What do they all have in common? Ezra explains.... [More]
December 1, 2006
December 2, 2006
Obama Speaks From The Pulpit (UPDATED Multiple Times)
I will say it again: If he runs, he wins. For those of you who missed it, Sen. Obama spoke yesterday from the pulpit of... [More]
Government Oversight Is "Internal Terrorism"
You really just can't make this stuff up: The new chief of the U.S. General Services Administration is trying to limit the ability of the... [More]
Saying "Mistakes Were Made" Should Be Welcomed, No?
ThinkProgress is blasting Sec. Rice for suggesting that she won't be looking back on her mistakes until after she leaves office. Here, for the record,... [More]
Know Your History
Worst ever.... [More]
Smokestack Recyclers?
Yet more proof that is we really got serious about global warming, we really could do something about it. Something that would save the planet... [More]
NYT: Rumsfeld Memo Proposed ‘Major Adjustment’ in Iraq (Updated)
I wonder if this had anything to do with his forced resignation? Take a look, first at the NYT story and then at the text... [More]
"Tax And Steal Conservatives"
Digby is absolutely right. What "tax and spend liberals" once was, "tax and steal conservatives" could be. Corruption is a fact of life in all... [More]
Abortions and Gays... That's All They've Got?
Check out this response from the conservative blogosphere over at TownHall.com to Obama's speech today... Doug Giles provides a list of 10 reasons why Obama... [More]
December 3, 2006
"Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards [3/5s of] Men"
I don't suppose that there's anyone out there reading this who would consider supporting Joe Biden for president in 2008. To be fair, I'm not... [More]
His State Was Crumbling? Really?
In an otherwise accurate assessment of the current state of the Iraq War, Andrew Sullivan writes the following: I originally thought the Iraq invasion was,... [More]
December 4, 2006
Dems Who Opposed The War
Four years ago that didn't even rate a mention. Today the WaPo buries them on Page A04. Its an improvement of sorts, but only a... [More]
Iran's oil weakness
Very interesting analysis from Foreign Policy on the future of Iran's petro-power. Suddenly so many things make much more sense. I wonder... has anyone in... [More]
OK, Fine. I'll Bite...
In a long post about what he terms "the two Obamas," Chris Bowers writes and asks: What I don't understand is where this new Obama... [More]
December 6, 2006
Alaska Can Come Too...
Heh.... [More]
In Your Name
This is what has been done in your name. In the name of "security," this is what we have become... Maher Arar, a Canadian citizen,... [More]
December 7, 2006
The Iraq Study Group, Part I
Well I have to say... I'm glad I waited 24 hours before posting my thoughts on this. It's not so much that the extra time... [More]
A Three Day Work WeeK?
This is brilliant. Under Republican leadership, Congress had the entire country running so smoothly that they only needed to work 3 days each week. But... [More]
WANTED: Arabic Translators. Gay Men Need Not Apply.
Once again, I don't even know what to say.... [More]
Why Obama Will Win
If you are not yet convinced, will this change your mind?... [More]
Memorize And Repeat
Digby is right. This one simple fact needs to be repeated far and wide: The House took 140 hours of sworn testimony to get to... [More]
December 9, 2006
"They Told You So"
Apparently I've got no time to blog today, but I'll be back tomorrow for sure. In the meantime, today's NYT column from Paul Krugman should... [More]
December 10, 2006
"...That Is Dereliction, That Is Deeply Immoral"
You don't think elections have consequences? Check this out.... Republican Senator Gordon Smith, who will be up for reelection in his home state of Oregon... [More]
Jefferson Wins Reelection
I realize that as a former resident of DC I may have little room to speak, but... what the hell wis wrong with people in... [More]
"One Last Shot"
This proves it. Sen. Biden is a deeply unserious person. And yet somehow he thinks he would make a good president?... [More]
Plotting A Coup
Yglesias writes: After all, there's something intrinsically odd about the idea of trying to bolster a fragile democracy by building incredibly effective domestic security forces.... [More]
Sunni Vs. Shia
Wonderful. The incoming chair of the House Intelligence Committee has no idea what separates Sunni from Shia. Take a look: Al Qaeda is what, I... [More]
December 11, 2006
What's Up With DailyKos?
Is it just me, or are the new weekend editors over at DailyKos a bit too predictable? This weekend there were posts railing against "Broderism"... [More]
From Bad To Worse To.... ???
Via Kevin Drum, who for months has been quite effectively making this point, here's an interesting post from Suzanne Nossel over at Democracy Arsenal. As... [More]
Let The McCain Takedown Commence
Bloggers have been all of this for months, if not years. But I've been waiting for a major national publication to pick up the story.... [More]
Wrong About Everything
What he said.... [More]
Don't Ask … Don't E-mail
Once again, great political reporting by Vanity Fair. It's long and quite tragic, but well worth the read if you want to make sense of... [More]
"We are stuck in a big hole waiting for Lucifer to take our souls"
In your name, people. In your name. On a visit four weeks ago, Mahdi Army militiamen, including one who sat in a yellow plastic chair... [More]
Surprise! Taliban and Allies Tighten Grip in North of Pakistan
And while I'm on the subject of predictability, it appears the Taliban have established a new mini-state along the Afghan-Pakistan border. Again,t he possibility of... [More]
CIA Too Busy? Try Google.
I've seen some horrifically stupid things from this government over the past six years, but... wow. When the State Department recently asked the CIA for... [More]
December 12, 2006
When You See, You Know
Until you see him speak in person, you don't know. Although as Ezra just discovered, even watching a video is enough to make you start... [More]
December 13, 2006
It's Offical: Even Tony Snow Says Bush Is The New Carter
July 15th, 1979. One of the defining moments of President Jimmy Carter's presidency. It's remembered as his "malaise" speech, although he never actually uttered the... [More]
December 14, 2006
Say It With Me Now, Kids: "Flip Flop!"
Andrew Sullivan has the goods on my home state's wretched outgoing governor: Romney was for gay equality before he was against it. He was for... [More]
Serious About Reform
A few really interesting moves over the last few days from Speaker-elect Pelosi... First, ethics reform. From today's NYT: Democrats Consider Outside Ethics Panel House... [More]
25,000 US Casualties
Carpetbagger is right. It seems like no one is paying attention anymore. 25,000 Americans have been wounded or killed. And yet DC acts like its... [More]
What Coverage Of The Iranian Holocaust Conference Tells Us About The Media (UPDATED)
Glenn Greenwald has an excellent point here: The Iranian President convened a convention this week to "debate" whether the Holocaust occurred, whether it is exaggerated,... [More]
Human Beings, Not Statistics, Part II
The man is in the hospital recovering from a life threatening illness, and people are running around speculating about what it might mean politically. Stop,... [More]
"I’m Not Looking For A Doctoral Dissertation..."
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday called the Bush administration’s handling of a Hurricane Katrina housing program “a legal disaster” and... [More]
What Atrios Said...
Atrios: Joe Lieberman, wrong about everything, yet still a very serious person... [More]
The End of The Great Backlash Narrative
Chris Bowers has one hell of a post today on post-culture war America, Barack Obama, Baby Boomers, the 1960's, and more. I know there are... [More]
December 16, 2006
The Wrong Man For The Job
I wasn't planning on posting at all this weekend - its finals week, and I'm in the midst of grading hell - but this is... [More]
Edwards In, Bayh Out, Obama and Richardson One Step Closer
John Edwards is in. And it looks like the Lower 9th is going to be the site for his official announcement. Well done, sir. Meanwhile,... [More]
"...Among the Most Dangerous, Best-Trained, Vicious Killers on the Face of the Earth"
That is what Bush once said of the men held in Gitmo. Guess what? Not true. When the Pentagon announces a detainee has been moved... [More]
Women Lose Ground in the New Iraq
While we're on the subject of Iraq, here's something from today's WaPo: Before leaving her house, she had covered her body in a billowing black... [More]
I Thought Military Commanders Make Those Decisions?
Greg Sargent has an excellent question. For years Bush has been saying that decisions about troop levels were up to military commanders on the ground... [More]
"Approved for Public Release"
So let me get this straight... we're not allowed to discuss the details of the president's warrantless wiretapping or detainee interrogation programs because "the enemy"... [More]
December 17, 2006
If Two Years Is a "Surge"...
If rumors on the Sunday Morning Talk Shows and The Blogs are to be believed, Bush is going to announce his approval for one final... [More]
Colin Powell: "There are really no additional troops."
Colin Powell Faced the Nation this morning. ThinkProgress has the details: POWELL: I agree with the assessment of Mr. Baker and Mr. Hamilton. It’s grave... [More]
More on "the Surge"
Looks like this may be all I'm blogging about today... Two great pieces to highlight, one from Spencer Ackerman, the other from Publius. Let's look... [More]
Meanwhile, in Iraq...
While we debate, Iraq continues its descent into chaos: BAGHDAD — Iraq's schools, long touted by American officials as a success story in a land... [More]
Warner Rethinking Decision To Sit Out 2008?
Hotline and Political Insider say he is. Interesting. Warner claimed his reason for not running was his family. For once that excuse actually seemed believable.... [More]
December 18, 2006
Pot Bigger Cash Crop Than Hay And Corn COMBINED
From today's LATimes: A report released today by a marijuana public policy analyst contends that the market value of pot produced in the U.S. exceeds... [More]
"Really Egregious Mistakes"
No oversight. No controlling legal authority. But no worries; "collaboration had improved between the CIA and the military." U.S. Special Forces teams sent overseas on... [More]
More News From Gitmo
Late last week we got word from the AP that virtually all of the individuals released from GITMO were innocent. Today we find out that... [More]
"The Challenges We Face"
Jonathan Alter has a great interview with Obama in this week's Newsweek. I'll say it again: If he runs, he wins. I've watched how crowds... [More]
December 19, 2006
Hey New Hampshire... You've Got Mail!
Lookie here... Obama is sending postcards!... [More]
Today in Iraq
Another day, another missed opportunity to change strategy. Here's a sampling of some of the things beings reported on today... The biggest story of the... [More]
It Will Come From The West...
Via Kos... Yet more evidence that the mountains are turning blue. Click through for the details. Here's the summary: In 1984 three exit polls pegged... [More]
December 20, 2006
Realism Is Back?
Jay Rosen, a Professor of Journalism at NYU, has an excellent retrospective on realism, idealism, and illusion under the Bush presidency. Take Bob Woodward's State... [More]
The History of the Middle East (In 90 Seconds Or Less)
And in pictures. Wow. And to give it some context, here's a similar presentation of the history of religion: Want more? Mapsofwar.com... [More]
Is This The Best They've Got?
This isn't just stupid, its also destined to backfire badly. The idea that Obama won't be loyal to his country because his deceased father was... [More]
NRO's Rich Lowry: Then and Now
Then: May 9th, 2005: It is time to say it unequivocally: We are winning in Iraq[...] The basic approach of the Pentagon to the insurgency... [More]
T-Minus Two Weeks...
The man is going to make up his mind on a beach in Hawaii, surrounded by his friends and his family. Brilliant. HONOLULU (AP) —... [More]
SNL Is Apparently Funny Again!
And in case you missed it.... Wow.... [More]
December 21, 2006
Simple Answers to Simple Questions
Kevin Drum asks: Hillary Clinton can be very appealing. Surprisingly so, given her reputation. If she loosens up a little, I think an awful lot... [More]
"Surging into the Abyss"
Vali Nasr, a Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Senior Fellow at the Dubai Initiative... [More]
Another One?
Carpetbagger asks the right question: Another one? We now have a fourth evangelical sex scandal in just under two months. I've always figured that the... [More]
Are You Kidding Me?
At what point will we stop listening to these people? Although it has been said before about previous new years, it seems very likely that... [More]
Social Security Crisis? What Crisis?
Kevin Drum repeats a point that cannot be repeated enough: Social Security: In the worst case, if we do absolutely nothing, SS is projected to... [More]
December 29, 2006
How Old Is the Grand Canyon?
I know I said I wasn't going to blog, but you have to see this. Washington, DC — Grand Canyon National Park is not permitted... [More]
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