VoteVets.org has a new campaign directly linking our consumption of oil to American casualties in the Iraqi and Afghani conflicts.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Brave Advertising
April 9th, 2010
VoteVets.org has a new campaign directly linking our consumption of oil to American casualties in the Iraqi and Afghani conflicts.
VoteVets.org has a new campaign directly linking our consumption of oil to American casualties in the Iraqi and Afghani conflicts.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Indefensible. (Warning-This is Extremely Violent Footage)
April 5th, 2010
This is exactly why reliance on airpower and all concepts of "just war theory" are mutually exclusive.
This is exactly why reliance on airpower and all concepts of "just war theory" are mutually exclusive.
False Equivalency
April 5th, 2010
The following is a quote from today's Ross Douthat's column in the NY Times. While lamenting the lack of real debate on the main talking stations, Douthat essentially equates the programming decisions of Sean Hannity and Rachel Maddow. It is sadly absurd on it's face.
"For all the red-faced shouting, debate isn’t really what you get on Fox and MSNBC. Hannity has ditched Colmes, and conservatives are only invited on Rachel Maddow’s show when they have something nasty to say about Republicans" he writes.
It is the kind of critique made by someone who clearly has very little first hand knowledge of the subject of his critique. One wonders if he's ever actually watched Maddow or Hannity. It's too bad. I often like what Douthat has to say.
Luckily, Glenn Greenwald rips him a new one in Salon.
The following is a quote from today's Ross Douthat's column in the NY Times. While lamenting the lack of real debate on the main talking stations, Douthat essentially equates the programming decisions of Sean Hannity and Rachel Maddow. It is sadly absurd on it's face.
"For all the red-faced shouting, debate isn’t really what you get on Fox and MSNBC. Hannity has ditched Colmes, and conservatives are only invited on Rachel Maddow’s show when they have something nasty to say about Republicans" he writes.
It is the kind of critique made by someone who clearly has very little first hand knowledge of the subject of his critique. One wonders if he's ever actually watched Maddow or Hannity. It's too bad. I often like what Douthat has to say.
Luckily, Glenn Greenwald rips him a new one in Salon.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Blanche Lincoln's Dick Move
April 1st, 2010
by F. Grey Parker
Upon seeing Sen. Blanche Lincoln's (D-AR) desperation attack against progressive challenger Bill Halter, my first reaction was amazement. So unbelievably beneath any standards of decency was her broadside, that I had to resist blurting out a few choice expletives at my desk. The first word that came to mind starts with a "C". I took a deep breath and chided myself for considering so sexist a term. Then, it occurred to me that the best description of her crassly dishonest smear was indeed gender based.
It's called a "dick move." That is the only accurate assessment.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Ambinder Nails Today's Energy Announcement
March 31st, 2010
President Obama announced a plan for offshore drilling today. Marc Ambinder says it's a pretty solid win for the administration. I agree. I think this is going to breathe new life into cap and trade in a big way. I can almost hear the President discussing this with the increasingly fringe-leary Republicans... "You get on board with cap and trade and you can go home bringing a partial victory on one of your party's bread and butter issues."
Ambinder says "for a Democratic president, this is a pretty gutsy move to open the public debate about an energy bill. Or, well, maybe it's not: it's high-reward, low-risk; environmentalists will complain, but then again, environmentalists complain. Aside from the substance, which is beyond our ken, the politics of this move is easy: with one fell swoop, Obama deprives Republicans of the major talking point they'd use to object to more expansive government-based climate remediation and energy prospecting policy."
President Obama announced a plan for offshore drilling today. Marc Ambinder says it's a pretty solid win for the administration. I agree. I think this is going to breathe new life into cap and trade in a big way. I can almost hear the President discussing this with the increasingly fringe-leary Republicans... "You get on board with cap and trade and you can go home bringing a partial victory on one of your party's bread and butter issues."
Ambinder says "for a Democratic president, this is a pretty gutsy move to open the public debate about an energy bill. Or, well, maybe it's not: it's high-reward, low-risk; environmentalists will complain, but then again, environmentalists complain. Aside from the substance, which is beyond our ken, the politics of this move is easy: with one fell swoop, Obama deprives Republicans of the major talking point they'd use to object to more expansive government-based climate remediation and energy prospecting policy."
Remarkable Yet Unsurprising
March 31st, 2010
From the Washington Monthly.
Referencing the now unfriended neocon David Frum's recent riff that ""Republicans originally thought that Fox [News] worked for us, and now we are discovering we work for Fox," a recent RNC fundraising e-mail is reprinted in it's entirety. It would seem that Chairman Steele is stumping more for Hannity than his party.
I wanted to let you know that I just finished reading Sean Hannity's new book, Conservative Victory: Defeating Obama's Radical Agenda. As they so often do, Sean's words left me energized for November and even more committed to making the gains necessary to bring the Obama agenda to a halt.
In the book, Sean does more than just tell us why we need to defeat the Obama Agenda. He also gives us a blueprint for getting it done. I cannot recommend it enough -- and I'm confident that, like me, you will be ready for the upcoming elections with a renewed commitment.
Sincerely,
Michael Steele
Chairman, Republican National Committee"
To the casual reader, it would seem more of an attempt to raise sales of the book than to raise Committee funds at a time when Steele is under fire for so much apparent waste. And yes, that is an undoctored photo of Mr. Hannity with Nevada's famously legal prostitute Air Force Amy. Oh, family values.
From the Washington Monthly.
Referencing the now unfriended neocon David Frum's recent riff that ""Republicans originally thought that Fox [News] worked for us, and now we are discovering we work for Fox," a recent RNC fundraising e-mail is reprinted in it's entirety. It would seem that Chairman Steele is stumping more for Hannity than his party.
RNC Chairman Michael Steele
"Dear XXXX,I wanted to let you know that I just finished reading Sean Hannity's new book, Conservative Victory: Defeating Obama's Radical Agenda. As they so often do, Sean's words left me energized for November and even more committed to making the gains necessary to bring the Obama agenda to a halt.
In the book, Sean does more than just tell us why we need to defeat the Obama Agenda. He also gives us a blueprint for getting it done. I cannot recommend it enough -- and I'm confident that, like me, you will be ready for the upcoming elections with a renewed commitment.
Sincerely,
Michael Steele
Chairman, Republican National Committee"
Sean Hannity and Air Force Amy
To the casual reader, it would seem more of an attempt to raise sales of the book than to raise Committee funds at a time when Steele is under fire for so much apparent waste. And yes, that is an undoctored photo of Mr. Hannity with Nevada's famously legal prostitute Air Force Amy. Oh, family values.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Today's Deep Breath
March 30th, 2010
One doesn't have to believe in any form of deism to realize that we sophisticated humans aren't exactly, well, all that so to speak. Everyone should take a look at the March 2010 issue of the Smithsonian and marvel at the world we generally forget we live in. Naturalist photographer Melissa Farlow has, in recent past, captured some of the most extraordinary shots of America's still regal wild horses. Do yourselves a favor and read the article. Her adventure in achieving parity within the horses' environment is almost as moving as the images themselves.
There are no Tea Parties or radical left rants here...
One doesn't have to believe in any form of deism to realize that we sophisticated humans aren't exactly, well, all that so to speak. Everyone should take a look at the March 2010 issue of the Smithsonian and marvel at the world we generally forget we live in. Naturalist photographer Melissa Farlow has, in recent past, captured some of the most extraordinary shots of America's still regal wild horses. Do yourselves a favor and read the article. Her adventure in achieving parity within the horses' environment is almost as moving as the images themselves.
There are no Tea Parties or radical left rants here...
photo copyright Smithsonian/Melissa Farlow 2010
Telling the Truth Does Make People Stronger
March 30th, 2010
Sometimes, it is more impressive than others to find someone telling a simple truth about themselves.
Sometimes, it is more impressive than others to find someone telling a simple truth about themselves.
"To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where [sic] born with. Enough is enough. This has to change. This was not supposed to happen 5 or 10 years ago, it is supposed to happen now. Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment"
Friday, March 26, 2010
Okay, WaPo. What Did Happen in Korean Waters Today?
March 26th, 2010
Today there appears to have been a maritime accident off the Korean Peninsula. Were not sure what else has occurred but we do know a South Korean Military vessel has sunk. We also know that something got everybody really wound up.
Early reports were dire and inflammatory but the WaPo seems not to archive and update as usefully as some news sites. That is to say, their earlier 'sky is falling' story has been replaced by a more even tempered piece at the exact same link.
Now the WaPo is quoting presidential spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye "It is premature at this stage to discuss the cause of the sinking"..."It has not been determined whether this incident is related to North Korea."
The North Koreans are threatening "unprecedented nuclear strikes" but, as the Jerusalem Post notes dryly, "The North routinely issues such warnings."
What we do know for sure is that american markets did stunningly well considering the news. CNN Money reports, "a conflict between North and South Korea may have caused some stock selling. Reports said an explosion tore a hole in a South Korean vessel in the disputed waters near North Korea, and South Korean officials were investigating whether it was an attack from the North.
Can you imagine the Friday market panic if we were still uncertain on health care reform?
Today there appears to have been a maritime accident off the Korean Peninsula. Were not sure what else has occurred but we do know a South Korean Military vessel has sunk. We also know that something got everybody really wound up.
Early reports were dire and inflammatory but the WaPo seems not to archive and update as usefully as some news sites. That is to say, their earlier 'sky is falling' story has been replaced by a more even tempered piece at the exact same link.
Now the WaPo is quoting presidential spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye "It is premature at this stage to discuss the cause of the sinking"..."It has not been determined whether this incident is related to North Korea."
The North Koreans are threatening "unprecedented nuclear strikes" but, as the Jerusalem Post notes dryly, "The North routinely issues such warnings."
What we do know for sure is that american markets did stunningly well considering the news. CNN Money reports, "a conflict between North and South Korea may have caused some stock selling. Reports said an explosion tore a hole in a South Korean vessel in the disputed waters near North Korea, and South Korean officials were investigating whether it was an attack from the North.
Can you imagine the Friday market panic if we were still uncertain on health care reform?
More On Frum at The Daily Dish
March 26th, 2010
Thanks to Andrew Sullivan for posting a very telling interview with him.
This speaks volumes to the theory that, far from being some great conservative reawakening, the events of the last year represent an ever narrowing purity test and a shrinking base.
Watch it here.
Thanks to Andrew Sullivan for posting a very telling interview with him.
This speaks volumes to the theory that, far from being some great conservative reawakening, the events of the last year represent an ever narrowing purity test and a shrinking base.
Watch it here.
C. Montgomery Burns Award for Best Corporate Scare Tactic
March 26th, 2010
Pete du Pont, yes a member of the du Ponts, clearly knows what the little guy needs. Writing a consistently dishonest op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal with the precious title,"Welcome to Europe," he continues to trot out utterly discredited statistics on the new health care laws. In particular, "a Republican House Ways and Means Committee report estimated that 16,500 IRS agents will be employed to make sure that people sign up--and pay for--the health insurance they will be forced to purchase.."
That's pretty scary stuff except it is not true and he knows it's not true (but it's still getting a lot of play on the right). To illustrate, here is IRS Commissioner Daniel Shulman:
Pete du Pont, yes a member of the du Ponts, clearly knows what the little guy needs. Writing a consistently dishonest op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal with the precious title,"Welcome to Europe," he continues to trot out utterly discredited statistics on the new health care laws. In particular, "a Republican House Ways and Means Committee report estimated that 16,500 IRS agents will be employed to make sure that people sign up--and pay for--the health insurance they will be forced to purchase.."
Pete du Pont
That's pretty scary stuff except it is not true and he knows it's not true (but it's still getting a lot of play on the right). To illustrate, here is IRS Commissioner Daniel Shulman:
IRS Commissioner Daniel Shulman
Mrs. David Frum Gives Her Perspective
March 26th, 2010
After the bruising week her husband has had following his unwelcome and simply honest analysis of comtemporary conservatives, Danielle Crittenden discusses what it's like to see the party of Reagan become the party of Beck.
"As the old saying goes, if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog. Perhaps that's why the Frum household now has three."
After the bruising week her husband has had following his unwelcome and simply honest analysis of comtemporary conservatives, Danielle Crittenden discusses what it's like to see the party of Reagan become the party of Beck.
"As the old saying goes, if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog. Perhaps that's why the Frum household now has three."
I Read the Bill... And The Bill... And The Fix
March 26, 2010
by F. Grey Parker
Several weeks ago, I began my own personal endgame with Health Care Reform. For months it seemed, the growing mantra of the opposition had become the argument that nobody understood the legislation, just as it had been with 2009's stimulus package against which Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) had so famously boomed. We just didn't get it. It didn't matter whether we were discussing the House Bill, the Senate Bill or the Fix. The leadership of the opposition kept telling us that we were against it and if we weren't, well, then we just didn't understand it. These arguments didn't sit right with me from the beginning. There was something about that declaration, so insistently parochial, that was patently offensive to me.
by F. Grey Parker
Several weeks ago, I began my own personal endgame with Health Care Reform. For months it seemed, the growing mantra of the opposition had become the argument that nobody understood the legislation, just as it had been with 2009's stimulus package against which Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) had so famously boomed. We just didn't get it. It didn't matter whether we were discussing the House Bill, the Senate Bill or the Fix. The leadership of the opposition kept telling us that we were against it and if we weren't, well, then we just didn't understand it. These arguments didn't sit right with me from the beginning. There was something about that declaration, so insistently parochial, that was patently offensive to me.
Alarming News Just In
March 26th, 2010
If this is true, this is just plain bad with a capital "B."
From the Washington Post
"A South Korean naval vessel with more than 100 aboard was sinking on Friday in waters near North Korea and Seoul was investigating whether it was hit in a torpedo attack by the North, South Korean media said.
Broadcaster SBS said many South Korean sailors on the stricken vessel were feared dead.
South Korea's YTN TV network said the government was investigating whether the sinking was due to a torpedo attack by the North, and Yonhap news agency said the Seoul government had convened an emergency meeting of security-related ministers.
Yonhap also reported a South Korean navy ship firing toward an unidentified vessel to the north.
North Korea in recent weeks has said it was bolstering its defenses in response to joint South Korean-U.S. military drills that were held this month."
If this is true, this is just plain bad with a capital "B."
From the Washington Post
photo copyright AP 2010
"A South Korean naval vessel with more than 100 aboard was sinking on Friday in waters near North Korea and Seoul was investigating whether it was hit in a torpedo attack by the North, South Korean media said.
Broadcaster SBS said many South Korean sailors on the stricken vessel were feared dead.
South Korea's YTN TV network said the government was investigating whether the sinking was due to a torpedo attack by the North, and Yonhap news agency said the Seoul government had convened an emergency meeting of security-related ministers.
Yonhap also reported a South Korean navy ship firing toward an unidentified vessel to the north.
North Korea in recent weeks has said it was bolstering its defenses in response to joint South Korean-U.S. military drills that were held this month."
Maddow To Brown: Really, Scott? Really?
March 26th, 2010
As some of you may know, Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) has been fundraising lately on the false premise that he must defeat future challenger Rachel Maddow. The rumor of her looming candidacy apparently originated with that most sage and trustworthy of sources, Facebook. The most surprised of his constituents to hear that Ms. Maddow was running was, well, Ms. Maddow.
Although Ms. Maddow has been taking time on her MSNBC program to quite hilariously deny that she has any intention of running against the Senator, she took the added measure of running a full page ad today in the Boston Herald, reprinted here on the MSNBC site.
Maddow: "I am not running against Scott Brown. I never said I was running against Scott Brown. The Massachusetts Democratic Party never asked me to run against Scott Brown. It's just not true. Honestly. I swear. No, really."
As some of you may know, Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) has been fundraising lately on the false premise that he must defeat future challenger Rachel Maddow. The rumor of her looming candidacy apparently originated with that most sage and trustworthy of sources, Facebook. The most surprised of his constituents to hear that Ms. Maddow was running was, well, Ms. Maddow.
photo copyright MSNBC 2010
Although Ms. Maddow has been taking time on her MSNBC program to quite hilariously deny that she has any intention of running against the Senator, she took the added measure of running a full page ad today in the Boston Herald, reprinted here on the MSNBC site.
Maddow: "I am not running against Scott Brown. I never said I was running against Scott Brown. The Massachusetts Democratic Party never asked me to run against Scott Brown. It's just not true. Honestly. I swear. No, really."
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Why We No Longer Have "$10,000 Toilet Seats"
March 25th, 2010
To anyone who has spent the past 30 years interested in what the government of the United States purchases with it's citizens' money, words like "black budget" and "secret ops" and "waste" have become as innocuous as hotel wallpaper. They also have, for more than a decade become less common in print although we now have a covert culture which has never been stronger. The previous administration managed to severely undermine both it's core principles of superior private sector efficiency and restraint on the public purse with a single, fundamental shift in how we wage war.
The reason for our decreasing familiarity with the details of our own nation's bellicose budgets can be summed up in a single word: contractors. Perhaps your eyes are already starting to glaze over. The word is so commonplace. In it's very commonality lies it's insidiousness. Call me old fashioned, but I hear the word contractor and my first natural mental connection is, well, a plumber or an electrician. To be sure, many of them are just that but I'd wager their billing schemes would land them in prison in a hot minute if practiced here in the States.
It is ironic that the party who has shrieked so loudly during the last 14 months' divisive health care debates with regards to the sanctity of free market principles should bear the largest responsibility for a hootin', hollerin' taxpayer funded boondoggle by farming out the responsibility of American soldiering to their precious private sector. As war profiteers go, these guys would make old Joe Kennedy blush.
The thing is, we also use them as killers. We call trained mercenaries operating outside of both serious congressional oversight or even a middling adherence to the Army Field Manual "contractors."
To anyone who has spent the past 30 years interested in what the government of the United States purchases with it's citizens' money, words like "black budget" and "secret ops" and "waste" have become as innocuous as hotel wallpaper. They also have, for more than a decade become less common in print although we now have a covert culture which has never been stronger. The previous administration managed to severely undermine both it's core principles of superior private sector efficiency and restraint on the public purse with a single, fundamental shift in how we wage war.
The reason for our decreasing familiarity with the details of our own nation's bellicose budgets can be summed up in a single word: contractors. Perhaps your eyes are already starting to glaze over. The word is so commonplace. In it's very commonality lies it's insidiousness. Call me old fashioned, but I hear the word contractor and my first natural mental connection is, well, a plumber or an electrician. To be sure, many of them are just that but I'd wager their billing schemes would land them in prison in a hot minute if practiced here in the States.
It is ironic that the party who has shrieked so loudly during the last 14 months' divisive health care debates with regards to the sanctity of free market principles should bear the largest responsibility for a hootin', hollerin' taxpayer funded boondoggle by farming out the responsibility of American soldiering to their precious private sector. As war profiteers go, these guys would make old Joe Kennedy blush.
The thing is, we also use them as killers. We call trained mercenaries operating outside of both serious congressional oversight or even a middling adherence to the Army Field Manual "contractors."
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A Lot Can Happen In A Week.
March 16th, 2010
One week ago, the thought of a simple up or down vote, in the form of Reconciliation, was regarded in conservative quarters as a
One week ago, the thought of a simple up or down vote, in the form of Reconciliation, was regarded in conservative quarters as a
Friday, March 12, 2010
Ambinder On The Ongoing Birther Adventure
March 12th, 2010
Five upcoming GOP senatorial candidates have waffled on the issue.
From a post today at the Atlantic:
"Several of these candidates have later corrected their initial hesitation, but it is precisely that initial hesitation that contains so much information about what Republican candidates fear right now. No doubt that Portman and Marco Rubio know that Birtherism is bullshit. The gap between their private beliefs and how they articulate them publicly is fairly wide. I'm not a fan of stories that begin with X "refuses to denounce" Y -- I usually skip them. I make an exception here because the accusation is so reckless, so tied to race and culture, and so stupid that those who try to Wink at the Birthers are adding potency to a poison that everyone is forced to gulp."
Five upcoming GOP senatorial candidates have waffled on the issue.
From a post today at the Atlantic:
"Several of these candidates have later corrected their initial hesitation, but it is precisely that initial hesitation that contains so much information about what Republican candidates fear right now. No doubt that Portman and Marco Rubio know that Birtherism is bullshit. The gap between their private beliefs and how they articulate them publicly is fairly wide. I'm not a fan of stories that begin with X "refuses to denounce" Y -- I usually skip them. I make an exception here because the accusation is so reckless, so tied to race and culture, and so stupid that those who try to Wink at the Birthers are adding potency to a poison that everyone is forced to gulp."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
