I'm watching the arguments unfurl around Barack Obama's comments on foreign language study, and I'm amazed. (Memeorandum has several lead articles with commentary. Here and here should get you started.) People are fixating on various aspects of the statement, and totally missing the point. Foreign language study by Americans has nothing to do with illegal immigration. … [Read more...] about Foreign language(s) and the global economy genie
Prisoner of War
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News … [Read more...] about Prisoner of War
Maiming Medicare
Having failed to privatize Social Security, the Bush Administration is trying to wreck Medicare on its way out the door, but MDs are mad as hell, and they're taking it out on Congressional Republicans. The focus this week is on trying to undo a 10.6 percent cut in payment to care providers for millions of older Americans. Before the Fourth of July recess, the House passed a … [Read more...] about Maiming Medicare
Maliki Calls for a Timetable
The media is abuzz with reports that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki wants a timetable for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from his country--some even say that Iraq wants U.S. troops out, period. Well, I would not pay much attention to what Iraq’s Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says, or what the Iraqi people want. After all, we are the liberators, the “installers” of democracy … [Read more...] about Maliki Calls for a Timetable
Obama proposes Bankruptcy law changes
While bilingualism is grabbing some of the headlines, the topic of yesterday's speech [CNN video] was bankruptcy. It was Obama's first visit to Georgia since securing the nomination (and on the same day of some small buzz over a Zogby poll showing Obama beating McCain in the state 44 to 38 percent -- with Barr taking the 6 percent difference). Elizabeth Warren explains that … [Read more...] about Obama proposes Bankruptcy law changes
A Song About Conservative Reservations About John McCain
The screamingly funny The Capitol Steps' song parody about conservative reservations about presumptive GOP Presidential nominee John McCain is HERE. You can buy their CDs of great song parodies HERE. … [Read more...] about A Song About Conservative Reservations About John McCain
Iran Reportedly Test Fires 9 Missiles And Oil Prices Quickly Rise
The war of words between Iran, Israel and the United States has now reportedly now inched beyond words with news that Tehran sent its foes a pointed show-of-force message by test-firing 9 missiles -- which reports say are long-range enough to reach Israel or U.S. bases. It throws a new monkey wrench into already-heated negotiations and rhetoric over Iran's nuclear program - … [Read more...] about Iran Reportedly Test Fires 9 Missiles And Oil Prices Quickly Rise
Responding to Iran: Compare and contrast
We'll return to domestic policy analysis later today, but let's take a look at the immediate response from the two campaigns regarding Iran's test firing of long range missiles last night. First up, the McCain response. “Iran’s most recent missile tests demonstrate again the dangers it poses to its neighbors and to the wider region, especially Israel. Ballistic missile … [Read more...] about Responding to Iran: Compare and contrast
Gallup: Obama Leads McCain By A Hair In Potentially Ominous July Polling
The tepid good news from Gallup for Democratic Presidential presumptive nominee Senator Barack Obama is that he still leads Republican Presidential presumptive nominee Senator John McCain but by a hair -- 46 to 44 percent, indicating a race that is now getting closer. The bad news from Gallup is that the candidate who leads in July has in many cases -- particularly in most … [Read more...] about Gallup: Obama Leads McCain By A Hair In Potentially Ominous July Polling
Civil Rights Round Up Delayed
I'm going to the Hill today, so the Civil Rights Roundup won't go up until the afternoon. In the meantime, enjoy this piece on how Turkey's military and supreme court are taking on each other's roles. … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Round Up Delayed
Old People Versus Race
Mike Lester, The Rome News-Tribune … [Read more...] about Old People Versus Race
The Story Of The Great 2008 American Prairie Fire & A Brokedown Presidential Palace
I'm just back from a whirlwind three-day tour of four Middle Atlantic states that was part-business but mostly pleasure, with some political snoopery thrown in for good measure. (I just can't help myself.) Some observations based on an admittedly unscientific sampling: * There were Barack Obama lawn signs, posters, t-shirts and buttons pretty much wherever I went from a … [Read more...] about The Story Of The Great 2008 American Prairie Fire & A Brokedown Presidential Palace
Book Review: Party of One: Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of the Independent Voter
Independents, centrists and moderates take note: Party of One: Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of the Independent Voter by Sacramento Bee columnist Daniel Weintraub is a must read that needs to be added to your personal libraries. Even with the rises and falls of Arnold's political fortunes (now on the descent again) it's required reading for anyone interested in the … [Read more...] about Book Review: Party of One: Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of the Independent Voter
Barack As Hancock
RJ Matson, The New York Observer … [Read more...] about Barack As Hancock
Election 2008: Iowa
Iowa was one of the key swing states in both 2000 and 2004 and this seems likely to continue in 2008. President: Bush lost Iowa narrowly in 2000 and won it narrowly in 2004. I was somewhat surprised given the strong anti war tradition in the state but the GOP got a strong turnout with Christian conservatives. This year however I think the anti war and anti Republican … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Iowa
Election 2008: Indiana
This state could become a battleground *IF* Senator Evan Bayh joins the Obama ticket but that does not seem likely at this point, at least based on comments from Bayh. President: With Bayh on the ticket it would be a tossup but otherwise this is solid for McCain. Democrats only win the state in landslide years. Safe Republican Governor: At one point incumbent Mitch … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Indiana
Election 2008: Illinois
Even if local Barack Obama were not on the ballot this would be a secure state for the Democrats. Between the massive vote out of Chicago and the slumping GOP tide downstate it is impossible for the GOP to win. President: Safe Democrat Senate: The only issue is if incumbent Richard Durbin (D) can outpoll Obama's 2004 landslide. Safe Democrat House: Most of the … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Illinois
Election 2008: Idaho
Idaho is for the Republicans what Hawaii is for the Democrats, a safe set of Electoral votes. The state has been both entertained and disgusted by Larry Craig but that will have little impact in November. President: Obama's odds here are only slightly better than mine, and I'm not running. Safe Republican Senate: Incumbent Larry Craig is retiring and his successor will … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Idaho
Election 2008: Hawaii
One of the quietest states this fall will be the Aloha State. Long one of the most Democratic states in the Union (though interestingly one of the most Republican prior to statehood) it should remain so this fall. President: Senator Obama will win the state with ease. Only 2 Republicans have won since statehood and both times in landslide years. Safe Democrat House: … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Hawaii
The “Risk” of Gays in the Military
As a retired military, I naturally keep up with military matters and issues. One way is by reading the on-line Defense News’ “Early Bird Brief.“ In this morning’s “Brief,” under the heading “Military,” there were only two entries: “After The Battle, Fighting The Bottle At Home,” summarizing a New York Times story, and “Gays In Military Pose No Risk, Study Finds,” … [Read more...] about The “Risk” of Gays in the Military