June 05, 2010

He's Tanned, Rested and Ready: Eliot Spitzer Rocks Reunions at Princeton

Eliot Spitzer, Princeton Class of 1981, spoke on Saturday, May 29 on the topic “Lessons from the Economic Crisis” at Princeton’s annual Reunions weekend. As soon as I saw that Spitzer was speaking, I knew that nothing short of an asteroid hit on Nassau Hall could keep me from hearing him. The university also knew that Spitzer’s Class of 2000 Millennial Lecture would be a huge draw because the Reunions guidebook listed two locations for simulcasts for those who couldn’t jam into a lecture room at the new McDonnell Hall.

Spitzer and I attended Princeton at the same time (I was Class of 1980) and while I didn’t know him I remembered him as student government president. I followed his career and thought he was a great choice for Governor, even if, as a Connecticut resident, I couldn’t vote for him. His downfall shocked me, especially the abject humiliation of his wife up there on the platform for the world to see.

But I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for steely-eyed moralists like George Bush, Rudy Giuliani and Eliot Spitzer. All they have to do is whisper in my ear, “You’re either with us or against us” and I’m jumping up and down in glee like a teenybopper chasing after the New Kids on the Block. So unlike some classmates, I didn't quite feel utter moral revulsion at the thought of his appearance, more like a morbid curiosity about this very public step in Spitzer's re-emergence into the public sphere (it's not like he's been wandering the political wilderness that long, anyway).

Spitzer speaks at Princeton -- the mysterious faucets on the wall must have some symbolic meaning.

Continue reading "He's Tanned, Rested and Ready: Eliot Spitzer Rocks Reunions at Princeton"

Van | 06/05/10 at 02:25 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

May 23, 2010

“Elena Kagan, Girl Reporter!” Or, Writing About Sex, Sports and Rock n’ Roll at Princeton

The search for a paper trail obsesses many analysts of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. Scholars parse her slim collection of legal writings with Talmudic zeal to tease out her opinions. Others pushed the trail back farther to comb through her provocative senior thesis at Princeton University, where she graduated in 1981: “To the Final Conflict: Socialism in New York City, 1900-1933.”

Yet few have examined her voluminous writings as a reporter and then Editorial Chairman of The Daily Princetonian, where she served on the 1981 Managing Board that ran the paper in 1980, during the spring of her junior year and fall of her senior year. Newsweek.com published a good roundup that looked at the ideological trends in her writing.

In the interests of contributing to civil discourse on Kagan, I recently dusted off my bound volume of the “Prince,” as it’s known, for 1979, when I was a member of the Managing Board from the Class of 1980. I have lugged this unwieldy tome with me from Princeton to Brooklyn to Queens to Brooklyn to Norwalk to Westport to Stamford to Westport over the last 30 years. I never looked at it, until now. Kagan cranked out reams of copy for the paper, on topics ranging from the South Africa divestment campaign and student government (sometimes quoting Eliot Spitzer '81) to the football team, Playboy’s “Girls of the Ivy League” feature and trends in the New York music scene, and much more.

Elena Kagan wrote several stories mentioning Eliot Spitzer.

Continue reading "“Elena Kagan, Girl Reporter!” Or, Writing About Sex, Sports and Rock n’ Roll at Princeton"

Van | 05/23/10 at 10:08 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

January 24, 2010

Obama and the Press: Get Ready for the Comeback Kid

With all the frothing over the problems of the Democrats and the sudden reversal of fortune for the GOP after last week's election of Republican Scott Brown to the Senate from Massachusetts, let's step back and take the long view.

As a former member of the press, I've been around journalism enough to know that many mainstream reporters are rejoicing over the victory of Scott Brown -- NOT because they like conservatives or oppose President Obama, but because journalists love drama. A Brown victory is catnip for journalists. On TV and in print, they get to think deep thoughts about the end of hope and change, the fears of the health-care reformers, the civil rights of terrorists, and whether the Obama presidency is doomed. Should he just resign now and let Joe Biden assume the chore of cleaning up the messes left by the previous President?

And what about Sarah Palin? Will Brown outflank her as the new golden boy of the misunderstood guns-and-hymnals demographic?

Continue reading "Obama and the Press: Get Ready for the Comeback Kid"

Van | 01/24/10 at 02:01 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

January 14, 2010

Plucky Marketers Sneak the Voice of the Proletariat into the Streets of NYC

One of my more illuminating experiences at Princeton came during my sophomore year, when I moved into a six-man suite in 1938 Hall. The previous occupants had a subscription to a newspaper called the Workers Vanguard. It always amused me with its rants and raves, always ending with strident appeals for workers revolution! Down with the capitalists! Long live the teachings of Trotsky! (Or was it Marx-Engels? I can't remember the exact political line. The WV definitely wasn't Maoist).

I developed a sneaking affection for left-wing publications, a real-world supplement to the Marx I read in history classes at Princeton. I don't see them any more on New York newsstands; either they're not being published or they've been pushed out of circulation.

Lately, however, I've been picking up copies of one of the gritty survivors, Workers World, the paper of the Workers World Party, which proudly proclaims on its front page, "Workers and oppressed people of the world unite!" Well, that's the real deal for fans of left-wing cant, sterner stuff than "We are the change we believe in." Some clever soul is slipping copies of the paper into news boxes in midtown Manhattan, in the slots for free distribution papers. Whenever I see one, I immediately grab it to check out the latest perspective of the extreme left (slightly to the left of NPR and the New York Times).

The stories are quite readable and give, if nothing else, a focused perspective on the news, be it climate change, the economy, the need to revive the class struggle, military issues, labor and that old, old favorite, "Justice for Mumia." Articles on Latin America also catch my attention. My politics differ from Workers World, but I have to give the paper's supporters credit for their plucky and successful guerrilla marketing campaign to get a very serious paper in front of New Yorkers. It adds some fiber to my reading diet.

Van | 01/14/10 at 08:56 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

March 01, 2009

$900M for Gaza? Great! How about $900M for Charles Manson?

President Obama is doing the right thing by allocating $900 million for rebuilding Gaza, still under the wise leadership of Hamas. This is a humane, progressive approach that puts resources where they they will win the U.S. friends and admiration.

Since the taxpayers are extending the hand of friendship to Gaza/Hamas, I suggest that the administration keep up the momentum by providing $900 million to the far-sighted leader of a group that used bold tactics in pursuit of an anti-racist, anti-colonialist agenda -- Charles Manson. Hey, I bet Bill Ayers is down with that.

Continue reading "$900M for Gaza? Great! How about $900M for Charles Manson?"

Van | 03/01/09 at 05:14 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 26, 2008

Puritan Action Plan for Bail-Out Recipients: No, No, and NO

Citigroup is catching flak for having its name on the replacement for Shea Stadium, now dubbed Citi Field. Set to open the 2009 season, Citi Field shows exquisitely bad timing as a (mis)use of corporate assets. Two NY City Council members want to rename it "Citi/Taxpayer Field." Good idea! (Others have suggested Heimlich Field, because the Mets are always choking.)

Their renaming made me think about a Puritan Code of Conduct for corporations and their executives who are escaping self-inflicted destitution courtesy of tax payers. Yes, the Pilgrims had Thanksgiving, but I always associate the Puritans with stern behavior. So, to honor the spirit of the Puritans and their view of excess, I'm pleased to channel the jolly spirit of Oliver Cromwell and present this Puritan Action Plan for Bail-Out Recipients. Drawing on my first-hand observation of the excesses of corporate life, it will ensure that corporate chiefs will wisely spend their largess. As with any effective moral code, the Puritan Action Plan uses the word "no" many times.

Continue reading "Puritan Action Plan for Bail-Out Recipients: No, No, and NO"

Van | 11/26/08 at 06:40 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 07, 2008

The White House Mountaineer

I'm keeping an open mind about the new administration. The website www.change.gov lays out the issues and areas of focus. Some of it makes sense, such as the discussion of ethics in government.

Other parts give me pause, like this gem buried in the "Other Issues" section. It sounds downright Stalinist in tone, a celebration of the infinite abilities of the far-seeing wise man:

Our nation's creativity has filled the world's libraries, museums, recital halls, movie houses, and marketplaces with works of genius. The arts embody the American spirit of self-definition. As the author of two best-selling books – Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope – Barack Obama uniquely appreciates the role and value of creative expression.

Uniquely? Really? Is there nothing the White House Mountaineer cannot accomplish?

We can't say we weren't put on notice.

Van | 11/07/08 at 06:37 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 02, 2008

Obama Loves Me, This I Know, for the Liberal Bible Tells Me So

The New York Times slipped comfortably into Obama Girl mode today with another fawning article about Barack Obama, this one titled "Obama-Inspired Black Voters Warm to Politics." The article practically writes itself with no pretense of balance. Political participation derives from one source only, without the possibility that new black voters may be voting Republican. Maybe the National Black Republican Association could provide some, shall we say, diversity of perspective light on this aspect of the story.

What caught my attention in the story was a quote that instantly echoed an upbringing 40 years ago among the Texas Baptists. One passage reads,

For Darnell Harris of Cleveland, an 18-year-old private in the Marines, the legal voting age could not come fast enough. “I’m excited that the first time I get to vote, it’s for Barack,” he said. And echoing many others, he said that race is only part of the reason. “Obama cares about everybody, whether they’re white, black, Chinese, whatever. He’s not just for one little group.”

Where have I heard that thought before? Could Darnell Harris be channeling this song with this well-known (among some groups) refrain?

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Van | 11/02/08 at 06:10 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

August 08, 2008

John and Cindy Send Me Pictures

Last fall several KTers and I attended a Rudy Giuliani fundraiser on the Upper West Side, where we dined on kosher sushi and heard a fervent pitch from members of his Jewish committee.

Rudy tanked, but the donation I made lives on, and on, as I can tell how my contact details got passed up the line to the various tentacles of the Republican Party. They have been reaching out in recent weeks, desperate to slither into my pockets and shake loose some spare change for the dear old GOP.

Since I'm a registered Democrat, I find the efforts amusing. I've already picked up a black-and-white McCain bumper sticker, and in recent days I've excitedly ripped open envelopes to find 8 x 10 "signed" glossies of John and Cindy McCain. One says, "Thank you for everything you do for our Party and country, John & Cindy," while the other says, "Thank you for for commitment and support, Cindy & John."

What I liked most about the glossies is how well Cindy wears her four strands of pearls. The perfect Republican First Lady!

Lately the mailings have come from other directions. I got one with the envelope teaser,

I'm not the type of person today's lilberal Democrats want to see in Congress. I'm a woman . . . a minority . . . and a conservative

I know you're curious, so the letter came from Dr. Deborah Honeycutt in Atlanta, running for the House.

Don't think the GOP is a soft touch, however. It expects results from its direct mail campaign. Just today, I got a scolding letter from the Republican National Committee.

Continue reading "John and Cindy Send Me Pictures"

Van | 08/08/08 at 08:08 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

July 21, 2008

Sen. Pat Leahy: Dark Knight and Dead Head

With The Dark Knight giving Obama a run for the buzz-money these days, let's pause to consider the role of Senator Pat Leahy, who has carved out a role for himself in the Batman entertainment monolith. His role in Dark Knight is just the latest for the Vermont Democrat:

Leahy had a nonspeaking cameo in the 1997 film "Batman and Robin," did a voice-over for the part of a governor in a Batman cartoon, and wrote the prefaces for a "Batman" anthology and a Batman comic book about the danger of land mines. Once he was spotted doing wheelies on his grandson's toy Batmobile down the long marble hall outside his Senate office.

But wait, there's more! Leahy is also a tiedyed-in-the-wool fan of the Grateful Dead. I know because when Jerry Garcia died, Leahy beelined to the studios of the MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour to talk about his enthusiasm for the group. I heard him. The Dkospedia (yes, there is such a thing) sums up the Leahy's adventures in Oaxamaxao Land:

Senator Leahy is a fan of the Grateful Dead. He has not only attended concerts, but has taped them, and has a collection of Dead tapes in his Senate Offices. The late Jerry Garcia visited him at his Senate offices, and the Senator gave a tie designed by the late band leader Jerry Garcia to Sen. Orrin Hatch (who responded by giving Leahy a Rush Limbaugh tie). Surviving band members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart have participated in fundraisers for Leahy and his Political Action Committee, the Green Mountain Victory Fund. Leahy also appeared offered a videotaped tribute to the Dead when they received a lifetime achievement award at the 2002 Jammys. His Senate web site notes this response to a question from 7th Grade Students from Vermont's Thetford Academy who asked Leahy which Dead song was his favorite, he replied: "...my favorite is Black Muddy River but we always play Trucking on election night at my headquarters."

Now, if he wants to really get "hip" with today's new breed of young Democrats, I'd like to see Sen. Leahy start groovin' to the tunes of Amy WIinehouse or L'il Kim. Or maybe I'll just keep thinking of him as Senator Casey Jones.

Van | 07/21/08 at 06:36 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

June 06, 2008

Latin for the Candidates

The book "Amo, Amas, Amat and More" is full of Latin phrases and translations. Some have direct application to the Democratic candidates. Two of my favorites, for your consideration.

Might Hillary return to Chappaqua declaring, "Vulneratus non victus" -- "Wounded but not conquered"?

And for BHO, how about this sentence from the Odes of Horace:

Integer vitae scelerisque purus non eget mauris iaculis neque areu. -- An upright man, free of guilt, needs no weapon to defend himself.

That could be meant ironically, as we peruse the connections with Rezko, et. al. but I will let the gods decide that matter.

Van | 06/06/08 at 07:04 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

April 28, 2008

Lincoln-Douglas Debate? No. Try TLC.

Hillary has thrown down the gantlet, challenging Obama to a Lincoln-Douglas style no-moderator debate. Obama, trying to play out the clock, says no, we've had 21 debates.

I think Hillary needs to up the ante. Forget about polite harrumping about health care and Iraq and Rev. Wright. Let's settle this once and for all with a genuine slammin' TLC match to see who claims the nomination, no holds barred.

What's TLC? you might ask. As well you should. TLC refers not to how Hillary treats overseas campaign donors, but rather Tables-Ladders-Chairs, a wrestling format in which contestants use the props to grab a championship belt suspended above the ring.

That would be political theater of the highest order and the greatest pay-per-view event ever, to see Hillary "Bill Crusher" Clinton battle Barack "The Hawaiian Weatherman" Obama in for the Democratic nomination. Let's stop playing nice and get out the heavy equipment so they can really pummel each other in glee.

Continue reading "Lincoln-Douglas Debate? No. Try TLC."

Van | 04/28/08 at 06:44 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

February 25, 2008

Princeton in the Nation's Political Service

The 2008 election is shaping up to a banner one for those who seek the hidden hand of Princeton University's influence on national affairs. The two factors so far: Michelle Obama '85 is getting as much ink as her husband, what's-his-name, thanks to the close textual analysis of her senior-year thesis on racial issues and her comments on finally feeling proud of America.

The second factor appeared yesterday when Ralph Nader '55 announced he was throwing his fuel-efficient hat into the ring once again.

Now if only Donald Rumsfeld '54 would get involved as an advisor to John McCain, the orange-and-black coloration would be complete . . .

Van | 02/25/08 at 07:22 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

December 06, 2007

On the Banks of the Rio Grande

In recent days I've become addicted to reading the website Rio Grande Guardian, published out of McAllen, Texas and covering the border and immigration issues, along with news from Mexico. Having grown up in the area, I find most of the stories compelling. On the whole, the Guardian is anti-fence, with opinion columns toppling over into total moonbattery, such as this gem by a local college professor:

I understand I live in a nation harboring xenophobic, nativistic racists - fearful little people who have difficulty maintaining bladder control if there is the minutest change in their small minded little world. For the most part, we call these people Republicans, though you will find them among Democrats too, especially in the South, and in particular when the “alien” is African American. But, for the most part, those little people moved to the Republi party. (I say Republi party since Republis have trouble saying or writing Democratic party.

But that is what one would expect from small-minded little people.

Still, the Guardian does a great job pulling together the local perspective in an area on the front lines of immigration and Mexican issues. I paid it a very high compliment by signing up for its daily emails.

I'll have more to say on articles it runs later -- for now, just take a look and get an intense, first-hand view of one of the defining issues roiling the 2008 presidential campaign.

Van | 12/06/07 at 10:57 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 15, 2007

Flag Desecration Day: Busted in San Antonio

No sooner had we floated the idea of Free-Market Flag Desecration Day than a brave soul gave it a try in San Antonio. He didn't take the easy way out and burn Old Glory. No sir, he went transgressive and edgy and burned a Mexican flag in front of the Alamo.

The sad result, according to mySA.com:

The city is charging 46-year old David Bohmfalk with burning without a permit, even though no one gives permits to burn a flag.

For this Davy Crockett died?

Van | 10/15/07 at 09:18 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 12, 2007

Free-Market Flag Desecration Day

This item on the idea for a sharia bake sale got me to thinking: I'd like to see the results of a free-market flag desecration sale. We always see pictures of zhlubs burning and trampling on the U.S. and Israeli . . . more »

Van | 10/12/07 at 06:29 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 05, 2007

Al Gore Polishes His Resume

Mark your calendar for October 12. That's the day we will learn if Al Gore has won the Nobel Peace Prize. That could be a very nice flourish on his resume if he decides to plunge into presidential politics. As . . . more »

Van | 10/05/07 at 06:53 AM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 01, 2007

A Half-Glass Full Look at the Housing Bubble

As a former homeowner and current renter, I can look at turmoil in the housing markets from various perspectives. I know what it feels like to thrill at rising valuations, to see that pile of wood and masonry as financial . . . more »

Van | 10/01/07 at 06:59 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

August 05, 2007

Ronald Wilson Obama: Crazy Like a Fox?

Cruel commentators made sport of Barack Obama's gyrations on invading Pakistan, then backing off on using nuclear weapons. He's belligerent, he's indecisive, he's like Mike Dukakis riding a tank. In my view, Obama is having a Ronald Reagan moment. Reagan . . . more »

Van | 08/05/07 at 09:45 AM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

August 01, 2007

Commies v. Nazis: Echoes of Greensboro

Judith's smart round-up of reports on a left-right clash in New Jersey reminded me of a previous violent encounter of Nazis and Commies. No, I'm not thinking of Stalingrad, but rather the November 1979 encounter between the Communist Workers Party . . . more »

Van | 08/01/07 at 09:12 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

July 22, 2007

Ultimate Hot Chick Smackdown: Hillary v. Rudy. Who's More Fab?

Blogs were atwitter lately over a Washington Post article about Hillary Clinton showing a little hint of cleavage. The story throbbed with the importance of it all: She was talking on the Senate floor about the burdensome cost of higher . . . more »

Van | 07/22/07 at 08:18 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

July 04, 2007

NPR Holds These Truths to Be Self-Evident

Driving around this morning I heard NPR's Morning Edition air a full reading of the Declaration of Independence, performed by hosts, reporters, newscasters and commentators. The program has done this for 19 years, but this marked the first time I . . . more »

Van | 07/04/07 at 12:15 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

May 16, 2007

The speech George W. Bush SHOULD give

A bit of wishful thinking that got sent around on email . . . . The speech George W. Bush SHOULD give: Normally, I start these things out by saying "My Fellow Americans." Not doing it this time. If the . . . more »

Judith | 05/16/07 at 01:39 PM | 11 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

April 01, 2007

Relatively Political: Left/Right Debate That's All in the Family

One of the biggest challenges for those of us who live in the left-leaning San Francisco Bay Area and whose political views are right-of-center is navigating the oftentimes treacherous waters of politics and personal relationships. And this difficult situation exists . . . more »

Cinnamon | 04/01/07 at 02:35 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

March 26, 2007

The Latest from Robert Novak

Robert Novak's latest column, A President All Alone, discusses Bush's distance - even isolation - from congressional Republicans, and their chagrin at ongoing revelations of Bush administration incompetence. "We always have claimed that we were the party of better management," . . . more »

Alcibiades | 03/26/07 at 11:16 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

March 23, 2007

Irony Alert

How amusing! Former President Bill Clinton yesterday complained that “it’s just not fair” the way his wife, presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), is being depicted for her controversial Iraq war vote. Speaking to hundreds of supporters on conference . . . more »

Alcibiades | 03/23/07 at 12:10 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

March 20, 2007

Has Bush Learned from Past Mistakes?

And the nature of the domestic enemy he faces? One can only hope that the disaster of the Scooter Libby verdict had a salutary effect. And that he now plans to stand firm and defend his people when the Senate . . . more »

Alcibiades | 03/20/07 at 06:38 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

If Only Bush Would Have Fired His Ass

U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald was ranked among prosecutors who had "not distinguished themselves" on a Justice Department chart sent to the White House in March 2005, when he was in the midst of leading the CIA leak investigation that . . . more »

Alcibiades | 03/20/07 at 12:27 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

March 15, 2007

Serious Questions for Henry Waxman's Show Trial

By Rick Ballard, reposted with permission: House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman will continue his show trials masquerading as Congressional hearings tomorrow with a focus on the purported outing of CIA celebrity agent Valerie Plame by the White . . . more »

Alcibiades | 03/15/07 at 01:44 AM | 2 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

Washington's Blood Sport

Joseph Bottum's reflections on his friend, Scooter Libby: let's remember what this was all really about. A black spot was being passed from hand to hand in Washington. Somebody was going to end up with it, and Scooter Libby was . . . more »

Alcibiades | 03/15/07 at 12:19 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

March 12, 2007

My Non-Review of 300

From Occasional Kesher Talk Contributor, Ben (from NY): I haven’t seen the movie. Some would say this one fact eliminates me from reasonable discussion of it, but on the other hand, no-one alive today has seen the actual Battle of . . . more »

Alcibiades | 03/12/07 at 08:28 PM | 9 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

March 10, 2007

Conversation, Hillary Style

It's just so her. As in "conversational." Here's a direct video, but there's some useful data at the above site. So, um, could David Geffen's people possibly be behind it? They obviously have the resources. . . . more »

Alcibiades | 03/10/07 at 06:51 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

More Wisdom from the Sage at MSNBC

Chris Matthew's blathers his pearls into the microphone: The liberals will talk about poverty, injustice, and racism, and nuclear war, and pick that part of the Christian message from Jesus, and the conservatives will find the evils of sodomy, the . . . more »

Alcibiades | 03/10/07 at 09:08 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

March 09, 2007

Disappearing a Man's Freedom: Smoke and Mirrors

In a column today, Charles Krauthammer points out the very thing that NBC does not want the public to know: Everyone agrees that Fitzgerald's perjury case against Libby hung on the testimony of NBC's Tim Russert. Libby said that he . . . more »

Alcibiades | 03/09/07 at 04:31 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

March 08, 2007

They Did Not Vote for Edwards

During the August 2004 Republican convention in NYC I did fun things with the Protest Warriors. We incited foaming, spitting rage from anti-war protesters, and this fellow and his friend went the extra mile to provoke. In recognition of the . . . more »

Van | 03/08/07 at 06:01 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

February 20, 2007

Israel: the greatest short-term threat to world peace

Who recently said that Israel is the greatest short-term threat to world peace? Nope. Not Ahmadinejad. Not Abbas. Not the depressed Hassan Nasrallah. Not Jimmy Carter. [Though he probably thought it] It was said to a bunch of Hollywood liberals . . . more »

Alcibiades | 02/20/07 at 06:16 PM | 16 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

February 19, 2007

Jack Murtha, War Hero in Action

Whither the Centrist Democrats? Have they lost their way so soon? Have their bread crumbs already been eaten up by the doves? Improbable though it may seem, blunt and brassy Jack Murtha is moving close to command over U.S. policy . . . more »

Alcibiades | 02/19/07 at 09:13 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

Pennies for the Old Hugo, Please?

For a year or more I bought gasoline at a Citgo station on Main Ave. in Norwalk, CT. The prices always beat the lowest other local competitors by two to four cents. I knew Citgo is owned by the Venezuelan . . . more »

Van | 02/19/07 at 04:43 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

February 08, 2007

Russert the Hypocrite

In a previous post, I produced Russert's testimony showing that privately he spoke to an FBI agent about his call with Libby, the same call that later on, publicly, he fought against "being forced to reveal" because, as a member . . . more »

Alcibiades | 02/08/07 at 11:28 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

Tim Russert - Boldly Lying on the Stand

A report on the Morning's testimony: Libby's defense attorney, Wells, continues to grill Russert. To recap, Russert, being a god, unlike you and me, got special treatment for his "grand jury" testimony. He got to testify in his office, with . . . more »

Alcibiades | 02/08/07 at 12:13 PM | 4 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

February 01, 2007

Want to Know What's Really Going on in Afghanistan? Listen to the Military, Not the Media

Much as they do with the so-called insurgency in Iraq, the mainstream media (MSM) is constantly telling us that the Taliban and al-Qaeda are "winning" in Afghanistan. To hear the MSM tell it, vastly outnumbered Taliban forces are about to . . . more »

Cinnamon | 02/01/07 at 06:11 PM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

January 29, 2007

Cinnamon Stillwell on Indians: Interview with David Yeagley at BadEagle.com

In my post-9/11 political travels on the right, I've often gravitated towards others I see as minority Republicans and/or conservatives in their respective environments. In my own case, it's being right-of-center in San Francisco and a politically conservative Jewish woman. . . . more »

Cinnamon | 01/29/07 at 11:14 PM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

Wall Street Journal's John Fund Raises Questions About Sandy Berger

Fresh on the heels of my recent post on the subject, John Fund of the Wall Street Journal is raising questions about the Sandy Berger affair: Paper Chase: Did investigators turn a blind eye to the seriousness of the Sandy . . . more »

Cinnamon | 01/29/07 at 01:18 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

January 26, 2007

Sandy Berger: The "Watergate" No One Wants To Talks About

Former Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein, who, along with colleague Bob Woodward, exposed the Watergate affair, has been grumbling that the Bush administration has done "far greater damage" than President Nixon. But perhaps the intrepid reporters of "All the President's . . . more »

Cinnamon | 01/26/07 at 04:29 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

Too Jewish Sounding for the Holocaust Committee!!

Suddenly, it has become socially acceptable for liberal Jews to come out of the closet with their first hand tales of Carter's implicit anti-semitism and irascibility about Jews; the floodgates are now wide open. It's become a trend. I suspect . . . more »

Alcibiades | 01/26/07 at 12:12 AM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

January 25, 2007

Israel: A Stiff Necked Country

Israel: A Stiff Necked Country That's not my opinion, by the way; rather, its my translation of Jimmy's belief that Israel was "intransigent." I guess he believed he had the God's eye view, that he shared God's perspective and God's . . . more »

Alcibiades | 01/25/07 at 06:42 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

December 26, 2006

The Christmas Kerfuffle Revisited

Although I'm a day late, this seemed a good time to revisit an SFGate column I wrote last year providing a Jewish perspective to the kerfuffle over Christmas. It remains sadly relevant and I must say, all the politicizing of . . . more »

Cinnamon | 12/26/06 at 04:39 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

December 22, 2006

Carter Criticism Roundup

Sneaking in a last post just before Shabbat begins - and wah! the computer just ate is - now I'm really crunching it to reproduce the links: For those of you from a more liberal political persuasion, Professor Mel Konner's . . . more »

Alcibiades | 12/22/06 at 04:11 PM | 9 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

December 19, 2006

Hypocrisy: The Measure of a Man

In the 1990s, James Baker's legal firm arranged business deals that flouted American sanctions against Saddam, and profited from it to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Baker was fully aware of this and complicit. the law firm . . . more »

Alcibiades | 12/19/06 at 02:56 AM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

December 16, 2006

An Anecdote from Natan Sharansky

I'm sure many of us know people who voice opinions just like this. From Powerline: UPDATE: It is well known that President Bush has been inspired by Sharansky's book, The Case for Democracy. Sharansky said today that American Jews (among . . . more »

Alcibiades | 12/16/06 at 11:11 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

December 04, 2006

John Bolton Resigns

His resignation effective at the end of his recess appointment. I just saw Eleanor Cliff - all happy - say that despite his effectiveness, Bolton reminds people of Rumsfeld and his regime. So that by accepting this resignation, Bush is . . . more »

Alcibiades | 12/04/06 at 09:36 AM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 30, 2006

Carter on the Jews

In an intriguing article on Jimmy Carter, we learn some more details about Carter's early political history with Jewish Democrats during his Presidential run and his Presidency, including this gem. In Dangerous Liaison: The Inside Story of the U.S.-Israeli Covert . . . more »

Alcibiades | 11/30/06 at 10:27 PM | 10 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 29, 2006

Loggerheads

So what do all of you think of this exchange between Bush and James Webb, newly elected Senator from Virginia, at a meet and greet, reported on by the Hill: At a private reception held at the White House with . . . more »

Alcibiades | 11/29/06 at 10:46 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

Vox Populi, Texas Style

To get the raw pulse of what people are thinking, I've discovered the discussion boards of the Houston Chronicle. The flames of rage were practically leaping out of my computer monitor when I scanned the section on "Immigration and the . . . more »

Van | 11/29/06 at 06:58 AM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 22, 2006

More Violence in Fremont, Hate Crime Nowhere To Be Found

Once again, violence has struck the Afghan-American community of Fremont. According to The Argus: Authorities have identified 46-year-old Zarghona Rahim as the woman who, according to police, was shot and killed by her husband Tuesday evening during a domestic dispute . . . more »

Cinnamon | 11/22/06 at 07:47 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 16, 2006

San Francisco's Anti-Military Values

San Francisco is a town where, as the saying goes, the personal is political. So avoiding politics in any discussion of the city by the bay is no easy task. City officials certainly have a habit of politicizing every aspect . . . more »

Cinnamon | 11/16/06 at 05:55 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 10, 2006

The Big Gloat

And so it begins. This just in from Reuters: A purported audio recording by the leader of Iraq's al Qaeda wing gloated over the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, as a top U.S. general said the military was preparing . . . more »

Alcibiades | 11/10/06 at 01:06 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

Can Someone Explain to Me How This is Realism

We've been hearing over and over that the purported plan of the Iraq Study group is to offer incentives to Iran and Syria to help the US in Iraq. Iran and Syria. Iran and Syria? How is this realism rather . . . more »

Alcibiades | 11/10/06 at 03:27 AM | 8 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 09, 2006

So It Begins....Impeachment, That Is

Despite protestations to the contrary from soon-to-be Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi, talk of impeachment proceedings against President Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney has already begun. Never to be quelled by the "right-wing" Democratic Party leadership, Bay Area . . . more »

Cinnamon | 11/09/06 at 01:44 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

Whither Iraq: More Background on Bob Gates

I really don't like realist conservatism. It often produces detestable, morally-cringeworthy Republican policy: for example, the retreat from Lebanon after Hezbollah bombed our Marine barracks, abandoning the Shi'ites and the Kurds in 1991, the decision to abandon Afghanistan to rack . . . more »

Alcibiades | 11/09/06 at 12:40 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 08, 2006

Election 2006: What Went Wrong for the Republicans

The midterm elections are over and those who hoped for a Republican victory are still digesting the results. The usual pre-election mainstream media hype led many to the mistaken impression that the Democratic Party's much-vaunted success might not pan out. . . . more »

Cinnamon | 11/08/06 at 02:10 PM | 14 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 05, 2006

Let's Get Kinky, Real Kinky, at Salon

Salon, which used to be interesting, weighed in with a long Kinky Friedman article yesterday, worth taking a look at. It's called "Kinky and Grandma Battle for Third." Particularly intriguing are the letters about the story, with some real anti-Kinky . . . more »

Van | 11/05/06 at 06:32 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

November 03, 2006

Congressional Candidate Steve Beren: Another Ex-Lefty

I make it a point to try and keep track of fellow former lefties, whether pre-9/11 or, as in my own case, post-9/11. And some of them have gravitated towards the online discussion group I started for this purpose, the . . . more »

Cinnamon | 11/03/06 at 09:53 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

Valley View: Mr. Bush, Don't Build That Wall!

This AP story datelined from my home town, Mission, Texas, provides the local angst about the border fence President Bush wants to build: Jeff Reed, co owner of Pepe's on the River bar and grill, looks out along the Rio . . . more »

Van | 11/03/06 at 07:00 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 26, 2006

The Antidote to Democrat Political Stupidity

You have to read this interview with Camille Paglia at Salon. If all Democrats were this clear thinking, if the tenor of political discourse took pace at this level, the whole country would be in a much better place. Reading . . . more »

Alcibiades | 10/26/06 at 10:35 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 19, 2006

When Is It Treason?

Between Adam Gadahn, Jane Fonda and Lynne Stewart, I've been doing a lot of posts on the topic of treason lately. Lest some think that I use the term lightly, in fact my accusations have been quite specific. In the . . . more »

Cinnamon | 10/19/06 at 01:52 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 18, 2006

The Lancet Report

Just in case you want to know why the current Lancet Report is completely flawed in its methodology, read this. Steven Moore deconstructs the flawed statistical metholodogy employed by the researchers. It comes down to two factors, far too few . . . more »

Alcibiades | 10/18/06 at 11:03 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 17, 2006

It's Hunting Season For Democrats

UPDATE: According to Red State this outing is payback for not voting against Alito at the confirmation hearings, before which time Mike Rogers threatened to out a closeted United States Senator at a politically opportune time tif he voted for . . . more »

Alcibiades | 10/17/06 at 11:49 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 13, 2006

Chappaquiddick Revisited

Unfortunately for the Democratic Party and its boosters in the MSM, the Foley scandal didn't work out quite as planned. The attempts to force Speaker of the House Rep. Dennis Hastert to resign have fallen flat and the American people . . . more »

Cinnamon | 10/13/06 at 02:21 PM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 09, 2006

Weird Things I Heard on Bill Maher's Real Time

UPDATE: The problem with writing things at 3AM is that they come out both redundant and slightly incoherent. Now edited. Bill Maher asking Chris Matthews, "Now do people think of you as a liberal or a conservative?" Huh, I thought . . . more »

Alcibiades | 10/09/06 at 03:13 AM | 2 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 04, 2006

Cinnamon Stillwell on Blogging, Liberal Hawks and 9/11 Neocons

[ Welcome to Kesher Talk, Cinnamon Stillwell! I asked Cinn to co-blog on Kesher Talk after meeting her last month. We got to know each other online because we both started email lists/social groups on opposite coasts for "disaffected liberals . . . more »

Cinnamon | 10/04/06 at 02:10 AM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

October 01, 2006

Ledeen on Woodward

Bob Woodward has cannily published his new book - State of Denial - just before the 2006 election to make it the must-read bible for the Democrats, thus to drive up his sales and to make his book itself into . . . more »

Alcibiades | 10/01/06 at 11:06 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

September 29, 2006

The Politics of Earring Shopping

I was just looking at some earrings at Amazon, and checked out the reviews of one I liked to see if anyone had written about quality, and this is what I found:I was ready to purchase these earrings but when . . . more »

Alcibiades | 09/29/06 at 12:53 PM | 4 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

September 21, 2006

So George Allen Is Jewish after all

Does it make a difference? Not much, although one day it might to him. Still, at the very least, it's an interesting story. His mother is from the well known Jewish Tunisian Lumbroso family. But after witnessing her father's treatment . . . more »

Alcibiades | 09/21/06 at 11:09 AM | 1 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

September 18, 2006

Creation, Destruction, and Choices

If you don't have Creative Destruction bookmarked on your browser, you're missing out on great posts like this one. . . . more »

Asher Abrams | 09/18/06 at 01:27 AM | Categories: Domestic Politics

May 30, 2006

The Political Odd Couple: Bush and Blair and their state of play

Tim Hanes gets it just right in much of this column in his analysis of the Bush/Blair relationship: AT A TIME when divorce is evidently getting easier and more lucrative, it is touching to see one couple soldiering on despite . . . more »

Alcibiades | 05/30/06 at 10:04 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

April 26, 2006

The CIA Cracks Down

No more talkie-talkie for ex-spooks. The Central Intelligence Agency has warned former employees not to have unapproved contacts with reporters, as part of a mounting campaign by the administration to crack down on officials who leak information on national security . . . more »

Alcibiades | 04/26/06 at 11:55 PM | 2 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

April 24, 2006

Rand Beers On Mary McCarthy

According to Rand Beers, whom she was hired to replace at the NSC, Mary McCarthy categorically denies being the source of the prison leak story. Though this is as yet unconfirmed by McCarthy herself who did not reply to attempts . . . more »

Alcibiades | 04/24/06 at 06:59 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

April 20, 2006

China in the News

The MSM is finally beginning to cover news of the coerced organ harvesting from Falun Gong political prisoners in China. Top British transplant surgeons have accused China of harvesting the organs of thousands of executed prisoners a year to sell . . . more »

Alcibiades | 04/20/06 at 09:57 PM | 1 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

April 19, 2006

Condemn the Violations of the Rights of Illegal Aliens . . . in Mexico

An earlier essay discussed playing the illegal immigrant game according to Mexican rules. New details show how Mexico plays the game within its own borders. Illegal immigrants in Mexico are protected, employed, have the right to hold mass demonstrations, are . . . more »

Van | 04/19/06 at 06:52 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

April 03, 2006

Applying the Banana Solution to Illegal Immigration

The brawl over illegal immigration involves, at essence, jobs. Mexicans can't get jobs in their own country so they come here. Employers say they can't find Americans to do the work, so they hire Mexicans. Americans may not like the . . . more »

Van | 04/03/06 at 10:24 PM | 4 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

April 02, 2006

I Have Heard the Future of Rock 'n Roll, and It Sounds Like "The Right Brothers"

A group called the Right Brothers (TRB) has released a tail-kicking three-minute raver called "Bush Was Right." See it here. Check out the lyrics, which include: Ted Kennedy -- wrong! Cindy Sheehan -- wrong! France -- WRONG! Zell Miller -- . . . more »

Van | 04/02/06 at 09:51 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

March 03, 2006

Beware the Southern Front, Part 2: Sen. Cornyn Holds Border Violence Hearing

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Republic of Texas) held a hearing on Wednesday on the topic "Federal Strategies to End Border Violence." It sounds like Cornyn's got a good grasp of the issues and solutions: The legislation that Senator Kyl and I . . . more »

Van | 03/03/06 at 07:20 AM | 1 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

August 25, 2004

Jewish Philanthropy: Benefiting from the Faith-Based Initiative

Below are some examples of Jewish charities that have benefited from President Bush's Faith-Based Initiative: . . . more »

Judith | 08/25/04 at 03:31 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics

April 28, 2004

Legalities

Andrew thinks Canada's limited legitimization of sharia law is "a horrifying turn of events." But . . . the arbitration act establishes a number of safeguards, including the requirement that parties enter into arbitration only on a voluntary basis. . . . more »

Judith | 04/28/04 at 06:02 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Domestic Politics