This morning, Former Senator Mike Gravel, who was pursuing the Democratic nomination for president, sent the following email to his supporters: Dear friend, I wanted to update you on my latest plans before news gets out. Today, I am announcing my plan to join the Libertarian Party, because the Democratic Party no longer represents my vision for our great country. I … [Read more...] about Mike Gravel Quits Democratic Party, Joins Libertarian Party, Vows to Run For President
Ceasefire Blues
And so, it begins anew. Although the 7-month ceasefire hasn't come to an official end, Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army is again picking up their arms, this time to battle American and Iraqi forces in the Shiite-dominated southern port city of Basra. Local members of ISCI (led by Abdul Aziz al-Hakim) and Dawa (led by Nuri al-Maliki) have fled the area. The fighting has recently … [Read more...] about Ceasefire Blues
Dancing With The Dollar
Mike Lester, The Rome News-Tribune … [Read more...] about Dancing With The Dollar
McCain and Obama: More the same than different on Foreign Affairs
We have had the benefit of two major addresses on foreign affairs by two leading candidates Today's Senator McCain To The Los Angeles World Affairs Council and yesterdays remarks of Senator Barack Obama and The World Beyond Iraq I read both of them and to me they are much more aligned than different. Except for a few pointed comments by McCain about Russia and the need to … [Read more...] about McCain and Obama: More the same than different on Foreign Affairs
If Anything Gives Me Pause About Obama …
It's the concern articulated in this opined portrayal of the Senator, by Michael David Cobb Bowen (whom I happen to consider one of the smartest, most original voices on the Web; black, white, or otherwise). Now, I appreciate that my confession of reservations like those expressed by Mr. Bowen may cause some of you to hyperventilate -- just as some of you hyperventilated … [Read more...] about If Anything Gives Me Pause About Obama …
Hillary Clinton Hugs the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy
So you know how yesterday she just happened to bring up the Obama-Wright controversy seemingly out of nowhere, at a meeting with a Pittsburgh newspaper editorial board and then again at a press conference? Yeah, well, it gets better. The newspaper in question is the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, which Josh Marshall correctly describes as "the money-losing, vanity, fringe … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Hugs the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy
Japanese Ballplayers Could Win Deportment Prize
Washington Post: Japan's Starry Gems of the Diamond Because of the Big Three, 550 American baseball games a year are broadcast on television here. About 300 of them are carried without commercial interruption, allowing Japanese viewers to gaze between innings at their beloved stars as they sit quietly in the dugout or stand around on the field. These players, unlike their … [Read more...] about Japanese Ballplayers Could Win Deportment Prize
22% want Clinton to exit but…22% want Obama to do the same
Oy. The numbers are coming fast and furious. I often don't post this stuff because everyone else does but this is one crazy-a$$ Democratic primary. From Rasmussen: A solid majority of Democrats, 62%, aren’t ready for either candidate to leave the race. Nationally, Clinton and Obama are running essentially even among Likely Democratic Primary Voters in the Rasmussen … [Read more...] about 22% want Clinton to exit but…22% want Obama to do the same
Gallup: nearly 3 out of 10 Clinton supporters may vote for McCain over Obama
From Gallup, re: Obama v. McCain: As would be expected, almost all Democratic voters who say they support Obama for their party's nomination also say they would vote for him in a general election matchup against McCain. But only 59% of Democratic voters who support Clinton say they would vote for Obama against McCain, while 28% say they would vote for the Republican McCain. … [Read more...] about Gallup: nearly 3 out of 10 Clinton supporters may vote for McCain over Obama
Subprime Katrina
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Subprime Katrina
The Wisdom of Gov. Phil
Phil Bredesen, that is, two-term Democratic governor of Tennessee, described as "an even-keeled political pragmatist." He's not committed yet to either Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama, so he has some credibility when he suggests the Dem superdelegates have their own primary -- in June, rather than waiting until the Convention in late August. Will two-plus months make a … [Read more...] about The Wisdom of Gov. Phil
Hillary’s Record
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News … [Read more...] about Hillary’s Record
Hillary’s Pastor and Rev. Wright
Courtesy of Andrew Sullivan, via Democrats.org. "The Reverend Jeremiah Wright is an outstanding church leader whom I have heard speak a number of times. He has served for decades as a profound voice for justice and inclusion in our society. He has been a vocal critic of the racism, sexism and homophobia which still tarnish the American dream. To evaluate his dynamic ministry … [Read more...] about Hillary’s Pastor and Rev. Wright
Iraq I: Abeer Qassim Hamza Is Still Dead
Steven Green is the poster boy-man for much of what is wrong about the Iraq war. This petulant loner was allowed to enlist in the Army and was fast-tracked to the war zone despite a history of drug, alcohol and emotional problems and a petty criminal record back in Midland, the titular home of the Bush family in Texas oil patch country. Green had been in Iraq for only a … [Read more...] about Iraq I: Abeer Qassim Hamza Is Still Dead
Iraq II: Has The Great Unraveling Begun?
BAGHDAD DEMONSTRATORS DEMAND SHIITE PRISONER RELEASE As noted here on February 1, you don't have to be a bloody genius to know that sooner or later the window of opportunity for Iraqi national reconciliation and a lasting reduction in sectarian violence as a result of the military successes of the Surge would begin to close unless there was progress by the Baghdad … [Read more...] about Iraq II: Has The Great Unraveling Begun?
Iraq War to Face the ‘Severe Judgment’ of History
While President Bush likes to think that sooner or later, historians will regard the Iraq War at one of humanity's great turning points, many informed observers are skeptical. William Waack, chief global affairs columnist for Brazil's O Globo writes, 'Can one now anticipate the judgment that will be made within the space of a generation of the Iraq invasion? In my opinion, … [Read more...] about Iraq War to Face the ‘Severe Judgment’ of History
Obama and Wright
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about Obama and Wright
Obama’s Words of ‘Courage’ that European Politicians Should Hear …
We now know that many Americans have been moved and impressed by Barack Obama's recent speech on race in America - although the electoral consequences remain unclear. But how do people in other nations view his high-risk verbal gambit? Patrik Etschmayer writes for Switzerland's Nachrichten, 'To even approach the subject was already extraordinarily courageous. But Obama went … [Read more...] about Obama’s Words of ‘Courage’ that European Politicians Should Hear …
4001, 4002, 4003…
Milestones are news--the fifth anniversary, the 4000th death--and news shield us, as any drug does, from the pain of reality. We swallow some words and images about Iraq and turn to newer news--about Hillary and Barack, the economy, March Madness, storms and flooding, the HBO miniseries on John Adams. "People don't actually read newspapers," Marshall McLuhan said half a … [Read more...] about 4001, 4002, 4003…
George W. Bush & Barack Obama: Distant Cousins…?
Unbelievable? It has emerged that Barack Obama is a tenth cousin, once removed, of the man whose job he wants - George W Bush. The New England Historic Genealogical Society, founded in 1845, claims that the politicians' ancestries show they have more in common than they think. The society is the oldest and biggest non-profit genealogical organisation in the United States. … [Read more...] about George W. Bush & Barack Obama: Distant Cousins…?