At the G8, Bush departs with one of his trademark kidding-on-the-square one liners:President George Bush signed off with a defiant farewell over his refusal to accept global climate change targets at his last G8 summit. As he prepared to fly out from Japan, he told his fellow leaders: "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter." President Bush made the private … [Read more...] about Bush Signs Off with Funny Joke at G8; Rove Praises Obama Campaign While Pundits Dispute Ideology; Dems Prepare to Roll Over Again
Civil Rights Roundup 07/10/08
Your morning dose of civil rights and related news The American Medical Association is set to apologize for its racist past, including excluding Black doctors and largely sitting out the civil rights movement. The NAACP alleges that Nashville's new zoning plan will alter the racial dynamics of the city so much that it actually re-establishes segregation. A performing … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup 07/10/08
Around the Political Sphere Today
Our fearless Editor-in-Chief is on the road this week in some Internet-unfriendly environs, but here are some of the interesting stories coming over the transom. Will Jesse Jackson be neutering Barack Obama? Rick Moran thinks it's much ado about nothing. This is basically a story about a racialist who sees an ascendant Obama as a threat to his little white guilt extortion … [Read more...] about Around the Political Sphere Today
An Ovation For Ted & A Raspberry For John
It's a given that presidential candidates who are running for president are going to miss a vote or three, but the situation with John McCain is ridiculous. The Republican wannabe has not voted since April 8, missing a total of 76 votes. This includes several key votes on important legislation, among them Social Security, which he views as "a total disgrace," and expanding … [Read more...] about An Ovation For Ted & A Raspberry For John
The Great Migration of the Hispanic Vote (Guest Voice)
This Guest Voice is by examiner.com columnist Tony Campbell, who is on the campaign trail and it deals with one of the most vital aspects of Campaign 2008: the fate of the Hispanic vote. The Great Migration of the Hispanic Vote by Tony Campbell Barack Obama’s speech on Tuesday before the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) was very important for several … [Read more...] about The Great Migration of the Hispanic Vote (Guest Voice)
FISA: Why It Matters & How They Voted
This piece of legislation --- and what Congress has done to the fourth amendment---which protects the privacy of ordinary citizens from unreasonable invasion by the government --- matters. Those who defended the telecoms for breaking federal law at the request of the Bush administration kept talking about the telecoms' subjection to 'the heavy hand of … [Read more...] about FISA: Why It Matters & How They Voted
Did Obama Get a “Sweetheart” Mortgage Deal?
As reported by The Hill, an ethics complaint has been filed with the Senate Ethics Committee and the FEC regarding Barack Obama's home mortgage. Judicial Watch, a conservative legal watchdog group, filed the report after The Washington Post reported that Obama received a discount on a mortgage for a Chicago home valued at $1.65 million. The complaints said the Illinois … [Read more...] about Did Obama Get a “Sweetheart” Mortgage Deal?
On Iraq Troop Withdrawals, The Emperor & His Wannabe Heir Have No Clothes
What's a warmonger to do? The Iraqi government is feeling its oats because of a semblance of stability on the military front, there is a chance that provincial elections in the fall might bring some calm to the fractious political front, and a security agreement that gives Washington the ranch and Baghdad sloppy seconds will be DOA unless it is rewritten to respect Iraqi … [Read more...] about On Iraq Troop Withdrawals, The Emperor & His Wannabe Heir Have No Clothes
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Trifecta
Three new articles from Sabato's Crystal Ball: Alan I. Abramowitz: Is Time on John McCain's Side? The Nomination Gap and the 2008 Presidential Election Larry J. Sabato: TIME TO CHANGE THE UNIT RULE - And avoid a potential electoral calamity Larry J. Sabato: THE MAP - The Crystal Ball's First Look at November's Electoral College … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Trifecta
Telecom Impunity
RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about Telecom Impunity
A North Korean Speaks On the Protests Against American Beef Imports
Once again, from the Daily North Korea of South Korea, an interview with someone who is said to actually live in the Hermit Kingdom. According to the newspaper, which is staffed in part by North Korean defectors, this member of the 'North Korean Elite class,' says he is fully aware of the mass protests in South Korea over U.S. beef, and in his words: "I can speak not only … [Read more...] about A North Korean Speaks On the Protests Against American Beef Imports
Tim Johnston: Australia’s Most Wanted Man
New Jesse Jackson Controversy: Jackson Steps In It Again
There was once a movie titled "Destry Rides Again." If you made a movie about the latest controversy involving a shoot-from-the-lip Jesse Jackson making what he thought was an off-mike, crude verbal blast about Democratic party presumptive Presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama's comments to some in the black community you might title it: "Jesse Jackson Steps In It … [Read more...] about New Jesse Jackson Controversy: Jackson Steps In It Again
FROM THE NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA: Time for Kremlin to ‘Reveal its Asymmetrical Answer’ to U.S. Missile Shield
Now that Russian diplomats appear to have lost their bid to prevent the stationing of America's anti-missile shield in Europe, what should the Kremlin do next? This editorial from Russia's Nezavisimaya Gazeta expresses Russian dissillusionment: "Washington's initial readiness to discuss American missile defense plans with Moscow was perceived around the world as a sign … [Read more...] about FROM THE NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA: Time for Kremlin to ‘Reveal its Asymmetrical Answer’ to U.S. Missile Shield
Obama’s Magical Mystery Flight
His travel companions are leading to speculation about who he might have in mind to run as his Vice Presidential candidate.... … [Read more...] about Obama’s Magical Mystery Flight
Advice for Obama: Mess With Latin America Less Than George W. Bush Has
Has the United States under George W. Bush given TOO MUCH aid to Latin America, thus delaying efforts to get the region to stand on its own? Alvaro Vargas Llosa writes for Spain's Diario Exterior: "Obama is right to say that Latin Americans are primarily responsible for their own tribulations, but wrong to believe that an increase in foreign aid will improve the economy … [Read more...] about Advice for Obama: Mess With Latin America Less Than George W. Bush Has
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/09/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news (abbreviated and late due to work, alas) CNN has now picked up the story of the racist Mexican cartoon character I posted on in yesterday's roundup. An atheist solider is suing the military, alleging discrimination. A Louisiana judge has overturned the conviction of Albert Woodfox, an ex-Black Panther and one of the … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 07/09/08
Obama Flip Flops
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Obama Flip Flops
Ping Pong Rehabilitation
During the 1980s, the Saudi government encouraged Islamic militants to fight against the Soviets in the Afghan War. They even subsidized their flights. Their efforts, in part, came back to haunt them when several former mujahideen built a small but powerful movement that would soon threaten the existence of the monarchy. (I'm talking about al-Qaeda, of course.) The Saudis have … [Read more...] about Ping Pong Rehabilitation
Energy Policy: Compare and Contrast Part 2
In a previous column, several readers took me to task over my assertion that Senator McCain seemed to have put forward a more sensible, comprehensive set of proposals for both U.S. energy policy and the economy. (These days the two are linked to the point of being inseparable.) Today I would like to take a more comprehensive look at the stated positions, voting records and … [Read more...] about Energy Policy: Compare and Contrast Part 2