Yes, this is personal. I am living in a time of fear of the fourth name. The fear I have, of the fourth name, is specific to me as a citizen of the United States living in a specific time and space. Young Americans, under age 40, won't feel the dread that follows me along this summer like an undercurrent of daily living, just as I am indifferent, relatively, to political … [Read more...] about The Fourth Name
Triple Crown Still Vacant As Da’Tara Wins Belmont
New York Times Blog The Rail: 6:37 Kent Desormeaux says Big Brown was keen early and stumbled a bit. In the end, he said, “I had no horse.” Asked what went wrong? He says “I have no idea.” Dutrow is silent. Tells reporters to leave him alone. 6:35 Is there something wrong with Big Brown? 6:33 Da’ Tara! 6:32 BB in position. 6:31 Da’ Tara sets pace. 6:30 And … [Read more...] about Triple Crown Still Vacant As Da’Tara Wins Belmont
D-Day – Patrick, Thanks for Reminding Me
A note I received this morning from a friend reminded me, again, that yesterday, June 6, was the 64th anniversary of D-Day. I say again, because yesterday I read Patrick Edaburn’s very appropriate and timely post reminding all of us to ”thank our WW2 Vets.” But, I got wrapped up in the political news of the day and other "important things," so I glossed over Patrick’s … [Read more...] about D-Day – Patrick, Thanks for Reminding Me
“Yes, We Can”
Hillary Clinton was truly remarkable today, making the most difficult speech of her life and finding her voice as a national leader over and above that of a politician seeking office. Coupling pride in her own achievement on behalf of all women, she rallied them to the imminent cause of backing Barack Obama in restoring their country to its best self--to "take our energy, … [Read more...] about “Yes, We Can”
Clinton Endorsement Speech Gave Obama And Her What They Both Needed
When it was announced that Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton was going to give a concession and endorsement speech the key questions became: would it give Democratic presumptive nominee Senator Barack Obama what he needed to begin to unify the party -- and would it allow the controversial Clinton to emerge from the primaries a historic figure poised to have a bright future … [Read more...] about Clinton Endorsement Speech Gave Obama And Her What They Both Needed
‘Obama is No Savior’
For those who believe Europe is wholeheartedly behind Barack Obama, this article written by Josef Joffe in Germany's Die Zeit may prove a chastening read. Joffe writes that the "disturbing" thing about America is not the person who leads the U.S. government, but the nature of America itself. Joffe writes in part: "Despite the possible coming of Obama, the superpower … [Read more...] about ‘Obama is No Savior’
Thank You, Hillary Clinton. Thank You.
A SCREWED-UP CAMPAIGN BUT AN ABSOLUTELY CLASSY FAREWELL. Photograph by Ron Edmonds/The Associated Press … [Read more...] about Thank You, Hillary Clinton. Thank You.
About the nomineee, politics and pathways to a better future
Now comes the hard part. Barack Obama has moved up from being underdog to the Presidential nominee of the Democratic Party by humbling the Party’s first family of Hillary and Bill Clinton. Hopefully, the somewhat narcissistic focus of Primary season watchers on the Democratic Party’s internal squabbles will now widen to issues that really matter for America and the world. … [Read more...] about About the nomineee, politics and pathways to a better future
Will we see the end of the Electoral College?
According to Democratic Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, the time has come. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) introduced a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College on Friday, less than a week after the Democrats settled on how to handle delegates from Florida at their national convention. “It’s time for Congress to really give Americans the power of one-person, … [Read more...] about Will we see the end of the Electoral College?
Republicans Issue Press Release Using Clinton’s Words Against Obama Against Obama
Tim Russert on MSNBC just held up a three-page list of Senator Hillary Clinton's primary comments against Democratic presumptive nominee Senator Barack Obama -- distributed minutes before Clinton is expected to concede the race and endorse Obama. It's now being circulated as well online. Fox Business News is putting out the full press release, which made the front-page of … [Read more...] about Republicans Issue Press Release Using Clinton’s Words Against Obama Against Obama
New Media And Old Media Focused On Clinton Obama Endorsement Concession Speech
It takes a major endorsement and concession speech to raise a political story to mega-levels. And that's what is happening to the Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton's combination concession speech and endorsement of Democratic presumptive nominee Barack Obama. Is it all stagecraft and new and old media hype? Hardly. It's what some hope will be the Democrat's first major … [Read more...] about New Media And Old Media Focused On Clinton Obama Endorsement Concession Speech
Hillary Clinton: Now The Quest Is Put To Rest
Now The Quest Is Put To Rest (Sung to the tune of "Try A Little Tenderness") She never wearied, Though candidates get weary, Repeating a cheesy stump speech. She did it believing. The nomination was still in reach. She looked like a shoe-in, The cash, the clout all brewin', It seemed such support couldn't leach; Who could have figured That Bill her chances would … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton: Now The Quest Is Put To Rest
Not just great cars. Great advertising too!
NYTimes: Live TV advertisements have been making a comeback in the United States, usually with the host of a late-night program promoting the virtues of a specific product — for instance, Jimmy Kimmel and a sidekick doing a skit about Quiznos subs. The idea is to reach people who normally fast-forward through commercials, and at the same time to have the host’s popularity rub … [Read more...] about Not just great cars. Great advertising too!
Good News! Giraffe Meat Is Kosher
And now, the news so many generations have waited for: Giraffe meat is kosher! An Israeli rabbi has declared giraffe meat and milk to be kosher, although his pronouncement is unlikely to have observant Jews clamouring to consume the exotic products, a daily reported on Friday. "The giraffe has all the signs of a ritually pure animal, and the milk forms curds, which … [Read more...] about Good News! Giraffe Meat Is Kosher
Oil
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...] about Oil
Bilderberg meeting attracts prominent pols, media, & business leaders. And conspiracy-minded paranoid speculation.
Raw Story: The 56th Bilderberg Meeting, an annual conference of influential politicians and businessmen, began Thursday in Chantilly, Virgina, according to a press release from the organization. The Conference will end Sunday and deals mainly with a nuclear free world, cyber terrorism, Africa, Russia, finance, protectionism, US-EU relations, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Islam … [Read more...] about Bilderberg meeting attracts prominent pols, media, & business leaders. And conspiracy-minded paranoid speculation.
George Bush’s Blood Lust For $5 Gasoline
Leave it to the deaf, dumb and blind president of the United States to help drive already out-of-control oil prices into the stratosphere by further upsetting the always delicate balance in the Middle East through another round of saber rattling. It is not unreasonable to conclude at this point that George Bush is so inept that he literally cannot do anything right beyond … [Read more...] about George Bush’s Blood Lust For $5 Gasoline
Security Deal With America is Iraq’s ‘Opportunity of a Lifetime’
Are Iraqis passing up the 'chance of a lifetime' by rejecting the proposed long-term security agreement with the United States? That is the conclusion of Khadir Taahar, one of Iraq's most pro-American op-ed writers. Taahar writes for Iraq's Kitabat newspaper: "As expected, the demagogues have begun shouting hostile ideological slogans without taking a moment to consider … [Read more...] about Security Deal With America is Iraq’s ‘Opportunity of a Lifetime’
Slavery By Another Name
Matthew Yglesias comments on Douglas Blackmon's book, Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II: ...what's really striking about the subject is that despite how central the story of racial conflict is to the story of America, and despite how well-known certain key episodes in that history are, the shocking story that … [Read more...] about Slavery By Another Name
Remember To Thank Our WW2 Vets
Today marks the 64th anniversary of D-Day when more than 150,000 brave Allied soldiers hit the beaches of Normandy, a day that marked the beginning of the end of World War Two. As they hit the beaches named Sword, Juno, Utah, Gold and Omaha, many of them did not survive. In the first day over 10,000 men including nearly 2,000 Americans were killed or wounded. While I … [Read more...] about Remember To Thank Our WW2 Vets