People who didn't reach the stage of political awareness before 1980 probably think the "L" word, liberal, is a pejorative term. For more than a quarter century, since Ronald Reagan's first term, virtually every progressive idea that came into the political arena was pilloried, and often outright trashed, when the dreaded L label was pinned on it. This was no accidental … [Read more...] about Time To Give The “C” Word A Trashing
How KBR/Halliburton Collected $1 Billion in ‘Noncredible’ Costs
Those wacky government contractors. Will we ever tire of of their sportive tricks? I'll never understand why more Republicans in Congress --- who worry obsessively about taxes and who used to get teary-eyed about the troops whenever a Dem used the phrase 'withdrawal deadline' or 'exit strategy' --- aren't apoplectic over the amounts of tax dollars being flushed down … [Read more...] about How KBR/Halliburton Collected $1 Billion in ‘Noncredible’ Costs
Poll: Independent Voters Split Between Obama And McCain
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows independent voters are now split with Democratic Senator Barack Obama narrowly leading Republican Senator John McCain among that pivotal group in the Presidential race -- a sign that more than ever independent or "swing" voters are up for grabs. The poll reconfirms what we've noted many times in posts on this site: independent … [Read more...] about Poll: Independent Voters Split Between Obama And McCain
Virginity: de rigueur or over rated?
This morning at 11:00 AM eastern time, I'll be taking part in a panel discussion on internet radio which is being hosted by Fausta Wertz of Fausta's Blog. The subject will be (brace yourself...) hymen reconstruction surgery. We'll be taking a second look at a previous New York Times article and accompanying analysis from National Review Online regarding the growing phenomenon … [Read more...] about Virginity: de rigueur or over rated?
A Hillary Clinton Official Online Photo Album
But, wait...someone is missing... … [Read more...] about A Hillary Clinton Official Online Photo Album
The Guantánamo Ruling Was A Setback, But The Bush Revolution Still Is Alive & Kicking
You will not be able to stay home, brother. You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out. You will not be able to lose yourself on skag and skip, Skip out for beer during commercials, Because the revolution will not be televised. – GIL SCOTT-HERON Perhaps the biggest disconnect between the core conservative tenet that the less government and the less obtrusive … [Read more...] about The Guantánamo Ruling Was A Setback, But The Bush Revolution Still Is Alive & Kicking
Today’s Must Read
Dick Polman on Tim Russert. Anything else we say is an anti-climax. … [Read more...] about Today’s Must Read
The Future of Russo-American Relations (Guest Voice)
This Guest Voice column is by Russian-Armenian banking IT specialist and Watching America translator Azat Souren Oganesian. The Future of Russo-American Relations by Azat Souren Oganesian The future of Russo-American relations may be one of partnership and possible friendship or that of distrust and competition; which scenario manifests will naturally depend on … [Read more...] about The Future of Russo-American Relations (Guest Voice)
Life Expectancy
Brian Fairrington, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Life Expectancy
Obama ‘Reinforces Sense of White Superiority’
Does Beijing prefer John McCain to Barack Obama? It's unusual for Chinese rulers to show their hand in such a manner, but judging by this op-ed article written by Ding Gang, the senior desk editor of China's strictly-controlled People's Daily, one must conclude that Beijing is not at all enamored by Obama or his candidacy. Charging that the secret of Obama's success is his … [Read more...] about Obama ‘Reinforces Sense of White Superiority’
Gay Marriage Starts In California
As of 5pm today it became legal for county clerks to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. One of the first couples to be married in San Francisco have been together for the last fifty years. I think this fact is worth mentioning because of some of the objections that people have made over the concept of same sex weddings. They talk about the lack of commitment, … [Read more...] about Gay Marriage Starts In California
Obama Gets “The” Endorsement: The Lousy Timing of Al Gore
Perhaps one day someone will write a chapter about Al Gore in a new book titled "Profiles In Uncourage." Democratic presumptive Presidential nominee Barack Obama finally got what he and former rival Senator Hillary Clinton had pined for all these months -- THE endorsement from former Vice President Al Gore. But it came so late in the game that the person who'll be most … [Read more...] about Obama Gets “The” Endorsement: The Lousy Timing of Al Gore
Obama on/in Iraq: Another rookie mistake?
CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic is reporting that Sen. Barack Obama participated in a phone call with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari today and indicated that he planned a trip to Iraq prior to the November elections. Barack Obama told Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on the telephone this morning that he would end the U.S. occupation in Iraq and promised to visit the … [Read more...] about Obama on/in Iraq: Another rookie mistake?
Obama-McCain: Manhood Now and Then
In the wake of Father's Day, John McCain and Barack Obama offer, among other contrasts, a confrontation between old ideas about manhood and new--the hard-drinking, womanizing Navy flyboy turned politician and the New Age husband in equal partnership with a powerful wife. Stereotypes, yes, but the biographical facts are beyond dispute. On his nostalgia tour after clinching … [Read more...] about Obama-McCain: Manhood Now and Then
Will Kathleen Sebelius alienate Hillary supporters?
So there are 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling. And yes, Hillary Clinton is right: women are engaging in and commenting on the political process more than ever before. But where do we go from here? To misquote Phillip Vera Cruz, if not Hillary, then who? If not now, then when? When I interviewed some high-profile feminists for Obama (Katha Pollitt, Ayelet Waldman, Ellen … [Read more...] about Will Kathleen Sebelius alienate Hillary supporters?
Obama Hires Former Clinton Campaign Manager Patti Solis Doyle
Democratic presumptive Presidential nominee Barack Obama's campaign is getting the word out that it's hiring former Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle -- as the campaign's chief of staff to the ticket's Vice Presidential candidate. And you KNOW that has gotten the speculative political juices going. The New York Time's lively The Caucus blog reports: The Obama … [Read more...] about Obama Hires Former Clinton Campaign Manager Patti Solis Doyle
Arresting Bloggers Who Speak Truth to Lies
You might remember my reports on the monk's, nun's and Burmese people's protests in September of last year, how my contacts in Yangon (Rangoon) dried up within days as cpu's were confiscated, cell phones smashed, communications wires cut, and various deeply good souls arrested, many children, men, women beaten, many murdered by Than Shwe's evil orders. It was agony and remains … [Read more...] about Arresting Bloggers Who Speak Truth to Lies
Albert Gore Will Endorse Obama Tonight
Breaking news on MSNBC that former VP Albert Gore will endorse Barack Obama at a rally tonight. I'm not sure this is as big a coup now as it would have been a few months ago. Gore is one of the leaders of the hard left in the Democratic party and Obama is pretty solid with that faction. I suspect Gore has timed his endorsement to make sure Obama stays 'in line' on the war … [Read more...] about Albert Gore Will Endorse Obama Tonight
More on the AP’s ‘Fair Use’ Flap: Who Gets to Set the Guidelines?
Jim Windish has been covering this story as it evolved, but I thought I'd jump into the discussion, as it is an issue that concerns me greatly. I'm always uneasy when I color outside the lines --- and even more so when I don't know where the lines lie. So one part of me is glad that we're finally having this discussion. The other part of me is asking why the AP gets to make … [Read more...] about More on the AP’s ‘Fair Use’ Flap: Who Gets to Set the Guidelines?
Getting Gas In Mexico
The title 'Getting Gas In Mexico' may sound like the opening line to a really bad joke about mexican food but it is actually part of a hidden secret for those who live near the US/Mexico border. In San Diego for example the average cost of a gallon of gas is running around $ 4.61, which is sadly typical for those of us living in the Golden State. But if you drive across the … [Read more...] about Getting Gas In Mexico