http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111025&content_id=25788760&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
The area that let the Red Sox down most in 2011 -- particularly in the late-season slide of historic proportions -- was the starting pitching. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and John Lackey are all under contract for next season, though Lackey will be sidelined for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
So, too, is Daisuke Matsuzaka, but he won't be ready until July or August at the earliest following Tommy John surgery. Look for Cherington to try to acquire at least one impact starter.
Other club needs depend heavily on what happens with free agents like David Ortiz and Jonathan Papelbon.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Mackanin, Sveum set for Sox interviews - Joe McDonald
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/15168/mackanin-sveum-set-for-sox-interviews
Sveum spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons in Boston as the Red Sox third base coach before leaving for Milwaukee following the 2005 season. He served in various coaching capacities with Milawaukee (third base coach, bench coach, interim manager for 12 games) from 2006-2008 before becoming the team's hitting coach in 2009.
Sveum wasn't all that popular when he left, but he won a World Series and sometimes that's enough.
Sveum spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons in Boston as the Red Sox third base coach before leaving for Milwaukee following the 2005 season. He served in various coaching capacities with Milawaukee (third base coach, bench coach, interim manager for 12 games) from 2006-2008 before becoming the team's hitting coach in 2009.
Sveum wasn't all that popular when he left, but he won a World Series and sometimes that's enough.
American Identified as Bomber in Attack on African Union in Somalia - Josh Kron
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/world/africa/shabab-identify-american-as-bomber-in-somalia-attack.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
Mr. Ali was known by the F.B.I. to be one of an estimated 30 Americans who have joined the Shabab, at least 20 of whom came from the Somali community in Minneapolis.
He had been an ambitious pre-med student at the University of Minnesota, hoping for an internship at the Mayo Clinic, before he disappeared in 2008. The audio recording, in which the speaker exhorts Westerners to join the fight, appears to reflect those qualities.
Mr. Ali was known by the F.B.I. to be one of an estimated 30 Americans who have joined the Shabab, at least 20 of whom came from the Somali community in Minneapolis.
He had been an ambitious pre-med student at the University of Minnesota, hoping for an internship at the Mayo Clinic, before he disappeared in 2008. The audio recording, in which the speaker exhorts Westerners to join the fight, appears to reflect those qualities.
Cain Denounces Harassment Claims - Howard Kurtz
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/30/herman-cain-campaign-denies-sexual-harassment-allegations-from-1990s.html
Despite Gordon’s characterization of the “political trade press” assailing his boss, what is at issue here is a single report in Politico—one whose allegations Cain has declined to flatly deny
Despite Gordon’s characterization of the “political trade press” assailing his boss, what is at issue here is a single report in Politico—one whose allegations Cain has declined to flatly deny
Hacked! - James Fallows
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/11/hacked/8673/1/
The dangers of "the cloud" in the event you get hacked. And remember, Google has users, not customers.
The dangers of "the cloud" in the event you get hacked. And remember, Google has users, not customers.
Insight: Firms to charge smokers, obese more for healthcare - Jilian Mincer
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/30/us-penalties-idUSTRE79T2S220111030
Life Insurance already does this, so this is no surprise. Health care costs are rising so quickly that employers are going to have to incentivize wellness programs beyond the normal segment of the employee population that works at their health anyway, and adding free methods to address the problems makes it that much easier for the employee to become healthier, and that much easier for the organiztion to lower their costs. I imagine that a few jurisdictions will enact lasws that curn the ability to do this, but this is the wave of the future: higher costs to the unhealthy and incentives to get healthy.
Life Insurance already does this, so this is no surprise. Health care costs are rising so quickly that employers are going to have to incentivize wellness programs beyond the normal segment of the employee population that works at their health anyway, and adding free methods to address the problems makes it that much easier for the employee to become healthier, and that much easier for the organiztion to lower their costs. I imagine that a few jurisdictions will enact lasws that curn the ability to do this, but this is the wave of the future: higher costs to the unhealthy and incentives to get healthy.
Cain's latest abortion position - James Hohmann
http://www.politico.com/blogs/politicolive/1011/Cains_latest_abortion_position_No_exceptions_for_rape_incest_or_life_of_the_mother.html
Former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain stiffened his opposition to abortion Sunday, doubling down on past comments that Planned Parenthood is perpetrating genocide against the black community and insisting that he opposes abortion even in cases of rape, incest and life of the mother.
“I am pro-life from conception, period,” he said on CBS's "Face the Nation."
Former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain stiffened his opposition to abortion Sunday, doubling down on past comments that Planned Parenthood is perpetrating genocide against the black community and insisting that he opposes abortion even in cases of rape, incest and life of the mother.
“I am pro-life from conception, period,” he said on CBS's "Face the Nation."
Herman Cain denies media report he was accused of sexual harassment
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/herman-cain-denies-media-report-he-was-accused-of-sexual-harassment/2011/10/30/gIQAIrSOXM_story.html
Asked if Cain’s campaign was denying the report, Gordon said, “Yes.”
“These are baseless allegations,” Gordon said in a second interview later Sunday evening. “To my knowledge, this is not an accurate story.”
But Politico said that Gordon told their publication that Cain himself had indicated to campaign officials that he was “vaguely familiar” with the charges and that the restaurant association’s general counsel had resolved the matter.
Cain takes questions at the National Press Club today. It will be interesting to see whether he denies the incident ever happened, which would be reckless but not out of character, or acknowledges the incident but qualifies it to show it was not quite what it sounds like. There is risk in the strategy as well, depending on what the truth is.
My gut feeling in reading about this is that the truth is going to be very harmful to Herman Cain's presidential ambitions.
Asked if Cain’s campaign was denying the report, Gordon said, “Yes.”
“These are baseless allegations,” Gordon said in a second interview later Sunday evening. “To my knowledge, this is not an accurate story.”
But Politico said that Gordon told their publication that Cain himself had indicated to campaign officials that he was “vaguely familiar” with the charges and that the restaurant association’s general counsel had resolved the matter.
Cain takes questions at the National Press Club today. It will be interesting to see whether he denies the incident ever happened, which would be reckless but not out of character, or acknowledges the incident but qualifies it to show it was not quite what it sounds like. There is risk in the strategy as well, depending on what the truth is.
My gut feeling in reading about this is that the truth is going to be very harmful to Herman Cain's presidential ambitions.
Exclusive: 2 women accused Herman Cain of inappropriate behavior - JONATHAN MARTIN & MAGGIE HABERMAN & ANNA PALMER & KENNETH P. VOGEL
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/67194.html
The women complained of sexually suggestive behavior by Cain that made them angry and uncomfortable, the sources said, and they signed agreements with the restaurant group that gave them financial payouts to leave the association. The agreements also included language that bars the women from talking about their departures.
The Cain campaign was contacted ten days ago and asked about the allegations. With no response, Politico went to press. Cain was then approached (or ambushed as the Cain campaign calls it) outside one of the Sunday morning talk shows and asked whether he had ever been accused of sexual harassment. After declining to answer the question a number of times Cain's response was to ask the reporter if he had ever been accused of sexual harassment.
So we have a situation where two women made accusations against Cain and then left the organization with payments on the stipulation they not discuss their departure. That sounds pretty serious to me and it sounds like the organization felt that whatever happened was enough to warrant a settlement agreement. That's a little more serious than commenting on someone's skirt or how they looked that day.
Secondly, the campaign had ten days to think of something, anything, to respond with. Instead we get no answer followed by an awkward retort to the reporter.
It's significant that a "straight shooter" like Cain never denies anything. From that we can ascertain that he was accused of innapropriate behavior and that there was a settlement for the two women that made accusations against him. Aside from the fact that that should be enough to disqaulify him, how about the fact that he did not react to a volcano that he knows is about to erupt right in front of him?
The women complained of sexually suggestive behavior by Cain that made them angry and uncomfortable, the sources said, and they signed agreements with the restaurant group that gave them financial payouts to leave the association. The agreements also included language that bars the women from talking about their departures.
The Cain campaign was contacted ten days ago and asked about the allegations. With no response, Politico went to press. Cain was then approached (or ambushed as the Cain campaign calls it) outside one of the Sunday morning talk shows and asked whether he had ever been accused of sexual harassment. After declining to answer the question a number of times Cain's response was to ask the reporter if he had ever been accused of sexual harassment.
So we have a situation where two women made accusations against Cain and then left the organization with payments on the stipulation they not discuss their departure. That sounds pretty serious to me and it sounds like the organization felt that whatever happened was enough to warrant a settlement agreement. That's a little more serious than commenting on someone's skirt or how they looked that day.
Secondly, the campaign had ten days to think of something, anything, to respond with. Instead we get no answer followed by an awkward retort to the reporter.
It's significant that a "straight shooter" like Cain never denies anything. From that we can ascertain that he was accused of innapropriate behavior and that there was a settlement for the two women that made accusations against him. Aside from the fact that that should be enough to disqaulify him, how about the fact that he did not react to a volcano that he knows is about to erupt right in front of him?
Friday, October 28, 2011
Repairs start with starters - Michael Silverman
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view/2011_1027repairs_start_with_starters/
I don't think Youks is getting traded.
I don't think Youks is getting traded.
North Korea bans citizens working in Libya from returning home - Julian Ryall
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/8852120/North-Korea-bans-citizens-working-in-Libya-from-returning-home.html
Kim Jong-il's to do list:
1. Keep nukes at all costs.
2. Do not get sodomized, paraded before populace, murdered in short order.
The collapse of the Libyan regime and the spasms that took place in Syria and Yemen would pale in comparison to a collapse in North Korea, which I guess is why China tries so hard to avoid it.
North Korea has banned its own citizens working in Libya from returning home, apparently out of fear that they will reveal the extent - and final outcomes - of the revolutions that have shaken the Arab world.
Kim Jong-il's to do list:
1. Keep nukes at all costs.
2. Do not get sodomized, paraded before populace, murdered in short order.
The collapse of the Libyan regime and the spasms that took place in Syria and Yemen would pale in comparison to a collapse in North Korea, which I guess is why China tries so hard to avoid it.
Official: Al-Shabaab leaders contact Kenyan government to negotiate - David McKenzie
http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/27/world/africa/kenya-somalia-terror/
He said Kenyan troops have enjoyed success since crossing the border into Somalia to pursue Al-Shabaab, which the United States and several Western nations view as a terrorist organization.
"They are running scared. I think they are busy running for their lives," Mutua said. "They don't have time to talk."
Kenyan troops struck several Al-Shabaab training sites in Somalia early Thursday, a military spokesman said. The militant group, which includes many rival factions with different leaders, operates from Somalia.
One has to assume that the Kenyans, members of the British Commonwealth of nations, are enjoying good intel from the Americans and perhaps the British. I'm not aware of drone attacks on the Somali-Kenyan border, but I would imagine that a few will be taking place within the next couple of weeks.
He said Kenyan troops have enjoyed success since crossing the border into Somalia to pursue Al-Shabaab, which the United States and several Western nations view as a terrorist organization.
"They are running scared. I think they are busy running for their lives," Mutua said. "They don't have time to talk."
Kenyan troops struck several Al-Shabaab training sites in Somalia early Thursday, a military spokesman said. The militant group, which includes many rival factions with different leaders, operates from Somalia.
One has to assume that the Kenyans, members of the British Commonwealth of nations, are enjoying good intel from the Americans and perhaps the British. I'm not aware of drone attacks on the Somali-Kenyan border, but I would imagine that a few will be taking place within the next couple of weeks.
U.S. economy grows nearly twice as fast in 3rd quarter - Neil Irwin
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/us-economy-grows-nearly-twice-as-fast-in-3rd-quarter/2011/10/27/gIQANfoyLM_story.html
The agreement in Europe still has many details to be filled in, and the 2.5 percent pace of U.S. economic expansion in the third quarter isn’t enough to bring unemployment down quickly, even if it is sustained. But on both sides of the Atlantic, the news on Thursday offered a sense of relief: Maybe the world isn’t falling apart after all.
The agreement in Europe still has many details to be filled in, and the 2.5 percent pace of U.S. economic expansion in the third quarter isn’t enough to bring unemployment down quickly, even if it is sustained. But on both sides of the Atlantic, the news on Thursday offered a sense of relief: Maybe the world isn’t falling apart after all.
Rick Perry may skip some debates - Kim Geiger
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-perry-debates-20111027,0,7112473.story
I've never seen a candidate whose fall was so predicated on their poor debate performance. Rick Pery's main weakness when he came in to the race, his Achilles heel, was that he could be portrayed as a George W Bush parody. Who would have thunk that he would come in and be the one to pin that image to himself? His garbled language, his dumbass swagger, his off putting demeanor, his total lack of preparation, his Texas drawl. All of it painted only one image in people's minds, and it's a loser.
At this point the debates are beside the point.
I've never seen a candidate whose fall was so predicated on their poor debate performance. Rick Pery's main weakness when he came in to the race, his Achilles heel, was that he could be portrayed as a George W Bush parody. Who would have thunk that he would come in and be the one to pin that image to himself? His garbled language, his dumbass swagger, his off putting demeanor, his total lack of preparation, his Texas drawl. All of it painted only one image in people's minds, and it's a loser.
At this point the debates are beside the point.
'Groupon Is A Disaster' - Michelle Conlin
http://www.businessinsider.com/groupons-fall-to-earth-swifter-than-its-fast-rise-2011-10
Groupon shows what can happen when a startup experiences steroidal growth in an unproven industry. To its defenders, the Chicago company is a victim of its success, its stumbles emblematic of a business in infancy. After all, Groupon has hordes of fans who rave about the company's deals and its liberal refund policy. But critics say the issues Groupon is facing are symptomatic of something more troubling: questionable accounting, an overvalued business model and an industry that is turning into the digital equivalent of junk mail.
Should have sold to Google.
Groupon shows what can happen when a startup experiences steroidal growth in an unproven industry. To its defenders, the Chicago company is a victim of its success, its stumbles emblematic of a business in infancy. After all, Groupon has hordes of fans who rave about the company's deals and its liberal refund policy. But critics say the issues Groupon is facing are symptomatic of something more troubling: questionable accounting, an overvalued business model and an industry that is turning into the digital equivalent of junk mail.
Should have sold to Google.
The unintended consequences of socialist architecture- Tom Clougherty
http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/environment/the-unintended-consequences-of-socialist-architecture/#disqus_thread
What effect does Brutalist architecture have on the people that live within it?
What effect does Brutalist architecture have on the people that live within it?
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Cherington’s first task a daunting one — hire a manager - Tim Britton
http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/red-sox/content/Red_Sox_Cherington_Epstein_Franc_10-27-11_EER_v2.20f787a.html
For now then, the list of candidates remains nothing more than a series of speculative educated guesses. Bench coaches such as Dave Martinez (Tampa Bay), Pete Mackanin (Philadelphia), Tony Pena (New York), Don Wakamatsu (Toronto) and Sandy Alomar, Jr. (Cleveland) as well as Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach all seem to fit the initial profile.
For now then, the list of candidates remains nothing more than a series of speculative educated guesses. Bench coaches such as Dave Martinez (Tampa Bay), Pete Mackanin (Philadelphia), Tony Pena (New York), Don Wakamatsu (Toronto) and Sandy Alomar, Jr. (Cleveland) as well as Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach all seem to fit the initial profile.
Blackbeard's cannon salvaged from North Carolina shipwreck
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45056443/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.Tqkml5xZj7o
The Queen Anne's Revenge Project brought the massive gun ashore and displayed it to the public before taking to a laboratory at East Carolina University. Onlookers cheered as the 8-foot-long (2.4-meter-long, 900-kilogram) gun was raised above the water's surface.
"The last people who saw this were pirates," QAR project director Mark Wilde-Ramsing told more than 100 spectators who later gathered in front of Beaufort's Maritime Museum for a closer look at the 18th-century weapon.
The Queen Anne's Revenge Project brought the massive gun ashore and displayed it to the public before taking to a laboratory at East Carolina University. Onlookers cheered as the 8-foot-long (2.4-meter-long, 900-kilogram) gun was raised above the water's surface.
"The last people who saw this were pirates," QAR project director Mark Wilde-Ramsing told more than 100 spectators who later gathered in front of Beaufort's Maritime Museum for a closer look at the 18th-century weapon.
Cain and Gingrich are making the wrong campaign moves, and winning. Why? - Dave Weigel
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2011/10/cain_and_gingrich_are_doing_well_in_iowa_with_all_the_wrong_move.single.html
Just look at their schedules. On Aug. 13, Herman Cain lost the Ames straw poll handily, coming in fifth place. He left Iowa with polls showing him in low single digits. On Aug. 18, he officially launched his 9-9-9 tax plan. On Sept. 24, Cain won the Florida Republican Party’s quadrennial straw poll. On Oct. 4, he released his memoir and started his book tour. Over the next two weeks, four Iowa polls were released, and Cain led in all four. But Cain himself wasn’t in Iowa. His first post-straw-poll visit to the state came on Sunday. The entire Cain surge happened while he was elsewhere, with only four Iowa staffers and a sloppy local organization. And even before the surge, he’d spent less time in the state than Rick Santorum or Michele Bachmann.
Just look at their schedules. On Aug. 13, Herman Cain lost the Ames straw poll handily, coming in fifth place. He left Iowa with polls showing him in low single digits. On Aug. 18, he officially launched his 9-9-9 tax plan. On Sept. 24, Cain won the Florida Republican Party’s quadrennial straw poll. On Oct. 4, he released his memoir and started his book tour. Over the next two weeks, four Iowa polls were released, and Cain led in all four. But Cain himself wasn’t in Iowa. His first post-straw-poll visit to the state came on Sunday. The entire Cain surge happened while he was elsewhere, with only four Iowa staffers and a sloppy local organization. And even before the surge, he’d spent less time in the state than Rick Santorum or Michele Bachmann.
It’s Consumer Spending, Stupid - Joe Livingston
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/opinion/its-consumer-spending-stupid.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
Interesting article that is making the rounds. I'm not sure that I agree with the 'save less' sentiment, but I'm glad someone is pointing out that consumer spending decline is to blame for the crisis, not corporate taxes.
Interesting article that is making the rounds. I'm not sure that I agree with the 'save less' sentiment, but I'm glad someone is pointing out that consumer spending decline is to blame for the crisis, not corporate taxes.
Eurozone Leaders Agree a Few Rescue Details, Like 50% Haircut on Greek Bonds; Plan to Develop a Plan Gooses Markets - Yves Smith
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2011/10/eurozone-leaders-agree-a-few-rescue-details-like-50-haircut-on-greek-bonds-plan-to-develop-a-plan-gooses-markets.html
I doubt that anyone with an operating brain cell thinks the Eurozone leaders were willing to break the banks. And the overall scheme, in particular the €1 trillion+ rescue facility, as we have discussed in prior posts, is unworkable unless real money comes in. That either means the ECB, which the Germans are dead set against, the IMF, which will contribute but not on a scale to be sufficient, or China. Bloomberg said that Sarkozy was going to call Chineser president Hu Jintao to hit him up for funding tomorrow.
Even though this plan, such as it is, has lots of gaps, including an insufficiently large rescue facility (Sarkozy’s brother Olivier, head of the financial services group at Carlyle, in an FT op ed earlier this week, estimated the total required for banks alone to be $2 trillion, or €1.4 trillion, and that’s before you add in sovereign rescue requirements).
I doubt that anyone with an operating brain cell thinks the Eurozone leaders were willing to break the banks. And the overall scheme, in particular the €1 trillion+ rescue facility, as we have discussed in prior posts, is unworkable unless real money comes in. That either means the ECB, which the Germans are dead set against, the IMF, which will contribute but not on a scale to be sufficient, or China. Bloomberg said that Sarkozy was going to call Chineser president Hu Jintao to hit him up for funding tomorrow.
Even though this plan, such as it is, has lots of gaps, including an insufficiently large rescue facility (Sarkozy’s brother Olivier, head of the financial services group at Carlyle, in an FT op ed earlier this week, estimated the total required for banks alone to be $2 trillion, or €1.4 trillion, and that’s before you add in sovereign rescue requirements).
DOWNGRADE WATCH: The Super Committee Is (Predictably) Deadlocked Over Taxes - Zeke Miller
http://www.businessinsider.com/downgrade-watch-the-super-committee-is-deadlocked-over-taxes-2011-10?op=1
The committee must vote on its recommendations before Thanksgiving — and the Congressional Budget Office must "score" the plan before then, which could take weeks. Congressional sources say if a deal is not reached in the committee by next week, they won't likely meet the statutory deadline.
Standard and Poor's hinted today that such an outcome could precipitate another downgrade, and the other ratings agencies may not be far behind.
Note that the downgrades are based on political disorder and uncertainty, not a guess as to whether we can pay our debts.
The committee must vote on its recommendations before Thanksgiving — and the Congressional Budget Office must "score" the plan before then, which could take weeks. Congressional sources say if a deal is not reached in the committee by next week, they won't likely meet the statutory deadline.
Standard and Poor's hinted today that such an outcome could precipitate another downgrade, and the other ratings agencies may not be far behind.
Note that the downgrades are based on political disorder and uncertainty, not a guess as to whether we can pay our debts.
Poll: Romney at or tied for top spot in first 4 states to vote - Paul Steinhauser
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/26/poll-romney-at-or-tied-for-top-spot-in-first-4-states-to-vote/
Honestly, if you just want to know who is going to win the GOP nomination, this is the last story you really need to read. Romney has a massive lead in Florida, and disastisfaction with tea con governors in Ohio and Florida are almost enough to put him over the top. Perry should go all in on Iowa and South Carolina and hope to still be alive as Mitt romps in New Hampshire and Florida, but I think his star has faded so quickly and he is such a doofus that he alone may have saved Mitt Romney.
Honestly, if you just want to know who is going to win the GOP nomination, this is the last story you really need to read. Romney has a massive lead in Florida, and disastisfaction with tea con governors in Ohio and Florida are almost enough to put him over the top. Perry should go all in on Iowa and South Carolina and hope to still be alive as Mitt romps in New Hampshire and Florida, but I think his star has faded so quickly and he is such a doofus that he alone may have saved Mitt Romney.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
John Lackey injury blessing in disguise - John Tomase
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=1155867703053762757
It is a blessing in disguise, but the fact is that the Sox are going to be down two starting pitchers (Lackey, Dice K, and I guess three with Wakefield) in an era where starting pitchers cost between $10-$15 million per year. Lackey's Tommy John is also a blessing because it will give him a year for the bad vibes to wafte away, maybe allowing the Sox to trade him in 2013.
It is a blessing in disguise, but the fact is that the Sox are going to be down two starting pitchers (Lackey, Dice K, and I guess three with Wakefield) in an era where starting pitchers cost between $10-$15 million per year. Lackey's Tommy John is also a blessing because it will give him a year for the bad vibes to wafte away, maybe allowing the Sox to trade him in 2013.
Where are the anti-Semites of Occupy Wall Street? - Riachard Cohen
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/where-are-the-anti-semites-of-occupy-wall-street/2011/10/24/gIQAP89eDM_story.html
This post simultaeneously explains why it is okay to support Occupy Wall Street while at the same time thinking they are kooks, why Herman Cain is like Occupy Wall Street, how institutions have failed us, and how we have seen all of this before. Great article.
This post simultaeneously explains why it is okay to support Occupy Wall Street while at the same time thinking they are kooks, why Herman Cain is like Occupy Wall Street, how institutions have failed us, and how we have seen all of this before. Great article.
Romney avoids weighing in on Ohio union fight - Peter Hamby, CNN
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/25/romney-avoids-weighing-in-on-ohio-union-fight/
Romney continues to try and thread the needle between what the nation wants versus what the Republican base wants. Kasich, the governor of Ohio, is about to lose a huge battle versus unions and Romney apparently would like to keep those voters on his side come next November. Since in their view all unions are by definition bad, the base chalks up another incident of apostasy on the part of Romney.
Romney continues to try and thread the needle between what the nation wants versus what the Republican base wants. Kasich, the governor of Ohio, is about to lose a huge battle versus unions and Romney apparently would like to keep those voters on his side come next November. Since in their view all unions are by definition bad, the base chalks up another incident of apostasy on the part of Romney.
Moral Majority Becomes the Tea Party - Chris Ladd
http://www.frumforum.com/the-moral-majority-becomes-the-tea-party
This is a fascinating article that answers the question "how does an Ayn Rand devotee like Rand Paul get elected by religious conservatives?" The answer: a bizarre alliance between the libertarians and the religious right, neither of which want to see effective governance, but a collapse of the effectiveness of the government itself to aid the collapse of the culture behind it.
The religious right, motivated by cultural backlash against "moral decline" in America, formed the Moral Majority to carry on the culture war through government, only to find that they could conservatives, but never conservatives that would enact their radical agenda.
Disillusioned, some of them simply resolved to overthrow the culture itself by attacking individuals and institutions that they saw as conduits for left wing thought and/or cultural decline. The second prong of their attack, the election of religious conservatives, sought purity over competence because the loss of faith in government was simply another facet of their quest to discredit government, as well as the culture, itself. It didn't matter if you were good, only that you were pure.
The libertarians are, for obvious reasons, on board. They see in the Tea Party, formerly the Moral Majority, a useful band of idiots that will bring about the end of effective government, allowing their distopian paradise to spring to life.
This unholy alliance gave birth to Rand Paul, one of a wave of "libertarians (who) could actually win elections, so long as they were willing to embrace a deeply Southern re-branding of the philosophy". By essentially faking their Christian credentials (lying for gain is no sin in the Objectivist philosphy) they see they can gain power quite easily, aided by the Establishment Republicans even as they purged their ranks.
Now I see the significance of Glenn Beck in the larger picture. Not quite a libertarian, definitely a charlatan, but a man who struck a chord and decided to fool his followers all the way to the bank.
This is a fascinating article that answers the question "how does an Ayn Rand devotee like Rand Paul get elected by religious conservatives?" The answer: a bizarre alliance between the libertarians and the religious right, neither of which want to see effective governance, but a collapse of the effectiveness of the government itself to aid the collapse of the culture behind it.
The religious right, motivated by cultural backlash against "moral decline" in America, formed the Moral Majority to carry on the culture war through government, only to find that they could conservatives, but never conservatives that would enact their radical agenda.
Disillusioned, some of them simply resolved to overthrow the culture itself by attacking individuals and institutions that they saw as conduits for left wing thought and/or cultural decline. The second prong of their attack, the election of religious conservatives, sought purity over competence because the loss of faith in government was simply another facet of their quest to discredit government, as well as the culture, itself. It didn't matter if you were good, only that you were pure.
The libertarians are, for obvious reasons, on board. They see in the Tea Party, formerly the Moral Majority, a useful band of idiots that will bring about the end of effective government, allowing their distopian paradise to spring to life.
This unholy alliance gave birth to Rand Paul, one of a wave of "libertarians (who) could actually win elections, so long as they were willing to embrace a deeply Southern re-branding of the philosophy". By essentially faking their Christian credentials (lying for gain is no sin in the Objectivist philosphy) they see they can gain power quite easily, aided by the Establishment Republicans even as they purged their ranks.
Now I see the significance of Glenn Beck in the larger picture. Not quite a libertarian, definitely a charlatan, but a man who struck a chord and decided to fool his followers all the way to the bank.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Of Course the Iraq War Would End in Iran's Empowerment - Conor Friedersdorf
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/10/of-course-the-iraq-war-would-end-in-irans-empowerment/247289/
The U.S. was always going to leave Iraq eventually, and Iran was always going to exert more influence on the region as a result. What writers like Rubin fail to understand is that, if the war you advocate requires for its success the indefinite deployment of U.S. troops, you've advocated a failed war. The American people have never and will never agree to a perpetual war of choice that costs billions of dollars each year and results in the ongoing death of American troops -- especially if its proponents suggest before it begins that it will be a cakewalk costing $50 to $60 billion. That's hardly a difficult lesson, but neoconservatives still haven't learned it.
The U.S. was always going to leave Iraq eventually, and Iran was always going to exert more influence on the region as a result. What writers like Rubin fail to understand is that, if the war you advocate requires for its success the indefinite deployment of U.S. troops, you've advocated a failed war. The American people have never and will never agree to a perpetual war of choice that costs billions of dollars each year and results in the ongoing death of American troops -- especially if its proponents suggest before it begins that it will be a cakewalk costing $50 to $60 billion. That's hardly a difficult lesson, but neoconservatives still haven't learned it.
Ben Cherington’s on deck - John Tomase
http://bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1375832&position=1
I don't see too much of a drop off in running the franchise. I'm more concerned about the manager.
I don't see too much of a drop off in running the franchise. I'm more concerned about the manager.
Rubio Tries To Clarify How His Family Left Cuba - David Welna
http://www.npr.org/2011/10/24/141663197/rubio-tries-to-clarify-how-his-family-left-cuba
This is a minor grass fire in the large spectrum of news, but it could really tarnish the appeal of Rubio. Not knowing whether his parents left before or after Castro took power, and after having traded on the version of events where his parents fled Castro's rule, is playing a little fast and close with the truth. The fact that the truth endangers part of Rubio's basic appeal makes it a little more serious than the average "truthy" misstatement.
This is a minor grass fire in the large spectrum of news, but it could really tarnish the appeal of Rubio. Not knowing whether his parents left before or after Castro took power, and after having traded on the version of events where his parents fled Castro's rule, is playing a little fast and close with the truth. The fact that the truth endangers part of Rubio's basic appeal makes it a little more serious than the average "truthy" misstatement.
GlobalPost: Qaddafi apparently sodomized after capture
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20124758-503543/globalpost-qaddafi-apparently-sodomized-after-capture/
The former leader had been in hiding since rebel fighters toppled the capital city of Tripoli. His death, which came shortly after he was driven away in a truck by opposition forces, has been the subject of much debate. A coroner's report found that he was killed by a bullet to the head, which officials in Libya's transitional government initially claimed was the result of crossfire between revolutionaries and loyalists as Qaddafi was being driven to a hospital.
The man was captured in a storm drain, beaten and shot, apparently sodomized, paraded briefly before his captors and probably brought to a small unit commander of some respect before his final execution. Such is the death of dictators since ancient times, though a lot of Roman emperors would have gladly traded their deaths for his. I can't say I feel sorry for him. Morally his execution was wrong and has no place in modern times, but a dictator who ruled over what used to be Carthage would be well served to have studied history better. Assad and Kim Jong Il are taking notes.
The former leader had been in hiding since rebel fighters toppled the capital city of Tripoli. His death, which came shortly after he was driven away in a truck by opposition forces, has been the subject of much debate. A coroner's report found that he was killed by a bullet to the head, which officials in Libya's transitional government initially claimed was the result of crossfire between revolutionaries and loyalists as Qaddafi was being driven to a hospital.
The man was captured in a storm drain, beaten and shot, apparently sodomized, paraded briefly before his captors and probably brought to a small unit commander of some respect before his final execution. Such is the death of dictators since ancient times, though a lot of Roman emperors would have gladly traded their deaths for his. I can't say I feel sorry for him. Morally his execution was wrong and has no place in modern times, but a dictator who ruled over what used to be Carthage would be well served to have studied history better. Assad and Kim Jong Il are taking notes.
Karl Rove: The Herman Cain Boomlet Is Over - Zeke Miller
http://www.businessinsider.com/karl-rove-herman-cain-boomlet-is-over-2011-10?op=1
Karl Rove points to the weaknesses in Cain's "campaign":
1. No one is sure what the hell he just said on abortion
2. 9-9-9 adds sales tax to places where it does not already exists and it is a huge tax raise on the middle class and the elderly while cutting taxes on the very rich. How can it lose?
3. His statement on negiotiating with terrorists is a killer.
4. His cluelessness on Israel is shocking given his absolute need to bring evangelicals on board.
Herman Cain was on a book tour when he had the mantle of frontrunner thrust upon him. Once Rick Perry started botching the debates and Michelle Bachmann proved herself seperated from reality, Cain's most attractive aspect, not being Mitt Romney, began to pay off. He's making this up as he goes along and it shows.
Karl Rove points to the weaknesses in Cain's "campaign":
1. No one is sure what the hell he just said on abortion
2. 9-9-9 adds sales tax to places where it does not already exists and it is a huge tax raise on the middle class and the elderly while cutting taxes on the very rich. How can it lose?
3. His statement on negiotiating with terrorists is a killer.
4. His cluelessness on Israel is shocking given his absolute need to bring evangelicals on board.
Herman Cain was on a book tour when he had the mantle of frontrunner thrust upon him. Once Rick Perry started botching the debates and Michelle Bachmann proved herself seperated from reality, Cain's most attractive aspect, not being Mitt Romney, began to pay off. He's making this up as he goes along and it shows.
Twelve Questions on Obama’s Refi Plan - Nick Timiraos
http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2011/10/23/twelve-questions-on-obamas-refi-plan/
The Obama administration is revamping a program that’s designed to let more homeowners refinance their mortgages even if they don’t have any equity. This isn’t a new program, but instead attempts to turbo-charge an existing federal initiative called the Home Affordable Refinance Program
Up to one million homeowners will be assisted by the program. I happen to be skeptical of the larege-scale benefits. Housing is too complicated to address from one part of the equation. Besides that, it is a leading indicator of the economy, not a driver, so "solving" housing is not really going to create jobs.
The Obama administration is revamping a program that’s designed to let more homeowners refinance their mortgages even if they don’t have any equity. This isn’t a new program, but instead attempts to turbo-charge an existing federal initiative called the Home Affordable Refinance Program
Up to one million homeowners will be assisted by the program. I happen to be skeptical of the larege-scale benefits. Housing is too complicated to address from one part of the equation. Besides that, it is a leading indicator of the economy, not a driver, so "solving" housing is not really going to create jobs.
Perry Takes His Campaign in a New Direction: Birtherism - Elspeth Reeve
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/10/perry-takes-his-campaign-new-direction-birtherism/44052/
And there is Mitt Romney, smiling, knowing that he is the luckiest candidate ever. He knows they hate him, but the more they watch the dumber George Bush in action, the more he knows they'll come to him later.
Had Perry done this a month ago, Chris Christie would be in the race. This attempt at humor completely submarines any chance Perry ever had with the East Coast GOP, which is a ton of money ceded to Romney.
And there is Mitt Romney, smiling, knowing that he is the luckiest candidate ever. He knows they hate him, but the more they watch the dumber George Bush in action, the more he knows they'll come to him later.
Had Perry done this a month ago, Chris Christie would be in the race. This attempt at humor completely submarines any chance Perry ever had with the East Coast GOP, which is a ton of money ceded to Romney.
Monday, October 24, 2011
The great gamble of Iraq 2012, what to read about post-surge Iraq, and a new book of Saddam Hussein's transcripts - Tom Ricks
http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/10/24/the_great_gamble_of_iraq_2012_what_to_read_about_post_surge_iraq_and_a_new_book_of_
Typical of the neocons, the withdrawal from Iraq is being portrayed as Barack Obama snatching defeat in Iraq from the jaw of victory. Conveniently left out of the discourse is the fact that George Bush signed the agreement and neocons were hailing it as a victory at the time. Iraq refused to guarantee the immunity from prosecution of American soldiers left behind, so in the end there was really no choice. Thomas Ricks presents a spectrum of views and a gloomy assessment for the future of Iraq.
The war is over. It was never winnable by any sort of definition that was given to us. Our invasion was a victory for Iran, even at the time.
Typical of the neocons, the withdrawal from Iraq is being portrayed as Barack Obama snatching defeat in Iraq from the jaw of victory. Conveniently left out of the discourse is the fact that George Bush signed the agreement and neocons were hailing it as a victory at the time. Iraq refused to guarantee the immunity from prosecution of American soldiers left behind, so in the end there was really no choice. Thomas Ricks presents a spectrum of views and a gloomy assessment for the future of Iraq.
The war is over. It was never winnable by any sort of definition that was given to us. Our invasion was a victory for Iran, even at the time.
Iraq Audit Warns of 'Bottomless Pit' - Aram Roston
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/23/iraq-police-training-program-a-bottomless-pit-audit-finds.html
As U.S. troops finally leave Iraq, billions more in tax dollars are about to flow in as American diplomats, security contractors, and police trainers carry out the next missions. But the government’s chief watchdog for Iraq is warning that the State Department’s plan for training Iraqi police is so badly planned it risks becoming a “‘bottomless pit’ for U.S. dollars.”
This is such a common occurence in Iraq that I'm not even sure this will bother anybody. The whole thing has been a colossal waste of money and the fact that an extra billion is going to go missing is hardly news. Consider it a tip.
As U.S. troops finally leave Iraq, billions more in tax dollars are about to flow in as American diplomats, security contractors, and police trainers carry out the next missions. But the government’s chief watchdog for Iraq is warning that the State Department’s plan for training Iraqi police is so badly planned it risks becoming a “‘bottomless pit’ for U.S. dollars.”
This is such a common occurence in Iraq that I'm not even sure this will bother anybody. The whole thing has been a colossal waste of money and the fact that an extra billion is going to go missing is hardly news. Consider it a tip.
The Great Showdown: Stimulus vs. Energy - Kevin Drum
http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/great-showdown-stimulus-vs-energy
Stimulus is hard in an energy-constrained world. I confess that the more I think about this, the more I wonder if conventional fiscal/monetary policy has as much traction as we believe. I'm not an energy fundamentalist by any stretch, but the constraints are real. Ordinary stimulus measures still work, and we should be pursuing them more aggressively, but I can't help but suspect that we're entering an era where they're getting less effective all the time.
In other words, rising fuel costs ate any benefit the stimulus gave us.
Stimulus is hard in an energy-constrained world. I confess that the more I think about this, the more I wonder if conventional fiscal/monetary policy has as much traction as we believe. I'm not an energy fundamentalist by any stretch, but the constraints are real. Ordinary stimulus measures still work, and we should be pursuing them more aggressively, but I can't help but suspect that we're entering an era where they're getting less effective all the time.
In other words, rising fuel costs ate any benefit the stimulus gave us.
Rick Perry Goes Birther: After Meeting With Trump, ‘I Don’t Know’ If Obama’s Birth Certificate Is Real - Judd Legum
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/10/23/350916/rick-perry-goes-birther-after-meeting-with-trump-i-dont-know-if-obamas-birth-certificate-is-real/
This interview is not from April. It's from October. He is still attempting to thread the needle by saying that he doesn't know if what the President showed us was a real birth certificate, though he says it "doesn't matter" if it is real or not to begin with.
One has to ask whether this is the real Rick Perry or a Rick Perry who has resolved to act as batshit crazy as he can to outflank Herman Cain and go to a place Romney can't tread, the fever swamps of the right wing. Perry has introduced his plans for a flat tax in the past few days and has introduced a useless jobs plan supplied to him by a petroleum institute, then stopped in Iowa to hammer Romney and Cain on their amorphous stands on abortion. Rick Perry is not dead and he has a lot of money to run ads. With Herman Cain's collapse imminent and unavoidable perhaps he thinks he can bring the anti-Romney vote back home.
This interview is not from April. It's from October. He is still attempting to thread the needle by saying that he doesn't know if what the President showed us was a real birth certificate, though he says it "doesn't matter" if it is real or not to begin with.
One has to ask whether this is the real Rick Perry or a Rick Perry who has resolved to act as batshit crazy as he can to outflank Herman Cain and go to a place Romney can't tread, the fever swamps of the right wing. Perry has introduced his plans for a flat tax in the past few days and has introduced a useless jobs plan supplied to him by a petroleum institute, then stopped in Iowa to hammer Romney and Cain on their amorphous stands on abortion. Rick Perry is not dead and he has a lot of money to run ads. With Herman Cain's collapse imminent and unavoidable perhaps he thinks he can bring the anti-Romney vote back home.
More Grim Euro Thoughts - Paul Krugman
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/more-grim-euro-thoughts/
Meanwhile, I see that Wolfgang Munchau is appropriately horrified by what he hears about the plans for a rescue fund. As he says, the notion of leveraging up funds from the remaining AAA Europeans amounts to creating either a super-AIG or a super-CDO — basically trading off the AAA rating of those countries to make private investors feel safe. The problem is that taking on that commitment could very quickly push France into non-AAA status, collapsing the whole thing.
I just don't see a scenario where Europe doesn't lose their grip and begin to slip away.
Meanwhile, I see that Wolfgang Munchau is appropriately horrified by what he hears about the plans for a rescue fund. As he says, the notion of leveraging up funds from the remaining AAA Europeans amounts to creating either a super-AIG or a super-CDO — basically trading off the AAA rating of those countries to make private investors feel safe. The problem is that taking on that commitment could very quickly push France into non-AAA status, collapsing the whole thing.
I just don't see a scenario where Europe doesn't lose their grip and begin to slip away.
Libya's liberation: interim ruler unveils more radical than expected plans for Islamic law - Richard Spencer
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8844819/Libyas-liberation-interim-ruler-unveils-more-radical-than-expected-plans-for-Islamic-law.html
This is no surprise. As long as these dictators ruled they legitimized Islamist parties by cracking down on them. Once the dictator is removed, who is left but the incorruptible zealot who has been organizing health care initiatives in the poorer neighborhoods for two decades? This scenario repeats over and over all across the Middle East, and so it will again until, like Hamas, the Islamists prove incapable of governing or suplying basic needs.
This is no surprise. As long as these dictators ruled they legitimized Islamist parties by cracking down on them. Once the dictator is removed, who is left but the incorruptible zealot who has been organizing health care initiatives in the poorer neighborhoods for two decades? This scenario repeats over and over all across the Middle East, and so it will again until, like Hamas, the Islamists prove incapable of governing or suplying basic needs.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Skin Deep: The Fall of Fur - Carol Dyhouse
http://www.historytoday.com/carol-dyhouse/skin-deep-fall-fur
So did the animal rights movement drive the fur coat wearing classes to extinction? Britain is not wholly representative here – fur farming continues in large sections of the world and many women in Europe and elsewhere continue to wear their fur coats with pride. The British experience was not clear cut. Fur was falling from favour well before the activism of the 1980s. In the late 1950s the price of mink fell dramatically. The cost of manufacturing a mink coat now exceeded that of the raw materials and there were many in the trade who felt that the luxury status of fur was becoming a thing of the past. Demand began to fall.
So did the animal rights movement drive the fur coat wearing classes to extinction? Britain is not wholly representative here – fur farming continues in large sections of the world and many women in Europe and elsewhere continue to wear their fur coats with pride. The British experience was not clear cut. Fur was falling from favour well before the activism of the 1980s. In the late 1950s the price of mink fell dramatically. The cost of manufacturing a mink coat now exceeded that of the raw materials and there were many in the trade who felt that the luxury status of fur was becoming a thing of the past. Demand began to fall.
Why is craft beer so expensive in Washington? - Tammy Tuck
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/41653/economies-of-ale/full/
“The first rule of beer is beer is heavy,” says Larry Bell of Michigan’s Bell’s Brewery. “A case of beer weighs 36 pounds. You look at a keg of beer that’s over 150 pounds. This is tough stuff and consequently, you see a lot of beer truck drivers get a lot of back and knee injuries.”
All these expenses (plus a modest profit margin, of course) add up to an average wholesale-level markup between 30 and 35 percent above what breweries charge.
“The first rule of beer is beer is heavy,” says Larry Bell of Michigan’s Bell’s Brewery. “A case of beer weighs 36 pounds. You look at a keg of beer that’s over 150 pounds. This is tough stuff and consequently, you see a lot of beer truck drivers get a lot of back and knee injuries.”
All these expenses (plus a modest profit margin, of course) add up to an average wholesale-level markup between 30 and 35 percent above what breweries charge.
Friday, October 21, 2011
The Libya Exception - John Guardiano
http://www.frumforum.com/the-libya-exception#more-105699
An Obama success:
Light footprint
A billion dollars spent, not a trillion
Zero American deaths.
The ability to push Libya one way or the other is limited, given the light footprint. But, as Iraq has shown, the ability to keep peace or influence political/social evolution is often illusory.
Did we have an influence in Iraq? Yes.
Did Iran have more influence at a much lower cost? Yes.
An Obama success:
Light footprint
A billion dollars spent, not a trillion
Zero American deaths.
The ability to push Libya one way or the other is limited, given the light footprint. But, as Iraq has shown, the ability to keep peace or influence political/social evolution is often illusory.
Did we have an influence in Iraq? Yes.
Did Iran have more influence at a much lower cost? Yes.
2012 Iowa Republican Caucus
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/iowa/2012_iowa_republican_caucus
Iowa: Cain 28% Romney 21% Paul 10%
So basically a motivational speaker leads both a governor and former presidential candidate and a former governor with experience in China. Another Rorschach test leaps to the front of GOP contention simply because he is not Mitt Romney and tea cons can color whatever twisted character they want into his mangled verbage.
Romney will get the nomination, but I think there is a misconception that once he does, all will be at peace. Fox News can only do so much.
Iowa: Cain 28% Romney 21% Paul 10%
So basically a motivational speaker leads both a governor and former presidential candidate and a former governor with experience in China. Another Rorschach test leaps to the front of GOP contention simply because he is not Mitt Romney and tea cons can color whatever twisted character they want into his mangled verbage.
Romney will get the nomination, but I think there is a misconception that once he does, all will be at peace. Fox News can only do so much.
The American Dream moves to Denmark - David Frum
http://theweek.com/bullpen/column/220484/the-american-dream-moves-to-denmark
Conceptually, you could imagine a highly unequal society with rapid income mobility. You could imagine a society with little mobility, but in which all classes were getting richer at approximately the same pace. America, however, is a society of widening inequality, hardening class lines, and stagnating living standards for most people. And all of these trends rely on numbers from before the economic crisis and before the election of Barack Obama.
Conceptually, you could imagine a highly unequal society with rapid income mobility. You could imagine a society with little mobility, but in which all classes were getting richer at approximately the same pace. America, however, is a society of widening inequality, hardening class lines, and stagnating living standards for most people. And all of these trends rely on numbers from before the economic crisis and before the election of Barack Obama.
Are Herman Cain’s 15 minutes finally over? - Jonathan Bernstien
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/are-herman-cains-15-minutes-finally-over/2011/10/20/gIQARIkb0L_blog.html?wprss=plum-line
Republicans certainly would never nominate anyone who was actually pro-choice, and anti-abortion activists won’t forgive anyone who stumbled this badly on the issue, even if he walks it back back (as I expect he will) and clarifies that he misspoke himself and he’s actually 100% pro-life. So this is at the very least a severe blow to his campaign. Given that he’s not a serious candidate, it gives Republicans a clean shot at bashing him for long enough to finally remove him from the top of the polls. As such, it can be seen as a lucky break for Republicans who know that it’s really not a good idea to have a presidential candidate who can’t manage to put three sentences together on most topics without an embarrassing gaffe.
Republicans certainly would never nominate anyone who was actually pro-choice, and anti-abortion activists won’t forgive anyone who stumbled this badly on the issue, even if he walks it back back (as I expect he will) and clarifies that he misspoke himself and he’s actually 100% pro-life. So this is at the very least a severe blow to his campaign. Given that he’s not a serious candidate, it gives Republicans a clean shot at bashing him for long enough to finally remove him from the top of the polls. As such, it can be seen as a lucky break for Republicans who know that it’s really not a good idea to have a presidential candidate who can’t manage to put three sentences together on most topics without an embarrassing gaffe.
Cain and Abortion - Katrina Trinko
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/280765/cain-and-abortion-katrina-trinko
The right is going to go into full blown identity crisis over the weekend. Cain's garbled method of saying that he is personally against abortion but does not think the government should be involved in the decision has yet to fully sink in on the right. I'm not sure if that's because he said it so clumsily or if it's because they are fighting with every fiber of their being the realization that Romney is their candidate.
I’ve reached out to his campaign to see if they can clarify what he meant. But it’s worth mentioning that, as I noted the other day, Cain chose not to run for Senate in 1998 partially because he was unsure his views on abortion would be compatible with the most ardent pro-life voters. ”[W]ith the pro-life and pro-abortion debate, the most vocal people are on the ends. I am pro-life with exceptions, and people want you to be all or nothing,”
It's understandable that Cain's campaign is hesitant to respond to queries on this latest gaffe. It more or less means that the campaign is over.
The right is going to go into full blown identity crisis over the weekend. Cain's garbled method of saying that he is personally against abortion but does not think the government should be involved in the decision has yet to fully sink in on the right. I'm not sure if that's because he said it so clumsily or if it's because they are fighting with every fiber of their being the realization that Romney is their candidate.
I’ve reached out to his campaign to see if they can clarify what he meant. But it’s worth mentioning that, as I noted the other day, Cain chose not to run for Senate in 1998 partially because he was unsure his views on abortion would be compatible with the most ardent pro-life voters. ”[W]ith the pro-life and pro-abortion debate, the most vocal people are on the ends. I am pro-life with exceptions, and people want you to be all or nothing,”
It's understandable that Cain's campaign is hesitant to respond to queries on this latest gaffe. It more or less means that the campaign is over.
Picturing the Dead - Jon Lee Anderson
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2011/10/muammar-qaddafi-picturing-the-dead.html
Invisible, Qaddafi could be everywhere and nowhere at once, a potential phoenix yet to arise from Libya’s ashes. The image of Qaddafi dying or dead on the ground, being kicked by his killers, however, has put paid to all that.
Invisible, Qaddafi could be everywhere and nowhere at once, a potential phoenix yet to arise from Libya’s ashes. The image of Qaddafi dying or dead on the ground, being kicked by his killers, however, has put paid to all that.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Obama still flush with cash from financial sector despite frosty relations - Dan Eggen and T.W. Farnam
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-has-more-cash-from-financial-sector-than-gop-hopefuls-combined-data-show/2011/10/18/gIQAX4rAyL_story.html
Despite frosty relations with the titans of Wall Street, President Obama has still managed to raise far more money this year from the financial and banking sector than Mitt Romney or any other Republican presidential candidate, according to new fundraising data.
Obama’s key advantage over the GOP field is the ability to collect bigger checks because he raises money for both his own campaign committee and for the Democratic National Committee, which will aid in his reelection effort.
Barack Obama's 'personal' denoations from banks are far below Mitt Romney's, but bankers have gotten around this by donating to the DNC. Culturally there is a lot of affinity there, between bankers in New York and Democrats, but it makes you wonder who is supposed to come down on them, bankers and Democrats.
Obama’s key advantage over the GOP field is the ability to collect bigger checks because he raises money for both his own campaign committee and for the Democratic National Committee, which will aid in his reelection effort.
Barack Obama's 'personal' denoations from banks are far below Mitt Romney's, but bankers have gotten around this by donating to the DNC. Culturally there is a lot of affinity there, between bankers in New York and Democrats, but it makes you wonder who is supposed to come down on them, bankers and Democrats.
Jon Huntsman, the reasonable Republican - Dana Milbank
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/jon-huntsman-the-reasonable-republican/2011/10/18/gIQAFAWTvL_story.html?tid=sm_btn_twitter
Their nominating process, controlled by the religious warriors and anti-government agitators who dominate straw polls, has reached its logical conclusion: The hottest candidate in the field is Herman Cain, a fast-food tycoon who never heard of neoconservatism, has never held office, has no foreign policy and a three-digit number for a domestic policy, and likes to joke about electrocuting illegal immigrants. By contrast, Jon Huntsman, governor, ambassador, the man who in a normal political environment would be the most qualified and formidable candidate in the race, wasn’t even on the stage.
A system that rejects a Jon Huntsman in favor of a Herman Cain isn’t a primary process. It is a primal scream.
Their nominating process, controlled by the religious warriors and anti-government agitators who dominate straw polls, has reached its logical conclusion: The hottest candidate in the field is Herman Cain, a fast-food tycoon who never heard of neoconservatism, has never held office, has no foreign policy and a three-digit number for a domestic policy, and likes to joke about electrocuting illegal immigrants. By contrast, Jon Huntsman, governor, ambassador, the man who in a normal political environment would be the most qualified and formidable candidate in the race, wasn’t even on the stage.
A system that rejects a Jon Huntsman in favor of a Herman Cain isn’t a primary process. It is a primal scream.
Gilad Shalit: The Living and the Dead - Lawrence Wright
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2011/10/gilad-shalit-the-living-and-the-dead.html
In June, 2009, an American soldier, Bowe Bergdahl, was captured by the Taliban. His name is practically unknown. He is still being held, but he is rarely mentioned in the press, political figures never invoke him, his image is rarely seen. He’s an afterthought in the long war in Afghanistan, if indeed he is ever thought of at all.
In June, 2009, an American soldier, Bowe Bergdahl, was captured by the Taliban. His name is practically unknown. He is still being held, but he is rarely mentioned in the press, political figures never invoke him, his image is rarely seen. He’s an afterthought in the long war in Afghanistan, if indeed he is ever thought of at all.
Are the Amish Anarchists? - David Friedman
http://daviddfriedman.blogspot.com/2011/10/are-amish-anarchists.html
No, they're not. At least not in the pure sense. The Amish benefit as they are leaderless in the midst of a law enforcing majority. They sit in the shadow of a superpower military that protects them from invaders. And the criminals or malcontents that exist in their midst are either expelled, arrested, or move on, cleansing the population of those not devoted to the philosophy.
No, they're not. At least not in the pure sense. The Amish benefit as they are leaderless in the midst of a law enforcing majority. They sit in the shadow of a superpower military that protects them from invaders. And the criminals or malcontents that exist in their midst are either expelled, arrested, or move on, cleansing the population of those not devoted to the philosophy.
‘Moderates’ to help GOP kill teachers’, first responders’ jobs - Steve Benen
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/moderates_to_help_gop_kill_tea032902.php
And yet, here we are. The total number of Republicans willing to support this jobs measure is zero. Fearing that supporting a wildly popular idea might cause them electoral trouble, some “centrist” Democrats are preparing to balk, too.
This doesn’t make any sense.
And yet, here we are. The total number of Republicans willing to support this jobs measure is zero. Fearing that supporting a wildly popular idea might cause them electoral trouble, some “centrist” Democrats are preparing to balk, too.
This doesn’t make any sense.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Varitek says Sox stuck together - Peter Abraham
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/10/19/varitek_says_red_sox_stuck_together/
“It’s embarrassing to be a part of, that we didn’t end up making the playoffs,’’ said Varitek while sitting on the deck of his home. “But all the other stuff that’s out there is crap.
“In my opinion, nobody wants to see the truth. The truth is we have to take responsibility as players for how we performed, and that can go in many different directions.
“That’s why we didn’t win. It wasn’t lack of effort. It wasn’t lack of direction. It wasn’t a lack of being prepared. We didn’t play well.’’
Reaction to the GOP Debate - Tegan Goddard
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/18/reaction_to_the_gop_debate.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PoliticalWire+%28Political+Wire%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
Goddard brings up two great points:
The biggest story of the debate was the puncturing of the Herman Cain bubble. In the opening minutes, Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan came under attack from nearly everyone. Cain didn't back down but he proved it's much too hard to defend. He was nearly absent the rest of the debate.
One more thing: Because there were so many heated exchanges that will be replayed over the next 48 hours, the perception of who did well could change significantly for those who didn't tune in tonight.
Goddard brings up two great points:
The biggest story of the debate was the puncturing of the Herman Cain bubble. In the opening minutes, Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan came under attack from nearly everyone. Cain didn't back down but he proved it's much too hard to defend. He was nearly absent the rest of the debate.
One more thing: Because there were so many heated exchanges that will be replayed over the next 48 hours, the perception of who did well could change significantly for those who didn't tune in tonight.
Wrap Up - Ramesh Ponnuru
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/280579/wrap-ramesh-ponnuru
Ponnuru sums up the debate last night:
Cain had nothing responsive to say about his signature issue and did worse on everything else.
Nobody but Ron Paul proposed any large and specific spending cuts. Maybe nothing has changed after all.
Ponnuru sums up the debate last night:
Romney has won every debate so far, and tonight was no exception. His moment of greatest vulnerability came when Senator Santorum attacked him over health care, but Santorum was so rude about it that he ended up looking worse than Romney did. Romney took more hits than he has in previous debates, though, so this debate was a narrower win than its predecessors.
Perry did marginally better than he has on other nights, but only marginally. He still had trouble getting from the beginning of an answer all the way to the end.Cain had nothing responsive to say about his signature issue and did worse on everything else.
Nobody but Ron Paul proposed any large and specific spending cuts. Maybe nothing has changed after all.
The Tax Reform Act of 1986: Should We Do It Again? - Bruce Bartlett
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/the-tax-reform-act-of-1986-should-we-do-it-again/
Once politicians make any exceptions to wiping the slate clean, they are on a slippery slope, because those benefiting from the next most popular deduction will be standing in line demanding an exception, too.
For these reasons, all tax reform plans premised on completely throwing out the tax code and starting from scratch are hopelessly utopian, with not the remotest possibility that any of them will ever be enacted. And support for them is not costless. Because so much political energy is channeled into the Fair Tax, the flat tax, the 9-9-9 plan and other proposals, very little is left over for changes that fall short of tearing the tax code out by its roots but are still needed.
Once politicians make any exceptions to wiping the slate clean, they are on a slippery slope, because those benefiting from the next most popular deduction will be standing in line demanding an exception, too.
For these reasons, all tax reform plans premised on completely throwing out the tax code and starting from scratch are hopelessly utopian, with not the remotest possibility that any of them will ever be enacted. And support for them is not costless. Because so much political energy is channeled into the Fair Tax, the flat tax, the 9-9-9 plan and other proposals, very little is left over for changes that fall short of tearing the tax code out by its roots but are still needed.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
An important start - Peter Abraham
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/10/18/a_crucial_start_lester_1st_red_sox_to_admit_clubhouse_drinking/
Until last week, there was only well-deserved praise for Jon Lester. The quiet lefthander beat cancer and helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series, starting down a career path that includes a no-hitter and two All-Star selections.
That changed when it was revealed in a Globe story chronicling the Red Sox’ September collapse that Lester was one of the unruly players drinking beer and eating fast food during games.
That changed when it was revealed in a Globe story chronicling the Red Sox’ September collapse that Lester was one of the unruly players drinking beer and eating fast food during games.
“I love Tito and he did a great job for us when he was here,’’ Lester said. “On a personal level I was more than grateful for what he did for me and my family. But there comes a time when your authority is no longer there; you kind of run your course.
“People knew how Tito was and we pushed the envelope with it. We never had rules; we never had that iron-fist mentality. If you screwed up, he called you on it. That was how it worked.
About that Perry Jobs Plan - David Frum
http://www.frumforum.com/about-that-perry-jobs-plan
Last thought:
Where’d Perry get these numbers?
Answer: he found them in a pre-existing study conducted for the American Petroleum Institute. (That same study also undergirds the Senate Republicans’ job plan.)
You’ve got to ask though: if a candidate’s entire jobs plan depends on taking a single industry’s policy wish list, tearing off the cover sheet, and putting his own name on the work, without even bothering to net out the costs and benefits for the whole US economy – how serious is that candidate?
As we’ve seen throughout the Perry campaign the answer is: not very.
Alas, Barack's dream opponent sinks back into the shadows. While Perry has money to burn, Herman Cain has moved into his spotlight and taken his voters away. The money will soon follow the shrinking spotlight. It was fun while it lasted, Rick. Comedians everywhere will have to put their W jokes back into the trunk, this time for good.
Last thought:
Where’d Perry get these numbers?
Answer: he found them in a pre-existing study conducted for the American Petroleum Institute. (That same study also undergirds the Senate Republicans’ job plan.)
You’ve got to ask though: if a candidate’s entire jobs plan depends on taking a single industry’s policy wish list, tearing off the cover sheet, and putting his own name on the work, without even bothering to net out the costs and benefits for the whole US economy – how serious is that candidate?
As we’ve seen throughout the Perry campaign the answer is: not very.
Alas, Barack's dream opponent sinks back into the shadows. While Perry has money to burn, Herman Cain has moved into his spotlight and taken his voters away. The money will soon follow the shrinking spotlight. It was fun while it lasted, Rick. Comedians everywhere will have to put their W jokes back into the trunk, this time for good.
Bold, Brash, and Wrong
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/280306/bold-brash-and-wrong-editors
Herman Cain deserves credit for proposing a tax-reform plan that is specific, promotes economic growth, and has captured the imagination of conservatives nationwide. His 9-9-9 plan builds on the insight that one of the chief defects of the current tax code is its bias toward consumption over savings. But his plan’s peculiarities of design, substantive weaknesses, and political naïveté render it unworthy of conservative support.
I see the Mitt Romney crowd has lost no time in refocusing on Mr. Cain, who is making up this thing as he goes along.
Herman Cain deserves credit for proposing a tax-reform plan that is specific, promotes economic growth, and has captured the imagination of conservatives nationwide. His 9-9-9 plan builds on the insight that one of the chief defects of the current tax code is its bias toward consumption over savings. But his plan’s peculiarities of design, substantive weaknesses, and political naïveté render it unworthy of conservative support.
I see the Mitt Romney crowd has lost no time in refocusing on Mr. Cain, who is making up this thing as he goes along.
New healthcare fight is joined as White House's 2010 law implodes - Julian Pecquet
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/188073-new-healthcare-fight-as-2010-law-implodes
Congressional Republicans on Monday called for the immediate repeal of a major component of the 2010 healthcare reform law as the issue blew up in the administration’s face.
The seemingly unworkable long-term care benefit contained in the health overhaul has been indefinitely shelved, quickly triggering a new offensive from GOP lawmakers that is expected to put congressional Democrats in a politically awkward position.
Congressional Republicans on Monday called for the immediate repeal of a major component of the 2010 healthcare reform law as the issue blew up in the administration’s face.
The seemingly unworkable long-term care benefit contained in the health overhaul has been indefinitely shelved, quickly triggering a new offensive from GOP lawmakers that is expected to put congressional Democrats in a politically awkward position.
Record-High 50% of Americans Favor Legalizing Marijuana Use - Frank Newport
http://www.gallup.com/poll/150149/Record-High-Americans-Favor-Legalizing-Marijuana.aspx
Support for legalizing marijuana is directly and inversely proportional to age, ranging from 62% approval among those 18 to 29 down to 31% among those 65 and older. Liberals are twice as likely as conservatives to favor legalizing marijuana. And Democrats and independents are more likely to be in favor than are Republicans.
More men than women support legalizing the drug. Those in the West and Midwest are more likely to favor it than those in the South.
It's almost as if the legalization question were another question. The descending order of demographics neatly mirrors just about any social question you can think of; those socially liberal at the top, those socially conservative at the bottom. At some point, like gay marriage, the issue will have a breakthrough, and all it needed was for it's image to go from some stoners who just wanted to be left alone in a basement to a cancer patient suffering from the side effects to make it acceptable to want to legalize it. In fact, gay marriage might be the best analogy you could think of.
Support for legalizing marijuana is directly and inversely proportional to age, ranging from 62% approval among those 18 to 29 down to 31% among those 65 and older. Liberals are twice as likely as conservatives to favor legalizing marijuana. And Democrats and independents are more likely to be in favor than are Republicans.
More men than women support legalizing the drug. Those in the West and Midwest are more likely to favor it than those in the South.
It's almost as if the legalization question were another question. The descending order of demographics neatly mirrors just about any social question you can think of; those socially liberal at the top, those socially conservative at the bottom. At some point, like gay marriage, the issue will have a breakthrough, and all it needed was for it's image to go from some stoners who just wanted to be left alone in a basement to a cancer patient suffering from the side effects to make it acceptable to want to legalize it. In fact, gay marriage might be the best analogy you could think of.
The Action Against the LRA Does Not Increase Presidential Authority - Scott Lemieux
http://prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=10&year=2011&base_name=the_action_against_the_lra_doe
I take no position on whether the Obama administration’s actions are prudent or likely to be effective. But in terms of constitutional restrictions on executive power, the actions against the LRA are completely unobjectionable. Unlike Libya, this was done right, with the ex ante authorization of Congress.
I take no position on whether the Obama administration’s actions are prudent or likely to be effective. But in terms of constitutional restrictions on executive power, the actions against the LRA are completely unobjectionable. Unlike Libya, this was done right, with the ex ante authorization of Congress.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Tunisia Islamists set for big election gains
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/16/ap/middleeast/main20121009.shtml
This has always been the risk: that if we allowed the dictators to fall, we would be unhappy with what followed. But if we had allowed Vietnam to become Communist on their own, discover on their own that the radicals knew next to nothing about governing or providing for their population, and to dilute Communism on their own, wouldn't we be better off? Don't we abort the growth process when we intervene and artificially impose "order"? To be sure, this could end badly, the whole Arab Spring. But to quote a famous incompetent, "democracy is messy".
This has always been the risk: that if we allowed the dictators to fall, we would be unhappy with what followed. But if we had allowed Vietnam to become Communist on their own, discover on their own that the radicals knew next to nothing about governing or providing for their population, and to dilute Communism on their own, wouldn't we be better off? Don't we abort the growth process when we intervene and artificially impose "order"? To be sure, this could end badly, the whole Arab Spring. But to quote a famous incompetent, "democracy is messy".
Herman Cain defends 9-9-9 proposal, says ‘most people will pay less’ in taxes - Julian Pecquet
http://thehill.com/video/campaign/187809-cain-most-people-will-pay-less-under-9-9-9
Most people will pay less is not true. The 9% national sales tax plan has two major flaws. Firstly, it would be paid in addition to any state sales taxes. Secondly, it's major selling point is that the national sales tax would only be paid on new goods, meaning that you could avoid it as long as you don't purchase groceries, medicine, school books, etc. So in effect, middle class families and those on a fixed income would receive tax increases on the goods they purchase as well as losing deductions like mortgage interest and school loan interest.
Critics say state and local taxes on goods would come on top of Cain's 9 percent sales tax, leading to unsustainably high prices for many Americans. Additionally, critics claim his 9 percent income tax would hit many of the 47 percent of households which currently do not pay federal income taxes because they don't make enough money.
Cain said people can switch to used goods in order to avoid his 9 percent sales tax. And he said seniors would benefit from his plan because of cuts to taxes on their dividends and investment income.
Sometimes it's funny to watch people who think they are climbing on a bandwagon when you can clearly see it's a trainwreck.
Most people will pay less is not true. The 9% national sales tax plan has two major flaws. Firstly, it would be paid in addition to any state sales taxes. Secondly, it's major selling point is that the national sales tax would only be paid on new goods, meaning that you could avoid it as long as you don't purchase groceries, medicine, school books, etc. So in effect, middle class families and those on a fixed income would receive tax increases on the goods they purchase as well as losing deductions like mortgage interest and school loan interest.
Critics say state and local taxes on goods would come on top of Cain's 9 percent sales tax, leading to unsustainably high prices for many Americans. Additionally, critics claim his 9 percent income tax would hit many of the 47 percent of households which currently do not pay federal income taxes because they don't make enough money.
Cain said people can switch to used goods in order to avoid his 9 percent sales tax. And he said seniors would benefit from his plan because of cuts to taxes on their dividends and investment income.
Sometimes it's funny to watch people who think they are climbing on a bandwagon when you can clearly see it's a trainwreck.
Has hell frozen over? - J. Peter Nixon
http://www.uscatholic.org/church/2011/09/has-hell-frozen-over?page=0,0
Why don't Catholics believe in hell anymore?
Why don't Catholics believe in hell anymore?
'There's a Huge Amount of Anger' - INTERVIEW BY BENJAMIN PAUKER
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/10/10/theres_a_huge_amount_of_anger
[T]he "official" unemployment rate is 9.1 percent -- but the one that includes discouraged workers who have left the labor force or partially unemployment has gone from 16.2 percent to 16.5 percent. And if you add to it the millions of people that you have in jail in the U.S. -- which is four times the amount of any civilized country as a share of population -- than unemployment is probably closer to 20 percent. And that's just among the average population. For minorities, the youth, or unskilled people that don't have a high school degree, the number is closer to 30 percent.
[T]he "official" unemployment rate is 9.1 percent -- but the one that includes discouraged workers who have left the labor force or partially unemployment has gone from 16.2 percent to 16.5 percent. And if you add to it the millions of people that you have in jail in the U.S. -- which is four times the amount of any civilized country as a share of population -- than unemployment is probably closer to 20 percent. And that's just among the average population. For minorities, the youth, or unskilled people that don't have a high school degree, the number is closer to 30 percent.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Children in the Roman Empire - Peter Thonemann
http://www.the-tls.co.uk/tls/public/article796886.ece
Instead, Laes suggests, Roman childhood should be understood as a social category. Whether or not a twelve-year-old child was regarded as an acceptable sexual partner was determined not by biology, but by the child’s status, slave or free. No Roman saw anything problematic about setting slaves and lowstatus children to work as soon as they were physically capable of doing so. For many, adult labour began painfully early. The tombstone of Quintus Artulus, who died at the age of four at the silver mines of Baños de la Encina in Andalusia, depicts the child in a short tunic, barefoot, carrying the tools of his trade, a miner’s axe and basket.
Instead, Laes suggests, Roman childhood should be understood as a social category. Whether or not a twelve-year-old child was regarded as an acceptable sexual partner was determined not by biology, but by the child’s status, slave or free. No Roman saw anything problematic about setting slaves and lowstatus children to work as soon as they were physically capable of doing so. For many, adult labour began painfully early. The tombstone of Quintus Artulus, who died at the age of four at the silver mines of Baños de la Encina in Andalusia, depicts the child in a short tunic, barefoot, carrying the tools of his trade, a miner’s axe and basket.
Friday, October 14, 2011
In defense of Theo - Andrew Mooney
http://www.boston.com/sports/blogs/statsdriven/2011/10/in_defense_of_theo.html
The author is a sophomore at Harvard.
The author is a sophomore at Harvard.
S&P downgrades Spain
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/8826163/SandP-downgrades-Spain.html
Something to remember when reading these things: we are supposed to be the backstop if disaster strikes, and if disaster strikes the GOP House is not going to let us be the backstop. So, if disaster strikes it is going to travel unimpeded across the globe.
Something to remember when reading these things: we are supposed to be the backstop if disaster strikes, and if disaster strikes the GOP House is not going to let us be the backstop. So, if disaster strikes it is going to travel unimpeded across the globe.
Twilight of the Wise Man - JACOB HEILBRUNN
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/10/12/twilight_of_the_wise_man_republican?page=0,0
"Even while you remain a strong advocate for your personal worldview, as President you must maximize bipartisan support and frequently seek bipartisan consensus on foreign policy issues," he cautioned in his 1988 book Letters to the Next President. "Lugar still refers to this chapter as a basic primer to the domestic politics of foreign policy," Lugar aide Andy Fisher told me via email.
This kind of above-politics deal-making on matters of global importance was once the hallmark of a whole caste of Republican policymakers, the so-called "wise men": avatars of the establishment who always maintained that foreign affairs is a lofty sphere to be left untainted by partisan bickering.
"Even while you remain a strong advocate for your personal worldview, as President you must maximize bipartisan support and frequently seek bipartisan consensus on foreign policy issues," he cautioned in his 1988 book Letters to the Next President. "Lugar still refers to this chapter as a basic primer to the domestic politics of foreign policy," Lugar aide Andy Fisher told me via email.
This kind of above-politics deal-making on matters of global importance was once the hallmark of a whole caste of Republican policymakers, the so-called "wise men": avatars of the establishment who always maintained that foreign affairs is a lofty sphere to be left untainted by partisan bickering.
There is no such thing as the 9-9-9 tax - Ezra Klein
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/there-is-no-such-thing-as-the-9-9-9-tax/2011/08/25/gIQAiIhWhL_blog.html
Which gets to perhaps the main way in which there is no 9-9-9 plan: This plan wouldn’t work. Not as policy and, as I expect Cain will soon find out, not as politics. Moving to an 18 percent consumption tax is, among other things, very bad for older voters, who make up a substantial portion of the Tea Party base. Jacking up taxes on the poor and the middle class even as you sharply reduce them on the rich and completely eliminate them on overseas income for corporations isn’t popular among anyone in the political system who isn’t specifically paid by the Club for Growth. The 9-9-9 plan is a great slogan. But the more seriously Cain gets taken, the more seriously the plan is going to get taken. And as that happens, it will soon become clear that it’s very poor policy.
Which gets to perhaps the main way in which there is no 9-9-9 plan: This plan wouldn’t work. Not as policy and, as I expect Cain will soon find out, not as politics. Moving to an 18 percent consumption tax is, among other things, very bad for older voters, who make up a substantial portion of the Tea Party base. Jacking up taxes on the poor and the middle class even as you sharply reduce them on the rich and completely eliminate them on overseas income for corporations isn’t popular among anyone in the political system who isn’t specifically paid by the Club for Growth. The 9-9-9 plan is a great slogan. But the more seriously Cain gets taken, the more seriously the plan is going to get taken. And as that happens, it will soon become clear that it’s very poor policy.
"Unusual" meeting between US, Iran over plot
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/13/501364/main20120177.shtml
U.S. officials, meanwhile, confirmed the Obama administration has had direct contact with Iran over the allegations. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, met with Iranian officials at Iran's mission to the U.N. on Wednesday — a highly unusual contact for two countries that do not have diplomatic relations.
"We believe that even if at the highest levels there was not detailed operational knowledge, there has to be accountability with respect to anybody in the Iranian government engaging in this kind of activity," Obama said in a news conference tied to the state visit of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.
U.S. officials, meanwhile, confirmed the Obama administration has had direct contact with Iran over the allegations. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, met with Iranian officials at Iran's mission to the U.N. on Wednesday — a highly unusual contact for two countries that do not have diplomatic relations.
"We believe that even if at the highest levels there was not detailed operational knowledge, there has to be accountability with respect to anybody in the Iranian government engaging in this kind of activity," Obama said in a news conference tied to the state visit of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.
The Tea Party Was Just a Giant Temper Tantrum - Scott Galupo
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/scott-galupo/2011/10/13/the-tea-party-was-just-a-giant-temper-tantrum
This guy was a staff member of Speaker Boehner and has written for the Washington Times, so his conservative credentials are not in question. This is making the rounds today and is in my opinion one of the best summaries of the Tea Party I've read.
About a year ago, I wondered whether the Tea Party was something to respect and/or fear, as it seemed to be throughout 2009 and into the 2010 primary season, or if it was "just a bloc of conventional conservatives in anti-authoritarian drag."
Twelve months later, the question answers itself.
The Tea Party is/was composed primarily of religious conservatives, seniors worried about Obamacare's impact on Medicare, and anti-immigrant curmudgeons. The libertarian ethos the movement projected was an utter fiction, and one that the national press corps briefly lent credence to.
This guy was a staff member of Speaker Boehner and has written for the Washington Times, so his conservative credentials are not in question. This is making the rounds today and is in my opinion one of the best summaries of the Tea Party I've read.
About a year ago, I wondered whether the Tea Party was something to respect and/or fear, as it seemed to be throughout 2009 and into the 2010 primary season, or if it was "just a bloc of conventional conservatives in anti-authoritarian drag."
Twelve months later, the question answers itself.
The Tea Party is/was composed primarily of religious conservatives, seniors worried about Obamacare's impact on Medicare, and anti-immigrant curmudgeons. The libertarian ethos the movement projected was an utter fiction, and one that the national press corps briefly lent credence to.
Perry still viable -
http://enikrising.blogspot.com/2011/10/perry-still-viable.html
Of greater concern is the fact that Romney is a really unreliable conservative. Sure, as long as he believes he needs the right's support to get into or stay in office, he'll advocate what they want, but can they trust him to stay faithful to the cause? I imagine that a President Romney would work quite well with a Democratic Congress. That thought has to terrify conservative activists.
Of greater concern is the fact that Romney is a really unreliable conservative. Sure, as long as he believes he needs the right's support to get into or stay in office, he'll advocate what they want, but can they trust him to stay faithful to the cause? I imagine that a President Romney would work quite well with a Democratic Congress. That thought has to terrify conservative activists.
Worst. Plot. Ever. - AFSHON OSTOVAR
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/10/13/worst_plot_ever?page=0,0
In all these activities, the Quds Force has relied on its strong relationships with allied proxy groups and trusted militant networks. Its success in these operations has depended on not only the reliability of its partners, but also to a large extent on overlapping political and ideological interests. It is not a coincidence that the Quds Force works almost exclusively with individuals and organizations that have had long-standing ties with Iran's senior leadership and Revolutionary Guards commanders.
Given the Quds Force's modus operandi, it is odd that its commanders would entrust an unprecedentedly brazen attack against a foreign diplomat on U.S. soil to a former used-car salesman and Mexican drug-cartel hit men.
In all these activities, the Quds Force has relied on its strong relationships with allied proxy groups and trusted militant networks. Its success in these operations has depended on not only the reliability of its partners, but also to a large extent on overlapping political and ideological interests. It is not a coincidence that the Quds Force works almost exclusively with individuals and organizations that have had long-standing ties with Iran's senior leadership and Revolutionary Guards commanders.
Given the Quds Force's modus operandi, it is odd that its commanders would entrust an unprecedentedly brazen attack against a foreign diplomat on U.S. soil to a former used-car salesman and Mexican drug-cartel hit men.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Exit, Epstein - Peter Abraham
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/10/13/epstein_leaves_red_sox/
Theo goes to the Cubs for $20 million over 5 years. Such a sickening end to a sickening end. I think the Red Sox are more or less scorched for years and the truth is that if they had won a random game here or there in June none of this would have been happening. In other words, did the collapse warrant all of this turnover?
Theo goes to the Cubs for $20 million over 5 years. Such a sickening end to a sickening end. I think the Red Sox are more or less scorched for years and the truth is that if they had won a random game here or there in June none of this would have been happening. In other words, did the collapse warrant all of this turnover?
Iran Containment Policy Cast in Doubt
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/10/iran-containment-policy-cast-in-doubt/246539/
I am beginning to doubt that the terrorist plot to assasainate the Saudi ambassador was actually sanctioned by Iranian intelligence forces, but this post brings up an interesting question. What if the Iranians are testing our ability to strike at them? What would we do with our military run ragged? Where we would we get the capacity for a military strike that would sting them?
Iran may benefit from learning our resolve and ability to strike at them even if they were not involved. How they then use this against the Saudis, and even the Turks, remains to be seen.
I am beginning to doubt that the terrorist plot to assasainate the Saudi ambassador was actually sanctioned by Iranian intelligence forces, but this post brings up an interesting question. What if the Iranians are testing our ability to strike at them? What would we do with our military run ragged? Where we would we get the capacity for a military strike that would sting them?
Iran may benefit from learning our resolve and ability to strike at them even if they were not involved. How they then use this against the Saudis, and even the Turks, remains to be seen.
Japanese Government Nixed Idea of Obama Visiting, Apologizing for, Hiroshima - Jake Tapper
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/japanese-government-nixed-idea-of-obama-visiting-apologizing-for-hiroshima/
A senior White House official asserts to ABC News that there was never any plan for the president to apologize for Hiroshima. The cable does not state that the idea was from the U.S. Rather, Roos writes that Yabunaka thought that following President Obama’s call earlier that year for a world free of nuclear weapons, anti-nuclear groups would speculate as to whether he would visit Hiroshima.
A senior White House official asserts to ABC News that there was never any plan for the president to apologize for Hiroshima. The cable does not state that the idea was from the U.S. Rather, Roos writes that Yabunaka thought that following President Obama’s call earlier that year for a world free of nuclear weapons, anti-nuclear groups would speculate as to whether he would visit Hiroshima.
Cain leads nationally
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/10/cain-leads-nationally.html
Cain leads nationally and that is somehow an indication of Romney's inevitability? There is a strange disconnect here. Everyone is talking about how Cain's bubble is just like the previous ones that involved Donald Trump, Bachmann, and Rick Perry. I agree with that. But what is going to happen to these people that are solidly Romney-averse when their options for fleeing are out and only Romney is left? I haven't seen anyone address that yet. What are the tea cons going to do on Christmas morning when they go down and find their worst nightmare under the tree? It may be that Romney's numbers will pop once voters realize there is nowhere else to go. Or it may be that they refuse to play and stay home, returning even angrier the next time around. At this point I don't know which is more likely.
Cain leads nationally and that is somehow an indication of Romney's inevitability? There is a strange disconnect here. Everyone is talking about how Cain's bubble is just like the previous ones that involved Donald Trump, Bachmann, and Rick Perry. I agree with that. But what is going to happen to these people that are solidly Romney-averse when their options for fleeing are out and only Romney is left? I haven't seen anyone address that yet. What are the tea cons going to do on Christmas morning when they go down and find their worst nightmare under the tree? It may be that Romney's numbers will pop once voters realize there is nowhere else to go. Or it may be that they refuse to play and stay home, returning even angrier the next time around. At this point I don't know which is more likely.
How Much of Rick Perry's Secret Energy Plan Will Be Revealed Today? - Conor Friedersdorf
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/10/how-much-of-rick-perrys-secret-energy-plan-will-be-revealed-today/246531/
The United States imports roughly ten million barrels of crude oil per day. Over the next three days, Perry has promised to explain how, if elected, he would quickly 1) put 1.2 million Americans to work; 2) achieve energy independence! A policy proposal that accomplished all that would be quite a trick. But we're in for something even more amazing. Unlike other politicians, who just don't get it, Perry isn't going to focus on the policy we should implement, he's just going to get Americans working again -- the energy independence he's going to achieve, in the course of putting millions to work, won't require an act of Congress, just a president who wants it badly enough.
The United States imports roughly ten million barrels of crude oil per day. Over the next three days, Perry has promised to explain how, if elected, he would quickly 1) put 1.2 million Americans to work; 2) achieve energy independence! A policy proposal that accomplished all that would be quite a trick. But we're in for something even more amazing. Unlike other politicians, who just don't get it, Perry isn't going to focus on the policy we should implement, he's just going to get Americans working again -- the energy independence he's going to achieve, in the course of putting millions to work, won't require an act of Congress, just a president who wants it badly enough.
Hilarious
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nightmaresfearfactory/
This is a photostream from a haunted house in Niagara Falls, Canada. Basically it's a hilarious stream of photos of people screaming and tackling each other.
This is a photostream from a haunted house in Niagara Falls, Canada. Basically it's a hilarious stream of photos of people screaming and tackling each other.
Should Perry Give Up? - Alana Goodman
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2011/10/12/perry-gop-debates/
With $17 million and the ability to tap a lot of southern money, even if Perry has no shot at the actual nomination he will win a primary or two. There is no downside for him to stay in the race. Well let me clarify that, there is a downside for us, just not for him.
With $17 million and the ability to tap a lot of southern money, even if Perry has no shot at the actual nomination he will win a primary or two. There is no downside for him to stay in the race. Well let me clarify that, there is a downside for us, just not for him.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Slovakia votes down eurozone bailout expansion plans
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15265987
Something tells me the Slovaks did not want to pay higher taxes so that Greeks could enjoy a pension 3x what it is in Slovakia.
Something tells me the Slovaks did not want to pay higher taxes so that Greeks could enjoy a pension 3x what it is in Slovakia.
Would Iran Really Want to Blow Up the Saudi Ambassador to the U.S.? - Max Fisher
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/10/would-iran-really-want-to-blow-up-the-saudi-ambassador-to-the-us/246505/
The Iranian leadership, for all their twisted human rights abuses and policies that often serve the regime at the cost of actual Iranians, are not idiots. Though they use terrorism as a foreign policy tool, the attacks in Iraq and Lebanon and elsewhere have clearly been driven by just that -- a cool-headed pragmatic desire to further Iranian foreign policy interests. Unifying the U.S. and Saudi Arabia at a time when they are drifting apart with a plot that would galvanize American publics and policymakers to support Saudi Arabia, and all without actually doing much strategic damage to either country, would be monumentally stupid. They've made serious, ideology-driven mistakes before -- as government often do -- but this plot comes so far out of left field that it should raise more questions than accusations.
The Iranian leadership, for all their twisted human rights abuses and policies that often serve the regime at the cost of actual Iranians, are not idiots. Though they use terrorism as a foreign policy tool, the attacks in Iraq and Lebanon and elsewhere have clearly been driven by just that -- a cool-headed pragmatic desire to further Iranian foreign policy interests. Unifying the U.S. and Saudi Arabia at a time when they are drifting apart with a plot that would galvanize American publics and policymakers to support Saudi Arabia, and all without actually doing much strategic damage to either country, would be monumentally stupid. They've made serious, ideology-driven mistakes before -- as government often do -- but this plot comes so far out of left field that it should raise more questions than accusations.
A Slow but Unsteady Debate for Perry - Nate Silver
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/12/a-slow-but-unsteady-debate-for-perry/
Romney is winning because we are all discussing how inept and dumb as a stump Rick Perry is, and how Herman Cain is not going to last. Perry can't attack to save his life, which is a good analogy at this point, and he constantly garbles answers and let's opportunity slip away. His excuse: "I'm not a good debater".
Romney is winning because we are all discussing how inept and dumb as a stump Rick Perry is, and how Herman Cain is not going to last. Perry can't attack to save his life, which is a good analogy at this point, and he constantly garbles answers and let's opportunity slip away. His excuse: "I'm not a good debater".
US to pressure Iran over 'plot to kill Saudi envoy
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15269348
If true this is about as serious a move by Iran against the United States since the hostage crisis. While the target is Saudi, the location was within our borders and the purported killing was discussed as taking place is a DC restaurant, complete with the possibility of massive civilian casualties. Were we not already in two wars this would probably escalate beyond sanctions.
Still, I can't help but be bothered by the price to be paid. An informant posing as a member of a Mexican drug cartel agrees to murder an ambassador for $1.5 million. That's a lot of money to me, but a bombing in Washington DC? Paid for by Iran? That seems an awful low price for what was being asked. Maybe he was a terrorist with an account and wide latitude, told only to arrange the killing, but I think there are details to be revealed that may shed some more light on this that will change the outlook totally.
If true this is about as serious a move by Iran against the United States since the hostage crisis. While the target is Saudi, the location was within our borders and the purported killing was discussed as taking place is a DC restaurant, complete with the possibility of massive civilian casualties. Were we not already in two wars this would probably escalate beyond sanctions.
Still, I can't help but be bothered by the price to be paid. An informant posing as a member of a Mexican drug cartel agrees to murder an ambassador for $1.5 million. That's a lot of money to me, but a bombing in Washington DC? Paid for by Iran? That seems an awful low price for what was being asked. Maybe he was a terrorist with an account and wide latitude, told only to arrange the killing, but I think there are details to be revealed that may shed some more light on this that will change the outlook totally.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Perry's Do-or-Die Debate - John Avalon
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/11/rick-perry-s-do-or-die-debate-chance-for-texan-to-catch-romney-in-2012-race.html
Perry is unlikely to allow anyone to turn his right flank again in this campaign—he’d rather be strong and wrong. Perry remains the most viable alternative to the Romney nomination, and it’s not too late to believe the Texas governor could still rack up early wins in Iowa and South Carolina, creating newfound momentum and headlines like “Perry Pulls Ahead.” The horse-race mentality will demand at least a few more twists and turns.
Perry is unlikely to allow anyone to turn his right flank again in this campaign—he’d rather be strong and wrong. Perry remains the most viable alternative to the Romney nomination, and it’s not too late to believe the Texas governor could still rack up early wins in Iowa and South Carolina, creating newfound momentum and headlines like “Perry Pulls Ahead.” The horse-race mentality will demand at least a few more twists and turns.
Chart of the day, median income edition - Felix Salmon
http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2011/10/10/chart-of-the-day-median-income-edition/
The red line, here, is median real household income, as gleaned from the CPS, indexed to January 2000=100. It’s now at 89.4, which means that real incomes are more than 10% lower today than they were over a decade ago.
More striking still is the huge erosion in incomes over the course of the supposed “recovery” — the most recent two years, since the Great Recession ended. From January 2000 through the end of the recession, household incomes fluctuated, but basically stayed in a band within 2 percentage points either side of the 98 level. Once it had fallen to 96 when the recession ended, it would have been reasonable to assume some mean reversion at that point — that with the recovery it would fight its way back up towards 98 or even 100.
Instead, it fell off a cliff, and is now below 90.
The red line, here, is median real household income, as gleaned from the CPS, indexed to January 2000=100. It’s now at 89.4, which means that real incomes are more than 10% lower today than they were over a decade ago.
More striking still is the huge erosion in incomes over the course of the supposed “recovery” — the most recent two years, since the Great Recession ended. From January 2000 through the end of the recession, household incomes fluctuated, but basically stayed in a band within 2 percentage points either side of the 98 level. Once it had fallen to 96 when the recession ended, it would have been reasonable to assume some mean reversion at that point — that with the recovery it would fight its way back up towards 98 or even 100.
Instead, it fell off a cliff, and is now below 90.
Warren raises $3.15M; Brown raises $1.55M - Josh Lederman
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/186519-warren-raises-315-million-in-weeks-
This is a sideshow, but a very important one. For the sole reason that the seat he was running for was Ted Kennedy's old seat, Scott Brown took on the mantle of the Tea Party. Since then he has returned to form as a blue state Republican. In other words, the worst thing in the world to the tea cons. By the looks of this it will be a short reign on his part, and it will probably get worse for him as the election goes on.
This is a sideshow, but a very important one. For the sole reason that the seat he was running for was Ted Kennedy's old seat, Scott Brown took on the mantle of the Tea Party. Since then he has returned to form as a blue state Republican. In other words, the worst thing in the world to the tea cons. By the looks of this it will be a short reign on his part, and it will probably get worse for him as the election goes on.
Cain Surges, Nearly Ties Romney for Lead in GOP Preferences - Lydia Saad
http://www.gallup.com/poll/149990/Cain-Surges-Nearly-Ties-Romney-Lead-GOP-Preferences.aspx
Herman Cain, like others before him, is benefiting from the perception that he "kicks ass" and the fact that people know very little about him. I don't think this surge on his part lasts, but the news is that Rick Perry continues to plummet. The Cain voters are naturally his, but they're not going to be gifted to him. The debate tonight will show whether or not he has the fortitude to fight back and the intelligence to know where to strike. Naturally, I give him very little chance.
Herman Cain, like others before him, is benefiting from the perception that he "kicks ass" and the fact that people know very little about him. I don't think this surge on his part lasts, but the news is that Rick Perry continues to plummet. The Cain voters are naturally his, but they're not going to be gifted to him. The debate tonight will show whether or not he has the fortitude to fight back and the intelligence to know where to strike. Naturally, I give him very little chance.
Afghan detainees tortured in prison, U.N. says - Joshua Partlow and Sayed Salahuddin
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/war-zones/afghan-detainees-tortured-in-prison-un-says/2011/10/10/gIQAr3K6ZL_story.html
The abuse was not at the hands of Americans, but our allies. Of course, allies is a term of convenience in this case. When you are using gangsters, opium kingpins, and warlords to combat terrorists you know something has gone wrong.
The abuse was not at the hands of Americans, but our allies. Of course, allies is a term of convenience in this case. When you are using gangsters, opium kingpins, and warlords to combat terrorists you know something has gone wrong.
Monday, October 10, 2011
World War II: The Fall of Nazi Germany
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/10/world-war-ii-the-fall-of-nazi-germany/100166/
Stunning photos documenting the end of WWII
Stunning photos documenting the end of WWII
Perry’s immigration problem - Steve Benen
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/perrys_immigration_problem032700.php
For one thing, the “have a heart” comment during the debate lingers, and offended the right in a rather fundamental way (they hate it when the left makes the accusation, but they really hate it when it comes from one of their own). For another, Perry backed off the “heartless” rhetoric, but he hasn’t flip-flopped on the policy itself.
And as a result, as Politico noted, “Perry’s immigration problem isn’t going away. It’s getting bigger.”
For one thing, the “have a heart” comment during the debate lingers, and offended the right in a rather fundamental way (they hate it when the left makes the accusation, but they really hate it when it comes from one of their own). For another, Perry backed off the “heartless” rhetoric, but he hasn’t flip-flopped on the policy itself.
And as a result, as Politico noted, “Perry’s immigration problem isn’t going away. It’s getting bigger.”
The inkblot protests
http://www.economist.com/node/21531481
Do I agree with their demands or their methods? No.
Am I glad that someone is bringing the soptlight back onto the bad behavior of banks? Damn right.
Do I agree with their demands or their methods? No.
Am I glad that someone is bringing the soptlight back onto the bad behavior of banks? Damn right.
After Rocky Start, More Study, and Sleep, for Perry - Jeff Zeleny
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/us/politics/perry-campaign-works-to-smooth-out-flaws.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
Let's just say that if part of your campaign strategy is to get more sleep you are probably in big trouble.
Mr. Perry and his team were initially taken aback by intense criticism from conservatives, particularly on immigration and Social Security, which he characterized as a “Ponzi scheme,” a phrase he did not repeat when he talked to voters here
“We had a tired puppy,” said one Republican friend, who talked to Mr. Perry after his three back-to-back debates last month. “He had been pushed really hard.”
Let's just say that if part of your campaign strategy is to get more sleep you are probably in big trouble.
Mr. Perry and his team were initially taken aback by intense criticism from conservatives, particularly on immigration and Social Security, which he characterized as a “Ponzi scheme,” a phrase he did not repeat when he talked to voters here
“We had a tired puppy,” said one Republican friend, who talked to Mr. Perry after his three back-to-back debates last month. “He had been pushed really hard.”
On Romney's Mormonism
Mitt Romney is incredibly lucky in his enemies. Over the weekend a pastor who introduced Rick Perry at the Value Voters Summit then went outside and spoke to reporters, stating the Mitt Romney was "not a Christian" and that Mormonism was "a cult". The thought is held by many in the evangelical community but is rarely voiced in public anymore, lest one appear intolerant.
Which is exactly what happened. Romney's Mormonism has always been a point of weakness for him, but here Perry's bumbling presented him not only a chance to address it, but to defend it against a bigot. And not just any bigot, but a bigot that had just finished introducing his biggest rival.
Romney has pasted "intolerant" onto Rick Perry and managed to address his controversial faith all in one maneuver, setting him up for the debates this week where Romney will undoubtedly try to crush Perry's chances altogether. For his part, Perry was weakly heard to denounce the pastor, with an air that he was unaware of it and confused by it. He has been beset by weeks of bad bounces and mistakes on his part. He has one last chance to break out in the debates this week and he is hardly up to the task. Slow, arrogant, and spontaneous he has had none of Romney's luck and may watch his chances wash down the drain this week. A charismatic Cain, even if Cain blows everything else, will doom Perry, who has had none of Romney's luck in his enemies.
Which is exactly what happened. Romney's Mormonism has always been a point of weakness for him, but here Perry's bumbling presented him not only a chance to address it, but to defend it against a bigot. And not just any bigot, but a bigot that had just finished introducing his biggest rival.
Romney has pasted "intolerant" onto Rick Perry and managed to address his controversial faith all in one maneuver, setting him up for the debates this week where Romney will undoubtedly try to crush Perry's chances altogether. For his part, Perry was weakly heard to denounce the pastor, with an air that he was unaware of it and confused by it. He has been beset by weeks of bad bounces and mistakes on his part. He has one last chance to break out in the debates this week and he is hardly up to the task. Slow, arrogant, and spontaneous he has had none of Romney's luck and may watch his chances wash down the drain this week. A charismatic Cain, even if Cain blows everything else, will doom Perry, who has had none of Romney's luck in his enemies.
Friday, October 7, 2011
On Occupy Wall Street
Many of the protesters taking part in the Occupy Wall Street protest are youngish-college educated people who are very liberal. That being the case I don't tend to agree with many of their "demands". I do not think that dismantling Wall Street would benefit anyone, or that it's an injustice that people with graduate degrees do not get automatic employment. I think that when you employ theatrics like pretending to be zombies or carry around giant paper mache puppets because it's a time-honored tradition in Latin American protests, it makes you look silly and it hurts your cause immeasurably. Time and time again leftist causes have fallen apart because it became more of a party than a cause and they tended to weird out their alleged blue collar allies.
With that said I'm glad this is going on. Why is that banks made incredibly risky bests that, when they lost, threatened the entire global economy, yet they demand we exempt them from any belt tightening? Kept from the grave by a clumsy but neccessary injection of money from the government, they declined to become less rapacious and fell to pieces in anger when the President mildly rebuked them. Here they are yet still, arrogantly broadcasting their demands and threatening to take their money elsewhere if Obama refuses to side with them.
This is an error on the part of Wall Street and the Republicans, and if the GOP walks into this trap it will be yet another unforced error on their part. Americans are decidedly in favor of levying more taxes on millionaires, much less banks, so if the Republicans can be framed as protecting bankers at the expense of jobs it might actually bring to light the dearth of a Republican jobs plan and the absurdity of some of their recent positions. Why would you loudly broadcast either?
If this protest has done nothing else it has brought the attention and the conversation back to where it ought to be, and this is to Obama's advantage. So, while I favor very little of what they say or do, I am glad for the aftermath.
With that said I'm glad this is going on. Why is that banks made incredibly risky bests that, when they lost, threatened the entire global economy, yet they demand we exempt them from any belt tightening? Kept from the grave by a clumsy but neccessary injection of money from the government, they declined to become less rapacious and fell to pieces in anger when the President mildly rebuked them. Here they are yet still, arrogantly broadcasting their demands and threatening to take their money elsewhere if Obama refuses to side with them.
This is an error on the part of Wall Street and the Republicans, and if the GOP walks into this trap it will be yet another unforced error on their part. Americans are decidedly in favor of levying more taxes on millionaires, much less banks, so if the Republicans can be framed as protecting bankers at the expense of jobs it might actually bring to light the dearth of a Republican jobs plan and the absurdity of some of their recent positions. Why would you loudly broadcast either?
If this protest has done nothing else it has brought the attention and the conversation back to where it ought to be, and this is to Obama's advantage. So, while I favor very little of what they say or do, I am glad for the aftermath.
Sarah Palin industry faces depression - Ben Smith
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/65359.html
What's left to say about the American Rorschach Test? Obviously plenty because it should never be swept under the rug that such a dangerously under qualified person got near the levers of power. The Republican party should not get off so easily either. They elevated her, no matter how reluctantly, and in doing so legitimized what she stood for: pure identity politics absent even the pretension that she was capable.
I do not say good riddance. I wanted her to run. She is elusive and aggressive at the same time and I wanted her netted and cornered, forced to stammer through a debate and hold her own against people who were serious.
We will never have that opportunity now, as the con has moved on to be with her followers, those desperate to be conned anyway. She strung us out for months, years, smiling all the way to the bank.
But, whatever. She's done for as far as being taken serious for office. The sliver of the populace that adores her has lost the sliver that could stand her and she now counts even less of the gullible as her base. She's not disappearing, but her power has waned immeasurably as her threat is no longer real.
What's left to say about the American Rorschach Test? Obviously plenty because it should never be swept under the rug that such a dangerously under qualified person got near the levers of power. The Republican party should not get off so easily either. They elevated her, no matter how reluctantly, and in doing so legitimized what she stood for: pure identity politics absent even the pretension that she was capable.
I do not say good riddance. I wanted her to run. She is elusive and aggressive at the same time and I wanted her netted and cornered, forced to stammer through a debate and hold her own against people who were serious.
We will never have that opportunity now, as the con has moved on to be with her followers, those desperate to be conned anyway. She strung us out for months, years, smiling all the way to the bank.
But, whatever. She's done for as far as being taken serious for office. The sliver of the populace that adores her has lost the sliver that could stand her and she now counts even less of the gullible as her base. She's not disappearing, but her power has waned immeasurably as her threat is no longer real.
Herman Cain Aims Another Rant at Wall Street Protesters - Conor Friedersdorf
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/10/herman-cain-aims-another-rant-at-wall-street-protesters/246298/
Here Conor points out the rank amateurish nature of the Herman Cain candidacy, defending Wall Street as the crusaders of the free market. Actually, the free market took them for all they worth and we bailed them out, including the people Cain is criticizing.
Cain's consituency is the people that have no idea who he is outside of the fact that he is a black conservative.
Here Conor points out the rank amateurish nature of the Herman Cain candidacy, defending Wall Street as the crusaders of the free market. Actually, the free market took them for all they worth and we bailed them out, including the people Cain is criticizing.
Cain's consituency is the people that have no idea who he is outside of the fact that he is a black conservative.
McChrystal: Afghan war a job half-done
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/06/national/main20117023.shtml
The U.S. began the war in Afghanistan with a "frighteningly simplistic" view of the country and even 10 years later lacks knowledge that could help bring the conflict to a successful end, a former top commander said Thursday.
McChrystal also said that the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq less than two years after entering Afghanistan made the Afghan effort more difficult.
"I think they were made more difficult, clearly," he said because the Iraq invasion "changed the Muslim world's view of America's effort. When we went after the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001, there was a certain understanding that we had the ability and the right to defend ourselves and the fact that al Qaeda had been harbored by the Taliban was legitimate. I think when we made the decision to go into Iraq that was less legitimate" in the eyes of much of the Muslim world.
Iraq also diverted some military resources that could have been put to good use in Afghanistan, he said.
The U.S. began the war in Afghanistan with a "frighteningly simplistic" view of the country and even 10 years later lacks knowledge that could help bring the conflict to a successful end, a former top commander said Thursday.
McChrystal also said that the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq less than two years after entering Afghanistan made the Afghan effort more difficult.
"I think they were made more difficult, clearly," he said because the Iraq invasion "changed the Muslim world's view of America's effort. When we went after the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001, there was a certain understanding that we had the ability and the right to defend ourselves and the fact that al Qaeda had been harbored by the Taliban was legitimate. I think when we made the decision to go into Iraq that was less legitimate" in the eyes of much of the Muslim world.
Iraq also diverted some military resources that could have been put to good use in Afghanistan, he said.
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