"Can John, at His Age, Handle It?", asks this piece from the Dutch Algemene Dagblad, translated by Watching America.com On the one hand, Indeed. McCain is finding it more difficult to come across as fit, young and energetic. As a prisoner of war in Vietnam, the Republican was tortured and seriously wounded. As a result, he still walks with difficulty. McCain also can … [Read more...] about Can John, at His Age, Handle It?
The Sam’s Club Agenda
Even though I'm a Republican, I'm not a big fan of David Frum. That said, he is starting to make some sense lately about the future of the GOP. In his op-ed found in Friday's New York Times, he sets up an interesting conversation among the three wings of the party. And what an interesting chat it is. There is a lot of meaty stuff to glean from this op-ed, but what … [Read more...] about The Sam’s Club Agenda
Assassinations Investigator Killed By Bomb In Beirut
A police intelligence officer looking into assassinations in Lebanon was killed in a targeted bomb attack -- continuing the cycle of politically motivated murders. One question now being asked: was Al Qaeda behind the killing? Or could it really be Syria? Or is there a convergence of bloody interests at play there? Reuters reports: A car bomb killed a police … [Read more...] about Assassinations Investigator Killed By Bomb In Beirut
Sentiment And Anti-Semitism
A fascinating discussion of it is HERE. … [Read more...] about Sentiment And Anti-Semitism
Kucinich’s post-primary drop-out plans: IntegrityNow.org
One of Dennis Kucinich's most often-cited assets during his run for the Democratic nomination to be president was his wife, Elizabeth. Now, while he works to retain his seat in Ohio's 10th congressional district (he'll be going for his seventh term), she may be occupied with the new windmill he's erecting, IntegrityNow.org. From the Plain Dealer Openers blog: The … [Read more...] about Kucinich’s post-primary drop-out plans: IntegrityNow.org
Kerry Accuses Bill Clinton Of “Abusing Truth” On Obama
Add Senator and 2004 Democratic nominee Senator John Kerry to the list of prominent Democrats criticizing former President Bill Clinton for his comments about Senator Hillary Clinton's chief 2008 Presidential nomination rival Senator Barack Obama -- not because of Bill Clinton's involvement but because of the accuracy of Clinton's comments and his campaigning as if he is … [Read more...] about Kerry Accuses Bill Clinton Of “Abusing Truth” On Obama
Barack Obama Delivers David Letterman’s Top 10 List
Now a political rite of passage for politicians who want to get friendly exposure to younger audiences who aren't as gravely serious as blogging types: … [Read more...] about Barack Obama Delivers David Letterman’s Top 10 List
A Centrist’s View of Media Exaggeration
Jon Stewart voiced my frustration with the unreasonable and inaccurate exaggeration of what news makers say and mean. It seems to me that most of what is said is sensational and dramatic enough without adding the hyperbole. Can it not be sufficient for media to report the facts without spinning them. This is why I tend to favor PBS and CSPAN, who fall into this trap far less … [Read more...] about A Centrist’s View of Media Exaggeration
Sarkozy & Bruni: Together At The Monument of Love?
More than the French and Indian bilateral deals, the Indian media is more focussed on whether the French President's lady love Carla Bruni would make it to the Agra's world famous Taj Mahal on Saturday when the French President is scheduled to visit the monument of love. Bruni had earlier denied that she would visit India along with Sarkozy. More here... … [Read more...] about Sarkozy & Bruni: Together At The Monument of Love?
John Edwards as Mr. Clean
As the two front-runners mud wrestle, the Great White Hope from North Carolina keeps blinking his eyes earnestly in the hope that Democrats will turn their lonely eyes toward him. But John Edwards, like Mitt Romney in the other contest, is just too airbrushed for the part, try as he may, and his instinct for the jugular may remind voters of the class tattletale. The New … [Read more...] about John Edwards as Mr. Clean
Dancing Brother
Larry Wright, The Detroit News … [Read more...] about Dancing Brother
Larry Sabato on Obama-Muslim Rumors
The Jewish Week: University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato said it is important to examine the Obama rumors in the broader context of today’s bitter, unrestrained political environment. "I’ve said consistently that this campaign will turn out to be one of the dirtiest campaigns in American history, and the first few weeks prove it," Sabato told The Jewish … [Read more...] about Larry Sabato on Obama-Muslim Rumors
Teen Arrested In Airline Hijack Suicide Plot
In yet another sign of how youth is shaped by images and info in the news and entertainment media, a 16 year-old boy has been taken into custody for planning to hijack a plane in a suicide attempt. Some early reports suggested the unnamed teen (newspapers often omit the names of minors) planned to crash it into a Hannah Montana concert in Louisiana -- which could have … [Read more...] about Teen Arrested In Airline Hijack Suicide Plot
There Is a God: Rudy Sinks Like a Stone
Has there been a lousier major presidential candidate in recent memory than Rudy Giuliani, an ethically challenged one trick pony whose campaign has pretty much self destructed before his "first big test" next week in the Florida primary? I don’t think so, but am willing to take on challengers. Giuliani's descent from Republican frontrunner status in national polls last … [Read more...] about There Is a God: Rudy Sinks Like a Stone
India & Pakistan: Exploited by ‘Merchants of (Arms) Death’?
Public in India and Pakistan wants peace. Yes, it does after having lived through a turbulent past. But the peace process is always thwarted because the leaders in the two countries, alongwith the leaders in the Western world, seem to have developed a vested interest in fanning insecurities among the large populace, and thus encouraging arms' race in the Indian subcontinent. … [Read more...] about India & Pakistan: Exploited by ‘Merchants of (Arms) Death’?
Tigger Economics – Market
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Tigger Economics – Market
Dispatch From the No-Shame Department
Paul Wolfowitz has screwed up virtually everything he has done in association with the Bush administration and America is the worse for it. The smarmy neocon was a key architect of the Iraq war and as Donald Rumsfeld's deputy secretary of defense proved to be adroit at assigning blame to practically everyone except himself as the war came a cropper. Wolfowitz then went on … [Read more...] about Dispatch From the No-Shame Department
Whatcha Gonna Do With Yer Tax Rebate?
Under an economic stimulus package with $150 billion in temporary tax breaks agreed to by the Bush administration and House leaders, almost every wage earner would get a check of at least $300. Families with children would receive an additional $300 per child, while those paying income taxes could receive higher rebates. The full rebate would be limited to people earning below … [Read more...] about Whatcha Gonna Do With Yer Tax Rebate?
Campaign Horserace Journalism: Popular With Journalists But Failing Readers?
Is 2008 campaign "horse-race journalism" -- the form of journalism that covers polls, tactical skirmishes, campaign ads, who's (momentarily) up and who's (momentarily) down -- increasingly popular with journalists but ultimately not giving the public reliable and vital information? That's the question posed by Jay Rosen, the New York journalism professor who has a MUST READ … [Read more...] about Campaign Horserace Journalism: Popular With Journalists But Failing Readers?