Last week, we learned that the Department of Homeland Security can’t distribute electronic announcements of new watchdog reports because the inspector general’s office says it “lacks capacity to create a mass email list.” As if that wasn’t enough cause for concern about the agency that helps keep us safe on U.S. soil, the private security […]
When it comes to abortion, parental-notification proposals tend to be the most awkward for pro-choice advocates. Parents should know what their kids are doing, especially if they’re facing a major personal challenge like an unwanted pregnancy, so parental-notification when it comes to abortion sounds vaguely compelling. The problem lies in some practical realities — and […]
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: * In Pennsylvania’s closely watched gubernatorial campaign, the latest Morning Call/Muhlenberg College poll shows Gov. Ed Rendell (D) hanging onto his lead over former football player Lynn Swann (R), but not by much. […]
For the better part of the last couple of years, top Bush administration officials, including the president, have tried to assuage discontent over the war in Iraq by drawing a parallel between the conflict and other, more successful, wars from our past. The latest is Donald Rumsfeld’s attempt to compare Iraq with the Cold War. […]
It’s still early in the campaign season, but it’s probably safe to say that Rep. Katharine Harris, the Republican candidate for Senate in Florida, is in real trouble. From a political perspective, this isn’t necessarily new. Harris ignored pleas from party leaders who urged her not to run, and whispered to reporters that they would […]
One of the more frustrating articles of the weekend was a front-page item on the Bush administration’s all-out war against leaks. The Bush administration, seeking to limit leaks of classified information, has launched initiatives targeting journalists and their possible government sources. The efforts include several FBI probes, a polygraph investigation inside the CIA and a […]
Glenn Greenwald had an important post on Saturday that shouldn’t get lost in the weekend shuffle. We’ve all grown rather accustomed to congressional Republicans twisting and breaking rules to suit their own purposes, but Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s latest stunt was surprising, even by his already-low standards. The Senate Intelligence Committee was created in […]
Thanks to your generous nominations, The Carpetbagger Report has been nominated for four Koufax Awards this year. The polls are now open, and if you’re so inclined, you can vote for The Carpetbagger Report in the following categories: * Best Blog (though Wampum seems to have a little trouble accepting votes right now on this […]