(September 2007—May 2008) We're firm in our convictions And we'll stick with our priorities, For us a weak economy Will always cause the most unease, We'll lower rates, if that's the need To get an upturn into gear, And if this boosts inflation, well, That's something we don't really fear. (June 2008—Who Knows?) We're firm in our convictions And we know our true … [Read more...] about The Flip Flop Fed
MSNBC/WSJ Poll Giving Obama 6 Percent Lead Over McCain Has Warning Flags
A new MSNBC-Wall Street Journal poll showing Democratic presumptive nominee Senator Barack Obama with a 6 point lead over virtually certain GOP nominee Senator John McCain has some red warning flags for McCain and the GOP. Perhaps the best analyses of aspects of the polls comes via the political junkie's increasingly indispensible site MSNBC's First Read. Here are three key … [Read more...] about MSNBC/WSJ Poll Giving Obama 6 Percent Lead Over McCain Has Warning Flags
GWB: “Not a Man of Peace”
In case you missed it -- and, well, most of us did -- President Bush gave an interview to The Times (U.K.) in Slovenia the other day during which he admitted that, well, things haven't all gone well during his presidency: President Bush has admitted to The Times that his gun-slinging rhetoric made the world believe that he was a "guy really anxious for war" in Iraq. He said … [Read more...] about GWB: “Not a Man of Peace”
Stephen J. Dubner’s Locavore laziness disappoints
Yesterday I quoted Stephen J. Dubner's criticism of Michael Pollan and the local food movement and concluded, generously, that "Dubner’s contribution to the [food] debate is to keep it real." Then I listened to his appearance (mp3) on The Takeaway. Dubner apparently hardly even bothered to prepare for the show. Said he, straight off, when the interviewer assumed he had … [Read more...] about Stephen J. Dubner’s Locavore laziness disappoints
Democrats Playing Games With Unemployment Benefits
Earlier this week the US House held a vote on extending unemployment benefits by 13 weeks. The vote on the proposal was 279 in favor and 141 opposed, which would seem to be a win. But instead the headlines read 'House Fails To Extend Jobless Benefits' or more ominously 'Republicans Block Longer Benefits'. Now how would this be possible ? Isn't a majority vote a win … [Read more...] about Democrats Playing Games With Unemployment Benefits
5 of 9 Justices Support Basic Civil Rights for Detainees
Lynn Denniston at SCOTUSblog calls it 'a stunning blow to the Bush Administration in its war-on-terrorism policies.' Shaun Mullen sums up the disposition and the background of Boumediene v. Bush here. The New York Times reports: In its third rebuke of the Bush administration's treatment of prisoners, the court ruled 5-4 that the government is violating the … [Read more...] about 5 of 9 Justices Support Basic Civil Rights for Detainees
Iowa Levee Breaks Causing Emergency Evacuation of 10,000 People
MSNBC: DES MOINES, Iowa - The rising Cedar River burst through an earthen levee Thursday just outside Cedar Rapids, and at least 10,000 people there have been ordered to evacuate, officials told NBC News. Power is out for most of downtown, complicating rescue efforts, city spokesman Dave Koch said. Cedar Rapids firemen have been organizing boat rescues of stranded … [Read more...] about Iowa Levee Breaks Causing Emergency Evacuation of 10,000 People
Not so Secret Anymore…
About a week ago, the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant carried a story with a tantatalizing title, "Secret Plan: The U.S. to Stay in Iraq for Years." The (translated) story, which can be read in its entirety at watchingamerica.com, starts out as follows: "The Bush administration wants to use 50 military bases in Iraq for an indefinite period of time. Washington also wants to … [Read more...] about Not so Secret Anymore…
Golfers, Most of Whom are Republican, are Stupid (When it Comes to Global Warming)
Actually, I like golf. I used to play it from time to time and enjoyed it immensely. It's just not as easy to do when you live in Toronto (as I do) and have other, more pressing priorities. ********** Regardless, the truth is that a lot of golfers are really stupid, at least if global warming denial is any indication (and I think it is): NPR commentator Frank Deford … [Read more...] about Golfers, Most of Whom are Republican, are Stupid (When it Comes to Global Warming)
McCain and the New Gang of 14
It seems that Barack Obama may not be the only one having trouble consolidating his fellow party members behind his campaign. The Hill is reporting that there is a new "Gang of 14" saddling up to ride in Washington, DC and this time they are all Republicans. The other thing they have in common is that they are either "not endorsing" or "not supporting" John McCain in his … [Read more...] about McCain and the New Gang of 14
Three Strikes & You’re Out, Mr. Bush
In yet another blow to the Bush administration's torture regime, the Supreme Court ruled today that terrorism suspects at the Guantánamo Bay branch of the Rumsfeld Gulag have constitutional rights and can appeal their cases to civilian courts. The 5-4 vote, with liberal justices in the majority, was the third setback handed the Bush administration by the top court over the … [Read more...] about Three Strikes & You’re Out, Mr. Bush
Michelle Obama Is “Obama’s Baby Mama” Fox News Says
If controversy brings viewers, Fox News' latest will get it some new viewers. But Fox News' latest headline-making and blog-rage-sparking controversy is now bringing it under fire as an institution that displayed racist inclinations in a headline referring to Democratic Senator Barack Obama's wife as "Obama's Baby Mama." This comes days after a Fox News anchor set off a … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama Is “Obama’s Baby Mama” Fox News Says
Yes, The Sisterhood is Powerful. But It’s Time To Return Those Inaugural Ball Gowns
Like radio waves reaching earth from some cosmic calamity millennia ago, the yarbling of Hillary Clinton sycophants who believe that her candidacy was gang banged into extinction by the mainstream media, right-wing bloggers and Barack Obama acolytes can be faintly heard, although it is so much background noise as Clinton herself and practically everyone else who is determined … [Read more...] about Yes, The Sisterhood is Powerful. But It’s Time To Return Those Inaugural Ball Gowns
John McCain: The Early Years
Issues aside, much of the ongoing narrative of the 2008 presidential election is the personal history and life story of the candidates. Both are compelling reads, but I am currently focusing on John McCain's tale. Frequent reference is made to McCain's well deserved status as a war hero, prisoner of war and extensive military record. Back in the day, though, such a record was … [Read more...] about John McCain: The Early Years
Why Hillary Lost (Guest Voice)
This Guest Voice column is by Karen Werve Grant, an attorney who now heads a writing company and is a volunteer in the Obama Organizing Fellows program. WHY HILLARY LOST by Karen Werve Grant In her pursuit of the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton fought her way into a corner that must have looked familiar to … [Read more...] about Why Hillary Lost (Guest Voice)
Bush, McCain & Iraq: They Still Don’t Get It
You have to hand it to George Bush and John McCain. Both are willfully deaf, dumb and blind when it comes to the Iraq war. That already has irreparably tarnished the president’s legacy and eventually may do irreparable harm to the campaign of the man who wants to succeed him. The president, wearing his pity hat, told the British newspaper The Times that everything would be … [Read more...] about Bush, McCain & Iraq: They Still Don’t Get It
Vote for Spite
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about Vote for Spite
Globalization: “Don’t Leave It Unmanaged”
We often hear that the world is now a "global village" and "globalization" is inevitable. But there are warning signs we cannot overlook. Two experts point out that "for the first time in more than 200 years we are moving into a world not wholly dominated by the West. "If we want to influence this environment rather than be held to ransom by it, and if we want to take hold … [Read more...] about Globalization: “Don’t Leave It Unmanaged”
Happy Poppy Bush Fathers Day
Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Happy Poppy Bush Fathers Day
Obama: The Dream Candidate is a ‘Prisoner of War’
The issue of Arab angst over Israeli influence in the United States has very clearly spilled over into the issue of Barack Obama's candidacy for the presidency, as recent Arabic translations on WORLDMEETS.US demonstrate. This article from Al-Arab Al-Yawm of Jordan - which is a majority Palestinian country - expresses optimism over the emergence of Barack Obama, but also a … [Read more...] about Obama: The Dream Candidate is a ‘Prisoner of War’