Apparently reporters have been pestering Larry Sabato, so he has issued a Special Edition of Sabato's Crystal Ball: VICE PRESIDENT TIM KAINE? Pros and Cons of a New Dominion Decision. We have no earthly idea if Virginia Governor Tim Kaine is Obama's choice for Vice President. All we know is that distinguished reporters who claim to have good sources are calling and saying … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball Special: VICE PRESIDENT TIM KAINE?
From Tennessee Valley UUC – Tomorrow, the Sun Will Come Out!
Last night we mourned. We grieved. Our wonderful neighbors at the Second Presbyterian Church in Knoxville opened their sanctuary to the members of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church to hold a candlelight vigil. It was a moment of solidarity. It was a moment of hope. By now, many stories have come out about the motives and background of the … [Read more...] about From Tennessee Valley UUC – Tomorrow, the Sun Will Come Out!
Quote of the day – Guns
Even for second amendment supporters, there is a big difference between buying a gun for yourself and buying one for somebody else. With that in mind, your quote of the day: Buying a gun for your wife is another way of saying, "You know, I'd kind of like to kill myself, but I want it to come as a surprise." Marc Maron … [Read more...] about Quote of the day – Guns
Media bias? Tennessee church shooting missing from ABC’s GMA
Last week the media bias story was the absence of the John Edwards Love-Child saga. I got that one wrong, saying that the press is doing the dance they always do and predicting that the story would make the next day's morning news shows. It didn't. (And Slate's Mickey Kaus is among those keeping on it.) Today I was wrong again. I was certain that the Knoxville, Tennessee, … [Read more...] about Media bias? Tennessee church shooting missing from ABC’s GMA
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/29/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) gave a major speech on inter-faith relations: "Somehow, we have to find a way to agree that faith may be worth dying for, but it cannot be worth killing for." In related news, police are speculating that hate may have motivated an unemployed man to open fire in a Unitarian Church, killing five. The … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 07/29/08
Obama: A Guide For The Gullible
Today's must read comes from the Philadelphia Inquirer's Dick Polman, who looks at some of the newer anti-Obama emails coming out and begins his piece this way: As part of my ongoing mission to highlight voter gullibility, today I intend to address several of the virulent cyber-smears currently circulating online about Barack Obama. I'm referring not to the old lies - … [Read more...] about Obama: A Guide For The Gullible
You’d Do Better With a Maypole
I had held off from commenting on the recent polling showing either John McCain pushing Barack Obama off his pedestal or Obama pulling into his widest lead in the last month. I find this pair significant, not for their informative value as to who is ahead or behind, but for the demonstration of exactly how increasingly useless these polls are. This rare case shows us the same … [Read more...] about You’d Do Better With a Maypole
Brown Hanging On
So far it looks like British PM Gordon Brown will hold on to power despite a recent series of election losses. The most recent loss was in a district that was considered one of the safest in the country for Labour but it went to the Scottish National Party. With those losses there had been speculation that Brown would be tossed out as party leader but some MP's are starting … [Read more...] about Brown Hanging On
McCain Quotas
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News … [Read more...] about McCain Quotas
Bush Will Leave $482 Billion Deficit (Or More) To Successor
Campaign 2000 now seems like a galaxy away if you recall the Presidential campaign debates where Republican George W. Bush talked with Democrat Al Gore about the government surplus: the White House yesterday announced that Bush will leave a $482 billion deficit to his successor -- and that's a low count because it doesn't factor in a few other things...such as the Iraq … [Read more...] about Bush Will Leave $482 Billion Deficit (Or More) To Successor
Why Is John McCain Acting So Desperate?
Obama spoke to 200,000 Germans, McCain spoke at a German restaurant The desperation of John McCain -- ranging from character attacks to outright lies to repeated shifts on the issues -- is symptomatic of a candidate scrambling to keep his head above water a few days before an election, not 15 weeks out. Speaking of 15 weeks, it has been about that long since McCain … [Read more...] about Why Is John McCain Acting So Desperate?
Human Rights Worsen In China
According to a report by Amnesty International things have actually gotten worse in China with the approach of the Olympics. According to the report the government has been working overtime to make sure that not a whiff of dissent will arise from the 'people' of the glorious 'Peoples Republic'. Anyone with a sign of criticism has been imprisoned or shipped off to the … [Read more...] about Human Rights Worsen In China
Zimbabwe Deadlock Continues
In Zimbabwe the deadlock (or alleged deadlock) continues in talks between the ruling Zanu-PF party and the MDC opposition party. I say alleged deadlock because any neutral view would hold that the MDC is the clear choice of a vast majority of voters and yet the Zanu-PF dictators continue to act as if they are giving major concessions. "A source quoted by the AFP news agency … [Read more...] about Zimbabwe Deadlock Continues
‘Where is the French Obama?’
It's already a cliche to say it, but the impact of the Obama campaign just keeps on going. It seems that some in France have begun to wonder why minorities are so poorly represented amongst its political class. Guy Numa writes for France's Rue 89 newspaper: "There is something hypocritical in the 'Obamania' that is sweeping France: Obama, Black, young and un-cunning, … [Read more...] about ‘Where is the French Obama?’
Two More Questionable Taserings
Legal scholar Jonathan Turley---whose blog is on my personal 'read every day' list---has reported today on two more extremely questionable taserings. (See also: Police Taser a Blind Diabetic Women with Cancer 'to Facilitate Cuffing')First, he tells of a Missouri boy who had fallen or jumped from an overpass and who was tasered 19 times as he lay there with a broken back. … [Read more...] about Two More Questionable Taserings
The Monica Goodling Report: Selected Extracts (with Illustrative Video)
Joe Windish has provided some background, some blogger reactions, and some other useful links. I spent a couple of hours this afternoon browsing the report (h/t to Sadly No! where I found the link to the report (actually entitled 'Investigation of Allegations of Politicized Hiring by Monica Goodling and Other Staff in the Office of the Attorney General') (pdf.file) I've … [Read more...] about The Monica Goodling Report: Selected Extracts (with Illustrative Video)
Bob Barr Conference Call, July 28
A blogger conference call was held today by the Bob Barr campaign, with the candidate giving opening statements and then taking questions from various bloggers. Bob has been doing some cross country travel for fundraising, but is now back in Atlanta. The candidate continues to aggressively pursue a solid relationship with the new media, giving us levels of access you simply … [Read more...] about Bob Barr Conference Call, July 28
Michelle Obama unveils Blueprint for America’s Working Women and Families
You can read Barack Obama's agenda for helping women and families balance work and life in his Blueprint for America's Working Women and Families, and later today, I'm told, there will be video of the announcement, which occurred in Chicago just about 20 minutes ago. From the inbox: Michelle Obama will address a gathering of Women for Obama in Chicago on Monday. There, she … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama unveils Blueprint for America’s Working Women and Families
Would Terrorists Be More Likely To Strike in an Obama Admin?
Y'all know I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Obama supporter, so I don't lay out this scenario lightly. … [Read more...] about Would Terrorists Be More Likely To Strike in an Obama Admin?
Polling Whiplash
The big news over the weekend was the "Europe bounce" for Obama. The (potentially) big news this afternoon is a lone poll that finds McCain up by 4, with some erosion for Obama in the daily tracking polls by Gallup and Rasmussen. Ouch. My neck hurts. … [Read more...] about Polling Whiplash