Nearly everyone, including the least qualified among us, likes to play constitutional scholar every once in a while. It's a fun hobby and generally harmless. With that in mind, there are some interesting facts and observations brought up in this New York Times article where Prof. Gabriel J. Chin of the University of Arizona revisits the question of John McCain's constitutional … [Read more...] about Natural Born
The Selective Reticence of Karl Rove
He is refusing to testify before Congress about Bush crimes but he just won't shut up in the Wall Street Journal about how Barack Obama is using his political genius for the '08 election. Citing a letter from the Bush Justice Department, Karl Rove's lawyer claims he is "constitutionally immune from compelled congressional testimony" but is willing to grant an "informal … [Read more...] about The Selective Reticence of Karl Rove
Senator McCain, It’s Time to Dump Phil Gramm Before He Sinks You
Phil Gramm of Texas is not known as a man of developed intellect nor steady statesmanship. He's known for pork-barreling, for speaking in crude ways, for blurting out unseemly epithets at American citizens, and for jeering at the unfortunate. His words this week are not the first time this privileged, pampered and wealthy man has frothed with scorn at the poor, the jobless, … [Read more...] about Senator McCain, It’s Time to Dump Phil Gramm Before He Sinks You
The Power of Positive Thinking (Not)
Ross Douthat has a worthy analysis of Phil Gramm's unwise words today about our nation being a "nation of whiners" when it come to the current economic outlook. Douthat notes that Republicans tend to be economic optimists, while Democrats tend to be economic pessimists. Too much of either and you have problems. That was the problem with Gramm's comments today. In some … [Read more...] about The Power of Positive Thinking (Not)
Iraq’s Finance Minister Accused of Massive Money Laundering
Once again, the American taxpayer appears to be footing the bill for rampant corruption and mismanagement within the Iraqi government. This article from Iraq's Kitabat newspaper relates charges that Iraq's finance minister, with the connivance of Iran, had billions in counterfeit Iraqi currency trucked into Iraq and exchanged for American dollars. Khadir Taahar writes … [Read more...] about Iraq’s Finance Minister Accused of Massive Money Laundering
Welcome to Democracy
I have, on occasion, heard complaints about the state of democracy in America. Some may, in fact, be thinking about moving to a better democracy... and we hold up a few examples of our efforts to spread democracy (with a small "d" please) around the globe. Let's see if you can fill the bill for the following. In order to be a full citizen, you can: 1. Have lived in the … [Read more...] about Welcome to Democracy
Make New Friends, and Keep the Old
With a local population of just 200,000, and located unobtrusively off the coast of Saudi Arabia, you would think that Qatar would have trouble getting attention in the Middle East. But the opposite has been true. Since the small Gulf state launched the Al-Jazeera channel, back in 1996, they've often found themselves with a prime-time spot on the news -- and not just because … [Read more...] about Make New Friends, and Keep the Old
Shut Up Whining About the Imaginary Recession, You Whiners! (Part 2)
It seems that even John McCain understands economic reality better than Phil Gramm, who told The Washington Times:“You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession. ... We have sort of become a nation of whiners." “You just hear this constant whining, complaining, about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline. ... We've never been more dominant; … [Read more...] about Shut Up Whining About the Imaginary Recession, You Whiners! (Part 2)
At the G-8, a ‘Monumental’ American Gaffe
No matter how you slice it, this has to go down as one of the most outlandish blunders of any White House press office. According to this write-through from France's Le Figaro, A press kit distributed to journalists traveling with President Bush to the G-8 Summit in Japan, contained a biography of one of the President's closest allies, Italian Prime Minister Silvio … [Read more...] about At the G-8, a ‘Monumental’ American Gaffe
“This is not the American dream; this is the Auto Industry Nightmare”
You will not read a more visceral and affecting account of what the demise of the Big Three means to individuals, families, neighborhoods and regions than this one from Michigan (cross-posted from Michigan Liberal): Yesterday my family joined the ever-growing group of Michigan families who now face an uncertain economic future due to lay-offs in the auto … [Read more...] about “This is not the American dream; this is the Auto Industry Nightmare”
Paternal Politics
Now that Jesse Jackson has reassured us about Barack Obama's genitals, it's time to consider what prompted the Reverend's rage--the candidate's criticism of African-American fathers for failing their children--as part of a larger subtext of this election. On all sides, it involves issues about American manhood in the 21st century and the troubling rites of passage from one … [Read more...] about Paternal Politics
Are YOU Hard Hit By The Worsening Economy?
Well, if you think the economy is bad and you say you're being hurt, then you're just part of the problem -- you're part of a "nation of whiners." … [Read more...] about Are YOU Hard Hit By The Worsening Economy?
FATA: Exploding the Myths
Joshua Foust and I have co-written an op-ed that is published in today's edition of the Christian Science Monitor. The subject is Western myths about the Pakistani tribal region. Here's a taste: Given the growing reach of FATA-affiliated militants, it is becoming clear that developments in the [Pakistani] tribal areas are central to NATO's success in Afghanistan, as well as … [Read more...] about FATA: Exploding the Myths
Bush Signs Off with Funny Joke at G8; Rove Praises Obama Campaign While Pundits Dispute Ideology; Dems Prepare to Roll Over Again
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?