Interesting Times

Judging Obama's Strength

2011-09-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

I've been trying for some time to understand why it is it bothers me so much when I hear Democrats characterize Obama as "weak", "indecisive", "caving" and so forth. I've come to two conclusions: 1. A black man who rises in America from a position of state senator to President in six short years while defeating two of the most powerful political institutions in the country (the Clinton machine

Live By The Pundit. Die By The Pundit.

2011-05-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

Krugthulu: So what I suspect is that Ryan and his colleagues expected to float through on a cloud of pundit love, which would allow them to bypass the public’s fundamental dislike of everything they were proposing.

Idiotic Brinksmanship

2011-05-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

Circa 2011: Maybe we can survive a default on our debt obligations if it is strategic and limited to a couple of days. Circa 1980: Maybe we can survive a nuclear war if it is strategic and limited to a couple of cities.

The Questions That Must Be Asked

2011-05-21T10:39:00.001-07:00

Amazingly, the "unthinkable" is now becoming thinkable. Some Republicans are starting to say openly that defaulting on the debt, even for just a couple of days, is no big deal. And this shocking development is, understandably, disturbing a lot of people who never thought they would see the day. One of the typical lines we are hearing from this "no-big-dealers" is that even if the debt limit is

I Love George Takei

2011-05-19T15:55:00.001-07:00

When Being Wrong Just Isn't Enough

2011-05-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

Ta-Nehisi Coates: Was there something more Obama should have done to get a public option? Should he not have traded the Bush tax cuts for extending unemployment benefits? Did Obama settle too quickly on a small stimulus package? Was he wrong to allow the GOP to shut down planned parenthood in DC? Is the strategy of increased drone attacks in Pakistan inhumane? Was the financial reform bill he

Just what could Obama do?

2011-05-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

David Frum: Some Republicans suggest that there’s no special need to worry about hitting the debt ceiling: after all the Treasury will still collect much more in revenue than it spends on interest payments. The Treasury can continue to pay bondholders while ceasing to pay other bills. Do these Republicans understand that even assuming this idea were legally and technically feasible (

VOTE REPUBLICAN – END MEDICARE

2011-05-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Paul Krugman is right. There is absolutely nothing misleading about the new DCCC slogan. In fact, to say otherwise should be the very definition of misleading. I've been saying for weeks that Democrats need to stop hedging on this matter. I cringe every time I see one of them soften the point by saying that the Republicans voted to "change Medicare as we know it". No, they did not. They voted to

I Am Never Critical Of Smart Criticism

2011-05-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

But much of the criticism of Obama is rarely smart. By smart I mean that it is stated in a way that is meant to affect change in Obama's policies and politics. Not smart is when you just criticize and expect the mere act of criticism to bring about change (and then get mightily offended when it doesn't). A lot of critics like to point to the "make me do it" story as their model. But what they

Beware Internet Bubbles

2011-05-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

The volume of information available on the internet is so large that no one can realistically consume it without some kind of gatekeeper. We need filters that allow us to consume a good cross-section of material without being overwhelmed by the volume. In this TED Talk, Eli Pariser implicitly acknowledges this in the process of warning of the danger that comes when human gatekeepers (editors

Gandalf....Yeah!!!!

2011-05-13T17:25:00.000-07:00

First shot of Ian McKellan as Gandalf on the set of The Hobbit

An Exercise In Distraction

2011-05-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

I heard Ed Schulz devoting a considerable portion of his show yesterday to the nontroversy over the rapper Common's appearance at a White House poetry reading. All I could think while listening to the show was, "Why are you spending any time on this Ed?" FOX wants nothing more than to get people to stop talking about the good things Obama is doing (like killing Osama). Why give them an assist? "

Cool Stuff

2011-05-12T10:54:00.000-07:00

When I first saw this video I thought it was one of those pulled focus deals where they make real images look like toys. Then I watched further and realized it really was a toy airport. Amazing stuff.

The Snake Bites Hardest Just Before It Dies

2011-05-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

I try to keep that in mind when discussing racism. The idea that electing a black man to the Presidency would somehow usher in a new era of racial harmony was a naive proposition at best. Is it really that surprising that people in a position of privilege would just shrug their shoulders and say, "Ok" when they perceive that they are losing that position? But I am not discouraged by the

A Total Indictment

2010-03-23T17:28:00.001-07:00

Russel King gives us what is, by far, the more comprehensive list I have ever seen of the hypocrisy, hyperbole and hate of the conservative movement. I gave up after the first few links but there were literally hundreds more to follow.

The Hair Salon Index

2010-03-23T10:23:00.001-07:00

TPM highlights this appearance by former GE CEO Jack Welch on the morning Squawk Box and points especially to his comment that the Republicans may be shocked by how well they WON'T do in the Fall. Welch's comments obviously surprised the hosts of the show, but his case is compelling. He makes the point that jobs are what the election will be about, but it isn't simply the question of whether

Wanna see something disturbing?

2010-02-16T09:07:00.000-08:00

Upside down celebrities!

It's all about Joe

2010-02-16T08:58:00.001-08:00

Once again Joe Lieberman proves that nothing he ever does is his fault. It's always someone else to blame for his actions.

This is brilliant

2010-02-16T08:56:00.001-08:00

A group of Palestinian protesters dressed up as Na'vi from the film Avatar.

Birds are more dangerous than terrorists

2010-01-08T09:41:00.000-08:00

Just on a hunch, I did a little research. The following comes from AirSafe.com. It is a list of fatal or near fatal significant events involving major passenger airlines since 1996. The list is limited to flights that either landed in or took off from the United States. It excludes flights that involved smaller passenger planes (e.g., <100 seats).11 May 1996; ValuJet Airlines DC9-32; Near Miami,

Be the water

2009-11-04T09:05:00.001-08:00

Maine's gay marriage law was repealed last night.It is little consolation I know but at times like this I try to keep a historical perspective. The fact that almost 50% of Mainers would support marriage equality is something to be proud of. Ignorance is a powerful force. It is a mountain that appears insurmountable. But all mountains eventually are worn down by the water. Be the water.

Will we be Health Care Reform's unwitting assassins?

2009-10-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

(I'm going to tempt fate by doing some speculating about what will happen once Obama signs the HCR bill into law. May the gods forgive me.)While there are still details to be worked out, the final form of Health Care Reform has come into focus. The public option is almost certainly going to be an opt-out, trigger-free, negotiated rates system that will be available realistically only to those who

I miss Carl Sagan

2009-10-29T10:24:00.000-07:00

Self Awareness

2009-10-28T11:03:00.001-07:00

I try to keep two things in mind: (1) Political attention is a precious resource, when you get it, use it wisely. That means you should ask yourself, before saying anything or taking any action, "What am I trying to accomplish by doing this and is it worth the trouble to accomplish it?" Venting feels good, but does it actually help? If not, then do the venting with your close friends and family,

Fortune Cookie Patriotism

2009-10-20T09:54:00.001-07:00

Defeating Reid is pointless

2009-10-20T08:55:00.000-07:00

What people often forget when discussing the "failings" of caucus leaders is that caucus leaders do not represent the interests of the wider movement that elects that caucus. Their constituents are not the Democratic voters. Their constituents are the other members of the caucus.That's why Nancy Pelosi, a liberal Democrat from a liberal district, had to be more moderate in her approaches to

Be Careful What You Wish For

2009-10-16T14:10:00.000-07:00

Has Right-Wing News Doomed the Republican Party? Such is the way of all reactionary movements. Once they defeat the enemy on the outside, the eventually turn on themselves. Eventually, only the purist of the pure, the true believers are left. And then they lose. And that's when they get really scary

Justice Sotomayer Questions the Foundation of Corporate Personhood from the bench

2009-09-17T14:35:00.001-07:00

I haven't seen this anywhere else...In her maiden Supreme Court appearance last week, Justice Sonia Sotomayor made a provocative comment that probed the foundations of corporate law.During arguments in a campaign-finance case, the court's majority conservatives seemed persuaded that corporations have broad First Amendment rights and that recent precedents upholding limits on corporate political

Important

2009-09-03T15:34:00.001-07:00

No one should die because they cannot afford healthcare. No one should go broke because they get sick, and no one should be tied to a job because of pre-existing condition. If you agree, please post this as your status for the rest of the day.

Psst! The Obama stimulus package is working.

2009-09-02T09:30:00.001-07:00

Don't tell anyone.

Winning By Inches

2009-08-26T16:42:00.000-07:00

"And, either we heal, now, as a team, or we will die, as individuals." - Vince Lombardi (as channeled by Al Pacino)

Tom Coburn's Office of Medical Assistance

2009-08-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

John Cole has a great idea.What a jackass:Yesterday CNN’s Rick Sanchez aired a segment from a health care town hall where a weeping constituent explained to Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) that her husband’s health insurer refuses to cover his treatment for a traumatic brain injury. As the woman continued to cry, Coburn told her that his office would try to assist her individually.So why is MoveOn.Org and

Optimism and Ted Kennedy

2009-08-26T10:36:00.001-07:00

It is so easy to get depressed when you follow politics closely. No wonder most people don't even bother. It's the optimists that make it worth while. People like Kennedy make you feel that all the shit you have to go through will actually result in something worthwhile.Who are the optimists in politics today?This thought inspired by the following tribute to Ted Kennedy by Joe Biden:

Practice Safe Rhetoric

2009-08-20T17:45:00.001-07:00

I was talking with a friend the other day. He is generally supportive of Obama and his plans for health care. But he didn't understand why Obama decided to call them "Death Panels". Yes, he actually thought it was Obama who came up with that terminology.Be warned folks, when you use the other side's rhetoric you are acting as a carrier. This is true even if you are doing so only in order to

Politics Should Be Uncomfortable

2009-08-17T12:17:00.001-07:00

Good advice from DougJ:We live in a culturally pre-Enlightenment country (hence the teabaggers) that is mostly ruled by corporations (hence the fact that a good portion of the Senate has been bought off). That’s reality. Politics is the art of the possible and a health care plan that brings insurance to 40 million Americans has to be counted as a big success for Obama.Still, I think liberals

What Ezra Said

2009-08-17T11:38:00.000-07:00

At times like this I like to consult Ezra Klein. He makes the point that the latest kerfluffle is the umpteenth time we've heard reports that the public option was going to be abandoned. He also makes the point that Obama has never (with one unclear exception) said that the public option was essential.As much as I get annoyed at right-wing talking points, that annoyance is small compared to the

Making a Severe Mistake

2009-08-17T10:16:00.001-07:00

And I don't just mean Obama.Yes, I think Obama would be making a mistake if he backs off on the public option. But I also think a lot of liberal/progressive activists would be making a severe mistake if they take any such backing as confirmation of their cynicism about a broken system.The goal here has always been and will always be health care that is affordable, effective and universal. Obama

Perspective

2009-08-14T11:04:00.001-07:00

Ezra Klein offers it. Howard Dean, the "liberal" candidate in 2004, offered a health plan that was considerably less liberal than the current proposal being discussed in Congress.Liberals, God bless them, always want more than what they can get. And some see any failure to get that as evidence of a betrayal of liberal principles. If single payer were a serious proposal in the current plan, some

The Origins of "Death Panel"

2009-08-14T09:47:00.001-07:00

I was curious about the providence of the phrase "Death Panel". Not the idea of it, just the phrase itself. It sounds just like the kind of focus-group tested marketing phrase we have come to know and love from the GOP and their fellow travelers. And it just sounded to good to have been wholely an invention of Sarah Palin. So I went searching for the first use of it on Google News. Prior to

History of a Lie

2009-08-14T09:25:00.001-07:00

The NY Times offers a pretty good run down of the history of the "Death Panel" lie. Unfortunately, it never calls it a lie. It simply says it is "false".I suppose that is an improvement over "exaggeration" or "prevarication". But it still misses the fundamental point that the lie is being pushed deliberately by those who know it is a lie and they will continue to do so as long as it has traction.

"Death Panels"

2009-08-14T09:01:00.001-07:00

Why aren't more Democrats simply calling this what it is?A lie.Why aren't more commentators simply calling this what it is?A lie.Not a prevarication.Not an exaggeration.A lie.A bald-face, 100% to its core, flat-out lie.That's what it is.A lie.A lie designed specifically to scare the bejesus out of old people so that a provision that is specifically designed to give them MORE freedom will get them

Eyes on The Prize

2009-08-13T17:16:00.001-07:00

How does attacking the protesters of health care reform boost the approval of health care reform?Chris Bower's has the answer: it doesn't.The forum of public opinion is just like any other forum. Attacking your opponent has limited utility. At best, it only makes their ideas look worse. It does nothing to make your ideas look better. So, when someone tries to make you look bad by attacking, the

Losing The Message And Nailing The Landing

2009-08-13T08:27:00.001-07:00

Has Obama "lost control of the message"? Steve Benen addresses the issue here.I think, on its surface, it's easy to conclude that he has. If Obama has to spend time debunking nonsense like "death panels" then that is less time than he has to push a positive message about his plans.However...Any long-term observer of American politics has to be aware of the following: in any public policy debate

Healthy Food

2009-08-12T15:01:00.001-07:00

In the current health care debate, there have been lots of comparisons between how we handle health care and how we handle other social services: police, firefighters, etc. All of these comparisons have marginal utility in explaining how government can help.Ezra Klein comes up with another comparison that might beat them all: food.Food is more like health care than it is like cable television. We

The Roots of Fear

2009-08-12T09:43:00.001-07:00

I'd like to cherry pick this excellent post by Hunter at dKos to make a point. Specifically, I'd like to riff on this:They don't want government to supposedly decide who's too expensive to keep alive, with visions of "death panels" and the like -- but insurance companies are doing that now, all the time, and there's nary a peep about that.The "they" in this sentence refers to the protesters at

When Bush no longer works as a foil

2009-07-23T11:13:00.001-07:00

Nate Silver hits on the fundamental quandry facing the blue dogs, especially those who came to power during the Bush years:The fact is, Mr. Blue Dog, there's a good chance that the reason you're in power is because George W. Bush was in power. When Bush was in power, you didn't have to advance your party's own agenda -- you just had to block some of the more unpopular elements of his.But you

John Stewart: The Most Trusted Man In America

2009-07-23T10:59:00.001-07:00

I'm sure even John would weep.

The Truth Is a Paradox

2009-07-20T11:31:00.001-07:00

Inspired by this:No, Iran is not a banana republic. It’s a sophisticated nation of 75 million people. It pretends to a significant role in the affairs of the world. It’s a land of poets who knew how to marry the sacred and the sensuous and always laughed at the idea of a truth so absolute it would not accommodate contradiction.(my emphasis)

I See Monkeys

2009-07-16T18:01:00.001-07:00

A thought provoking article. Please, don't dismiss it automatically just because it is published by Cracked.The monkleysphere (the sphere of individuals around us that we actually care about) fits into a lot of thoughts I've been having lately.For instance, I think it explains why both expansive liberalism and individualized libertarianism ultimately fail. The former requires us to think of

Missing the goal for the means

2009-07-14T15:06:00.001-07:00

We all want the same goal: affordable, effective, universal, now.Many are convinced that single payer or, barring that, a public option, are essential for that. These are the means.Not everyone is convinced of that yet. When you assume that the means are required in order to meet the goal it is easy to conclude that those who are unsure on the means are unsure on the goal.That is insulting (

Don't assume you have won the argument

2009-07-14T14:57:00.001-07:00

The problem I see with some of the advocacy in the health care debate is the assumption that we have already won the argument on the effectiveness of a public option. We already know health care reform won't work without it. So, naturally, we assume that any squishiness on the public option must be because of cowardice or simply selling out the the insurance companies.The reality is that not

Effectiveness

2009-07-14T14:47:00.001-07:00

Chris Bowers uses a rhetorical trick instead of engaging in an honest debate.Via FDL, Carolyn Maloney sums up the progressive mentality that has made Blue Dogs, conservodems, and Arlen Specter the overlords of us all. Or, perhaps more accurately, the mentality that has made us all into Blue Dogs: To NYCEVE, Jane and the blogging community fighting to make sure health care reform includes a public

Obama's wandering eye ... in fun spoiling context

2009-07-10T09:40:00.001-07:00

ABC provides context. Damn them for ruining the fun of those who would like to read more into this than there is.Seriously though, it is nice to see a mainstream media outlet actually pointing out that still photos are really a bad method for identifying intent in situations like this. Ever freeze frame a video in a way that makes a person look like a total goofball? Sarkozi really does look

Science has a liberal bias

2009-07-10T09:26:00.001-07:00

No wonder Republicans distrust it.

Total Information Awareness

2009-07-10T09:08:00.001-07:00

That would be my bet.Trust the google

My thoughts on property

2009-07-09T19:03:00.001-07:00

I think the question of property, who "owns" something, can be answered two ways: (1) no one and (2) whoever has the force necessary to enforce their claim on it.Really, is there any other way of defining it?

Thoughts on the difference between Bush and Obama

2009-07-09T11:56:00.001-07:00

The greatest benefit of a warrant is that it reduces capricious abuse of power. If an official knows he has to get a warrant (even a rubber-stamp warrant like you get from the FISA court) they might just hesitate a moment before deciding to bust down some doors just to teach someone a lesson. Requiring warrants forces authorities to submit their requests to an outside authority. Even if they

The purpose of the American "Health" Care system

2009-07-08T16:53:00.001-07:00

What sense is there in getting insurance if that insurance will be canceled once you get sick? Well, it will make insurance company investors really really rich.The purpose of the American "Health" Care system is not to provide effective health care to its subscribers. Its purpose is to provide effective profits to the system's investors. The subscribers are the profit centers. They are the

But, they made jokes about my kid!

2009-07-08T16:47:00.001-07:00

That is so much worse than being accused of murder!

Breaking Silence / The magic of 60

2009-07-08T12:06:00.001-07:00

I've been silent for quite some time and for anyone still out there who has me in their RSS feeds and hasn't purged me yet, I apologize. I've made fitful attempts to return to blogging but I've never been able to quite restore the bug I had a few years back. Maybe I'll talk more about that later.In the meantime, this post by the incomparable Bob Somerby just demanded that I link to it and expound

Obama's Faith

2009-05-21T09:48:00.001-07:00

Just got through reading Obama's comments this morning on national security.Favorite comment:... the problem of what to do with Guantanamo detainees was not caused by my decision to close the facility; the problem exists because of the decision to open Guantanamo in the first place.On holding people accountable:I think I have a clearer sense of Obama's point of view and where the conflict comes

Please explain this to me

2009-05-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

How can the Obama administration be both so secretive that they threaten Britain with cutting of surveillance information if they don't suppress information about U.S. torture practices AND so open that they are going to extraordinary lengths to declassify documents that describe those very same procedures?I know that Glenn doesn't deal in motives, it's not his job. And God bless him for it, he

Yes, it is a job saving plan

2009-04-30T15:08:00.001-07:00

I understand Robert Reich's concern, but I think he is missing a rather obvious point here.What? Having General Motors or Chrysler cut tens of thousands of jobs in order to be eligible for a government bailout reminds me of "saving" Vietnam by bombing it to smithereens. Aren't we giving these companies billions of taxpayer dollars to save jobs? ...Yes, it seems counter-intuitive that Chrysler and

Giving up

2009-04-29T12:13:00.001-07:00

Michael Steele:"Some will use Specter's defection as an excuse to fold the tent and give up. I believe that you are not one of those people. When Benedict Arnold defected to the British, George Washington didn't fold the tent and give up either." Did we give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!(RIP John Belushi)

Call it what it is

2009-04-25T17:17:00.001-07:00

Hilzoy:If laws were broken, then the fact that they were broken as the result of "a deliberate, and internally well-debated, policy decision, made in the proper places" is no excuseThere's another word for this. It's called a conspiracy.

Confess!

2009-04-24T11:44:00.001-07:00

I'd pay to see this. And, like Keith, I'd double it if the truth he had to confess is that water-boarding is torture.

Saving our souls

2009-04-24T11:43:00.001-07:00

Paul Krugman says what I say, but much more eloquently (and with a much bigger bullhorn).An investigation into Bush administration misdeeds would be ugly. It would turn over a lot of stones many in Washington would rather leave alone. It might even be a distraction from other essential business. But all of those concerns pale in comparison with restoring the soul of America.

Not a good enough reason

2009-04-24T11:16:00.001-07:00

White House Flunky: "The President said that given all that's on the agenda and the pressing issues facing the country [that a] backward-looking investigation would not be productive".Okay, I understand this. There are pressing issues. There is an agenda that would, guaranteed, be hampered by an investigation. But, here's the thing: there is always going to be pressing issues. There is always

Do they have giant puppets?

2009-04-13T16:49:00.001-07:00

This sounds a lot like what I saw at anti-war protests back in 2003. At least it shows that the left is not the only group susceptible to burying their message beneath irrelevancies.

Times have changed

2009-04-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

Time was that things like the double majority rule, kickers, property tax reduction, etc. were the default position of politicians in this state. Anyone who argued against these things would have been burned at the stake.But the double majority rule was overturned by the voters. The legislature is considering repealing the entire kicker. And now Gov. Kulongoski is hinting that he might push for a

The journalistic race

2009-04-06T11:38:00.001-07:00

Everybody wants to be the first to spot a trend so that they can brag about it later.

Shorter Paul Krugman

2009-04-06T11:23:00.001-07:00

(here)The business cycle fluctuates based on mass behavior. When people take on debt, the demand for debt goes up (and we get a bubble). When people try to clear out excess capacity, the demand for clearing capacity goes up (and the economy crashes). Working in mass, people behave in ways that damages everyone at the same time (think prisoner dilemma). The government is in the unique position

It's not ignorance

2009-02-12T10:38:00.001-08:00

It's deliberate pre-spin. Rove is just laying the groundwork for being able to wave off any positive effects the stimulus might have.Really, why should we care what Rove thinks?

Booyah!

2009-01-29T16:23:00.001-08:00

This is what I'm talking about. If you give concessions in order to get votes, then don't get the votes, then withdraw the concessions. If the Republicans want to be instransigent they should pay something for it.I think Dems are playing coy on this point for now primarily in order to spook the Republicans into thinking she just might do it. Remember, the House and Senate will eventually have to

Rush Limbaugh has the GOP by its balls

2009-01-28T15:31:00.001-08:00

1. A Republican congressman criticizes Limbaugh and other conservative talkers for throwing bricks from the cheap seats. 2. Said congressman gets inundated with calls and letters complaining about his criticizing of Limbaugh.3. Said congressman issues a public apology saying he is with Limbaugh.4. Said congressman then goes on Limbaugh's show to publicly lick Rush's boots.And people wonder if it

Where are the Dems?

2009-01-28T10:08:00.001-08:00

I'm seeing lots of complaints on the internet that the Republicans are dominating the cable chat fests. Will the GOP be left uncontested in their attempts to define the narrative on the stimulus? Perhaps. But two thoughts occur to me:1. The Dems probably aren't on TV that much because they are actually working to put together the bill.2. I'm just not sure that the pundit chat is as significant in

The Big Stick

2009-01-27T09:14:00.001-08:00

Steve BenenNevertheless, I have one relevant question: since the House GOP isn't interested in passing the bill anymore, can Democrats make it even better now? The White House has been willing to make all kinds of concessions to win over Republican support, but it's not enough. Since the GOP is going to vote "no" anyway, why not make the bill as effective and progressive as possible? If there's

The War On Work

2009-01-25T22:52:00.001-08:00

I don't even know if I could begin to summarize this.Mike Rowe is the host of "Dirty Jobs", quite possibly one of my favorite shows on TV. This link goes to a portion of a talk Rowe gave recently. It is both funny, disgusting, poignant and extremely thought provoking.It's also long (about 20 minutes), but well worth it.He has a new web site as well.

The War On Work

2009-01-25T22:41:00.001-08:00

Creepy

2009-01-24T15:35:00.001-08:00

click for larger image(aside: When I first posted this the image was to large. It bled into the right column and Obama's image ended up landing precisely under the Obama campaign logo. How appropriate.)

The Jack Bauer Exception

2009-01-23T10:35:00.001-08:00

What Atrios said.I've been arguing for a few years now that the problem with the Bush approach to the issue of torture is not the question of whether it is a good idea to do whatever is necessary to save lives but is instead the enshrining of "extra-legal" procedures through formal authorization. In other words, torture should never be the official policy of the United States. We should denounce

We've seen this before

2009-01-23T10:21:00.001-08:00

Democrats compromise before the negotiations even begin. Republicans stomp their feet. Democrats compromise even more. Republicans still stomp their feet. After several iterations the result is a mess guaranteed to be hated by everyone and to solve nothing.Now, I understand the desire for comity. I understand the desire to get as many people on board, especially on the big things like a near $900

I was wrong

2009-01-21T10:55:00.001-08:00

I was telling people yesterday that Obama became President precisely at noon yesterday by statutory law. I was wrong. Someone in another forum pointed out that this is actually mandated by the 20th amendment which states that "The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January,

Give it a rest

2009-01-20T16:18:00.001-08:00

You know people don't have anything serious to complain about when they spend time talking about how the oath was flubbed.

Praying For Failure

2009-01-20T11:10:00.001-08:00

SeriouslyI honestly can't remember many people, on Bush's elevation, hoping and praying for his failure. Certainly a lot of people didn't want it. Certainly a lot of people expected him to fail. But WANTING him to fail? PRAYING for it?And they accused US of being deranged?

Hoping For Failure

2009-01-20T10:43:00.001-08:00

As much as I disagreed with Bush in 2000, and as much as I thought he shouldn't have been installed as President, I can honestly say I never said that I hoped that he failed. Because I knew that a Bush failure would cause harm to the country I love and I would never wish harm on the United States.I guess others don't feel as generous.

Truth and Consequences

2009-01-16T11:52:00.001-08:00

I think part of the problem here is that everyone is shit-scared of what will happen if there really is transparency in the process. Because part of that transparency will be that everyone will get to see just how fucked up some, if not all, of these banks are. And when that happens the economy will REALLY tank.Those who would accuse the Democrats of being sell outs should ask themselves how they

Fun with "balloon" animals

2009-01-16T10:54:00.001-08:00

Not safe for work (or those who cringe when a balloon is rubbed).Here are some outtakes.

Can anyone tell me...

2009-01-16T09:45:00.001-08:00

...when has a criminal investigation NOT "dwelled on the past"?

Can you see?

2009-01-15T13:56:00.001-08:00

I agree with the general sentimentRemember that hilarity about Obama passing a "bipartisan" stimulus plan? We snickered at the implausibility of Republicans voting for any such package, and once again, we're right. That's why it's best to pass the best bill, rather than water shit down to the point it's useless in order to try and get mass Republican support on anything. It'll always be a fools

Thought #5

2009-01-14T11:14:00.001-08:00

"...do not make yourself the hero of your own novel..." - Checkov Do not make yourself the hero of your own life. - Me

Thought #4

2009-01-14T11:13:00.003-08:00

Creation is a question for philosophy, not science.

Thought #3

2009-01-14T11:13:00.001-08:00

The whole of recorded human thinking about every thing imaginable is but a small fraction of the thinking that preceded it. At the moment the first writer put the first words to the page, he was the inheritor of a legacy of thought that stretched back over a million years. Did the early hominids not have the idle time to contemplate their lot? Did they not have the time (a million years of it)

Thought #2

2009-01-14T11:11:00.001-08:00

How does an omniscient god experience the sensation of ignorance? If a part of such a god could experience ignorance, how would it experience it? Would it have a separate experience of it's own existence? Would it be aware of it's own ignorance? Would it experience that ignorance as an unnecessary cruelty imposed on it by an uncaring creator? Would there be more than one such entity? Would it

Thought #1

2009-01-14T11:09:00.001-08:00

Man is rich only to the extent that he has what he needs to get what he wants.

My outrage meter is broken

2008-12-19T23:45:00.001-08:00

I'm frankly tired of the contingent on the left who feel their life has meaning only if they feel betrayed. So they go looking for betrayal and embrace it with a hardy gusto. I expect to be pissed off at Obama. I already have been at least once (FISA). But I still don't see this as a personal betrayal and thus see no need to express outrage. We make jokes about how ineffective are the "sternly

Yes

2008-12-19T13:33:00.001-08:00

Andrew Sullivan has what I think is the best take I have seen on the whole Warren imbroglio.

What Paul Krugman said

2008-12-19T11:18:00.001-08:00

Really, there isn't much need to add to this.But let me try anyway...One thing Mr. Krugman brushes on but doesn't go into much depth is the essential question of morality.Most of all, the vast riches being earned — or maybe that should be “earned” — in our bloated financial industry undermined our sense of reality and degraded our judgment. Think of the way almost everyone important missed the

The end of guilt-by-association

2008-12-18T11:40:00.001-08:00

The idea that who we deal with defines who we are is an absurd notion that has locked us in a vice. If we are to face the very real problems we have we cannot allow our differences to get in the way of what we have in common. We don't have that luxury anymore.

The Obama Doctrine

2008-12-18T11:31:00.001-08:00

A lot of people ridiculed Obama for saying he would talk with the leaders of Iran. A lot of those who supported Obama then are angry now about Rick Warren giving the invocation at the inauguration. They said then that Obama's approach to foreign policy showed that he was mature enough to deal with "enemies" as people instead of devils. And now they are angry that Obama is taking the same approach