A “New Deal” for Latin America?
It's not a bad idea... … [Read more...] about A “New Deal” for Latin America?
Center of Attention
An interesting, good quote at The Daily Dish. While you're at it, also read what Thomas Sowell has to say about talk shows. Megan Donovan writes at the Gun Toting Liberal: "This administration decides to fire 8 US attorneys, for illegitimate reasons; because they refused to pursue baseless investigations; by slandering their names; and only after the Patriot Act allowed more … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Fired Prosecutors’ Controversy Is Continuing To Grow
The controversy surrounding the purge of U.S. attorneys is starting to grow -- not dissipate. Three signs: (1) The White House is letting it be known that political maven Karl Rove and President George W. Bush's former counsel Harriet Miers will be allowed to testify -- but not under oath:The White House will allow the president's top political adviser, Karl Rove, and … [Read more...] about Fired Prosecutors’ Controversy Is Continuing To Grow
New Light Bulbs
Beginning The Conversation
Anyone who has spent time in feminist or anti-racism circles knows about the tension between reaching new people, and having to rehash the same basic material indefinitely. I think figuring out how to transcend this issue is one of the biggest internal obstacles facing these groups. … [Read more...] about Beginning The Conversation
Four Years Later
Today marks the fourth anniversary of the (start of the) war in Iraq. This led Jules Crittenden, whom I respect very much (yes, even though I don’t always agree with him), to publish this post. Jules supported the war when it started and continues to do so. My story is slightly different. Please click here to read more. … [Read more...] about Four Years Later
Iraq War & Civilians: Bloody Benchmarks
The overflow yard at the Baghdad Central Morgue Iraq Body Count reports that the fourth year of the war was by far the worst for violence against Iraqi civilians: * Almost half (44 percent) of all violent civilian deaths after the initial invasion phase occurred in the just-ended year. * Mortar attacks that kill civilians have quadrupled in the last year (from 73 to … [Read more...] about Iraq War & Civilians: Bloody Benchmarks
‘Bong Hits 4 Jesus’ Case Update
Supreme Court watchers, myself included, have felt from the outset that the high court would rule against the government in the now notorious "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" case. There's nothing to change that view based on yesterday's oral arguments. If you're unfamiliar with the case, it involves Juneau, Alaska, student Joseph Frederick, who was suspended from high school in 2002 … [Read more...] about ‘Bong Hits 4 Jesus’ Case Update
Gallup Poll: Giuliani Support Strong Among Moderate, Conservative Republicans
There's yet more good news for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, according to the latest Gallup Poll:With the 2008 Republican presidential field beginning to come into shape, there are still questions and apparent opportunities for a favorite "conservative" candidate to emerge. The three leading announced contenders -- Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and Mitt Romney -- have … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Giuliani Support Strong Among Moderate, Conservative Republicans
Nationalization and Health Care
Can somebody explain to me why, exactly, nationalization has seemingly become The Vehicle for a healthcare system? There are a number of interesting state initiatives under consideration (or in the fledgling stages of implementation), and frankly, that’s about as wide an umbrella as I think can be efficiently managed. I agree that the healthcare crisis is an enormous … [Read more...] about Nationalization and Health Care
Rating the Members
I'm not sure how much weight to put behind this exercise in the National Journal (h/t memeorandum). The description of the methodology sounds impressive, but the ultimate decision about what's liberal and what's conservative still came down to a subjective judgment on the part of the magazine's editors: "The yea and nay positions on each roll call were then identified as … [Read more...] about Rating the Members
The Persistent Sea Gull
It has been storming here, in the north of the Netherlands, all day long. It doesn’t rain, nor is it extremely cold, it’s just… storming. Despite this, what we humans call, ‘bad’ weather, I had to take the dog, a chubby black labrador retriever, out for a walk. During the walk - the dog nervous, at times almost flying - I saw a sea gull trying to fly over the road. … [Read more...] about The Persistent Sea Gull
Iraq War Exit
New Jersey adopts Public Campaign Finance
Link The New Jersey Senate voted 27 - 3 to renew the state's Clean Elections pilot project for another year. The bill, which easily passed in the state Assembly, will next go to Governor John Corzine (D), who is expected to sign it when it reaches his desk. Meanwhile Maryland lawmakers are close to voting on legislation that would bring Clean Elections to their state … [Read more...] about New Jersey adopts Public Campaign Finance
U.S. Attorney Conspiracy Theory Alert
The messenger is sometimes a little too over the top for me, but the message here is intriguing: Was Carol Lam, one of the eight sacked U.S. attorneys, going after Vice President Cheney when the Justice Department pulled the plug on her? Senator Arlen Specter kind of sort of intimated as much when he asked recently whether Lam was let go because she was "about to … [Read more...] about U.S. Attorney Conspiracy Theory Alert
Marilyn Monroe, Kennedys & FBI Secret File
Controversy surrounding this famous film actress refuses to die. Here is the latest... Marilyn Monroe may have been tricked into killing herself as part of a plot hatched with the knowledge of the former US attorney general, Robert Kennedy, according to a secret FBI file, says The Independent. "The document, uncovered by an Australian film director, Philippe Mora, … [Read more...] about Marilyn Monroe, Kennedys & FBI Secret File
The White House’s Gonzales Dilemma
During the early days of television there was a commercial that ended with this sentence: "What's a mother to do?" You might say that applies also the Bush administration as it ponders what to do about Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. At first blush, it's an easy choice: Gonzales is under intense fire from Congress over his handling (and role) in the firing of … [Read more...] about The White House’s Gonzales Dilemma
Guest Book Review: Native Son
We've run several well-received reviews (and poetry) by Dan Schneider, who offers comprehensive and thoughtful looks at films and books. Here' is his latest. Review of Native Son, by Richard Wright Copyright 2007 © by Dan Schneider Richard Wright's 1940 novel, Native Son, violates two of the basic tenets of modern MFA dogma. The first is that it starts off very slowly, … [Read more...] about Guest Book Review: Native Son