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
Fragging
Happy Birthday to You…EU…!
For history of European Union flag click here... Neither God nor Christianity will feature in a 50th birthday declaration for the European Union which will highlight European values and list key challenges for the future such as climate change, says The Independent. "Five days before the celebrations for the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, the statement … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday to You…EU…!
More Judges Resign in Pakistan
Five more Pakistani judges resigned yesterday and hundreds of lawyers demonstrated against President General Pervez Musharraf's controversial removal of the country's chief justice, deepening the political mess now facing the military leader, reports The Independent. "Musharraf suspended Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry on March 9 over unspecified … [Read more...] about More Judges Resign in Pakistan
Pakistan Mystery: Benazir in US & Pak’s Hindu Judge in India
It is intriguing that a former Prime Minister of Pakistan should be camping in the US at a time when all the eyes in the world are turned towards President Musharraf's struggling regime, that happens to be America's (or to be more precise President Bush's) front line partner in the 'war against terror'. Some analysts have suggested that Ms Benazir Bhutto (now in New York), … [Read more...] about Pakistan Mystery: Benazir in US & Pak’s Hindu Judge in India
Nobel Laureate Before the UNHRC on Darfur
Defending her report of "large-scale international crimes", Jody Williams tells the council: The credibility issue is "not about ours, it's about yours." … [Read more...] about Nobel Laureate Before the UNHRC on Darfur
Politico: White House Has Begun Hunt For Gonzales’ Replacement
According to The Politico, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is now political dead meat:Republican officials operating at the behest of the White House have begun seeking a possible successor to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, whose support among GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill has collapsed, according to party sources familiar with the discussions. Among the names floated … [Read more...] about Politico: White House Has Begun Hunt For Gonzales’ Replacement
Center of Attention
The first link of today's Center of Attention is to Jon Swift's post called "Fred Thompson Kicks Gandhi's Ass". Thompson and Jon are right: American needs more violence. A little less conversation, a little more action. (also note at Jon's place how some people seem to have difficulty understanding the satire) After reading Jon's post, go to Andrew Sullivan's place. … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Black Newspaper Thinks I’m Racist!
...brags Giuliani. … [Read more...] about Black Newspaper Thinks I’m Racist!
Bush Urges No Strings Backing And Patience In Iraq War
Today's anniversary: the fourth year of the launching of the Iraq war. The plea: from President George Bush, who urged Americans to be patient and to give "no strings" backing on the Iraq war. The reality: Bush is making his plea on the anniversary of the war's launch from a supremely weakened political position, not just in terms of war policy and management, but due to … [Read more...] about Bush Urges No Strings Backing And Patience In Iraq War