A new Pew Poll illustrates how the pundit's conventional wisdom has been now turned on its head: the poll shows the Presidential race essentially tied because Republican Senator John McCain is regaining his party's base while Democratic Senator Barack Obama is not unifying his party sufficiently. One continuing strand in many polls and stories now is how some supporters of … [Read more...] about Pew Poll: Race Evens As McCain Regains Republican Base
Class Doesn’t Stay That Way
In an editorial for the Washington Post, Peter Beinart thinks that Barack Obama could put the issue of race away for good if he came out for replacing race-based affirmative action with class-based programs. I have no problem with class-based affirmative action, though I think it should supplement, not replace, its racial peer, as both are independent sources of disadvantage … [Read more...] about Class Doesn’t Stay That Way
Russia’s dangerous steps to a new Cold War
The Russian invasion of Georgia has removed the lid over the simmering tensions between Russia and the Western allies that could easily turn into a new Cold War, stoked by hardliners on both sides. This “Cool War” is low intensity compared to the one with the former Soviet Union but the mistrust between Russia and the Western democracies can no longer be papered over and … [Read more...] about Russia’s dangerous steps to a new Cold War
Iraq Detainees Held in Small Crates
After a blogger filed a Freedom of Information Act request, the military last week released photographs of the crates ("segregation boxes") into which it segregates violent Iraqi prisoners: Three grainy black-and-white photos show the rudimentary structures of wood and mesh. Some of the boxes are as small as 3 feet by 3 feet by 6 feet tall, according to military officials. … [Read more...] about Iraq Detainees Held in Small Crates
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/13/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Gay and lesbian Latina/os are finding it more difficult to claim asylum due to improving tolerance in their home nations. A Virginia court has given the state's first "writ of innocence" after new evidence cleared a man incarcerated on a gun charge. Virginia has until recently been perhaps the most aggressive state at … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/13/08
“The Idea that There is a Ceasefire is Ridiculous” (Updated)
The Guardian's correspondent reports on the rampaging of irregulars and the advance of Russian tanks and soldiers (allegedly there to "keep peace"). Here's peace for you: Villages in Georgia were being burned and looted as Russian tanks and soldiers followed by “irregulars” advanced from the breakaway province of South Ossetia, eyewitnesses said today. “People are … [Read more...] about “The Idea that There is a Ceasefire is Ridiculous” (Updated)
Bush Lectures Putin
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune … [Read more...] about Bush Lectures Putin
Russians Continue Their Push Into Georgia? (Updated)
Georgia reports that the Russians haven't stopped fighting, despite the accord. If so, so much for their protestations that they are there because they had to intervene to stop the killing in South Ossetia. It's important to note that reports concerning their intentions in continuing toward Tbilisi conflict. (This update makes the Russians' statements about what they … [Read more...] about Russians Continue Their Push Into Georgia? (Updated)
Meeting Again Under The Big Musical Tree
I have come to view American music as one great big tree with many branches -- folk, blues, jazz, bluegrass, soul, zydeco, swing, and so on and so forth -- and in my experience there is no finer way to appreciate that than the Rhythm & Roots Festival. The 11th annual edition will be held August 29-31 at Ninigret Park near Charlestown, Rhode Island, which is a mere octave or … [Read more...] about Meeting Again Under The Big Musical Tree
More on Georgia’s Ethnic Cleansing Lawsuit, Ethnic Cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia, & Related Issues
I wrote yesterday about the conflicting ambitions and hatreds in play here (which Russia is manipulating to further its own ambitions). The situation is an immense tangle of conflicting ambitions---in the form of the desire for land and resources--- and furious ethnic hatred. As I noted yesterday, Georgia is now bringing a lawsuit against Russia for ethnic … [Read more...] about More on Georgia’s Ethnic Cleansing Lawsuit, Ethnic Cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia, & Related Issues
Poll: Obama Leads By 5 Points In Pennsylvania Amid Doubts
A new poll in Pennsylvania underscores some national polls: Democratic Sen. Barack Obama is ahead of Republican Sen. John McCain by 5 percent but he is far from closing the sale since voters have lingering doubts: U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) continues to hold a narrow lead over U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in Pennsylvania, edging his Republican rival by 5 points in … [Read more...] about Poll: Obama Leads By 5 Points In Pennsylvania Amid Doubts
Parity is Nigh: Will You Help?
(My prior posts on the subject of mental health parity are available here, here, and here. Jill Miller Zimon’s update can be found here.) Last week, the Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA) alerted its supporters that we were nearing a milestone in the long fight to establish parity on insurance coverage of mental and physical disorders. The competing House and Senate … [Read more...] about Parity is Nigh: Will You Help?
Georgia cyberwar garnering attention
In a much noticed article today, the NYTimes notes that, weeks before the gunfire, cyberattacks hit Georgia: Jose Nazario of Arbor Networks in Lexington noticed a stream of data directed at Georgian government sites containing the message: “win+love+in+Rusia.” Other Internet experts in the United States said the attacks against Georgia’s Internet infrastructure began as … [Read more...] about Georgia cyberwar garnering attention
America’s Other Olympic Medal Winners
John Edwards has a problem. Michael Mukasey has a solution. There is the possibility that funds from the campaign of the presidential wannabe pretty boy went to Rielle Hunter, the object of his affections in a long suspected and now-admitted affair. This would be a violation of federal law. But Edwards need not worry. Just yesterday the attorney general said that … [Read more...] about America’s Other Olympic Medal Winners
Tales Of Two Jews: American & British
Among the joys of living in a laid-back and quaint place like Adelaide in South Australia, with its well-stocked council libraries, is the pleasure of reading books. In the past three months, apart from delivering guest lectures at the two universities here, I have been able to go through six books...accompanied with good beer and wine!!! Here I wish to write about two … [Read more...] about Tales Of Two Jews: American & British
California Budget Mess Goes On
Here in California we continue to experience the car wreck that is the annual budget process. Normally we will see a few idiots screwing things up while the rest simply sit around and watch but this year there seems to be some competition for who can do the stupidest or most irresponsible thing. For those who don't know the full story, California is supposed to have a budget … [Read more...] about California Budget Mess Goes On
Bleak Broadband Growth
CNet headlines a Leichtman Research Group report, Broadband growth plummets in Q2: Cable operators and phone companies signed up about half the number of subscribers in the second quarter of 2008 that they signed up during the same quarter in 2007. Phone companies are hardest hit. Om Malik says its easily explained: Cable companies added phone service and offered triple-play … [Read more...] about Bleak Broadband Growth
What’s Their Real Problem with Gay Marriage (It’s the Gay Part)
Karin Klein takes us behind the scenes at the LATimes editorial board meetings they had with opponents and supporters (separately) of Proposition 8 as they came up with last week's editorial. She tells us supporters were "careful to avoid appearing anti-gay." Still: At one point, the conversation turned to the "activist judges" whose May ruling opened the door to same-sex … [Read more...] about What’s Their Real Problem with Gay Marriage (It’s the Gay Part)
An American’s Generosity: Sanskrit Classics Made Easy
I look back with regret that I could not study Greek, Latin and Sanskrit languages. It is easier to get good translations of the Greek and Latin classics than the Sanskrit literature. The ancient Sanskrit literature remains unparalleled in its metaphysical as well as erotic flight. I thank our co-blogger Hollyrob for sending me a write-up by David Shulman, Professor of … [Read more...] about An American’s Generosity: Sanskrit Classics Made Easy
Mythical Obamicans ?
Newsweek has an interesting feature on whether or not there are really a group of Obamicans out there. Considering the relative liberalism of the magazine and the writer it surprisingly down on the idea. … [Read more...] about Mythical Obamicans ?