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
Giuliani’s Liberal Judge Problem
Rudy may be talking the "strict constructionists" talk, but it seems he didn't walk the walk while mayor of NYC. From Politico:A Politico review of the 75 judges Giuliani appointed to three of New York state's lower courts found that Democrats outnumbered Republicans by more than 8 to 1. One of his appointments was an officer of the International Association of Lesbian and … [Read more...] about Giuliani’s Liberal Judge Problem
Boston Police Foil Another Sinister Plot
First the Mooninites, then the next deadly scourge. … [Read more...] about Boston Police Foil Another Sinister Plot
“Pakistan’s Intelligence Monster”
Under this heading, the Khalid Hasan writes in the Daily Times of Pakistan that today many Pakistani journalists fear their government's intelligence agencies more than any Islamic militant. "The roughing up of New York Times reporter Carlotta Gall by intelligence hoods in her Quetta hotel room on 19 December and the despicable treatment given her photographer has brought … [Read more...] about “Pakistan’s Intelligence Monster”
Stock Market Reaction To China
Moderates are Irrelevant
Or so one could conclude from this column at the Washington Post by Alan Abramowitz and Bill Bishop. The two men report that the "Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES) surveyed more than 24,000 Americans who voted in 2006" - 46% of the ones polled said they voted for the Republican party, 54% said to have voted for the Democrats. Keep reading this. … [Read more...] about Moderates are Irrelevant
Angelina on Darfur
Let's take Angelina Jolie seriously for a moment, shall we? She had an interesting (and important) piece in yesterday's Washington Post on the situation in Darfur -- from a refugee camp (Oure Cassoni) in Bahai, Chad. Here are a few key passages: -- "By every measure -- killings, rapes, the burning and looting of villages -- the violence in Darfur has increased since my last … [Read more...] about Angelina on Darfur
The Myth of the Middle?
The Washington Post today has a commentary about The Myth of the Middle The writers observe that there is a wide disparity of opinion on controverisal issues between liberal, conservative and even independent voters and that their representatives are merely reflecting this divide. Centrism and bi-partisanship is a myth. This is a recurring topic because it is a comparison … [Read more...] about The Myth of the Middle?
Interview with Harm de Blij – Part 2
Since this is an original interview conducted for this site we will leave it at the top for several hours. NEWER posts are BELOW so keep scrolling. Today - part two of the interview. To read part 1 go here. I'll start by republishing the last question of yesterday... MvdG: Africa continues to be the 'black continent'. It's mostly still ignored. Wars are being fought, … [Read more...] about Interview with Harm de Blij – Part 2
Iran’s Controversial President Is Under Political Fire
...in Iran itself. Significance: he talks for Iran but does not represent all of Iran. … [Read more...] about Iran’s Controversial President Is Under Political Fire
Alien technology and global warming
This one merits a massive HUH? From AFP: "A former Canadian defense minister is demanding governments worldwide disclose and use secret alien technologies obtained in alleged UFO crashes to stem climate change, a local paper said Wednesday." That's right, Paul Hellyer -- defence minister under Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson in the mid-'60s and then a senior cabinet … [Read more...] about Alien technology and global warming
Ignorance, Enlightenment, Leadership
In Washington yesterday and today on business, I took a break last night to attend a Congressional reception hosted by TSA, the Tourette Syndrome Association. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was an honorary co-chair of the event, for which she helped arrange the LBJ Room in the U.S. Capitol. She also delivered brief remarks at the very beginning. Unfortunately, I was about … [Read more...] about Ignorance, Enlightenment, Leadership
6 Months to Win
A US soldier takes a break during a search of an apartment in the south-east of Baghdad. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters Simon Tisdall reports for the Guardian, that a group of officers has told General Petraeus that he has six months to win the war in Iraq. If he fails, political and public pressure might force the U.S. into a hasty withdrawal. The officers are discribed … [Read more...] about 6 Months to Win
Month 47 of the Iraq War By the Numbers
In the course of the nearly four-year-old Mess in Mesopotamia, February 2007 was definitely a doozy. There was the first anniversary of the civil war, some of the bloodiest suicide attacks to date, an upsurge in U.S. helicopter shoot-downs by insurgents, Moktada Al-Sadr's all-expenses-paid vacation to Iran, the official start of President Bush's "surge" strategy and arcades … [Read more...] about Month 47 of the Iraq War By the Numbers
Sanctions – They’re Working!
David Ignatius wrote an interesting column for yesterday's Washington Post (I'm afraid that I didn't have time to link to it yesterday - but because it's about such an important subject I decided to link to link to it today) about sanctions. He starts off by writing that the conventional wisdom is that sanctions don't work: just look at - for instance - Cuba (but also Iraq … [Read more...] about Sanctions – They’re Working!
“The Weakest Link’s” BIG Guest Stars
George Bush and Tony Blair play "The Weakest Link": … [Read more...] about “The Weakest Link’s” BIG Guest Stars