The Union of Concerned Scientists has been taking a very close look at how ExxonMobil has been spending its “public information and policy research” funds. The UCS’s findings aren’t surprising, but they are devastating. (thanks to K.Z. for the tip) A new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists offers the most comprehensive documentation to […]
Vanity Fair has a fascinating profile on John McCain in its new issue, filled with enough tidbits to write days worth of blogs posts (and I just might). But there are a couple of angles that stood out. The point of the piece will seem familiar to anyone who follows the political scene carefully: McCain […]
It’s rather unusual for the president, especially this president, to write an op-ed for publication, but sure enough, that’s George W. Bush’s byline in today’s Wall Street Journal. (Whether the president literally wrote the piece is open to some debate.) It’s the fourth op-ed from Bush since he became president in 2001. It’s filled with […]
NBC Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski reported yesterday on the president’s escalation plan for Iraq (aka, the “McCain doctrine”), which Bush has reportedly “all but decided” to pursue. The interesting part, as ThinkProgress noted, is the motivation driving the administration’s decision making. From last night’s broadcast: “Administration officials told us today that President Bush has now […]
One last post about Rep.-elect [tag]Keith Ellison[/tag] (D-Minn.) and his use of a Koran during his ceremonial swearing-in photo-op. If you’re just joining us, right-wing talk-show host and writer Dennis Prager got the ball rolling about a month ago, arguing that Ellison, Congress’ first Muslim, will literally “undermine American civilization” and “embolden Islamic extremists” if […]
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: * A very disconcerting report by Voter Action, VotersUnite.Org and VoteTrustUSA highlights how “electronic voting machines meant to streamline the Election Day process have resulted in late poll openings, data-retrieval errors and widespread […]
Barack Obama’s “shady” real estate deal turned out to be a pretty weak controversy. The intern story was even duller. The poor conservative attacks dogs are desperate enough to try and bring Obama down by talking about his ears, his middle name, and his father’s Muslim beliefs. Not surprisingly, all of these fascinating topics seemed […]
TV preacher Pat Robertson doesn’t just sit around doing 2,000-pound leg presses all day, sometimes he appears on his television program to share messages he receives from God with the rest of us. He’s generous that way. In his latest instance of sharing wisdom from above, Robertson wants us all to know that we’ll have […]
I neglected to mention this yesterday, but it’s still worth noting that [tag]John Edwards[/tag] has crafted exactly the right frame of the president’s escalation plan for Iraq. It’s time to start calling it the “McCain doctrine.” Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards, targeting a potential Republican rival in 2008, dubbed plans for a short-term U.S. troop […]
I think most Americans appreciate the notion of “[tag]sacrifice[/tag].” Particularly after 9/11, the nation expected to give up on some luxuries in exchange for a national commitment. People appreciate hard work, altruism, and putting others’ needs above their own — the cornerstones of “sacrifice” — such as with parents who sacrifice for their kids. I […]