Jay Rosen wrote a good article about the way the MSM deal with elections. It's nice to know that Mitt Romney has pulled ahead in New Hampshire, seven months before the primary voting. Thanks, Bill Schneider! Let me ask you something: Who's ahead in addressing a broken health care system? It’s fascinating to realize that Hillary Clinton, a woman, is ahead among women. … [Read more...] about Horse Race
Republican Challenge Revised
Last Saturday, I asked for inputs on a draft letter to Republican leaders. While the feedback was certainly diverse, it generally sorted out into a handful of common themes: Why bother? What’s the desired action by the recipients? It’s too general; get more specific. Make it apply to both parties, not just Republicans. What’s the larger plan; the related … [Read more...] about Republican Challenge Revised
Bad News For Republicans: Poll Shows Voters Souring On GOP
The race for the Republican 2008 Presidential nomination is on -- but a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll suggests the highly sought prize may be in danger of becoming a booby prize: The race for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination has become wide open, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows. But the value of winning it has fallen sharply. The survey … [Read more...] about Bad News For Republicans: Poll Shows Voters Souring On GOP
The Great 2007 Passport Fiasco
Ah, yet another thing to blame the Bush administration for: Making millions of Americans virtual prisoners in their own country because of an enormous backlog of passport applications. With the coming of summer travel season, this is no small matter. Take the case of a friend who is a world traveler: She mailed in her passport to be renewed in early March. Three-plus … [Read more...] about The Great 2007 Passport Fiasco
Lost Watch
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...] about Lost Watch
Reid: Pace is Incompetent
In an ironic turn of events, Harry Reid called General Peter Pace incompetent during a conference call with some leading progressive bloggers. The Politico reported about this yesterday already, but the bloggers involved all said they did not remember Reid saying this. So, I decided to wait for more information. We’ve got it: Reid, indeed, called Pace incompetent. The … [Read more...] about Reid: Pace is Incompetent
MRAPs & Rumsfeld’s War on the Cheap
As if the whole freaking affair hasn't been so forked up to begin with, some of the consequences of former Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's decision to fight the Iraq war "on the cheap" have been nothing short of criminal. It is an open secret that troops have lacked the necessary protection in body and vehicle armor from the outset of the four-plus year old war because Rumsfeld … [Read more...] about MRAPs & Rumsfeld’s War on the Cheap
Ron Paul on The Colbert Report
Ron Paul on The Colbert Report on June 13th. Paul isn't the one you'd think at the outset of the campaign who'd come across good on TV -- but he does: … [Read more...] about Ron Paul on The Colbert Report
Immigration and the Ironies of Washington
From Mexico's La Chronica de Hoy translated on the indispensible site Watching America: President George W. Bush returned this week from a trip to Europe, where the only countries that received him well were Albania and Bulgaria. Ironically, these countries may have made him forget the nightmare that awaited in Washington, where, against all predictions and against his … [Read more...] about Immigration and the Ironies of Washington
Playing Politics at Justice
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about Playing Politics at Justice
Gonzales Is Target Of New Justice Department Investigation
Just when you thought you had read everything that would make you raise an eyebrow about Attorney General Alberto Gonzales -- the attorney general with perhaps the smallest amount of enthusiastic Congressional and public support in American history -- there's a new twist that will continue to add to the growing image of the Bush administration as one where ethical standards are … [Read more...] about Gonzales Is Target Of New Justice Department Investigation
Seemingly Dead Immigration Reform Bill Revived By Senators
Just when some people thought it was dead, it has come alive again. Like Jason, the hockey-mask wearing killer in Friday the 13th, the supposedly dead immigration reform bill has (seemingly) come alive again: Senate Democratic and Republican leaders announced on Thursday that they had agreed on a way to revive a comprehensive immigration bill that was pulled off the … [Read more...] about Seemingly Dead Immigration Reform Bill Revived By Senators
Excuse Me – Jerusalem IS the Capital of Israel
Any lack of recognition thereof, even by the US government, is caused by either cowardice or bigotry. BBC sorry for calling Jerusalem capital of Israel Promises not to repeat "the mistake," following a complaint by four British organizations. … [Read more...] about Excuse Me – Jerusalem IS the Capital of Israel
Palestine and Israel: Are These Christians Helping or Stirring the Pot, and Why?
Are we all out of solutions now, save the RKS, the Rodney King solution here? It is true that four major religious groups share /fight like cats and dogs over the holy sites. Jews, Muslims, and now some Christians want to get into it too over who is the more persecuted. From what I read, the suffering seems profound and unending on many sides. I know, politically incorrect. … [Read more...] about Palestine and Israel: Are These Christians Helping or Stirring the Pot, and Why?
Hamas and Fatah: It is Between Brothers, One Who Believes In Terrorism
"Although Fatah has supported a two-nation solution since the 1980s, Hamas has refused to acknowledge the Jewish country's right to exist. One wants to solve the conflict through negotiations, the other isn't willing to rule out terrorism as a last resort. Fatah politicians routinely condemn suicide bombings, but Hamas sees such attacks as resistance and … [Read more...] about Hamas and Fatah: It is Between Brothers, One Who Believes In Terrorism
Hamas Takes Gaza Almost Completely: Is Iran Already There?
It is said that Hamas seized full control of the Gaza Strip early Friday. Masked Hamas fighters overran all strongholds of Abbas's rival Fatah faction. Hamas says they have taken control of the President's Headquarters. Below, as other eyes see it as well. What is the discipline required for peace here? What concessions from all sides? Bush, as of this afternoon after Abbas … [Read more...] about Hamas Takes Gaza Almost Completely: Is Iran Already There?
Birthday Boy
The Debate Link is turning three! Head on over and wish the blogger/toddler (in blog years, of course, three is practically geezer-dom) a happy birthday! … [Read more...] about Birthday Boy
Diner Walls Make Strange Bedfellows
Any place that puts Strom Thurmond and Ludacris right next to each other on their "celebrity wall" deserves my patronage. But I'm looking for some good places to take some of my Carleton friends who are visiting in DC, and suggestions (vegetarian-friendly is preferred, metro accessible is a must) are most welcome in the comments. … [Read more...] about Diner Walls Make Strange Bedfellows
Immigration, public opinion, and extremism
The immigration bill, of course, is dead. But let me make a few points: 1) Personally, I thought it was a very sensible bill. However, it was a bill that was bound to displease some very powerful people in Washington, hence the abuse it took from both sides of the aisle in the Senate. The perfect is the enemy of the good, after all, and here, as so often, the good lost out … [Read more...] about Immigration, public opinion, and extremism
The Vatican takes aim at Amnesty International on abortion
I realize that the Roman Catholic Church is "pro-life," which is to say, vehemently anti-abortion, no matter what, but I'm not so sure it's such a great idea -- given a) its own long history on the wrong side of human rights, and b) its more recent concern with human rights, including opposition to the death penalty -- to go after Amnesty International for promoting abortion … [Read more...] about The Vatican takes aim at Amnesty International on abortion