May 17, 2008
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John McCain and al Qaeda
China's Earthquake Casualties: Victims of Too-Rapid Growth?
Agreed. posted 05/15/2008 at 09:02:20
Hillary Agonistes: Why Doesn't She Concede?
1. Valid point
2. Valid point
3. Possible (but not likely)
4. Her commitment was noticably absent when she committed to disqualifying Mi & Fl. Her idea of fair is very self serving. Does anyone really believe she would hold the same view if the roles were reversed?
5. Does she differ much from any Democrat in this respect? posted 05/14/2008 at 12:40:23
2. Valid point
3. Possible (but not likely)
4. Her commitment was noticably absent when she committed to disqualifying Mi & Fl. Her idea of fair is very self serving. Does anyone really believe she would hold the same view if the roles were reversed?
5. Does she differ much from any Democrat in this respect? posted 05/14/2008 at 12:40:23
Whatever Hillary's motives for wanting to become president, she has managed to do a great job of proving Obama's strategic vision and tactical footwork. posted 05/14/2008 at 11:33:56
Bush: I Gave Up Golf For The Troops
chill out dude - how do you know he isn't a Levite? It would explain the spelling (you know ... English not being his first language and all) posted 05/14/2008 at 13:17:11
Hillary and the Unfeminine Mystique
Nice article - says it well.
In seven years of Bush she has had every chance to express the qualities she claims, but that would require those qualities. posted 05/13/2008 at 17:01:24
In seven years of Bush she has had every chance to express the qualities she claims, but that would require those qualities. posted 05/13/2008 at 17:01:24
West Virginia Primary: Clinton Expected To Win
When people are partitioned and labled they tend to reinforce the process. That has been demonstrated in a number of psychological trials - call someone dumb and and he'll act dumb.
I think WV, which has about the same complement of intelligent people as anywhere else, has been partitioned more than most. It is difficult to be at odds with your neighbors, but people like youself help others realize that they are not merely "hard-working lower income whites" and that Obama is not a threat but a wonderful opportunity.
Fraternal regards to you and yours. posted 05/13/2008 at 07:33:41
I think WV, which has about the same complement of intelligent people as anywhere else, has been partitioned more than most. It is difficult to be at odds with your neighbors, but people like youself help others realize that they are not merely "hard-working lower income whites" and that Obama is not a threat but a wonderful opportunity.
Fraternal regards to you and yours. posted 05/13/2008 at 07:33:41
A Few Words On This Democrats Coming Together Business
Very nicely put. posted 05/09/2008 at 18:06:26
Clinton as VP would not be a pragmatic compromise - it would be a poor choice. She has been promoted by a very rich and powerful cabal with an agenda that runs directly counter to Obama's. The cabal will want a Cheyneyesque position for her to exercise their agenda. Obama really cannot afford to give her the position if he is to tackle corporate money's influence in politics - she would undermine him every step of the way. posted 05/09/2008 at 17:58:58
Iraq Remains an Unbalanced Policy Equation
While I gree with your analysis it does have a flaw: in any conflict between antagonists is is seldom a good idea for either to disclose tactical methods or strategic intent.
That said, I fear our Iraq policy is exactly what you suggest " amorphous, stagnant and unquantifiable.
We're treading water and calling it swimming. posted 05/09/2008 at 15:03:25
That said, I fear our Iraq policy is exactly what you suggest " amorphous, stagnant and unquantifiable.
We're treading water and calling it swimming. posted 05/09/2008 at 15:03:25
Are Ex-Presidents Above the Law?
Dude, have you been attending the Wright Church of Entirely Subjective Reality? posted 05/06/2008 at 19:24:10
North Carolina, Indiana Primaries: Full Results, Exit Polls
I think the rest of the world is looking on in bemusement - no one can understand why Hillary is even a contender. The fact her husband was once president hardly seems a qualification - in fact it seems like a good reason not to elect her. posted 05/06/2008 at 17:14:09
Obama Can De-Bully The Bully Pulpit
"Fine, so do the rest of us. But explain, please, why the FISA law stops you doing that. That was never addressed, and that was the actual question."
Bush isn't about to explain the reason he has bypassed the FISA law because a) he probably doesn't understand it himself and b) he doesn't want that particular can of worms opened. In essence there are now systems that can correlate data from different sources and detect indicators that span them. Telephone calls and financial records and geographical data and models of individuals and their known interactions and associates etc. This activity is largely done by computers, it is impersonal and it neccessarily bypasses FISA laws, which were designed for surveillance based on probable cause as opposed to correlated indicators across vast data sets. posted 05/06/2008 at 11:21:57
Bush isn't about to explain the reason he has bypassed the FISA law because a) he probably doesn't understand it himself and b) he doesn't want that particular can of worms opened. In essence there are now systems that can correlate data from different sources and detect indicators that span them. Telephone calls and financial records and geographical data and models of individuals and their known interactions and associates etc. This activity is largely done by computers, it is impersonal and it neccessarily bypasses FISA laws, which were designed for surveillance based on probable cause as opposed to correlated indicators across vast data sets. posted 05/06/2008 at 11:21:57
Questioning Hillary Clinton's 'Victory' in Pennsylvania: The Rush Limbaugh Effect
Reason.. I normally find myself in agreement with you but I found Terry's article inchoate and confusing. What is her thesis?
You and I agree that the Republicans think they have a far greater chance of winning against Hillary than Barak.
And they are right. posted 05/06/2008 at 08:45:28
You and I agree that the Republicans think they have a far greater chance of winning against Hillary than Barak.
And they are right. posted 05/06/2008 at 08:45:28
Why Oprah Left Reverend Jeremiah Wright's Church
Yes - makes one wonder why she endorsed Obama. Perhaps she thinks it will be a good thing if the next president knows the full spectrum of American sentiment, even those bits that the president doesn't neccessarily subscribe to. posted 05/05/2008 at 18:56:47
The New Karl Rove: Sidney Blumenthal (And Hillary Is in Bed with Both of Them)
Dude, agree with you totally on the Lierberman - noecon front, but you need to back off on the militant feminist lable. I reckon there are a lot of feminists who hate Hillary for all the same reasons you do, but your post is almost tailor made to create a sense of resentment that translates to supporting Hillary. posted 05/05/2008 at 14:22:39
Obama, Not Wright, Is Obama's Worst Enemy
Hopefully Obama is reading Earl's blogs so he can tap into Earl's incredible political acumen instead of relying on his own defficient ethics and judgement.
In fact, why don't we elect Earl president? posted 04/30/2008 at 13:27:49
In fact, why don't we elect Earl president? posted 04/30/2008 at 13:27:49
LA Times: Did The US Photoshop Syrian Nuke Photos?
BTW - It occurs to me you might not have seen this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ah6RmcewUM posted 04/29/2008 at 16:08:13
In times of yore satellites used to drop film cannisters which underwent re-entry and recovery. Modern satellites use digital technology, much like a digital camera, and the information is digitized from the word go. They also employ signals outside the visible spectrum, such as infra-red. In post-processing several images are combined to improve resolution: If you have two 100 megapixel images of the same target then you can combine them to achieve a 200 megapixel image (not exactly, but you get the idea). Digital enhancement techniques are used to highlight straight edges and other features.
I do understand your concern - that these images might be fictions to support a larger lie, but the picture in question simply shows a building in the Syrian desert. It has certainly been digitally processed, but photoshopping it hardly seems worth the trouble.
I'll revise my opinion if you can show a) any evidence that the photos of the reactor containment were taken elsewhere, b) explain why the Syrians were in such a hurry to destroy the evidence, and c) explain why the Syrians needed to circulate large amounts of water through a concealed and isolated building in the desert.
Regarding my motivation: I think the world has more than enough nuclear weapons and I find the evidence the Syrians were buliding a plutonium breeder reacter persuasive. It is time for the world to draw back from the brink. posted 04/29/2008 at 15:58:35
I do understand your concern - that these images might be fictions to support a larger lie, but the picture in question simply shows a building in the Syrian desert. It has certainly been digitally processed, but photoshopping it hardly seems worth the trouble.
I'll revise my opinion if you can show a) any evidence that the photos of the reactor containment were taken elsewhere, b) explain why the Syrians were in such a hurry to destroy the evidence, and c) explain why the Syrians needed to circulate large amounts of water through a concealed and isolated building in the desert.
Regarding my motivation: I think the world has more than enough nuclear weapons and I find the evidence the Syrians were buliding a plutonium breeder reacter persuasive. It is time for the world to draw back from the brink. posted 04/29/2008 at 15:58:35
If the photo was photoshopped by someone, as the original post claims, then it would be represhensible because it would be distorting the data subjectively. But if it was done algorithmically - say by cross-correlation - then it is acceptable because it is simply revealing information that is present across several pictures but not evident in any single one. It is a similar procedure to taking two pictures at slightly different angles and then viewing them with a stereoscope to see three-dimensional data - the same procedure that was used by the British to detect hidden German radar installations during WWII.
The perception the photo was photoshopped by some propogandist is naive. The photo shows a building - nothing more. Now if the building's existance were in dispute ...?
And yes, if the Syrians were intending to produce plutonium then there are good grounds to be concerned. Certainly the evidence on hand suggests it.
And I am not pro war - just pro truth. posted 04/29/2008 at 11:41:49
The perception the photo was photoshopped by some propogandist is naive. The photo shows a building - nothing more. Now if the building's existance were in dispute ...?
And yes, if the Syrians were intending to produce plutonium then there are good grounds to be concerned. Certainly the evidence on hand suggests it.
And I am not pro war - just pro truth. posted 04/29/2008 at 11:41:49
The photo may not have been digitally enhanced by hand - it may be what is known as a synthetic aperture image based on several images taken as the satellite flew at an angle over the site. The narrowly focused detail would follow.
Shadows that do not correspond with the objects that cast them are more likely to be associated with ground relief than with an incompetent photo artist.
Moreover, the photo has very little value in making the intelligence case. Even if it was photoshopped it would have little impact on the rest of the intelligence case for believing the site was a nuclear site. The corroborating evidence is very pursuasive - ironclad if you believe the photos of the reactor were actually taken onsite.
The waterpipe and the lack of powerlines supports the argument that the reactor was designed to produce plutonium. All they needed was cooling - they weren't interested in generating power.
Finally, the most damaging evidence is post mortem. If the site was not a nuclear site the Syrians would have opened it for international inspection immediately after it was destroyed. That obviously wasn't an option. posted 04/29/2008 at 10:25:21
Shadows that do not correspond with the objects that cast them are more likely to be associated with ground relief than with an incompetent photo artist.
Moreover, the photo has very little value in making the intelligence case. Even if it was photoshopped it would have little impact on the rest of the intelligence case for believing the site was a nuclear site. The corroborating evidence is very pursuasive - ironclad if you believe the photos of the reactor were actually taken onsite.
The waterpipe and the lack of powerlines supports the argument that the reactor was designed to produce plutonium. All they needed was cooling - they weren't interested in generating power.
Finally, the most damaging evidence is post mortem. If the site was not a nuclear site the Syrians would have opened it for international inspection immediately after it was destroyed. That obviously wasn't an option. posted 04/29/2008 at 10:25:21
Fox News Finally Lands Obama Interview, "Obama Watch" To End
Dude, the word you want is CACKLE, not LOL. BWA-HA-HA also works if you have a large white persian on your lap. posted 04/25/2008 at 09:11:32
Obama Triangulates and Won't Go Where Other Great Americans Will on Hamas
Agreed. It would be political suicide for Obama to support a meeting with Hamas at this stage. Once he is president one hopes he would do whatever he can to achieve peace in the Middle East. Hard to imagine how that is going to happen without Hamas. posted 04/10/2008 at 23:26:06
Jimmy Carter's Planned Hamas Meeting Criticized By Bush Administration
You are assuming things about South Africa that are not true. There were no slaves but there were a lot of impoverished people working for very low wages under very harsh and dictatorial conditions - which, if amounting to slavery, implies a lot of Americans are effectively slaves.
Jimmy Carter's use of the word apartheid is accurate in the Palestinian context. The literal translation is "separation".
Note that this is not an anti-Israel statement arising from personal predjudice - it is simply a statement of fact. Personally I wish Israelis and Palestinians (if they can be considered separate) well, but there is no doubt that Israel is practising apartheid.
Perhaps it has been forced to it, but apartheid corrupts people on both sides of the divide. posted 04/10/2008 at 20:23:02
Jimmy Carter's use of the word apartheid is accurate in the Palestinian context. The literal translation is "separation".
Note that this is not an anti-Israel statement arising from personal predjudice - it is simply a statement of fact. Personally I wish Israelis and Palestinians (if they can be considered separate) well, but there is no doubt that Israel is practising apartheid.
Perhaps it has been forced to it, but apartheid corrupts people on both sides of the divide. posted 04/10/2008 at 20:23:02
Petraeus Shifts Sharply On Basra, Aligns With White House Spin
Okay. I wonder why they did away with such a wonderful practise? Putting your hand on a book just doesn't enjoy the same solemnity. Imagine Cheyney taking his oath of office ... posted 04/09/2008 at 16:51:06
Testify is derived from the Latin testis, meaning witness. posted 04/09/2008 at 15:49:38
The Pride of the Clintons
On first take this sounds like a rather trivial post - more a personal rant than a serious insight.
But when you look at the cascade of intangible things the Clintons are proud of it starts sounding rather like the relentless self-affirmation that cultists employ to isolate themselves from real evaluation.
A good post. posted 04/09/2008 at 13:18:35
But when you look at the cascade of intangible things the Clintons are proud of it starts sounding rather like the relentless self-affirmation that cultists employ to isolate themselves from real evaluation.
A good post. posted 04/09/2008 at 13:18:35
Political Legacy and the 2008 Election
Hugely opiniated piece that presents a rather obvious observation as a revelation. posted 04/09/2008 at 16:33:27
Petraeus' Testimony: Everything His President Wants to Hear
Apparently the original term was military-industrial-congressional complex, which kind of puts the current stasis in context, doesn't it? posted 04/09/2008 at 12:59:50
How Douglas Feith and William Safire Transformed an Elvis Sighting Into a Case for War
And what's your opinion of Feith? posted 04/09/2008 at 10:07:05
It's Time to Challenge General Petraeus
You are discussing the surge as though it is the core issue - it isn't. The level of American troops is not an independant control variable that can be tweaked up or down to control the level of violence, or the influence of Iran, or the segregation of Iraqi society. It's merely a political smokescreen that has been engineered to conceal a core truth: that the people who led us into the morass cannot afford the consequences of us escaping it. posted 04/09/2008 at 16:18:44
Hillary W. Bush
I fail to see its as anything but an insightful piece of analysis. Certainly you would struggle to frame anyone other than Hillary in this context. I agree it is critical, but is it sexist? I think not. posted 04/07/2008 at 17:37:14
Obama, Wright and Contested Stories
The essence of religious identity - create a narrative that creates an identity that supports the narrative. Create physical structures to make the narrative and the identity corporeal, and use the corporeal to support the narrative and the identity.
Mix faith with delusion until you achieve belief. Here it helps if your narrative has pretensions to being a valid historical record.
Raise money and invest it in your identity. Most narratives support material things for the leaders; these are manifest evidence of the rewards of Belief. If your carnal desires extend beyond the limits of your narrative, then, for Gods sake, be discrete! posted 04/07/2008 at 12:20:55
Mix faith with delusion until you achieve belief. Here it helps if your narrative has pretensions to being a valid historical record.
Raise money and invest it in your identity. Most narratives support material things for the leaders; these are manifest evidence of the rewards of Belief. If your carnal desires extend beyond the limits of your narrative, then, for Gods sake, be discrete! posted 04/07/2008 at 12:20:55
Mark Penn Finally Fired
[Penn was] "responsible for both crafting the message and polling its effectiveness".
Hillary needs a qualified replacement for Penn.
Petraeus seems the obvious candidate. posted 04/07/2008 at 08:33:22
Hillary needs a qualified replacement for Penn.
Petraeus seems the obvious candidate. posted 04/07/2008 at 08:33:22
The Bush Boom Was a Complete Bust
Couldn't agree more. Problem is, right now too much of that money is being spent on biofuel, which reduces oil imports at the expense of almost every other significant metric. We really need to pry the oil and agricultural interests out of our government and get people who are truly committed to developing alternative technology to direct the research. posted 04/07/2008 at 17:21:06
Pont taken, I'm not saying we shouldn't reap what we can from the wind, but wind energy isn't entirely reliable. By 2010 we should have around 20GW (sporadic) installed installed in the US (about 1% of total supply), which is both impressive and unimpressive, depending on how you choose to see it.
One thing that seems to be missing in the prospectus is the effect of draining all this wind energy. In theory there is enough of it to power the world three times over. I suspect the limit will prove to be much, much lower. posted 04/07/2008 at 17:10:17
One thing that seems to be missing in the prospectus is the effect of draining all this wind energy. In theory there is enough of it to power the world three times over. I suspect the limit will prove to be much, much lower. posted 04/07/2008 at 17:10:17
Your franchise stems from your involvement, not from your investment. While taxes are often spent outside your providence, my point is that if they are well spent it is still to your ultimate benefit, albeit indirectly.
The effective tax load on poor people is much higher than on the weathy: While a wealthy man might be taxed at thirty percent he will still enjoy a far greater disposable income than a poorer man taxed at half the rate. That is no reason not to tax people earning less than, say 20K per year, but it is a good reason to reduce their tax burden to a sustainable level. The oft-repeated claim that ten percent of the population pays 80 percent opf the taxes is merely an indication of the gross social inequities and imbalances in our society. If we raise our society we flatten the tax burden.
Your comment about Blackwater stormtroops seems irrelevant - what is the connect? posted 04/07/2008 at 13:13:21
The effective tax load on poor people is much higher than on the weathy: While a wealthy man might be taxed at thirty percent he will still enjoy a far greater disposable income than a poorer man taxed at half the rate. That is no reason not to tax people earning less than, say 20K per year, but it is a good reason to reduce their tax burden to a sustainable level. The oft-repeated claim that ten percent of the population pays 80 percent opf the taxes is merely an indication of the gross social inequities and imbalances in our society. If we raise our society we flatten the tax burden.
Your comment about Blackwater stormtroops seems irrelevant - what is the connect? posted 04/07/2008 at 13:13:21
Speaking with my engineering hat on, I can tell you that there are currently no viable renewable alternatives to fossile and nuclear fuels. There is a lot we could do about making more efficient use of the energy we do generate. We are an energy prolifigate society, probably because we have never understood the true cost of the energy we use. Our houses are poorly designed, our public transport needs to be radically improved, we need to telecommute more ...
I think the most promising energy source is geothermal energy. If we could only tap into the vast heat reserves beneath us we could escape the constraints that are starting to throttle us. posted 04/07/2008 at 12:41:21
I think the most promising energy source is geothermal energy. If we could only tap into the vast heat reserves beneath us we could escape the constraints that are starting to throttle us. posted 04/07/2008 at 12:41:21
I am thinking more along the lines of raising margin on trades ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-keiser/fixing-the-problems-on-wa_b_95340.html ), increasing fractional holdings, breaking up the Fed so it can regulate markets more effectively ( http://news.yahoo.com/edcartoons/ettahulme;_ylt=AmiSJKss.9dlOtkww6aN7NgDwLAF )
There are a lot of suggestions out there. I would appreciate a critical take on some of them from someone like Hale. posted 04/07/2008 at 12:27:23
There are a lot of suggestions out there. I would appreciate a critical take on some of them from someone like Hale. posted 04/07/2008 at 12:27:23
Hale, I am one of your most appreciative readers.
But ...
You are great at analyzing our position but a little short on suggesting how we extricate ourself from the quagmire. I appreciate your Socratic approach, but I would also appreciate the occasional discussion around a solution.
How about it? posted 04/07/2008 at 10:43:32
But ...
You are great at analyzing our position but a little short on suggesting how we extricate ourself from the quagmire. I appreciate your Socratic approach, but I would also appreciate the occasional discussion around a solution.
How about it? posted 04/07/2008 at 10:43:32
In the future the thing that is going to differentiate successful countries from each other is the level of their infrastructure and services. Countries that offer personal security, schooling, rapid transit, clean water, etc as a BASE enjoy both differential and absolute ecomonic advantage over other countries that offer these things to a lesser degree. In the past that has been America's greatest strength.
In other words, as long as taxes are wisely spent they are the single most effective means a society has of raising itself by the bootstraps.
Opinion seems to drain from the catchments of political affiliation more than the watershed of personal wealth, which implies it is ideologically rather than rationally based. Most people seem to believe taxes are an imposition - but then again, most people have very little idea what their taxes are spent on or what they individually gain by constructing and maintaining the society they are immersed in.
It would be nice if our government stopped digging deeper and deeper into debt in order to finance idotic ventures that add not a whit of value to our lives. Hopefully we'll have a better understanding of opportunity cost before we're too destitute to apply the knowledge.
So tell your conservative friends that we CAN indeed tax our way to prosperity. posted 04/07/2008 at 10:19:25
In other words, as long as taxes are wisely spent they are the single most effective means a society has of raising itself by the bootstraps.
Opinion seems to drain from the catchments of political affiliation more than the watershed of personal wealth, which implies it is ideologically rather than rationally based. Most people seem to believe taxes are an imposition - but then again, most people have very little idea what their taxes are spent on or what they individually gain by constructing and maintaining the society they are immersed in.
It would be nice if our government stopped digging deeper and deeper into debt in order to finance idotic ventures that add not a whit of value to our lives. Hopefully we'll have a better understanding of opportunity cost before we're too destitute to apply the knowledge.
So tell your conservative friends that we CAN indeed tax our way to prosperity. posted 04/07/2008 at 10:19:25
Gay Paper: Obama Refuses To Talk With Gay Media
Clinton would offer the Gay community fellatio at this point if she thought it would advance her cause any.
What ...? It's not like she'd ever be asked to deliver. posted 04/07/2008 at 13:23:48
What ...? It's not like she'd ever be asked to deliver. posted 04/07/2008 at 13:23:48
Obama's position on gay rights is clear. In trying to avoid an entirely predictable confrontation with Hillary's catspaw he is displaying the good judgement that has carried him so far, and which will serve the gay community well should he become POTUS. posted 04/07/2008 at 11:24:16
For Shame: U.S. Army Failed To Properly Test Our Troops' Body Armor
Body armor is the last line of defense. It is important, but not nearly as important as having reliable vehicle armor and complete tactical control of the situation. In other words, look at improving the vehicles, their armor and the command and control systems they employ because body armor is only one part of a muich bigger picture. You may find that some tests are completely unneccessary and that by waiving them a lot of money is saved and used in other areas to better purpose.
Before you commit yourself to your crusade I suggest you make sure you are not misinterpreting the facts on the ground - ask an engineer to investigate and advise. Also, have a look at the Barret M107 rifle - it kind of puts body armor into perspective. posted 04/04/2008 at 17:02:04
Before you commit yourself to your crusade I suggest you make sure you are not misinterpreting the facts on the ground - ask an engineer to investigate and advise. Also, have a look at the Barret M107 rifle - it kind of puts body armor into perspective. posted 04/04/2008 at 17:02:04
Mark Penn Apologizes For Colombia Free Trade Work
Clinton argued that the press should aggressively pursue the story. "Just ask yourself [what you would do] if some of my advisers had been having private meetings with foreign governments," she said. "
From the Washington Post, March 3 - http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/03/clinton_questions_obama_advise.html posted 04/04/2008 at 15:24:59
From the Washington Post, March 3 - http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/03/clinton_questions_obama_advise.html posted 04/04/2008 at 15:24:59
If Penn, working so intimately with Hillary, cannot pursuade her that the Colombian deal is a doozy, then one wonders what the Colombians are paying him for. posted 04/04/2008 at 15:05:36
Clinton Rationale for Electability Doesn't Hold Water: History Proves the Ability to Win a State Primary Is Unrelated to General Election Success
You clearly don't agree. I see by your profile that you have strong religious views. Be careful, as history has shown time and again religion clouds perception more often than it aids it.
By the way, have you taken the time to view Rev. Wright's sermons in context? The man has said some things neither I nor Obama subscribe to, but for the main part he seems relatively rational - certainly more so than the religious right.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ posted 04/02/2008 at 09:59:28
By the way, have you taken the time to view Rev. Wright's sermons in context? The man has said some things neither I nor Obama subscribe to, but for the main part he seems relatively rational - certainly more so than the religious right.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ posted 04/02/2008 at 09:59:28
I have been distressed by the emerging narrative - that if Hillary doesn't win the nomination she will effectively cast her lot with McCain.
Your statement "...campaigns are like reality TV sagas: the plot develops over time..." rings particularly trenchant in the current context where Hillary must learn to recognise a fundamental truth: she has been outflanked by Obama and her only victory now lies in accepting defeat gracefully, for she is rapidly becoming the villain of the piece and that is not a good platform to campaign on. posted 04/02/2008 at 08:51:30
Your statement "...campaigns are like reality TV sagas: the plot develops over time..." rings particularly trenchant in the current context where Hillary must learn to recognise a fundamental truth: she has been outflanked by Obama and her only victory now lies in accepting defeat gracefully, for she is rapidly becoming the villain of the piece and that is not a good platform to campaign on. posted 04/02/2008 at 08:51:30
Obama Should Think Big -- and Seat Michigan and Florida
You can expect a lot of Republican money to flow into her coffers in the near future. posted 03/31/2008 at 15:24:02
Aside from the fact it is Hillary's only chance, it would be an exercise in hubris. Obama would have to be a fool to concede Florida and Michigan for a very dubious reward. Casting those states to his competitor as though they didn't matter would rightfully be perceived as patronising, arrogant and dismissive. posted 03/31/2008 at 08:07:10
Who is the Iraqi Army?
"Why are we backing the most pro-Iranian group inside Iraq? Two possible choices. 1) We don't know our ass from a hole in the ground in Iraq. 2) We don't really believe Iran is a threat to Iraq (or to us)."
Cenk, that is the doctrine of false choice and it is surprizing coming from you.
Perhaps we are building a functional relationship with people who might have divided loyalties but who are not outright antagonistic to us. Accepting that Iran is far better positioned than us to fight a proxy war then perhaps we are hoping to gain some influence and to build a mutualistic relationship with the Iranians.
In short, as Michiavelli would no doubt have said, if someone is going to win no matter what you do and no matter how much you dislike them, then support them before your lack of support antaginizes them.
Just don't be naive enough to think that we are going to get Iraq's oil. That is just not going to happen on Iran's watch. posted 03/28/2008 at 11:50:19
Cenk, that is the doctrine of false choice and it is surprizing coming from you.
Perhaps we are building a functional relationship with people who might have divided loyalties but who are not outright antagonistic to us. Accepting that Iran is far better positioned than us to fight a proxy war then perhaps we are hoping to gain some influence and to build a mutualistic relationship with the Iranians.
In short, as Michiavelli would no doubt have said, if someone is going to win no matter what you do and no matter how much you dislike them, then support them before your lack of support antaginizes them.
Just don't be naive enough to think that we are going to get Iraq's oil. That is just not going to happen on Iran's watch. posted 03/28/2008 at 11:50:19
Hillary's Bosnia Boast -- Not a Big Deal
I am so sick and tired of the "Hillary is as smart as hell" meme that seems to be the meat and potatoes of her support; like she could lecture physics to Einstein and emancipation to Mandela. Hillary is Bill Clinton's wife and the junior senator of a very Dem state ... period! Using the political currency of the scorned wife to purchase a safe political seat is possibly her highest intellectual achievement. Condeming Bill Richardson for exersizing the individual choice she insists all delegates (even pledged ones), should enjoy, hardly seems like a smart move. Lying about her Bosnian experience; holding back her taxes and other records in the vain hope they won't become an issue; voting for war with Iraq without reading the NRE; trying to win the nomination with only the big Dem states; never taking a principled stand on anything, finessing everything; supporting Lieberman and his reactionary idiocy; supporting McCain over Obama; claiming her rather trivial political record is more substantive then Obama's; condemming Obama for an out-of-context soundbyte of a sermon he didn't attend and thinking her own religious affiliation will not become an issue ... these are not smart moves. posted 03/28/2008 at 10:31:37
Hagel: Bush Administration 'Certainly Misrepresented' Facts On Run-Up To War
I was wrong, but he has a good voting record on some important bills. He voted against the Kyle Lieberman act, against telecomms immunity, for Habeus Corpus... He's no Feingold, but then again, neither is he a Lieberman. posted 03/27/2008 at 13:12:50
Apparently Hagel did vote for war, something he expresses regret for. He has since put his money where his mouth is, supporting Murtha back when it really mattered and when very few Dems had the courage to speak up. posted 03/27/2008 at 12:55:40
I may be wrong, but I think Hagel voted agasinst the war. He may be on the other ideological side of the spectrum, but at least he isn't a kool-aid drinker. The man has some integrity. posted 03/27/2008 at 11:43:21
Reverend Wright: Raw and Un-Cut
Nothing was done about the Aids epidemic by any government ... period! America was probably the leading light in bringing the Aids epidemic into the public awareness and in developing the drugs that control it, but in the developing world the epidemic was trivialised (with a few significant exceptions). America has nothing to be ashamed of and a lot to be proud of. Of course the Bush Administration has done immense damage with its steadfast refusal to face scientific reality, but there are many dedicated and selfless people who have done America proud and who are leading the fight to contain and halt the epidemic. I haven't seen what Rev. Wright said about Aids, but it was probably asinine if it dates back to the time when it was seen as some kind of white conspiracy against blacks (which is rather ironic, considering its origins in Africa). I have seen other footage of Rev. Wright, and he seems like a highly intelligent, insightful and, on the whole, rational man. posted 03/27/2008 at 11:14:26
Clinton Owes Obama An Apology
On the (faint) possibility that you are being honest and not trolling, you really need to have a look at what Wright really said: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ
He has said some dumb things in the past, but in the main he seems relatively sane (for a man who fundamentally believes in an imaginary Friend). posted 03/26/2008 at 17:07:39
He has said some dumb things in the past, but in the main he seems relatively sane (for a man who fundamentally believes in an imaginary Friend). posted 03/26/2008 at 17:07:39
Obama & Co. Stop Taking the Bait
Trey, you pass off sweeping categorization as exercise in demographics. Certainly it is hard to imagine Obama thinking of people in such terms. There are far more insightful ways to partition people than to consign them to sexism, racism and elitism.
Hillary would compromise Obama's presidency in much the same way Bush has compromised Cheyney's. posted 03/26/2008 at 16:37:38
Hillary would compromise Obama's presidency in much the same way Bush has compromised Cheyney's. posted 03/26/2008 at 16:37:38
Smears and Tears: How Obama's National Security Week Turned Into the Mendacity of Hype
Agreed, Wright seems fairly rational and insightful if you listen to his full sermons. Hillary has some questions about her own religious associations to answer: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-gans/a-new-divinely-ordained-p_b_93425.html posted 03/26/2008 at 15:09:00
Wilson, your blind support for Hillary is eclipsing your objectivity. You are choosing to see what you wish to see, not what is there. Of course the same thing can be said about many Obama supporters, but your clear bias undermines both your argument and your integrity. posted 03/26/2008 at 14:36:06
The Latest Clinton Canard
Brilliant analysis, Cenk. If she can't find something sufficiently damming (which would be fair enough) then obviously she must fabricate some damming narrative structure about something such as an out-of-context, soundbyte from a sermon. But she needs a catspaw, something that allows her to be perceived as above the fray. People like Bill, Carville and Ferraro cannot serve - they are too close. Perhaps someone could put her in touch with the Swiftboaters - they should be up to the gig. posted 03/27/2008 at 10:55:15
A New Divinely Ordained President: The Hand of God or the Silence of the Press?
Totally agree ... but this "Foundation" bunch sound like bad news. They appear to be cloaking their agenda in the cloth of sanctity - a kind of American AQ. posted 03/26/2008 at 11:44:02
A link to the Harpers article - http://harpers.org/archive/2003/03/0079525 posted 03/26/2008 at 11:17:45
It would explain a lot if Lieberman were also a member. posted 03/26/2008 at 11:11:10
'Al Qaeda In Iraq': Part Myth, Part Manipulation
Petraeus's statement is disingenious, "... al Qaeda is intent on reigniting sectarian violence. They have tried to do this all along. We're not sure exactly why." It is obvious why! AQI is destablising the country by breaking its infrastructure and authority, and aims to establish itself as the de facto authority by extreme and draconian action against any competing interests. posted 03/25/2008 at 11:21:36
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Of course saying something like "You are either with us or against us" is another form of coercion. posted 05/15/2008 at 13:07:16