Sept 11th, 2010
Over at Stratfor, George Friedman writes that "The greatest failure of American intelligence was not the lack of a clear warning about 9/11 but the lack, on Sept. 12, of a clear picture of al Qaeda’s global structure, capabilities, weaknesses and intentions. Without such information, implementing U.S. policy was like piloting an airplane with faulty instruments in a snowstorm at night."
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Election Humor
Sept 10th, 2010
"I'm not a political expert, but I think going after the rich is a
good idea in an election year...or any other year for that matter. Because let's face it, rich people are bastards. Even rich people would agree with that. They're like, 'It's true. Now hand me another golden sausage.'"
---Craig Ferguson
"I'm not a political expert, but I think going after the rich is a
good idea in an election year...or any other year for that matter. Because let's face it, rich people are bastards. Even rich people would agree with that. They're like, 'It's true. Now hand me another golden sausage.'"
---Craig Ferguson
A Real Disservice
Sept 10th, 2010
"There are no more good men left here. It eats away at my conscience everyday."
The story out of Afghanistan that is starting to make some real waves is one of wanton murder for sport by U.S. Servicemen. Shocking details include the collection of "severed fingers" as trophies.
One American soldier, Adam Winfield (quoted above) is alleged to have tried to report or expose what are clearly war crimes. After suffering varying degrees of intimidation, he has now been charged along with others in the crimes.
"There are no more good men left here. It eats away at my conscience everyday."
The story out of Afghanistan that is starting to make some real waves is one of wanton murder for sport by U.S. Servicemen. Shocking details include the collection of "severed fingers" as trophies.
One American soldier, Adam Winfield (quoted above) is alleged to have tried to report or expose what are clearly war crimes. After suffering varying degrees of intimidation, he has now been charged along with others in the crimes.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Well, No One Ever Said All Americans Understand America
Sept 9th, 2010
While taking a moment to review further some of the poll data from the last month, I found this ugly nugget over at Time Magazine.
"Twenty-eight percent of voters do not believe Muslims should be eligible to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. Nearly one-third of the country thinks adherents of Islam should be barred from running for President."
Just do me the old time favor of re-reading that while inserting the words "Jews" or "Catholics" for the word "Muslim." Feel sick yet?
While taking a moment to review further some of the poll data from the last month, I found this ugly nugget over at Time Magazine.
"Twenty-eight percent of voters do not believe Muslims should be eligible to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. Nearly one-third of the country thinks adherents of Islam should be barred from running for President."
Just do me the old time favor of re-reading that while inserting the words "Jews" or "Catholics" for the word "Muslim." Feel sick yet?
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Ken Buck Believes?
Sept 8th, 2010
In a HuffPost article today, an examination of the changes in policy opinions and softening of positions within Colorado GOP gubernatorial candidate Ken Buck's website shows that he's racing closer to the center ahead of election day. One thing is certain. He is still a major asshole.
In a HuffPost article today, an examination of the changes in policy opinions and softening of positions within Colorado GOP gubernatorial candidate Ken Buck's website shows that he's racing closer to the center ahead of election day. One thing is certain. He is still a major asshole.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Send In The Drones?
Sept 4th, 2010
Over at Slate, Ron Rosenbaum has written an interesting missive questioning our absence of debate regarding the morality of drone strikes. I don't know if he coined the term "drone porn" in reference to the now ubiquitous nose-cone videos we've all seen, but the term is a grisly gem.
A choice anecdote from the article:
"The Navy's own special 'Fire Scout' test drone had gotten out of control of the drone-porn jockeys who were remote-piloting it in the vicinity of Patuxent, Md. The drone started wandering erratically toward—and then through—protected Washington, D.C., airspace. It looked like we might be attacked by our own drone! Control was regained before the drone could do any damage."
Over at Slate, Ron Rosenbaum has written an interesting missive questioning our absence of debate regarding the morality of drone strikes. I don't know if he coined the term "drone porn" in reference to the now ubiquitous nose-cone videos we've all seen, but the term is a grisly gem.
A choice anecdote from the article:
"The Navy's own special 'Fire Scout' test drone had gotten out of control of the drone-porn jockeys who were remote-piloting it in the vicinity of Patuxent, Md. The drone started wandering erratically toward—and then through—protected Washington, D.C., airspace. It looked like we might be attacked by our own drone! Control was regained before the drone could do any damage."
Martin Luther King Jr's Social Justice
Sept. 4th, 2010
Glenn Beck should really shut up.
"At the turn of the century women earned approximately ten cents an hour, and men were fortunate to receive twenty cents an hour. The average work week was sixty to seventy hours. During the thirties, wages were a secondary issue; to have a job at all was the difference between the agony of starvation and a flicker of life. The nation, now so vigorous, reeled and tottered almost to total collapse. The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress. Out of its bold struggles, economic and social reform gave birth to unemployment insurance, old age pensions, government relief for the destitute, and above all new wage levels that meant not mere survival, but a tolerable life. The captains of industry did not lead this transformation; they resisted it until they were overcome. When in the thirties the wave of union organization crested over our nation, it carried to secure shores not only itself but the whole society." -- Martin Luther King Jr. speaking at the AFL-CIO convention of 1965
Varney Attacks Unions on Labor Day Weekend.
Sept. 4th, 2010
This man is an idiot. He describes unions as "the anti-thesis of freedom." Note in particular the venom he reserves for the simple phrase "workplace rules."
This man is an idiot. He describes unions as "the anti-thesis of freedom." Note in particular the venom he reserves for the simple phrase "workplace rules."
The Problem With "Throwing The Bums Out."
Sept. 3rd, 2010
by F. Grey Parker
It's that time again, kids. In politics, these moments come reliably during our downward cycles. But this is like some once-in-a-generation storm you hear surfers whisper of in hushed tones.
"Throw the bums out!" is the cry heard all over. Again. No, really. Here's one now:
by F. Grey Parker
It's that time again, kids. In politics, these moments come reliably during our downward cycles. But this is like some once-in-a-generation storm you hear surfers whisper of in hushed tones.
"Throw the bums out!" is the cry heard all over. Again. No, really. Here's one now:
Friday, September 3, 2010
An Interesting Bloggingheads Moment
Sept. 3rd, 2010
Matt Yglesias and Matt Welch discuss the Koch brothers.
Matt Yglesias and Matt Welch discuss the Koch brothers.
David Koch photo copyright The New Yorker 2010
Sarah Palin Has D**k On The Brain
Sept. 3rd, 2010
Wow. I serioulsy had no idea that Sarah Palin was as into d**k metaphors. I mean she really, really wants to make sure we get her joke.
Proving her stateswoman-like mettle, Sarah Palin used the comfortable Hannity echo chamber to discuss the limits of comtemporary journalistic integrity thusly: "Those who are impotent and limp and gutless and they go on their anonymous—sources that are anonymous—and impotent, limp and gutless reporters take anonymous sources and cite them as being factual references."
Wow. I serioulsy had no idea that Sarah Palin was as into d**k metaphors. I mean she really, really wants to make sure we get her joke.
Proving her stateswoman-like mettle, Sarah Palin used the comfortable Hannity echo chamber to discuss the limits of comtemporary journalistic integrity thusly: "Those who are impotent and limp and gutless and they go on their anonymous—sources that are anonymous—and impotent, limp and gutless reporters take anonymous sources and cite them as being factual references."
Tancredo Watch
Sept. 3rd, 2010
The revelations of Colorado Republican gubernatorial hopeful Dan Maes,' shall we say, creative enhancements to his credentials, have given new life to arch-conservative rival Tom Tancredo.
from the Denver Post
"Two weeks ago, Tancredo proposed that both he and Maes exit the contest so the GOP could appoint a more formidable candidate to take on Democrat John Hickenlooper. Maes rejected the offer. Now, Tancredo said, the offer is off the table."
The revelations of Colorado Republican gubernatorial hopeful Dan Maes,' shall we say, creative enhancements to his credentials, have given new life to arch-conservative rival Tom Tancredo.
from the Denver Post
"Two weeks ago, Tancredo proposed that both he and Maes exit the contest so the GOP could appoint a more formidable candidate to take on Democrat John Hickenlooper. Maes rejected the offer. Now, Tancredo said, the offer is off the table."
Electioneering Much?
Sept 3rd, 2010
Stuart Varney explodes any pretense of objectivity with a casual smarm that has to be seen to be believed. The money quote: "If you want to pile on the debt, vote Democratic." (italics mine)
Stuart Varney explodes any pretense of objectivity with a casual smarm that has to be seen to be believed. The money quote: "If you want to pile on the debt, vote Democratic." (italics mine)
The Big Picture...
Sept 3rd, 2010
Seib says out loud what a lot of us have been thinking:
"The American economy hasn't been a very robust jobs-producer for quite a while. That's the broader question that needs to be discussed, even as we work on the immediate problem."
Seib says out loud what a lot of us have been thinking:
"The American economy hasn't been a very robust jobs-producer for quite a while. That's the broader question that needs to be discussed, even as we work on the immediate problem."
Howdy Doody Strikes Again
Sept 3rd, 2010
Another oil rig explosion:
Another oil rig explosion:
"Government officials said that the rig has been out of commission for a while and had been undergoing maintenance work, therefore not impacted by the Obama administration’s ban on deepwater oil drilling."
"The timing of its explosion, however, was certainly impactful. The news came only hours after Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal made a speech in Lafayette, LA pushing to lift the Obama administration’s ban on deepwater drilling."
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Interviews from Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" Rally
August 31st, 2010
There is no message. Watch for yourselves.
Monday, August 9, 2010
That's a Lotta Bombs
August 9, 2010
Having just passed the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing (the motivations for which I will not discuss as that is a matter for historians), I felt it right to share this video by Isao Hashimoto. Just watch it and think about it. Horrifying yet elegant in it's simplicity.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Power of Tweets...
July 21st, 2010
...lies in their required succinctness.
"The Tea Party Movement: Outraged over deficits since Jan 21, 2009" -- observed by a friend.
...lies in their required succinctness.
"The Tea Party Movement: Outraged over deficits since Jan 21, 2009" -- observed by a friend.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The News of Yesterday
June 27th, 2010
Note the headline. The grim yellow poetry of journalism's past is both florid and feral.
Note the headline. The grim yellow poetry of journalism's past is both florid and feral.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
We Had Been Thinking That Ourselves
June 26th, 2010
In an early scene from the original 1939 film version of "My Man Godfrey," the late, great William Powell stands before an assemblage of the idle and grossly rich declaring that part of the reason for his attending their soirée was "to see how a collection of empty headed nitwits conducted themselves." Moments later, a voice is heard off-screen responding, "Why, the man's perfect! I have been wanting to say that for years but I didn't have the nerve."
Viewing this clip of the AFL-CIO's Ron Blackwell calling Fox News' Neil Cavuto an "asshole" on live television provoked, in me, a similar reaction.
In an early scene from the original 1939 film version of "My Man Godfrey," the late, great William Powell stands before an assemblage of the idle and grossly rich declaring that part of the reason for his attending their soirée was "to see how a collection of empty headed nitwits conducted themselves." Moments later, a voice is heard off-screen responding, "Why, the man's perfect! I have been wanting to say that for years but I didn't have the nerve."
Viewing this clip of the AFL-CIO's Ron Blackwell calling Fox News' Neil Cavuto an "asshole" on live television provoked, in me, a similar reaction.
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