While tonight's debate between senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama may be an academic exercise, one that, besides, promises only a recitation of their by-now canned set-pieces in response to equally predictable questions, it would be helpful if it offered voters more than this. Here are twenty-three questions I'd like to be asked and answered tonight: 1. Senator Obama, … [Read more...] about Twenty-Three Questions for Tonight’s Debate
Which Hillary?
In desperation now, the Campaign That Couldn't is giving us a montage of Hillary Clintons--defiant, angry, scolding, sarcastic--in Ohio and Texas, but how will she blend those stump personas into a coherent candidate for the side-by-side setting of tonight's crucial debate? In New Hampshire, the sensitive Hillary won over voters in the final days and, at the end of last … [Read more...] about Which Hillary?
Class Act
Though I'm still undecided about my general election vote, I am (indisputably) a John McCain fan. Accordingly, I am perhaps too quick to jump to the "class act" conclusion, like Andrew Sullivan did, after reading this news report. But if that's the case, so be it. Hence, another reason why I'm looking forward to an Obama-McCain contest, because I suspect those campaigns … [Read more...] about Class Act
Open Thread, Cleveland Debate: On the ground & in the audience for TMV
I'm here in the media filing center. The Ohio Democratic Party top dogs have given an overview that I didn't really hear because I was busy figuring out where I am, uploading photos and saying hello to other press. There is supposedly going to be over 500 press here. In Ohio, it's 3:30pm EST. I will be blogging through until about 7:30 or so, when I have to go into the … [Read more...] about Open Thread, Cleveland Debate: On the ground & in the audience for TMV
Hillary Clinton
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton
A Hillary Supporter Considers Photogate*
*Hey, someone's bound to call it that of they haven't already: I am just getting the jump on the bandwagon. I am genuinely bemused by the "outrage" (or display of it) in the media and elsewhere over the dressed-Obama photo and the current dearth of denials. How on earth can the Clinton campaign deny it? It's certainly conceivable that some … [Read more...] about A Hillary Supporter Considers Photogate*
Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Seek Common Ground
In the Wall Street Journal A bipartisan group of eight House members offered a snapshot Monday evening of some of the potential legislative challenges and advantages the next president may face in dealing with Congress. ...Republicans reiterated support for tax cuts and a heightened need to curb federal spending, while Democrats argued a bigger slice of the pie needs to … [Read more...] about Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Seek Common Ground
America’s Prestigious Orchestra Serenades An “Axis of Evil”
While Ms Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, interacted with the Chinese leaders about the nuclear disarmament in North Korea, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra held a historic concert in the heart of North Korea --- a nation still considered as an enemy by the US. The East Pyongyang Grand Theatre echoed with the strains of North Korean national anthem 'Patriotic Song', … [Read more...] about America’s Prestigious Orchestra Serenades An “Axis of Evil”
From my (red) corner of Texas
I showed up a few minutes early yesterday to pick up Adorable Child from a birthday party, and as has happened with nearly every adult encounter in the last week, another parent and I began talking about the primary election. While people eddied about us (including an entire family decked out in Obama t-shirts), our dialogue ran along now-familiar lines: he watched the … [Read more...] about From my (red) corner of Texas
Chinese hackers crack Net censorship
Thanks to Thomas P.M. Barnett for this link to Chinese hackers crack Net censorship Just as one person's Terrorist is another person's Freedom Fighter, one person's Computer Criminal is another's Liberator. … [Read more...] about Chinese hackers crack Net censorship
When ‘Happiness Pills’ Don’t Work…
It will be surprising if anyone claims that he/she has not been depressed at some time or the other in life. Our marital/personal/professional life, in this whirling and topsy-turvy modern world, faces extreme challenges in an attempt to retain a modicum of sanity. However, the popular myth that the 'happiness pills' help us come out of depression received a severe jolt … [Read more...] about When ‘Happiness Pills’ Don’t Work…
Ralph Nader Announcement
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Ralph Nader Announcement
Texas Early Voting Increases 650%
The Burnt Orange Report did an analysis of early Democratic voting in the top 15 Texas Counties. 360,259 Democrats have voted in the primary through Sunday -- 304,867 more than this point in time in the 2004 primary election. That is absolutely phenomenal. … [Read more...] about Texas Early Voting Increases 650%
Pakistan’s Kidnapped Ambassador: Is he safe? No One Is Bothered…
We do live in strange and brutal times. Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Tariq Azizuddin, went missing a fortnight ago as he was travelling by road through a volatile region in the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan. But there has been no international outrage or concern. Even the media is not bothered. If it had been a case of even one missing … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s Kidnapped Ambassador: Is he safe? No One Is Bothered…
(Updated) A Secret GOP Program & Open Sore
Today's Republican Party (as opposed to the Big Tent GOP of the Goldwater-Rockefeller era) has welcomed blacks with open arms -- as long as they use the back door on their way to the kitchen or maid's quarters -- and has been only somewhat less unfriendly to women. So the possibility that John McCain will be facing an African-American or a woman in the November election is … [Read more...] about (Updated) A Secret GOP Program & Open Sore
Makhdoom Amin Fahim: Pakistan’s Emerging Hope?
Those in the USA panicking over the recent poll results/developments in Pakistan which resulted in a resounding defeat of America's favourite military dictator President Pervez Musharraf, can have some hope. How? The Newsweek magazine team believes that Washington can expect to get along reasonably well with Pakistan's (possible) next prime minister. "The Pakistan People's … [Read more...] about Makhdoom Amin Fahim: Pakistan’s Emerging Hope?
John McCain Stakes His Campaign On Iraq & Other News From The Forever War
In what is a miscalculation of epic proportions, John McCain says he will stake his fall campaign on having been right about the Iraq war. With the exception of this stale sales pitch having an built-in appeal for the presumptive Republican nominee's base, who are a mere fraction of the voters that McCain needs to give Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton a run for their money, … [Read more...] about John McCain Stakes His Campaign On Iraq & Other News From The Forever War
Poetic Commentary: Food: The New Luxury Item
Food: The New Luxury Item Who thought that we would ever see A time when costs per calorie Had risen high enough so we Start thinking food's a luxury. When prices for a hunk of cheese Could put one in a dollar squeeze When costs for milk sold by the quart Could get a parent overwrought. When bread and eggs, the basic fare And fruits and veggies, bottled … [Read more...] about Poetic Commentary: Food: The New Luxury Item
Ralph Nadir
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Ralph Nadir
‘Explosive Revelation’: Obama Admits ‘Boneheaded Mistake’:
In what it describes as "special investigation", The Times of London says that "a British-Iraqi billionaire lent millions of dollars to Barack Obama's fundraiser just weeks before an imprudent land deal that has returned to haunt the US presidential contender. The money transfer raises the question of whether funds from Nadhmi Auchi, one of Britain’s wealthiest men, helped Mr … [Read more...] about ‘Explosive Revelation’: Obama Admits ‘Boneheaded Mistake’: