Guess what? It hurt the state of Texas. … [Read more...] about The Republican Redistricting Of Texas

The groundbreaking of the MLK memorial drew a massive crowd of Washington dignataries and politicians. But who among them is sufficiently committed to his legacy to justify the homage? … [Read more...] about Unworthy Heirs

Some of the images and stories coming out of 21st Century America, although not necessarily interconnected, are not nice ones. So much for the days of Americana artist Norman Rockwell. The latest is a story — and a You Tube video — that is truly cringeworthy. See our coblogger Michael van der Galien's earlier post HERE. Even though some will argue that the student … [Read more...] about Furor Over UCLA Student Tasered By Police

With the fog of elections out of the way, the world is sighing with relief that the shortsighted cabal led by Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld has met its Waterloo. But their successors are not necessarily wiser although they do favor different tactics to achieve key foreign policy goals. European observers expect political deadlock and squabbling in both Congress and Senate. … [Read more...] about Jim Baker is no savior

It's a round-up! Wish me look luck (for example, that my profs don't grade spelling) on my final exams! … [Read more...] about Because You’re Tired Of Hearing Me Talk

He's a front runner for the Republican nomination in '08, so this situation begs the question... is this move ethically suspect? It's certainly not illegal, but you know what they say...if you can't beat the media, buy the media. Okay, nobody says that...but I'd bet Romney at least made one crack about it before the sale. I mean, how could you not? Come on Mitt...fess up...we … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney’s Company Buys Clear Channel

Strangely, the conservative policies of the Dutch government coalition are beginning to pay off. For years and years the poverty level rose. Now, however, they are once again decreasing. The CDA and VVD had to clean up a lot of the mess left by the coalitions in the 1990's (and of course from before that decade). Reforms like that always increase the povery rate for a limited … [Read more...] about Those Cold, Greedy Conservatives

Two questions: 1- Why didn't he just show his ID card? 2- What the heck was that police officer thinking?It was beyond grotesque," said UCLA graduate David Remesnitsky of Los Angeles, who witnessed the incident. "By the end they took him over the stairs, lifted him up and Tasered him on his rear end. It seemed like it was inappropriately placed. The Tasering was so unnecessary … [Read more...] about Appropriate Use of Force… Kinda

What do facts have to do, have to do with it? Don't you just hate them? Those annoying things called 'details' I mean. … [Read more...] about Details

The leaders of the left. From left to right: Femke Halsema (GroenLinks), Jan Marijnissen (SP) and Wouter Bos (PvdA PvdA leader Wouter Bos received more and more criticism for being too friendly towards the CDA. Before the campaign for the (November 22) elections began it was quite clear that the PvdA hoped to form a coalition with the CDA: he enforced that idea during the … [Read more...] about Wouter Bos Changes Strategy

Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman died earlier today. CNNmoney points out that he "helped interpret and popularize modern free-market economics that came to dominate much of U.S. public policy in the second half of the 20th century. Free-market economic theories, which included tight fiscal discipline and deregulation of markets, grew influential in the United States after … [Read more...] about Milton Friedman Dies

Mitt Romney has sent a strong signal to everyone by hiring "Alex Castellanos, a veteran of presidential campaigns known for his tough ads against Democratic candidates." Alex is one of two or three people in the country who you don't run a presidential campaign without," said Dan Schnur, who was communication director for Senator John McCain of Arizona during McCain's run for … [Read more...] about Romney Getting Ready for 08

Pelosi suffers first political defeat since this month's elections I reported a few days ago, that Nancy Pelosi wanted Murtha to become House majority leader. Sadly for her, she lost that particular battle:House Democrats picked Rep. Steny Hoyer to be House majority leader on Thursday, spurning Rep. Nancy Pelosi's handpicked choice moments after unanimously backing her … [Read more...] about Nancy Loses First Battle After Elections

CNN: Hoyer tapped for party's No. 2 House spot … [Read more...] about The New House Majority Leader is…….

Pam's House Blend: Our own Russ is America's Next Great Progressive Talk Star! UPDATE: Our friend Russ just won: Russ with 3 votes to Curtis with 2 votes. The tie-breaker judge was Ed Schultz. I think this episode will be archived online so you all can listen later. --------------------------------------------------------------- There's a contest going on to be the next … [Read more...] about UPDATE: Progressive Talk Radio

The spectacle of Democrats indulging in political cannibalism in the House, tossing away their good post-election press, and breaking the "Big Mo" they had towards positive imagery and unity is not the only Big Show in town. There's also a process of self-destruction going on within the GOP, perhaps because Republican party bigwigs got jealous watching the Democrats hurt their … [Read more...] about Congressional Republicans’ Moves Are Alienating GOPers

Longtime centrist Republican Rep. Jim Leach's defeat last Tuesday is a great loss for the House of Representatives, but it need not be a loss for the country. There is a diplomatic position for which Leach is not only qualified, but also particularly well suited: Ambassador to the United Nations. I am proud to jump on the Leach bandwagon today by announcing my strong support … [Read more...] about Jim Leach for UN Ambassador

Dick Polman sees a shift in the GOP:The fundamental tensions within the fragile Republican coalition, which were severely exacerbated by the 2006 campaign, are likely to persist now that Mel Martinez has been tapped to work as general chairman of the national party.Polman notes that Martinez's appointment is part of a move to try and win back Hispanic voters turned off by the … [Read more...] about Is the GOP Back In “Inclusion Mode?”

First it was Murtha and now it's Dean. What's justified and what isn't? My opinions are here. … [Read more...] about Dem Infighting In Full Swing

DEAR TMV: I am 10 years old. I was talking with my friends and they said corporate standards and the corporate conscience in America are disintegrating. My father says, "If you see a Starbucks on every corner it isn't so." Please tell me the truth: are there standards and is there a corporate conscience in America or are they going down the tubes? Virginia Schmidlap 1500 Main … [Read more...] about O.J. Simpson, Fox, Regan Books And The Decline Of Standards