Van Jones Tells Glenn Beck "I Love You" At Image Awards

February 26th, 2010

As was reported earlier in the week, Van Jones was presented this evening with an NAACP Image Award. His accpeptance was gracious but tough. The most remarkable moment may well have been when he brought up Glenn Beck. You may remember it was Beck who dedicated so much time in an attempt to convince his viewers that Jones was the next wave of Commie Infiltration. Jones said, and I am quoting, "I love you Glenn Beck."

Whatever one thinks of his politics, it was a class act. My hat goes off to him.

A Roundup Of The Chattering Class

February 26th, 2010

"So what if you don't have any teeth, so what?" - Rush Limbaugh

Having watched yesterday's Healthcare Summit in it's entirety as well as live blogging the full event, it's stunning to dissect the reactions of the pundit-class. It's nothing new to expect manipulation by sound-bite rabid producers, editors and commentators. However, the sheer ugliness, stupidity and oversimplification from almost every source available represents an alarming new low. Don't for a minute think this repulsive disservice to our electorate was limited to broadcast sources. The talent of the national and international print media have deteriorated to such a degree that it's hard to believe they bother to publish at all.

Megan McCardle of The Atlantic tells us it was "a waste of time." Paul Krugman was meekly hopeful. Fellow New York Times writer David Brooks gives the edge to Obama but titled his column, 'Not As Dull As Expected.' Michael Barone was particularly weak, using the first four paragraphs of his analysis to type Rightist code words like "elite," take a shot at the aforementioned David Brooks and tell a bizzaro anecdote about how the "Soviet medical system kept down the heart disease caseload by placing cardiac care units on the fifth floor, walk up. Death panels, anyone?"

Health Care Summit Live Part 2

February 25th, 2010

5:25
After watching our leaders for the past six and a half hours, I am signing off. I am more on board with the President than I was before. Do I want a "public option?" Yes. Can we as a nation accept nothing rather than a flawed bill? No. In my estimation, we can wait no longer.

As a side note, I want to thank the people who have e-mailed me throught this live blogging experience. I am especially glad to have been of some service to those of you doing the 9 to 5 routine. Feel free to comment whether you agree with this or any other blog. It's America.

5:20
"After five decades of dealing with this issue" starting over when we are this close is ridiculous. I am putting that a little more bluntly than POTUS. The people "don't want us to wait. They can't wait five more decades."

5:12
Obama sums it all up pretty well. "Overwhelmingly, people say the insurance market should be regulated." In the simplest terms possible, he lays out the fundamental principles he believes will drive down costs. I agree with him. He just argued that an unregulated opening of interstate insurance purchase could lead to a "race to the bottom" likening it to the explosion of the credit markets through the eighties and nineties. Again, I find the reasoning sound. He admits that reform of malpractice law has traditionally been the territory of Republicans and offers less ground than he probably should. I am pleased that he's strongly against randomly set "hard caps" in malpractice compensation but we need to find some compromise on this issue quickly. "I didn't propose something complicated just to have something complicated." Indeed, Mr. President.

Health Care Summit Live Part 1

February 25th, 2010

12:56
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D- New York) brings some interesting facts to the table. "Eight states are allowed to declare domestic abuse as a pre-existing condition." She has returned the discussion to fear of health care costs limiting innovation. Very smart.

12:51
Obama: "Let's not pretend that any regulation of the insurance industry is some onerous burden."
Cantor: "In a perfect world everyone would have everything they want." He has used the words "mandate" or "mandated" six times.

12:46
Obama rebuts Cantor roughly: "We could set up a system where food was less expensive if we eliminated meat inspectors."

12:42
Cantor "most people in this country have insurance." "it's just too expensive." He alleges that more than 10 million people could lose their insurance if the bill passes. He is trying to scare people with the fear of mandates (without specifics). He rings the alarm bill over "regulation."

12:40
Rep. Eric Cantor (R- Virginia) is grandstanding. He is using the 2400 page bill as a prop while conceding the discussion is really about the 11 page proposal from Obama.

Health Care Summit Live - Opening Remarks

February 25th, 2010

10:55
It's been more formal so far than I had hoped. It would appear they are heading into the meat of the matter. I want to hear more specifics.

10:53
Reid : "If you have a better idea, let's hear it."

10:51
Reid : "750,000 bankruptcies in 2008" due to health care costs.

There Aren't Different Versions Of The Truth

Feb 19th, 2010

by F. Grey Parker

On Friday November 12th 1948, General Kenji Doihara, Baron Kōki Hirota, General Seishirō Itagaki, General Heitarō Kimura, General Iwane Matsui, General Akira Muto, General Hideki Tōjō were sentenced to death for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Primary amongst the actions for which they had been convicted were the torturous methods with which they interrogated prisoners. One of the principle tools was called the "water cure" otherwise known as waterboarding.

Progress

From the pages of the Economist

"THE deputy leader of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has been captured in neighbouring Pakistan, confirmed Pakistani, American and Taliban officials to The Economist on Tuesday February 16th. The development suggests a serious blow has been struck against the Afghan insurgents. It may also indicate a shift in co-operation between American and Pakistani intelligence services, perhaps reflecting a change in policy by the government in Islamabad."

The Costs of EU Membership

From the pages of the Telegraph

"The council of EU finance ministers said Athens must comply with austerity demands by March 16 or lose control over its own tax and spend policies altogether. It if fails to do so, the EU will itself impose cuts under the draconian Article 126.9 of the Lisbon Treaty in what would amount to economic suzerainty."

Back To The Beginning... Again

February 12, 2010
F. Grey Parker

At 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time today the largest offensive by Allied Forces in Afghanistan since the start of hostilities over 8 years ago commenced against the city of of Marjah in Helmand Province. An untold number of our sons and perhaps some of our daughters are certain to give their last full measure in the days and even weeks ahead. We can't begin to predict the short or long term civilain toll. This is going to be bloody. This is going to be horrible. And it is about time.

A Routine Procedure

February 8, 2010
F. Grey Parker

Rep. John Murtha died today from "complications" following commonplace gallbladder surgery. He was a man greatly admired on the Left and reviled on the Right. Already, his death and it's circumstances are becoming grist for the chattering class.

As the nation prepares to return to the health care debate, it would be wise not to overplay the hand Murtha's death has dealt the Democrats. But the "complications" from which he died are relevant to some of the arguments we can typically expect from Republicans as they continue to obstruct progress and fight for Corporate Medicine. The cause of death was doctor error. Through stupidity, ineptitude or simple bad luck his intestines were punctured.

Palin Speaks In Front of 600 people. Nation's Media Screeches To Halt

February 6, 2010
F. Grey Parker

Sarah Palin went before a small but wealthy group of her faithful this evening to rile them up. It worked. The verbal equivalent of red meat was thrown copiously to an audience more than eager for the taste of blood. They devoured it, pun intended.

The speech was profoundly anti-intellectual. Ironically, it was also defiantly incoherent

.

Welcome to the first annual Tea Party Convention. It's striking that Palin's folksy ham-fistedness could make Tom Tancredo's racist introductory speech from yesterday afternoon seem almost statesmanlike in comparison.