Happenstance has it that as the WaPo's Alec MacGillis explores Obama's "age problem" he's out visiting places I'm intimately familiar with. On Monday he reported from Lancaster, PA., my childhood stomping ground, to illustrate the "resistance from voters over 65." Those born between 1930 and 1945 are squarely "in McCain's age cohort." Obama's having no luck with them. The … [Read more...] about Exploring Obama’s Boomer Strength
How Partisan Should a Partisan Be?
Two Cuyahoga County mayors have been suspended from the Democratic Party executive committee there because they've joined other mayors in endorsing a Republican candidate for county commissioner. Is that right? The first two US presidents--George Washington and John Adams--fiercely resisted and condemned party spirit, something they saw as contrary to patriotism, loyalty … [Read more...] about How Partisan Should a Partisan Be?
10 Things I Learned From Tony Bourdain
Whether you read his blog, watch his show on the Travel Channel or read his books, you can learn a lot from Anthony Bourdain no matter your political persuasion. Some things I've picked up. 1. There is no part of a pig you can't love when handled skillfully. 2. Vegans should not be sent to concentration camps. Under the right circumstances, however, they could be forced … [Read more...] about 10 Things I Learned From Tony Bourdain
Obama Jet Incident Worse Than Thought
It looks like the incident involving Barack Obama's jet was worse than originally revealed, or so the media tells us. At the time of the event last month reports from the FAA stated that no emergency was declared but ABC has obtained tapes which would seem to show this was otherwise. According to those tapes an emergency was declared and they requested that emergency equipment … [Read more...] about Obama Jet Incident Worse Than Thought
McCain Reportedly Considers One Term Presidency Pledge
Republican presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain is reportedly pondering whether to pledge to only serve for one term as President, Times Online reports: John McCain is considering making a pledge that he would serve only one term in the White House when he accepts the Republican nomination at his party's convention next month. A promise not to seek re-election after … [Read more...] about McCain Reportedly Considers One Term Presidency Pledge
The Bush Administration’s Trouble with Dates and Places
In her "A Turning Point in the Georgia Conflict? (A News & TMV Blog Post Round-Up)," Damozel gives a great summary of the Russia-Georgia conflict and lists several other good posts at TMV reporting, commenting on, and analyzing the issue. There have been several other articles on the roots, history, and possible ramifications of the conflict. Let us set aside for the … [Read more...] about The Bush Administration’s Trouble with Dates and Places
‘The Russian President Dictates His Peace to Hapless Europe:’ From France’s Liberation
Perhaps better than anything we've seen so far, this French news item, which discusses the peace plan negotiated by Nicolas Sarkozy with the Russians, sums up the impotence of the West in confronting Russia's shock onslaught against Georgia. In outlining the exasperation of French leaders - both over the hand they've been dealt as holders of the E.U. presidency, Lorraine … [Read more...] about ‘The Russian President Dictates His Peace to Hapless Europe:’ From France’s Liberation
Conflict Over Separatist Enclaves Continues Amid Claims of Atrocities Against Ethnic Georgians
Last week, Georgia's President Saakashvili accused Russia of intending to destroy Georgia, and take control of energy routes to Europe. (BBC Aug. 9) And last week, Steven Eke, the BBC News Russian Affairs analyst, pointed out that Putin---enraged by Western support for Kosovo's independence---would treat Kosovo "as a template for its own actions in the pro-Russian, … [Read more...] about Conflict Over Separatist Enclaves Continues Amid Claims of Atrocities Against Ethnic Georgians
In South Ossetia, ‘Kosovo Backfires’: From France’s Le Figaro
So how did the crisis in Georgia really come about? Many Europeans believe that the events of the past week can be traced back to the recognition of Kosovo - which was also a clear violation of international law - and which the Russians have skillfully turned to their own advatage. For France's Le Figaro newspaper, Renaud Girard writes in part: "Twenty years after being … [Read more...] about In South Ossetia, ‘Kosovo Backfires’: From France’s Le Figaro
What Obama Doesn’t Need…
...and probably doesn't want either! Superdelegate Kwame Kilpatrick! The New York Times: Judge Permits Detroit Mayor to Attend Party Convention Just when it seemed that the scandal involving Detroit’s embattled mayor, Kwame M. Kilpatrick, who is facing assault and perjury charges, could not not grow any more bizarre, it did. On Thursday morning a judge ordered that … [Read more...] about What Obama Doesn’t Need…
Clinton-Obama Compromise: Clinton’s Name To Be Placed In Nomination
Marc Ambinder reports that not only is it now likely that Senator Hillary Clinton's name will be placed in nomination at the Democratic convention but some of the conventional wisdom floating around the Internet and media has proven to be flat-out wrong: 1. In reality, reports of "strife between negotiators for Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are exaggerated and … [Read more...] about Clinton-Obama Compromise: Clinton’s Name To Be Placed In Nomination
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/14/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news The census estimates that the US will become majority-minority by 2042. My projection is that many currently non-White ethnic groups will become or will be absorbed into Whiteness to keep the numbers up. ICE has detained 42 suspected illegal immigrants working at Dulles Airport, stressing that there is no indication of … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/14/08
Outing Julia Child
Before there was a CIA, during World War II, there was the OSS and now more than half a century later the National Archives is releasing files on almost 24,000 Americans who worked for the agency, including Julia Child. Although she will be mentioned in the same breath as Valerie Plame, there was nothing covert about Julia, with whom I worked for more than a decade and whose … [Read more...] about Outing Julia Child
Debate coach’s profane performance caught on YouTube
The Chronicle tells us that A Professor Is in the Hot Seat After Mooning Debate Judges: A debate coach for Fort Hays State University, in Kansas, is under review by the institution after he swore at officials and mooned judges at a tournament earlier this year, in an incident that was recorded and uploaded to YouTube. The coach, William Shanahan III, a professor of … [Read more...] about Debate coach’s profane performance caught on YouTube
The Four Day Grind
While it has cropped up many times over the years, another unanticipated bit of fallout from surging energy costs has been a renewed interest in both telecommuting and the four day work week. Chrysler is looking into it again, Howard County, Md. has adopted it, along with Brevard County Community College in Florida, among others. Some of these early adopters are seeing benefits … [Read more...] about The Four Day Grind
Cartoonists Views Of Michael Phelps
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune And there's more: … [Read more...] about Cartoonists Views Of Michael Phelps
Questioning Elizabeth Edwards’ ‘Excruciating Anguish’
I have to admit being gullible enough to have accepted John Edwards story as I watched the first telling. That didn't last long. But what about Elizabeth? Mickey Kaus notes that both the People Magazine cover story and the National Enquirer agree that she is the victim. Not Kaus: Elizabeth Edwards, rather than being its victim, is in on it up to her eyeballs! Why do I think … [Read more...] about Questioning Elizabeth Edwards’ ‘Excruciating Anguish’
The New Jersey Hospital Crisis Revisited
Imagine being admitted to a hospital for major surgery only to find out that while the surgeon and anesthesiologist are poised to do their jobs, the nurses are somewhere else. That situation is analogous to why the New Jersey hospitals crisis, the worst in the U.S. and a harbinger of things to come elsewhere as the nation's health-career system slowly collapses, is not going … [Read more...] about The New Jersey Hospital Crisis Revisited
Pakistan’s Pervez Musharraf: Countdown Begins?
Reports from Pakistan indicate that Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf is losing ground fast. The Guardian states that British and American diplomats are attempting to find an exit for Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf, a staunch western ally, before he is dragged through a humiliating impeachment process. "Musharraf has been one of the Bush administration's closest … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s Pervez Musharraf: Countdown Begins?
Pakistan-India Celebrate Independence Day
India was split into two countries --- Pakistan and India --- in August 1947 when the British ended their colonial rule. Pakistan celebrates its independence day today (August 14), while India a day later on August 15. The photograph above shows Muhammad Ali Jinnah and M.K. Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi), both designated as "Father of the Nation" by the newly independent nations … [Read more...] about Pakistan-India Celebrate Independence Day