Like much of New England, Connecticut is one of the more Democratic states in the country so there will be little good news for the GOP this fall. President: The state has not voted Republican in 20 years and there is almost no chance that this will change in the near future. Safe Democrat House: Connecticut holds the distinction of having the only GOP House member … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Connecticut
From Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza: Americans Must Show More Concern for Polish Security
What's really behind Poland's hesitation about hosting key elements of America's anti-missile shield? Pawel Wronski writes for Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza: "History - both recent and distant - weighs on Poland's decision on whether to allow the installation of the anti-missile shield. ... Whether these threats are realistic or not - from the point of view of Polish history … [Read more...] about From Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza: Americans Must Show More Concern for Polish Security
From Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza: Prime Minister Calls U.S. Offer on Missile Shield ‘Unsatisfactory’
Poland's decision on July 4 to reject Washington's latest offer to allow the stationing of elements of an anti-missile shield in that country is not only another European slap in the face for President Bush - it has triggered a political flap in Poland, with the opposition charging the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk of taking orders from Moscow. According to Polish … [Read more...] about From Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza: Prime Minister Calls U.S. Offer on Missile Shield ‘Unsatisfactory’
The Starbucks Mermaid Knows the Way Back to True Home
THE SELKIE Starbucks chose the motif of the mermaid, a beautiful and ancient motif about which there are many stories. In one of my books I tell the story about how just such a mermaid sickens and dries out when lured to land by a man who says he loves her. But, she cannot abide his way of living, nor what he requires of her... she cannot become as the man wishes just because … [Read more...] about The Starbucks Mermaid Knows the Way Back to True Home
Rick Moran: Cynic Savant
On the occasions when I find myself thinking about Rick Moran, (which are likely far more frequent than is healthy for one's mental well being) I can not help but dwell on the word savant. Rick is the raconteur in charge of Right Wing Nuthouse, a contributing columnist at The American Thinker, and the recipient of numerous accolades and awards, not the least of which being the … [Read more...] about Rick Moran: Cynic Savant
Randomizing: 600 Sincere Tears for Starbucks; 10,000 Laptops; Rockin the G8; and The Man in the Flying Lawnchair
Reuters explores the glee of coffee drinkers who are glad to learn that Starbucks will be closing 600 'underperforming' locations nationwide. I cannot condone this. Before Starbucks came to town, where were all these plucky, innovative independent coffee shops that allegedly was keeping out? Even in my coffee-drinking town, where people will park their laptops for … [Read more...] about Randomizing: 600 Sincere Tears for Starbucks; 10,000 Laptops; Rockin the G8; and The Man in the Flying Lawnchair
Test Your Ideology – Part 2
As a follow up to Patrick's previous post, I thought I'd post the graphical representation of the Political Compass scores of the first ten people to respond to Patrick's post. As I explained in my response to Patrick's post, I personally feel that Political Compass is a highly subjective tool that suffers from a number of limitations and that the results are somewhat … [Read more...] about Test Your Ideology – Part 2
Late Term Abortions & the Mental Health Exception: Obama’s Clarification
Obama has clarified his supposed opposition to allowing a woman to have a late term abortion in circumstances when the pregnancy causes the mother mental distress. (The Swamp) He does not think mere 'mental distress' is a reason to permit such an exception.According to Linda Douglass, the Obama campaign's senior spokesperson, the senator from Illinois was making a … [Read more...] about Late Term Abortions & the Mental Health Exception: Obama’s Clarification
How Can McCain Win in November? Bigotry.
So says Weekly Standard editor and Fox News host Fred Barnes, who argued today on the latter that McCain should win over the right by bashing gays: In particular, gays in the military for one. We know Barack Obama is for allowing gays in the military, and Bill Clinton tried to do, but backed off. This is not a popular issue. Gay marriage is another one. These are both issues … [Read more...] about How Can McCain Win in November? Bigotry.
Journalism Without Journalists
As newspapers cut 1,000 jobs last week, Americans are getting their sense of the world less and less through human eyes and ears than from TV cameras abetted by well-groomed mannequins gushing over an endless flow of images. Talking heads on cable and bloggers online parse and pick away at what the cameras see but there are fewer and fewer reporters to find out what's hidden … [Read more...] about Journalism Without Journalists
Big Surprise: Sullivan Defends Obama
Andrew Sullivan is at it again, defending his man Obama against the forces of left and right. Sullivan is half-in-the-bag (or more) for his preferred candidate and is thus (perhaps) blind to the import of some of Obama's more calculating (and cynical) moves. That said, I cannot pretend I have not had thoughts similar to Sullivan's. Now that my initial revulsion to the … [Read more...] about Big Surprise: Sullivan Defends Obama
Tracking the Course of the Bush-Cheney Juggernaut As It Lurches Toward Iran
As I noted yesterday, the Iranians have announced that their policy on uranium enrichment remains unchanged despite attempts by several nations to persuade them to cease and desist. Barring a complete capitulation by the Iranians, which no one really believes is on the cards, is it possible that Bush and Cheney will leave office without opening a third military front in … [Read more...] about Tracking the Course of the Bush-Cheney Juggernaut As It Lurches Toward Iran
Through the Long Lens of Time
It's not often that I dedicate any virtual ink in this space to the editorial work of Nicholas Kristof, but this week he attempted to address an uncomfortable yet important subject in his column, The Truth Commission. The subject matter, unfortunately, is one where we are unlikely to find any fertile ground for an open, honest discussion between opposing sides. The reason? The … [Read more...] about Through the Long Lens of Time
My Nerdish Side Pops Out
At the risk of exposing my nerdish side I just had to post this video. It must have taken forever to put together. … [Read more...] about My Nerdish Side Pops Out
Liberating Hostages from the FARC Frees Every Colombian …
If one wanted to understand the emotional impact on Colombians of last week's dramatic rescue of twelve Colombians and three Americans, including former Colombian Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, this editorial from Colombia's Semana newspaper would be a good place to start. The editorial says in part: "Every society needs symbols to enable it to survive. In her … [Read more...] about Liberating Hostages from the FARC Frees Every Colombian …
Obama Changes His Tune on Late-Term Abortions
Ann Althouse asks: Does he think we won't notice? That's a good question, not only on this issue, but on a whole host of others where the Illinois senator appears to be tuning up for the fall campaign. How much of this pandering to the hard ideological bases of their parties do Obama or McCain think that they need to do at this point? Someone needs to take both … [Read more...] about Obama Changes His Tune on Late-Term Abortions
Patriotism, Lapel Pins, and Barack Obama
Conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer gleefully notes that Barack Obama is sporting a US flag lapel pin these days, just in time to appeal to more conservative voters in the general election. A Facebook friend, Amy Goldman, an embittered Hillary Clinton supporter who now is supporting John McCain, pointed earlier today to Krauthammer's column on the subject and said … [Read more...] about Patriotism, Lapel Pins, and Barack Obama
Can Egyptian Born McCain Be President?
If the title of this post has you befuddled, you are not alone, but please bear with me. My hometown newspaper this morning carried a story by Eunice Moscoso, on whether Senator John McCain is a natural born U.S. citizen, and whether he is eligible to be U.S. president. This is not the first time that this issue has been raised and, I am sure, it will not be the last … [Read more...] about Can Egyptian Born McCain Be President?
Muppets Celebrate America
Ok, I know that Independence Day was yesterday but this is too much fun to miss. … [Read more...] about Muppets Celebrate America
The REAL Anniversary
I saw a flurry of online articles, posts and news stories regarding something that seems to have happened on July 4, (I didn't catch precisely what it was) but it is dismaying that so few outlets are covering the real anniversary of note, which is July 5. It was on this date, 62 years ago, that Louis Reard unveiled the bikini. (Inventor credit also goes to another Frenchman, … [Read more...] about The REAL Anniversary