I just love hearing Sylvia Poggioli say her name - I always have. Doesn't matter what she's reporting. But this morning, she helped Frank Deford preview this weekend's Super Bowl game during Morning Edition. You can read the "play" here or listen to it here. I have a suspicion that this is going to be one of those Deford pieces that gets a lot of "just give us the sports, … [Read more...] about Shakespeare, Super Bowls & Sideline Wench Poggioli
The problem with the current FISA legislation…
...explained in 30 seconds by Russ Feingold: I lived in France for just under two years. During that time the current version of FISA (which was just extended by voice vote for another 15 days to allow for more time to negotiate the next version) was in effect, and any of my phone calls home could have been monitored without judicial oversight, despite the fact I am an … [Read more...] about The problem with the current FISA legislation…
Bush Sings the Same Old Song …
What does the rest of the world think of President Bush's last State of the Union Address? Among a number of quite skeptical reactions on WORLDMEETS.US, this editorial from de Volkskrant of The Netherlands assures, 'One thing is certain: he will not be remembered as a uniter.' EDITORIAL Translated By Meta Mertens January 29, 2008 The Netherlands - de Volkskrant - … [Read more...] about Bush Sings the Same Old Song …
Bernankevision
As I write, it is breaking news that the Fed has cut interest rates for the second time in less than 2 weeks. TheStreet.com reminds us these are the steepest cuts since 1982, bringing us to the lowest rates since 2005. From CNN: The federal funds rate, an overnight bank lending rate that affects how much interest consumers pay on credit cards, home equity lines of … [Read more...] about Bernankevision
Super Tuesday & a “where are they now” story: Ned Lamont
Lots of news out of California helping us track the run-up to Super Tuesday there. But what about in a state 3000 miles from California that is multiple times tinier? In Connecticut, we find netroots darling and Democratic primary winner for the 2006 U.S. Senate race in Connecticut, Ned Lamont toiling for Barack Obama. From The Trail: Though Lamont failed to beat … [Read more...] about Super Tuesday & a “where are they now” story: Ned Lamont
Encouraging Trends for Moderate Politics
In addition to the fact that relatively moderate Senator McCain won the GOP vote in Florida WITHOUT the help of independents, we have this report about President Carter Leads Moderate Baptist Meeting Weary of Southern Baptists' dominance in American Protestantism, a new push is starting by other Baptist groups aimed at working on social justice issues, and showing their … [Read more...] about Encouraging Trends for Moderate Politics
Dancing With Yemen
Far too wonky to publish on a respectable blog like this one, I've written a brief analysis of the connection between Yemen, terrorism, and American policy over at Foreign Policy Watch. The post, I should add, includes some rare praise for the Bush administration. … [Read more...] about Dancing With Yemen
Rebranding The Left
In Haaretz, Rami Livni notes an unusual change that is beginning to develop amongst the Israeli left: The traditional peace-camp solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - two nations, two states - has fallen out of favor, and its supporters' ranks have dwindled. Instead, other voices have been advocating, with increasing confidence, a single bi-national state. The … [Read more...] about Rebranding The Left
A Big Bowl of Symbolism Just Won’t Do It
I was all fired up to write a deep-thinking post on Barack Obama's continuing indifference (or inability) to put meat on the bones of his otherwise captivating hope-and-change mantra after Daniel Larison cited this terrific quote from Joshua Foa Dienstag, a deep thinker whose specialty is the study of pessimism, which certainly would seem to be a growth industry in … [Read more...] about A Big Bowl of Symbolism Just Won’t Do It
Kennedy Passes Torch To Obama
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Kennedy Passes Torch To Obama
McCain Florida Victory: Some Warning Signs For Democrats
Arizona Senator John McCain's victory in the Florida primary can't yet be called "decisive" in terms of the GOP 2008 Presidential nomination race being over -- but the way he won does contain some warning signs for Democrats who might think he'd be a pushover if he runs against Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in a decidedly anti-Bush year: Drawing heavily on votes from … [Read more...] about McCain Florida Victory: Some Warning Signs For Democrats
From Florida to SuperTuesday: Riding Straight, All Tack Flanging, Hell Bent For Leather Into the Homestretch
Horses running a race can be most easily injured in the home stretch. Why? Because their jockeys can become over-enthused with the thrill of the neck and neck, with the small gains made on the inside curve of the track, losing focus on riding the horse evenhandedly, and instead being swept away in a thrall of jerking speed and imagined glory... aiming too soon for the … [Read more...] about From Florida to SuperTuesday: Riding Straight, All Tack Flanging, Hell Bent For Leather Into the Homestretch
Edwards Over and Out
AP reports (via MSNBC) that John Edwards is dropping out of the presidential race. That's fine with me! Now, will he endorse either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton? CNN: Announcement at 1 pm in New Orleans. … [Read more...] about Edwards Over and Out
Super Tuesday Looms Large: Can It Be We’re Only A Week From the End Of the Game?
Is it possible that a week from today that the Democratic and Republican presidential races will be over bar the shouting? The likelihood the 22-state Super Tuesday primaries will produce prohibitive favorites in either let alone both parties would not seem to be great. But big-state wins by Hillary Clinton and John McCain would make them the presumptive nominees because it … [Read more...] about Super Tuesday Looms Large: Can It Be We’re Only A Week From the End Of the Game?
Obama and the Jewish Question
Jews in Israel are very interested in Obama's position on the problems in their country, as seen here and here. Note the use of his full name, Barack Hussein Obama, in the caption at the top of one of the articles. H/T Watching America.com … [Read more...] about Obama and the Jewish Question
India between China and the U.S.
According to this article from France's Le Monde, India’s strategic priorities are fixed very clearly upon the two main actors in the Asian stage: the United States and China. India's objective is to ... work out its newly minted collusion with Washington without upsetting China The U.S. has a role in South Asian geopolitics that is as important as it is … [Read more...] about India between China and the U.S.
McCain Yes; Obama No?
Obama is stimulating not only the youth to get out and vote, but also the world’s journalists to produce some great op-eds. Watching America is featuring a piece translated from the Spanish-language Mexico’s daily, Excelsior, entitled “McCain Yes; Obama No?”, which touches effectively on so many fundamental themes in U.S. politics. Here are a few quotes. American … [Read more...] about McCain Yes; Obama No?
Betrayal, War and the Fury of a Woman
Double betrayal; War between Dynasties, the Fury of a woman like a lioness in a cage! It sounds like an Italian opera. In fact, it is a super Italian article from Corriere della Sera, translated by the invaluable Watching America.com, on the Kennedys' endorsement of Obama. The betrayal is that of the Clintons by the Kennedys, (the two Dynasties), and the lioness in a cage … [Read more...] about Betrayal, War and the Fury of a Woman
What the Sunshine State Foreshadows
Mitt Romney loses a primary to John McCain that would have knocked a less loaded man out of contention for the Republican nomination, but Romney will buy his way on to Super Tuesday. Hillary Clinton arrives for a made-for-TV celebration, complete with walls of printed placards, of "winning" a phantom contest for no delegates that she and other Democrats had promised to … [Read more...] about What the Sunshine State Foreshadows
McCain Would Be the Best Republican President for Europe
Considering the general suspicion and negativity towards Europe among the Republicans, it is great news that John McCain is the frontrunner. For Europe he would be better than any other Republican candidate. The Atlantic Community reviewed the Republican candidates' statements on Europe and transatlantic affairs and concludes: Huckabee claims Europe is (unintentionally) to … [Read more...] about McCain Would Be the Best Republican President for Europe