In addition to contributing pieces such as this one to TMV, I also translate Dutch news and opinion articles from the Dutch press for the web site “Watching America” (WatchingAmerica.com). Perhaps I am naïve, but when a couple of months ago I came across a Dutch article in the Netherlands periodical Elsevier titled, “Hoe groot is kans dat Obama wordt vermoord?” I was … [Read more...] about “Assassination,” The New Third Rail in American Politics
How Obama And Clinton Will Likely End Democratic Primaries (UPDATE 3)
So are we now close to the endgame in the seemingly-endless Democratic primaries? Or will it go all the way to the Denver convention in August, with supporters on each side of the nearly evenly divided Democratic Party continuing to be increasingly irritated and frustrated with the other side as Republicans watch the spectacle with bigger and bigger smiles? Yesterday's … [Read more...] about How Obama And Clinton Will Likely End Democratic Primaries (UPDATE 3)
SUV For Sale
Gas prices are going up and up and UP. So Guest Voice writer humorist Tom Purcell has an item for sale.. SUV for Sale By Tom Purcell "Ah, the summer season has arrived and the wife and I hope to hit the road. That means one thing. I must dump my SUV." "Dump your SUV?" "With gas prices soaring, who can afford to drive such a gas guzzler anymore? What's worse: My … [Read more...] about SUV For Sale
No More Words
Calming the Gut: Ancient Advice for Modern Madness
"Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument. Let the beauty we Love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground." Jalaluddin Rumi, 13th Century Islamic mystic and poet … [Read more...] about Calming the Gut: Ancient Advice for Modern Madness
A (Wonderful) Colorized 1937 Little Rascals Short
We got some emails about our post yesterday featuring a You Tubed tribute to Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, one of the stars of Hal Roach's "The Little Rascals" -- an incredibly gifted child comic actor whose life came to a tragic end. A reader emailed me THIS LINK to a colorized 1937 Little Rascals Short "Night 'N' Gales" -- one of my favorites. Note that I have absolutely NO … [Read more...] about A (Wonderful) Colorized 1937 Little Rascals Short
Terra Incognito, A Pretty Good Idea
The Brazilian government says this picture, taken from an airplane deep over the rain forest, is of a tribal group that has never had contact with the 'outside world." Aside from most of us today who got whiplashed between trying to cover the left, right and middle Obama pundits and watching the Democratic delegates acting like they might be at a Condominium HomeOwners Board … [Read more...] about Terra Incognito, A Pretty Good Idea
How I Read Rev. Wright
After I wrote my well-received post on Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Black Conservatism, my former history professor contacted me and asked if I would like to lead a seminar on it for his African-American history class this term. I happily agreed. But when I met with him a few days ago, he said that we might have to change the topic. "Wright is old news," he said. But it seems he … [Read more...] about How I Read Rev. Wright
Senator Obama’s Letter Resigning from Trinity: Trinity’s Response
Just so you can see a fuller picture. (hat tip to Roland S. Martin www.rolandsmartin.com CNN Contributor) Obama resignation letter from Trinity May 30, 2008 Dear. Rev. Moss: We are writing to make official our decision to end our memebership at Trinity. We make this decision with sadness. Trinity was where I found Christ, where we were married and where our children … [Read more...] about Senator Obama’s Letter Resigning from Trinity: Trinity’s Response
Senator Obama’s Press Conference About Resigning from Trinity
caveat: there may be more to show the various sides of reactions to the press conference, and this is representative of what I've found today. Barack Obama at press conference this afternoon re resigning from Trinity United Church of Christ "This is not a decision I come to lightly ... and it is one I make with some sadness," he said at a news conference after campaign … [Read more...] about Senator Obama’s Press Conference About Resigning from Trinity
Quote Of The Day: Craig Crawford On DNC’s Florida, Michigan Ruling
Congressional Quarterly's Craig Crawford writes, in part, about today's DNC committee rulingon the disputed Michigan and Florida delegations: Make no mistake about it. The decision rendered today by the Democratic National Committee's rules panel showed that Barack Obama has displaced Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, as boss of the … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Craig Crawford On DNC’s Florida, Michigan Ruling
Soup’s a-Cooking
I'm making dinner with my girlfriend at the moment, but I will have some commentary on Obama's resignation from Trinity tonight. … [Read more...] about Soup’s a-Cooking
Senator Obama Resigns His Membership at Trinity Church
UPDATE: Juan Williams reports to Fox News that many black people surrounding him having angry reactions to Obama resigning from Trinity. UPDATE: Senator Obama has made his statement tonight saying he has resigned from Trinity. The Clinton campaign has refused comment. Likely, after today's delegates meeting, not to torpedo any chance she may have to be veep. Pundits are … [Read more...] about Senator Obama Resigns His Membership at Trinity Church
Obama Breaks With Trinity UCC
CNN Breaking News Email: Barack Obama has resigned as a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, his campaign says. I was actually tipped off by Jazz' earlier post and went looking for this: (CNN) — Barack Obama resigned Saturday from his Chicago church — where controversial sermons by his former pastor and other ministers had created repeated political … [Read more...] about Obama Breaks With Trinity UCC
Topsy-turvy: Republicans for Obama… Today’s Hillary protesters?
McClatchy reports, Former Bush donors now giving to Obama: Beverly Fanning is among the campaign donors who'll be joining President Bush at a gala at Washington's Ford's Theater Sunday night, but she says that won't dissuade her from her current passion: volunteering for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. She isn't the only convert. A McClatchy computer analysis, … [Read more...] about Topsy-turvy: Republicans for Obama… Today’s Hillary protesters?
On the Radio today: Don’t step outside that DNC meeting!
This evening (Saturday, May 31) at 7 pm Eastern time (6 pm Central, 4 pm Pacific) we will take to the airwaves on Mid Stream Radio to try to wrap our heads around the events in and outside of the Democrats' RBC meeting in Washington, DC. We've written about it here quite a bit already, but join us for an internet radio meeting where you can join in the chat or call in to air … [Read more...] about On the Radio today: Don’t step outside that DNC meeting!
We have LIFTOFF
CNN Video (preceded by a brief commercial) In another seemingly-perfect launch, the Space Shuttle Discovery is on its way to the International Space Station. Like many space geeks, I remained a bit tense until the solid rocket boosters were dropped but it now appears everything is right on target. The shuttle will be taking a Japanese-designed lab module to the space … [Read more...] about We have LIFTOFF
Dem RBC Meeting. Who is on this thing and where are they?
I was looking at Chris Cillizza's commentary on how much harder the Michigan case will be to settle than Florida when some other questions crossed my mind. One of the chief ones is, how do they decide who gets (and more importantly keeps) a voting seat on the Rules and Bylaws Committee? There are a couple of members who CNN regularly labels as "Obama Superdelegates" and others … [Read more...] about Dem RBC Meeting. Who is on this thing and where are they?
Is The Obama Campaign Making A Mistake ?
In watching the debate at the DNC rules committee I am starting to wonder if the Obama campaign is making something of a tactical mistake of being so aggressive in pursuing its position regarding Michigan and Florida. To begin with, I think they could have chosen a better spokesman from Florida. Perhaps it is just me but Congressman Wexler comes off as quite arrogant and … [Read more...] about Is The Obama Campaign Making A Mistake ?
The Moon and the Chinese; Mars and the United States
NASA's successful landing on Mars was not only a technical and scientific achievement, but a political one. Pierre-Yves Frei writes for the Tribine de Geneve of Switzerland: "Just as the Moon was conquered due to the Cold War between the U.S. and the USSR, the conquest of Mars is meant to retain American leadership space ... Beijing has promised to put people to the moon … [Read more...] about The Moon and the Chinese; Mars and the United States