It’s been a couple of months since a high-profile Republican official accused Democrats of siding with the enemy in the war on terror, so I guess we were due. In June, it was Karl Rove. In September, it’s Sen. George Allen (R-Va.). On MSNBC’s Hardball last night, Allen and Chris Matthews teamed up on Sen. […]
I’m not a theologian, but I’m pretty sure there’s nothing in the New Testament about Jesus whipping and punching those with whom he disagreed. Then again, maybe Jerry Falwell has a less turn-the-other-cheek kind of Bible. (thanks to Eugene for the tip) During his September 25th sermon to his Thomas Road Baptist Church congregation, the […]
Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers: * Sen. Jon Corzine (D) continues to lead Doug Forrester in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, but by how much depends on which poll you read. A Fairleigh Dickinson poll has Corzine up 10 […]
Over the weekend, we learned of a devastating new report prepared by Human Rights Watch documenting widespread and systematic abuse of detainees in Iraq. We’re not talking about “isolated incidents” by a few “bad apples.” HRW’s report was prompted by three former soldiers with the 82nd Airborne, who felt compelled to come forward and explain […]
To his credit, Scott McClellan said yesterday that the White House would practice what it preaches when it comes to conservation, including turning down the air-conditioning, scaling back nonessential travel, turning off electrical equipment at night, forming carpools, and using public transportation. There’s some blending of fuel and electrical conservation here, and a smaller motorcade […]
Almost exactly one month ago, the nation received some discouraging news about Americans in poverty. The nation’s poverty rate rose to 12.7 percent of the population last year, the fourth consecutive annual increase, the Census Bureau said Tuesday…. Overall, there were 37 million people living in poverty, up 1.1 million people from 2003. (emphasis added) […]
The “intelligent-design” creationism case is underway in Dover, Pa., with several parents and teachers testifying yesterday that there was an atmosphere of “intimidation and anger” when the community’s school board members voted last year to require biology teachers to read a statement in class that casts doubt on the theory of evolution. While the classroom […]
On Capitol Hill, getting a celebrity to appear at a committee hearing is usually a big deal. Lawmakers know that reporters will cover an event with a popular entertainer or athlete, which in turn generates interest in whatever it is the committee wants to talk about. The point, of course, is to use the celebrity’s […]
It seemed, for about a week or so, that Hurricane Katrina had completely changed the political landscape. Apparently, it didn’t take too long for DC to start operating again as it always has. As fiscal hawks surrendered, would-be government contractors were meeting in the Hart Senate Office Building to figure out how to get a […]
Remember earlier this year, when Tom DeLay allowed the GOP caucus to reverse course on the “DeLay Rule”? It led Congress to keep its rule mandating that lawmakers in leadership roles give up their posts if indicted. Right about now, I think DeLay might have some second thoughts about the move. A Texas grand jury’s […]