I would like to pose this question/statement to those more educated than I am in "how the government works": My state (Michigan), as you may already know, is in a huge crisis. The Big 3 automakers are now the Imploding 3. We've lost countless jobs and underemployment is rampant. Top that with a state government in the red, along with its largest city (Detroit) in the red … [Read more...] about Is a state bail-out feasible?
Campaign Ads: Don’t Do It Rudy, and Sen. Thompson, Do You Really Want to be Called Fred0? Analyzing Political Ads and Symbols
It looks like we're in for another season of campaign ads that accidentally entertain, and some that rise to fine and memorable art... and some that are the equivalent of ongoing intravenous poison that causes deafness. I'm hoping some and even most of the ads we're about to see will actually tell the story of each candidate's serious heroic quest not as Sisyphus rolling … [Read more...] about Campaign Ads: Don’t Do It Rudy, and Sen. Thompson, Do You Really Want to be Called Fred0? Analyzing Political Ads and Symbols
MIA
For years, Republicans have been claiming that they should be seen as a viable alternative to the Democrats for the votes of African-Americans. Recently, the Black community has responded by organizing candidate forums where the GOP '08 presidential contenders can make their pitch for Black votes. So why aren't Republicans showing up? Thus far, no Republican candidate save … [Read more...] about MIA
Here We Go Again Department: Guess Who’s Running For President?
He is, of course, answering a clamor from the country. But it should be FUN. since he'll provide lots of lively quotes and inspire lots of blog posts. UPDATE: He has already received one blog endorsement (read the endorsement and you can feel the enthusiasm).` Allahpundit is also truly excited. Is he the GOP's "savior?" So he has already created consensus on the … [Read more...] about Here We Go Again Department: Guess Who’s Running For President?
Senator John McCain Changes Name Of Straight Talk Express
Senator John McCain is changing the famous name of "The Straight Talk Express" which he has used since his unsuccessful 2000 campaign to "No Surrender" for his 2008 campaign. And Comedy Central's Jon Stewart had some suggestions for the good-natured and telegenic Senator, who was on his show. See the Stewart/McCain video here. Is this a smart move? Some will say it's dumb … [Read more...] about Senator John McCain Changes Name Of Straight Talk Express
A Sporting Chance: Spies Like Us As Politics And Sports Merge
Who would ever have thought that you could see parallels in the "values" embraced by those in the whatever-it-takes world of politics and the "values" in sports where the word "sportsmanship" could seemingly become as outdated as the word "grand" meaning "great" and "gay" meaning happy? But you can. Read this column by Pajamas Media's Rick Moran: Sports these days … [Read more...] about A Sporting Chance: Spies Like Us As Politics And Sports Merge
Bush Broke Our Army. Who Will Fix It?
Among the most serious of the consequences of the war in Iraq no matter when it ends -- and we were reminded this week that it won't end anytime soon -- is a United States Army that George Bush has all but broken. The president declared during his prime-time speech on Thursday night that there may be a drawdown of some 30,000 soldiers -- or roughly five combat brigades -- by … [Read more...] about Bush Broke Our Army. Who Will Fix It?
Could Bush’s Speech On Iraq Backfire?
Could Bush's Thursday night TV speech on Iraq prove to be a big political blunder and actually backfire? Time Magazine says there is indeed a risk -- and it confirms what we noted here last night about cable news networks indicating some key Republicans were not happy Bush gave the speech at all: But Bush's trumpeting of what he called a "return on success" could end up … [Read more...] about Could Bush’s Speech On Iraq Backfire?
Recommended reading
At the weblog City of Brass, Aziz Poonawalla is posting his morning thoughts during Ramadan. I expect the meditations will provide very nutritious food for thought, as evidenced by the concluding lines from the first post: In fact, for the next two years, 9-11 will fall within Ramadan again. It is important for muslims to move beyond 9-11 as a context in which we defend our … [Read more...] about Recommended reading
10 YEARS GOOGLE
Patrick Chappatte, Le Temps, Switzerland … [Read more...] about 10 YEARS GOOGLE
Roses Are Blue, Violets Are Too!
E. J. Dionne Jr. in the Washington Post: As Virginia goes, so goes the Senate -- and the nation? The decision of former Virginia governor Mark Warner to run for the seat of retiring Republican Sen. John Warner is more than just bad news for the GOP. It reflects fundamental shifts in the balance of political power in the country, the growing force and volatility of … [Read more...] about Roses Are Blue, Violets Are Too!
Grace
Twenty-five years ago today, Princess Grace of Monaco, just as Diana of Wales would 15 years later, died in a car crash, another victim of a Cinderella marriage that ended with shattered glass slippers. Born Grace Kelly of Philadelphia, she was glowingly beautiful, as movies on TCM still show, and talented enough to win an Academy Award at the age of 25. Yet she gave it all … [Read more...] about Grace
A Jew in Sun Country, Part II
A follow-up. … [Read more...] about A Jew in Sun Country, Part II
Break now or forever lose November 2008
Republican presidential candidates need to make a "clean break" from President George W. Bush and the U.S. government or they will lose in November 2008... Interesting quote. Will the Republican presidential candidates listen? Newt Gingrich says they better and soon: Gingrich: Republicans need "clean break" from Bush By Steve Holland Fri Sep 14, 1:03 PM … [Read more...] about Break now or forever lose November 2008
Fred Thompson Not Taking the Bait
Fred Thompson is bringing something new to the ’08 Presidential scramble, and it may just work. The former Senator/actor is raising cool to an art form and, at a time, when voters are hearing too much from too many, his detachment has lifted him to the top of the Republican polls and may just keep him there. Take, for example, his demurral to participating in the Values … [Read more...] about Fred Thompson Not Taking the Bait
Wanted: A Better Caption For This Foto
Lady Margaret Thatcher visits the London Zoo today. You can surely do better than that. What caption would you write for this photo? (Be funny, but be nice.) … [Read more...] about Wanted: A Better Caption For This Foto
Surging for Democracy
Harry Harrison, The South China Morning Post … [Read more...] about Surging for Democracy
O.J.: That Was The Thursday That Was
O.J. Simpson had himself one helluva Thursday. Earlier yesterday, Fred Goldman kicked off a coast-to-coast tour to pitch “If I Did It†on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Goldman’s son Ron is widely believed to have been murdered by Simpson along with his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson. Dad was awarded the right publish the Juice's ghostwritten non-confession confession … [Read more...] about O.J.: That Was The Thursday That Was
O.J. Simpson Questioned In Vegas Robbery
This will be an interesting story to watch: Metro police confirmed early Friday morning that O.J. Simpson is being investigated in connection with a robbery at the Palace Station Casino. The incident happened late Thursday night, police said. The Palace Station complex, located near the Vegas strip, includes a 430-room Courtyard Hotel and a 21-story hotel tower with … [Read more...] about O.J. Simpson Questioned In Vegas Robbery
Saudi Arabia’s Role In “Islamist Violence” Reportedly Remains Strong
The New York Sun reports that the role of Saudi Arabia in exporting "Islamist violence" remains stronger than ever: Six years after visiting its brand of terror on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, Saudi Arabia has become a world-class exporter of Islamist violence. The toll is grisly: Well over 3,000 Saudi citizens roaming the world … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia’s Role In “Islamist Violence” Reportedly Remains Strong