star Ledger: Capitalism has been an immensely productive and efficient form of social and economic organization, and it was predicated at its … [Read more...] about Benjamin Barber: happiness doesn’t come from a shopping mall
McCain’s Big Convention Bounce: 10 Points Higher Than Obama Among Likely Voters
A new Gallup Poll finds that Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain more than matched Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's campaign bounce -- and that McCain now has a solid lead among likely voters while his running-mate pick of Gov. Sarah Palin has virtually erased the important "enthusiasm" gap between the two parties. If this holds over the … [Read more...] about McCain’s Big Convention Bounce: 10 Points Higher Than Obama Among Likely Voters
Obama Palin and the Press
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Obama Palin and the Press
Palin’s Swipe at Obama Hits People Who Do Important Work
It was one of the most memorable lines in Governor Sarah Palin's acceptance speech at last week's Republican National Convention. Responding to accusations that her service as mayor of an Anchorage suburb doesn't commend her for vice president, Palin referred to Senator Barack Obama's work as a community organizer, "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community … [Read more...] about Palin’s Swipe at Obama Hits People Who Do Important Work