Now that Barack Obama's world tour is over - how do Gulf Arabs see the junior senator from Illinois? While some commentary in the Arab world has been less than glowing, at least in the Persian Gulf States, hope for an Obama presidency remains high. For the Al-Ittihad newspaper of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed Khalfan Aloasi writes in part: "All people, especially … [Read more...] about Barack Hussein – ‘Without Doubt, Better Than Bush’: From Al-Ittihad of the United Arab Emirates
John Avlon: McCain’s Negative Ads Could Lose Independent Voters
John Avalon, who is perhaps the most prominent independent political book writer, columnist and speaker in the U.S. today, has told CNN that Republican party presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain's negative ads against rival Democratic Sen. Barack Obama could cost him the support of independent voters. Independent voters need to read this story in full, but here's a meaty … [Read more...] about John Avlon: McCain’s Negative Ads Could Lose Independent Voters
Jon Stewart Unleashes on McCain
In my opinion, this is the way to attack McCain's smear campaign: with incredulous laughter. Jon Stewart takes up McCain on the Paris Hilton ad and unleashes on both McCain and the media on the 'Obama-eats-arugula-and-is-arrogant' meme. Don't get down in the mud with him; fight the smears by pointing and laughing... … [Read more...] about Jon Stewart Unleashes on McCain
Playing With Fire in Pakistan
Barack Obama avoided going there and John McCain has trouble remembering where it is, but Pakistan is the hottest spot in the Mideast with today's news that Islamabad's intelligence agency, the ISI, helped plan last month's bombing of the Indian Embassy in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul. A senior US official tells the Washington Post about "significant" evidence that ISI … [Read more...] about Playing With Fire in Pakistan
John McCain’s Corollary To The Golden Rule
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about John McCain’s Corollary To The Golden Rule
Familiar Sound from McCain Campaign
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about Familiar Sound from McCain Campaign
In the Eyes of the Beholder
It seems like the new rule for Republicans is to never, ever have a campaign ad with a black male candidate and a white woman. The quip over John McCain's "celebrity" ad has raised a lot of ruckus. Now, I think it is in very poor taste to paint Barack Obama as an empty-headed celebrity ala Britney and Paris, but I don't get the charge of racism coming from some. Some … [Read more...] about In the Eyes of the Beholder
Like d’uh! He is a celebrity! You can be a celebrity too!
Definition of celebrity, from Wikipedia: A celebrity is a widely-recognized or famous person who commands a high degree of public and media attention. The word stems from the Latin verb "celebrere" but they may not become a celebrity unless public and mass media interest is piqued. For example Virgin Director Richard Branson was famous as a CEO, but he did not become a … [Read more...] about Like d’uh! He is a celebrity! You can be a celebrity too!
Gary Hart Wakes Up and Smells the Energy Coffee
For all of my enthusiastic, energy policy oriented readers, take a peek at this recent item from the Wall Street Journal. It recognizes, as I have been hammering on repeatedly, that the American public has been experiencing a sea change on domestic energy production. Gary Hart, acting in his capacity as an avid Obama supporter, had some remarkable things to say. Even the … [Read more...] about Gary Hart Wakes Up and Smells the Energy Coffee
Arianna on The Huffington Post
Poynter had a short interview with Arianna Huffington about The Huffington Post. The site had 4.7 million unique visitors in May, up 255% over a year earlier: How does The Huffington Post cover the news differently from mainstream media organizations? Huffington: A lot of the discontent with traditional journalism is because too many reporters have forgotten that the … [Read more...] about Arianna on The Huffington Post
Fission, Fusion, Tomato, Tomahto, let’s call the whole thing off.
My friend Ed Morrissey of Hot Air and I don't generally see eye to eye when it comes to matters involving Iran, and his column today on that country's nuclear power ambitions isn't likely to change that. Most of the fuss arises from this short item from the BBC. It includes reports of a statement by Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani (pictured to the left) given as part of … [Read more...] about Fission, Fusion, Tomato, Tomahto, let’s call the whole thing off.
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: CLOSE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS?
Sabato's Crystal Ball's Rhodes Cook says, CLOSE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: Not the American norm For those voters who have come of age in the 21st century, the extremely close presidential elections of 2000 and 2004 must seem like the norm. But that is hardly the case. Over the course of American history, there have been more presidential elections decided by landslide margins … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: CLOSE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS?
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/01/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news The House of Representatives just passed a gender pay equity law, responding (I presume) to the widely derided Ledbetter decision of last year. The Montgomery County police union is blocking the placement of audio recording devices in squad cars -- a key step in enacted accountability for cops (not to mention protecting … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/01/08
Wal-Mart Warns Store Managers Of Democratic Party Win
Wal-Mart is reportedly holding mandatory meetings warning its store managers that a Democratic victory could be bad for the stores since it could lead to unionization -- news that that is likely to stir up a hornet's nest of political trouble for the world's mega-retailer. The Wall Street Journal reports: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is mobilizing its store managers and … [Read more...] about Wal-Mart Warns Store Managers Of Democratic Party Win
New Economy Shocker: GM Loses $15.5 Billion In Quarter
In the latest bit of news that would have been absolutely unimaginable a decade ago, General Motors has announced that it has reported a $15.5 billion quarterly loss -- yet another sign of the deteriorating economy and how high oil prices have dramatically changed the American public's car-buying habits: The General Motors Corporation reported a stunning second-quarter … [Read more...] about New Economy Shocker: GM Loses $15.5 Billion In Quarter
GOP Bridge to Nowhere
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about GOP Bridge to Nowhere
God Bless Charles Durning
Actor Charles Durning has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Mr. Durning is a fine actor and certainly deserves this but there is a much more important reason for us to remember and honor him. During the Second World War Durning was one of the many men who went off to fight for his country. He enlisted at the age of 17 and became a true American hero. He … [Read more...] about God Bless Charles Durning
McCain No Longer “Hot”
I am in the unfortunate position this week of learning far more about Paris Hilton than I ever wanted to know. It seems that the heiress and unintentional pornography star feels she coined the phrase "that's hot" which all the cool kids are saying. (Apparently I don't know any cool kids.) But the only "hot" involved between Paris and the McCain team is that the Hilton family is … [Read more...] about McCain No Longer “Hot”
John McCain Continues To Make A Mockery Of Civil Campaigning & A Huge Fool Of Himself
While John McCain's latest TV commercial comparing Barack Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears may be playing well in Peoria and his very own Uriah Heep, that Joe Lieberman, suggests that we "should just relax and enjoy it" like a quickie on YouPorn, the ad has been an unmitigated disaster among virtually all pundits of all stripes because it is being talked about more for … [Read more...] about John McCain Continues To Make A Mockery Of Civil Campaigning & A Huge Fool Of Himself
Indecision 2008: The News Better Run
Jon Stewart proimises, "The Daily Show news team will bring you all the news stories first, before they're even true." … [Read more...] about Indecision 2008: The News Better Run