It may not be as provocative as the war in Iraq or Social Security, but the Bush administration’s assault on science is about as disturbing as anything this gang has done. With this in mind, it’s encouraging to see the ACLU’s latest initiative. The Bush administration’s response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks has […]
The White House hosted a gathering of Senate Republicans yesterday, and apparently, a couple of lawmakers told the president that they’re moving forward with their own proposals on Social Security — one of which does not include private accounts. Because the president told lawmakers to proceed with their plans, the AP suggested that there’s been […]
For the first 52 months of the Bush presidency (January 2001 to May 2005), private sector jobs are down 24,000. Since the Great Depression no other president who served at least 52 months has overseen a net loss in private sector jobs through this point. Yet, the news is not all bad. The good news […]
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) seems like the kind of guy House Republicans would want as the next chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. He’s conservative, plays ball with GOP leaders, has committee experience, the works. But it appears that Young won’t get the committee gavel — because he voted last week to curtail the FBI’s […]
If you haven’t read Barack Obama’s commencement address at Knox College from earlier this month, you should. It’s not only one of the best speeches I’ve seen since, well, Obama’s DNC address last July, it’s also one of those rare speeches that’s actually important. David Kusnet, Bill Clinton’s chief speechwriter in the early ’90s, wrote […]
I admit from the outset that I know literally nothing about this group or who’s behind it, but for those who believe the “religious left” should do more to take on the “religious right,” it appears there’s a new organization committed to doing just that. The success of the Religious Right in appropriating the language […]
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: * With Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham’s career spiraling towards indictment, moves are already underway in San Diego to replace him in the House. The most likely successor is former state Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian, […]
The conventional wisdom is that Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist will retire sometime in the next week or so, kicking off an intense confirmation fight to fill the first high court vacancy in 11 years. It’s led to some speculation about who Bush will tap for the Supreme Court and how the White House […]
As if it weren’t offensive enough that a constitutional amendment on flag burning was seriously considered by the House Rules Committee last night, Republican lawmakers will soon have another culture war amendment to consider exploit this year. Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) is expected to introduce a constitutional amendment to protect religious expression in schools and […]
Tom DeLay seems to have the impression that Nancy Pelosi made a dramatic error in criticizing the war yesterday. Unfortunately, DeLay’s a little confused. Pelosi argued from the House floor yesterday that “each passing day confirms the Iraq War has been a grotesque mistake.” DeLay pounced. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) today called on […]