John Podhoretz wrote an interesting article for The Corner. He explains why, in his opinion, it was a wise decision of McCain not to speak at CPAC: If I were a McCain adviser, there’s no way I would recommend he attend CPAC. The stakes are simply too high. It’s a total sandbagging opportunity for people who want to derail him. The last thing he needs is a headline like … [Read more...] about McCain, CPAC and Social Conservatism
A Schlesinger Obituary
Over at The Reaction, co-blogger J. Kingston Pierce has posted what I think is one of the very best obituaries of the late historian and Kennedy advisor I've come across. It includes a great overview of Schlesinger's life and many admirable accomplishments. In the end: "Schlesinger, understandably inspired to his future by his father, showed an obvious curiosity about what … [Read more...] about A Schlesinger Obituary
Trading One Special Interest for Another
In the New York Times today three adjacent articles caught my attention. The House passed legislation to help Unions organize by allowing them to replace secret ballots with non secret ballots. It is asserted that businesses can intimidate union organizers and influence the secret ballot union vote. What is proposed is that Union organizers can approach each employee and … [Read more...] about Trading One Special Interest for Another
Is There Instability In Iran?
Quite possibly. Just look at these events in Balochistan. … [Read more...] about Is There Instability In Iran?
Presidential Ingredients
[Cross-posted at Central Sanity.] The Samuel Adams restaurant and pub at Washington Reagan, just before Gate 30, is probably my favorite chain restaurant in any airport in America. Despite what I assume is a Henry-Ford-inspired production line in the kitchen, they make a great batch of fish ‘n’ chips, especially when it’s washed down with a pint of the namesake … [Read more...] about Presidential Ingredients
Obama’s Ancestors
It seems that Obama's ancestors - from mother's side - owned slaves. According to the research, one of Obama's great-great-great-great grandfathers, George Washington Overall, owned two slaves who were recorded in the 1850 census in Nelson County, Ky. The same records show that one of Obama's great-great-great-great-great-grandmothers, Mary Duvall, also owned two … [Read more...] about Obama’s Ancestors
Crop-Pickin’ Prisoners in the Colorado Fields
It seems that farmers in the Pueblo County, Colorado area are having some problems finding workers to pick crops. In spite of offering up to $9.60/hr, things are bad enough that crops either rotted in the fields last fall, some farmers are planning to plant less (or not at all) -- or they're going out of business altogether. So how do you feel about farmers contracting with … [Read more...] about Crop-Pickin’ Prisoners in the Colorado Fields
7 Dirty Words You Can Sometimes Read On Blogs (UPDATED)
Blogtopia (that word was created by this guy) is (supposedly) self-policing and now a new characteristic has come under the microscope: the use of vulgar language on blogs. Read James Joyner and Steven Taylor (who have other links as well). As far as TMV is concerned, early on I made a decision that this site would use daily newspaper and broadcast standards in terms of … [Read more...] about 7 Dirty Words You Can Sometimes Read On Blogs (UPDATED)
Bush Is Losing Support Among Republicans
A new poll indicates that President George W. Bush is rapidly losing support among members of his own party -- and it's perhaps a clue why Arizona Senator John McCain's campaign seems on the downswing, given that McCain has become the Bush GOP establishment candidate:In the months since the Congressional elections, President Bush has lost substantial support among members of … [Read more...] about Bush Is Losing Support Among Republicans
Some Thoughts On Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr
From the ever-thoughtful Mark Daniels:Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., who died on Wednesday, was the first serious historian I ever read, back when I was in junior high school. My first Schlesinger book was A Thousand Days, his account of the Kennedy Administration, of which he had been a minor White House functionary. No doubt Kennedy, himself a Pullitzer Prize winner in … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts On Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr
A Truly Fowl Video
"Barn To Be Wild?" … [Read more...] about A Truly Fowl Video
NEWS FLASH!
A new investigative report from The Garlic: This Just In! White House Applying Katrina Strategy To Med Center Neglect To Gauge Neglect, Problems, President Set To Fly Over Walter Reed, Bldg. 18 Today Bush Promising Action, "To Press Face Against Window"; Recommends DOD Follow Katrina Strategy Facing yet more criticism over the treatment of wounded U.S. soldiers, the … [Read more...] about NEWS FLASH!
The Snake That Got Away
Taliban Leader Caught in Pakistan
Has the US Vice-President's reported stern warning to Pakistan begun to work? The New York Times says in a report that the former Taliban defense minister, Mullah Obaidullah, was arrested in Pakistan on Monday, the day of Vice President Dick Cheney’s visit, two government officials said Thursday. He is the most important Taliban member to be captured since the American-led … [Read more...] about Taliban Leader Caught in Pakistan
The Environmentalist’s Religion
Alan Stewart Carl had an interesting experience recently...Last week, my wife and I toured one of the few area preschools not associated with a church. We knew it was a bit hippy-dippy but we also knew it had a good reputation. Everything was going well until the school day began with all the children sitting around in a circle. They use this time to tell a multi-culturally … [Read more...] about The Environmentalist’s Religion
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: WE WERE MERELY FRESHMEN?
GOP Hunts the House for One-Term Wonders in 2008 As the Crystal Ball gazes into the future of Congress's lower chamber beyond 2008, what should it consider? Should we read anything into the moderate success of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's early leadership? No, the elections are too far away for it to really matter. Forgive us as we turn our attention to popular music for a moment. … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: WE WERE MERELY FRESHMEN?
Literary Quote of the Day: Thomas Jefferson
Today's literary quote of the day is from a letter from Thomas Jefferson to Governor Plumer in 1816, partially published in the book Thomas Jefferson on Democracy edited by Saul K. Padover: The generation which commences a revolution rarely completes it. As always, share your thoughts on today's literary quote in the comment section of this post. … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Thomas Jefferson
Center of Attention
A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Dick Cheney gave an interview recently, while resisting on anonymity. Libby Spencer ain't down with that. Tully reacts to what he calls Gore's "stunningly blatant hypocrisy". PatHMV meanwhile spends some attention to the question: are bloggers responsible for their … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Does Rudy Have a Chickenhawk Problem?
There was a lively discussion in the comments section of my post yesterday on Iran: Good News, Bad News & More News regarding whether having not served in the military mattered if you were an outspoken supporter of the Iraq war. In other words, do so-called chickenhawks have a credibility problem? Well, Mr. Rudolph Giuliani's presidential campaign is now confronting … [Read more...] about Does Rudy Have a Chickenhawk Problem?
No Joke
The C-17 Transport Dick Cheney used to fly into Afghanistan was named The Spirit of Strom Thurmond. Somebody screwed up big. As Michael Currie Schaffer points out, that's supposed to be the designated plane of the Senate Minority Whip. … [Read more...] about No Joke