I have to admit that I am torn by the notion that Obama may bypass public financing It backs out of an agreement while also respecting the intention behind the agreement. For me the intention behind the public financing of campaigns is to minimize the disproportionate influence of special interests while reducing the amount of time a candidate needs to spend pandering for … [Read more...] about The Spirit vs the Agreement on Public Financing of Campaigns
The Condi-for-Veep Non-Story Story
There isn't much to it, but it isn't going away. I wrote about it a couple of weeks ago, thinking that that would, for the time being, be that, but, well, that wasn't that. Here's what we know: Condi went to Grover Norquist's weekly morning gathering for right-wing crackpots and wowed the head crackpot himself. Over the weekend, pro-Condi flack-hack Dan Senor told George … [Read more...] about The Condi-for-Veep Non-Story Story
Very Important Tibetan Lama To Visit USA Soon
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is no ordinary Tibetan monk. His upcoming visit to the USA, the first outside his home in exile in India, can be considered as 'historic'. There are speculations that the Karmapa, 22-year-old Buddhist monk, may emerge as the successor to the Dalai Lama in case the latter decides to step down, especially in view of the … [Read more...] about Very Important Tibetan Lama To Visit USA Soon
Progress Report Dog & Pony Show, Day 2: Kicking The Can Down the Road to 2009
To everything/There is a season/And a time for every purpose, under heaven/A time to be born, a time to die/A time to plant, a time to reap/A time to kill, a time to heal/A time to laugh, a time to weep. -- ECCLESIASTES 3: 1-8 The second and final day of Iraq progress report testimony before by General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker is as easy to sum up as the … [Read more...] about Progress Report Dog & Pony Show, Day 2: Kicking The Can Down the Road to 2009
Fragile and Reversible: The Truth about the Iraq War and Occupation
Testifying before Congress yesterday, General Petraeus said that progress in Iraq is "fragile and reversible" and, according to the NYT, recommended that "consideration of any new drawdowns of American troops be delayed until the fall, making it likely that little would change before Election Day... [He] refused under persistent questioning from Senate Democrats to say under … [Read more...] about Fragile and Reversible: The Truth about the Iraq War and Occupation
Edit your comments!
Disqus has added a feature that is sure to make many of you who post comments happy: Inline comment editing! Yes ladies and gentlemen, after you post a comment, you will see text that says "Edit" underneath it. If you have a spelling mistake, misspoken idea, etc, you can click "Edit". Then make your corrections and click "Save Changes". Now if they can only invent … [Read more...] about Edit your comments!
Beginning of the End?
From today's WaPo: ... many Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues in decrying the days of open-ended war and an open U.S. checkbook, and in demanding to know what the administration is doing to pressure the Iraqi government and military to take responsibility for its own fate. "We're a generous people," said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), "but our patience is not … [Read more...] about Beginning of the End?
The Passage of the Torch: In a Word, a ‘Fiasco’
Soul-searching over the passage of the Olympic Torch through France and through the West in general has reached a fever pitch, and the question on the minds of many is: As justified as the protesting in London, Paris and now San Francisco may be, what good will come of it?; and will it help those who today suffer under the iron fist of Beijing's one-party dictatorship? Yves … [Read more...] about The Passage of the Torch: In a Word, a ‘Fiasco’
Only Carter Could Go to Hamas?
Well, if only Nixon could go to China, who knows? I have to confess, when it comes to matters of Israel and the Palestinians, I'm lucky to be able to spell "Gaza" since it's not in my spell checker. When I get confused, I turn to my own personal authority on All Matters Jewish, The One True Tami. Her Hebrew bona fides are fine by me and include having studied extensively in … [Read more...] about Only Carter Could Go to Hamas?
Mincing the Minutiae: Finding Fault, the New News Paradigm
A lot of us are thinking, could the news media mince the minutiae any finer? Geez. The trivia that some few in media perseverate on: today a comment by a fellow introducing Senator McCain, a fellow who tried to make a joke by calling on the name Tiger Woods... a small matter really. But, all of a sudden Keith Olbermann, who I like, had on Professor Dyson, who I respect, … [Read more...] about Mincing the Minutiae: Finding Fault, the New News Paradigm
Obama’s Cousin’s Dogwalker Makes Inappropriate Comment
Ok, not really. But at the rate things are going I won't be terribly surprised if we see that headline in the near future. We're well accustomed to the media being ready to pounce and inform us when political candidates or office holders do or say something perceived as a "gaffe" out on the trail. Perhaps candidates are getting more politically astute. Or maybe we've just … [Read more...] about Obama’s Cousin’s Dogwalker Makes Inappropriate Comment
If Hillary Clinton Can’t Run A Campaign Then How Can She Run A Country?
Two weeks hence, the results of the all-important Pennsylvania primary will be in and poor Hillary Clinton will have to once again put those big goalposts on her itty-bitty shoulders and carry them on to the next round of primaries. Yup, I've given up on Clinton having the sense to gracefully bow out because she is neither graceful nor a bower outer although she will not … [Read more...] about If Hillary Clinton Can’t Run A Campaign Then How Can She Run A Country?
Senator McCain’s Medical Records: Will They Include Psychiatric Records re PTSD?
That's what some of the pundits are hinting at. But, I wonder what the rules are for releasing one's medical records if one is running for the presidency; surely it's not required. Senator McCain’s had several brushes with cancer; it's not his age, but perhaps some think it's his vulnerability to cancer that ought be weighed. There's a saying in the old religious stories … [Read more...] about Senator McCain’s Medical Records: Will They Include Psychiatric Records re PTSD?
General Petraeus’ Clear Message: “We Are Stuck In Iraq”
In an earlier post Shaun Mullen suggests that what General David Petraeus says ultimately reflects the policy of the C-in-C, President George W. Bush. While agreeing with Shaun, I would like to add a few points. First let's jog our memory. I had written in an earlier post: "The Iraq mess is not of his making nor can he achieve a miracle on his own. But Petraeus is now … [Read more...] about General Petraeus’ Clear Message: “We Are Stuck In Iraq”
Religious Persecution, or Looking the Other Way? Isn’t There A Third View?
In Eldorado, Texas, there's been a gathering up of women and children taken into protective custody from a commune that practices polygamy, one that claims LDS (Mormon) status, (Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints: FLDS) but long ago was exiled from the Mormon Church... Facts presented in affidavits brings again into the spotlight, evil toward children justified by … [Read more...] about Religious Persecution, or Looking the Other Way? Isn’t There A Third View?
Big Mo and the Order in Which Primaries, Caucuses Fall
An eighty-six year old man told me on Sunday, "There has got to be a better way to pick a president than what we've got now." He added, "It's pitiful!" I think he's right. Sean Oxendine is appalled by the Democratic nomination process, which he reports that one of his friends calls, “like the electoral college, but more random.” But, Oxendine says, the most disturbing … [Read more...] about Big Mo and the Order in Which Primaries, Caucuses Fall
Gergen: Clinton Strategist Mark Penn’s Departure Could Influence Clinton Campaign And Primaries
David Gergen, the former adviser to Presidents who is now an editor-at-large for U.S. News & world Report, believes the departure of top Clinton strategist Mark Penn from running the Clinton campaign could well influence the rest of the primaries. His predictions: the Clinton campaign may start to focus more promoting Hillary Clinton's positives and focus less on trying to … [Read more...] about Gergen: Clinton Strategist Mark Penn’s Departure Could Influence Clinton Campaign And Primaries
McCain Stays The Course
Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about McCain Stays The Course
Interview with Joanne Mariner
On the occasion of the release of a Human Rights Watch report on the subject of "extraordinary rendition" of prisoners to Jordan, for detention, interrogation, and torture, in the course of the "war on terror," I thank Team TMV for letting me bring you this installment in my ongoing series of interviews with knowledgeable players in "the war on terror," and particularly … [Read more...] about Interview with Joanne Mariner
Washington Mutual Bank Cutting Jobs Amid Big Losses: Another Bad Economic Sign
Yet another bad sign of the times on the economic front: Washington Mutual has lost $1 billion in the first quarter and the bank is going to slash 3,000 jobs nationwide: Seattle-based WaMu (NYSE: WM), the nation's largest thrift, has been hit hard by the mortgage turmoil, leading to speculation that its days as an independent financial institution are numbered. A … [Read more...] about Washington Mutual Bank Cutting Jobs Amid Big Losses: Another Bad Economic Sign