“I’m going to argue forcefully for the nonsensicalness and the almost, you know, moral corruptness of that particular policy. . . . This is beyond politics. This is about justice and doing what’s right.” If we had three hats* we’d tip them all to Louisiana Senator...
Politics/Economy
Is Barack Obama a “Manchurian Republican”?
[ cross-posted at Daily Kos ] Are you a Manchurian Republican? When we sent money to your campaign and went door-to-door to get out the vote and made phone calls for Obama for America, were we helping elect a (soft) Republican? If not, then prove you’re a Democrat....
Writing Against the (American) Empire:
A Tribute to Chalmers Johnson
[cross-posted at Daily Kos] “[Blowback] refers to retaliation for the numerous illegal operations we have carried out abroad that were kept totally secret from the American public. . . . This means that when the retaliation comes, as it did so spectacularly on Sept....
No “Kumbaya” for Billionaires
$ [ cross-posted at Daily Kos ] Today when the New York Times reports “Tax Cut Timing Is Proving Problematic for Democrats,” we faxed and mailed the following letter to President Obama and sent similar messages to his economic team (Goolsbee, Bernstein, Elizabeth...
A Failure to Communicate—Not a Failure to Govern
[ cross-posted at Daily Kos ] Not Good (at All), But Could Have Been Worse A party that governs well but communicates poorly was set back by a party that obstructs well but is more interested in holding power than in governing. What could have been a hideous wipeout...
Yes We’re Voting Tues. Nov. 2.
Not Voting = Not an Option.
Dear readers: We promised recently we’d soon be getting off our donkey and rejoining the Organizing for America phone banks to help get out the vote for Tues. Nov. 2. Our cell phones are recharged and we’re back in action. Here’s what you can do: Click the Organizing...
10th Year of Afghan War Begins
America Slogs On, “Dead or Alive” Briefly, sadly noted: Today, October 7, 2010, begins the tenth year of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. How’s that hunt for Osama bin Laden going? How’s that expansion into Pakistan going? How much taxpayer-supplied money has the U.S....
David Corn on Democrats, Zombies, and the Vampire Karl Rove
Last night we had the pleasure of attending a real live Manhattan “liberal elite” salon hosted by Mother Jones magazine, moderated by MoJo’s publisher, Mr. Steve Katz, and featuring the magazine’s Washington bureau chief David Corn (also a blogger for...
Talkin’ to You, Barack (and You, America)
Yesterday’s piece “The Silence of the Dems” was originally meant to introduce some choice excerpts from a tough, hard-hitting post by our friend Pat at Hurricane Radio titled “Why the GOP Is Going to Win in November.” We do not concede that heavy losses are...
The Silence of the Dems
Now, finally, the president’s out there on the stump doing what we wish he’d been doing for the past 16 months or so: drawing sharp, biting distinctions between Democrats and Republicans. Great timing, five weeks before election day. We pray it ain’t too late. It...
We’re Not “Whining,” Mr. Biden,
But Democrats in Congress Are Cringing
“Campaigning for Democratic candidates in New Hampshire, Vice President Joe Biden said Monday the party’s base should ‘stop whining.’ . . . [Mr. Biden] said Democrats can win . . . if they draw clear distinctions between themselves and their Republican opponents, and...
Democrats Entering Campaign Mode as if to Win?
“Wonder What’s Gone Wrong . . .”
From “American Tune” by Paul Simon [ YouTube video ] * . . . And I don’t know a soul who’s not been battered I don’t have a friend who feels at ease I don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered or driven to its knees but it’s all right, it’s all right for we lived...
Eisenhower on the Opportunity Cost of the War Machine
“Humanity hanging from a cross of iron” “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money...
Is Katrina More Significant Than September 11?
Thoughts on Two American Traumas [ Cross-posted at Daily Kos. ] Between 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, which do you think gets most attention, and why? What if the national focus on 9/11 is exaggerated and the nation should focus instead on 8/29—Hurricane Katrina—as the...
Launching Midterm Campaign, Obama Mocks Republican Recklessness
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klO3pM_7YHo&feature=related * “We are united. We are strong. That’s why they call them unions.” President Obama was in full campaign mode as he rallied a lively Labor Day crowd of some 5,000 supporters at Milwaukee’s LaborFest on...
Live-Blogging from Rising Tide 5 in New Orleans
Winner of the 2010 Ashley Morris Award: Clifton Harris of Cliff’s Crib New Orleans blogger Clifton Harris, right, receives the Ashley Morris Memorial Award from emcee George “Loki” Williams, center, and Mark “Oyster” Moseley. Photo courtesy of M. Styborski. Cliff...
Anti-Islamic Furor Helps al Qaeda, Endangers America
“The World Trade Center Site will forever hold a special place in our City, in our hearts. But we would be untrue to the best part of ourselves—and who we are as New Yorkers and Americans—if we said ‘no’ to a mosque in Lower Manhattan. . . . We would betray our...
As Combat Troops Leave Iraq, Where’s Our National Security?
Out of Iraq, on to Afghanistan The last combat troops have left Iraq, as a convoy of the 4th Stryker Brigade rumbled in the wee hours of August 19, 2010, from Iraq toward U.S. bases in Kuwait. At the end of August, Operation Iraqi Freedom will end and 50,000 advisory...
Disarmament Experts Clarify Film’s Position on Nuclear Power
Last week we reviewed the excellent new documentary Countdown to Zero, released in late July, just in time for the Hiroshima and Nagasaki anniversaries (Aug. 6 and 9). While we praised Countdown and hope everyone will see it, we had some questions about the film’s...