No matter what the reason, if the Democrats fail to win the White House this year they should be sued for political malpractice. They say people vote their pocketbooks but these days a lot of folks can't afford pocketbooks: U.S. stocks tumbled, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average to its worst June since the Great Depression, as record oil prices, credit-market … [Read more...] about June Worst Dow Month Since Great Depression
House Holds First Hearing on Employment Discrimination Against the Transgendered
I had the great honor of attending this historic event. Here are my brief thoughts on the hearing. And if Glen Lavy represents the best the right has arguing against us on this point, we should win this one in a landslide. Talk about an utterly embarrassing performance. … [Read more...] about House Holds First Hearing on Employment Discrimination Against the Transgendered
The Real Issue for Obama and McCain: Religion
Most people observing the American presidential election of 2008 regard health care, Iraq and perhaps immigration as the major issues of the campaign. But Juan Gabriel Vasquez, a columnist for El Espectador of Colombia, believes that there's one issue that overshadows all the rest. Vasquez writes in part: "Among the things of most concern to citizens, according to the … [Read more...] about The Real Issue for Obama and McCain: Religion
The Defensive Attributes of Stigmatization
How the intense stigmatization of such things as rape and racism actually help reify their presence in society. … [Read more...] about The Defensive Attributes of Stigmatization
Obama and McCain, struggling with high gasoline prices
Rivals Barack Obama and John McCain agree on one thing – that persistence of $4-a-gallon gasoline will damage their electoral prospects. Obama democrats often place the blame on Big Oil, speculators and price gougers while McCain’s people blame controls on drilling offshore or in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Both sides agree that the US has compelling reasons both … [Read more...] about Obama and McCain, struggling with high gasoline prices
Supreme Court Roundup (Part One)
As most of you know the Supreme Court has been fairly busy the last few days handing down a series of rulings. I had hoped to post a little of my very amateur legal comments on the decisions but have been somewhat swamped by work lately so I haven't had a chance to post until now. Since it just came down today I thought I would start with the Heller decision (more properly … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Roundup (Part One)
Manhattan Project For Energy Independence
One of the least reported stories recently is that of Virginia Congressman Randy Forbes. So far it has gotten coverage from just the Wall Street Journal and Tom Sullivan Show, plus a few other people. Forbes has been in the House since 2001 and has recently made a very interesting proposal which is being ignored by both his fellow legislators and the media in general. … [Read more...] about Manhattan Project For Energy Independence
Obama, McCain, Two Hangmen, and Camus
(For a different perspective on the subject of this post, note this contribution from TMV Chief Joe Gandelman earlier today.) --------------------------------- I was four years old in 1969, the year Mason Proffit’s “Wanted!” album was released. It was several years later that I remember first hearing the signature song from that album, “Two Hangmen” -- the chorus of … [Read more...] about Obama, McCain, Two Hangmen, and Camus
September 10 Mindset
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about September 10 Mindset
Glenn Greenwald Takes Olbermann’s Recent Defense of Obama & FISA into a Back Room; Only Greenwald Comes Out
Glenn Greenwald has administered a swift and deadly kick to Olbermann's credibility on the issue and to any lingering hope that Olbermann might recover sufficient detachment to be considered a reliable commenter on any issue relating to his Hero, Barack Obama. Now that Obama has made his position on FISA crystal clear, Olbermann has apparently decided how he is going to … [Read more...] about Glenn Greenwald Takes Olbermann’s Recent Defense of Obama & FISA into a Back Room; Only Greenwald Comes Out
The itch explained
It turns out that while making the cycling video (thanks for the kind comments and emails!) I was bit by a spider. That bite turned into an adventure in itching the likes of which I had not endured before, but not near as bad as the shocking story of "M" told in this week's New Yorker. Itching is quite the diabolical sensation: Though scratching can provide momentary … [Read more...] about The itch explained
SCOTUS limits policy on campaign finance
The Election Law Blog has a helpful summary of today's Supreme Court decision against limits on campaign financing. The Court ruled that just because a candidate is wealthy does not justify increasing the fundraising limits on his opponent. This follows previous court rulings that frown on limiting the fund raising of candidates. I do not personally agree that money and … [Read more...] about SCOTUS limits policy on campaign finance
One way ticket to the other side!
Baldilocks says "screw them" to the Supreme Court (for rejecting the death penalty for child rape) and "fry them" to all child rapists. Baldilocks' entire post is framed in her devout Christian beliefs. And even though I'm not a Christian. And even though I identify more with the transhumanism crowd than the religious crowd, I agree with her 110%. I've seen victims of … [Read more...] about One way ticket to the other side!
McCain Obama Campaigns: The Same Old Same Old?
MSNBC's Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro, writing in First Read note that the bloom is falling off the John McCain "Straight Talk Express" and Barack Obama "Change You Can Believe In" campaigns: A different kind of campaign? Hardly: There’s a common theme running in Dan Balz’s column (which notes that the McCain-Obama contest isn’t any different from past … [Read more...] about McCain Obama Campaigns: The Same Old Same Old?
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The Nomination Gap
I apologize, it appears that I have missed several Sabato's Crystal Ball emails due to accidental unsubscribing. Here is today's article - I will post the others as I have time to read them. Today's article is by Michael Baudinet of the U.Va. Center for Politics: Time Is On My Side: The Nomination Gap Much has been made in the past of presidential candidates' … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The Nomination Gap
The Corruption and Decay of the Supreme Court
Just to be clear, I happened to agree with and applaud the SCOTUS decision today regarding Second Amendment rights. You may see it differently, I know, but that's one of the great things about our country. We can disagree on things like that. I just feel that the Second Amendment speaks to an individual right to keep and bear arms, not a right restricted to members of the … [Read more...] about The Corruption and Decay of the Supreme Court
Senator Dodd Special
RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about Senator Dodd Special
Interview: Bernard Finel
Is American support for Israel really a catalyst for terrorism? Should the United States engage with "moderate" Islamists? Is al-Qaeda facing an internal rebellion? Shamless plug here: Analyst Matt Eckel, who also writes for Foreign Policy Watch, has conducted an illuminating interview with Bernard Finel, a former Associate Professor at the National War College and a senior … [Read more...] about Interview: Bernard Finel
News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: June 26th
A regular feature of news and opinion pieces from the Israeli and Palestinian press. 1.) There are indications that, just days after the agreement was reached, the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas may be on the verge of collapse. Islamic Jihad has threatened to continue shooting rockets at Israel; over the past few days, several Qassams fired by the militant group have … [Read more...] about News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: June 26th
Gitmo’s Got to Go… but where?
In the face of growing national discontent and an increasingly-complicated legal situation, both Senators Barack Obama and John McCain have called for the closing of the United States detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. McCain has suggested moving at least some of the alleged terrorist detainees to Fort Leavenworth. (We need to say 'alleged' until we find a way to give … [Read more...] about Gitmo’s Got to Go… but where?