In regard to Obama's speech in Berlin, German skepticism finally seems to be setting in. In this editorial review from the Financial Times Deutschland of six smaller, regional German newspapers, it's clear that beyond his eloquent oratory - Obama failed to impress. Here's a sampling: From the Oldenburgische Volkszeitung in Vechta, which is in Germany's … [Read more...] about Roundup on Obama from Regional German Newspapers: ‘No He Can’t’
How you can help the Knoxville Unitarian Church victims
I just wanted to alert people to the Knoxville Relief Fund. The injured will require long-term medical care. Fortunately, the medical statuses of some of the victims has been upgraded. Tammy Sommers, a friend of mine who was shot in the head and in critical yesterday yesterday has been updated to serious condition. We are all relieved that her status is improving. But … [Read more...] about How you can help the Knoxville Unitarian Church victims
Victory Gardens and Grassless Lawns
During World War II, Americans grew tons of produce in government-sponsored Victory Gardens. With a 21st century twist, the idea is back, paired with an anti-lawn movement that decries the waste of water, use of an ingredient in Agent Orange and expenditure on fuel for power mowers to make front and back yards look like golf courses. In New York City, Portland, Oregon and in … [Read more...] about Victory Gardens and Grassless Lawns
Why John McCain Should Lose
In a post this morning, blogger Alan Stewart Carl, discusses his backing off of supporting John McCain. He writes: ...outside of certain issues of morality, I am not a man of absolutes. Which is why I’ve drifted away from McCain – he has acted too much like a man of absolutes, not just convinced of his own understandings of the world but also too willing to simplify complex … [Read more...] about Why John McCain Should Lose
The Conservative Reformation: ‘Starts’
“Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.” -- Walter Lippmann --------------------- Picking up on the last installment to this series -- and once again taking cues from David Cameron (to whom even the far-right Weekly Standard is now paying homage) -- I believe American conservatives should start leading this country toward a re-conception of the roles of our … [Read more...] about The Conservative Reformation: ‘Starts’
Conditions on the Ground: What We Make of the Ongoing Violence in Iraq
For all the talk about "the conditions on the ground," as McCain put it the other day, about timetables, about how the situation there is not quite as bad as it was, say, a couple of years ago, and about whether the Surge has been a success or not, Iraq is still an incredibly violent and bloody place. As we were reminded once again yesterday: All told, at least 61 people … [Read more...] about Conditions on the Ground: What We Make of the Ongoing Violence in Iraq
Mild Quake Hits LA; Media Goes Nuts
There has been a moderate 5.4 earthquake in Southern California. The quake struck around 11:45 am and was felt throughout most of the region. As is usually the case, the media has gone crazy and is acting like the entire state is sliding into the ocean. I live in California and have been through 5 range quakes. Yeah, it's a good shaking, you might need to do a little … [Read more...] about Mild Quake Hits LA; Media Goes Nuts
Media Alert (sort of)
Stop by the Ed Morrissey show between 3:30 pm and 4:00 pm today and I'll be the guest. I know... you're overwhelmed. … [Read more...] about Media Alert (sort of)
Veepstakes: Obama’s Choice
According to Marc Ambinder, Obama's veep vetters are focusing on four contenders: Even Bayh; Joe Biden; Tim Kaine; and Kathleen Sebelius. "Based on discussions with high-level Obama aides, I do not get the impression that Obama has made up his mind yet. These aides do say that Obama is narrowing his choices." According to Ambinder, Kaine and Sebelius are about … [Read more...] about Veepstakes: Obama’s Choice
Sad State of the RNC
A few minutes ago, I received an email alert from the Republican National Committee with the following title: ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** RNC Launches New Web Video: "Obama TV Ad In Berlin" Curious, I clicked through to watch the video, as I finished up the meager lunch to which my fatness relegates me. And this is what I saw: Post-viewing, several adjectives present … [Read more...] about Sad State of the RNC
Will Goodling be the Bush Administration’s Scapegoat?
Yesterday, I posted in some depth about Goodling's work at what legal scholar Jonathan Turley has called 'The Voldemort Department of Human Resources.' (Countdown, embedded below) Via The Raw Story: The White House's silence on the Justice Department report should indicate, perhaps, at least a tacit endorsement of Goodling's tactics, Turley says. "The question really is … [Read more...] about Will Goodling be the Bush Administration’s Scapegoat?
Alaska’s US Senator Ted Stevens Has Been Indicted
MSNBC: U.S. officials say the Justice Department has indicted Alaska Senator Ted Stevens on charges related to a long-running investigation of business dealings in Alaska. Stevens, who has served in the U.S. Senate for 40 years, is up for re-election this year, and Democrats view his seat as one of their top pick-up opportunities. [snip] Seven other Alaska … [Read more...] about Alaska’s US Senator Ted Stevens Has Been Indicted
Sabato’s Crystal Ball Special: VICE PRESIDENT TIM KAINE?
Apparently reporters have been pestering Larry Sabato, so he has issued a Special Edition of Sabato's Crystal Ball: VICE PRESIDENT TIM KAINE? Pros and Cons of a New Dominion Decision. We have no earthly idea if Virginia Governor Tim Kaine is Obama's choice for Vice President. All we know is that distinguished reporters who claim to have good sources are calling and saying … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball Special: VICE PRESIDENT TIM KAINE?
From Tennessee Valley UUC – Tomorrow, the Sun Will Come Out!
Last night we mourned. We grieved. Our wonderful neighbors at the Second Presbyterian Church in Knoxville opened their sanctuary to the members of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church to hold a candlelight vigil. It was a moment of solidarity. It was a moment of hope. By now, many stories have come out about the motives and background of the … [Read more...] about From Tennessee Valley UUC – Tomorrow, the Sun Will Come Out!
Quote of the day – Guns
Even for second amendment supporters, there is a big difference between buying a gun for yourself and buying one for somebody else. With that in mind, your quote of the day: Buying a gun for your wife is another way of saying, "You know, I'd kind of like to kill myself, but I want it to come as a surprise." Marc Maron … [Read more...] about Quote of the day – Guns
Media bias? Tennessee church shooting missing from ABC’s GMA
Last week the media bias story was the absence of the John Edwards Love-Child saga. I got that one wrong, saying that the press is doing the dance they always do and predicting that the story would make the next day's morning news shows. It didn't. (And Slate's Mickey Kaus is among those keeping on it.) Today I was wrong again. I was certain that the Knoxville, Tennessee, … [Read more...] about Media bias? Tennessee church shooting missing from ABC’s GMA
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/29/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) gave a major speech on inter-faith relations: "Somehow, we have to find a way to agree that faith may be worth dying for, but it cannot be worth killing for." In related news, police are speculating that hate may have motivated an unemployed man to open fire in a Unitarian Church, killing five. The … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 07/29/08
Obama: A Guide For The Gullible
Today's must read comes from the Philadelphia Inquirer's Dick Polman, who looks at some of the newer anti-Obama emails coming out and begins his piece this way: As part of my ongoing mission to highlight voter gullibility, today I intend to address several of the virulent cyber-smears currently circulating online about Barack Obama. I'm referring not to the old lies - … [Read more...] about Obama: A Guide For The Gullible
You’d Do Better With a Maypole
I had held off from commenting on the recent polling showing either John McCain pushing Barack Obama off his pedestal or Obama pulling into his widest lead in the last month. I find this pair significant, not for their informative value as to who is ahead or behind, but for the demonstration of exactly how increasingly useless these polls are. This rare case shows us the same … [Read more...] about You’d Do Better With a Maypole
Brown Hanging On
So far it looks like British PM Gordon Brown will hold on to power despite a recent series of election losses. The most recent loss was in a district that was considered one of the safest in the country for Labour but it went to the Scottish National Party. With those losses there had been speculation that Brown would be tossed out as party leader but some MP's are starting … [Read more...] about Brown Hanging On