Jon says what needed to be said about the short term memory problems affecting Bush, Rice, and McCain and about the complete non-presumptuousness of McCain's dispatching a team of envoys to Georgia. … [Read more...] about The Daily Show on the Georgia Conflict and Responses to It
Good for the Soul–and the Heel
Public confession makes a half-century leap from John Edwards' mea-not-so-culpa to a sudden exercise in self-revelation by Charles Van Doren, who was caught in the quiz show scandals of the 1950s. But perhaps the most telling truth about public soul-searching comes, not from Edwards on Nightline or Van Doren in the New Yorker, but in a New York Times blog by the scholar … [Read more...] about Good for the Soul–and the Heel
‘Banish All Magical Thinking Regarding the Russian Bear’: From Poland’s Rceczpospolita
As we have pointed out before, given Poland's history of being governed by imperial Russia and then the Soviet Union, the events in Georgia have had a tremendous impact in that country. So what should be done, according to Warsaw? To put it simply: Stand Tough. For the Polish newspaper Rceczpospolita, Bronislaw Wildstein warns of the looming danger for Poland and East … [Read more...] about ‘Banish All Magical Thinking Regarding the Russian Bear’: From Poland’s Rceczpospolita
Holding All Else Equal….
Note to the commenters: You can't defend replacing (as opposed to supplementing) race-based affirmative action with class-based programs by compared rich Blacks to poor Whites. For that claim to be valid, the axis of comparison has to be the equal position of poor Blacks to poor Whites. Otherwise, you're risking just masking the effects of potential racial discrimination that … [Read more...] about Holding All Else Equal….
Comment system being upgraded
The Disqus comment system is currently being upgraded. Comments are temporarily down for this critical update. Thank you for your patience. UPDATE Comment system back up. Will wait until the slow times in order to enable and test additional features. … [Read more...] about Comment system being upgraded
Jerry Wexler (1917-2008)
MORE HERE. … [Read more...] about Jerry Wexler (1917-2008)
Bill Kristol on Victory in Iraq and Impotence In Georgia
I usually comment on Bill Kristol's much-awaited Monday morning columns in the New York Times. Because of travel, I did not get the opportunity to do so this week. But not to worry, the Times' letters-to-the-editor writers came through, and not only do an excellent job of critiquing Kristol's column, but also do a better job than I have in previous posts of describing the … [Read more...] about Bill Kristol on Victory in Iraq and Impotence In Georgia
McCain abortion comment alarms base
While I was focused on the gay part of the comment, the base was getting all riled up about the hint of pro-life tolerance. Politico: “It absolutely floored me,” said Phil Burress, head of the Ohio-based Citizens for Community Values. “It would doom him in Ohio.” Burress e-mailed about a dozen “pro-family leaders” he knows outside Ohio and forwarded it to three McCain … [Read more...] about McCain abortion comment alarms base
Oops! He Did It Again
Anyone who believed that John McCain's campaign wasn't (once again) lying through its teeth when it swore that Phil Gramm had been shown the door is hereby invited to change their medication. Gramm never really went away and will once again be at Honest John's side this weekend at a series of briefings for major supporters in economically ravaged . . . er, a playground for … [Read more...] about Oops! He Did It Again
Happy Birthday: The iMac turns 10
Ars Technica: Today marks 10 years since the release of the iconic iMac. Introduced to the public in May of 1998 and available on August 15, 1998, Apple's friendly all-in-one has undergone many changes over the last 10 years in order to stay current. Although the iMac wasn't Apple's first or only all-in-one machine, it was—and remains—the most popular by far, and remains a … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday: The iMac turns 10
Bits and Pieces and More Pieces
Did John McCain steal one of Jackson Browne's songs without permission for use in a political ad? If you read the headlines, it certainly looks that way, but there is a bit more to the story. While Mr. Brown's music apparently was used without consent, it may not have been done by Team McCain. The song, "Running on Empty," has been used by the Ohio Republican Party (not the … [Read more...] about Bits and Pieces and More Pieces
On Obama’s Compromise With Clinton On Having Her Name Placed In Nomination
Was it a bad omen for Obama, his prospects in the campaign and how he'll govern if he gets into the Oval Office? The New York Daily News' Michael Goodwin argues "yes." … [Read more...] about On Obama’s Compromise With Clinton On Having Her Name Placed In Nomination
West Reacts to Georgia Fighting
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about West Reacts to Georgia Fighting
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/15/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news The family of a gay California teenager who was slain by a classmate is suing the school, saying that it endangered their son by allowing him to wear feminine clothing and makeup. Solid move by Tim Kaine: He issued a pardon to a local woman who had lived in the US since she was 7, who was facing deportation for a minor … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/15/08
McCain: The party could “exclude people” for being “pro-gay rights“
In a Daily Standard exclusive interview, John McCain explains that he could choose a pro-choice running mate but not one who is pro-gay: "I think it's a fundamental tenet of our party to be pro-life but that does not mean we exclude people from our party that are pro-choice. We just have a--albeit strong--but just it's a disagreement. And I think [Tom] Ridge is a great example … [Read more...] about McCain: The party could “exclude people” for being “pro-gay rights“
Elizabeth Edwards & Hillary Clinton: A Cautionary Tale Of The Lure Of Power
As uncomfortable as the subject may be for people for whom the protection of privacy is more important than the corrosive effects of lying and hypocrisy on politics, the more that I learn about John Edwards' romp with Rielle Hunter, the more Elizabeth Edwards reminds me of Hillary Clinton. Minus the cancer, of course. In fact, the parallels are rather stunning. Both women … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Edwards & Hillary Clinton: A Cautionary Tale Of The Lure Of Power
GPS: illegal search or just cheaper tracking?
Police have a new secret weapon: Across the country, police are using GPS devices to snare thieves, drug dealers, sexual predators and killers, often without a warrant or court order. Privacy advocates said tracking suspects electronically constitutes illegal search and seizure, violating Fourth Amendment rights of protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and is … [Read more...] about GPS: illegal search or just cheaper tracking?
Georgia: Vladimir Putin’s Victory Over West
The Economist magazine describes the Russian operation in Georgia as a major triumph for Vladimir Putin. "Just five days later, after pulverising the Georgian armed forces, Russia announced that it was ending its operations. This brutal and efficient move was a victory for Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president-turned-prime-minister, not just over Georgia but also over the … [Read more...] about Georgia: Vladimir Putin’s Victory Over West
Update on the cyberattacks on Georgia
Yesterday afternoon Ars Technica's Joel Hruska reported: ...several security experts have spoken up, and raised the question of whether or not the Russian government is actually involved. According to Gadi Evron, former Chief information security officer (CISO) for the Israeli government's ISP, there's compelling historical evidence to suggest that the Russian military is not … [Read more...] about Update on the cyberattacks on Georgia
NBC Olympics Coverage Deserves No Medal
I must admit to only being a modest fan of the Olympics but I do enjoy seeing some of the more exciting events like swimming and gymnastics. What has bothered me in trying to watch this is the seemingly idiotic coverage by NBC where these important events don't start until 10 or 11 at night while 'prime time' is filled with things like beach volleyball. Now of course time … [Read more...] about NBC Olympics Coverage Deserves No Medal