Your daily dose of civil rights and related news A quick note: Now that I'm not doing this for my job, the CRR probably will undergo some changes. First, it'll probably be later. Because if I'm not forced by a paying employer to start working at 9:00 AM, it's highly unlikely I'll do it on my own. Second, it may well be shorter. I don't know. This is a transition. But I do … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/28/08
Cautious EU Considers “Sanctions” On Russia For Georgia Invasion
Tensions are rising between Russia and the European Union as the EU talks of possible sanctions -- and Russia pointedly tests a new intercontinental missile. At issue: Russia's invasion of Georgia and the larger issue of whether Russia now intends to clamp down on what goes on in its neighborhood, whether those in its neighborhood like it or not. The BBC reports: EU … [Read more...] about Cautious EU Considers “Sanctions” On Russia For Georgia Invasion
DNC Quick Thoughts
I've been away on business for the last few days so it was hard to post anything about the Democratic National Convention. However, I have been watching some of the main speeches and wanted to share my thoughts: It was good to see Ted Kennedy on Monday night. The old, liberal lion looked frail, as can be expected from what he has gone through, but his spirit was strong. … [Read more...] about DNC Quick Thoughts
A McCain Vice Presidential Pick To Aggressively Court Hillary Clinton Supporters?
This name is now popping up for Vice President. And note the analysis here.. But some GOPers might not be happy... … [Read more...] about A McCain Vice Presidential Pick To Aggressively Court Hillary Clinton Supporters?
The Republicans’ Perfect Storm?
If the Bush Years were plotted on a fever chart, the key turning point triggering the descent to the Great Abyss of Unpopularity was Hurricane Katrina. While the war in Iraq remained pretty much an abstraction, albeit an increasingly unpleasant one, when the Category 5 storm made landfall three year ago today, people were incredulous, incensed and finally angered that the … [Read more...] about The Republicans’ Perfect Storm?
Cartoonists View Democratic Convention II
The Clintons and Obama Rainer Hachfeld, Neues Deutschland, Germany MORE CARTOONS BELOW... … [Read more...] about Cartoonists View Democratic Convention II
While Democrats Continue to “Convene,” the Bush Administration Continues to “Govern”
When we get wrapped up in the news and the excitement of a significant national event, such as the Democratic Convention, some of us tend to forget that our government, with the impact it has on our daily lives, continues to "govern," albeit as miserably as ever. The Iraq war continues; the situation in Afghanistan worsens; Russia has its way with Georgia with impunity; the … [Read more...] about While Democrats Continue to “Convene,” the Bush Administration Continues to “Govern”
Wed. Night at the Convention Races
Having had the night to sleep on the evening's affairs in Denver, even though many of my co-authors here have already done yeoman's work on the subject, I would reflect on some of the changes I saw in the Democrats' presentation. Going essentially in reverse order, one of the most revealing moments of the evening for me was Joe Biden's speech. While I have been critical of … [Read more...] about Wed. Night at the Convention Races
Bill Clinton’s Lost Opportunity
While I was effusive in my praise for Hillary Clinton's speech at the Democratic National Convention the other night and was willing to let pass the fact that she didn't give Barack Obama a big wet smooch in urging her supporters to get with the program, it was with trepidation that I surfed away from the Phillies-Mets post-game show to see what Bill "Famously Hurt Feelings" … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton’s Lost Opportunity
A Potpourri Of Convention Zingers
While no one would confuse the Democratic National Convention with "Comedy Central," there have been some boffo jibes and great lines: "John McCain calls himself a maverick, but he votes with George Bush 90 percent of the time. That's not a maverick. That's a sidekick." -- BOB CASEY Jr. "I spent 20 years in business. If you ran a company whose only strategy was to tear … [Read more...] about A Potpourri Of Convention Zingers
Joe Biden Does Himself Proud
Having watched Senator Biden deliver his acceptance speech, I have to say I was quite impressed and felt that he struck just the right chord to bring the delegates to their feet. The introduction by his son Beau Biden, attorney general of Delaware, was quite moving. Beau was clearly proud of his father (as he should be) and his summary of the triumphs and tragedies of the … [Read more...] about Joe Biden Does Himself Proud
The Mountaintop
RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about The Mountaintop
America’s Rare Spirit of ‘Courageous Intrusion’: From Al Seyassah of Kuwait
Despite at times being disappointed that our nation isn't living up to its promise, most Americans - left, right and center - regard this country as the greatest in the world. But how often do we hear such sentiments from the foreign press, let alone the Middle East or even Israel? For Kuwait's Al Seyassah, Ahmed al-Baghdadi writes in part: "Many believe that today, as … [Read more...] about America’s Rare Spirit of ‘Courageous Intrusion’: From Al Seyassah of Kuwait
Democratic Convention’s Soft Strategy Is Wise
Through the last few days of the Democratic convention, we have heard a lot of things about the relative wisdom of how they are dealing with Senator McCain and the Republicans. Many on the left, as well as some of the media analysts, have questioned why they have not been harder on the opposition. In reviewing reaction to the Clinton and Biden speeches, I have seen some … [Read more...] about Democratic Convention’s Soft Strategy Is Wise
Obama at Invesco Stadium: The Greek Column Thing, Part One
Well, the Greek column stage-set for Senator Obama's 20 minute film, speech, followed by fireworks and music after, is seen by some as a bizarre backdrop. But, perhaps the only odd thing is that many Denverites associate such columns with three notable places in Denver, each one 'columnized' out the kazoo, and also very well known for one odd thing or another a) The … [Read more...] about Obama at Invesco Stadium: The Greek Column Thing, Part One
Obama at Invesco Stadium: The Greek Column Thing, Part Two
This is the old Denver Post Office, pillarized completely... pillars were meant in ancient times to create a certain geometric grace via formulae: a certain height of pillar and radius of pillar carries a mathematical aesthetic as compared to width or depth of the pediment and other structures surrounding. In that sense, the pillar is more than a set of bones or ornaments for … [Read more...] about Obama at Invesco Stadium: The Greek Column Thing, Part Two
Bill Clinton and Biden Wow Democratic Convention, But Will It Be Enough?
They wowed them and, in many cases, exceeded expectations. Or did they? Two speeches. One, by former President Bill Clinton who seemingly took a deep breath and put reportedly-simmering resentments aside to deliver a partisan speech contrasting how Americans lived under his administration versus under President George W. Bush's, linking Republican John McCain to Bush and … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton and Biden Wow Democratic Convention, But Will It Be Enough?
Biden and Clinton
I saw President Clinton and Senator Biden's speeches tonight (but not Senator Kerry's). Admittedly I saw them at a wine night, so I might have been somewhat distracted. And that might explain why I'm not as high on either speech as many others are. Certainly, I think Hillary Clinton blew both out of the water. President Clinton's speech, I thought, was particularly flat. It … [Read more...] about Biden and Clinton
Democratic Convention 2008: Film, Beefy Police Manhandle Skinny ABC Journo?
This story is a little too reminiscent of the moat Dick Cheney dug around his secret meetings with lobbyists and elected officials re oil legislation/favors et al when he first came into office a million years ago under George Bush. Cheney claimed he didn't need to let any journo in, that his private meetings with influential people were not under 'the people's right to know.' … [Read more...] about Democratic Convention 2008: Film, Beefy Police Manhandle Skinny ABC Journo?
Guess Who’s Trying To Kill The Lieberman For Vice President Boomlet?
Can you guess? A hint: He's a Fox News commentator and doesn't exactly represent change for either the country or the Republican Party's leadership. And he has reportedly been pressing hard for GOP certain nominee Sen. John McCain to pick former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Can you guess who? Yes, it's him.... FOOTNOTE: This story seems to contradict a key detail in … [Read more...] about Guess Who’s Trying To Kill The Lieberman For Vice President Boomlet?