[tag]Warren Buffett[/tag] is poised, through tens of [tag]billions[/tag] in charitable donations, to literally change the face of international [tag]philanthropy[/tag] and relief efforts. The ability to ease suffering, combat disease, and reduce poverty received an unprecedented boost. It is, by any reasonable definition, a development to celebrate. Naturally, everyone around the world is impressed and inspired […]
I know I should be accustomed to a high degree of administration incompetence, especially when it comes to [tag]domestic security[/tag], but this is just stunning. Nearly five years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, [tag]law-enforcement[/tag] authorities around the country say Washington’s efforts to share vital security information with them are in shambles. While […]
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 Florida, state Attorney General [tag]Charlie Crist[/tag] (R) is not only leading comfortably in the Republican gubernatorial primary, he’s also building a big general-election lead. In a new Rasmussen poll, Crist now […]
This is more of a local story involving the [tag]Senate[/tag] race in [tag]New Jersey[/tag], but it also speaks to how [tag]Republicans[/tag] in general choose to seek power in the 21st century. The Republican candidate for the United States Senate in New Jersey, Thomas H. [tag]Kean[/tag] Jr., intends to make a campaign film that accuses his […]
It’s been over a year, and I think we’re all probably a little tired of waiting. Thirteen months ago, the [tag]House[/tag] easily passed [tag]bi-partisan[/tag] legislation that would remove restrictions on embryonic [tag]stem cell research[/tag]. The companion measure in the [tag]Senate[/tag] had a filibuster-proof majority, [tag]Bill Frist[/tag] endorsed the bill and vowed to bring it to […]
Years ago, I was having a conversation with a jazz pianist who told me, “When I hit a wrong note, I keep hitting it — so the audience will think it’s intentional.” To move away from the wrong note would be a subtle admission of a mistake. I think House Intelligence Committee Chairman [tag]Peter Hoekstra[/tag] […]
It was an 11th hour shake-up for a close presidential race — [tag]Osama bin Laden[/tag] released one of his [tag]video[/tag] speeches in late October, blasting Bush. Conservatives and the media immediately created a narrative that insisted that the video was proof that bin Laden wanted the president to lose — which in turn meant the […]
I’m having a hard time understanding exactly what yesterday’s floor debate in the House hoped to accomplish, other than making congressional [tag]Republicans[/tag] feel better. The [tag]House[/tag] of Representatives on Thursday condemned the recent disclosure of a [tag]classified[/tag] program to track [tag]financial[/tag] transactions and called on the media to cooperate in keeping such efforts secret. Lawmakers […]
You’ve no doubt heard about the trendy demographic sub-groups that political scientists get excited about. We’ve seen NASCAR Dads, soccer moms, office-park dads, security moms, wired workers, freelance evangelicals, and others. [tag]Ryan Sager[/tag], who is a conservative Republican, wrote a fascinating item this week about a sub-group I hadn’t heard much about: “[tag]Wal-Mart[/tag] [tag]Voters[/tag].” I’ve […]
In 1999, Arkansas’ child welfare board banned gay people from becoming foster parents, arguing kids would be better off in orphanages. Four residents sued, claiming discrimination. Today, the state Supreme Court agreed. Arkansas cannot ban homosexuals from becoming foster parents because there is no link between their sexual orientation and a child’s well-being, the state’s […]