Al Gore seems all-too-aware of what the reality-based community is up against. Research aimed at disputing the scientific consensus on global warming is part of a huge public misinformation campaign funded by some of the world’s largest carbon polluters, former Vice President Al Gore said Tuesday. “There has been an organized campaign, financed to the […]
Loyalty oaths in Kansas?
I can appreciate the fact that Kansas Republican Party is deeply divided between moderates and far-right activists. I can also understand the GOP’s desire to have Republican officials endorse other Republicans. But loyalty oaths? Seriously? (via Kos) The state Republican Party is forming a loyalty committee so that it can punish officers who endorse or […]
I watch debates — so you don’t have to
Usually, if a presidential candidates’ debate offers something truly memorable, it’s from one of the candidates, or perhaps an exchange between candidates. Last night, in a debate sponsored by the AFL-CIO, the most memorable moment came from the audience. Steve Skvara, a retired steel worker from Indiana, with tears in his eyes, asked a poignant, […]
Tuesday’s Mini-Report
Today’s edition of quick hits. * If the New York Post is right (which is not always a gimme), the New York Times is poised to give up on its TimesSelect project and will re-open its op-ed page, for free, online. “The timing of when TimesSelect will shut down hinges on resolving software issues associated […]
It’s called, ‘circular accountability’
I’d be remiss if I neglected to mention this gem from today’s WaPo. The Bush administration plans to leave oversight of its expanded foreign eavesdropping program to the same government officials who supervise the surveillance activities and to the intelligence personnel who carry them out, senior government officials said yesterday. The law, which permits intercepting […]
The fake-news team strikes again
A few years ago, Bush’s Department of Health and Human Services, like most other administration agencies, started creating fake-news segments and distributing them to local TV news stations. In HHS’s case, the agency hired a fake-reporter to do taxpayer-financed propaganda about various initiatives the department wanted to highlight. In each video, the fake-news segment included […]
When the right loves — and hates — the separation of church and state
Case Study #1. When pools of water began accumulating on the floor in some restrooms at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and the sinks pulling away from the walls, the problem was easy to pinpoint. On this campus, more than 10 percent of the students are Muslims, and as part of ritual ablutions required before their […]
Matthews decries poll results he doesn’t like
Late last week, an NBC/WSJ poll (pdf) showed Democrats with huge advantages over the GOP on a variety of domestic issues. Yesterday on Hardball, Chris Matthews and CNBC’s Jim Cramer whined bitterly about the results. MATTHEWS: Let me ask you about politics. I just looked at The Wall Street Journal/NBC poll. And I have been […]
We’re supposed to feel sorry for Novak
Poor Bob Novak. About a month ago, as part of a series of sycophantic meetings, the president invited conservative writers/pundits such as David Brooks, Rich Lowry, and Kate O’Beirne over to the White House for a chat. Novak wasn’t invited — and apparently he’s feeling a little bitter about it. From an appearance on The […]
The latest effort to stifle dissent
A wide variety of conservative blogs are all atwitter today about a WSJ op-ed from Ion Mihair Pacepa, described as the “highest-ranking intelligence official ever to have defected from the Soviet bloc.” Pacepa argues that America’s standing in the world is in decline, and enemies of the U.S. are emboldened, not because of Bush’s tragic […]