THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:Putin Denies Being ‘Anywhere Near’ Taco Bell Calls Linking Him to E-Coli Outbreak ‘Pure Fantasy’ Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out today at accusers who have pointed the finger at him in recent days for the outbreak of e-coli infections at several Taco Bell restaurants in New Jersey, New York and … [Read more...] about This Just In!

And so can violating a court order related to it. … [Read more...] about Derogatory Posting On The Internet May Have Consequences

From the Wall Street Journal: ">Some Republicans Take a Scorched-Hill Tack Leaving Budget Decisions To Democrats Could Disrupt New Leadership's AgendaLike a retreating army, Republicans are tearing up railroad track and planting legislative land mines to make it harder for Democrats to govern when they take power in Congress next month. ...The unstated goal is to disrupt … [Read more...] about For Some in the GOP, Party Trumps Country

Is it a masterstroke -- or "lunacy?" … [Read more...] about The United States And Plans To Put Permanent Bases On The Moon

The Conservative Jewish panel on gay issues has decided that upholding the traditional anti-gay norms, and allowing gay ordination and same-sex ceremonies, are both legitimate. Now, "these and these are the words of the Living God." … [Read more...] about Split the Baby

Votes were taken and an announcement has been made by the Law Committee of Conservative Judaism. GOOD NEWS: Should I so desire, I can now apply to the rabbinical program at Los Angeles' University of Judaism. I expected the approval of this Dorff paper. BAD NEWS: There are or were 6 rabbis on this committee who are so ill-informed that they actually found it appropriate to … [Read more...] about CJLS Accepts 3 of 5 Teshuvot

The Iraq Study Group story is overblown. The media -- in particular David Broder and his clones -- talk up bipartisanship and "centrism" all the time. They feed off the partisanship, but in moments of self-importance, which are common, they like to situate themselves above the divisive rancour. Hence McCain's ongoing media popularity and questionable reputation as a maverick. … [Read more...] about The limitations of the Iraq Study Group

I supported Jane Harman for House Intelligence Committee chair. My supported softened somewhat, but I still supported her. And when it was clear that Nancy Pelosi was going to pick someone else, I supported Rush Holt as a suitable compromise candidate. And when Pelosi picked Silvestre Reyes, I was fine with it. And how's that working out? Let's just say, not as expected:In a … [Read more...] about See, I was right about Jane Harman

From an Orange County EditorialHere are the basics from the governor's statement: "The proposal creates a Citizens Redistricting Commission to develop an open and fair process for redrawing our political district lines. The commission would be composed of 11 independent and politically balanced members who reflect our state's diversity and who are free from conflicts of … [Read more...] about California Takes Another Swing at Redistricting Reform

The bar is so low that any SecDef nominee would look good. But, keeping in mind Creature's "love-in" post at State of the Day, I do think Gates looked good yesterday. Which isn't to say I don't have my reservations. Gates has more than his share of dirty laundry. And which isn't to say that I think Gates is right that "it's too soon to tell" whether or not the Iraq War was a … [Read more...] about Anyone but Rumsfeld

The big news today is the release of the Iraq Survey Group's report. As befitting the general consensus in America now, the ISG has determined that Iraq is a disaster. There are very few commentators on any part of the political spectrum that reject the notion that Iraq is in a grave situation at this point. The difference mostly centers on what to do about it: neoconservatives … [Read more...] about Unhinged in Baghdad

David Broder writes in today's Washington Post ">A Study In Comity about the process of the Iraq Study Group. Whatever the final impact of the Iraq Study Group report being issued today, for the 10 commission members this was an exhilarating experience, a demonstration of genuine bipartisanship that they hope will serve as an example to the broader political world. "It was … [Read more...] about ISG – A Role Model for Bi-Partisanship

Contenders for DCCC chairmanship campaign quietly...The party committee chairman is charged with recruiting candidates, fundraising and formulating an earned media strategy. ...Democratic aides agree only on the uncertainty surrounding the vacancy and the members on the short list to fill it. They include Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), who, according to Democratic … [Read more...] about Who Selects Democratic Candidates?

Reported in The HillPresident Bush has invited leaders of the conservative Blue Dog and New Democrat coalitions to the White House Friday to discuss areas of "mutual cooperation" in the words of one Democratic Congressional aide. The outreach comes at a time when Bush's image on Capitol Hill and around the country has taken a serious beating. The meeting is scheduled just two … [Read more...] about Bush to meet with Centrist Dems

Jane Hamsher of Firedoglake blog has a commentary on Centrism at The Huffington Post with an interesting collection of comments. The term centrism is like a Rorschach test. Everyone brings something different to the interpretation. For many it is an absurd attempt to take the average of opposing views. For some it is a cowardly effort to avoid taking a stand. For me it is … [Read more...] about Center of What?

Mary Cheney is pregnant. A sincere congratulations to American Vice-President Dick Cheney his wife and of course his daughter and her partner, Heather Poe (family of the great poet?). … [Read more...] about Congrats To Cheney

I of course want to bask in the glory of being part of a best centrist weblog nominee. And if I may say so, a hearty congratulations to Joe and all my fellow co-bloggers who have helped make this site great. But, egomaniac that I am, I couldn't help but notice that my blog, The Debate Link, was a finalist for an award as well--Best of the Top 3501 - 5000. It's the first time … [Read more...] about Double Up!

As Joe reported earlier today, TMV has been nominated for "Best Centrist Blog" for this year's Weblog Awards, which is of course a great honor: for Joe but also for us co-bloggers. However, I would like to pay some attention to one specific blog, nominated in a different category: Ed Morrissey's Captain's Quarters (category: Best Conservative Blog). Of course, most nominated … [Read more...] about Some Special Attention

The first thing to be said about the Iraq Study Group's report is that it is anticlimactic. That is not a bad thing. Although the bipartisan group worked behind closed doors, its high profile but low key chairman, James Baker, gave it a very public face and there wasn't any doubt about what its recommendations would be. The second thing to be said is that although the ISG's … [Read more...] about Iraq Study Group Report: Too Little Too Late?

Oef. This must be horrible...Forget the minimum wage. Or outsourcing jobs overseas. The labor issue most on the minds of members of Congress yesterday was their own: They will have to work five days a week starting in January. The horror.Indeed. Terrible, terrible. And not just for politicians:"I have bad news for you," Hoyer told reporters. "Those trips you had planned in … [Read more...] about Get Off of That Lazy Butt of Yours And Start Working