Looks like the crypt keeper has finally decided to leave Hannity and Colmes. Alan Colmes announced he plans to terminate his 12 year partnership with Sean Hannity at the end of this year.
Kinda surprised it took 12 years for Colmes to get tired of being walked on.
Hannity and Colmes was largely a show that argued semantics while still rocking the blatant conservative bias so loved by most of the Fox News Channel. Bare with me here.
By having the "liberal" voice on the show, Fox was able to say "Look! Look! We're fair and balanced!"
Unfortunately, in head to head confrontation, Alan Colmes is about as intimidating as an paraplegic infant — and argues with about that much authority.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Team of rivals
Politico's reporting today that Clinton is expected to accept Obama's offer for Secretary of State. I'm a bit worried, but also optimistic.
In the primaries, Clinton had no problem slamming Obama for saying he would meet with Iranian leaders without preconditions. That's big points against. I will never understand why anybody could be opposed to meeting with anyone. It's the equivalent of the biggest baddest jock on the street being afraid to meet with the skinny goth kid. What threat could they possibly pose? What negative outcome could possibly come from talking? God only knows.
Now, there are a few issues with Ahmadinejad in particular. With Iranian elections coming up this summer, perhaps it would be prudent to avoid looking too buddy buddy with the conservative leader. His main competition hails from the more moderate branch of Iranian politics and would be a much easier guy to deal with. By speaking with Ahmadinejad, we would, in a way, be legitimizing his position and possibly strengthening his support from otherwise moderate Iranians.
In the primaries, Clinton had no problem slamming Obama for saying he would meet with Iranian leaders without preconditions. That's big points against. I will never understand why anybody could be opposed to meeting with anyone. It's the equivalent of the biggest baddest jock on the street being afraid to meet with the skinny goth kid. What threat could they possibly pose? What negative outcome could possibly come from talking? God only knows.
Now, there are a few issues with Ahmadinejad in particular. With Iranian elections coming up this summer, perhaps it would be prudent to avoid looking too buddy buddy with the conservative leader. His main competition hails from the more moderate branch of Iranian politics and would be a much easier guy to deal with. By speaking with Ahmadinejad, we would, in a way, be legitimizing his position and possibly strengthening his support from otherwise moderate Iranians.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Slow news day
"3-year-old nearly falls off cliff while taking a picture"
Yes, that is seriously the news on msnbc right now... a 3 year-old not quite falling off a cliff... right... slow news day I guess.
Yes, that is seriously the news on msnbc right now... a 3 year-old not quite falling off a cliff... right... slow news day I guess.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
No I Can't
Ok, I know it's been a while, and this is going to mark a bit of a shift in this blog. Instead of the periodic long entries, I'm going to work towards several shorter entries. Enjoy.
MSNBC has gone off the deep end. The network used to be the news network I could turn to for balanced coverage and a variety of viewpoints. What the hell happened?
While sitting here, hammering away on a story for The Student, Contessa Brewer just let me know that I can order a video documentary on Barack Obama called "Yes We Can". Ummm... yeah... that's some honest journalism right there.
But that's really just the tip of the iceburg. How about that primetime lineup? Keith Olbermann? Rachel Maddow? Chris Matthews? Are you kidding me?
Now, don't get me wrong, all these characters, short maybe of Olbermann, have a legitimate place as news commentators. However, to put them all back to back on primetime TV is nothing less than obsurd.
MSNBC has gone off the deep end. The network used to be the news network I could turn to for balanced coverage and a variety of viewpoints. What the hell happened?
While sitting here, hammering away on a story for The Student, Contessa Brewer just let me know that I can order a video documentary on Barack Obama called "Yes We Can". Ummm... yeah... that's some honest journalism right there.
But that's really just the tip of the iceburg. How about that primetime lineup? Keith Olbermann? Rachel Maddow? Chris Matthews? Are you kidding me?
Now, don't get me wrong, all these characters, short maybe of Olbermann, have a legitimate place as news commentators. However, to put them all back to back on primetime TV is nothing less than obsurd.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Old McCain shines through the filth
Cheers to John McCain for refusing to budge on a proposed set of ads that would reignite the Reverend Wright controversy.
Although his top advisers and Sarah Palin have been pushing for him to light this fire, McCain has refused to allow the ads to run.
This is the John McCain so many of us loved in 2000 and even at the beginning of this election cycle - a man who welcomed the media, ran an open and transparent campaign, and competed fairly and honestly.
Perhaps if he had maintained such a moral discipline throughout, the poll numbers wouldn't be what they are today with Obama up 9 points according to Bloomberg.
Although his top advisers and Sarah Palin have been pushing for him to light this fire, McCain has refused to allow the ads to run.
This is the John McCain so many of us loved in 2000 and even at the beginning of this election cycle - a man who welcomed the media, ran an open and transparent campaign, and competed fairly and honestly.
Perhaps if he had maintained such a moral discipline throughout, the poll numbers wouldn't be what they are today with Obama up 9 points according to Bloomberg.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
End the madness
As the election draws ever closer, the candidates are getting more and more aggressive. Actually, aggressive probably isn't the right word. Their behavior could be likened more to desperately starved hyenas approaching a recently deceased gazelle carcass soaked in A1 steak sauce. And the sad part is that people actually eat this shit up.
Looks like the latest catch phrase from the right is "career first, country second," referring to Obama's association with former weatherman Bill Ayers. Are you f@#$ing kidding me? Perhaps it wasn't the best move on Obama's part to launch a state senate campaign in the home of a former terrorist. That said, however, the man, Ayers that is, hasn't been involved in any shady dealings since the 60's. He's an distinguished professor at the University of Illinois and has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to the educational and local community.
But the most important aspect of these attacks to consider is the way they drive political discourse. Every political campaign has its share of crazies, racists and straight up lunatics. That's to be expected, particularly in an election as historic as this. However, the character assassinations put forth by McCain's campaign have taken these voices and brought them to the mainstream, evidenced by participants at McCain's rallies that are willing to say things like ""I can't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's not, he's not uh — he's an Arab. He's not — ". (McCain cuts off the woman).
What does that say about our country? How can democracy work effectively if that kind of unabashed ignorance holds sway in the political arena? Again, I can only blame McCain himself. Sure he cut off the woman (crazy nut ball) and actually defended Obama. But it was his campaign that allowed this kind of commentary to exist. It was his onslaught of attack advertisements and public smears that made it OK for the xenophobic idiots to hijack the limelight from thoughtful conservatives with a real point to make.
Readers might notice at this point that I've focused pretty much entirely on McCain. And yes, perhaps I am a bit liberal, but that's not to say that Obama hasn't upped his attacks. There is no doubt that the fire is coming from both sides. However, I do feel strongly that the attacks coming from the right are harsher and more damaging to character than the attacks from the left which seem to be primarily policy oriented - with exceptions of course.
Anyhow, I can only worry about the weeks to come until Election Day. Will the current political conversations set precedent for future political campaign? Will the Karl Rove politics, characterized by a total lack of respect or any shred of real evidence become the rule of the game? I guess we can only wait and see.
Looks like the latest catch phrase from the right is "career first, country second," referring to Obama's association with former weatherman Bill Ayers. Are you f@#$ing kidding me? Perhaps it wasn't the best move on Obama's part to launch a state senate campaign in the home of a former terrorist. That said, however, the man, Ayers that is, hasn't been involved in any shady dealings since the 60's. He's an distinguished professor at the University of Illinois and has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to the educational and local community.
But the most important aspect of these attacks to consider is the way they drive political discourse. Every political campaign has its share of crazies, racists and straight up lunatics. That's to be expected, particularly in an election as historic as this. However, the character assassinations put forth by McCain's campaign have taken these voices and brought them to the mainstream, evidenced by participants at McCain's rallies that are willing to say things like ""I can't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's not, he's not uh — he's an Arab. He's not — ". (McCain cuts off the woman).
What does that say about our country? How can democracy work effectively if that kind of unabashed ignorance holds sway in the political arena? Again, I can only blame McCain himself. Sure he cut off the woman (crazy nut ball) and actually defended Obama. But it was his campaign that allowed this kind of commentary to exist. It was his onslaught of attack advertisements and public smears that made it OK for the xenophobic idiots to hijack the limelight from thoughtful conservatives with a real point to make.
Readers might notice at this point that I've focused pretty much entirely on McCain. And yes, perhaps I am a bit liberal, but that's not to say that Obama hasn't upped his attacks. There is no doubt that the fire is coming from both sides. However, I do feel strongly that the attacks coming from the right are harsher and more damaging to character than the attacks from the left which seem to be primarily policy oriented - with exceptions of course.
Anyhow, I can only worry about the weeks to come until Election Day. Will the current political conversations set precedent for future political campaign? Will the Karl Rove politics, characterized by a total lack of respect or any shred of real evidence become the rule of the game? I guess we can only wait and see.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
HOLY CRAP! THE WORLD MIGHT END!
OH MY GOD! Iran is going to go APE SHIT and invade Israel. Yeah, it's going to happen. Seriously. That crazy/evil man is going to push the big red invade button and the whole middle east is going to fall into anarchy. Then China will invade Taiwan, Venezuela will take over South America, and Russia will retake the whole soviet block.
Right. More B.S. for the educationally challenged.
Right. More B.S. for the educationally challenged.
Evil Shenanigans
Russia is an Evil Empire. Really guys? Really? Evil? This isn't Lord of the Rings, there isn't some giant black tower with a glowing eye looking out over Moscow. Evil? Really? Grow up.
Fun Fact: $700 billion dollars can solve any problem in the world. Fact.
Solve economic crisis: $700 bil.
Cost to end war in Iraq: $700 bil.
Cost to send a man to Mars: $700 bil.
Cost to end genocide in Darfur: $700 bil.
Cost to cure HIV: $700 bil.
Cost to research and develop a T-1000 unit to go back in time and kill Hitler's mother thus preventing WWII: $700 bil.
Solve economic crisis: $700 bil.
Cost to end war in Iraq: $700 bil.
Cost to send a man to Mars: $700 bil.
Cost to end genocide in Darfur: $700 bil.
Cost to cure HIV: $700 bil.
Cost to research and develop a T-1000 unit to go back in time and kill Hitler's mother thus preventing WWII: $700 bil.
Cheap Gas for everyone!!!
I'm as much a fan of low gas prices as anyone, but really, as Tom Friedman would likely argue, we need jacked up gas prices to create incentives to develop alternate fuel sources.
You're just not getting it McCain. Or your pandering to the double-digit IQ demographic.
You're just not getting it McCain. Or your pandering to the double-digit IQ demographic.
Calling out Obama
Ok, I've gotta call shenanigans on Obama. He said just a few minutes ago that only a few small businesses make more than $250,000 per year, and thus, few businesses would be hurt by his tax plan.
I'll have to get back to you guys with some hard data later, but I feel like this has got to be inaccurate. While $250k might be a lot for a person to make in a year, or a household for that matter, I would guess that a significant amount of small businesses rake in significantly more than that.
$250k is basically five guys pulling in $50k a year - thats not exactly luxurious in today's world.
I'll have to get back to you guys with some hard data later, but I feel like this has got to be inaccurate. While $250k might be a lot for a person to make in a year, or a household for that matter, I would guess that a significant amount of small businesses rake in significantly more than that.
$250k is basically five guys pulling in $50k a year - thats not exactly luxurious in today's world.
Social Security is easy to fix
Really? Do I even need to address this one?
Oh yeah, Social Security, no problem whatsoever. Yeah. We know exactly what we need to do.
Oh yeah, Social Security, no problem whatsoever. Yeah. We know exactly what we need to do.
Monday, September 29, 2008
It's time for a public president
There’s something special about a presidential campaign. The candidates are so human.
It seems that too often, after a former candidate assumes office, he becomes this out-of-touch semi-human figure that stands behind a podium every now and then and shakes someone’s hand every now and then. Sure, we’ll hear about them attending major events, visiting important countries and vetoing important bills, but how many Americans can say on a even just a week to week basis what their leader is up to?
No longer is the President of the United States the leader of the people. That man has been replaced by a distant figure that lurks behind the scenes, poking his head out every now and again to remind us all to vote for him.
Instead, we look to the media for leadership.
Now I’m not trying to bash the media – hell, I’m a member of it. But the media should never be the leader of the people. The media should be a watchdog, to make sure that leader fulfills his responsibilities.
The next president needs to change this dynamic. And it wouldn’t be hard to do. As President Bush has said, being president is “hard.” But would it be out of line to ask our elected leader to talk to the people once a month? A once a year state of the Union address is no longer sufficient in an environment of 24-hour news networks and constantly updating websites (blogs?). How can we be expected to have faith in our leader if the only time we hear him is through media summaries? What if Bush had gone on a news program once a month? Ok. I know he’s an idiot and probably would have faired rather poorly, but even so, what if he had taken an hour each month to sit down with a news reporter? And the thing is, it wouldn’t even have to be news programs. What if he and Laura had sat down on The View? Oprah? Anything. Really.
What if a president sat down and honestly and openly told the people what he was doing, why there’s a problem, what’s difficult about it or anything else? Can you imagine? An honest and open president?
That president would be a leader of the people.
But, alas, this is probably just a pipe dream.
It seems that too often, after a former candidate assumes office, he becomes this out-of-touch semi-human figure that stands behind a podium every now and then and shakes someone’s hand every now and then. Sure, we’ll hear about them attending major events, visiting important countries and vetoing important bills, but how many Americans can say on a even just a week to week basis what their leader is up to?
No longer is the President of the United States the leader of the people. That man has been replaced by a distant figure that lurks behind the scenes, poking his head out every now and again to remind us all to vote for him.
Instead, we look to the media for leadership.
Now I’m not trying to bash the media – hell, I’m a member of it. But the media should never be the leader of the people. The media should be a watchdog, to make sure that leader fulfills his responsibilities.
The next president needs to change this dynamic. And it wouldn’t be hard to do. As President Bush has said, being president is “hard.” But would it be out of line to ask our elected leader to talk to the people once a month? A once a year state of the Union address is no longer sufficient in an environment of 24-hour news networks and constantly updating websites (blogs?). How can we be expected to have faith in our leader if the only time we hear him is through media summaries? What if Bush had gone on a news program once a month? Ok. I know he’s an idiot and probably would have faired rather poorly, but even so, what if he had taken an hour each month to sit down with a news reporter? And the thing is, it wouldn’t even have to be news programs. What if he and Laura had sat down on The View? Oprah? Anything. Really.
What if a president sat down and honestly and openly told the people what he was doing, why there’s a problem, what’s difficult about it or anything else? Can you imagine? An honest and open president?
That president would be a leader of the people.
But, alas, this is probably just a pipe dream.
Friday, September 26, 2008
McCain's got nothin' - go all in!
It seems Obama has called McCain’s bluff.
According to Politico.com, a McCain advisor said that the republican presidential candidate will most likely be attending the debate tonight. Yesterday, when McCain addressed the country and said that he would put his campaign on hold in favor of solving the nation’s economic crisis, I, along with most of America, wondered whether the move had political or moral motives.
I’m thinking political and here’s why.
If McCain honestly thought that he could provide some kind of genuine support in the Senate, he wouldn’t be considering this debate. He would stay in Washington and lead the way on a bipartisan bill that could later act as a cornerstone of his campaign. To be able to say, “When the nation was in trouble, I put politics aside and led the way to reform,” would be invaluable to a candidate who largely comes across not as the ‘maverick’ but as grandpa.
Instead, McCain is now entertaining the idea of attending the debate. Had Obama not pushed for the debate and gone to Washington with McCain, McCain would have come across as the leader to the majority of the public, as he was the first to publicly propose the campaign hold. But now that Obama has said he still wants to verbally spar, McCain has to comply.
If McCain declines to debate and doesn’t personally accomplish something impressive in the capitol building, he will look like a lame duck – particularly if the bailout bill isn’t passed in very short order.
According to Politico.com, a McCain advisor said that the republican presidential candidate will most likely be attending the debate tonight. Yesterday, when McCain addressed the country and said that he would put his campaign on hold in favor of solving the nation’s economic crisis, I, along with most of America, wondered whether the move had political or moral motives.
I’m thinking political and here’s why.
If McCain honestly thought that he could provide some kind of genuine support in the Senate, he wouldn’t be considering this debate. He would stay in Washington and lead the way on a bipartisan bill that could later act as a cornerstone of his campaign. To be able to say, “When the nation was in trouble, I put politics aside and led the way to reform,” would be invaluable to a candidate who largely comes across not as the ‘maverick’ but as grandpa.
Instead, McCain is now entertaining the idea of attending the debate. Had Obama not pushed for the debate and gone to Washington with McCain, McCain would have come across as the leader to the majority of the public, as he was the first to publicly propose the campaign hold. But now that Obama has said he still wants to verbally spar, McCain has to comply.
If McCain declines to debate and doesn’t personally accomplish something impressive in the capitol building, he will look like a lame duck – particularly if the bailout bill isn’t passed in very short order.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Recovering from Palin Fever
Finally, after long last, the news outlets have chilled out on Sarah Palin. Thank God.
But what has this shown us about the vice presidential candidate? I’d be lying if I said I knew, but I feel that we can narrow it down to a few possibilities.
Despite extensive media coverage (obsession?) the governor from Alaska has largely declined any media interviews and has refused to appear on talk shows.
We have a couple ways to look at this.
The first, and perhaps most terrifying, is that Mrs. Palin is simply not versed enough to handle the grilling that would be dished out by experienced journalists. The McCain camp, despite the vp choice, is still running on a platform of experience - whether they advertise it or not. Showing an inept vice presidential candidate to the world would in no way help them out.
The second possibility is that the McCain campaign is milking the media’s curiosity over Palin. Nobody really knows much about her and that’s bringing her attention. And there is nothing great to bring an unknown into celebrity like absurd levels of news coverage. And the more she remains a mystery, the more she’s going to be speculated about, evaluated, and covered by the media outlets.
But what has this shown us about the vice presidential candidate? I’d be lying if I said I knew, but I feel that we can narrow it down to a few possibilities.
Despite extensive media coverage (obsession?) the governor from Alaska has largely declined any media interviews and has refused to appear on talk shows.
We have a couple ways to look at this.
The first, and perhaps most terrifying, is that Mrs. Palin is simply not versed enough to handle the grilling that would be dished out by experienced journalists. The McCain camp, despite the vp choice, is still running on a platform of experience - whether they advertise it or not. Showing an inept vice presidential candidate to the world would in no way help them out.
The second possibility is that the McCain campaign is milking the media’s curiosity over Palin. Nobody really knows much about her and that’s bringing her attention. And there is nothing great to bring an unknown into celebrity like absurd levels of news coverage. And the more she remains a mystery, the more she’s going to be speculated about, evaluated, and covered by the media outlets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
