During the first Republican debate, you could say "They're off" -- because several were off of their game. But in the second Republican primary debate for the 2008 GOP Presidential nomination you could say "They're off!" -- meaning off and running, scoring points against each other and tossing out snappy soundbite zingers (most likely prepared in advance). And, in the … [Read more...] about GOP Contenders Second Primary Debate Will Likely Shake Up Field
World Bank’s Wolfowitz & The Divided World
President George W. Bush seems to have thrown a protective ring around the controversial World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz to save him from the 'hounds' who are baying for his blood. The White House spokesman, Tony Snow, told reporters: "He (Wolfowitz) made mistakes, that is obvious. On the other hand, it's not a firing offence." The US secretary of state, Condoleezza … [Read more...] about World Bank’s Wolfowitz & The Divided World
Republican Debate (UPDATED)
I don't pay extra for Fox News (CNN, MSNBC etc...) so I'm trying to watch/listen on foxnews.com. I can see them but can hardly hear them, even at top volume. I wonder if I can get it on the radio instead. It's not on C-Span TV or Radio, apparently. CNN is blogging it HERE. Chris Cillizza of WP's The Fix is blogging it HERE. OK - I got good audio from Fox Radio and … [Read more...] about Republican Debate (UPDATED)
Setting Precedent
If Democrats start to play nice with Bush's judicial nominees, will Republicans reciprocate during the next Democratic Presidency? No. Obviously. … [Read more...] about Setting Precedent
Opie & Anthony Suspended for 30 Days
Following up on their atrocious rape "joke" towards Condi Rice and Laura Bush, XM Radio has suspended the shock jocks for 30 days. … [Read more...] about Opie & Anthony Suspended for 30 Days
“He…demonstrated a strength that I had never seen before”
New testimony reveals John Ashcroft resisted White House pressure to sign off on their domestic spying program...while hospitalized and weak from gall bladder surgery. UPDATE: Didn't see Mike's post right below this one. Nonetheless, I think that there are different angles here--the utter depravity of Gonzales, yes, but also the strength that the oft-maligned Ashcroft showed … [Read more...] about “He…demonstrated a strength that I had never seen before”
But He’s Still There For Some Reason
The New York Times reports: On the night of March 10, 2004, a high-ranking Justice Department official rushed to a Washington hospital to prevent two White House aides from taking advantage of the critically ill Attorney General, John Ashcroft, the official testified today... “I was very upset,†said James B. Comey, who was deputy Attorney General at the time, in his … [Read more...] about But He’s Still There For Some Reason
Falwell
Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Falwell
Deconstructing Pamuk
A great article at Turkish Daily News about Turkey's greatest author, Orhan Pamuk. Excerpt: One wonders what Orhan Pamuk felt yesterday morning when with childlike simplicity he walked on the stage at BoÄŸaziçi University's Albert Hall to receive an honorary PhD in literature, in the same room where 40 years ago he passed his preparatory exam in English. One would think … [Read more...] about Deconstructing Pamuk
Jerry Falwell Has Died
MSNBC UPDATED by MvdG Americans United issued a statement on the death of Jerry Falwell; Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United: “Jerry Falwell politicized religion and failed to understand the genius of our Constitution, but there is no denying his impact on American political life. He will long be remembered as the face and voice of the … [Read more...] about Jerry Falwell Has Died
Congress: Less Popular Than… Bush
Believe it or not: the US Congress gets lower approval ratings than president George W. Bush: 29% of those polled approve of how the US Congress is functioning, while 33% of those asked believe that Bush is doing a stellar job. Although it is normal for Congress to have quite low approval ratings, one cannot help but notice that the approval ratings of Congress have dropped … [Read more...] about Congress: Less Popular Than… Bush
Cleaning Up Political Ads
[For more information on the subject of the following essay, please see the brief interview I conducted yesterday with Brooks Jackson -- the director of FactCheck.org; co-author of a new book, unSpun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation; and a former journalist whose 34-year career included stints with the AP, Wall Street Journal, and CNN.] In roughly eight short … [Read more...] about Cleaning Up Political Ads
France: Nicolas Sarkozy Mends Fences With The Left
(Bernard Kouchner) I love France. Not just Paris, or its old beautiful part the ÃŽle de la Cité, but the Pyrenees...the cheese, the salads and the wine. And, yes, the top politicians too whose public personae is remarkably dignified, sophisticated and cultured. I was delighted when seven years ago the Embassy of France in New Delhi made me a Life Member of their … [Read more...] about France: Nicolas Sarkozy Mends Fences With The Left
GWB’s Privacy and Civil Liberties Board
Did you know that President Bush has a Privacy and Civil Liberties Board? I didn't, until now: Newsweek: The White House was hit by two sudden resignations late Monday when Paul McNulty, a top Justice Department official, and Lanny Davis, the only Democratic member of the president’s civil liberties watchdog board, announced they were stepping down. ANDAt the same … [Read more...] about GWB’s Privacy and Civil Liberties Board
Death Of A Soldier: Agony Of A Father
What is Andrew Bacevich's Son's Life Worth? asks Steven C. Clemons in The Washington Note. Read here... And here... Another touching tribute... … [Read more...] about Death Of A Soldier: Agony Of A Father
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. To start off, nothing borrowed or blue, but something light from Polimom and something heavy from David Schraub. McQ argues against the return of the Nanny State. GTL examines Obama on affirmative action. Lest we forget, The Angry Independent reminds us that the US … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Missing US Soldiers: An On-The-Spot Report
Patrick Cockburn, an intrepid reporter for The Independent, has been on the prowl in the dangerous parts of Iraq wearing a traditional red-and-white Arab headdress ,called 'keffiyeh', to hide his identity... At times even endangering his life. His latest dispatch "An American nightmare: US search for kidnapped troops in Iraq" is worth a read. Please click here... And … [Read more...] about Missing US Soldiers: An On-The-Spot Report
The End of the Ride
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about The End of the Ride
Pentagon: “No YouTube For US Troops”
Poor US soldiers on tour of duty in the inhospitable and dangerous places in the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan, will now onwards be deprived of a popular means of fun and relaxation. They will be banned from "using popular video-sharing and social networking websites." This information comes from Alex Spillius of The Telegraph. "The US defence department said videos, … [Read more...] about Pentagon: “No YouTube For US Troops”
Pak Suicide Bomber Kills 27
A suicide attacker detonated a bomb that ripped through a crowded hotel restaurant in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Tuesday, killing at least 24 people and wounding 25, police said, reports Riaz Khan, Associated Press writer. "The blast deepened instability in Pakistan, still reeling from bloody political riots during the weekend in its commercial capital, Karachi. … [Read more...] about Pak Suicide Bomber Kills 27