A story for our times. (Isn't videotape WONDERFUL?) … [Read more...] about The President Who Cried Wolf
Why I’m Afraid of Americans
Last month, Newsweek conducted a poll in which it asked Americans questions regarding American history, world history, current events, and geography. Predictably, the results were less than encouraging. 89% percent of those polled, for example, were unable to name the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (John Roberts) while 63% were unable to name the first person to win … [Read more...] about Why I’m Afraid of Americans
Senior Republican Domenici Calls For Iraq War Policy Change
Yet another Republican bigwig has broken with President George Bush over his Iraq war policy: Sen. Pete Domenici (N.M.), a 36-year Republican veteran of the Senate, abandoned President Bush's Iraq war policy today by publicly endorsing legislation designed to withdraw nearly all U.S. troops from Iraq by March 2008. Domenici, a member of the defense appropriations … [Read more...] about Senior Republican Domenici Calls For Iraq War Policy Change
John Edwards’ Hair Scandal
At first, it just seemed like an indiscretion, a couple of $400 haircuts while he was away from home. But John Edwards’ passion for his hair is now a full-blown campaign issue with his Beverly Hills stylist telling all today to the Washington Post. It started, as these things often do, with a few casual trims in 2003 and 2004 and no money changing hands. The stylist Joseph … [Read more...] about John Edwards’ Hair Scandal
Gordon Brown: A New PM With A Very Different Style
Reading The Washington Post last night, I came across a fascinating piece that points out some of the early, visible differences between the governing style of Gordon Brown versus that of Tony Blair. Brown is less excitable and more calculating, for one thing, and it has already won him some praise. In a particularly interesting tidbit, the article depicts Brown's steady, … [Read more...] about Gordon Brown: A New PM With A Very Different Style
Scooter gets a break
Patrick Corrigan, The Toronto Star … [Read more...] about Scooter gets a break
Keith Olbermann’s Outrage
His toughest, angriest comment yet on the Bush/Libby decision. Increasingly, people either love Olbermann or hate him. Must viewing no matter what you think of him. The one problem he now faces as a broadcaster: there is only so much outrage and anger you can display before it doesn't have an impact on audiences and some begin to perceive it as schtick. On the other … [Read more...] about Keith Olbermann’s Outrage
Thompson Ties Clinton in Rasmussen 2008 Election Poll
This poll is definitely a watershed: The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds New York Senator Hillary Clinton (D) tied with former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson (R) in an Election 2008 match-up. Both candidates attract support from 45% of voters. Given a Clinton-Thompson match-up, 5% of voters say they’d pull the lever for some other candidate and … [Read more...] about Thompson Ties Clinton in Rasmussen 2008 Election Poll
Fighting ‘al-Qaeda’ in Iraq
About two weeks, Glenn Greenwald wrote a widely-cited post that questioned the oft-stated notion of a strong al-Qaeda role in the Iraqi insurgency. That the Bush administration, and specifically its military commanders, decided to begin using the term "Al Qaeda" to designate "anyone and everyone we fight against or kill in Iraq" is obvious. All of a sudden, every time one of … [Read more...] about Fighting ‘al-Qaeda’ in Iraq
Doctor Terrorists
Mike Lester, The Rome News-Tribune … [Read more...] about Doctor Terrorists
Celebrating an Interstate State of Mind
While most of my friends were buying houses and raising families in the 1970's, I was seeing the U.S.A. in a Volkswagen bus that I had customized to be a comfy home away from home. I had globetrotted in previous years and realized upon my return that I knew more about the Far East than East L.A., so I set out on a year-on, year-off exploration of the contiguous 48 … [Read more...] about Celebrating an Interstate State of Mind
British Doctors
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...] about British Doctors
Hot Dog Eating Contest 2007
Yesterday was the big day for this sporting event for people who aren't already gorged enough on sporting events. Hey: The two main contestants look like two guys who showed up at the reception after my father's funeral last month to eat the free food. … [Read more...] about Hot Dog Eating Contest 2007
Madness, Theirs and Ours
At the end of "The Bridge on the River Kwai," after the carnage caused by fanaticism and misplaced loyalties, a dazed British doctor wanders among the bodies, repeating over and over, "Madness, madness." That image can be the only response to the revelation now that an al Qaeda leader told a British cleric who lives in Iraq that "those who cure you will kill you." Canon … [Read more...] about Madness, Theirs and Ours
Quote Of The Day: On Scooter Libby’s Get Out Of Jail Card
The quote of the day from the Philadelphia Inquirer's Dick Polman, writing on his blog: So Bush had to show loyalty to the few (shaky) supporters he still has. And, of course, he had to show continued loyalty to his constituency of one, Libby’s ex-boss, the sole occupant of the mythical fourth branch of government. The Associated Press, reporting last night on the … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: On Scooter Libby’s Get Out Of Jail Card
George Bush, King George: The 27 Grievances, Fourth of July 1776 and 2007
These are the list of reasons the men who decided that the 13 colonies shall become states, separated from the self-acclaimed 'Decider' who ruled by fiat, spying on his own people, planting enmity between groups in America, who would unleash wars on several nations all at the same time... all from 3,950 miles and an entire ocean away from America. It is true, this cogent … [Read more...] about George Bush, King George: The 27 Grievances, Fourth of July 1776 and 2007
A Story about a Goose and a Gander.
Ever hear the expression “What's good for the goose is good for the ganderâ€? Generally, it means we should apply the same standard to ourselves as we apply to others. Take for example judicial sentencing. There are “people in our country†that believe our current judges are too lenient. They aren’t to be trusted and should be replaced with tough, bullet-biting … [Read more...] about A Story about a Goose and a Gander.
Scooter’s Jailbreak
Tab, The Calgary Sun … [Read more...] about Scooter’s Jailbreak
The Six Stages of E-Mail
Read this very funny column at the NY Times about "the six stages of e-mail." Stage one: Infatuation I just got e-mail! I can’t believe it! It’s so great! Here’s my handle. Write me! Who said letter writing was dead? Were they ever wrong! I’m writing letters like crazy for the first time in years. I come home and ignore all my loved ones and go straight to the … [Read more...] about The Six Stages of E-Mail
Radical Cleric Arrested in Pakistan
The New York Times reports: Security forces besieging a radical mosque in the Pakistani capital captured its top cleric Wednesday as he tried to sneak out of the complex in a woman's burqa, and more than 1,000 of his followers surrendered. In a burqa? He was dressed as a woman? What a brave little extremist he is. A security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity … [Read more...] about Radical Cleric Arrested in Pakistan