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?
Novak: McCain Worried About Republican Obamacons Defectors
Republican presumptive Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain is worried about Republican "Obamacons" who could openly or all-but-openly support rival Democratic Senator Barack Obama come November, columnist Robert Novak writes. What's a Republican with a reputation for being independent who wants to distance himself just enough from the Bush administration so he doesn't … [Read more...] about Novak: McCain Worried About Republican Obamacons Defectors
Divine Intervention for Obama: Hindu Style
Oy. As if Senator Obama's team doesn't already have a full time job swatting down rumors that he's a double secret Muslim, over in India the Hindus are trying to help out Obama's campaign. They are doing so by praying for him and sending a gift half way around the world. NEW DELHI: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama can now expect help from an unexpected quarter … [Read more...] about Divine Intervention for Obama: Hindu Style
On bans on handheld cellphones while driving
When we did this in NYC, even the police ignored it (a visit last month found them still chatting away in their cars). I live in Georgia now. But come July 1 in California... ...drivers talking on their mobile phones without a hands-free device are subject to a $20 fine and a run-in with the law. The Golden State's new traffic ordinance follows similar versions adopted in … [Read more...] about On bans on handheld cellphones while driving
Willfully Ignoring The Past & Future: Why My Iraq War Mea Culpa Is Staying On Ice
There has been a . . . um, surge of revisionist thinking lately over the Iraq war in general and the Surge strategy in particular, and you may find yourself climbing aboard the Mission Finally Accomplished bandwagon. If so, then you'd better fasten your seatbelt because you're forgetting the past, are going skin deep on the present and giving short shrift to the treacherous … [Read more...] about Willfully Ignoring The Past & Future: Why My Iraq War Mea Culpa Is Staying On Ice
Conflating Luddites with Fair Trade Advocates
Some attention is being given to an only partly humorous video from reason.tv which takes a fairly disparaging look at American reactions to various labor threats. The phrasing is worth noting: Sometimes the threat comes from China, Japan, or outsourcing to India. Today, it’s NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement—you know, all those Mexicans taking our jobs. The … [Read more...] about Conflating Luddites with Fair Trade Advocates
United Nations: Blighted Machinations
I spoke to Ed Warner last night, a board member of the Sand County Foundation that has great heart and works in Zimbabwe. The Foundation has expanded from being caretaker of The Leopold Memorial Reserve -- 1500 acres of cooperatively mananged private land-- to advising the managers of hundreds of thousands of acres of land in several countries. The Foundation works with private … [Read more...] about United Nations: Blighted Machinations
Iraq On the Verge of a ‘Fresh Wave of Violence’
Those hoping that the 'surge' in Iraq has brought anything resembling long-lasting stability are likely to be disappointed, according to one of Iraq's most prolific columnists, Fateh Abdulsalam. Writing for Iraq's Azzaman newspaper, Abdulsalam suggests that the government's four-year policy of coddling and cooperating with militias and 'falling into the orbit of foreign … [Read more...] about Iraq On the Verge of a ‘Fresh Wave of Violence’
Clinton’s Clincher for Obama
As they begin their unity tour this week, Hillary Clinton has a powerful argument to win over diehard supporters who resist backing Barack Obama because he kept her from becoming the first woman in the Oval Office. If John McCain is elected, they can kiss goodbye to Roe v Wade, which has been teetering in the Supreme Court balance since Bush started naming Justices and would … [Read more...] about Clinton’s Clincher for Obama
Obama Weighs in Again on Telecom Amnesty…
And what he says isn't going to cheer you up if you oppose it. It had crossed my mind that perhaps Dodd's and Feingold's repudiation of the bill was at least partly motivated by a wish to mitigate the disappointment many Democrats feel in Obama's stance on FISA. I don't really know how these things work. But after all, Obama did suggest, didn't he, that he wasn't happy … [Read more...] about Obama Weighs in Again on Telecom Amnesty…
Cinderella Visits Omaha
I admit it's not exactly the normal kind of post for TMV but I had to chime in on one of the best stories to come out of the sports world in quite a while. The Fresno State University Bulldogs are not exactly who you would pick as serious contenders for a national title. They started out the regular season with a record of 8 and 12 and then turned things around to make it … [Read more...] about Cinderella Visits Omaha
Countrywide In More Trouble
Countrywide Home Loans has pretty much been the poster child for the mortgage meltdown of the last 18 months or so. I can certainly understand why since many of my bankruptcy filings have included Countrywide. In many cases they held not just a first but also a second and even third mortgage on the homes. Various attorneys general have filed lawsuits against the lender … [Read more...] about Countrywide In More Trouble
‘Man-Killer’ MacArthur is No Hero!
To mark the 58th anniversary of the Korean War, the North Korean regime's rigidly-controlled media has published this 'commentary' lashing out the publication of a new book being distributed to South Korean students praising the United States and General Douglas MacArthur for saving their nation from communist domination. Quoting from the Rodong Sinmun, which could be … [Read more...] about ‘Man-Killer’ MacArthur is No Hero!
The Young Forget How MacArthur ‘Saved’ Korea …
It was fifty eight years ago today that the Korean War began. And while many South Koreans love and appreciate the United States for coming to their aid under the U.N. flag, increasing numbers of young South Koreans are not only oblivious to history, they regard the United States as the greatest threat to their nation. This editorial from South Korea's Dong-A Ilbo laments … [Read more...] about The Young Forget How MacArthur ‘Saved’ Korea …
The Lexington Project
I've been hesitant to build up a lot of hope, but I'm starting to think that the future of America's energy policies may wind up being the turnkey issue that drives a lot of us off the fence who have been either undecided or hovering around third party candidates out of frustration with our major party choices. CBS News is reporting on a new proposal from Sen. John McCain which … [Read more...] about The Lexington Project
I For One, Welcome our New Liberal Overlords
Sorry, but I had to use a version of that Simpsons quote (and I basically copied it from a writer). Piggybacking on yesterday's post, I found this article by Reihan Salam about the doomed McCain Presidency. It's not as much his problem, but it is the problem of the GOP not being able to notice that the times they are a-changing. As I said yesterday, the nation is moving … [Read more...] about I For One, Welcome our New Liberal Overlords
EITC For All Who Deserve It
The Earned Income Tax Credit is one of America's most successful programs battling poverty. Originally passed in the Ford administration, the EITC supplements the wages of poor, working families, giving them a boost as they work their way up the economic ladder. Its innovative "plateau" formula means that it acts to promote, not discourage, work: the credit rises alongside … [Read more...] about EITC For All Who Deserve It
Reminder: CERN LHA Debate on the Radio
Today, at 1 pm eastern, 10 am pacific, you can tune in to Mid Stream Radio where we will be interviewing Dr. Robert Wagner about the Large Hadron Collider. If you miss the show, you can follow that link later in the day and listen to a replay of the interview. See you on the radio! … [Read more...] about Reminder: CERN LHA Debate on the Radio
Random Reads
Hope abounds when left and right agree. Ralph Peters explains why he's "for McCain, but not the GOP." I don't agree with everything Peters writes here, but I thought this particular comment was pure gold: "I'm disgusted with both political parties. The Republicans have abandoned their principles while the Democrats have abandoned their senses." Jay Newton-Small builds … [Read more...] about Random Reads
Quote Of The Day: Dowd On Rove, Obama, And Terrorist Attacks
New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd has a MUST READ COLUMN today -- pegged to GOP political maven Karl Rove's assertion that Democratic presumptive nominee Sen. Barack Obama is like an arrogant country club member who hangs around the clubhouse smoking a cigarette with a beautiful woman on his arm making snide comments. Read this in FULL because she notes at the beginning … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Dowd On Rove, Obama, And Terrorist Attacks