Some views on what it means HERE. … [Read more...] about The Freddie-Fannie Gamble
Olbermann’s Exit Raises Questions of Journalistic Boundaries
As the New York Times reports, MSNBC is showing Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews the door in terms of election news coverage. Reactions to the announcement were as swift and varied as the responses the pair elicited from their fans and detractors on a daily basis. John Aravosis expressed disgust, saying that the network “fell for the Republican’s crap about ‘bias’ [and] caved … [Read more...] about Olbermann’s Exit Raises Questions of Journalistic Boundaries
Why John McCain Really Wasn’t Tortured & Other News On The Bush Torture Regime
Don't expect the Bush administration's embrace of Nazi-like torture techniques to be a talking point as the presidential campaign heads into the home stretch. As despicable as the practice has been -- and made worse by the cover-ups, obfuscations and junk-law opinions justifying its use -- torture simply isn't on the radar screen of most voters. That so noted, and … [Read more...] about Why John McCain Really Wasn’t Tortured & Other News On The Bush Torture Regime
India: Nuclear Suppliers Group’s Green Signal
After three days of acrimonious debate, the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group meeting at Vienna lifted the 34-year-old embargo on nuclear trade with India. "An India-specific exemption from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was won only after a flurry of phone calls from President George W. Bush and secretary of state Condoleezza Rice to leaders of a handful of countries … [Read more...] about India: Nuclear Suppliers Group’s Green Signal
Zardari: Pakistan’s New President
Asif Ali Zardari's decisive victory in the Pakistan's presidential election, despite media allegations about corruption and the state of his mental health, proves that the political leadership in Pakistan has clearly opted to hand over the reigns of power to the late Benazir Bhutto's husband. Zardari won by a convincing 481 out of a possible 702 votes in the electoral … [Read more...] about Zardari: Pakistan’s New President
On the growth of “ambient intimacy”
Clive Thompson has a fascinating piece in the NYTimes Magazine today, Brave New World of Digital Intimacy, delving into the effects of news feeds, Twitter and other forms of online contact: Social scientists have a name for this sort of incessant online contact. They call it “ambient awareness.” It is, they say, very much like being physically near someone and picking up on … [Read more...] about On the growth of “ambient intimacy”
Sarah Palin ‘Shines’…
Cartoon by Bill Leak in The Australian … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin ‘Shines’…
Rare Film: 25 minutes of The Dove: Sarah Palin CSpan Interview
Even if Charlie Gibson gives a whole 'hour' to Gov. Palin, the interview will be scripted, edited, parts left out, spliced, and in toto, with commercial breaks be perhaps 16 minutes of Palin speaking. But, in February of this year, C-SPAN interviewed Sarah Palin whose delivery is quite different than seen at the recent GOP convention, the C-SPAN interview more … [Read more...] about Rare Film: 25 minutes of The Dove: Sarah Palin CSpan Interview
What Will Decide Obama’s National Political Fate?
Could it be THIS? NOTE: The earlier link was the wrong one. It has been fixed now. … [Read more...] about What Will Decide Obama’s National Political Fate?
‘Daredevil’ McCain’s All-Too-Clear ‘Hubris and Irresponsibility’: Financial Times Deutschland
Continuing with our effort to present how the rest of the world is sizing up John McCain's vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin, this is the latest prognostication by one of Germany's leading columnists, Thomas Klau. Klau writes of McCain: "We knew from his biography that John McCain was a daredevil: since his childhood days, his mother Roberta assures us, rebellion and … [Read more...] about ‘Daredevil’ McCain’s All-Too-Clear ‘Hubris and Irresponsibility’: Financial Times Deutschland
The U.S. Flag: America’s Symbol, or Political Football?
A flag is a symbol. At the highest level, a flag is the unique and proud emblem of a nation-state. The national flag symbolizes, represents and, in many ways, is the nation, and thus is inviolable. In the United States, we hold the Stars and Stripes in such high esteem, honor and prominence that it commands not only our love and respect, but also our allegiance. In fact, in … [Read more...] about The U.S. Flag: America’s Symbol, or Political Football?
Biden Begins the Hard Work
One of my Friday predictions failed to come true this morning. I expected Joe Biden to show up on Meet the Press and open up with a zinger along the lines of, "since I'm apparently the only one running for Vice President who talks to the press..." But he didn't. Joe Biden is facing the problem of the young lion. I still have a vivid memory of a nature show on cable where a … [Read more...] about Biden Begins the Hard Work
Palin Agrees To ABC News Interview
Republican Vice Presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin will finally talk to the press -- or one news organization, at least -- after all: Under pressure for being shielded for questioning, Sarah Palin has agreed to sit down with Charles Gibson of ABC’s “World News Tonight,” according to an ABC News official. No other interviews are scheduled. It will be the first TV … [Read more...] about Palin Agrees To ABC News Interview
Ahh that Sergio!
Palin overload. Community organizer controversy. The "we only have small town values" Republicans. Barack "Mr. Stadium for The Win" Obama". Democrats "We Love Everyone" views. Media criticism. Etc... ENOUGH! I'm going to carry things back to 1967, musically-speaking, with a legendary musician, composer, and producer: Sergio Mendes. As a piano player that grew … [Read more...] about Ahh that Sergio!
Palin on Contraception
She's in favor of teaching kids about condoms. Good for her -- one of the few times I'll say that about her, I wager (as you'll gather if you follow the link). … [Read more...] about Palin on Contraception
No Wolf Whistles for Sarah Palin’s Compassion (Guest Voice)
A lot is being written about Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, but in this Guest Voice post journalism professor and author Walter Brasch , an award-winning syndicated newspaper columnist and radio commentator, and president of the Pennsylvania Press Club, looks at an aspect that hasn't gotten much attention. Guest Voice post do not necessarily represent the … [Read more...] about No Wolf Whistles for Sarah Palin’s Compassion (Guest Voice)
FRAGILE! McCain campaign handles Palin’s exposure with care…and sexism
At the post, "Sarah is the Fresh Air," on Blogher, I found this comment today: When can she be interviewed by reporters - I find it disturbing that the McCain campaign isn't allowing Ms. Palin to be interviewed by reporters. What are they hiding? According to Nicole Wallace of the McCain campaign, possibly never: Oh, well, wait - maybe in two weeks, said Todd Harris … [Read more...] about FRAGILE! McCain campaign handles Palin’s exposure with care…and sexism
Gallup Poll: McCain Three Points Ahead Of Obama With Convention Bounce
The 2008 Presidential race is now officially off to its two-ticket start --- and it's now officially potentially as close a race as 2000 and 2004 with the latest Gallup Daily tracking poll now putting Republican Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain three points ahead of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama: The latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update shows John McCain moving … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: McCain Three Points Ahead Of Obama With Convention Bounce
Conventional Wisdom Shifting In Obama Biden McCain Palin Presidential Race As Republicans Smile
Yes, the phone finally rang at 3 a.m. next to Senator Hillary Clinton's bed and she answered it and responded -- but not yet in the way the caller perhaps had in mind. The call went out because now some things have clearly changed in the wake of the Republican convention. The caller: Democratic Senator Barack Obama who wants Clinton out on the stump to shore-up Democratic … [Read more...] about Conventional Wisdom Shifting In Obama Biden McCain Palin Presidential Race As Republicans Smile
The Revenge of Godgate
Sunday is a day for God, church and spiritual reflection, so it is with some regret that I am forced to admit it: Campaign 2008 has turned me into a soulless monster. (Well, perhaps that should properly read, “more of a soulless monster…”) I watched with some dismay as the country spent months focusing on Barack Obama’s church in Chicago and, specifically, his highly … [Read more...] about The Revenge of Godgate