Is it a good idea? As tempting as it sounds to me....I'm going to go with no. But I'm curious to hear other views. … [Read more...] about Adding Israel to NATO
Not To Burst The Bubble….
Apropos Marc's post on Frank Luntz's call for Dems to "play nice", it's probably worth noting Steve Benen's riposte. Bottom line: It's Frank Luntz. Democrats will (quite justifiably) trust the sincerity of his "advice" approximately as far as they can throw him. … [Read more...] about Not To Burst The Bubble….
Time to Revisit Public Election Funds
The New York Times has a piece on the obsolescence of the Public Election Fund which can not compete with the escalating amounts of money it takes to run a Presidential campaign for a front runner. Any primary candidate who raises an initial $100,000 receives federal money to match the first $250 of each donation. For 2008, candidates could receive matching grants of as much … [Read more...] about Time to Revisit Public Election Funds
Don’t Play Nice
Can we clarify that one can (and should!) believe that praising Hitler both should not be barred by law, and also that it's anti-Semitic and should be condemned? … [Read more...] about Don’t Play Nice
Bill Kristol and the bloody Iraq War
Over at The Reaction, new co-blogger Libby Spencer responds to Bill Kristol's assertion on Fox News yesterday that critics of the Iraq War are "irresponsible". I suppose it's much easier to vilify the critics than to defend the failed policies of the war's architects. At least Juan Williams was there to point out that Saturday was a rather bloody day for U.S. forces in Iraq. … [Read more...] about Bill Kristol and the bloody Iraq War
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. The Gun Toting Liberal notices that the Right seems to be moving to the Left on universal health care. Amba on the integrity of John McCain: he is committing himself to the surge and... "will go down with it" if it fails. Tim understands why it is that there are virtually no effective / good American spies in the Mideast: good … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
More on Richardson
From WaPo, here's some of what Richardson told supporters in his announcement e-mail: "I am taking this step because we have to repair the damage that's been done to our country over the last six years. Our reputation in the world is diminished, our economy has languished, and civility and common decency in government has perished." Fair enough. I don't find anything with … [Read more...] about More on Richardson
Literary Quote of the Day: Langston Hughes
Today's literary quote of the day is from Langston Hughes' Democracy: I do not need my freedom when I'm dead. I cannot live on tomorrow's bread. From the same poem: Freedom Is a strong seed Planted In a great need. As always, feel free to share your thoughts on today's literary quote in the comment section of this post. … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Langston Hughes
Brownback enters presidential race
It's one after another now, this time on the Republican side. Kansas Senator (and arch-conservative stalwart) Sam Brownback formed one those required exploratory committees six weeks ago, and on Saturday, in Topeka, he announced that he is indeed running for president. With McCain and Giuliani running from the center, or at least the Republican conception of the center, that … [Read more...] about Brownback enters presidential race
The Wreck of the Mission Accomplished Express
I am not a blogger who has been giddy with blue-state schadenfreude as the presidency of George Walker Bush has begun to come apart. For one thing, the Democrats are perfectly capable of screwing things up even worse. For another, the White House's serial missteps of the past six years leave Americans vulnerable in ways that are not readily obvious but are pretty freaking … [Read more...] about The Wreck of the Mission Accomplished Express
Native Americans: Their Story – Chapter 1, Part 1
Patrick G. Barkman As you all know, I'm working on quite a big project about Native Americans. I sincerely believe that they still are mainly neglected: they have a rich culture, a rich - and sad - history and, today, many of them live in poverty. Their story is one worth telling. I wrote a post a few days ago, asking Native Americans to contact me in order to share their … [Read more...] about Native Americans: Their Story – Chapter 1, Part 1
Confident Hillary
Raw Story reports that Hillary Clinton is quite confident. In a private Sunday night conference call with several hundred major donors, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) trumpeted the success of her website-announced campaign and revealed that healthcare and climate change will rank among the top issues she plans to tackle as she begins her candidacy for the presidency, an … [Read more...] about Confident Hillary
Chavez Says: “Go To Hell, Gringos!”
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez used three words that readers in emails have often aimed at yours truly:President Hugo Chavez told U.S. officials to "Go to hell!" on his weekly radio and TV show Sunday for what he called unacceptable meddling after Washington raised concerns about a measure to grant Venezuela's fiery leftist leader broad lawmaking powers.Chavez is, in-effect, … [Read more...] about Chavez Says: “Go To Hell, Gringos!”
And Iran’s President Would Probably Blame It On The Jews
Is a nuclear policy shift in the offing in Iran? Times Online's Tehran reporters say it's on the table:IRAN’S supreme leader is considering a change of policy on the country’s nuclear programme in an effort to defuse growing tension with the West, according to senior sources in Tehran. Alarmed by mounting US pressure and United Nations sanctions, officials close to … [Read more...] about And Iran’s President Would Probably Blame It On The Jews
Centrist Bill Richardson Enters 2008 Democratic Prez Nomination Sweepstakes
Yet another Big Democratic Name has entered the 2008 Democratic Presidential sweepstakes -- a name that would have appeared perhaps bigger if people named Obama and (Ms.) Clinton were not getting all the big headlines...and sucking up all of the political oxygen: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson:Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico jumped into the 2008 presidential race … [Read more...] about Centrist Bill Richardson Enters 2008 Democratic Prez Nomination Sweepstakes
On The Increasingly Looooong Length Of Presidential Campaigns
Mark Daniels gives us a fascinatingly solid and terse summary of the evolution of Presidential campaigns and how they have now morphed into multi-year campaigns. A key quote:The point: Anyone who wants to win the nomination of her or his party needs to build up a head of steam to win early. That means more than having an organizational infrastructure or piling up a campaign war … [Read more...] about On The Increasingly Looooong Length Of Presidential Campaigns
You’ve Heard Loud Voices At Sports Events
How about THIS (which is actually good). … [Read more...] about You’ve Heard Loud Voices At Sports Events
Super Match-Up!
The football team of the city in which I resided for more than 20 years (Indianapolis Colts) will be playing the football team of the city in which I was born (Chicago Bears) in the NFL Super Bowl on Feb. 4th! Indianapolis Star: Super Bowl bound! John at AMERICAblog on Da Bears … [Read more...] about Super Match-Up!
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. Tim F. writes at Balloon Juice that the escalation in Iraq is "amazingly unpopular with America". He agrees with the majority of the American people and adds that, in his opinion, Bush does not have any credibility left. Hilzoy isn't particularly fond of Hillary. NYT's Carlotta Gall stalked in Pakistan... by Pakistani … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
A Quick Personal Note
I've gotten some emails about why I've been AWOL from TMV for the past two days. It's due to being an a very long drive, a killing schedule since early yesterday morning and some family issues. All of these kept me offline for 24 hours. I will be posting a bit today en route back to San Diego...but this site's other fine writers have a lot of things to say (and probably say it … [Read more...] about A Quick Personal Note