This is part II and the final part of a Guest Voice by Michael Teodoro G. Ting Jr., a freelance writer and graduate student based in the Philippines. In it, he continues his comprehensive look at The Art of Political Cinema worldwide. Part One is HERE. The Art of Political Cinema (Conclusion) By Michael Teodoro G. Ting Jr Political comedies Political comedies … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: The Art of Political Cinema (Part Two)
Should Hillary & Bill Clinton Be Punished?
From my perspective -- and I've got plenty of company on this -- Hillary Clinton has more than made the case that she would be worthy successor to George Bush after waging a primary campaign predicated on outright lying, divisiveness, fear mongering and race baiting that grandmasters like Karl Rove and Lee Atwater would approve of, the latter at least until his death-bed … [Read more...] about Should Hillary & Bill Clinton Be Punished?
Will we have a new FISA bill?
Arguments between national security advocates and personal privacy proponents have stalled the passage of a new FISA bill for months. One of the main sticking points has been proposed immunity for telecoms as endorsed by the Bush administration. Hot Air's Ed Morrissey has the details of how Bush may have "blinked first" on the immunity question so a compromise may be in the … [Read more...] about Will we have a new FISA bill?
McCain, abortion, Southern Baptists & the emergence of the Religious Right
As ABC News reports that John McCain is poised to flip on abortion, it's worth remembering that social conservatives have done some flipping of their own. UPI, June 1971: The Southern Baptist Convention called today for the legalization of abortion in certain cases, including those where there was "carefully ascertained evidence of the likelihood of damage to the emotional, … [Read more...] about McCain, abortion, Southern Baptists & the emergence of the Religious Right
The GOP and that “whacky” Bob Barr
A new column from the Washington Post's Dana Milbank provides a glimpse into the reception upstart Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr can expect from the Republican party. He points out a number of the highlights of previous Barr appearances which will provide rich fodder for the candidate's opponents, the media and late night television. These include: - Licking … [Read more...] about The GOP and that “whacky” Bob Barr
Rest Well. Day Is Done
Gallup Daily Tracking Poll: Obama Leads Clinton By 7 Percent
Democratic Senator Barack Obama now shows a spike in his polling against rival Senator Hillary Clinton in his battle for the Democratic nomination -- opening up a 7 percent lead, the latest Gallup Daily tracking poll shows. Polls -- particularly this tempestuous and fickle primary season -- are see-saws, but this poll is significant coming as it does amid news of a steady … [Read more...] about Gallup Daily Tracking Poll: Obama Leads Clinton By 7 Percent
Gay psychiatrist explains canceled APA panel
In describing the cancelled panel, Dr. David Scasta sounds like he had been searching all along for the reasonable middle. The Bryant Park Project's Rachel Martin sometimes tips towards typical media mayhem -- "You think it's important to engage the people at the fringe, at the very extreme side?" While the activists win on points -- they are, indeed, correct in many … [Read more...] about Gay psychiatrist explains canceled APA panel
Prayer For The Suffering Chinese
May those who can, hang on. May those who cannot, know all mercy. ________ CODA In symbolism, the pine tree remains rooted and green with life, even under duress of cold and raw weather. Cranes make many migrations back and forth between heaven and earth, standing for a certain kind of longevity, that of the soul. … [Read more...] about Prayer For The Suffering Chinese
‘Eat Your Words, Mr. Bush!’
The outrage in India over President Bush's recent comments, which appeared to blame that country's growing middle class for rising food prices, shows no sign of subsiding. Reacting to President Bush's comments and those from European Union officials, Sitaram Yechury writes for India's Hindustan Times: "Apart from being as ridiculous … [Read more...] about ‘Eat Your Words, Mr. Bush!’
Poll: 64 Percent Democrats Want Clinton To Stay In Race
The late comedian Joe Besser, the second "Three Stooges" Curley replacement and also known as "Stinky" on the classic 1950s Abbott & Costello Show, used to have a catchphrase: "Not so faaaaaaast!" And that, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll is the attitude of six out of 10 Democratic voters to calls for Senator Hillary Clinton to leave the race for the Democratic … [Read more...] about Poll: 64 Percent Democrats Want Clinton To Stay In Race
Researchers conclude: no relationship between violent video games and violent kids
CNet: Two Harvard researchers have concluded that there's no data to support the notion that violent video games cause the kids who play them to act out violence in real life, contrary to the vast majority of media outlets that would have the public thinking otherwise. The $1.5 million study, which began in 2004, closely examined 1,200 children after bouts with violent games … [Read more...] about Researchers conclude: no relationship between violent video games and violent kids
American Elections: Cause for Hope and for Disappointment
Will the candidates for the U.S. presidency ever get beyond pandering and demagoguery and deal with the real issues? According to Eric Le Boucher of France's Le Monde newspaper, the rhetoric from both Democrats and Republicans has been disappointing. Boucher writes: The American presidential election campaign is disappointing. … [Read more...] about American Elections: Cause for Hope and for Disappointment
9,000 Killed In Massive China Earthquake (Video Of Quake)
A massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake punched China today, toppling nearly all the buildings in one village and coming some 90 days before the Olympic Games begin in Beijing: China's worst earthquake in nearly three decades killed nearly 9,000 people Monday. The Chinese government, sensitive to accusations it did not move quickly enough in previous disasters, immediately … [Read more...] about 9,000 Killed In Massive China Earthquake (Video Of Quake)
The LBJing of Hillary Clinton
Now that the question is coming front and center, Barack Obama may want to turn to his backer Ted Sorensen for advice about putting Hillary Clinton on the ticket with him, as John F. Kennedy did with his chief rival for the nomination, Lyndon Johnson. Carl Bernstein, of Watergate fame, reports today that she "is probably going to fight to be the vice presidential nominee on … [Read more...] about The LBJing of Hillary Clinton
The Day Bill O’Reilly Got Reaaally Mad Off The Air
We've all had our days when we've absolutely exploded and few saw it. Let's face it: Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa probably had them. It stands to reason that Fox's top rated talk show host Bill O'Reilly would have had one or two himself. And some years ago, before he was on Fox News, a camera captured one of them. This classic bit capturing a celebrity in his off … [Read more...] about The Day Bill O’Reilly Got Reaaally Mad Off The Air
The Bush-Obama Bond
In the category of great ironies, I trust you'll enjoy this one as much as I did. And I hope this particular irony helps us mitigate our national tendency to define Presidents and potential Presidents by the people they know. (H/t RCP.) … [Read more...] about The Bush-Obama Bond
Does Barack Obama Equal Michael Dukakis?
One of the comparisons-of-the-week now making the rounds via pundits, Clinton supporters, Republicans, bloggers and talking (and screaming) radio and TV heads is that Democratic Senator Barack Obama could prove to be another Michael Dukakis, the former Massachusetts governor defeated by the first George Bush in his Presidential race. A fair comparison or not? Dukakis' former … [Read more...] about Does Barack Obama Equal Michael Dukakis?
SNL’s Poehler as Clinton, Take 3
So much for the claims that SNL is pro-Clinton. … [Read more...] about SNL’s Poehler as Clinton, Take 3
Ron Paul Supporters Plan To Disrupt McCain’s GOP Nominating Convention Coronation
Is Arizona Senator John McCain facing an opposition-free Republican convention where it'll be clear, conflict-free sailing as he wins the delegate count to make him the nominee and shapes a platform to his personal liking? According to the Los Angeles Times' Andrew Malcomb, the answer is "nope": Rep. Ron Paul's forces will be there and they have other … [Read more...] about Ron Paul Supporters Plan To Disrupt McCain’s GOP Nominating Convention Coronation