July 2008
2 posts
Thanks For Reading
Hi all. I started this blog for many reasons, but mainly because I had the time. Well, all that’s changed. Thanks for reading, and hopefully for caring.
I’d like to leave on a note of disillusionment — is this not where all roads lead in politics? Barack Obama today voted for unlimited government spying on all international communications into and out of the United States AND...
June 2008
30 posts
Will Google Eviscerate the "Community Standard"... →
A trial lawyer uses Google search data to argue that residents of Pensacola—a relatively conservative place—are “more likely to use Google to search for terms like ‘orgy’ than for ‘apple pie’ or ‘watermelon.’”
Millionaires Club Gets Bigger, Members Richer →
ho-hum
Jim Johnson Quits Obama's VP Team →
Earlier, Slate had called for a bit more rectitude from Obama. Looks like he’s delivered.
Who Is David Plouffe? →
A nice post by Marbury.
WatchMcCain: Bringing American forces home from Iraq “not too important.” Instead, he argues, we should be concerned with keeping them there safely.
When did Republicans lose so much interest in what the American people want?
Paglia on Politics →
Among other wonderful bits, her take on Hil’s concession (what a gem!):
“I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised at the ecstatic media lockstep praising Hillary’s so-called concession speech last weekend. This is the same herd of sheep who bleated to Bush’s beat and brought us the Iraq fiasco. I first heard the speech on the radio as I was driving back to...
“Michelle is a target-rich environment.”
– Maureen Dowd on the New Witch, Michelle Obama
“I think that in retrospect I could have used a different tone, a different...”
– A shocking confession from none other than George W. Bush. Is this his first one ever? [article via Times Online]
The Jim Webb Story →
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Webb is likely to be Obama’s pick for VP. This profile explains why—though it feels a bit thin on skepticism. Nonetheless, a great read. [via New York Review of Books]
UPDATE: Counterpoint.
Senate Intelligence Committee: Bush Admin Deceived... →
My prior link to GiGi references the above. (Click header to read article.)
Says Huffington: “It’s vitally important that we continue to reiterate and document the truth of what happened and who was responsible for perpetrating this fraud on the American public. And here’s why: the war is still going on (and American soldiers continue to die as a result of the deception); the...
Clear Evidence That Pentagon Obstructed Justice In... →
Unbelievable. Are we fighting for freedom, or what?
More Gorgeousness From GiGi →
“The only news made by that Senate report is that, in our country, a report like this—documenting that the Government lied us into a war—is no longer news at all…
“When Scott McClellan used the term ‘complicit enablers’ to describe our press corps, this is the face of that: soothingly assuring the public that there is nothing at all unusual or radical...
McCain's Lobbyist Problem: Why It Matters →
A great article in Salon (use this link first to bypass ads). Highlights:
“John McCain is a saber-rattler when it comes to Russia… A long-term confidant of the candidate, [Randy] Scheunemann also supports a very tough stance toward Russia. Unlike McCain, until very recently he was paid to support that stance.”
“Bad press sparked efforts inside the McCain campaign to purge...
Pundits Weigh In On Clinton's Failures →
A series of short opinion pieces by 13 pundits, including Mark Penn, Clinton’s chief advisor, and Ana Maria Cox, the founding editor of Wonkette. A few blame sexism—a ridiculous argument, I think. Clinton lost for the simplest and most obvious reason: Obama has more chops. But if we have to blame one of her choices, Kathleen Hall Jamieson gets it most right. Hil’s refusal to...
Thoughts on Hil's Concession
Andrew Sullivan has an interesting take, noting that Hil suggested she ran because of her gender. He goes on to write:
“I think history will show that she didn’t quite have the talent to do it on her own steam, but that she made it much easier for another woman to become president one day. Her two biggest problems: She first married a man who was her political superior and was then...
Live-blogging Hil's Concession: 06/07/08
Opener: “This isn’t exactly the party I planned, but I sure like the company.”
More talk about toddlers giving away their life savings to her campaign.
“To all those who voted for me… my commitment to you is unyielding.”
She raises the 18,000,000 again, including “gay and straight!”
“You’ll always find me on the front lines of...
In Secret, Bush Delineates Goals of His War →
[don’t miss linked article above]
Finally, a definition of victory. For all the talk about protecting Americans, toppling dictators, and promoting democracy, we finally get an honest report about the goals of the Bush admin: fifty permanent bases, continuing military operations, control of Iraqi airspace, the right to arrest civilians, and, most potently, total immunity from Iraqi law. All...
Despite Victory, Obama Fails to Vanquish Hil
Impressions from last night:
1) Hillary is attempting to bully her way onto the ticket. At first glance, it’s a bizarre strategy. Wouldn’t she do better by making nice with Obama? Surely her speech last night pissed off his entire staff. But Hil—and you’ve got to give her credit here (though I find her more loathsome than ever)—refused to give an inch of wiggle room...
“He tried to call her twice following the speech - but got her voicemail.”
– The New York Post, writing of Obama and Hil.
Obama: America, This Is Our Moment
What a speech. Youtube it when you can. [text]
Clinton: "I Will Be Making No Decisions Tonight"
Apparently, Hillary believes that she is the fat lady—the end will come when she says so. As my psychotherapist friend noted, “She could be in a delusional state right now.”
Hil On VP Slot: "I'm Open To It." →
Drudge uses a siren.
Will Hil Concede? →
May 2008
35 posts
Watch“Soy Barack Obama, y yo aprebo este mensaje.” The future. Bravo.
WatchBill O’Reilly asks: Is opposition to gay marriage bigoted? Say wha?
Summary Judgment: GiGi on Myth of "Liberal" Media →
It’s a nice round-up of GiGi’s oft-cited arguments.
GOP Strategist Peddling 'Charlie Crist Sex Tape'... →
Hilarious post from Andy Towle.
“Seven years’ distance reveals a brutal reality. For both his family and his...”
– Oh, right—it’s always about money. NYTimes Book Review - ‘The Bin Ladens,’ by Steve Coll
Hillary: Why I Continue To Run →
In her own words.
Watch“You actually invoked the specter of an inspirational leader at the seeming moment of triumph for himself and a battered nation yearning to breathe free silenced forever? … This, Senator, is too much. Because a senator, a politician, a person who can let hang in midair the prospect that she might just be sticking around in part just in case the other guy gets shot has no business...
“Clinton has killed her own chances of being vice president.”
– Michael Goodwin in The Daily News Politics is like the weather in New England: if you don’t like it, wait five minutes. Two days ago I argued that Obama should accept Hillary as his VP. Actually, I wrote the piece a couple of weeks ago—but I wasn’t comfortable making the case until...
“We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California.”
– Hillary Clinton, on why she’s still in. So she’s crossing her fingers? [via NYPost]
Will Hillary Clinton Be Obama's Great Compromise?
“The Great Compromise” refers to the Connecticut Compromise, reached during the Philadelphia Convention of 1787. At the time, the Founding Fathers were bitterly divided over the legislative structure of their proposed government. How would the United States Congress be composed? Half of the convention demanded proportional representation—each state should receive a number of...
“Hillary Clinton will travel to Florida on Wednesday to argue that [Obama] wants...”
– More evidence for Hil’s 2012 bid. John Dickerson in Slate Magazine
Clinton's Campaign Debt Soars to $21 Million →
For all her praise of “white, hard-working Americans,” Clinton “added another $9.5 million in unpaid bills to vendors this past month alone.” Incredible. One has to take this madness at face value. In my mind, it’s an early indication that Clinton is running for 2012. In racking up such huge debts, she is either a) willing to sacrifice her own fortune to become...