RJ Matson, Roll Call UPDATE: Here's NBC's Tom Brokaw breaking the news on NBC (amid his own personal grief): … [Read more...] about Tim Russert, 1950-2008
Campaign Finance Reform and Unintended Consequences
Today the D.C Court of Appeals struck down a variety of FEC regulations that were too loose and vague to reflect the intentions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA). Details follow courtesy of Democracy21 While I am reassured that the intentions of the BCRA are being enforced I question whether the paradigm of trying to restrict the flow of money into politics is … [Read more...] about Campaign Finance Reform and Unintended Consequences
Tim Russert and Big Russ: When A Father Buries His Son
There's nothing equal. Not supposed to happen this way. The children bury their parents, dont they? No parent ought to have to bury their child. That's what we humans think of as the natural order. But sometimes, it's just not meant to be. This is a picture of Big Russ, Tim's dad whom he wrote a book about, Big Russ and Me. On the left is Tim's son Luke, who just … [Read more...] about Tim Russert and Big Russ: When A Father Buries His Son
AP comments on Drudge Retort DMCA takedowns
Jim Kennedy, VP and Director of Strategy for AP, writes to clarify and reassure bloggers in response to my earlier post: AP wants to fill in some facts and perspective on its recent actions with the Drudge Retort, and also reassure those in the blogosphere about AP's view of these situations. Yes, indeed, we are trying to protect our intellectual property online, as most news … [Read more...] about AP comments on Drudge Retort DMCA takedowns
Tim Russert: An Appreciation
Anyone with any news background or passion for traditional news reporting has to feel a special sharp stab to their hearts today with the news that NBC's Tim Russert -- one of the early 21st century's towering news figures and a journalistic descendant of 20th century journalism greats -- died suddenly of a heart attack while on the job at the NBC News bureau at age 58. It's … [Read more...] about Tim Russert: An Appreciation
The Legend of ‘Little Russ’
As a journalist who has watched Meet the Press almost every Sunday for as long as I can remember, I am shocked and saddened over the loss of Tim Russert. He was a journalist in the great tradition of Edward R. Murrow: fearless, polite and well-prepared, and concerned for the direction of our craft. WORLDMEETS.US will be posting the global reaction to his loss over the next … [Read more...] about The Legend of ‘Little Russ’
The Loss Of A True Gentleman
As I learned the shocking news of the death of Tim Russert at the young age of 58 I could not help but think that we have lost a true class act. As I sit here listening to the tributes pouring over all of the news networks I hear the people talk about how wonderful of a person he was. Normally you might think that they are simply being kind to the departed, but in this case … [Read more...] about The Loss Of A True Gentleman
Tim Russert Dead of a Heart Attack, His Family Says
(Update Below in the CODA, re cause of death. An autopsy has been performed.) Tim Russert, died of an apparent heart attack at age 58. He passed away at his office. Author of Big Russ and Me, about his one of a kind father, Russert also has a son Luke, who just graduated from Boston College this week. His son hosts the XM radio show 60/20 Sports with James Carville. Tim … [Read more...] about Tim Russert Dead of a Heart Attack, His Family Says
McCain on Bush’s Failed Guantanamo Policies
McCain has weighed in on the Supreme Court's decision in Boumediene v. Bush. He doesn't like it. The United States Supreme Court yesterday rendered a decision which I think is one of the worst decisions in the history of this country. Sen. Graham and Sen. Lieberman and I had worked very hard to make sure that we didn't torture any prisoners, that we didn't mistreat … [Read more...] about McCain on Bush’s Failed Guantanamo Policies
Up in Arms over Nuclear Weapons
It's an unorthodox alliance. George Shultz (Secretary of State during the Reagan administration), Henry Kissinger (Nixon's National Security Advisor), William Perry (Clinton's second Secretary of Defense), and Sam Nunn (former Senator from Georgia) have united around a common cause: The complete disarmament of the world's nuclear arsenal. … [Read more...] about Up in Arms over Nuclear Weapons
The Reagan Connection
I try not to make it a habit of responding to every op-ed piece that lashes out at Obama's willingness to negotiate with foreign adversaries, but I can't resist this time. The latest offending article is written by Mr. Karl Rove, for the Wall Street Journal, in which he attacks the Democratic nominee-to-be for the recent parallels that he has drawn between his own stance and … [Read more...] about The Reagan Connection
McCain’s Mousetrap Springs Prematurely
When John McCain initially proposed a series of ten "Town Hall" style meetings with Barack Obama, the Illinois Senator seemed open to the idea. Many observers also welcomed the concept of a format steering clear of the normal alphabet soup network debates we are treated to in the fall. But among Obama's supporters, the whispers were already swelling to a strong breeze. Don't … [Read more...] about McCain’s Mousetrap Springs Prematurely
Nouri al-Maliki Concedes The Obvious
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says that talks on a status-of-forces agreement that would give the U.S. the ranch and Iraq the specter of an American military presence without end are kaput. Al-Maliki said the initial framework agreed upon was to have been an accord "between two completely sovereign states," but the U.S. proposals "do not take into consideration Iraq's … [Read more...] about Nouri al-Maliki Concedes The Obvious
Media Finds Itself (Mainly) Innocent of the Charge of Sexism Against Hillary
Right. There are none so blind as those who will not see. According to The New York Times, a substantial number of media critics, commentators, pundits, and outlets --- not to mention many well known so-called 'progresssive' bloggers --- still aren't prepared to acknowledge the offensively biased coverage of Senator Clinton throughout the primary. People, even … [Read more...] about Media Finds Itself (Mainly) Innocent of the Charge of Sexism Against Hillary
Fist Jab
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about Fist Jab
Grand Old Man of the New Journalism
At 78, Tom Wolfe is being immortalized with the reissue of ten of his books in covers "designed to appeal to a new generation." But before he is embalmed as a writer of satirical novels like "Bonfire of the Vanities," someone should remind readers how he helped change the face of American journalism and, in no small degree, politics. In August 1966, a Tiffany-engraved … [Read more...] about Grand Old Man of the New Journalism
Here we go again: AP Files DMCA Takedowns Against Drudge Retort
UPDATE: AP's Jim Kennedy emails: The Associated Press encourages the engagement of bloggers — large and small — in the news conversation of the day... Bloggers are an indispensable part of the new ecosystem, but... There are many ways to inspire conversation about the news without misappropriating the content of original creators, whether they are the AP or fellow … [Read more...] about Here we go again: AP Files DMCA Takedowns Against Drudge Retort
2nd Amendment in the Spotlight
Teddy Davis of ABC tells us that gun control advocates are preparing themsleves to lose the current round of Second Amendment arguments in front of the Supreme Court. The nation's leading gun control group filed a "friend of the court" brief back in January defending the gun ban in Washington, D.C. But with the Supreme Court poised to hand down a potentially landmark … [Read more...] about 2nd Amendment in the Spotlight
Supreme Court Guantamo Ruling Underscores Court’s Future Makeup As Election Concern
When the U.S. Supreme Court for the third time in four years took the Bush administration to task denying due process of law to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base's inmates, it underscored a fact that get lost in the partisan and factional emotions swirling around campaign 2008: the court's composition is likely to be greatly impacted by whichever party wins the general election. On … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Guantamo Ruling Underscores Court’s Future Makeup As Election Concern
Michelle Obama Watch
Theda Skocpol asks, Will White Feminists Speak up for Michelle Obama? The attacks gathering on her are scurrilous, profoundly sexist and racist. Will prominent white feminists and female pundits and officials -- including Congressional Republican women -- speak up forcefully against slurs on Michelle Obama? It will be a strong test of their good faith. Do they care about … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama Watch