Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Has any state ever had two govs in prison at the same time?
Source: Feds take Gov. Blagojevich into custody
A source said today that Gov. Rod Blagojevich was taken into federal custody at his North Side home this morning. The U.S. attorney's office would not confirm the information. A Blagojevich spokesman said he was unaware of the development. "Haven't heard anything -- you are first to call," Lucio Guerrero said in an e-mail.
The stunning, early morning visit by authorities to the governor's North Side home came amid revelations that federal investigators had recorded the governor with the cooperation of a longtime confidant and had begun to focus on the possibility that the process of choosing a Senate successor to President-elect Barack Obama could be tainted by pay-to-play politics.
More
What a disgrace. Stupidity should be severely punished.
My ONE rule for an auto bailout
I support action to keep the industry alive. We need to make SOMETHING here, after all.
But any company that accepts ANY federal money has to do one thing:
TELL ME HOW MUCH THE DAMN CAR COSTS.
No more haggling, no more "talking to the manager," no more "what can I do to put you in this car today," no more undercoating, etc. No more walking out feeling like I've been had. Put a price tag on it. If I want it, I'll buy it.
Otherwise--no soup for you.
But any company that accepts ANY federal money has to do one thing:
TELL ME HOW MUCH THE DAMN CAR COSTS.
No more haggling, no more "talking to the manager," no more "what can I do to put you in this car today," no more undercoating, etc. No more walking out feeling like I've been had. Put a price tag on it. If I want it, I'll buy it.
Otherwise--no soup for you.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
George W. Bush: A Legacy of Lies
Howard Fineman of Newsweek and others have noted that introspection was never a Bush family characteristic. In W's case, I would add a lack of curiosity and a less than average intelligence. The NeoCon blank slate, noted by Peter, instilled in Bush an aversion for government, except as a means to impose absolute power by force of arms, bullying of friend and foe alike, and lining the pockets of powerful special interest friends. As Bush joked to an audience of fat cats, "you're my base."
The results are in and they're catastrophic. In the end, whether or not there was venality is irrelevant -- denial, as they say, ain't just a river in Egypt. The abuse of power, the shredding of the Constitution, the politicization of the Justice Department, the doctoring of intelligence to justify preemptive war, all or any of these are impeachable offenses. That they were never seriously considered during the past five years is not only the failure of a Congress too cowed to take on a president in times of war, Orwellian perpetual war, but also of large sectors of the media that sold out to profits over serious journalism. And ultimately too, of the people who twice elected this … whatever.
What we are seeing in these exit interviews is an astonishing and pathetic attempt to rewrite history, in search of a legacy. Isn't it ironic that the individual tapped to spin the Bush years is none other than Karl Rove? It seems oddly appropriate in a way that the revisionism of the Bush years should be assigned to Bush's chief propagandist, heading the so-called "Bush legacy project."
But it won't work. Karl Rove can't spin, scrub, and sanitize eight years of lies, incompetence, venality, and criminality. As Rachel Maddow said, there are certain inconvenient things called, in Bushspeak, "the internets and the google." Despite this administration's unprecedented secrecy -- its elevation of the national security state pushing the limits of government beyond even what Nixon attempted with "executive privilege," bizarre concepts such the "unitary executive," a pseudo-legal justification for giving the president dictatorial powers, and unrestrained abuse of the Patriot Act to spy on American citizens -- there is in all of this a substantial record to be examined. Records can be spun and interpreted, but they cannot be lied about.
George W. Bush exits (just GO, leave already!) as the worst ever president in American history. That’s my personal assessment, but I honestly doubt a consensus of historians would disagree. True to form, W and loyal sidekick Rove exit much as they entered: lying.
The results are in and they're catastrophic. In the end, whether or not there was venality is irrelevant -- denial, as they say, ain't just a river in Egypt. The abuse of power, the shredding of the Constitution, the politicization of the Justice Department, the doctoring of intelligence to justify preemptive war, all or any of these are impeachable offenses. That they were never seriously considered during the past five years is not only the failure of a Congress too cowed to take on a president in times of war, Orwellian perpetual war, but also of large sectors of the media that sold out to profits over serious journalism. And ultimately too, of the people who twice elected this … whatever.
What we are seeing in these exit interviews is an astonishing and pathetic attempt to rewrite history, in search of a legacy. Isn't it ironic that the individual tapped to spin the Bush years is none other than Karl Rove? It seems oddly appropriate in a way that the revisionism of the Bush years should be assigned to Bush's chief propagandist, heading the so-called "Bush legacy project."
But it won't work. Karl Rove can't spin, scrub, and sanitize eight years of lies, incompetence, venality, and criminality. As Rachel Maddow said, there are certain inconvenient things called, in Bushspeak, "the internets and the google." Despite this administration's unprecedented secrecy -- its elevation of the national security state pushing the limits of government beyond even what Nixon attempted with "executive privilege," bizarre concepts such the "unitary executive," a pseudo-legal justification for giving the president dictatorial powers, and unrestrained abuse of the Patriot Act to spy on American citizens -- there is in all of this a substantial record to be examined. Records can be spun and interpreted, but they cannot be lied about.
George W. Bush exits (just GO, leave already!) as the worst ever president in American history. That’s my personal assessment, but I honestly doubt a consensus of historians would disagree. True to form, W and loyal sidekick Rove exit much as they entered: lying.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Farewell, #31
It is with some sadness that the Thinker waves goodbye to the best pitcher I've ever seen, twice-former Cub Greg Maddux, who is announcing his retirement after 21 years in major league baseball. There are two of us on this blog who, when chatting sports, use "Maddux" as part of our moniker, and I know I'm not the only one here who will miss watching him pitch. Even during his exile in Atlanta (okay, he piled up some rather extraordinary numbers in exile), my dad and I used to sit down and watch him every fifth day, because his outings were unlike any others. When he was at his best, hitters just were overmatched, not by staggering physical talent, but because he was so good at so many things that his arsenal of pitches just went beyond anything they could cope with.
Five years from now, his name will come up for a vote for the MLB Hall of Fame. He'll get in, on the first ballot, and by a large margin. Of course, he won't be unanimous, because no one ever is. The BBWAA is comprised, sadly, of too many morons of the sort who cannot abide greatness and must always find fault. They can go screw themselves.
Someday, if the Cubs are smart, they'll bring Maddux and Fergie Jenkins back and finally retire #31. Maddux won't seek the spotlight, but it is his.
Five years from now, his name will come up for a vote for the MLB Hall of Fame. He'll get in, on the first ballot, and by a large margin. Of course, he won't be unanimous, because no one ever is. The BBWAA is comprised, sadly, of too many morons of the sort who cannot abide greatness and must always find fault. They can go screw themselves.
Someday, if the Cubs are smart, they'll bring Maddux and Fergie Jenkins back and finally retire #31. Maddux won't seek the spotlight, but it is his.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Bush 2.0
So our most grotesquely failed president has decided to re-invent himself. In an interview with Charlie Gibson, and in a self-serving blatherfest with his sister, he gave us these gems:
"I think I was unprepared for war..."
Really? That's surprising, given that you talked about invading Iraq as GOVERNOR OF TEXAS in 1999? Given that the cronies that made up this war out of whole cloth published their stupidity in 1998 ? (see the Project for the New American Century)
"The biggest regret of all the presidency has to have been the intelligence failure in Iraq...a lot of leaders of nations around the world were all looking at the same intelligence."
Hmm, you mean the "intelligence" that your administration manufactured and misrepresented? That several countries told you was bullshit? You mean that "intelligence?"
"You know, I'm the president during this period of time, but I think when the history of this period is written, people will realize a lot of the decisions that were made on Wall Street took place over a decade or so, before I arrived in president"
You know, the Clinton years, our long national nightmare of peace and prosperity...The buck stops over there somewhere.
"And when people review the history of this administration, people will say that this administration tried hard to get a regulator."
WHAT??? YOU, wanted regulation? And now I suppose the pope now officiates at gay abortionist weddings????
"I'd like to be a president [known] as somebody who liberated 50 million people and helped achieve peace"--
You "liberated" people into death and chaos, and brought about a hellish cataclysm. And peace? We'll be waiting on that one for a while.
The grand question is...
Is this man the boy in the bubble? Does he really BELIEVE any of this nonsense?
Back in 1998, when the neocon cabal recruited him, he was "tutored" in foreign policy by the PNAC crowd, they considered him to be a blank slate. Bob Woodward paints him as a simple man, a Chance the Gardener character, who sees his little ugly war as the story of how many of "them" we killed.
Venal or clueless? Both, probably. The act may have worked in Austin but it will be remembered as one of our greatest national tragedies.
"I think I was unprepared for war..."
Really? That's surprising, given that you talked about invading Iraq as GOVERNOR OF TEXAS in 1999? Given that the cronies that made up this war out of whole cloth published their stupidity in 1998 ? (see the Project for the New American Century)
"The biggest regret of all the presidency has to have been the intelligence failure in Iraq...a lot of leaders of nations around the world were all looking at the same intelligence."
Hmm, you mean the "intelligence" that your administration manufactured and misrepresented? That several countries told you was bullshit? You mean that "intelligence?"
"You know, I'm the president during this period of time, but I think when the history of this period is written, people will realize a lot of the decisions that were made on Wall Street took place over a decade or so, before I arrived in president"
You know, the Clinton years, our long national nightmare of peace and prosperity...The buck stops over there somewhere.
"And when people review the history of this administration, people will say that this administration tried hard to get a regulator."
WHAT??? YOU, wanted regulation? And now I suppose the pope now officiates at gay abortionist weddings????
"I'd like to be a president [known] as somebody who liberated 50 million people and helped achieve peace"--
You "liberated" people into death and chaos, and brought about a hellish cataclysm. And peace? We'll be waiting on that one for a while.
The grand question is...
Is this man the boy in the bubble? Does he really BELIEVE any of this nonsense?
Back in 1998, when the neocon cabal recruited him, he was "tutored" in foreign policy by the PNAC crowd, they considered him to be a blank slate. Bob Woodward paints him as a simple man, a Chance the Gardener character, who sees his little ugly war as the story of how many of "them" we killed.
Venal or clueless? Both, probably. The act may have worked in Austin but it will be remembered as one of our greatest national tragedies.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Followup
It's a week later, and we're still embroiled in the saga of plumbing, although progress has indeed been made. The pipe hasn't leaked since the plumbers put the clamp on it, but they'll be coming back tomorrow to replace a sizable portion of the plumbing in our house with stuff that's not 74 year old galvanized steel. To make it easier for them (and so that we didn't have to pay two plumbers to do the work), I spent yesterday at home tearing out a 9' x 8' chunk (both drywall and plaster) of our living room ceiling. Of course, what made it a challenge was that we have checked and confirmed that, yes, some of the older paint in the house is lead-based, so we had to take a lot of precautions to try to prevent the spread of dust. It's quite bad for babymagoo, and since he's still partially on breast milk, that means mrsdrmagoo can't be involved in any of the work, either. So I put up a bunch of plastic around the area, wore masks (I couldn't find the right kind of mask, so hopefully two of almost the right kind of mask will be good enough), and then washed the whole area down with Trisodium Phosphate, which is what we were told to use to clean up the dust. That...was fun.
As a side note, has anyone else ever noticed the slots in old medicine cabinets for used razor blades? The blades go somewhere, of course, which is into the walls of the house. Until renovation is started, in which case they fall on your head.
Tomorrow, the plumbers will be back, and when I get home from work at 6:30 or so, I'll clean up any mess they make (in case they need to make access holes to the downstairs bath) and then let Beth know it's safe to bring the boy back home. Then, we will try to find a drywall contractor to come in and replace the drywall and make the seams as clean as possible. Whee!
On the plus side, the trip out to WV went well. My family is doing pretty well (actually, the economy hasn't hurt us that much....yet), and everyone loves spending time with babymagoo. On the way back, we stopped for a tour of the Woodford Reserve distillery. That was pretty cool, and it's in a gorgeous part of Kentucky, right outside of Lexington (the whole area just screams Kentucky, with rolling hills and horse farms). The beverage they produce is pretty dang good, too.
This weekend, we'll be up in the city for our annual pilgrimage to the Christkindlmarkt for German food and freezing.
As a side note, has anyone else ever noticed the slots in old medicine cabinets for used razor blades? The blades go somewhere, of course, which is into the walls of the house. Until renovation is started, in which case they fall on your head.
Tomorrow, the plumbers will be back, and when I get home from work at 6:30 or so, I'll clean up any mess they make (in case they need to make access holes to the downstairs bath) and then let Beth know it's safe to bring the boy back home. Then, we will try to find a drywall contractor to come in and replace the drywall and make the seams as clean as possible. Whee!
On the plus side, the trip out to WV went well. My family is doing pretty well (actually, the economy hasn't hurt us that much....yet), and everyone loves spending time with babymagoo. On the way back, we stopped for a tour of the Woodford Reserve distillery. That was pretty cool, and it's in a gorgeous part of Kentucky, right outside of Lexington (the whole area just screams Kentucky, with rolling hills and horse farms). The beverage they produce is pretty dang good, too.
This weekend, we'll be up in the city for our annual pilgrimage to the Christkindlmarkt for German food and freezing.
I find this guy humorous....
China Buys Naming Rights to U.S.
Nation to be renamed 'Panda Garden'
by Andy Borowitz
In a landmark deal that could provide much-needed cash to America's anemic economy, China agreed today to acquire the naming rights to the U.S. for a reported $1.4 trillion.
The deal, which is expected to be signed by President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao sometime before Inauguration Day on January 20, was hailed today by Mr. Bush as a "win-win" for both countries.
"We get 1.4 trillion dollars, and all we have to do is change our name to ‘Panda Garden,'" Mr. Bush told reporters at the White House.
The president said he decided to make the extraordinary deal after being shocked to learn that the U.S. was in a recession, when it was reported yesterday in Duh magazine.
According to President Hu, the Chinese had originally inquired about purchasing the rights to two American sports facilities named after troubled companies, Ford Field in Detroit and Citi Field in New York, but then decided it might be more cost-efficient to buy the rights "to the whole shebang."
In addition to the $1.4 trillion, the Chinese government said that it would provide $10 million to commission a new national anthem that would somehow incorporate the words "Panda Garden" in the lyrics, and to redesign the nation's flag, which will henceforth be known as "the stars, stripes, and adorable bear."
Has China effectively become our banker?
Nation to be renamed 'Panda Garden'
by Andy Borowitz
In a landmark deal that could provide much-needed cash to America's anemic economy, China agreed today to acquire the naming rights to the U.S. for a reported $1.4 trillion.
The deal, which is expected to be signed by President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao sometime before Inauguration Day on January 20, was hailed today by Mr. Bush as a "win-win" for both countries.
"We get 1.4 trillion dollars, and all we have to do is change our name to ‘Panda Garden,'" Mr. Bush told reporters at the White House.
The president said he decided to make the extraordinary deal after being shocked to learn that the U.S. was in a recession, when it was reported yesterday in Duh magazine.
According to President Hu, the Chinese had originally inquired about purchasing the rights to two American sports facilities named after troubled companies, Ford Field in Detroit and Citi Field in New York, but then decided it might be more cost-efficient to buy the rights "to the whole shebang."
In addition to the $1.4 trillion, the Chinese government said that it would provide $10 million to commission a new national anthem that would somehow incorporate the words "Panda Garden" in the lyrics, and to redesign the nation's flag, which will henceforth be known as "the stars, stripes, and adorable bear."
Has China effectively become our banker?
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Singh'in the the Rain
Be thankful that there is not (yet) a "Singh Doctrine," with the Indian prime minister claiming the right of preemptive war against any enemy, no matter how hypothetical. India and Pakistan came close to nuclear blows earlier this decade. Let us hope cooler heads prevail.
Reality, what a concept!
The president-elect becomes more impressive every day.
He rolled out a heavyweight national security team, largely centrist in nature, and mentioned two concepts in dealing with international security that had been confined to the dustbin of the Bush disaster--DIPLOMACY and LAW ENFORCEMENT.
So far, so good, Mr. Obama.
He rolled out a heavyweight national security team, largely centrist in nature, and mentioned two concepts in dealing with international security that had been confined to the dustbin of the Bush disaster--DIPLOMACY and LAW ENFORCEMENT.
So far, so good, Mr. Obama.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Don't know much about history
Read 'em and weep. These Illinois historic sites are now closed because of our state government's ineptness. In addition, many other state sites have seen reductions in staff and opening days/hours. A short-sighted waste of our cultural heritage.
Dana-Thomas House, Springfield (Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece pictured below)
Dana-Thomas House, Springfield (Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece pictured below)
Lincoln log cabin
Fort de Chartres
Vandalia statehouse
State center at Bishop Hill
Carl Sandburg birthplace
Cahokia courthouse
Hauberg Indian Museum
Jubilee College
Apple River Fort
Fort Kaskaskia
Pierre Menard home
Gone. Lost. Wasted.
My World and Welcome to It
Ah, holidays with family...
Three days with my mother-in-law who
1) was ASHAMED that Indiana went for Obama;
2) LOVES Wal-Mart and
3) won't watch ABC news any more because Charlie Gibson was mean to Caribou Barbie!
And then there's my side, but we'll just say that we put the fun in dysfunctional!
The turkey was great, and the secret word is...BRINING!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thankgiving plumbing repair...
So last night we had gotten ourselves all packed to head out to my sister's house in West Virginia for Thanksgiving. We also do Christmas with my family this week, so there's a lot to get done. This morning, mrsdrmagoo was going to head out to the gym for a little while, and I was going to load the car, and then the three of us were going to be on our way...
Of course not.
When I got downstairs this morning, mrsdrmagoo asked me to look at the ceiling. Which was wet. And then dripping. All over the place.
Now, normally we handle household repairs (even relatively major ones) ourselves, but this is not normally.
The first few calls to plumbers revealed that many of them were busy today. Finally, one called back...
And now the living room ceiling's being torn apart. And of course the leak is in a very difficult to access spot (although now he's found the leak, which is a good start).
The little guy's off at day care, since being around the plaster dust isn't good for him.
Whee!
Update: Well, it looks like they'll have to put a clamp on it for today, but that's not code, so they'll have to come back next week and pull out the old pipes and put in new ones. And then we can rebuild the living room ceiling...
Of course not.
When I got downstairs this morning, mrsdrmagoo asked me to look at the ceiling. Which was wet. And then dripping. All over the place.
Now, normally we handle household repairs (even relatively major ones) ourselves, but this is not normally.
The first few calls to plumbers revealed that many of them were busy today. Finally, one called back...
And now the living room ceiling's being torn apart. And of course the leak is in a very difficult to access spot (although now he's found the leak, which is a good start).
The little guy's off at day care, since being around the plaster dust isn't good for him.
Whee!
Update: Well, it looks like they'll have to put a clamp on it for today, but that's not code, so they'll have to come back next week and pull out the old pipes and put in new ones. And then we can rebuild the living room ceiling...
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Well, I'm off to Paris Fort Wayne and then a few days of skiing in St. Moritz Springfield for the big weekend.
Just a couple of quick thoughts from the morning paper.
One of my least favorite right wing airheads, Chatty Kathy Parker, wrote a decent but painfully obvious column about how we are a really dumb country. She finishes, though, with this little zinger
Kathy, if you REALLY want to know what happens in that situation, look behind you. Look at the last eight years, of incompetence, imperial aggression, corruption and a betrayal of all that should be American. THAT is what you get.
And Lula, this is an Illinois-centric question,but an issue here involves our imprisoned ex-governor (we have a long history of felon governors here, and the current occupant may soon join that list). He was the epitome of the two-bit crook, but the tragedy is that he was doing his two-bit crookery as Secretary of State, giving away drivers' licenses for bribes to unqualifieds and ineligibles. Now he is old and infirm and the question of commutation comes up. I'm somewhat torn. He is a miserable old bastard, yet what is the public good of continued imprisonment?
Thoughts?
Just a couple of quick thoughts from the morning paper.
One of my least favorite right wing airheads, Chatty Kathy Parker, wrote a decent but painfully obvious column about how we are a really dumb country. She finishes, though, with this little zinger
Who will govern a free nation if no one understands the mechanics and instruments of that freedom? Maybe one day, a demagogue.Hmm, Chatty, just idly speculating about the future? I think not. Unfortunately, her demagogue reference is to our articulate, inspiring and intelligent future president.
Kathy, if you REALLY want to know what happens in that situation, look behind you. Look at the last eight years, of incompetence, imperial aggression, corruption and a betrayal of all that should be American. THAT is what you get.
And Lula, this is an Illinois-centric question,but an issue here involves our imprisoned ex-governor (we have a long history of felon governors here, and the current occupant may soon join that list). He was the epitome of the two-bit crook, but the tragedy is that he was doing his two-bit crookery as Secretary of State, giving away drivers' licenses for bribes to unqualifieds and ineligibles. Now he is old and infirm and the question of commutation comes up. I'm somewhat torn. He is a miserable old bastard, yet what is the public good of continued imprisonment?
Thoughts?
Sarah Palin pardons turkey, sort of.....
This happened last week in Wasilla. There really is something wrong with this woman.
>
Is she really that dense? Or is it just an act?
>
Is she really that dense? Or is it just an act?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
War is hell
The editorial page of the Wall Street Journal even back in the Dow Jones days was "The Shady Acres Rest Home for Whackjob Conservatives" (insert "Paul Gigot" here), but no one took them seriously. You bought the paper for the business news, as the "Chinese Wall" between editorial and news made the real wall in China look miniscule by comparison. Now that it's been Fox-ified, you don't even want the Journal for business coverage, and editorial has gone so far out that they make Gigot, etc. look measured and thoughtful. Case in point? What is the cause of our economic crisis? Speculation, de-regulation, deficit spending, etc. No. Ladies and gentlemen, we suffer today because our nation is at war on three fronts, in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and against...Christmas.
Notwithstanding the cardboard Santas who seem to have arrived in stores this year near Halloween, the holiday season starts in seven days with Thanksgiving. And so it will come to pass once again that many people will spend four weeks biting on tongues lest they say "Merry Christmas" and perchance, give offense. Christmas, the holiday that dare not speak its name. This year we celebrate the desacralized "holidays" amid what is for many unprecedented economic ruin--fortunes halved, jobs lost, homes foreclosed. People wonder, What happened? One man's theory: A nation whose people can't say "Merry Christmas" is a nation capable of ruining its own economy.Yes, boys and girls, we are in this mess because we have not decked the halls nor heard angels on high. No fa la la la la, no Fannie Mae. Because we didn't see mommy kissing Santa Claus, Lehman Brothers collapsed, and we can no longer join in any reindeer games or in the international credit markets. Amazing. (link)
What the Citigroup bailout is paying for
So, we're giving Citigroup $20 billion with the promise of more behind it. Citigroup has also made a recent $400 million investment in...the naming rights for the new Mets stadium. So now I'm giving the Mets money.
Excuse me while I throw up.
h/t Daily Kos
Excuse me while I throw up.
h/t Daily Kos
Monday, November 24, 2008
Effigy Makers Seek Federal Bailout
First it was the banks, then the auto industry, and now effigy makers are lining up for federal aid.
Like other industries seeking help, the effigy makers have been criticized for poor planning, as the "Bush bubble" in the industry was due to end next January. One industry spokesman, speaking anonymously, thought the Republicans could steal one more election and the industry would be "burning" brightly into the next decade at least with McCain and Palin images.
Congress appeared skeptical, and pressed industry representatives for a business plan. "Well, we do have this giant inflammable Cubs logo for sale to White Sox fans, and a giant flaming Ryan Seacrest, but hell, everyone sees a giant flaming Ryan Seacrest every week on TV. Beyond that, we've got nothing."
Like other industries seeking help, the effigy makers have been criticized for poor planning, as the "Bush bubble" in the industry was due to end next January. One industry spokesman, speaking anonymously, thought the Republicans could steal one more election and the industry would be "burning" brightly into the next decade at least with McCain and Palin images.
Congress appeared skeptical, and pressed industry representatives for a business plan. "Well, we do have this giant inflammable Cubs logo for sale to White Sox fans, and a giant flaming Ryan Seacrest, but hell, everyone sees a giant flaming Ryan Seacrest every week on TV. Beyond that, we've got nothing."
Alan Colmes to Depart Show with Hannity
Alan Colmes is reportedly set to leave the Fox News freakshow known as "Hannity & Colmes." We'll miss Alan, pictured below:
Don't read this if you just ate
The musical stylings of Jeffrey Scott Shapiro in the paper formerly known as the Wall Street Journal:
Earlier this year, 12,000 people in San Francisco signed a petition in supportI think that one stands on its own. There really is no need for me to point out the painfully obvious.
of a proposition on a local ballot to rename an Oceanside sewage plant after
George W. Bush. The proposition is only one example of the classless
disrespect many Americans have shown the president...
This is the price Mr. Bush is paying for trying to work with both Democrats
and Republicans. During his 2004 victory speech, the president reached out to
voters who supported his opponent, John Kerry, and said, "Today, I want to
speak to every person who voted for my opponent. To make this nation stronger
and better, I will need your support, and I will work to earn it. I will do
all I can do to deserve your trust...."
Those bipartisan efforts have been met with crushing resistance from both
political parties.
The treatment President Bush has received from this country is nothing less
than a disgrace. The attacks launched against him have been cruel and
slanderous, proving to the world what little character and resolve we have.
The president is not to blame for all these problems. He never lost faith in
America or her people, and has tried his hardest to continue leading our
nation during a very difficult time.
Our failure to stand by the one person who continued to stand by us has not
gone unnoticed by our enemies. It has shown to the world how disloyal we can
be when our president needed loyalty--a shameful display of arrogance and
weakness that will haunt this nation long after Mr. Bush has left the White
House.
No insurance? That's a Killer
In the October issue of Archives of Surgery, a study done by a John Hopkins trauma surgeon found that overall, uninsured patients were 50% more likely to die from their injuries than insured patients.
I find that to be an alarming statistic. So, now if you don't have insurance you #1) have to pay more if you go to the ER (because you don't get the I HAVE INSURANCE DISCOUNT) and #2) if you're a minority or don't have insurance at all, you possibly were pushed to the back of the emergency treatment line, or worse you received biased treatment that affected your overall health. So now you're not only dead, you have a hefty bill too.
I thought emergency care was the great equalizer in our health care system. According to this study, apparently not.
We need health care reform, and soon. I hope having Senator Tom Daschle as our new Secretary of Health and Human Services (I'm keeping my fingers crossed) is a step in the right direction towards health care accessibility for all in the coming years.
I find that to be an alarming statistic. So, now if you don't have insurance you #1) have to pay more if you go to the ER (because you don't get the I HAVE INSURANCE DISCOUNT) and #2) if you're a minority or don't have insurance at all, you possibly were pushed to the back of the emergency treatment line, or worse you received biased treatment that affected your overall health. So now you're not only dead, you have a hefty bill too.
I thought emergency care was the great equalizer in our health care system. According to this study, apparently not.
We need health care reform, and soon. I hope having Senator Tom Daschle as our new Secretary of Health and Human Services (I'm keeping my fingers crossed) is a step in the right direction towards health care accessibility for all in the coming years.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Three in a row?
The only incoming presidents to ever have to lead a nation in such peril were Lincoln and FDR. Luckily those were our two greatest occupants of the White House. We can only hope that history goes three for three this time.
A little noted anniversary
We used to hear about it every year, and then on the "special" anniversaries, but today has passed with little mention.
One of my first memories, though, is when our principal came into my first grade classroom and told us that President Kennedy had been killed.
John, we hardly knew ye.
One of my first memories, though, is when our principal came into my first grade classroom and told us that President Kennedy had been killed.
John, we hardly knew ye.
Can we kiss the wild places of America goodbye?
First the BLM opened up land to the highest bidder for natural gas drilling that is within site of Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dinosaur National Monument in Utah.
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Next it was the ultra-dirty and water-hog oil shale drilling leases being considered for sale in the arid states of Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
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Now Secretary of Interior Kempthorne is proposing opening up land that borders Yellowstone National Park for geothermal energy exploration.
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Does the Bush Administration hold nothing sacred? Why is the West always the poster child for life-altering, term-ending legislation for outgoing president's that obviously don't give a damn?
Before you know it, my favorite camping spots are going to be turned into parking lots.
When will this ever end?
The end of January can not come fast enough.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Buy War Bonds Blondes
Sight seen:
While running lunchtime errands a grotesquely tricked Escalade pulled up next to me. The driver, a Cindy McCain vintage bleach blonde Botox nightmare in a ridiculous fur.
On the back of the car? A weathered "Support the Troops" ribbon.
Good to see you sacrificing for the cause, hon.
While running lunchtime errands a grotesquely tricked Escalade pulled up next to me. The driver, a Cindy McCain vintage bleach blonde Botox nightmare in a ridiculous fur.
On the back of the car? A weathered "Support the Troops" ribbon.
Good to see you sacrificing for the cause, hon.
Let's put a stake through the heart of THIS monster
One result from the resounding electoral rejection of the neocon philosophy on election night should be to finally put to rest one of the great and most tragic myths of American politics--supply side economics. It just doesn't work, pure and simple. The only thing that "trickles down" is misery.
Three GOP presidents were great tax cutters, Hoover, Reagan and Bush the Failure. Each tax cutting splurge brought economic disaster. A tiny bubble initially, and then the INEVITABLE crash.
It is a failed philosophy that must forever be rejected.
Three GOP presidents were great tax cutters, Hoover, Reagan and Bush the Failure. Each tax cutting splurge brought economic disaster. A tiny bubble initially, and then the INEVITABLE crash.
It is a failed philosophy that must forever be rejected.
Time to "corner" someone
We happily bring back one of our favorite features, and this week's winner is ever so richly deserving.
J.L. Stern of Highland Park, Illinois, gives us this gem:
Understand, J.L.?
Oh, and by the way...
J.L. Stern of Highland Park, Illinois, gives us this gem:
Isn't it curious that when gas prices were rising every week, so many were quick to blame President Bush? Yet today, with the price dropping rapidly, you don't hear a word of praise. Is Bush really the cause of all our nation's ills, and have we learned anything from the gas price fluctuation?Hmm, J.L., won't try and explain the complexities of the oil market to you, but at an ever so basic level, this is a commodity that trades on anticipated supply and demand. We now will have a president who won't wage mindless wars to torpedo the "supply" part of that equation, and in terms of "demand," well, a little thing known as Bush's Great Depression certainly tempers that.
Understand, J.L.?
Oh, and by the way...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Hamlet on the Hudson, Part Two
This isn’t the first time that New York’s most famous politician hemmed and hawed and prevaricated about making an important, and very public, decision, thus leaving those dependent in one way or the other on that decision in a kind of limbo.
In 1992 New York governor Mario Cuomo … waited … and waited … and waited … to announce whether or not he would run for president, so long that he was dubbed “Hamlet on the Hudson.” At the very last instant, as an airplane idled on the tarmac ready to fly him to New Hampshire, Cuomo decided not to run.
Bill Clinton, for whom Cuomo was the main stumbling block to his presidential ambitions, made the comically self-serving statement that he was “moved” by the governor’s announcement. I’ll say (trans: relieved). Ironically, we now have a Clinton, Hillary (Bill too!), vying for “Hamlet on the Hudson” honors, as she engages in a tantalizing media dance, much to the Obama transition team’s consternation:
And isn’t the Obama camp just a bit disingenuous to be complaining about leaks? Hell, Hillary and Bill may not have leaked that Hillary was “agonizing” over the decision, but this hasn’t stopped their acolytes from leaking.
Realistically, the delay probably has more to do with Bill and his foreign “affairs” than with Hillary. At the same time, the leak of Hillary’s Hamlet act – whether or not it’s true – has placed Obama in a difficult position.
At this point, Obama may need to give Hillary (and Bill) a weekend ultimatum, anticipating an announcement early next week, or cut her loose and cut his losses.
So much for “no Drama Obama”?
In 1992 New York governor Mario Cuomo … waited … and waited … and waited … to announce whether or not he would run for president, so long that he was dubbed “Hamlet on the Hudson.” At the very last instant, as an airplane idled on the tarmac ready to fly him to New Hampshire, Cuomo decided not to run.
Bill Clinton, for whom Cuomo was the main stumbling block to his presidential ambitions, made the comically self-serving statement that he was “moved” by the governor’s announcement. I’ll say (trans: relieved). Ironically, we now have a Clinton, Hillary (Bill too!), vying for “Hamlet on the Hudson” honors, as she engages in a tantalizing media dance, much to the Obama transition team’s consternation:
Will She or Won’t She (accept State, already)?President-elect Obama must be quite disingenuous if he honestly believed this process wouldn’t turn into the soap opera it’s become. It’s not as if he hasn’t been exposed to the Clintons’ machinations during the course of this long campaign.
To Be or Not to Be (Secretary of State)?
Will He or Won’t He (disclose his financial records)?
And isn’t the Obama camp just a bit disingenuous to be complaining about leaks? Hell, Hillary and Bill may not have leaked that Hillary was “agonizing” over the decision, but this hasn’t stopped their acolytes from leaking.
Realistically, the delay probably has more to do with Bill and his foreign “affairs” than with Hillary. At the same time, the leak of Hillary’s Hamlet act – whether or not it’s true – has placed Obama in a difficult position.
At this point, Obama may need to give Hillary (and Bill) a weekend ultimatum, anticipating an announcement early next week, or cut her loose and cut his losses.
So much for “no Drama Obama”?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Some random thoughts
Since I was once again denied the title of "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine, I suppose I will have to continue scribbling for a living.
I'm wondering how Bush's pardon parade will shape up. It will be a long line, with Rove, Libby, Miers, Gonzalez, Uncle Ted from Alaska, etc. I've brought this up before but for some reason I don't see any human compassion within the man. In addition, offering pardons would be a tacit (or explicit) admission that the perplexedly legacy-obsessed preznit consorted with criminals. I think the first prevails though. He just doesn't give a damn.
SO if your industry employs people in suits, have a few hundred billion! If you employ union workers, screw you.
I REALLY like the team that the president-elect is assembling. Nice work. Memo to Clinton, Bill: You owe your wife one. Do whatever it takes to make this work for her.
I guess the only good to come out of that sad scenario is that Barack Obama owns as much of Joe Lieberman as he could want.
The hysteria out of the right is so pathetic. Sean Hannity bleating about ACORN and how McCain one WAAAY more COUNTIES than Obama (pssst Sean..no one LIVES those "counties!") It is fun to see them try and cope when their entire political philosophy and world view was so thoroughly repudiated and rejected by the voters.
That glee, though, is sadly tempered by the fact that their disastrous policies have once again brought us to the brink of the abyss.
I'm wondering how Bush's pardon parade will shape up. It will be a long line, with Rove, Libby, Miers, Gonzalez, Uncle Ted from Alaska, etc. I've brought this up before but for some reason I don't see any human compassion within the man. In addition, offering pardons would be a tacit (or explicit) admission that the perplexedly legacy-obsessed preznit consorted with criminals. I think the first prevails though. He just doesn't give a damn.
SO if your industry employs people in suits, have a few hundred billion! If you employ union workers, screw you.
I REALLY like the team that the president-elect is assembling. Nice work. Memo to Clinton, Bill: You owe your wife one. Do whatever it takes to make this work for her.
I guess the only good to come out of that sad scenario is that Barack Obama owns as much of Joe Lieberman as he could want.
The hysteria out of the right is so pathetic. Sean Hannity bleating about ACORN and how McCain one WAAAY more COUNTIES than Obama (pssst Sean..no one LIVES those "counties!") It is fun to see them try and cope when their entire political philosophy and world view was so thoroughly repudiated and rejected by the voters.
That glee, though, is sadly tempered by the fact that their disastrous policies have once again brought us to the brink of the abyss.
Division III football
A few posts below, Pete once again shows his enthusiasms for his alma mater's football program. I feel like I have to chime in here, noting that my alma mater went undefeated in the regular season and is currently ranked 2nd in the country in DIII. The mighty North Central College Cardinals are seeded first in their bracket (OH NO! A college football playoff? Doesn't that violate some law of nature or something? At least that's what the twits in the BCS tell me!) and will be hosting games for the first 3 rounds (it's a field of 64), if they keep advancing. It's a far cry from the suckitude they displayed when I was there, when they had four offensive plays - run right, run left, run up the middle, and throw an incomplete pass.
Missouri for McCain
Well, they've finally called Missouri for John McCain, with a win of around 3600 votes. Somehow, I don't think anyone will be pushing for a recount. That puts the final totals at 365 for Obama and 173 for McCain. In the predictions I posted here a few weeks ago, I had guessed 364-174. I missed on Missouri and Indiana (they switched) and Nebraska's 2nd district (the first time ever they've split like that). It helped that I was using the right resources to put my guesses together (especially fivethirtyeight.com), but that still feels good.
So what does it take to get kicked out of the caucus?
Apparently actively campaigning for the GOP doesn't do it, nor does badmouthing the Democratic standard-bearer. What does he have to do? Give Harry Reid a joybuzzer handshake? Spike the Senate navy bean soup? I guess we're just stuck with Joe Lieberman, pictured below.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The lawyer in me
John Paul Stevens wants to live for another two months (hat tip to the Wildcats here!) and Ginsburg isn't healthy.
Yes, the Supreme Court gets all the press, but it is in the circuit courts where the heavy lifting is done legally. Bush has stacked the 11 appeals circuits with YOUNG ideologues with LIFETIME appointments.
Here's to an Obama presidency and returning sanity to the federal bench.
Yes, the Supreme Court gets all the press, but it is in the circuit courts where the heavy lifting is done legally. Bush has stacked the 11 appeals circuits with YOUNG ideologues with LIFETIME appointments.
Here's to an Obama presidency and returning sanity to the federal bench.
Stupid, stupid, stupid
SEC Files Insider Trading Charges Against Mark Cuban
Washington, D.C., Nov. 17, 2008 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Dallas entrepreneur Mark Cuban with insider trading for selling 600,000 shares of the stock of an Internet search engine company on the basis of material, non-public information concerning an impending stock offering.
Now of course these are just charges, nothing proven yet, but from my experience the SEC is really good in these cases. Mark, you just tossed away your chance to fulfill your dream of buying the Cubs. This is MLB's excuse for keeping you out of their little club.
What is it with the uber-rich? He avoided a loss of about $750,000 (allegedly) on the deal. That's chump change for someone like Cuban. Ditto Martha Stewart a while back. Perhaps it's that Type A win at all costs personality?
Dumb. Really dumb.
Washington, D.C., Nov. 17, 2008 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Dallas entrepreneur Mark Cuban with insider trading for selling 600,000 shares of the stock of an Internet search engine company on the basis of material, non-public information concerning an impending stock offering.
Now of course these are just charges, nothing proven yet, but from my experience the SEC is really good in these cases. Mark, you just tossed away your chance to fulfill your dream of buying the Cubs. This is MLB's excuse for keeping you out of their little club.
What is it with the uber-rich? He avoided a loss of about $750,000 (allegedly) on the deal. That's chump change for someone like Cuban. Ditto Martha Stewart a while back. Perhaps it's that Type A win at all costs personality?
Dumb. Really dumb.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Idle cabinet musings ...
Okay, so I've succumbed to the pundits' parlor games re: Obama's cabinet appointments.
Peter, I'll eat my hat if Larry Summers gets Treasury. As you said, not only has Summers dated Laura Ingraham, a woman of no substance (which goes to his judgment), but he's made a lot of enemies with women of substance (which also goes to his judgment). I just can't see a President Obama tolerating this guy's intemperate mouth distracting from the gargantuan economic crisis the country faces.
Besides, Joe Biden already straddles the big mouth territory in Obama's nascent cabinet.
My hunch is New Jersey governor John Corzine owns the inside track on Treasury. Not only does he have financial services credentials (I know, Paulson was head of Goldman Sachs too), but he brings the added dimension of public service, in the Senate and as governor. He's highly respected as someone who can work across both sectors, with unions and management, and who cares for and understands the plight of the middle class and the underclass. He's the perfect candidate if Obama wants to stress the problems of "Main Street" vs. Wall Street. Tim Geithner, a Summers protege, is a good candidate for undersecretary. And to round off Obama's economic team, grey eminence Paul Volcker is a solid and logical choice to chair the President's Council of Economic Advisors.
State is Hillary's if she wants it. The problem is vetting Bill's foreign financial contributors to his foundation, and possible conflicts of interest.
Robert Gates would be an astute choice to remain at Defense as a Republican holdover to preside over Obama's gradual drawdown of troops from Iraq. Former Georgia senator Sam Nunn is also a possibility for the post.
Peter, I'll eat my hat if Larry Summers gets Treasury. As you said, not only has Summers dated Laura Ingraham, a woman of no substance (which goes to his judgment), but he's made a lot of enemies with women of substance (which also goes to his judgment). I just can't see a President Obama tolerating this guy's intemperate mouth distracting from the gargantuan economic crisis the country faces.
Besides, Joe Biden already straddles the big mouth territory in Obama's nascent cabinet.
My hunch is New Jersey governor John Corzine owns the inside track on Treasury. Not only does he have financial services credentials (I know, Paulson was head of Goldman Sachs too), but he brings the added dimension of public service, in the Senate and as governor. He's highly respected as someone who can work across both sectors, with unions and management, and who cares for and understands the plight of the middle class and the underclass. He's the perfect candidate if Obama wants to stress the problems of "Main Street" vs. Wall Street. Tim Geithner, a Summers protege, is a good candidate for undersecretary. And to round off Obama's economic team, grey eminence Paul Volcker is a solid and logical choice to chair the President's Council of Economic Advisors.
State is Hillary's if she wants it. The problem is vetting Bill's foreign financial contributors to his foundation, and possible conflicts of interest.
Robert Gates would be an astute choice to remain at Defense as a Republican holdover to preside over Obama's gradual drawdown of troops from Iraq. Former Georgia senator Sam Nunn is also a possibility for the post.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Here's to you, Old DePauw!
DePauw retained the Monon Bell for another season, rolling over No. 3 Wabash 36-14 after picking off Matt Hudson four times.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
I assume you've heard the rumors, of Sen. Clinton headed to Foggy Bottom.
I'm OK with that.
And who would REALLY like to see the junior senator from New York gone on LENGTHY foreign missions?
I'm OK with that.
And who would REALLY like to see the junior senator from New York gone on LENGTHY foreign missions?
Well, hello, Newman
This one is special.
And beyond you, Rev. Newman, shall we look at your organization? I have no quarrel with the faithful who find comfort and solace in the ancient liturgy and the sacraments. But just for a second, let's recall the "WWJD" bracelets. What would a rabbi who spoke of self-sacrifice and sharing think of Vatican City, perhaps the largest art hoarder and landowner in the world? What you he think of an institution that initially ignores and then protects sexual predators preying rather than praying, on the most vulnerable?
And you, Rev. Newman, dare criticize your congregants merely for voting for a man of peace and good will?
I can't do this but I know someone who can--
Damn you.
A South Carolina Roman Catholic priest has told his parishioners that they should refrain from receiving Holy Communion if they voted for Barack Obama because the Democratic president-elect supports abortion, and supporting him "constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil."Where to begin...First of all, Obama does not "support" abortion and he is not "pro-abortion." He wants the government out of the question so that personal decisions may be made personally. And from the way you singled out Obama I'm guessing you're OK with endless, unprovoked wars, torture and indefinite imprisonment without charges?
The Rev. Jay Scott Newman said in a letter distributed Sunday to parishioners at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville that they are putting their souls at risk if they take Holy Communion before doing penance for their vote. "Our nation has chosen for its chief executive the most radical pro-abortion politician ever to serve in the United States Senate or to run for president," Newman wrote, referring to Obama by his full name, including his middle name of Hussein.
And beyond you, Rev. Newman, shall we look at your organization? I have no quarrel with the faithful who find comfort and solace in the ancient liturgy and the sacraments. But just for a second, let's recall the "WWJD" bracelets. What would a rabbi who spoke of self-sacrifice and sharing think of Vatican City, perhaps the largest art hoarder and landowner in the world? What you he think of an institution that initially ignores and then protects sexual predators preying rather than praying, on the most vulnerable?
And you, Rev. Newman, dare criticize your congregants merely for voting for a man of peace and good will?
I can't do this but I know someone who can--
Damn you.
Obama Resigns His Senate Seat - Now What?
There is pretty much universal agreement that Rod Blagojevich has been a train wreck as governor of Illinois. Six years ago, he sold himself to his constituents as a progressive, a reformer and a "doer." When his agenda got bogged down in some partisan bickering, he STILL won re-election, although many of us who voted for him, did so while holding our collective noses. And it turned out that we should have trusted our noses. He has proven to be a magnet for corruption, and despite a legislature literally brimming with fellow democrats, he has been a total failure at getting anything substantive done with regards to ongoing budgetary timebombs. He is universally despised. However, he IS the sitting governor of the home state of the president-elect. Said p/e has filed his resignation paperwork with the appropriate senatorial office, and so Illinois will be light one senator come Sunday.
So what will our beloved Blago do? Let's dispatch with one possibility right away: He will NOT name himself to fill the remainder of Obama's term - and believe me I am sure that it has crossed his mind. There isn't much question that going to Washington would allow him to be extricated from the quagmire he's created in state government. It must be equally obvious that he would have to face a group of cannibals in a 2010 democratic primary fight. That said, he could NEVER get re-elected, and should he get indicted while a sitting senator (a real possibility given an ongoing federal corruption investigation), he'd turn himself into a national joke along the lines of Ted Stevens.
Nope, Blago needs to go to the bench and name someone else. In my mind there are three groups of contenders, those who would be there to keep the seat warm for two years, those who really want the job, and those who I think might be rolling around in Blago's mind. Here are those I see as being on those short lists:
Seat Warmers
Emil Jones - President of the Illinois Senate. Pros: At 73 years old, he would have no designs on staying on past 2010. As an African American, he would "fill" the Af-Am slot that so many pundits think is SOOOOO important. Oh, and was Barack Obama's political mentor.
Cons: He has a heart condition, and while he is a grizzled veteran legislator, he has absolutely NO national experience.
Jesse White - Illinois Secretary of State. Pros: Another aging Af-Am politician, who would have no designs on holding the seat past 2010. He is undeniably popular statewide. He is acknowledged as a stand-up guy. Cons: None, except for the lack of any substantive legislative experience and the fact that he has publicly stated that he has no interest in the job.
Wanna Bes
Tammy Duckworth - Director of Illinois Department of Veteran's Affairs. Pros - Amazing backstory - multiple amputee veteran of the Iraq Debacle. Gained scads of positive national exposure during her unlikely (and nearly successful) run at Henry Hyde's vacated congressional seat in 2006 (she lost by fewer than 2% in a + GOP district). Cons - She has very little governmental experience, and she hasn't ever won so much as a local elected office. She would be in for a well-funded challenge by the GOP in 2010.
Jesse Jackson Jr. - Sitting Congressman. Pros - A veteran national legislator who would hit the ground running. He knows politics, Dick Durbin could be a huge help to get him onto high profile committees - Normally, I'd say that being an African American would be a "pro" but he carries his father's name, and while his positives in the minority community and the south suburbs are very very high (he is a main proponent of the moribund effort to bring an international airport to Peotone's cornfields) the negatives attached TO HIS FATHER in the mostly white suburbs and downstate would assure a credible GOP challenge in 2010. I really don't like his chances to win a statewide election. His future may be as a challenger to "Da Mayor."
Dan Seals - Two-time (2006, 2008) loser to Mark Kirk in IL-10. Pros - He is Af-Am, and his agenda matches Obama's. Cons - He has ZERO name recognition outside of the Chicago metro area and hasn't ever won an election. While he has run well in a +GOP congressional district, that district is far more socially liberal than downstate. This makes a credible GOP run at him in 2010 a certainty.
Luis Gutierrez - Sitting Congressman (IL-4). Pros - Another veteran legislator who knows his way around Washington. As the only Hispanic in the conversation, he might be a formidible opponent for anyone the GOP throws at him in 2010. Cons - He is all-but-unknown downstate, and he hasn't exactly been much more than a reliable vote in the US Congress, despite having served there for multiple terms. His history as a fire-brand liberal might cause the GOP to see him as vulnerable to a challenge from a strong moderate candidate.
Jan Schakowsky - Sitting Congresswoman (IL-9). Pros - Steady, progressive and (like Jackson and Gutierrez) a veteran presence on Capitol Hill. She can draw on her close relationship with Dick Durbin to get on some plumb committees. She'd be tough for the GOP to attack in 2010. Cons - Another Chicago area politician with little-to-no name recognition outside the Chicago TV market.
Dark, Dark Horses
Bill Foster - Sitting Congressman (IL-14). Pros - Beat a well-funded GOP candidate TWICE in less than a year in a +GOP district. Seen by voters in his district as a moderate with a brilliant mind (FermiLab scientist), and a business background. Received the endorsement of the conservative Chicago Tribune. Cons - Would probably cause the democrats to lose a house seat in a special election for the IL 14 seat. Hard to say if he could generate lots of heat in 2010.
Lisa Madigan - Illinois Attorney General. Pros - She has high positives statewide, and if she went into 2010 as a sitting senator I see no credible GOP presence in the state to oppose her. Her father has the testes of an entire house of the state legislature in a jar by the door of his office. They would make sure to deliver her a decisive victory. Cons - If she is a sitting US Senator, then she probably won't run for governor in 2010 -and this is almost a sure thing if she isn't tabbed for this gig.
My money is on Madigan, especially if Blago has deluded himself into believing that he's still viable to run for re-election in 2010.
So what will our beloved Blago do? Let's dispatch with one possibility right away: He will NOT name himself to fill the remainder of Obama's term - and believe me I am sure that it has crossed his mind. There isn't much question that going to Washington would allow him to be extricated from the quagmire he's created in state government. It must be equally obvious that he would have to face a group of cannibals in a 2010 democratic primary fight. That said, he could NEVER get re-elected, and should he get indicted while a sitting senator (a real possibility given an ongoing federal corruption investigation), he'd turn himself into a national joke along the lines of Ted Stevens.
Nope, Blago needs to go to the bench and name someone else. In my mind there are three groups of contenders, those who would be there to keep the seat warm for two years, those who really want the job, and those who I think might be rolling around in Blago's mind. Here are those I see as being on those short lists:
Seat Warmers
Emil Jones - President of the Illinois Senate. Pros: At 73 years old, he would have no designs on staying on past 2010. As an African American, he would "fill" the Af-Am slot that so many pundits think is SOOOOO important. Oh, and was Barack Obama's political mentor.
Cons: He has a heart condition, and while he is a grizzled veteran legislator, he has absolutely NO national experience.
Jesse White - Illinois Secretary of State. Pros: Another aging Af-Am politician, who would have no designs on holding the seat past 2010. He is undeniably popular statewide. He is acknowledged as a stand-up guy. Cons: None, except for the lack of any substantive legislative experience and the fact that he has publicly stated that he has no interest in the job.
Wanna Bes
Tammy Duckworth - Director of Illinois Department of Veteran's Affairs. Pros - Amazing backstory - multiple amputee veteran of the Iraq Debacle. Gained scads of positive national exposure during her unlikely (and nearly successful) run at Henry Hyde's vacated congressional seat in 2006 (she lost by fewer than 2% in a + GOP district). Cons - She has very little governmental experience, and she hasn't ever won so much as a local elected office. She would be in for a well-funded challenge by the GOP in 2010.
Jesse Jackson Jr. - Sitting Congressman. Pros - A veteran national legislator who would hit the ground running. He knows politics, Dick Durbin could be a huge help to get him onto high profile committees - Normally, I'd say that being an African American would be a "pro" but he carries his father's name, and while his positives in the minority community and the south suburbs are very very high (he is a main proponent of the moribund effort to bring an international airport to Peotone's cornfields) the negatives attached TO HIS FATHER in the mostly white suburbs and downstate would assure a credible GOP challenge in 2010. I really don't like his chances to win a statewide election. His future may be as a challenger to "Da Mayor."
Dan Seals - Two-time (2006, 2008) loser to Mark Kirk in IL-10. Pros - He is Af-Am, and his agenda matches Obama's. Cons - He has ZERO name recognition outside of the Chicago metro area and hasn't ever won an election. While he has run well in a +GOP congressional district, that district is far more socially liberal than downstate. This makes a credible GOP run at him in 2010 a certainty.
Luis Gutierrez - Sitting Congressman (IL-4). Pros - Another veteran legislator who knows his way around Washington. As the only Hispanic in the conversation, he might be a formidible opponent for anyone the GOP throws at him in 2010. Cons - He is all-but-unknown downstate, and he hasn't exactly been much more than a reliable vote in the US Congress, despite having served there for multiple terms. His history as a fire-brand liberal might cause the GOP to see him as vulnerable to a challenge from a strong moderate candidate.
Jan Schakowsky - Sitting Congresswoman (IL-9). Pros - Steady, progressive and (like Jackson and Gutierrez) a veteran presence on Capitol Hill. She can draw on her close relationship with Dick Durbin to get on some plumb committees. She'd be tough for the GOP to attack in 2010. Cons - Another Chicago area politician with little-to-no name recognition outside the Chicago TV market.
Dark, Dark Horses
Bill Foster - Sitting Congressman (IL-14). Pros - Beat a well-funded GOP candidate TWICE in less than a year in a +GOP district. Seen by voters in his district as a moderate with a brilliant mind (FermiLab scientist), and a business background. Received the endorsement of the conservative Chicago Tribune. Cons - Would probably cause the democrats to lose a house seat in a special election for the IL 14 seat. Hard to say if he could generate lots of heat in 2010.
Lisa Madigan - Illinois Attorney General. Pros - She has high positives statewide, and if she went into 2010 as a sitting senator I see no credible GOP presence in the state to oppose her. Her father has the testes of an entire house of the state legislature in a jar by the door of his office. They would make sure to deliver her a decisive victory. Cons - If she is a sitting US Senator, then she probably won't run for governor in 2010 -and this is almost a sure thing if she isn't tabbed for this gig.
My money is on Madigan, especially if Blago has deluded himself into believing that he's still viable to run for re-election in 2010.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Which "ist" are you?
Are you a good witch or a bad witch? No, wrong question.
Apparently the Obama camp and the periphery are dividing into "transformationalists," who want to take an electoral mandate for a spin and the "incrementalists" who take a cautious Clinton-like view to proceeding.
Are you a good witch or a bad witch?
Apparently the Obama camp and the periphery are dividing into "transformationalists," who want to take an electoral mandate for a spin and the "incrementalists" who take a cautious Clinton-like view to proceeding.
Are you a good witch or a bad witch?
Roberto Martell, please find a life
After a banishment of nearly two years, Chief Illiniwek once again is putting on the buckskins, beads and turkey feathers...a student group paid $4,500 to rent Assembly Hall on campus, where Chief Illiniwek will perform his traditional dance—free for students, $5 for the public. Roberto Martell (an inside joke for the Love Boat crew!), president of Students for Chief Illiniwek, said the group encountered no resistance from the administration. Tom Hardy, a university spokesman, said the students will be allowed to hold the event and that it is not sponsored by the university.Many of you that know that I'm a huge Illini fan and I hated to see the chief gone. But the operative word is "GONE." LET IT GO.
"Chief Illiniwek is a big priority," said Martell, a 20-year-old junior. "It inspired me to be a complete man." Link
Chief Illiniwek made games more exciting for me (let's face it, there have been a lot of lean years in Illinois football!). However, Roberto, if the chief inspired you to be a complete man, you need to re-examine your priorities.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Why Larry Summers cannot have a Cabinet post
Yes, we know he's generally a tool.
Yes, he said in rough paraphrase that girls can't do math (tell that to my math major wife)
BUT the ultimate disqualifier:
He dated winger hate harpy Laura Ingraham.
Case closed.
Yes, he said in rough paraphrase that girls can't do math (tell that to my math major wife)
BUT the ultimate disqualifier:
He dated winger hate harpy Laura Ingraham.
Case closed.
A piece of "original intent" to neutralize the mouthbreathers
Over the last several months, as the probability of Obama's election became greater, the right-wing screech machine started to look for ANY kind of dirt to use to derail his chances. My favorite though is this one, and it hasn't gone away - even as the countdown to the inauguration commences: Obama is NOT a natural-born citizen of the United States, and therefore is not constitutionally qualified to run for (or win) the presidency. They say that his Hawaiian birth certificate is forged or falsified or written in secret Islamic code, or made of rice paper, or something.... As absurd as this idea is, let's indulge the mouthbreathers for a moment and allow that Obama was born in some exotic foreign location (say, Indonesia or Kenya, or even Georgia). As long as there isn't any question that he was born the son of Ann Dunham, then Barack IS a natural born citizen, regardless of where the birth took place. The reason is simple: his mother was a citizen of the USA, and therefore he was entitled to USA citizenship AT BIRTH. The first US Congress made this clear in the Naturalization Act of 1790:
"And the children of citizens of the United States that may be born beyond the sea, or out of the limits of the United States, shall be considered as natural born citizens."
Now, while it can be argued TODAY that the act could be interpreted to mean that BOTH parents needed to be USA citizens in order for the child to be "natural born" - there is absolutely no problem in looking deep in history to find that the MOTHER is key (you COULD prove who a mother was in 1790... not so easy to prove paternity back then). So clearly the original intent of the framers would be to say that any child of a WOMAN citizen is a natural born citizen regardless of WHERE the child was born...
"And the children of citizens of the United States that may be born beyond the sea, or out of the limits of the United States, shall be considered as natural born citizens."
Now, while it can be argued TODAY that the act could be interpreted to mean that BOTH parents needed to be USA citizens in order for the child to be "natural born" - there is absolutely no problem in looking deep in history to find that the MOTHER is key (you COULD prove who a mother was in 1790... not so easy to prove paternity back then). So clearly the original intent of the framers would be to say that any child of a WOMAN citizen is a natural born citizen regardless of WHERE the child was born...
Monday, November 10, 2008
More unpopular than Nixon
CNN's latest "approval" poll for W includes an approval number so small they don't even bother to list it.
Seventy-six percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday disapprove of how President Bush is handling his job.
That's an all-time high in CNN polling and in Gallup polling dating back to World War II.
"No other president's disapproval rating has gone higher than 70 percent. Bush has managed to do that three times so far this year," says CNN polling director Keating Holland. "That means that Bush is now more unpopular than Richard Nixon was when he resigned from office during Watergate with a 66 percent disapproval rating."
Before Bush, the record holder for presidential disapproval was Harry Truman, with a 67 percent disapproval rating in January of 1952, his last full year in office.
The only downside to a McCain defeat
If Grampy had won, I would have been spared the indignity of finally being older than the president.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
I would love to be a fly on the wall for the Bush-Obama meeting
The differences between the two are so jarring. I would love to hear what was said between the most honorable and decent man to enter the White House in more than 30 years and one of the most disgusting to leave it--ever.
Friday, November 07, 2008
As long as we're doing photos
That's me and my better half with the next POTUS and a pretty damned good Senator.
November 4, 2008 @ 10:08 p.m. - Grant Park
Photographic evidence of my existence.... (I am the one on the left)
How did the rich vote?
In response to the post below about Adam Smith and his invisible hand of love, I noticed that Nate Silver's got a post up at fivethirtyeight containing some interesting breakdowns of exit polls. Those who reported an income of over $200,000 (basically those who will pay more under Obama's intended tax plan) voted for him 52-48. Apparently, those who make the money aren't as worried about paying a bit more in taxes as those who wish they made that much money.
Spread the wealth around, circa 1776
"The necessaries of life occasion the great expense of the poor. They find it difficult to get food, and the greater part of their little revenue is spent in getting it. The luxuries and vanities of life occasion the principal expense of the rich, and a magnificent house embellishes and sets off to the best advantage all the other luxuries and vanities which they possess. A tax upon house-rents, therefore, would in general fall heaviest upon the rich; and in this sort of inequality there would not, perhaps, be anything very unreasonable. It is not very unreasonable that the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to their revenue, but something more than in that proportion. "
From that wacky radical Adam Smith.
From that wacky radical Adam Smith.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
I'm almost feeling sorry for Sarah Palin..
Readers here know how I feel about Caribou Barbie, that she is a miserable, mean-spirited and corrupt person ill-equipped seemingly for any job she has held and certainly the one she most recently sought.
So why would I possibly feel sorry for her? Because I have never seen such callous and classless attacks on a running mate coming from within the camp of the head of the ticket.
OK, I admit that it is funny that she doesn't understand either North America or Africa, but memo to the "staffers" who are dumping on her. You are putting yourselves in a very untenable position. If it's true, I assume you are trying to scapegoat her for McCain's drubbing, but that only makes you and your boss look like mega-chumps for picking her. If it's not true (doubtful, but possible) you have committed actionable defamation.
The word that comes to mind is "schadenfreude."
So why would I possibly feel sorry for her? Because I have never seen such callous and classless attacks on a running mate coming from within the camp of the head of the ticket.
OK, I admit that it is funny that she doesn't understand either North America or Africa, but memo to the "staffers" who are dumping on her. You are putting yourselves in a very untenable position. If it's true, I assume you are trying to scapegoat her for McCain's drubbing, but that only makes you and your boss look like mega-chumps for picking her. If it's not true (doubtful, but possible) you have committed actionable defamation.
The word that comes to mind is "schadenfreude."
In my mind I'm gone to Carolina
Obama blue or Tarheel blue? In any case, a blue Carolina is a beautiful thing!
Plus the Dems pick up the Oregon senate seat.
Plus the Dems pick up the Oregon senate seat.
The teeny tiny brain of Sean Hannity
Here is the absurd "poll question" from the even more absurd Sean Hannity:
With ACORN fraud, military ballots missing, and people voting more than once do you believe that Obama would have won this election without all those situations?
Feel free to laugh uproariously.
With ACORN fraud, military ballots missing, and people voting more than once do you believe that Obama would have won this election without all those situations?
Feel free to laugh uproariously.
A couple of reactions from African Americans
Whoopi Goldberg on “The View”:
And this from a voter in Washington:
Wow.
And the realization that hit me and really messed me up for a lot of the night was that as an American, I always thought of myself as an American with all of the promise that America holds. But suddenly last night I felt like I could put my suitcase down finally.
And this from a voter in Washington:
Rosa sat so Martin could walk.
Martin walked so Obama could run.
And run he did. And (smiling broadly) win he did.
Wow.
Won't you please help?
Hundreds of political hacks and industry insiders will soon be out of work in an Obama administration. Mine owners will no longer be able to feed their families with their pay from the Mine Safety Board. Chemical company lobbyists will no longer serve on the EPA, and representatives of companies that make unsafe cribs and dangerous toys will lose their seats on the Consumer Products Safey Commission.
Please help these unfortunates and donate today. Save the scumbags, and give what you can today. Please.
Thank you.
Please help these unfortunates and donate today. Save the scumbags, and give what you can today. Please.
Thank you.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Last night
I was listening to the radio this morning on the way to work, and "Tonight, tonight," by the Smashing Pumpkins came on. And it dovetailed perfectly with the scenes from last night that I don't ever want to forget. So I thought I'd share with you.
You can never ever leave, without leaving a piece of youth
And our lives are forever changed
We will never be the same
The more you change the less you feel
That life can change, that you're not stuck in vain
We’re not the same, we're different.
Tonight, tonight, tonight
So bright
Tonight, tonight
But you're sure you could be right
If you held yourself up to the light
And the embers never fade, in your city by the lake
The place where you were born
In the resolute urgency of now
And if you believe there's not a chance tonight
Tonight, tonight, tonight
So bright tonight, tonight!
We’ll make things right, we'll feel it all tonight (Tonight)
We’ll find a way to offer up the night (Tonight)
The indescribable moments of your life (Tonight)
The impossible is possible tonight (Tonight)
Believe in me as I believe in you,
Tonight, tonight, tonight,
Tonight
Tonight…
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.Time is never time at all
You can never ever leave, without leaving a piece of youth
And our lives are forever changed
We will never be the same
The more you change the less you feel
It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.Believe, believe in me, believe, believe!
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
That life can change, that you're not stuck in vain
We’re not the same, we're different.
Tonight, tonight, tonight
So bright
Tonight, tonight
As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.And you know you're never sure
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
But you're sure you could be right
If you held yourself up to the light
And the embers never fade, in your city by the lake
The place where you were born
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.Believe, believe in me, believe, believe!
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
In the resolute urgency of now
And if you believe there's not a chance tonight
Tonight, tonight, tonight
So bright tonight, tonight!
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.We’ll crucify the insincere tonight (Tonight)
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
We’ll make things right, we'll feel it all tonight (Tonight)
We’ll find a way to offer up the night (Tonight)
The indescribable moments of your life (Tonight)
The impossible is possible tonight (Tonight)
Believe in me as I believe in you,
Tonight, tonight, tonight,
Tonight
Tonight…
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can.
Faux News
Just for fun, I turned over to watch the mumbly Britt Hume on Fake News lament how Americans did not respond adequately to the William Ayers "crisis." Right. Only on Fake News is a balding paunchy (hey, I know of which I speak!) education professor a crisis.Fair and Balanced. Right.
May I be the first to say to my GOP brethren
In the true spirit of your reaction in 2000 and 2004, I would just like to say, in the nicest possible way:
We now return you to your your regularly scheduled program.
GET OVER IT!!!
We now return you to your your regularly scheduled program.
Response
To Peter's post about how President Obama (just typing that makes me smile) will govern:
I have so much confidence in that guy and his team right now that it's a little bit scary. He's not a divine being, and I don't worship him, but he is a hell of a politician, and that's a very good thing. After that campaign, executed at such a high level and utilizing media and technology and people in ways that no one had dreamt of before, do you have any doubts that he'll surround himself with the right people and lead that group, and the country, to better places?
I have so much confidence in that guy and his team right now that it's a little bit scary. He's not a divine being, and I don't worship him, but he is a hell of a politician, and that's a very good thing. After that campaign, executed at such a high level and utilizing media and technology and people in ways that no one had dreamt of before, do you have any doubts that he'll surround himself with the right people and lead that group, and the country, to better places?
Good day
With a few obvious and onerous exceptions (CA's prop 8, the senate seat in Alaska, etc), I'm just frickin' happy today. I get why there's so much anger and emotion, but I feel lighter today than I have in a very long time.
As I was watching the results come in last night, knowing that as soon as PA came in that it was inevitable (and especially after Ohio), the excitement began to build. And even though I knew it was coming, when MSNBC put the graphic on the screen at 10 pm, I started crying. There are many battles to fight and I'm far too much of an idealist to ever really be satisfied, but the moment was overwhelming. I thought about the energy I've spent on the outgoing President and his cohort - the anger, the resentment, the fear, the frustration, the nights I stayed awake ranting, the tens of thousands of words I spewed in vitriolic furies, the conversations in public, seemingly always rising to the level of annoying random passers-by, the bursts of anger toward everyone with a Bush-Cheney sticker on their car, the wingnut blogs I read in amazement, and I just couldn't hold it in.
It's over.
Not the war. There's always another war. But this was a big one.
We will face other challenges, but not from that group. On January 20, John McCain will not take the oath of office, bringing with him someone who has no business touring the White House much less potentially living there and keeping the entire Bush cadre close if not formally in office. The first blustery days of fall are always some of my favorites, as the north winds blow away the last remnants of the sticky, oppressive heat of summer, bringing an icy clarity to the air and a crispness to the land. I'm always invigorated on those days, as it just feels easier to do everything. This feels like that, only magnified immensely. After so many days that all felt the same on a fundamental level, where a malaise had settled over the country (and the world), today is a new day. And that's worth a whole lot.
Maybe this is what the conservatives felt like when Reagan came in, with his "morning in America." That wasn't a repudiation of Carter as much as it was of the last 15 years or so, and all of the crap that had come with Watergate and Vietnam and oil shortages and all that. I don't believe that the country has become as liberal as I'd like it, but there is widespread acknowledgment that we did need a change.
Maybe it's like Bill Murray finally waking up on February 3. It almost doesn't matter what today brings. It's enough that it's a new day.
As I was watching the results come in last night, knowing that as soon as PA came in that it was inevitable (and especially after Ohio), the excitement began to build. And even though I knew it was coming, when MSNBC put the graphic on the screen at 10 pm, I started crying. There are many battles to fight and I'm far too much of an idealist to ever really be satisfied, but the moment was overwhelming. I thought about the energy I've spent on the outgoing President and his cohort - the anger, the resentment, the fear, the frustration, the nights I stayed awake ranting, the tens of thousands of words I spewed in vitriolic furies, the conversations in public, seemingly always rising to the level of annoying random passers-by, the bursts of anger toward everyone with a Bush-Cheney sticker on their car, the wingnut blogs I read in amazement, and I just couldn't hold it in.
It's over.
Not the war. There's always another war. But this was a big one.
We will face other challenges, but not from that group. On January 20, John McCain will not take the oath of office, bringing with him someone who has no business touring the White House much less potentially living there and keeping the entire Bush cadre close if not formally in office. The first blustery days of fall are always some of my favorites, as the north winds blow away the last remnants of the sticky, oppressive heat of summer, bringing an icy clarity to the air and a crispness to the land. I'm always invigorated on those days, as it just feels easier to do everything. This feels like that, only magnified immensely. After so many days that all felt the same on a fundamental level, where a malaise had settled over the country (and the world), today is a new day. And that's worth a whole lot.
Maybe this is what the conservatives felt like when Reagan came in, with his "morning in America." That wasn't a repudiation of Carter as much as it was of the last 15 years or so, and all of the crap that had come with Watergate and Vietnam and oil shortages and all that. I don't believe that the country has become as liberal as I'd like it, but there is widespread acknowledgment that we did need a change.
Maybe it's like Bill Murray finally waking up on February 3. It almost doesn't matter what today brings. It's enough that it's a new day.
Random Thoughts
It is 75 degrees and sunny in Chicago. God is in his heavens and all is right with the world.
Dr. King, you wished for a day when character rather than color would be the question. That day is here.
When people vote, Republicans lose.
How fucked up is Alaska? Caribou Barbie and Ted Stevens?
Kudos to the kids. The youth vote was HUGE.
Does the devil still have the claim check for John McCain's soul?
Liddy Dole. Buh bye! Good riddance.
I'm afraid the GOP will learn their lesson. Forget Mittens Romney. Forget Madame Moosehunter. The GOP will realize that anti-intellectualism is a loser, that Americans are sick of presidents "like them." The new face of the GOP is not the miserable and disgusting Sarah Palin. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present your 2012 GOP nominee--David Petraeus.
Dr. King, you wished for a day when character rather than color would be the question. That day is here.
When people vote, Republicans lose.
How fucked up is Alaska? Caribou Barbie and Ted Stevens?
Kudos to the kids. The youth vote was HUGE.
Does the devil still have the claim check for John McCain's soul?
Liddy Dole. Buh bye! Good riddance.
I'm afraid the GOP will learn their lesson. Forget Mittens Romney. Forget Madame Moosehunter. The GOP will realize that anti-intellectualism is a loser, that Americans are sick of presidents "like them." The new face of the GOP is not the miserable and disgusting Sarah Palin. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present your 2012 GOP nominee--David Petraeus.
How will he govern?
First of all, I don't think he will advance a particularly aggressive legislative agenda. He has the huge problems of Bush's disastrous wars and an economy still in great danger to deal with. He also will have to begin slowly and work with the potential filibuster GOP bloc.
What he will do immediately are the things that a president can do. First of all, he will not shame us on the world stage as George Bush has done. He knows the difference between Shi'a and Sunni, understands the role of the United States in the world, and knows what we can and cannot do.
He will stop the grotesque politicization of the Justice Department and return the focus of the Justice Department to...justice.
He will end the shame of torture.
He will appoint thoughtful jurists to the bench rather than radical activists and political hacks.
He will appoint regulators who will regulate, rather than industry insiders who gut even minimal regulation for the sake of profit. Securities, occupational safety, consumer products safety, the environment--regulated by regulators.
His administration will honor those who served, both in terms of benefits and not wasting their lives for personal vainglory, as compared to the shame of the current crowd who gleefully piss on our troops.
THAT is a good start.
What he will do immediately are the things that a president can do. First of all, he will not shame us on the world stage as George Bush has done. He knows the difference between Shi'a and Sunni, understands the role of the United States in the world, and knows what we can and cannot do.
He will stop the grotesque politicization of the Justice Department and return the focus of the Justice Department to...justice.
He will end the shame of torture.
He will appoint thoughtful jurists to the bench rather than radical activists and political hacks.
He will appoint regulators who will regulate, rather than industry insiders who gut even minimal regulation for the sake of profit. Securities, occupational safety, consumer products safety, the environment--regulated by regulators.
His administration will honor those who served, both in terms of benefits and not wasting their lives for personal vainglory, as compared to the shame of the current crowd who gleefully piss on our troops.
THAT is a good start.
I wonder what Sarah thinks of community organizers NOW??
Given that organized communities crushed her ridiculous little campaign?
I doubt McCain would have prevailed without the Palin pick (he definitely does better in Pennsylvania with Tom Ridge) but she sealed the deal. When the Republicans lose Indiana and the Philadelphia suburbs, they need to take a long hard look in the mirror. They are on the verge of becoming a party embraced only by stupid white people. Unfortunately, we have a bumper crop of those in this country, but since the GOP disregarded my prescient advice (if you depend on yahoos to win, DO NOT put the yahoos on television!), they seem to be sufficiently marginalized for now if the Democrats can prove Will Rogers wrong and remain an organized political party.
Palin in 2012? Oh please, please, please.
I doubt McCain would have prevailed without the Palin pick (he definitely does better in Pennsylvania with Tom Ridge) but she sealed the deal. When the Republicans lose Indiana and the Philadelphia suburbs, they need to take a long hard look in the mirror. They are on the verge of becoming a party embraced only by stupid white people. Unfortunately, we have a bumper crop of those in this country, but since the GOP disregarded my prescient advice (if you depend on yahoos to win, DO NOT put the yahoos on television!), they seem to be sufficiently marginalized for now if the Democrats can prove Will Rogers wrong and remain an organized political party.
Palin in 2012? Oh please, please, please.
Indiana, my Indiana, Indiana, we're all for you!
Who EVER would have thought that our neighbors to the east would turn blue??
Mr. Irrelevant
Who gets this title, normally reserved for the last player picked in the NFL draft?
Joe Lieberman..or
Joe the Plumber?
Joe Lieberman..or
Joe the Plumber?
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
On My Way to Grant Park
I spent 10 hours poll watching for Dan Seals and Barack Obama in IL 10. The turnout in the 4 precincts I oversaw will approach 80% -- this is a GREAT sign for the good guys.
My wife and I will soon leave to be on our way to Grant Park and what promises to be a very joyous evening!!!
My wife and I will soon leave to be on our way to Grant Park and what promises to be a very joyous evening!!!
So what is Fox News talking about?
Need you ask? They will say ANYTHING to discredit what will happen today. Think they ran this header in 2000? In 2004?
My Polling Place Report
I arrived at 5:40 AM and the line was already 200 people deep. There was a palpable Obama buzz, which is great news for Dan Seals, IL-10th candidate.
It's finally here!
Everyone have a great election day, and an even better celebration afterward, watching the GOP whimper and moan like the defeated whiners they are!
Drinking game - one shot for every state Obama reclaims from the evil ones.
Drinking game - one shot for every state Obama reclaims from the evil ones.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Off to a good start
Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, the little hamlet that votes first in the nation and has gone Republican since 1972, posted an upset: Barack Obama 15, John McCain 6.
Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Washington Redskins, and as tradition goes, when the Redskins lose the incumbent party loses too.
Let’s keep it going!
Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Washington Redskins, and as tradition goes, when the Redskins lose the incumbent party loses too.
Let’s keep it going!
Not to put too fine a point on it
I want the world to last long enough for this guy to love it. Vote Obama.
Tomorrow
Again, a slight tilt back toward Obama (we're alternating every day). Virginia has slipped slightly into Obama likely, and Montana is now a toss-up.
Italicized states have trended (changed categories) towards McCain, bolded towards Obama.
McCain win: Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, South Carolina, Texas, South Dakota, West Virginia. Total: 129 EV.
McCain likely: Georgia, Arizona. Total: 25 EV.
Obama likely: Ohio, Nevada, Virginia. Total: 38 EV.
Obama win: DC, Vermont, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, California, Delaware, New Jersey, Iowa, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Colorado. Total: 273 EV.
Tossup: Missouri, North Carolina, Indiana, Florida, North Dakota, Montana. Total: 70 EV.
McCain is at 157 in his two piles, Obama is still at 311. Counting leaners in the tossup category (MT, ND, IN, and MO for McCain, NC and FL for Obama), they're at 185 and 353. Missouri might be edging towards McCain (although I still think they'll come through).
It's almost here. Be confident, be vigilant, and vote.
Italicized states have trended (changed categories) towards McCain, bolded towards Obama.
McCain win: Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, South Carolina, Texas, South Dakota, West Virginia. Total: 129 EV.
McCain likely: Georgia, Arizona. Total: 25 EV.
Obama likely: Ohio, Nevada, Virginia. Total: 38 EV.
Obama win: DC, Vermont, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, California, Delaware, New Jersey, Iowa, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Colorado. Total: 273 EV.
Tossup: Missouri, North Carolina, Indiana, Florida, North Dakota, Montana. Total: 70 EV.
McCain is at 157 in his two piles, Obama is still at 311. Counting leaners in the tossup category (MT, ND, IN, and MO for McCain, NC and FL for Obama), they're at 185 and 353. Missouri might be edging towards McCain (although I still think they'll come through).
It's almost here. Be confident, be vigilant, and vote.
Heads Up: The Ohio Vote Can Still Be Hacked!
The same electronic tabulation system that could have hacked the Ohio vote tabulation in 2004 IS STILL IN PLACE for the 2008 election. As incredible as this may seem, electronically tabulated votes in Ohio are routed through a highly partisan Republican IT company in Chatanooga, TN, SmarTech Inc., before the “results” are displayed online.
According to IT experts, this unsafe schematic leaves the system open to a “KinPin” or “Man in the Middle (MIM)” attack from criminal hackers who can scramble the vote in any way at the SmarTech IT server. Read about it here.
SmaTech is the same server that hosted Karl Rove’s 500 “missing” emails.
It's UN.F*.BELIEVABLE that Ohio with a Democratic governor and Democratic secretary of state have NOT taken appropriate measures to close this HUGE security risk to counting ALL the votes from Ohio on Nov. 4 and holding an HONEST election.
According to IT experts, this unsafe schematic leaves the system open to a “KinPin” or “Man in the Middle (MIM)” attack from criminal hackers who can scramble the vote in any way at the SmarTech IT server. Read about it here.
SmaTech is the same server that hosted Karl Rove’s 500 “missing” emails.
It's UN.F*.BELIEVABLE that Ohio with a Democratic governor and Democratic secretary of state have NOT taken appropriate measures to close this HUGE security risk to counting ALL the votes from Ohio on Nov. 4 and holding an HONEST election.
Just one quick question...
Who in God's green earth is still UNDECIDED and what the hell is wrong with you???
Condolences again in our own poor little way
Sen. Obama's grandmother passed away today in Hawaii. Rest in peace, and bless you, senator, for seeing her before she died.
Baghdad Fred
On Huffington Post today, they list the predictions of a whole list of pundits, ranging from George Will to the folks from Politico.com and Republican strategists. To a man/woman, they all agree that Obama prevails with at least 300 electoral votes, Except for one, Weekly Standard dullard Fred Barnes. Somehow Fred says that Grampy will win with a stunning 286 electoral votes.
One might argue that poor Fred, pictured below, might need to get back in touch with reality??
One might argue that poor Fred, pictured below, might need to get back in touch with reality??
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Joe the Plumber Endorses McCain
Sen. McCain said that if elected, he will take Joe the Plumber, pictured below, to Washington with him. No announcement on Joe's role has been made.
The day after tomorrow
A little more movement today, with a slight trend within groupings towards McCain today (of the 18 states within 10 points, using 538, 2 trended towards Obama since yesterday, 14 towards McCain, and 2 had no change, with an average change of 0.4 towards McCain). We're still playing in statistical noise here, folks. Even with that, the only state that changed categories was...North Dakota, moving from McCain likely to tossup.
Italicized states have trended (changed categories) towards McCain, bolded towards Obama.
McCain win: Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, South Carolina, Texas, South Dakota, West Virginia. Total: 132 EV (-10 since yesterday).
McCain likely: Montana, Georgia, Arizona. Total: 28 EV (-3).
Obama likely: Ohio, Nevada. Total: 25 EV (+0).
Obama win: DC, Vermont, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, California, Delaware, New Jersey, Iowa, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Colorado, Virginia. Total: 286 EV (+0).
Tossup: Missouri, North Carolina, Indiana, Florida, North Dakota. Total: 67 EV (+3).
McCain is at 160 in his two piles, Obama is still at 311. Counting leaners in the tossup category (ND, IN, and MO for McCain, NC and FL for Obama), they're at 185 and 353. Missouri might be edging towards McCain (although I still think they'll come through), but that's still a blowout.
Italicized states have trended (changed categories) towards McCain, bolded towards Obama.
McCain win: Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, South Carolina, Texas, South Dakota, West Virginia. Total: 132 EV (-10 since yesterday).
McCain likely: Montana, Georgia, Arizona. Total: 28 EV (-3).
Obama likely: Ohio, Nevada. Total: 25 EV (+0).
Obama win: DC, Vermont, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, California, Delaware, New Jersey, Iowa, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Colorado, Virginia. Total: 286 EV (+0).
Tossup: Missouri, North Carolina, Indiana, Florida, North Dakota. Total: 67 EV (+3).
McCain is at 160 in his two piles, Obama is still at 311. Counting leaners in the tossup category (ND, IN, and MO for McCain, NC and FL for Obama), they're at 185 and 353. Missouri might be edging towards McCain (although I still think they'll come through), but that's still a blowout.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Condolences from The Thinker
To one of the best Senators we've got right now, Illinois' own Dick Durbin. He's going to win an easy re-election Tuesday, but I'm sure that won't come close to making up for the loss of his daughter, Christine, at the age of 40 due to a congenital heart condition. I've seen Senator Durbin speak a couple of times, and written him a bunch, and his passion about issues that really matter is clearly evident in the things he does. I'm a new parent, and I can't imagine how hard that's got to be for him. I hope he and his family come through this and remember the best of the one they've lost.
Why hasn’t Sarah Palin released her medical records?
Sens. Obama, and McCain released their medical records back in May, before early voting took off across the nation. Joe Biden’s medical records were released more than two weeks ago.
Considering that John McCain, at 72, would be the oldest person in history to be president, has had two episodes of melanoma cancer, was a two-pack a day smoker for many years, and has suffered physically and psychologically as a POW, the disclosure of Sarah Palin’s medical records becomes all the more urgent.
WITH THREE DAYS TO GO BEFORE THE ELECTION, WHY HASN’T SARAH PALIN RELEASED HER MEDICAL RECORDS?
Two weeks ago, Palin gave NBC’s Brian Williams this evasive nonanswer:
Note the "if". Two weeks later, with three days to go, still no records.
What does Palin have to hide? If she’s “healthy” and “happy” and never “seriously ill or hurt,” why not release the records? And where’s the media scrutiny in all this?
Incidentally, being “happy” isn’t a medical condition, unless Palin has a history of depression, in which case it would be very relevant. In 1972, when it was disclosed that George McGovern’s vice presidential choice, Thomas Eagleton, had undergone electric shock therapy, he was forced out of the ticket even after McGovern said he was “1,000 percent” behind Eagleton.
It was this episode, and other later revealed facts about presidential candidates’ medical issues, which prompted a greater scrutiny and a bipartisan agreement to make such information public. Barracuda Barbie should not be held to a different standard. The public has a right to know. Especially this year, with a 72 year-old candidate whose health is a real concern.
Considering that John McCain, at 72, would be the oldest person in history to be president, has had two episodes of melanoma cancer, was a two-pack a day smoker for many years, and has suffered physically and psychologically as a POW, the disclosure of Sarah Palin’s medical records becomes all the more urgent.
WITH THREE DAYS TO GO BEFORE THE ELECTION, WHY HASN’T SARAH PALIN RELEASED HER MEDICAL RECORDS?
Two weeks ago, Palin gave NBC’s Brian Williams this evasive nonanswer:
"The medical records, so be it. If that will allow some curiosity seekers perhaps to have one more thing that they either check the box off that they can find something to criticize or to rest them assured over. I'm healthy, happy, I've had five kids, that's going to be in the medical records. Never seriously ill or hurt, you'll see that in the medical records if they're released."
Note the "if". Two weeks later, with three days to go, still no records.
What does Palin have to hide? If she’s “healthy” and “happy” and never “seriously ill or hurt,” why not release the records? And where’s the media scrutiny in all this?
Incidentally, being “happy” isn’t a medical condition, unless Palin has a history of depression, in which case it would be very relevant. In 1972, when it was disclosed that George McGovern’s vice presidential choice, Thomas Eagleton, had undergone electric shock therapy, he was forced out of the ticket even after McGovern said he was “1,000 percent” behind Eagleton.
It was this episode, and other later revealed facts about presidential candidates’ medical issues, which prompted a greater scrutiny and a bipartisan agreement to make such information public. Barracuda Barbie should not be held to a different standard. The public has a right to know. Especially this year, with a 72 year-old candidate whose health is a real concern.
And the number of the counting shall be three
A little movement today (disregard the noise from the outlying problematic Zogby poll), with a slight trend within groupings towards Obama today (of the 17 states within 10 points, using 538, 2 trended towards McCain since yesterday, 13 towards Obama, and 2 had no change, with an average change of 0.3 towards Obama). We're playing in statistical noise here, folks. The only state that changed categories was...Arizona, moving from McCain win to McCain likely.
Italicized states have trended (changed categories) towards McCain, bolded towards Obama.
McCain win: Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, South Carolina, Texas, South Dakota, West Virginia. Total: 132 EV (-10 since yesterday).
McCain likely: Montana, Georgia, Arizona, North Dakota. Total: 31 EV (+10).
Obama likely: Ohio, Nevada. Total: 25 EV (+0).
Obama win: DC, Vermont, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, California, Delaware, New Jersey, Iowa, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Colorado, Virginia. Total: 286 EV (+0).
Tossup: Missouri, North Carolina, Indiana, Florida. Total: 64 EV (+0).
McCain is still at 163 in his two piles, Obama is at 311. Counting leaners in the tossup category (IN and MO for McCain, NC and FL for Obama), they're at 185 and 353. Missouri might be edging towards McCain (although I still think they'll come through), but that's still a blowout.
Italicized states have trended (changed categories) towards McCain, bolded towards Obama.
McCain win: Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, South Carolina, Texas, South Dakota, West Virginia. Total: 132 EV (-10 since yesterday).
McCain likely: Montana, Georgia, Arizona, North Dakota. Total: 31 EV (+10).
Obama likely: Ohio, Nevada. Total: 25 EV (+0).
Obama win: DC, Vermont, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, California, Delaware, New Jersey, Iowa, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Colorado, Virginia. Total: 286 EV (+0).
Tossup: Missouri, North Carolina, Indiana, Florida. Total: 64 EV (+0).
McCain is still at 163 in his two piles, Obama is at 311. Counting leaners in the tossup category (IN and MO for McCain, NC and FL for Obama), they're at 185 and 353. Missouri might be edging towards McCain (although I still think they'll come through), but that's still a blowout.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Oh, fer crying out loud
“If [the media] convince enough voters that that is negative campaigning, for me to call Barack Obama out on his associations,” Palin told host Chris Plante, “then I don’t know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media.”*head explodes*
h/t Balloon Juice, from ABC News
Prediction
At work, they've got a contest to see who can predict the results of the election, and the entries are due today.
Short and sweet: since the dynamics of the election haven't changed in weeks, I'm going to run with the stability that my analyses have predicted, for good or for ill.
Obama 364
McCain 174
Obama will take 51.8% of the popular vote, McCain 46.7%, and third-party candidates 1.5%.
Short and sweet: since the dynamics of the election haven't changed in weeks, I'm going to run with the stability that my analyses have predicted, for good or for ill.
Obama 364
McCain 174
Obama will take 51.8% of the popular vote, McCain 46.7%, and third-party candidates 1.5%.
Four! More! Days!
Not much movement in the polls, again, but a little, with a slight trend within groupings towards Obama today (of the 19 states within 10 points, using 538, 4 trended towards McCain since Monday, 12 towards Obama, and 3 had no change, with an average change of 0.2 towards Obama). We're playing in statistical noise here, folks. No states changed categories.
Italicized states have trended (changed categories) towards McCain, bolded towards Obama.
McCain win: Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, South Carolina, Arizona, Texas, South Dakota, West Virginia. Total: 142 EV (no change since Monday).
McCain likely: Montana, Georgia, North Dakota. Total: 21 EV (+0).
Obama likely: Ohio, Nevada. Total: 25 EV (+0).
Obama win: DC, Vermont, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, California, Delaware, New Jersey, Iowa, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Colorado, Virginia. Total: 286 EV (+0).
Tossup: Missouri, North Carolina, Indiana, Florida. Total: 64 EV (+0).
McCain is still at 163 in his two piles, Obama is up 25 and is at 311. Counting leaners in the tossup category (IN for McCain, NC, MO, and FL for Obama), they're at 174 and 364. Still.
Italicized states have trended (changed categories) towards McCain, bolded towards Obama.
McCain win: Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, South Carolina, Arizona, Texas, South Dakota, West Virginia. Total: 142 EV (no change since Monday).
McCain likely: Montana, Georgia, North Dakota. Total: 21 EV (+0).
Obama likely: Ohio, Nevada. Total: 25 EV (+0).
Obama win: DC, Vermont, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, California, Delaware, New Jersey, Iowa, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Colorado, Virginia. Total: 286 EV (+0).
Tossup: Missouri, North Carolina, Indiana, Florida. Total: 64 EV (+0).
McCain is still at 163 in his two piles, Obama is up 25 and is at 311. Counting leaners in the tossup category (IN for McCain, NC, MO, and FL for Obama), they're at 174 and 364. Still.
From now on, I'm shopping at Lowes
We have a beautiful new Lowe's home center down the road from us, and perfect timing. Home Depot has a new celebrity spokesman:
JOE THE PLUMBER.
I shan't darken their door again.
JOE THE PLUMBER.
I shan't darken their door again.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
All the (ya)Whos down in (Ya)Whoville
Just one more thought on the ADD campaign post below.
If you saw the footage of Caribou Barbie when she started her asinine attack on Rashid Khalidi, you noticed the crowd of mouthbreathers begin to boo when she mentioned his name. They booed an Arabic name (something tells me the Palin crowds don't read a lot of scholarly journals).
Is it a coincidence that the two targets of wingnut wrath are academicians? This is Richard Hofstadter, noted American historian from a generation ago, writing about anti-intellectualism all over again. Down with thought, down with free expression, from the same people who brought you "down with science."
Let us revel in our collective ignorance.
You betcha.
If you saw the footage of Caribou Barbie when she started her asinine attack on Rashid Khalidi, you noticed the crowd of mouthbreathers begin to boo when she mentioned his name. They booed an Arabic name (something tells me the Palin crowds don't read a lot of scholarly journals).
Is it a coincidence that the two targets of wingnut wrath are academicians? This is Richard Hofstadter, noted American historian from a generation ago, writing about anti-intellectualism all over again. Down with thought, down with free expression, from the same people who brought you "down with science."
Let us revel in our collective ignorance.
You betcha.
Kudos to Doc Magoo
Just a quick tip of the cap to the good doc for keeping our little coffee klatch going when I dropped the ball. Although when I run for high office, I will deny knowing him.
Scenario?
Friend of the program jimbow8 brings up this potential scenario with regards to the soon-to-be-doomed Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens.
What if Sarah Palin announced that if Stevens were to win the election and then leave office (either via removal or resignation), she'd nominate herself to fill the slot - could she convince a majority of Alaskans to vote for Stevens, since each vote would implicitly be a vote for her?
Is there enough time before the election for that message to get out?
How big of an internal explosion would there be in the GOP since doing this would essentially be pulling herself from the VP slot in McCain's campaign?
It's totally screwed up, but I can almost see it happening. Stevens is doomed in that race, and after the election, Bible Spice won't get a chance to replace him in office - Mark Begich will be on his way.
Thoughts?
What if Sarah Palin announced that if Stevens were to win the election and then leave office (either via removal or resignation), she'd nominate herself to fill the slot - could she convince a majority of Alaskans to vote for Stevens, since each vote would implicitly be a vote for her?
Is there enough time before the election for that message to get out?
How big of an internal explosion would there be in the GOP since doing this would essentially be pulling herself from the VP slot in McCain's campaign?
It's totally screwed up, but I can almost see it happening. Stevens is doomed in that race, and after the election, Bible Spice won't get a chance to replace him in office - Mark Begich will be on his way.
Thoughts?
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