In response to Pete Abel's post this morning concerning Senator Obama, I wrote the following response: While I wouldn't say it as brash as RickMoran did, I have to agree somewhat with his statements. It does seem a bit elitist to say that Obama is being brought down by "simple-minded" folks. For one thing, it's too early to say his campaign is toast. Politics can change … [Read more...] about On Obama and Wright
Is It Ever Right To Stop Talking?
I was happy to read Jimmy Carter's op-ed in yesterday's New York Times arguing in favor of broad engagement with foreign leaders. Indeed, the policy of enforced diplomatic isolation, which the United States has instituted against a number of countries, has brought few positive results. Time and time again, continued dialogue has yielded far more favorable outcomes. What … [Read more...] about Is It Ever Right To Stop Talking?
The Dishonest BS of Krazy Kristol
Bill "Krazy" Kristol had this to say in his column in the Times yesterday: I do think I can speak for most of my fellow right-wingers when I say this: We once looked forward with unambivalent glee to the fall of the house of Clinton. Many of us still do. But we also see the liberal media failing to give Hillary Clinton the respect she deserves. So, since we conservatives … [Read more...] about The Dishonest BS of Krazy Kristol
Rocket Roger and the Teenage Country Music Starlet
I'm no Bill Simmons, but both as a Jays fan and as a baseball lover, not to mention as a human being, I despise Roger Clemens. His record may show him as one of the greatest pitchers of all time, but, well, his record, not to mention his character, is tainted. And so, when he finds himself in trouble, whether it involves steroids or sex with an underage girl, I experience deep, … [Read more...] about Rocket Roger and the Teenage Country Music Starlet
Thanks for Trying, Senator Obama
Thanks for trying, Senator Obama. Thanks for trying to rise above the fray, for trying to embrace a post-partisan world and impart a sense of promise and empowerment that many of us have not felt for a very long time. It was wonderful while it lasted. And though I hope I'm proven wrong, I'm increasingly concerned the mass electorate is simply not ready for you. This … [Read more...] about Thanks for Trying, Senator Obama
The Psychology of Public Campaign Finance
Paterson Says No to Public Campaign Financing For Now ALBANY, NEW YORK Governor David Paterson threw cold water on reform advocate's efforts to advance public campaign finance reform, saying with the worsening fiscal situation, it's not the time to provide public money. Advocates for the public financing of campaigns were in Albany to promote a bill that would provide … [Read more...] about The Psychology of Public Campaign Finance
10 Areas In Which John McCain Is Vulnerable
McCAIN TOURS NEW ORLEANS AND DECLARES IT SAFE What that the Democratic presidential slugfest was mercifully over and Barack Obama could turn his full attention to John McCain. Here is a Top 10 list of areas in which the presumptive Republican nominee is vulnerable: (10.) Hiding his assets behind his wife’s financial veil of secrecy. (9.) Continuing questions about his … [Read more...] about 10 Areas In Which John McCain Is Vulnerable
The Generation Gap
During a season when most all readings of tea leaves and chicken entrails have spoken of gloom and doom for the Republican party (none of which explain how John McCain seems to be doing so well) yet another factoid is being dumped on the log jam of bad news. There seems to be a generation gap in younger, up and coming voters which shows them skewing heavily toward the … [Read more...] about The Generation Gap
Asking & Telling on the USS Nimitz
PBS is running a 10-hour documentary mini-series, Carrier, about life aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Episode 3, Super Secrets, which aired Friday and is being released online today, includes interviews with gay and lesbian servicemembers. One of them, quartermaster third class petty officer Brian Downey who served in the navigation department of the Nimitz, was … [Read more...] about Asking & Telling on the USS Nimitz
Wright’s Wrong Timing For Obama Campaign (UPDATED)
Past political campaigns have had their share of people associated with candidates who are placed on the defensive -- but seldom has one in any year had one as proactively insistent on keeping himself alive and injected into an excruciatingly close race as the political albatross now dangling around Democratic Senator Barack Obama named Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Aside from the … [Read more...] about Wright’s Wrong Timing For Obama Campaign (UPDATED)
Clinton, McCain, Obama and the Political Third Rail of Taxes
Regular gas was $3.55 a gallon here in southeastern Ohio yesterday. Many people I know are curbing their summer travel plans. They're even doing more planning when it comes to everyday errands, combining them so as not to waste gas. This, of course, as average fuel prices climb, is happening across the country and the three leading presidential candidates have noticed. … [Read more...] about Clinton, McCain, Obama and the Political Third Rail of Taxes
Blackwaters Run Deep: New Questions On America’s Favorite Security Contractor
The more things change the more they stay the same, and that's downright scary when it comes to Blackwater Worldwide. If you’re under the impression that this most right-wing of defense contractors has been laying low since its goons mowed down 17 Iraqis last September, you would be wrong. Despite the outcry, Condoleezza Rice's State Department dutifully renewed … [Read more...] about Blackwaters Run Deep: New Questions On America’s Favorite Security Contractor
Notes From San Diego
This is a new once-in-a-while feature of non-political items. SAN DIEGO TOURISM GETS BACK TO NORMAL OR WILL IT? Beaches are open today and many residents are breathing a sight of PARTIAL relief. When 66 year-old triathlete David Martin died Friday of blood loss after being bitten once by what is believed to have been a 15 foot long great white shark shark the idea that … [Read more...] about Notes From San Diego
On Confederate Memorial Day
It's worth noting that today -- the day on which the Reverend Jeremiah Wright soaked up so much of the media spotlight -- was the day that several southern states (including Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia) observed Confederate Memorial Day. Some of us wonder why. Matthew Yglesias: It seems that April is Confederate Heritage month. Why one would want to celebrate a … [Read more...] about On Confederate Memorial Day
Muqtada al-Sadr’s Free Ride is Over: It’s About Time
How do Iraqis feel about Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army, and the fact that for the past three years, it has been permitted to operate as a de-facto part of the Iraqi state - in the process driving away a good portion of Baghdad's non-Shiite population? Now that Baghdad seems serious about putting a stop to the Mahdi Army, Fateh Abdusalam asks in Iraq's Azzaman newspaper: "One … [Read more...] about Muqtada al-Sadr’s Free Ride is Over: It’s About Time
Obama Pastor Pesters
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Obama Pastor Pesters
Noose reported found at Secret Service training center
The Austin American-Statesman is reporting a white secret service agent has been placed on leave after an African American employee reported finding a noose hanging at the service’s main training facility outside Washington D.C. Making matters worse: The alleged incident happened as U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah A. Robinson is expected to decide next month whether to … [Read more...] about Noose reported found at Secret Service training center
For Fear of Iran, Arabs Keep Iraq at Arm’s Length
Why is it that Iraq's wealthy Arab neighbors refuse to forgive its debts or restore full relations with in the country, while Western and Asian countries have forgiven billions and long ago reopened their Baghdad Embassies? According to this analysis of the results of the Third Expanded Ministerial Conference of the Neighboring Countries of Iraq, which was held last week in … [Read more...] about For Fear of Iran, Arabs Keep Iraq at Arm’s Length
Rev. Wright squanders goodwill
After I watched Rev Wright on Bill Moyer's on Friday I was inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt that he was collateral damage in a political war. Then he spoke to the National Press Club today and squandered much of this goodwill. And I feel as disappointed as Andrew Sullivan, and agree that it appears necessary for Senator Obama to speak out to put more distance … [Read more...] about Rev. Wright squanders goodwill
The Politics of Poorness
Hillary Clinton and John McCain, each of whom has a hundred times the family money of Barack Obama, are out there claiming he is out of touch with the poor. After drinking boilermakers with the boys a while back, Sen. Clinton is now telling Indiana's blue-collar voters that "politics has become too abstract, too generalized" in Obama's elitist world. “Most people get a … [Read more...] about The Politics of Poorness