Here's yet another story detailing why outsourcing critical government functions and missions is a disastrous policy. In its report on Afghanistan, CorpWatch - a U.S.-based corporate watchdog - concluded that...[More]
October 1, 2006
Building A Border Wall
Just before leaving for their October recess, Congress passed a law mandating the construction of a wall along our border with Mexico. It's all part of an effort by right-wing...[More]
More On The Foley Resignation (WITH UPDATES)
Kevin Drum hits a two-fer. First he draws our attention to the fact that the kids at NRO's Corner are taking this scandal incredibly seriously (while nevertheless attempting to talk...[More]
More Woodward Excerpts
This time via Newsweek, a sister publication to the Washington Post. The subject? Donald Rumsfeld. Two anecdotes stand out: In March 2006, Rumsfeld invited six of the Pentagon’s regular outside...[More]
"A Disgusting And Repulsive Reality"
Wow. Via Atrios... A Fox News host takes Bill Kristol to the woodshed. Kristol tries to stick to his talking points, but Shep won't let him. Shocking....[More]
October 2, 2006
"I Would Drive A Few Miles For A Hot Stud Like You."
Bet that headline got your attention, no? Apparently it has the attention of all of Washington, DC, too: In addition to explicit sexual language, former Congressman Mark Foley's Internet messages...[More]
Bill Moyers Is Back!
And not a moment too soon......[More]
Goldwater Democrats?
Andrew Sullivan asks a very, very interesting question. Hey Andrew... Welcome home. This ain't your father's Democratic Party....[More]
"What An Actual Investigation Looks Like"
A TPM reader nails it: There's a weak excuse emerging from Republicans for Foleygate - they might have known about the e-mails to Rep. Alexander's page, but they never knew...[More]
As The Scandal Turns...
This thing is spinning out of control so quickly I can barely keep up. I don't really have the time to accurately summarize all this right now, so in no...[More]
Bill Frist: War Against Taliban Can Never Be Won. Appeasment Is Our Only Option.
Excuse me? U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Monday that the Afghan war against Taliban guerrillas can never be won militarily and called for efforts to bring the Islamic...[More]
Focus On The Family?
I've been wondering when right-wing "religious" leaders would begin commenting on the Foley story. I have to say, I honestly expected them to say some fairly ridiculous things, and I...[More]
A Feeding Frenzy (UPDATED)
You know that meeting Bob Woodward has detailed that supposedly took place in June 2001, the one where Condi supposedly "brushed off" concerns about an imminent attack? You know, the...[More]
October 5, 2006
A Busy Week...
This week has been crazy busy for me, both in school and out. But I do hope to be back online later tonight to put own some of my thoughts...[More]
The Gay Mafia?
One of the excuses/explanations for the Foley scandal currently being floated by some Republicans on the Hill has to do with the existence of a secret gay Republican "cabal" on...[More]
When Did You Stop Beating Your Mistress?
Good lord. When you start taking out ads claiming that you never abused your mistresses, you know your political career is in seriously sorry shape: SCRANTON, Pa. - Rep. Don...[More]
New GOP Talking Point: "Blame The Kids"
First it was Drudge, now its Limbaugh. Aside from being morally reprehensible... I cannot for the life of me understand why these idiots think this is a good political defense....[More]
Meanwhile, In Baghdad
Thousands of lives, billions of dollars, and years worth of effort get you this: A military transport plane that flew Rice and her party into Baghdad Thursday had had its...[More]
October 6, 2006
The First 100 Hours
The Democrats don't stand for anything? They have no positive agenda? There's little to no difference between the two parties? Wrong! Franklin Roosevelt had his first hundred days. House Democratic...[More]
When Legendary Bluesmen Turn To Terror
First Cat Stevens, now Robert Johnson? 60 Minutes, in collaboration with the National Security News Service, has obtained the secret list used to screen airline passengers for terrorists and discovered...[More]
Why This Doesn't Upset "Conservatives" Is Utterly Beyond Me
Bush issues another signing statement. Here's how it went: Bush says the law is a "good law." Bush signs the law. Bush includes a signing statement indicating that any parts...[More]
The Cliffs Notes Version
Glenn Greenwald nails it: This scandal is like the Cliffs' Notes version of a more complicated treatise on how the Bush movement operates. Every one of their corrupt attributes is...[More]
October 7, 2006
Another New Poll, Another New Low...
Part 557 in an ongoing series, this time courtesy of Newsweek: For the first time since 2001, the NEWSWEEK poll shows that more Americans trust the Democrats than the GOP...[More]
Saturday News Round-Up
Some of the biggest stories I haven't had time to blog about over the last 48 hours: + Susan Ralston, Karl Rove's personal assistant, has resigned. The reason? The slowly...[More]
"The Ad Is False"
Wow. Time to give some serious props to Philly's local media: (Tip o' the Cap: Andrew Sullivan)...[More]
October 8, 2006
Zakari Throws In The Towel on Iraq
Although I don't always agree with everything he writes, I've long admired Fareed Zakari's ability to remain honest in his assessment of the facts, a trait that often allows him...[More]
AP: NATO Chief Warns of Afghan Tipping Point
God help us: KABUL, Afghanistan - NATO's top commander in Afghanistan said Sunday the country was at a tipping point and warned Afghans would likely switch their allegiance to resurgent...[More]
"Stay The Course," R.I.P.
Because when it comes to REpublicans and our nation's security, nothing matters more than winning elections. From today's NYT: WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 — James A. Baker III , the Republican...[More]
North Korea Conducts Nuke Test
Given how blisteringly brilliant this current president's policies towards North Korea have been, I have no doubt we'll soon be hearing how this is all Clinton's fault: SEOUL, South Korea...[More]
October 9, 2006
Carville Needs To Provide Some Answers
I've always kind of liked James Carville, but if this is true, I'm done with him. It still amazes me that anyone actually hires either him or his wife. The...[More]
A Bomb Or A Dud? (With Multiple Updates)
Amid all the hype over North Korea's latest actions, it is important to remember one thing: we still do not know all the facts. UPDATE: Meanwhile, Jonah Goldberg over at...[More]
Join The Club
Bush is apparently in a bad mood. Now he knows how he we feel......[More]
'Why Should I Care About North Korea?'
Lades and gents, your president, courtesy of Bob Woodward and The Carpetbagger: George W. pulled Bandar aside. "Bandar, I guess you're the best asshole who knows about the world. Explain...[More]
"A Huge Mistake"
Donald Gregg was a CIA official since 1951, a liaison to President Carter's National Security Council, National Security Advisor to Vice President George H.W. Bush, and U.S. ambassador to South...[More]
Doing the Math?
Jake Tapper, ABC News' Senior National Correspondent, decides to vent: Now today comes word fom Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, that two...[More]
October 10, 2006
North Korea: A Primer
Looking for a primer on the history of US policy towards North Korea? Hilzoy walks you through all of the essentials. Yes, what Clinton did back in the 1990's was...[More]
October 11, 2006
Server Problems Resolved
So... It seems my hosting provider decided to take my site down for a solid 24 hours without providing me any notice. I won't go into the details. Needless to...[More]
October 12, 2006
Brilliant Advert
Given that today is my birthday (happy birthday to me!), I don't expect to find much time to post today. So, until I return tomorrow, watch this ad: And then,...[More]
October 13, 2006
Bob Ney (R-OH) Pleads Guilty, Remains in Congress
And Speaker Hastert wonders why people are questioning his leadership skills: Congressman Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio) pleaded guilty today to corruption charges arising from the influence-peddling investigation of lobbyist Jack...[More]
Santorum Meltdown
Wow. I already knew Rick Santorum was a nut ball, but this is just brilliant. I get that he thought he was making a valid point. But did he really...[More]
"Just Get Me A Fucking Faith Based Thing. Got It?"
David Kuo, the man who once was the #2 official in President Bush’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives has a new book about to hit the shelves. Once again, we've got...[More]
This Is What Realignments Sound Like
I gave a lecture on critical realignment theory today in our PO101 class, and wouldn't you know it, but after I was done I came across this. Via Andrew Sullivan,...[More]
At Least He Is Consistent!
Via Daily Kos, a great story from USNews: Some Republican strategists are increasingly upset with what they consider the overconfidence of President Bush and his senior advisers about the midterm...[More]
War of the Words: A Five-Part Series
Brilliant. Go. Watch. Now....[More]
October 16, 2006
Too Busy To Blog Today
On a day when so much happens... Yet another Republican Congressman finds himself the target of the FBI's anti-corruption campaign... Yet another administration official - a former FDA Commissioner, no...[More]
October 18, 2006
Flashback!
This is pretty funny. Back in early 2005, political guru Stu Rothenberg derided MYDD's Chris Bowers (and, by extension, Howard Dean) for seeking to make the Democratic Party competitive in...[More]
Redefining Conflict of Interest
I already knew Ohio Sec. of State Kenneth Blackwell was corrupt, but this is ridiculous. Voters in Ohio can be forgiven if they feel they have been beamed out of...[More]
Sunni vs. Shia
I don't know whether to be mortified or embarrassed. Or both. Jeff Stein, National Security Editor for CQ, asked members of congress and our intelligence a very simple question: Sunni...[More]
Noted Without Comment
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2006 — President Bush said in a one-on-one interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos that a newspaper column comparing the current fighting in Iraq to the 1968...[More]
Fiscal Conservatism Is A Figment of Their Imagination
I feel like this is the 5,429th time I've seen a graph like this from The Heritage Foundation, but until people understand I'm going to continue posting. Via Andrew Sullivan,...[More]
October 19, 2006
What's Not The Matter With Kansas?
I'm really, REALLY trying not to buy into all the "tidal wave" talk, but..... even Kansas is turning Blue? WICHITA -- Paul Morrison, a career prosecutor who specializes in putting...[More]
Stay or Go?
Blame Wonkette, not me:...[More]
Foleygate Update
Hang on kids... This one is about to get very interesting......[More]
Today's Must Read Post
When Glenn Greewald is on, he is really, REALLY on. Today's effort is an extended discussion of the competing goals of securing liberty and establishing security, and it is an...[More]
Digby's Take on Obama '08
It seems David Brook's pseudo-endorsement of an Obama '08 candidacy has sent Digby into a tizzy: Apparently both Joe and David think we are such idiots that we would put...[More]
It's Not "Failure," It's...
Isn't White house Press Secretary Tony Snow supposed to be good at spin? Because today's effort is pathetic: BAGHDAD, Oct. 19 — The American-led crackdown in Baghdad has not succeeded...[More]
Bin Laden's Return
I've been wondering when bin Laden would show up this election cycle. I expected his first appearance would be made on his own. Turns out I was wrong. It's the...[More]
October 20, 2006
The Empty Chair
I generally have little to no respect for local news media operations, but every once in awhile they really surprise me. Local media in Montana have been doing some fabulous...[More]
The Meltdown of Katherine Harris
Although she's down more than 20 points in the polls, Harris is refusing to give up. But fundraising continues to be a problem for her, so she's apparently decided to...[More]
Now Can We Call It Civil War?
Now? BAGHDAD, Oct. 20 -- Members of the Madhi Army, a powerful Shiite militia headed by firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, took over the southern Iraq city of Amarah and battled...[More]
Devestating Ad
Wow. Via Kos... I don't know how to describe this except to say that it is really, really intense. Here's Digby's take: Michael J. Fox was a member of the...[More]
If Ever There Was Proof That The Republican Party Misunderstands Terrorism
The latest add from the GOP: I'll let Atrios provide the reply: The point of terrorism is, as the name suggests, to terrorize. Not simply to kill and destroy, but...[More]
MoreMcCain, More Nonsense
I know that everyone is utterly convinced that John McCain is going to be the Republican nominee in 2008, but I beg to differ. The man has dug himself a...[More]
October 21, 2006
Serious Spin
I suppose you can't blame her for trying... MOSCOW (AP) - The swift move to penalize North Korea for its nuclear test could clear the way for punishing Iran over...[More]
Joe's Going To Flip
If there's anyone out there who doesn't yet believe that Joe Lieberman is going to flip parties should he win next month, they really, REALLY need to see this....[More]
Newsweek Poll
There's all kinds of interesting data in the new Newsweek Poll, but it seems to me they really saved the best bits for last: Most worrisome for the president, should...[More]
Quote of the Day
The people who benefit from the symbols... need not necessarily honor them, at least not fully; they need only honor them more than their rivals are seen to do. Most...[More]
October 22, 2006
"We've Never Been Stay The Course?"
How foolish does this man think we are? ThinkProgress: George Stephanopoulos asked about James Baker’s plan to develop a strategy for Iraq that is “between ’stay the course’ and ‘cut...[More]
October 23, 2006
US Now "Rooting" For New Nuclear Tests?
Over the weekend, I noted with dismay Secretary Rice's apparently positive interpretation of North Korea's nuclear test. At the time, I suspected it was simply a matter of her trying...[More]
Desparation
This is really amazing. Over the past week, the national Republican Party has launched a series of attack ads in districts across the country. In several cases, however, the ads...[More]
October 25, 2006
In Your Name
WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney has confirmed that U.S. interrogators subjected captured senior al-Qaida suspects to a controversial interrogation technique called "water-boarding," which creates a sensation of drowning. Cheney...[More]
Ads Worth Watching
No time to comment on these right now, but for one reason or another, all of these are worth watching: And last but not least......[More]
ABCNews Becomes FoxNewsLite
First ABC's Mark Halperin says this, then ABCNews does this... Brilliant. I've tried for a long time to explain this to my political science students, but I finally have an...[More]
'I Think I Owe An Explanation To The American People'
So says your president. Only one problem: he never provided one....[More]
God Help Me...
For once, I think I actually agree with Frank Luntz: "They honestly need a baseball bat against the head," said Republican pollster Frank Luntz, who helped Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) take...[More]
October 26, 2006
Bringing Peace And Freedom...
Was this part of the plan? DAMASCUS, Syria -- Horror at the bloodshed accompanying the U.S. effort to bring democracy to Iraq has accomplished what human rights activists, analysts and...[More]
October 27, 2006
What Has Barack Obama Done For You Lately?
I was listening to Barack Obama on my hometown NPR station today, and for about the 5,000 time this month I heard someone make the claim that as a junior...[More]
When Your Expert on Memory Forgets A Meeting...
Even if you could case less about the minutiae of the investigation into Scooter Libby, VP Cheney's former right hand man, you absolutely have to go read this article. Apparently...[More]
What Osama Bin Laden Wants
Spencer Ackerman reminds us what's at stake. And for the record... his blog is much better now that he's left TNR....[More]
October 28, 2006
GAO Chief Warns Economic Disaster Looms
Some light reading for your Saturday evening... David M. Walker sure talks like he's running for office. "This is about the future of our country, our kids and grandkids," the...[More]
Virginia Voters, This One's For You
For those of you in Virginia who have yet to make up your mind about Webb and Allen, you need to take a look at this. Jim Webb gave one...[More]
October 29, 2006
In Your Name... Death Squads
For those of you who have been paying close attention over the past few years, this will come as no surprise. For those who have not, take a look at...[More]
What Is It Jesus Said About Sinners Casting Stones?
Although the bit about the Playboy Mansion got most of the attention this past week, the line about Harold Ford, Jr. "accepting money from porn producers" in the RNC's recent...[More]
A November Surprise Delayed?
Take a look: BAGHDAD, Oct 29 (Reuters) - A court trying Saddam Hussein for crimes against humanity could delay its verdict by a few days, the chief prosecutor said on...[More]
Explaining Income Inequality (Updated)
Kevin Drum is right: although Jon Chiat's entire piece is an absolute must read, this section is hands down the most important to commit to memory: Over the last quarter...[More]
Be Not Afraid...
Anyone else out there see Andrew Sullivan on Bill Maher's show this weekend? Writing that book seems to have done wonders for the man, because he is most definitely on...[More]
If Idaho Goes Blue...
...then damn, it may be too late to write my book. Predicting it before it happened would be much more fun than analyzing it after the fact!...[More]
My New Hero
I swear to you... Michael J Fox is fast becoming my new hero. Standing atop the rubble of the World Trade Center with a bullhorn isn't courage. This is courage....[More]
If We're Supposed To Listen To What Our Enemy Says...
Does that mean we can all now agree that Iraq is no longer "the central front in the war on terror?" The conflict in Iraq is drawing fewer foreign fighters...[More]