The NYSun: Assembly Republicans who bucked party leaders and voted to legalize same-sex marriage in New York have been rewarded with an outpouring of donations from gay rights advocates across the nation. The lawmakers...have benefited from a fund-raising network stretching to at least nine other states. The money has flowed in at such a rapid pace that these Republicans … [Read more...] about Republican same-sex marriage backers reap big benefits
‘Barack Obama Pumped Up His Muscles Right Next to Me’
This story was first mentioned in the United States by Maureen Dowd of The New York Times. In her column she wrote that Barack Obama felt 'hustled' by a German reporter for the Bild newspaper, who pretended to have accidentally noticed him at a Berlin gym and sought to have a picture taken with him. As it turned out - she had stalked him to write this article, which … [Read more...] about ‘Barack Obama Pumped Up His Muscles Right Next to Me’
The Hamdan Sentence and Another Aspect to Hamdan and the Proceedings Against Detainees
I previously discussed commentary by legal and policy experts on the terror detainee procedures used in the Hamdan case. Shaun Mullen has background here. Hamdan has been sentenced to 5 1/2 years, which---as The Washington Post says---is a relatively light sentence. Prosecutors wanted him to get 30 years, if not a life sentence. (WaPo) [The sentence] means the first … [Read more...] about The Hamdan Sentence and Another Aspect to Hamdan and the Proceedings Against Detainees
Plenty of Pawlenty
The so-called "veepstakes" bore me. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty does not. I need to learn more about him before making a fully informed judgment, but stuff like this sparks my interest: Gov. Pawlenty suggested Republicans occasionally have done a poor job of addressing growing economic anxiety among many blue-collar and middle-class voters. He had earlier used the term … [Read more...] about Plenty of Pawlenty
Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It’s off to jail I go!
"CALGON, TAKE ME AWAY!" Detroit (Michigan) Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been ordered to jail today for violating the terms of his bond: Mayor Kilpatrick jailed By Doug Guthrie and David Josar / The Detroit News DETROIT -- A judge on Thursday ordered Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to jail, shocking the city and plunging the leadership of the nation's 11th-largest city into … [Read more...] about Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It’s off to jail I go!
An Energy Policy vs. An Energy Vision
John McCain has taken what seems in this highly energy-conscious election year a prudent view about energy. We have to use all our options, he says. Drill, drill, drill for more oil offshore. Use more clean coal. And yes, develop alternative energy resources if and when this seems possible. It's a safe-sounding policy. But that's all it is. A policy. A way to plod along as … [Read more...] about An Energy Policy vs. An Energy Vision
The (True) Wisdom of Crowds
Recently, my partner and I were walking around the Twin Cities Gay Pride Festival enjoying the day. We stopped at the Log Cabin Republicans booth just to say hello to folks. (I have been part of Log Cabin for years and staffed the booth at Pride for several years.) I ended up talking to this guy who had stopped at the booth to complain about the GOP. I expressed my support … [Read more...] about The (True) Wisdom of Crowds
McCain: Obama Forced Me to Go Negative
At this point, John McCain’s ability to hold multiple views on the same subject is quickly becoming the stuff of legend. Exhibit A in this regard is his shifting rationales for running negative campaign ads that attack everything from Barack Obama’s self image to his eating habits to his religious scruples. But this explanation offered in a David Broder column takes the … [Read more...] about McCain: Obama Forced Me to Go Negative
The Future of History
What is the "best" form of government? Is there anything good about communism or faulty about democracies or republics? How is it that so few governments last over the long haul? Stop by Mid Stream Radio today at 1 pm eastern, 10 am pacific, and we'll clear it all up for you. Oh, and we might have a surprise guest for you to chat with. Call us at (646) 595-3963 to have your … [Read more...] about The Future of History
Note To Readers
Some emails have come in asking where I am and noting that I'm posting a lot less (but also noting that I am not really missed since other TMV writers are doing such a superb job). WHERE I AM: Since July 1 I have been on a van trip doing events in Wyoming, Montana and Iowa, often driving between the three states. My longest drive was 670 miles in a day. I will be back to … [Read more...] about Note To Readers
John Edwards: Please Phone Denver
Two TMV posts in one day about the fix John Edwards finds himself in? Hmm. You might think that there's something to the allegation that he fathered a love child with Rielle Hunter. If the onetime presidential wannabe thinks that the story is going to melt in the summer heat, he's in for a rude shock in the form of risking being dis-invited to speak at the Democratic … [Read more...] about John Edwards: Please Phone Denver
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/07/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news In several DC area counties, the surge in Hispanic immigration is making minority children the under-five majority. The Washington Post calls it a "drug bust gone awry", but, from my reading,s it's unfortunately hardly out of the ordinary. Liberal bishops in the Episcopalian Church will continue to ordain gay clergy, and … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/07/08
Edwards’ political currency declines with each day the story goes unresolved
I thought the story the photos would have broken into the big media by now. McClatchy says it's "clearly getting ready to bust out." And that there have been consequences even without big media attention: With two weeks to go before their national convention, a number of Democrats are saying that Edwards needs to publicly address National Enquirer stories that have alleged he … [Read more...] about Edwards’ political currency declines with each day the story goes unresolved
‘Get ‘er Done’
Though I have certain qualms about trusting the instincts of a guy who ran a campaign that resulted in a spectacular loss, I thoroughly enjoyed this column by Bob Beckel, and nodded frequently while reading it. Beckel's is yet another voice in the "pragmatism + nuance = good" camp. … [Read more...] about ‘Get ‘er Done’
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: NINETY DAYS AND COUNTING
Sabato's Crystal Ball's Alan Abramowitz says, NINETY DAYS AND COUNTING: The Outlook for the 2008 Presidential Election in Early August In less than three months millions of Americans will go to the polls to choose the next president of the United States. For the first time since 1952, neither the incumbent president nor the incumbent vice-president will be on the ballot. … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: NINETY DAYS AND COUNTING
Despite Stacking The Deck, It Took The U.S. Seven Years To Convict Bin Laden’s Driver
The overriding question in the wake of the conviction of a driver for terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden is whether he received a fair trial. There are two answers and they depend entirely on your perspective: * If you believe, as I do not, that the 9/11 attacks in particular and the Global War on Terror in general demanded that the bedrock judicial principles in the … [Read more...] about Despite Stacking The Deck, It Took The U.S. Seven Years To Convict Bin Laden’s Driver
Bad Procedure: The Hamdan Conviction (A Round-Up)
"The White House said the trial was fair and looked forward to more tribunals." (BBC News) I'm sure. Salim Hamdan, who has been in custody since 2001, was acquitted of conspiracy, but convicted of providing material aid to terrorism. (New York Times) He was convicted by six senior military officers, who deliberated for over eight hours.(New York Times) Shaun Mullen … [Read more...] about Bad Procedure: The Hamdan Conviction (A Round-Up)
Busybodies Reporting The Obvious
This past week we've had a couple of 'news stories' emerge from the 'public interest group' The Center For Science In The Public Interest. For those who might not be familiar with this group, the CSPI has been around since the early 1980's and is basically against anything that tastes good. If you eat grass and drink water then you might be ok with them but otherwise your diet … [Read more...] about Busybodies Reporting The Obvious
Bush Like a ‘Loan Shark’ Here to ‘Collect’
For months on end, hundreds of thousands of people across South Korea have mounted daily demonstrations, candlelight vigils, boycotts, and almost every form of protest up to and including setting themselves on fire - against American beef, the new conservative government, and George W.Bush. So why is it, exactly, that South Koreans are so angry? For The Hankyoreh, Kim … [Read more...] about Bush Like a ‘Loan Shark’ Here to ‘Collect’
Are gays the marrying kind?
Many wonder. Jonathan Rauch points to his 1996 article in The New Republic, Making the case for gay (and straight) marriage, and says ever since then he's "been concerned that G&L people might demand marriage but then neglect it." He finds in a study (pdf) from the Williams Institute at UCLA "welcome evidence" that we won't: We analyze data from states that have … [Read more...] about Are gays the marrying kind?