This week the President of Iran was strutting around his nation's main uranium enrichment facility, claiming installation of 6,000 new centrifuges in addition to the existing 3,000 there--an ill-advised nose-thumbing gesture in the direction of the US and Israel. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a chronic sufferer from the need for attention on the world stage, who has been in … [Read more...] about Odd Couple: Ahmadinejad and Cheney
In Memoriam. Kenya Dog: 1992 – 2008 A Remarkable Life
My apologies for this being non-political. Today we took a trip which we knew had been coming for some time, but was made none the easier from knowing it. Our oldest dog, Kenya, (shown here in happier times with a number of her toys and gifts at Christmas) was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder last fall. She was put on an aggressive treatment schedule of Peroxicam and some … [Read more...] about In Memoriam. Kenya Dog: 1992 – 2008 A Remarkable Life
Nepal: Democracy Blooms Around India
After Pakistan and Bhutan, it is now the turn of Nepal (sandwiched between India and China) to savour the sweet flavour of democracy. It is a powerful rebuff to a certain section of the politicians and "experts" in the world who believe that the "war on terror", etc., can be fought by merely propping up (and bribing) dictators. Sudeshna Sarkar of IANS reports: "A deep … [Read more...] about Nepal: Democracy Blooms Around India
Obama’s Response to ‘Bitter’ Uproar
See Joe's earlier post for the background on this ridiculousness. Then see below for the video of Obama's response, delivered at a rally in Indiana. (The video is much more compelling than the transcripted response.) Clearly, as Andrew Sullivan notes, Obama is not backing down. And while Andrew (and I, and others) are distinctly biased, pro-Obama voices, I'll say … [Read more...] about Obama’s Response to ‘Bitter’ Uproar
Democratic And Republican Critics Blast Obama’s “Small-Town” Comments Calling It Presidential Disqualifier
If someone wanted to see how early 21st century American politics operates, they need look no further than the current (growing) flap over politically flat-footed comments Senator Barack Obama made giving his theory on why small town Pennsylvanians are bitter. It follows a pattern of American politics -- one Americans will see often in the coming months until Election Day. … [Read more...] about Democratic And Republican Critics Blast Obama’s “Small-Town” Comments Calling It Presidential Disqualifier
Presidential candidates ignore unmarried women & risk successful campaign
Overlooked So Far, The Nation's Unmarried Women in 2008 was released two days ago. You can read the summary here and the full report here. From the summary: So far unmarried women are mostly overlooked, but they are a key to this year’s campaign. A fast-growing demographic that is increasingly focused on politics, these single, divorced, and widowed women compose 26 percent … [Read more...] about Presidential candidates ignore unmarried women & risk successful campaign
Another Justice (Sic) Department Outrage
While the Bush administration's stewardship of the economy and that pesky war, among other areas of vital concern to the national interest, have been seriously lacking, its ability to make significant policy changes without bothering to tell anyone -- let alone come clean about their implications – has been nothing short of masterful. In one of the more insidious examples of … [Read more...] about Another Justice (Sic) Department Outrage
Beijing Olympics: Ban-Ki-Moon To Stay Away
China seems to be coming under heavy pressure with the world leaders threatening to keep away from the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics this summer. The latest on the list is Ban Ki-moon, the secretary general of the United Nations. The Independent newspaper describes this "as capping an extraordinary week of public relations disasters for the Chinese government as it … [Read more...] about Beijing Olympics: Ban-Ki-Moon To Stay Away
The Danger of a Good Story
[UPDATE, CLARIFICATION: If the comments of GS below, are any indication, my meaning in this piece may be less than clear. So, a little disclaimer, as it appears in my response below: "We have a health insurance crisis in our country. It must be dealt with. it is a scandal that in a land of plenty, with the best health care professionals and technology in the world, anyone … [Read more...] about The Danger of a Good Story
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE DEMOCRATIC END GAME
Rhodes Cook asks "Who has the right credentials?" One of the basic themes of the long-running Democratic nominating campaign between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton speaks to the need for a new era in American politics. But increasingly it seems as though their race could be decided by a method quite old--a decision by the convention credentials committee that is voted up … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE DEMOCRATIC END GAME
Getting It Wrong On Hamas
Obama has finally drawn a line in the sand about negotiating with foreign leaders. Too bad he's drawn it in the wrong place. "Sen. Obama does not agree with President Carter's decision to go forward with [a meeting with exiled Hamas leader, Khaled Meshaal] because he does not support negotiations with Hamas until they renounce terrorism, recognize Israel's right to exist, and … [Read more...] about Getting It Wrong On Hamas
Gallup Poll: Bush Sets New Approval Rating Low At 28 %
As if Republicans -- particularly presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain -- didn't have enough to worry about, a new Gallup Poll shows President George Bush's approval rating now down to the lowest of his administration...and lower than most Presidents since World War II. Most polls are see saws. But in recent months, Bush's polls have been largely … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Bush Sets New Approval Rating Low At 28 %
How to Choose an Emergency Room? Maybe.
CNN has been running a series called "Empowered Patient". The latest installment is entitled How to find the best ER for your child. I feel that this article is seriously out of touch with the way most Americans interact with the health care system in general, let alone the Emergency Department of a hospital. Most of us choose a hospital based on one of two criteria: it … [Read more...] about How to Choose an Emergency Room? Maybe.
Bill Clinton Won’t Let Hillary Clinton’s Damaging Bosnia Issue Die
Isn't it time to bluntly say it: isn't the time WAY PAST when Senator Hillary Clinton needs to get a big roll of duct tape and use it on her counterproductive husband former President Bill Clinton? When the history of the Hillary Clinton campaign is written -- win or lose -- a special chapter will be devoted to how Bill Clinton, a one time savvy politician, evolved into a … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton Won’t Let Hillary Clinton’s Damaging Bosnia Issue Die
Guest Book Review: Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
NOTE: This is the first anniversary of author Kurt Vonnegut's death. It's therefore fitting that we run this review of one of his most famous books. This is another Guest Book Review by fiction writer Jessica Schneider who also writes for Cosmoetica, is Book Editor for Monsters and Critics and is the only contributor to her own blog. Book Review: Breakfast of Champions … [Read more...] about Guest Book Review: Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
Obama, Carter, Hamas, and Israel
Kevin Sullivan defends Sen. Obama's criticism of former President Carter -- by slicing up Steve Clemons' rebuke of Obama on the same subject. … [Read more...] about Obama, Carter, Hamas, and Israel
‘Megalomania’: It’s Time to Scale Down Olympic Torch Relay
Has the spectacle of the Olympic Torch relay, first introduced by Nazi Germany in 1936, hijacked the Olympic tradition? After the mass protesting in Paris, London and now San Francisco, and due to the 'dubious' Nazi origins of the Olympic torch relay, this editorial from the NRC Handelsblad of The Netherlands opines, "Four years ago, the torch, which had to go from Olympia to … [Read more...] about ‘Megalomania’: It’s Time to Scale Down Olympic Torch Relay
Lobbying Superdelegates
LobbyDelegates.com offers a way to reach out to Democratic super delegates who may not know that there is a hot race for which their vote is critical. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention. … [Read more...] about Lobbying Superdelegates
A Free Trade Apostate Speaks
You could consider this as part of The Confessions of an Unapologetic Isolationist. A free trade apostate, if you will. As such, it saddens me to see the editorial board of the Washington Post climbing in bed with the Unfair Trade for America crowd. In their column, "Drop Dead Colombia" the editors take Nancy Pelosi to task for not immediately throwing open our trade doors to … [Read more...] about A Free Trade Apostate Speaks
Anomalies R Us: Obama against gambling expansion
Although presidential opinion on gambling is unlikely to make or break the industry since it's primarily a state and local issue, I often hold anomalous positions. So, discovering that Barack Obama, as a liberal candidate for the Democratic nominee does too makes me feel better. I don't know how I came across this today and I can't find the original Los Angeles Times … [Read more...] about Anomalies R Us: Obama against gambling expansion