Dana Milbank describes (for the Washington Post) what Bob Woodward, Robert Novak,`Walter Pincus, Glenn Kessler and David Sanger had to say when took the stand at the Libby trial. Libby must believe himself to be in desperate legal straits to have six journalists serve as his character witnesses. And, indeed, the reporters' testimony appeared to do little to dent the … [Read more...] about Pulitzer Prize Winners Take the Stand in Libby Trial
How Do You Expand The Market For Credit Cards?
Well, here's one creative way: Bank of America Corp. has begun offering credit cards to customers without Social Security numbers, typically illegal immigrants, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. In recent years, banks across the country have been offering checking accounts and even mortgages to the nation's fast-growing ranks of undocumented immigrants, most of … [Read more...] about How Do You Expand The Market For Credit Cards?
Iran, Bush, and Public Opinion
Over the weekend, the US made its case about Iranian involvement in Iraq, but their evidence was received with a great deal of skepticism. Public opinion, both domestically and internationally, is heavily influenced by what was said in the build-up to Iraq, and short of an Iranian official standing up and saying, "Yes, we're supplying arms and trying to fuel the violence", it's … [Read more...] about Iran, Bush, and Public Opinion
Canada Attack Ads
The U.S. isn't the only country with political attack ad fever: … [Read more...] about Canada Attack Ads
Now Playing: A Real Debate Over the Iraq War
The House of Representatives has begun going where the Senate feared to tread – a debate over the Iraq war -- as sectarian strife in Baghdad further escalated with a series of blasts in a Shiite market that killed 70 people. Speaker Nancy Pelosi led the way today as the Democratic-controlled House embarked on the debate, declaring that the public has decided that President … [Read more...] about Now Playing: A Real Debate Over the Iraq War
Crist Aims to Steer Florida GOP Toward Center
From the Palm Beach Post this encouraging report on the Centrist tendencies of new Governor Charlie Crist. Not yet known, though, is whether these successes and even Crist's stellar approval ratings can let him manage what could be his boldest but, so far, his least-publicized challenge: to remake the state Republican Party in his own, more centrist image. "Clearly a more … [Read more...] about Crist Aims to Steer Florida GOP Toward Center
Update: Another Funeral in Philadelphia
Back on January 5, I put up a link to a post that I had written titled Media: Another Funeral in Philadelphia regarding yet another round of layoffs at that city’s imperiled daily newspapers. I noted in the course of the post that the websites of the newspapers, the Inquirer and Daily News, are notably sad affairs. This is unfortunate because these websites -- which … [Read more...] about Update: Another Funeral in Philadelphia
Should We Rape Rapists?
How about DWI convicts? Money launderers? Any felony convicts? Prison rape is a joke in American society. It shouldn't be. And the fact that we consent to systematic, brutal abuse while grinning all along about it is a scary insight into our collective fascination with extra-legal violence. Bumped due to a significant update/blog round-up in the post … [Read more...] about Should We Rape Rapists?
Anna Nicole and… Giving Compliments
I just wanted to point these two posts out by Jon Swift. The first one is about ANS (is Bush living in a bubble? He hasn't reacted to her death...), the other one is about Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck being afraid to give compliments to African-Americans. Jon understands their fears. Heck, he even shares their fear: he too is afraid that black people want to become his … [Read more...] about Anna Nicole and… Giving Compliments
What Palestine?
For those who talk about Palestine, some interesting reading material. Money quote from the first link: The Palestinian people [do] not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for … [Read more...] about What Palestine?
A Blogger Resigns From Edwards Campaign
A top progressive blogger has resigned from John Edwards' campaign. And despite the controversy and point/counterpoint that continues to rage over her previous writings , one thing appears clear: The resignation will likely usher in a new era in which bloggers from all sides who want to work for political campaigns must now have to take care in re-examining their previous … [Read more...] about A Blogger Resigns From Edwards Campaign
Iranian TV Attacks Woody Allen
Via You Tube: Iranian Series: Woody Allen -- Corrupt Jewish Brainwasher … [Read more...] about Iranian TV Attacks Woody Allen
Deal On North Korea Nukes Set?
Has the trend and tone of news events been broken? Is a deal in the offing with North Korea on nuclear weapons? It sounds that way. The New York Times:The United States and four other nations reached a tentative agreement to provide North Korea with roughly $400 million in fuel oil and aid, in return for the North’s starting to disable its nuclear facilities and allow … [Read more...] about Deal On North Korea Nukes Set?
A New Competition: The Chomsky Prize
Times Online is starting a new contest, The Chomsky Prize, seeking rules to live your life by. Do you have any suggestions? GO HERE AND CHECK IT OUT. … [Read more...] about A New Competition: The Chomsky Prize
Air Force Pampers
The Giuliani/Lieberman Ticket
Why it could happen; why it's scary. … [Read more...] about The Giuliani/Lieberman Ticket
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. Amba on the voices of different candidates for 08. Dave Schuler believes that the U.S. should not go to war against Iran openly... instead, do it like Iran does it: engage in covert acts of warfare. Simon at Stubborn Facts: Is Obama a Centrist? Also at SF: PatHMV quotes Abraham Lincoln. The Gun Toting Liberal: '“The Meekâ€? … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Literary Quote of the Day: Sema Babacan
Today's literary quote of the day is unconventional. Normally I quote from (famous) books, short stories, poems, etc. Today not so. Today's quote is from a short story written by a good friend of mine, Sema Babacan. She wrote the short story not for publication, but simply because she enjoys writing. Since I enjoy reading, she shares some of what she writes with me. If words … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Sema Babacan
Conservative Stoner
A new biography claims that British Conservative Party leader David Cameron smoked pot (and was caught and grounded for it) while at school at Eton. Unfortunately, he opposes the legalization of marijuana except perhaps for medicinal use. Hypocrisy? Sure. And it doesn't help that he has avoided the issue in the past by saying that he did unspecified things that he now … [Read more...] about Conservative Stoner
Saving the GOP
I long for the day when rational people resume control of the GOP and put an end to the fundamentalist influence described so well by Andrew Sullivan in The Conservative Soul. I long for that day because I am sick and tired and more-than-a-shade furious about the debates that are distracting the party's attention from governance issues (like how to balance the federal budget … [Read more...] about Saving the GOP