Yes. I'm a flip-flopper. Of the first degree. Item #225 on the very long list of reasons I could never run for public office. The latest example: The proposed (and languishing, but not yet dead) expansion of the S-CHIP program. First, I was generally in favor of it. Then, I was soundly against it. And then ... the factors that prompted me to change my position were … [Read more...] about A Flip-Flopper’s Confession
So much for those carbon dioxide “sinks”
(Note: I apologize for the link-heavy opening paragraph, but I've done a good deal of writing about the climate crisis over at my place, and these links will take you directly to some of those posts.) I haven't blogged about the climate crisis in some time, except to comment on Al Gore's Nobel win -- as J. Kingston Pierce and J. Thomas Duffy did, too -- but it's been in the … [Read more...] about So much for those carbon dioxide “sinks”
More Blackwater Sewage
AP via MSNBC: State Dept. security chief to resign in aftermath of Blackwater shooting WASHINGTON - The State Department's security chief announced his resignation on Wednesday in the wake of last month's deadly Blackwater USA shooting incident in Baghdad and growing questions about the use of private contractors in Iraq. Richard Griffin, the assistant secretary of state … [Read more...] about More Blackwater Sewage
Secretary Gates Is Not “Satisfied” with NATO
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is expected to call for more European contributions to Afghanistan at the NATO Defense Ministers meeting in the Netherlands today and tomorrow. His message to Europeans is according to an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that they should "fulfill the commitments that their leaders made in Riga [at the NATO summit in November … [Read more...] about Secretary Gates Is Not “Satisfied” with NATO
The Crusader: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
It makes me cringe when I hear references to Ayaan Hirsi Ali. An ex-Muslim, a former Dutch parliamentarian, and a feminist, Hirsi Ali is often trotted out as some sort of spokeswoman for moderate Islam. A few years back, she wrote a book ("Infidel") and produced a movie ("Submission") that condemn harsh treatment associated with Islam; since then, she's been a celebrity. As … [Read more...] about The Crusader: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
California Fire Bear Grieves
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about California Fire Bear Grieves
A Commentary on Two Disasters
Center of Attention
A round up of recent commentary by assorted voices who either attempt to strike a balanced note on heated debates and controversial issues, or improve our ability to find our own sense of balance by exposing us to new information and different points-of-view. -------------------------- To kick things off today ... two posts that represent two notes in the same chord, … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
How You Can Help Southern California’s Fire Victims
Can you help California's Fire Victims - -people of all ages, religions, ethnic groups and political persuasions? And animals, too? There are lots of organizations who could use your money now and the info online involves both these organizations and some websites that help you short-circuit your look for organizations. Here are some places to visit if you want to … [Read more...] about How You Can Help Southern California’s Fire Victims
Is Condi Rice The Worst Or What?
Great at Debussy, but how about diplomacy? Has there been a worse secretary of state in the last five decades than Condoleezza Rice? Using William Rogers' appointment as secretary of state by Richard Nixon in 1969 as a baseline, there have been a total of 12 secretaries of state. They include Henry Kissinger (1973-77), Cyrus Vance (1977-80), Edmund Muskie (1980-81), … [Read more...] about Is Condi Rice The Worst Or What?
No Honeymoon In Vegas For O.J.
Although his unpredictable behavior and drug binging were an open secret, few of O.J. Simpson’s friends stepped up to testify against him at his infamous double-murder trial. But very few people are rushing to his side following his arrest for armed robbery in a Las Vegas hotel room and two co-defendants will testify against him. Clark County District Attorney David Roger … [Read more...] about No Honeymoon In Vegas For O.J.
Battered Fire Bear
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Battered Fire Bear
Politix: Backwards Into the Future
That Rick Moran over at the ineptly named Rightwing Nuthouse (change the frickin' name, for cryin' out loud) has applied his ample intellectual horsepower to why so many conservatives are mired in an echo chamber that he calls a "Reaganesque fantasyland" in which the endless mantra is small government, low taxes, less regulation and strong national defense. Rick writes … [Read more...] about Politix: Backwards Into the Future
Since it is my birthday, I’ll be self-indulgent…
...and post the following: The people I am most afraid of are those who are the most afraid. -Robert Frost … [Read more...] about Since it is my birthday, I’ll be self-indulgent…
Distraught San Diego Fire Refugees Show Patience At Qualcomm Stadium
For most of them, they aren’t far away from home. Yet, they’re a world away. Some of the adults look stunned. And some of the kids look overwhelmed. You can see literally thousands of them here in San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium, the 71,500 seat football stadium that normally hosts happier events, such as San Diego Chargers football games and rock concerts. But … [Read more...] about Distraught San Diego Fire Refugees Show Patience At Qualcomm Stadium
Elections: Men Too Emotional to be President? Women too? Curious Clues in the Constitution.
Aren't both genders potentially too emotional to be President? What if a male President is daily poisoned by testosteronic aggression/power madness to control everything, and his decision-making is skewed, and worse, destructive?** On the other hand, what if a female President is daily poisoned by estrogenic over-nesting/ preservation of everything no matter what, and … [Read more...] about Elections: Men Too Emotional to be President? Women too? Curious Clues in the Constitution.
Prize for Al Gore Greatly Discredits Nobel Committee
In awarding Al Gore with the Nobel Prize, has the Norwegian Parliament betrayed its pro-NATO, pro-war bias? According to this op-ed article from Mexico's La Jornada, it's time for the developed world to begin awarding "alternate peace prizes to compete creatively for world public opinion, rather than depend exclusively on the politically contaminated Nobel 'Peace' … [Read more...] about Prize for Al Gore Greatly Discredits Nobel Committee
Fire Update (Until Joe Gets Back)
UPDATED AGAIN: ‘We can’t stop it’ - Officials all but concede defeat to wildfires as estimated 1 million evacuate SAN DIEGO - Faced with unrelenting winds whipping wildfires into a frenzy across Southern California, firefighters conceded defeat on many fronts Tuesday to an unstoppable force that has chased an estimated 1 million people away. Unless the shrieking … [Read more...] about Fire Update (Until Joe Gets Back)
Obama’s Albatross*: Donnie McClurkin (UPDATED)
UPDATE: Tomorrow's The Hill: Obama pressured on gay 'cure' preacher and The Swamp: 'No crusade' to cure gays, says Obama's gospel star. UPDATE: Hear Pam Spaulding of PHB and Mike Signorile on Sirius Out Q discussing the issue. _________ Does Barack Obama want to portray himself as either P.C. or consistent? He appears to have got himself into a situation where he's … [Read more...] about Obama’s Albatross*: Donnie McClurkin (UPDATED)
A Few Good Words on Journalism
TODAY'S WORD ON JOURNALISM—Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007 Canary in the Mine: “(W)hile the newspaper is expendable, the tradition it represents and the information it supplies are not. The evolution from Gutenberg to Gates may be irreversible, but as new media replace old ones there’s no official passing of the torch of responsibility, no automatic transfer of the sacred … [Read more...] about A Few Good Words on Journalism