A couple developments in the US Senate race in Minnesota have helped to give incumbent Senator Norm Coleman (R) quite a bit to smile about. Coming in to the filing deadline today he faced the prospect of a potentially strong challenger in comedian Al Franken and the loss of support to the 3rd party candidacy of former Governor Jesse Ventura. But as it turns out things went … [Read more...] about Ventura Won’t Run, Franken Gets Challenger, Coleman Smiles
The Real History This Fall
As a Chicago Cubs fan I am almost required by law to be superstitious about things but we have reached the All Star Break and I find that not only are the Cubs the number one team in baseball but they are also now favored to win the World Series this fall. People have talked about how this fall could be historic with the election of Senator Obama as President and certainly … [Read more...] about The Real History This Fall
Day-Late-and-Dollar-Short Government
Trot out the clichés about closing the barn door for news today that the Federal Reserve is cracking down on shady lending practices to home buyers and President Bush is fighting high gas prices by lifting a ban on offshore drilling for oil. As Americans drown in bad economic news, these daring rescue moves are the equivalent of throwing them concrete life preservers. … [Read more...] about Day-Late-and-Dollar-Short Government
The ‘Flip-Flopping’ Label Has Jumped the Shark
Terror Watch List Fails… Again
This time, the terror watch list has picked up Clinton-era assistant attorney general, Jim Robinson. He is on this list despite having a recently renewed set of security clearances. It's ok for him to have access to nuclear secrets, but not to get on an airplane without some serious extra hassle. He's been quoted several places: I suppose if I were convinced that … [Read more...] about Terror Watch List Fails… Again
McCain and Obama: Both wrong on Iraq
Both Jazz Shaw and Damozel have written already about Barack Obama's Op-Ed on Iraq in the NY Times today. I'm really glad they've covered the story so well, because it leaves me free to bring up a couple of things that are starting to bug me. First off, I'm getting frustrated with Barack Obama on the surge. While he doesn't directly say so, my direct impression is that … [Read more...] about McCain and Obama: Both wrong on Iraq
Obama: It’s Time to Begin to End the War (Updated)
The New York Times has published an op-ed by Barack Obama. It’s good news, isn’t it, he pointedly notes, that our troops’ sacrifices have got the Iraqis to a point when their government might actually be about ready to take off the training wheels and ride off without us holding the handlebars? (NYT) And whether they are ready are not — see this BBC article … [Read more...] about Obama: It’s Time to Begin to End the War (Updated)
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: OBAMA’S NEXT CHALLENGE
I missed several Sabato’s Crystal Ball emails due to accidental unsubscribing. Here is one of many make-up posts. 05/15/2008 Rhodes Cook's OBAMA'S NEXT CHALLENGE: Turning Primary Losses Into Electoral Votes As Barack Obama prepares to move from the primary to the general election phase of the 2008 presidential election, he faces a new challenge which combines both … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: OBAMA’S NEXT CHALLENGE
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/14/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news In today's no-kidding file: NAACP head: Obama win won't solve racial injustice. The Washington Post has an article about out gay youth. The nation's oldest Black sorority is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Historians to judges: Stop pretending to be historians. You suck at it. Seattle is settling its third … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 07/14/08
Iraqi Politicans Learn the Fine Art of Spin
First, Iraq's al-Maliki gets into hot water with the Bush administration and Sen. McCain for suggesting a time-line for withdrawal. Next, presumptive Dem nominee Barack Obama latches on to al-Maliki's suggestion and features it prominently in an op-ed in today's NYT -- presumably, an attempt by the nominee to exit his own vat of hot water for recently suggesting anything … [Read more...] about Iraqi Politicans Learn the Fine Art of Spin
Well, It Could Be Hillary, Couldn’t It?
I have asserted on numerous occasions that Hillary will not be Obama's running mate. And yet... It's not like any of the other apparent contenders are obvious choices (or would be perfect picks). One can make compelling, if not convincing, cases for the likes of Biden, Dodd, and Nunn, for example, but one can also make compelling cases against pretty much all of them. Even, … [Read more...] about Well, It Could Be Hillary, Couldn’t It?
Obama: Mostly Out of Iraq
I've made no secret of the fact that I opposed the Iraq war from the beginning and still seek the quickest, safe, sane exit from that area which can be managed. With this in mind, I was glad to see that Barack Obama took the time to pen an editorial in the New York Times providing (at least some) details of his plans for our involvement in that region. Unlike many of his … [Read more...] about Obama: Mostly Out of Iraq
The Conservative Reformation: A Cauldron of Proposals
In my prior post on this subject, I promised to share a “modest proposal for the next Goldwater’s consideration.” By that, I meant this: Goldwater articulated a compelling vision for conservatives in 1960, which Ronald Reagan and his team subsequently studied and re-phrased in their own parlance and used (two decades later) to build a winning coalition. The “new Goldwater” … [Read more...] about The Conservative Reformation: A Cauldron of Proposals
Furor Swirls Around Liberal New Yorker’s Caricature Of Obama Cover
Is it satire? Or the equivalent of an unintentional hit piece caricature that will be welcomed and exploited by his political enemies? Whatever: the bottom line is that the New Yorker, long the darling in liberal circles, is now under fire from the campaign of Democratic presumptive nominee Sen. Barack Obama and many liberals for a magazine cover that is a seeming medley of … [Read more...] about Furor Swirls Around Liberal New Yorker’s Caricature Of Obama Cover
John McCain Must Go to Antarctica
Important research work is being done year around in Antarctica involving climate change studies, atmospheric research, oceanographic science and the life cycle of penguins. These are all important topics to Americans during this election, and I fail to see how John McCain can be taken seriously as a candidate unless he agrees to go spend a month at McMurdo Station to meet and … [Read more...] about John McCain Must Go to Antarctica
Why Jesse Jackson’s Comments Will Help Barack Obama
WaPo: 15 year-old gay teen speaks of his experiences
If puberty happens in middle school, why shouldn't we expect lgbt awareness would begin then too? From today's WaPo, Owning His Gay Identity -- at 15 Years Old; Youths Coming Out Sooner, but Protections Against Harassment Lag: Saro, who first said he liked boys to a classmate in sixth grade, is like many of today's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youths who openly … [Read more...] about WaPo: 15 year-old gay teen speaks of his experiences
Civil Rights Roundup Delayed
I'm going to the Hill again this morning, hence, the civil rights roundup will be delayed. … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup Delayed
The Imploding American Economy & John McCain’s Very Own Terrorist In Pinstripes
Having been chided last week by Phil Gramm as a whiner afflicted by "a mental recession" as one of millions of Americans who are struggling to keep their heads above water while the U.S. is sucked ever deeper into the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, it was grimly satisfying to see Henry Paulson standing on the steps of the Treasury Building yesterday … [Read more...] about The Imploding American Economy & John McCain’s Very Own Terrorist In Pinstripes
Ms Olive Riley: World’s Oldest Blogger
] Australian Ms Olive Riley, renowned as the world's oldest blogger, has died at the age of 108, with her last posting talking about her ailing health but also how she still sings a happy song every day, reports Reuters. "Born in the outback town of Broken Hill on October 20 1899, she lived through two world wars and raised three children while doing various jobs, … [Read more...] about Ms Olive Riley: World’s Oldest Blogger