Scott Shane's Love Affair for Dick Cheney and Kit Bond
Scott Shane wrote an article that is really about investigating Dick Cheney. But the whole thing is completely neurotic about any discussion of Cheney.
Lebanese Recipe For Economic Health: Go With What You Know
It seems that whether it is Henry Paulson, Tim Geithner or the yammering dipsticks on CNBC, it seems the there has been a headlong rush to seek analysis, wisdom and solutions from the very self proclaimed geniuses that put the US and the world in the problem to start with. Aren't there any big bankers/finance ministers that really got it right? Yes, his name is Riad Toufic Salame and he is Lebanon's Central Banker.
And Now the Appeals Court Jumps in the Fray
Why won't the Appeals Court let Obama try to broker a deal between Harriet Miers and the House Judiciary Committee?
Louisiana Gubernatorial Sitcom
I tell you what, those Republicans may not have squat for rational ideas, but they sure have some humor. Heck, it was less than two days ago we were watching Steele and Boner in "DC Vice". Fear not intrepid viewers, these jokers are bringin da funny all over. Now we have the humor of Lo
Developing Arguments about Classified Information in the al-Haramain Litigation
The legal games in the al-Haramain litigation have moved on to the question of who gets to determine whether litigants have the need to know that they need before getting top secret security clearance.
Down On The Border: State Of War In Mexico
Via Laura Rozen comes reference to a chilling piece by Sam Quinones in Foreign Policyon the drug smuggling violence that has escalated to a total state of war rivaling levels in Iraq. it is easy to forget what is going on just across the border. Easy, at least, until you take in Sam Quinones' tale:
Why GM Matters: Inside the Race to Transform an American Icon
As I indicated yesterday in the post "Why American Industry (And Its Future) Matters", we have the privilege of having author William J. Holstein today at Emptywheel and Firedoglake to talk about his excellent book "Why GM Matters: Inside the Race to Transform an American Icon".
Is This Healthcare Reform Or Just Assistance To Health Corps?
I have a busy morning here, but want to draw attention to an article this morning in the New York Times by Robert Pear on the ongoing discussions of healthcare reform for the United States:Since last fall, many of the leading figures in the nation’s long-running health care debate have been meeting secretly in a Senate hearing room. It is not not a great plan they appear to be cooking up.
The Iseman Cometh, The Iseman Goeth
At the end of December last year, Emptywheel reported that noted high powered Washington lobbyist Vicki Iseman had filed a defamation suit against the New York Times. What was at issue in the article behind the lawsuit was the appearance of an affair, not an affair itself, and the beliefs of McCain staffers about that appearance of an affair. That has been borne out by the complete dismissal of the lawsuit.
Steele and Boehner Go Gangsta
Well, you just knew that the GOP wouldn't take the bonecrushing loss in last November's elections to Rico Suave Obama and too cool for school Dems lightly. They were, like an octogenarian on Viagra, going to get hip. Or a hip replacement. Whatever. They started by electing the rootin tootin slick dick midnight mustache Michael Steele as DNC Chairman. Between Steele and Boner Boehner, what could go wrong?
Issa Bit Hypocritical For Darrel To Want WH Email Compliance Now
You might remember a little kerfuffle over the preservation of White House emails that roiled during the Bush/Cheney Administration, consuming national discussion and court resources. Well, that was during the Bush/Cheney Administration, those fine Republican hypocrites, er watchdogs, in Congress are calling for change from the previous policy for the Obama Administration.
Why American Industry (And Its Future) Matters
Ian has a great piece up at FDL on the financial sector's problems, their genesis, and the Obama Administration's conventional wisdom, status quo, manner of dealing with them. He describes the fallacy of viewing it as a "black swan" event. That is a very rare, random and unpredictable event. We should be similarly concerned about short sidedness with American industry and manufacturing, which are the real foundation of the American economy.
Give the Gift of Life: Become an Organ Donor
Consider becoming an organ donor. It can save someone's life!
Veni, Vidi, Vici - Obama's Foreclosure Reveal In Phoenix
As you may know, President Obama came to Phoenix in order to roll out his $75 Billion Plan to Fight Home Foreclosures. This was exciting for me, because Obama spent last night at a resort, Montelucia, about 3/4 of a mile from my house. Here are the details of the plan he announced and photos from his visit.
Obama Hates The Truth On Binyan Mohamed
The news last week that President Obama had bought into and signed off on the full boat of shameful state secrets assertion in the case of Binyan Mohamed v Jeppesen Dataplan set off a wave of criticism. Obama came to the criticism the old fashioned way, he earned it by breaking his campaign promise and continuing the wretched excess of unitary secrecy.
BREAKING: Burris Fesses Up
Chicago tenor Roland Burris is singing a new tune by acknowledging he sought to raise campaign funds for then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich at the request of the governor’s brother at the same time he was making a pitch to be appointed to the Senate seat previously held by President Barack Obama. Burris' latest comments in Peoria Monday night were the first time he has publicly said he was actively trying involved in seeking campaign financing for Blagojevich.
Are Your Members of Congress Supporting an Investigation into Bush Crimes?
As many of you have noted, at least 62% of Americans support some investigation into Bush Administration crimes (whether a criminal investigation or a truth commission). Do your members of Congress agree with the majority of Americans who refuse to ignore the past? Call them and find out.
GM Gets Its Loan; No Bankruptcy for Now
When it was announced Sunday that President Obama had decided against appointing an "Auto Czar", instead opting for a panel of Administration financial experts including, but not limited to, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers and Ron Bloom, it pretty much signaled that the Administration was going to continue to work with GM as an existing, functioning entity instead of forcing them into bankruptcy. Monday night, that was confirmed.
Conason's Lost Truth About Reconciliation
Joe Conason has a new piece out in Salon that is enough to cause sane heads to explode. Noting that, like math, bringing accountability is hard Conason biliously opines that Obama ought to pardon Bush/Cheney miscreants and establish a truth and reconciliation commission. This is a half baked idea, at best.
President's Day Down South
Here it is, another glorious President's day, and wouldn't you know it world leaders are exchanging presents. And Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has sent one President Obama's way: President Hugo Chávez handily won a referendum on Sunday that will end presidential term limits, allowing him to run for re-election indefinitely.