"POST-PARTISAN" ECONOMICS?
Barack Obama spent 12 years at the University of Chicago, mostly as a senior lecturer on constitutional law. It happened to place him inside what is arguably the intellectual center of modern American economic conservatism, the home of Milton Friedman and the laissez-faire philosophy known as the Chicago School of economics. Obama didn’t spend much time with Friedman’s disciples at the law school. Instead, he became friendly with another crowd: liberals who had come to think that Friedman was right about a lot, just not everything. Some of the confusion about Obama's economic policies stems from his presentation as a postpartisan figure. But, invoking pragmatism doesn’t help the average voter much; ideology, though it often gets a bad name, matters, because it offers insight into how a candidate might actually behave as president. Obama does have an economic ideology. It’s just not a completely familiar one. Depending on how you look at it, he is both more left-wing and more right-wing than many people realize.
(Suggested by DOUG PERRYMAN)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
OBAMA AND THE REAGAN DEMOCRATS
The flight of the Reagan Democrats away from the Democratic Party in the 1980s and earlier was largely driven by racial issues. But their hesitation is based primarily on two other issues. First, Obama's inability so far to convince these voters that he shares their passion. Second, doubts about Obama’s national security credentials; many refusing to dismiss their worst fears – that he does not love America or even might harbor a secret agenda.
The flight of the Reagan Democrats away from the Democratic Party in the 1980s and earlier was largely driven by racial issues. But their hesitation is based primarily on two other issues. First, Obama's inability so far to convince these voters that he shares their passion. Second, doubts about Obama’s national security credentials; many refusing to dismiss their worst fears – that he does not love America or even might harbor a secret agenda.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Citing History, Bush Suggests His Policies Will One Day Be Vindicated - washingtonpost.com
VENCERE
George Bush Too and Fidel Castro both claim that history will absolve them. (Fidel actually wrote a book by that title.)As the door begins to close on his tenure, Too is increasingly drawing on selected events of the past to argue that history will vindicate him. Unfortunately Bush, many historians have already reached a conclusion. In an informal survey of scholars this spring, just two out of 109 historians said Bush would be judged a success; a majority deemed him the "worst president ever."
(WASHINGTON POST)
George Bush Too and Fidel Castro both claim that history will absolve them. (Fidel actually wrote a book by that title.)As the door begins to close on his tenure, Too is increasingly drawing on selected events of the past to argue that history will vindicate him. Unfortunately Bush, many historians have already reached a conclusion. In an informal survey of scholars this spring, just two out of 109 historians said Bush would be judged a success; a majority deemed him the "worst president ever."
(WASHINGTON POST)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
'Diverse' GOP Convention Speakers Revealed | PEEK | AlterNet
ONE BIG WINNEBAGO
In announcing the speakers for the Republican Convention, its handlers are touting the GOP's "diversity". No, really! It's a regular Rainbow Coalition, a People's Park all over again. Can't wait to see the GOP Diversity Parade: Bush, Cheney, Arnold and Giuliani. Yippee!!!!
(ALTERNET)
In announcing the speakers for the Republican Convention, its handlers are touting the GOP's "diversity". No, really! It's a regular Rainbow Coalition, a People's Park all over again. Can't wait to see the GOP Diversity Parade: Bush, Cheney, Arnold and Giuliani. Yippee!!!!
(ALTERNET)
Sunday, August 17, 2008
OBAMA'S MEDIA SKILLS
I'm not sure what Howard Kurtz's message is in this piece, but it's a nice distillation of articles about both candidates. I especially liked this New Republic quote:
I'm not sure what Howard Kurtz's message is in this piece, but it's a nice distillation of articles about both candidates. I especially liked this New Republic quote:
"Do you remember when conservatives used to speak warmly, and sometimes rapturously, about Barack Obama? That was back when they were certain that the Clinton voodoo magic would make Hillary the nominee, and Obama her sympathetic roadkill. Since then, the right has made the horrifying discoveries that Obama is, successively, a left-wing ideologue, a coddler of anti- Americanism, a wine-sipping elitist, and, now, a shameless flip-flopper. The man will say anything, discard any position, in order to win the election.
If such a tragic tarnishing of the reputation could happen to a fresh-faced reformer like Obama, it could happen to anybody. And, in fact, it has--at least to anybody who has happened to attain the Democratic presidential nomination at any point over the last five election cycles."
(WASHINGTON POST)
BUSH REFLUX
While Barrack Obama attempts to portray John McCain as just Bush-warmed-over, this article sees McCain as someone who was actually on the right and in front of Bush when it came to promoting the idea of “national greatness” conservatism. "It was during the Balkan wars that Mr. McCain and his advisers read a 1997 article on the Wall Street Journal editorial page by William Kristol and David Brooks of The Weekly Standard," the article says. These neocons "won them over to a more activist agenda at home and a more muscular role in the world." Scary stuff.
For a scathing attack on McCain check out
THIS NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE BY FRANK RICH.(NEW YORK TIMES and TRUTHOUT)
While Barrack Obama attempts to portray John McCain as just Bush-warmed-over, this article sees McCain as someone who was actually on the right and in front of Bush when it came to promoting the idea of “national greatness” conservatism. "It was during the Balkan wars that Mr. McCain and his advisers read a 1997 article on the Wall Street Journal editorial page by William Kristol and David Brooks of The Weekly Standard," the article says. These neocons "won them over to a more activist agenda at home and a more muscular role in the world." Scary stuff.
For a scathing attack on McCain check out
THIS NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE BY FRANK RICH.(NEW YORK TIMES and TRUTHOUT)
Friday, August 15, 2008
AN ABOMINATION INDEED
Apparently trying to avoid the mistake John Kerry made of taking the high road and just ignoring blatently false or silly attacks, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has hit back with a 40-page rebuttal to the new Swiftboater book 'The Obama Nation.'
(Click on red headline above for the entire report.)
How did the GOP core constituency become the ignorant or easily misinformed? Weren't we the unwashed and they the hoity-toity? On the Obama site www.FightTheSmears.com, they call the author out for being a fringe bigot peddling rehashed lies. Noone seems to hold the Republicans accountable for this cyclical rape of the political process. In fact, we have come to expect that the Mud Machine will perform this fandango every four years. The electorate either buys into it by making this jackoff more profits or just forgives them because well, "that's the way they are." (Remember, during the primaries that the Clinton's attacks were seen as a warmup for the big boys?) This man hides behind something he probably rails against, The First Amendment.
Apparently trying to avoid the mistake John Kerry made of taking the high road and just ignoring blatently false or silly attacks, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has hit back with a 40-page rebuttal to the new Swiftboater book 'The Obama Nation.'
(Click on red headline above for the entire report.)
How did the GOP core constituency become the ignorant or easily misinformed? Weren't we the unwashed and they the hoity-toity? On the Obama site www.FightTheSmears.com, they call the author out for being a fringe bigot peddling rehashed lies. Noone seems to hold the Republicans accountable for this cyclical rape of the political process. In fact, we have come to expect that the Mud Machine will perform this fandango every four years. The electorate either buys into it by making this jackoff more profits or just forgives them because well, "that's the way they are." (Remember, during the primaries that the Clinton's attacks were seen as a warmup for the big boys?) This man hides behind something he probably rails against, The First Amendment.
(This video is part of the Media Matters attack on Corsi. I really enjoyed the part where Corsi protests that he's the victim of ad hominem attacks!)
FOR MORE, click
HERE,
HERE,
HERE,
HERE,
HERE,
HERE
(Suggested by TRUTHOUT and MEDIA MATTERS)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
NO "GOOD GUYS"
I watched the Jim Lehrer News Hour's coverage of the Georgia-Russia conflict Tuesday night and became convinced that we're not getting enough of the story in the Russo-Georgian Conflict. Dimitri Simes' assessment that there are no "good guys" and that we should not repeat the mistake we made in Iraq of choosing a side without knowing more or getting more concessions rang true. If you're at all interested in world politics this is really worth a read.
Just coincidentally, John Furman sent This Piece from Clear Politics that is also informative. It also makes clear that the situation over there is complex and longstanding. The article ties the Russian actions to their experiences in Kosovo and their paranoia about the "strategic encirclement and strangulation of Russia." From that experience they concluded that the United States and Europe were not prepared to consider Russian wishes even in fairly minor affairs. That was the breaking point. If Russian desires could not be accommodated even in a minor matter like this, then clearly Russia and the West were in conflict. According to the article, for the Russians, the question was more one of how to respond. Having declined to respond in Kosovo, the Russians decided to respond where they had all the cards: in South Ossetia.
Wednesday night's News Hour had former Secretaries of State Madeline Albright and Lawrence Eagleburger speaking on the crisis. Although from two divergent camps, they seemed to be of one mind in supporting Georgia.
My cousin Sixto Mendez sent me this excellent New York Times Article Taunting the Bear that sets out the history of the conflict in detail.
Good friend Steve Stokke chimes in by recommending Russia Today as a source of news.
For criticism of media coverage CLICK HERE, HERE , HERE, and HERE, that last link being commentary by Pat Buchanan!
I watched the Jim Lehrer News Hour's coverage of the Georgia-Russia conflict Tuesday night and became convinced that we're not getting enough of the story in the Russo-Georgian Conflict. Dimitri Simes' assessment that there are no "good guys" and that we should not repeat the mistake we made in Iraq of choosing a side without knowing more or getting more concessions rang true. If you're at all interested in world politics this is really worth a read.
Just coincidentally, John Furman sent This Piece from Clear Politics that is also informative. It also makes clear that the situation over there is complex and longstanding. The article ties the Russian actions to their experiences in Kosovo and their paranoia about the "strategic encirclement and strangulation of Russia." From that experience they concluded that the United States and Europe were not prepared to consider Russian wishes even in fairly minor affairs. That was the breaking point. If Russian desires could not be accommodated even in a minor matter like this, then clearly Russia and the West were in conflict. According to the article, for the Russians, the question was more one of how to respond. Having declined to respond in Kosovo, the Russians decided to respond where they had all the cards: in South Ossetia.
Wednesday night's News Hour had former Secretaries of State Madeline Albright and Lawrence Eagleburger speaking on the crisis. Although from two divergent camps, they seemed to be of one mind in supporting Georgia.
My cousin Sixto Mendez sent me this excellent New York Times Article Taunting the Bear that sets out the history of the conflict in detail.
Good friend Steve Stokke chimes in by recommending Russia Today as a source of news.
For criticism of media coverage CLICK HERE, HERE , HERE, and HERE, that last link being commentary by Pat Buchanan!
Media Matters - Fox News suffers another debate snub; bloggers take a bow
HANDING FOX ITS ASS
Fox News has been taken down several notches, demotions that can be traced back to the blogger-led debate boycott from 2007 and the repercussions it set off. The goal was to portray Fox News as illegitimate, to spell out that Fox News was nothing more than a Republican mouthpiece and that Democrats need not engage with the News Corp. giant, let alone be afraid of it.
(MEDIA MATTERS)
Fox News has been taken down several notches, demotions that can be traced back to the blogger-led debate boycott from 2007 and the repercussions it set off. The goal was to portray Fox News as illegitimate, to spell out that Fox News was nothing more than a Republican mouthpiece and that Democrats need not engage with the News Corp. giant, let alone be afraid of it.
(MEDIA MATTERS)
CLOSER TO HOME
Remember National Geographic before the internet? It was always full of pictures of some far off land. Well this month's story centers on the US and Mobile is named one of the "Top 50 Places to Live and Play" in that magazine. One of the places newcomers are advised to visit includes Cafe 615.
(MSNBC, unearthed by MJ Brown)
Remember National Geographic before the internet? It was always full of pictures of some far off land. Well this month's story centers on the US and Mobile is named one of the "Top 50 Places to Live and Play" in that magazine. One of the places newcomers are advised to visit includes Cafe 615.
(MSNBC, unearthed by MJ Brown)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
McCain’s attacks on rival fall flat with vets group - Las Vegas Sun
ATTACK WAS FLAT
Disabled veterans, in Las Vegas for their national convention, gave Senator John McCain a tepid reception, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Although purely anecdotal, they reported that just one of the 14 veterans they interviewed after his speech said he is a certain McCain voter, and the nonpartisan group’s legislative director expressed concerns about McCain’s proposed “Veterans’ Care Access Card.” But as with most presidential campaign events, the intended audience was not the veterans in the hall but television viewers.
(LAS VEGAs SUN)
Disabled veterans, in Las Vegas for their national convention, gave Senator John McCain a tepid reception, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Although purely anecdotal, they reported that just one of the 14 veterans they interviewed after his speech said he is a certain McCain voter, and the nonpartisan group’s legislative director expressed concerns about McCain’s proposed “Veterans’ Care Access Card.” But as with most presidential campaign events, the intended audience was not the veterans in the hall but television viewers.
(LAS VEGAs SUN)
The Scorecard: 2008 Congressional campaign news and analysis - Politico.com
WHAT SINKING SHIP?
Former Iowa Republican Rep. Jim Leach is now endorsing the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. The former Iowa congressman's backing was announced as part of a group of GOP activists crossing party lines this year. Leach told reporters: "I'm convinced that the national interest demands a new approach to our interaction with the world." Leach added that Obama offers the leadership to do that.
(POLITICO)
Former Iowa Republican Rep. Jim Leach is now endorsing the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. The former Iowa congressman's backing was announced as part of a group of GOP activists crossing party lines this year. Leach told reporters: "I'm convinced that the national interest demands a new approach to our interaction with the world." Leach added that Obama offers the leadership to do that.
(POLITICO)
Friday, August 01, 2008
ORDER OF MYTHS PREMIERE
You really missed out if you didn't catch the premiere of Order of Myths last night at the Saenger. Even the impressive advance hype - a review in the New York Times, screening at Cannes and selection for Sundance - didn't do the film justice. The film opened with what for me were two setups. The first, Maskers talking about how there really does not exist any division in Mardi Gras. "Bullshit," I muttered. The next is the (White) Queen Helen Meaher. I laughed at what I thought to be the funny coincidence that she was a Meaher.
You really missed out if you didn't catch the premiere of Order of Myths last night at the Saenger. Even the impressive advance hype - a review in the New York Times, screening at Cannes and selection for Sundance - didn't do the film justice. The film opened with what for me were two setups. The first, Maskers talking about how there really does not exist any division in Mardi Gras. "Bullshit," I muttered. The next is the (White) Queen Helen Meaher. I laughed at what I thought to be the funny coincidence that she was a Meaher.
The film weaves back and forth, seemingly about to present a lavish puff of pastry about our gracious southern ways. And then the Butler drops the serving dish! No "color by Pathe", no palatable placebos, a truck, a hard dose of reality, as the film digs deeply into the underbelly of Mobile Mardi Gras. It discusses not only the mundane and the good but also the "bad" (in a Yankee, or PC, or Liberal, "you ain't from around here are ya?" kind of way) and the good and the bad as we locals understand and (perhaps unfortunately) accept as normal. It ended on an up beat by showing the tremendous efforts being made by everyone on both sides of the racial divide.
If the Societies are a metaphor for the two communities then last night's premiere itself presented the tension and dichotomy in Mobile's two racial societies. Everyone who was everyone was there. And, while it might be easy to dismiss what Ms. Brown has to say (and show), it could not have been lost on the gentry, the captive audience in attendance, that many are in total agreement with what the film shows and the need to get along in this race relations thing. That alone was worth the price of admission.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Order of Myths - a film by Margaret Brown
MOVIE PREMIERES HERE
The Mobile premiere of Order of Myths is this Thursday at the Saenger at 7pm. This film by Margaret Brown has gotten some attention in the international arts community and looks like something worth seeing. Check out the trailer (no, not that kind of trailer) at their website.
The Mobile premiere of Order of Myths is this Thursday at the Saenger at 7pm. This film by Margaret Brown has gotten some attention in the international arts community and looks like something worth seeing. Check out the trailer (no, not that kind of trailer) at their website.
Speaking of movies, two recent movies of note, both of them foreign movies, both having to do with Jews and both of them remarkably moving: Black Book and Broken Wings. Paul Verhoeven's Black Book is a Dutch film about a woman hiding out in Holland during the nazi occupation. Verhoeven has made big main stream blockbusters and this one has that feel. Broken Wings, on the other hand, has the feel of a little independent movie. Set in Israel this story about a mother and her kids is on the other end of the spectrum but is every bit, perhaps even more, satisfying. And, in the interest of equal time, another film well worth seeing - and for the same feel good reasons - is the Lebanese (christian) film Caramel, about a bunch of ladies in a beauty shop. (Eddie Murphy eat your heart out.)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
FOOD FRONT: MIDTOWN
I'm aware of only three changes in Midtown Fare: Mellow Mushroom, Trolley's and The Pillars.
Mellow Mushroom just opened a new site at the Loop. I'd been hearing that is the place to go but I don't venture much past Broad Street except maybe to visit Mohawk Street or eat at my favorite, Yen's Restaurant. So, here they go and open up just a few blocks from Mohawk. What a great place! And, although it looks like something put together in San Francisco, these guys are from Auburn! War damn Eagle.
Good Friend Tammy Morgan has taken over the Michael's Midtown (the second one, not THE Michael's Midtown Cafe) and just won some well-deserved raves from the Nappy Awards. Although it has the "joint" ambiance - like the Blind Mule - Trolley's will shock the hell out of you at how way-past-good the food is and how pleasant they make you feel in there. It's like a joint in Austin. Having come from Guido's (and Texas) Tammy knows how to put together a fine, but still non-pretentious, dining experience. They have these leetle-beeety burgers with bloooo cheeeese that are just perfect. And, they are giving Silver Horse a run for their money as a favorite nighttime bar spot. Rocky Top!
As for The Pillars, since I was thinking about this email and their touting of the new Tapas menu, we went there Friday night for super. Never ordered the tapas as it looked pretty ho hum. (Go to the Global Grill in Pensacola or downtown to David Rasp's Royal Scam). The service was great, the food excellent but it looks like they're taking a beating from all of the new competion. Your parents' friends were there reliving the golden Mims years but not many others.
Speaking of competition, I was telling Anhn over at The Bakery about Mike Ivy and his new place and she got all pumped up about beefing up the menu, beginning with Sushi on Thursdays. If you're looking for muchies to pack in the beach basket, The Bakery is still the place to go, it's on your way and is owned by friends. But, don't forget that 219 (conti and joachim, also owned by friends) has a market with some really great consumables and they seem to be better prepared for things like sandwiches and meals. (But you have to get there before 2 on Saturdays and they're not open Sundays. WTF?).
If you haven't done the market at Cathedral Square you are missing out on a special treat. Don't know how long that is going to go on.
PS: I had assumed that Mike Ivy's invitation to lunch meant he was open for business. That's still pending.
PPS: Roll Tide!
I'm aware of only three changes in Midtown Fare: Mellow Mushroom, Trolley's and The Pillars.
Mellow Mushroom just opened a new site at the Loop. I'd been hearing that is the place to go but I don't venture much past Broad Street except maybe to visit Mohawk Street or eat at my favorite, Yen's Restaurant. So, here they go and open up just a few blocks from Mohawk. What a great place! And, although it looks like something put together in San Francisco, these guys are from Auburn! War damn Eagle.
Good Friend Tammy Morgan has taken over the Michael's Midtown (the second one, not THE Michael's Midtown Cafe) and just won some well-deserved raves from the Nappy Awards. Although it has the "joint" ambiance - like the Blind Mule - Trolley's will shock the hell out of you at how way-past-good the food is and how pleasant they make you feel in there. It's like a joint in Austin. Having come from Guido's (and Texas) Tammy knows how to put together a fine, but still non-pretentious, dining experience. They have these leetle-beeety burgers with bloooo cheeeese that are just perfect. And, they are giving Silver Horse a run for their money as a favorite nighttime bar spot. Rocky Top!
As for The Pillars, since I was thinking about this email and their touting of the new Tapas menu, we went there Friday night for super. Never ordered the tapas as it looked pretty ho hum. (Go to the Global Grill in Pensacola or downtown to David Rasp's Royal Scam). The service was great, the food excellent but it looks like they're taking a beating from all of the new competion. Your parents' friends were there reliving the golden Mims years but not many others.
Speaking of competition, I was telling Anhn over at The Bakery about Mike Ivy and his new place and she got all pumped up about beefing up the menu, beginning with Sushi on Thursdays. If you're looking for muchies to pack in the beach basket, The Bakery is still the place to go, it's on your way and is owned by friends. But, don't forget that 219 (conti and joachim, also owned by friends) has a market with some really great consumables and they seem to be better prepared for things like sandwiches and meals. (But you have to get there before 2 on Saturdays and they're not open Sundays. WTF?).
If you haven't done the market at Cathedral Square you are missing out on a special treat. Don't know how long that is going to go on.
PS: I had assumed that Mike Ivy's invitation to lunch meant he was open for business. That's still pending.
PPS: Roll Tide!
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