Ezra Klein comments on David Brooks' critique of his party on vox.com. There is an oddity to Brooks's nostalgia, though. The Republican Party has not been a vehicle for Burkean conservatism for a long time. The Iraq War, which Brooks supported, was not exactly governed by a fear of disrupting existing institutions, even if President Bush had a personality that Brooks … [Read more...] about Know Thyself
It Takes One to Know One
House conservative David Brooks eviscerates his party in The New York Times. The House Republican caucus is close to ungovernable these days. How did this situation come about? This was not just the work of the Freedom Caucus or Ted Cruz or one month’s activity. The Republican Party’s capacity for effective self-governance degraded slowly, over the … [Read more...] about It Takes One to Know One
Netanyahu Vows ‘Aggressive Measures’ In Jerusalem
The Israeli security cabinet Wednesday authorized security forces to seal off “parts of Jerusalem” in response to escalating Israeli-Palestinian violence in the region. The move comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to take “aggressive measures” to prevent further clashes. “The security cabinet decided several measures to combat terrorism, notably authorizing … [Read more...] about Netanyahu Vows ‘Aggressive Measures’ In Jerusalem
Second Republican Admits Benghazi Committee Was ‘Designed To Go After’ Clinton
No, it turns out some Democrats weren't being paranoid or doing spin. Yet another Republican admits the Benghazi committee was designed to go after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for political reasons. In so many ways, this 21st century is marked by some of the smelliest politics in our history -- and increasingly it seems as if the only way the GOP will be able to … [Read more...] about Second Republican Admits Benghazi Committee Was ‘Designed To Go After’ Clinton
Battling JFK campaign songs
Frank Sinatra had a hit with the song "High Hopes" in 1959, which he had performed in a Frank Capra movie called "A Hole in the Head." The music was written by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. Most people of a certain age are at least somewhat familiar with the tune. Subsequently, Sinatra approached Cahn with the idea of developing a new set of lyrics that could … [Read more...] about Battling JFK campaign songs
Benghazi committee shoots self in foot, limps away $4.5 million later
Bye bye, Benghazi! Paul Waldman notices that the committee has gotten to the point of twisting in the wind. ... Not only are Democrats talking to reporters about why this ,,committee is a mess, Republicans are too. Any time you see a passage like this, with competing interpretations of what’s going on behind the scenes, it’s a good bet that people are maneuvering to … [Read more...] about Benghazi committee shoots self in foot, limps away $4.5 million later
What do you do when the people trying to kill you live around the block? (Guest Voice)
What do you do when the people who are trying to kill you live in the neighborhood down the street? Or when they live in the same village as that lovely man your son’s been working with? Or when they work for the phone company? When they try to kill anybody — uniformed soldiers and police,… … [Read more...] about What do you do when the people trying to kill you live around the block? (Guest Voice)
Clinton’s Debate Showing May Spell Trouble for Biden
By James OliphantWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden faced an altered political dynamic on Wednesday after Hillary Clinton reasserted her command of the Democratic Party presidential race during a debate that may have left little room for him to run.Analysts widely hailed Clinton, 67, as turning in a nimble, effective performance on Tuesday night, perhaps … [Read more...] about Clinton’s Debate Showing May Spell Trouble for Biden
Bernie Sanders is a realist after all
In my comments on the Democratic presidential debate last night, I noted that Bernie Sanders' performance confirmed for me that his candidacy has never really been about seriously challenging for the nomination. Amy Walter at The Cook Political Report makes the same point, with a bit more meat on the bones. Bernie Sanders wants to run on issues, not on electability, and … [Read more...] about Bernie Sanders is a realist after all
Politix Update: Is The Presidential Race Over Bar The Shouting? Probably.
After enduring months negative publicity over an email controversy that is all smoke and a deeply partisan congressional investigation that is all smokescreen, Hillary Clinton sent a message with her commanding performance in the first Democratic debate: You can throw dirt at me all day, but at the end of the day I am still head and shoulders above each and every challenger, … [Read more...] about Politix Update: Is The Presidential Race Over Bar The Shouting? Probably.
Benefits of Immigration
With all the Republican candidates for president and conservatives in the House pushing for limits on immigration and most wanting the return of undocumented immigrants to their countries of origin, thought should be given to the benefits these new arrivals bring. They provide value not only for America, but for European nations, Australia, Canada and Japan. Whether the … [Read more...] about Benefits of Immigration
A Moderate Independent’s Assessment of the First Democratic Presidential Debate
The alternate universe of the Democratic Party was displayed during the first Democratic presidential debate. How else would one explain the acceptance of Hillary Clinton's answers? Before saying more about the substance of the debate participants, their form shall be evaluated. Lincoln Chafee isn't going to make it to the general election. All too often he looked like … [Read more...] about A Moderate Independent’s Assessment of the First Democratic Presidential Debate
Democratic Presidential Debate: Game changer, or dozer? Who won? ROUNDUP of Media Reaction FINAL UPDATE
Here's a roundup of websites, blogs of different viewpoints and a cross-section of Tweets. These are excerpts, so go to the link to read the originals in full. Also, read this analysis by TMV's Richard Barry. Go HERE to read anannotated transcript of the debate. CNN: Hillary Clinton swept confidently into the campaign season's first Democratic presidential debate … [Read more...] about Democratic Presidential Debate: Game changer, or dozer? Who won? ROUNDUP of Media Reaction FINAL UPDATE
The winner of tonight’s debate was the Democratic Party
Most people watching tonight's Democratic presidential debate expecting to have their attention drawn to Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders were not disappointed. There were three others on the stage, though I'm not quite sure why. Did Lincoln Chafee actually say he voted for the repeal of Glass-Steagall because he had just arrived in the Senate at the tine and, you know, … [Read more...] about The winner of tonight’s debate was the Democratic Party
A lesson from Hands Across America and Market Basket
On Sunday, May 25, 1986, Hands Across America took place. The idea was to have a line of people holding hands in a continuous line from New York to Los Angeles. While the line was incomplete, the sentiment was not broken. The purpose was to raise both money and awareness of hunger and homelessness in the United States. A ten dollar donation secured one's place in line and a … [Read more...] about A lesson from Hands Across America and Market Basket
Heading Into Debates, Sanders Taking On The DNC & Hillary Clinton
With the first Democratic debate tonight, the decision of Debbie Wasserman Schultz to limit Democratic debates to give an advantage to Hillary Clinton continues to create controversy: Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, a vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, said she was disinvited from the first Democratic presidential primary debate in Nevada after she … [Read more...] about Heading Into Debates, Sanders Taking On The DNC & Hillary Clinton
Dutch Safety Board: Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 Downed by Russian-Made Buk Missile
On July 17, 2014, a Malaysia Airlines aircraft on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 298 souls on board was shot out of the sky over eastern Ukraine by what was suspected to be a surface-to-air missile. Of the 298 people on board Flight MH17, 193 were Dutch. Once more, the loss of life suffered by the Dutch was disproportional to the population of that small … [Read more...] about Dutch Safety Board: Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 Downed by Russian-Made Buk Missile
How Millennials Are Shaping The 2016 Presidential Race
How Millennials Are Shaping The 2016 Presidential Race By Tyler Hustwick Recently, plenty has been said about Millennials, those born between 1981 and 1997. Employers want to know how to manage us, brands want to know how to sell to us and now, politicians and presidential hopefuls want to know how to connect with us. But why are we so damn important? Generation … [Read more...] about How Millennials Are Shaping The 2016 Presidential Race
Sanders Says He’s Not A Capitalist – The Electability Question
For those who didn't see it, or didn't see re-runs of it, Bernie Sanders appeared Sunday on Meet the Press. When asked if he was a capitalist, Sanders responded "No. I'm a democratic socialist." It's the "No" that is the problem with that response. Many have argued that Sanders is not a real socialist just a democratic socialist, i.e. a very liberal Democrat. But, going … [Read more...] about Sanders Says He’s Not A Capitalist – The Electability Question
4 things to watch for in the first Democratic debate
4 things to watch for in the first Democratic debate LAS VEGAS — Hillary Clinton takes the debate stage for the first time in this campaign Tuesday night to face four rivals looking for something — anything — to knock down her lead in the race for the Democratic nomination for president. Clinton must use the debate to explain her rationale for her second candidacy for… … [Read more...] about 4 things to watch for in the first Democratic debate