There are several lessons here. First, Jews still matter as a political constituency. Experts say Israel is mainly an evangelical Christian issue, that Jews are too few and divided to matter. Not so. The Christian right doesn’t figure in Democratic planning, yet Democrats scramble for Jewish backing. It’s simple math.The Israel-Iran debate comes to America as we are in the closing weeks of the election season. There are opposing views on the matter. Some argue that the Obama administration isn't doing enough.
Second, Israel matters to Jewish voters. It’s true that surveys show only a fraction of Jews ranking Israel their top concern. When you ask their top three concerns, though, Israel looms large.
Third, Arab and Muslim Americans are emerging as a political constituency. Until now, pro-Israel activists could press Israel’s case without serious pushback. That’s wearing thin. In the coming era, American Middle East policy will have to be negotiated. The Charlotte convention was a taste of what’s ahead.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Israel and more...
Over at the Forward, J.J. Goldberg pens an editorial on the fiasco that happened in Charlotte with the Democratic Party platform.
Would Mitt Romney have prevented attacks?
Richard Williamson, a foreign policy advisor to Mitt Romney, is coming off as a real idiot. Listen to what he said in an interview with the Washington Post. I hate to break the news to the Romney campaign but I honestly believe, based on news reports, that this was an attack that was planned on the embassy. Would a Romney administration have beefed up security?
“There’s a pretty compelling story that if you had a President Romney, you’d be in a different situation,” Richard Williamson, a top Romney foreign policy adviser, said in an interview. “For the first time since Jimmy Carter, we’ve had an American ambassador assassinated.”Nobody knows what situation we would really be in under a Romney administration and I refuse to get into any of the hypothetical scenarios. Just like nobody knows whether a President Al Gore would have prevented the 9/11 attacks from happening.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
More violence against American embassies
There is more violence and protests taking place against the American embassies in the Middle East and North Africa.
The New York Times reports new cases of protests and violence taking place in countries such as Yemen, Iraq, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia.
In Egypt, Morsi has broken his silence.
The Libyan ambassador to the United States has spoken and feels shamed.
The New York Times reports new cases of protests and violence taking place in countries such as Yemen, Iraq, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia.
In Egypt, Morsi has broken his silence.
The Libyan ambassador to the United States has spoken and feels shamed.
Egypt "not an ally"
President Barack Obama sat down on Wednesday with Telemundo anchor José Diaz-Balart, host of Noticiero Telemundo. Portions of the interview aired during The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC.
I think that what happened in Libya was much different than what happened in Egypt. What happened in Libya was a terrorist attack against the American embassy. It was a group of people that did not speak for the Libyan government as evidenced by what Libyan leader Mohammed Magarief did in apologizing to the United States and condemning the killings.
We are dealing with a very different Egpyt than in years past. The Muslim Brotherhood is not a peace partner and is most definitely, in the president's words, not an ally of the United States. Are they an enemy? It depends on what they do in response to the attack on the American embassy in Cairo.
The President told Diaz-Balart:
The Cable looks into the public relations disaster that happened on Wednesday as a result of what happened in Cairo at the embassy. It was what happened there that led to Mitt Romney having his John McCain moment.
I think that what happened in Libya was much different than what happened in Egypt. What happened in Libya was a terrorist attack against the American embassy. It was a group of people that did not speak for the Libyan government as evidenced by what Libyan leader Mohammed Magarief did in apologizing to the United States and condemning the killings.
We are dealing with a very different Egpyt than in years past. The Muslim Brotherhood is not a peace partner and is most definitely, in the president's words, not an ally of the United States. Are they an enemy? It depends on what they do in response to the attack on the American embassy in Cairo.
The President told Diaz-Balart:
"Certainly in this situation, what we're going to expect is that (the Egyptian government is) responsive to our insistence that our embassy is protected, our personnel is protected, and if they take actions that they’re not taking those responsibilities, as all countries do where we have embassies, I think that’s going to be a real big problem."It's a much different language than when Anwar Sadat was in charge or even when Hosni Mubarak was in charge of Egypt.
The Cable looks into the public relations disaster that happened on Wednesday as a result of what happened in Cairo at the embassy. It was what happened there that led to Mitt Romney having his John McCain moment.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Mitt Romney shows he's not ready to serve
What Mitt Romney did this morning was absolutely disgraceful. Even when he knew that the Obama administration did not approve a series or tweets by the American embassy in Cairo or a statement released by the administration in Cairo, Romney said that the administration is responsible for every word that is said.
Romney bit himself in the ass with his comments. He has been slammed by the conservative editorial page of The Washington Post. The editorial board offered a strong rebuke to Romney's comments.
NBC News shows a complete timeline of everything that went down yesterday and today, including the fallout from the Romney press conference.
What we now know is that the attack on the American embassy in Libya is that it was planned.
Also, according to Jeffrey Goldberg, this Sam Bacile character isn't Israeli, nor is that his real name.
Former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge spoke to Think Progress and said that he doesn't think the president sympathizes with the attackers.
BuzzFeed's Ben Smith got the reaction of numerous foreign policy voices in the Republican Party. Some are going as far as even comparing it to John McCain's moment in 2008, when he canceled on David Letterman and said he was going to return to Washington, DC to fix the economy. Instead, he chose to go on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
Romney bit himself in the ass with his comments. He has been slammed by the conservative editorial page of The Washington Post. The editorial board offered a strong rebuke to Romney's comments.
NBC News shows a complete timeline of everything that went down yesterday and today, including the fallout from the Romney press conference.
What we now know is that the attack on the American embassy in Libya is that it was planned.
Also, according to Jeffrey Goldberg, this Sam Bacile character isn't Israeli, nor is that his real name.
Former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge spoke to Think Progress and said that he doesn't think the president sympathizes with the attackers.
No, I don’t think President Obama sympathizes with those who attacked us. I don’t think any American does. I’m not going to question the strength of his words.Romney did not find that many backers from the Republican side according to Salon. Outside of RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, the only notables that backed Romney were Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich. All of those in Congress released statements that offered their thoughts and prayers to the fallen Americans.
BuzzFeed's Ben Smith got the reaction of numerous foreign policy voices in the Republican Party. Some are going as far as even comparing it to John McCain's moment in 2008, when he canceled on David Letterman and said he was going to return to Washington, DC to fix the economy. Instead, he chose to go on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
"They were just trying to score a cheap news cycle hit based on the embassy statement and now it’s just completely blown up," said a very senior Republican foreign policy hand, who called the statement an "utter disaster" and a "Lehman moment" — a parallel to the moment when John McCain, amid the 2008 financial crisis, failed to come across as a steady leader.With less than two months before the election, it will be interesting to see how this hurts Romney's prospects. My honest thoughts are that President Barack Obama has clinched his re-election.
American ambassador killed in attack on embassy
An American ambassador is dead after yesterday's attack on the embassy in Libya. My condolences to the friends and family of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens as well as to those of the other Americans killed in yesterday's attacks.
I'm not going to get into the politics of what led to yesterday's events. I'll let ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper tell you all about that. We know that the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, put out a statement that was not approved by the White House. This led to Mitt Romney and other Republicans slamming the administration.
As it turns out, according to NBC News, Mitt Romney's campaign looks worse by releasing a statement before all the information came out. After all the information came out, the Romney campaign stands by it's original statement.
We also now know that Gainesville pastor Terry Jones was one of the financial backers of the film that outraged those in Libya and Egypt. Jones had planned an "International Judge Muhammad Day."
I did not make any comments here yesterday on the matter because I needed more information on the issue at hand. I was not in a position to rush to judgement.
While the White House Briefing Room is not updated with statements released, the Secretary of State's website is.
The first statement by Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton dealt with the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi:
The interim president of Libya, Mohammed el-Megarif, has offered an apology to the United States of America.
I'm not going to get into the politics of what led to yesterday's events. I'll let ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper tell you all about that. We know that the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, put out a statement that was not approved by the White House. This led to Mitt Romney and other Republicans slamming the administration.
As it turns out, according to NBC News, Mitt Romney's campaign looks worse by releasing a statement before all the information came out. After all the information came out, the Romney campaign stands by it's original statement.
We also now know that Gainesville pastor Terry Jones was one of the financial backers of the film that outraged those in Libya and Egypt. Jones had planned an "International Judge Muhammad Day."
I did not make any comments here yesterday on the matter because I needed more information on the issue at hand. I was not in a position to rush to judgement.
While the White House Briefing Room is not updated with statements released, the Secretary of State's website is.
The first statement by Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton dealt with the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi:
I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on our mission in Benghazi today. As we work to secure our personnel and facilities, we have confirmed that one of our State Department officers was killed. We are heartbroken by this terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who have suffered in this attack.The second statement dealt with this morning's news that Ambassador Stevens and others had been killed in the Benghazi attacks.
This evening, I called Libyan President Magariaf to coordinate additional support to protect Americans in Libya. President Magariaf expressed his condemnation and condolences and pledged his government’s full cooperation.
Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet. The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind.
In light of the events of today, the United States government is working with partner countries around the world to protect our personnel, our missions, and American citizens worldwide.
The interim president of Libya, Mohammed el-Megarif, has offered an apology to the United States of America.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Obama, Netanyahu talk over the phone
President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did speak after all. They did so over the phone this evening according to JTA.
"The two leaders discussed the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program, and our close cooperation on Iran and other security issues," said a statement issued Tuesday night by the White House. "President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed that they are united in their determination to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and agreed to continue their close consultations going forward."Apparently, Netanyahu never requested a meeting in Washington.
The statement comes amid more frequent reports of tensions between the two governments, with Netanyahu demanding from Obama clearer red lines that could trigger military action against Iran, and the Obama administration refusing to outline these.
"Contrary to reports in the press, there was never a request for Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet with President Obama in Washington, nor was a request for a meeting ever denied," it said.I don't know if it's a case of he said-he said but the two leaders did speak.
President Obama unable to meet with Israeli PM Netanyahu
I don't have all the details outside of the statement that came out today. Since the Haaretz article is premium only, I'm linking to the JTA one instead.
I'm not sure exactly why President Barack Obama is unable to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when the PM comes to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly in a few weeks. Outside of logistics, that is.
I know that the president is going to be busy campaigning and prepping for the debates with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. That goes without saying. I'm hoping that is the reason why the president is unable to meet but I cannot say with 100% accuracy that that is why. It's a guess at best.
Here is what we do know according to the statement released to Jewish media.
Everyone has their eye on Iran.
I'm not sure exactly why President Barack Obama is unable to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when the PM comes to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly in a few weeks. Outside of logistics, that is.
I know that the president is going to be busy campaigning and prepping for the debates with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. That goes without saying. I'm hoping that is the reason why the president is unable to meet but I cannot say with 100% accuracy that that is why. It's a guess at best.
Here is what we do know according to the statement released to Jewish media.
“The President arrives in New York for the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, Sept. 24th, and departs on Tuesday, Sept. 25th. The Prime Minister doesn’t arrive in New York until later in the week. They’re simply not in the city at the same time," Tommy Vietor, National Security Council spokesman, said in a statement released Tuesday. "But the President and Prime Minister are in frequent contact and the Prime Minister will meet with other senior officials, including Secretary Clinton, during his visit."All of that now said, tensions relating to Iran are getting heated at the moment. I don't blame the PM for being upset. I honestly don't. At some point, the United States will have to press the international community for a deadline. The USA cannot just sit idle on this. The leadership has to step up to the plate.
A White House official told JTA that Obama's schedule is packed and that he is not scheduled to have any bilateral meetings at the General Assembly.
Everyone has their eye on Iran.
NBC Fail
NBC failed to display the official moment of silence this morning as The Today Show was speaking with Kris Jenner also known as the mother of all those Kardashians that refuse to go away.
NBC News released a statement to the New York Daily News:
You have to love the comment from a Good Morning, America insider:
NBC News released a statement to the New York Daily News:
“The `Today’ show dedicated a considerable amount of time to September 11th coverage this morning throughout the entire show,” said NBC News spokeswoman, Megan Kopf.Throw this in with their NBC Olympics failure when it came to airing the big events live in the USA on television.
You have to love the comment from a Good Morning, America insider:
“It’s so typical,” sniffed a “GMA” insider. “Obviously they are more concerned about their ratings then anything else, but this just takes it to a whole new low.”
Some NYT articles
Kurt Eichenwald had a powerful and startling column in today's issue of the New York Times. Say about it what you will but the Bush administration has not declassified many papers from the 8 years in office.
Paul Krugman wrote a an op-ed over the weekend that points out how the Republicans obstructed bills to relieve the economy and have since gone on to exploit what they did.
Paul Krugman wrote a an op-ed over the weekend that points out how the Republicans obstructed bills to relieve the economy and have since gone on to exploit what they did.
Revolution: My thoughts on the new NBC series
Now last night, before watching the end of the Colts-Bears game on the DVR, I watched the pilot of Revolution, the new NBC series from J.J. Abrams and Eric Kripke, since it was being offered online and I knew for a fact that next week would not be a great week due to Yom Tov. While I don't exactly love what the producers did to the great city of Chicago, it kept my interest and I would go on to say that it lived up to the hype unlike last fall's Terra Nova.
Let's get one thing straight though. Placing this series after The Voice probably will not be the best idea. It's two different audiences. By playing up the survivalism concept of the show, NBC is appealing to that teen audience that fell in love with The Hunger Games. If it can hold it's own against Monday Night Football, Castle, and Hawaii 5-0, I think the series will do well enough to get a second season. It should have better luck than Alcatraz in my opinion.
I would have liked to have seen more of Elizabeth Mitchell but Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Once Upon a Time) is a main cast member and after his performance on BB, I think he should draw viewers alone to see his performance.
The way that the pilot ends, I have some questions but with a show from Bad Robot Productions, I've come to expect that.
I expect Revolution to be heavily serialized. I also expect it to be the show that The Event was not. For NBC's sake, they should not place the series on a three month hiatus to air another program. I didn't work with The Event and against other hit programs at 10, it won't work with this show, either. I know that Smash is on board for the midseason so this could have 13 episodes and no back nine but at the same time, they could always move it to Sunday nights after football season but that's just speculation on my part!
Let's get one thing straight though. Placing this series after The Voice probably will not be the best idea. It's two different audiences. By playing up the survivalism concept of the show, NBC is appealing to that teen audience that fell in love with The Hunger Games. If it can hold it's own against Monday Night Football, Castle, and Hawaii 5-0, I think the series will do well enough to get a second season. It should have better luck than Alcatraz in my opinion.
I would have liked to have seen more of Elizabeth Mitchell but Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Once Upon a Time) is a main cast member and after his performance on BB, I think he should draw viewers alone to see his performance.
The way that the pilot ends, I have some questions but with a show from Bad Robot Productions, I've come to expect that.
I expect Revolution to be heavily serialized. I also expect it to be the show that The Event was not. For NBC's sake, they should not place the series on a three month hiatus to air another program. I didn't work with The Event and against other hit programs at 10, it won't work with this show, either. I know that Smash is on board for the midseason so this could have 13 episodes and no back nine but at the same time, they could always move it to Sunday nights after football season but that's just speculation on my part!
Remembering 9/11: 11 Years Later
A poem written by Jack Buck
Since this nation was founded under God
More than 200 years ago
We've been the bastion of freedom...
The light that keeps the free world aglow.
We do not covet the possessions of others,
We are blessed with the bounty we share.
We have rushed to help other nations...
Anything...anytime...anywhere
War is just not our nature...we won't start
But we will end the fight.
If we are involved we shall be resolved to
Protect what we know is right.
We have been challenged by a cowardly foe
Who strikes and then hides from our view.
With one voice we say, "There's no choice
Today, there is only one thing to do"
Everyone is saying the same thing
And praying that we end these senseless
Moments we are living.
As our fathers did before, we shall win
This unwanted war
And our children will enjoy the future,
We'll be giving.
Written by Jack Buck
September 14, 2001
Monday, September 10, 2012
The NCAA and the ACC
I'm throwing this up here because these are my thoughts. They do not represent that of any other website. They are my own. With that out of the way, let's begin.
Is Adam Edelen running for Governor soon?
The Kentucky Democratic Party has several rising stars. One of which is current State Auditor Adam Edelen. Names being thrown out there for the 2015 governor's race include Crit Luallen, Central Bank Chairman Luther Deaton and Attorney General Jack Conway. Is Adam Edelen interested in adding himself to the list? Maybe.
As cn2 reports, he made the rounds during the DNC.
Edelen, as cn2 notes, did not quite answer the question about Conway being scared.
a
As cn2 reports, he made the rounds during the DNC.
Edelen, as cn2 notes, did not quite answer the question about Conway being scared.
a
Mitt Romney killed Bin Laden?
Wait, what? Mitt Romney killed Osama Bin Laden according to 15% of Ohio Republicans. In what is astonishing to people that actually watch the news, we have idiots that vote.
I have no words to describe how so many people could be idiots. Mitt Romney did not approve the strike team that killed the #1 terrorist on this planet. Mitt Romney was not up day and night in 2011 to make the decision on doing what is right.
Mitt Romney is not the Commander-in-Chief but yet, according to polls, Romney is responsible for killing Bin Laden.
This is the same Mitt Romney that said in April 2007 that "it’s not worth moving heaven and earth spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person." He later backtracked, as he always does, by saying during a GOP debate: "We’ll move everything to get him. But I don’t want to buy into the Democratic pitch that this is all about one person — Osama bin Laden — because after we get him, there’s going to be another and another."
Moreover, 47% are not sure whether to give credit to President Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? I don't know how they are not sure. I honestly don't!
Mitt Romney does not deserve any credit just as former President George W. Bush does not deserve any credit for the killing of Bin Laden.
It makes zero sense to give Mitt Romney credit. As for those who responded not sure, what the hell were they thinking?!?
I have no words to describe how so many people could be idiots. Mitt Romney did not approve the strike team that killed the #1 terrorist on this planet. Mitt Romney was not up day and night in 2011 to make the decision on doing what is right.
Mitt Romney is not the Commander-in-Chief but yet, according to polls, Romney is responsible for killing Bin Laden.
According to a PPP poll of likely Ohio voters, 15 percent of Republicans in Ohio think Romney is “more responsible” for bin Laden’s death than Obama, while 47 percent of Republicans are “not sure” whether Obama or Romney deserves more of the credit.I originally looked at the crosstabs for ideology as opposed to political party registration, which is where my original thoughts reacted to (and have since rewritten). This is hard to fathom, 15% of registered Republicans who responded believe Mitt Romney deserves the credit for killing Osama Bin Laden.
This is the same Mitt Romney that said in April 2007 that "it’s not worth moving heaven and earth spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person." He later backtracked, as he always does, by saying during a GOP debate: "We’ll move everything to get him. But I don’t want to buy into the Democratic pitch that this is all about one person — Osama bin Laden — because after we get him, there’s going to be another and another."
Moreover, 47% are not sure whether to give credit to President Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? I don't know how they are not sure. I honestly don't!
Mitt Romney does not deserve any credit just as former President George W. Bush does not deserve any credit for the killing of Bin Laden.
It makes zero sense to give Mitt Romney credit. As for those who responded not sure, what the hell were they thinking?!?
Phones on Yom Tov?!?
I'm sorry but from every angle that I look at it, this is just plainly wrong. How can one truly be observant of the High Holidays when they are posting on facebook and tweeting during services?!?
How will sending a text message to a Rabbi make praying to G-d more meaningful or holier? It simply will not. It distracts you from the service. This is why schmoozing is inappropriate during davening. If one prefers to schmooze, please go into the hallway and do so. Please do not do it in the Sanctuary.
It's not just mind-baffling. It's flat out disgusting. You want more bad news? Please, keep reading.
Do not incorporate digital media during Shabbas or High Holiday services. Please refrain from doing so. It goes against everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, those holidays stand for!
But congregants at a Miami Beach High Holidays service for young adults will be asked to use their cellphones to send text messages to the rabbi during parts of the Rosh Hashanah evening service this year.Unless one is a medical doctor on call, they have no reason on earth to have a phone with them! It's wrong. How many times do I have to say this? On Shabbas, we are to refrain from using any form of electricity. This includes our phones as well. It's because using them would be a violation of the the 39 melachot--the things that we are to refrain from doing or using on the day of rest.
How will sending a text message to a Rabbi make praying to G-d more meaningful or holier? It simply will not. It distracts you from the service. This is why schmoozing is inappropriate during davening. If one prefers to schmooze, please go into the hallway and do so. Please do not do it in the Sanctuary.
It's not just mind-baffling. It's flat out disgusting. You want more bad news? Please, keep reading.
The unusual service is just one way that technology and social media are changing Jewish observances in certain communities. While an increasing number of synagogues are offering real-time Internet streaming of services for those unable or unwilling to participate in person, some shuls have begun to incorporate social media into the congregational experience.No! Do not live stream the service on the Internet! Why don't you just add a band to the lineup if you are going to disgrace the holiest days of the year!
At Congregation Or Ami in Calabasas, Calif., also a Reform temple, Rabbi Paul Kipnes has tentative plans to encourage congregants with smartphones to use Facebook to reflect on the shofar after it is blown for the second time during the service.
Do not incorporate digital media during Shabbas or High Holiday services. Please refrain from doing so. It goes against everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, those holidays stand for!
Sid Caesar in new documentary
Comedy legend Sid Caesar will be appearing in a new documentary. The comedian is not working much these days but he never misses a lunch at the age of 90.
Smartphones and Politics
ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper hung out at the Google Hangout at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions over the last two weeks. He takes a look at how the American landscape has changed, especially how smartphones are changing politics.
One-third of American voters did not watch television in the last week. One-third!
Eighty-three percent of voters own a smartphone.
What does this mean for the future of television ads? Will they be microtargeted instead of blanketed ads on television and radio in swing states? I don't know.
One-third of American voters did not watch television in the last week. One-third!
Eighty-three percent of voters own a smartphone.
What does this mean for the future of television ads? Will they be microtargeted instead of blanketed ads on television and radio in swing states? I don't know.
Sunday, September 09, 2012
Blame Mitch
Michael Tomasky is spot on with regards to the economy. I've been saying this for some time now. When Senator Mitch McConnell said that his number one priority was to defeat the president, he turned his back on the United States of America.
McConnell, in his "moment of candor" as President Bill Clinton described it, said: "The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."
Of course, President Clinton addressed these comments by the senior senator from Kentucky: "Obama also tried to work with Congressional Republicans on health care, debt reduction, and jobs, but that didn’t work out so well. Probably because, as the Senate Republican leader, in a remarkable moment of candor, said two years before the election, their No. 1 priority was not to put America back to work, but to put President Obama out of work. Senator, I hate to break it to you, but we’re going to keep President Obama on the job!"
McConnell and the Republicans had no interest in a jobs bill, in getting this economy back to where it should be, or anything that is in America's best interest.
The Democratic Party should take Gov. Deval Patrick's advice to heart and grow a backbone this fall. Go all out against the GOP and call them out on issues such as this.
McConnell, in his "moment of candor" as President Bill Clinton described it, said: "The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."
Of course, President Clinton addressed these comments by the senior senator from Kentucky: "Obama also tried to work with Congressional Republicans on health care, debt reduction, and jobs, but that didn’t work out so well. Probably because, as the Senate Republican leader, in a remarkable moment of candor, said two years before the election, their No. 1 priority was not to put America back to work, but to put President Obama out of work. Senator, I hate to break it to you, but we’re going to keep President Obama on the job!"
McConnell and the Republicans had no interest in a jobs bill, in getting this economy back to where it should be, or anything that is in America's best interest.
The Democratic Party should take Gov. Deval Patrick's advice to heart and grow a backbone this fall. Go all out against the GOP and call them out on issues such as this.
Saturday, September 08, 2012
Book Review: Domestic Affairs by Bridget Siegel
Publisher: Weinstein Books (July 31, 2012)
In her first novel, Bridget Siegel has done a fantastic job at showing what the campaign life is all about. She should know. She's a veteran of campaigns at the local, state and national levels.
Friday, September 07, 2012
The August Jobs Report
The new jobs report is out and the numbers could honestly be better. Unfortunately, they are not.
Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich offers his thoughts on the matter at hand.
The 8.1% does not take into account the number of people that have given up on the job search.
Where are these so-called job creators that the Republicans keep talking about and why are they not out there creating jobs?
Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich offers his thoughts on the matter at hand.
The overall numbers in the August Employment Situation Report shows that 96,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were added in August. As a result, the unemployment rate dropped to 8.1% but this is nowhere close to the 125,000 that analysts had predicted.Look, I desperately want Obama to win. But the one thing his speech last night lacked was the one thing that was the most important for him to offer — a plan for how to get the economy out of the doldrums.[...]But the President could have offered more than the rejoinder he did — suggesting, even in broad strokes, what he’ll do in his second term to get the economy moving again. At least he might have identified the scourge of inequality as a culprit, for example, pointing out, as he did last December, that the economy can’t advance when so much income and wealth are concentrated at the top that the vast middle class doesn’t have the purchasing power to get it back on track.
The 8.1% does not take into account the number of people that have given up on the job search.
Where are these so-called job creators that the Republicans keep talking about and why are they not out there creating jobs?
KY-22 Road Improvements
It's pretty saddening that it has taken a fatal crash to get people talking about improving the stretch of KY-22 by between Barbour Lane and Avenue of the Woods. This is something that should have been taken care of a long time ago.
David Rodger has lived in the area for 14 years and witnessed dozens of crashes. He says something needs to be done to prevent anymore tragedies.
"People are going too fast, it's a sloppy street and it's blind curves. It's a terrible combination," said Rodger.
LMPD says there have been 47 crashes in the past three years. That includes eight injuries and this fatal accidental. Officers say rain causes oils to rise to the surface. Add to that sap from trees in the densely wooded area. A slick combination.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says there was no high friction pavement where the accident happened. Friction pavement is a dark gray color compared to regular pavement which is lighter gray.
Traction grips and more abrasive surfaces were created for better tire control east of Springcrest Drive in 2009. After Davis died, officers agree with neighbors that more safety measures need to be made to the state highway administration to help save lives.
"Additionally we'll look at slippery when wet signage and anything to warn motorists of a challenging situation up ahead," said Lt. Seelye.
Stop invoking the Shoah
I'm with the ADL on this one. That's really all I am going to say about it. This goes for both parties.
Politicians and party officials need to start thinking before the words come out of their mouth.
An excerpt from their press release follows.
Politicians and party officials need to start thinking before the words come out of their mouth.
An excerpt from their press release follows.
Earlier today, South Carolina State Democratic Chairman Dick Harpootlian reportedly evoked Eva Braun when discussing Gov. Nikki Haley's press briefing from a basement studio at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Harpootlian was quoted as saying, "She was down in the bunker a la Eva Braun.""This analogy to Eva Braun only serves to trivialize the Holocaust and is deeply offensive to Jews and other survivors, as well as those Americans who fought valiantly against the Nazis in World War II," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director and a Holocaust survivor. "I have said this repeatedly, but it bears repeating again that inappropriate Holocaust analogies simply have no place in politics. The Holocaust and Hitler should not be part of the discussion over which party is best equipped to lead this country for the next four years. Politicians and their supporters and surrogates should stop invoking Hitler and trivializing the memory of the six million and millions of others who perished in the Holocaust."
Barack Obama accepts Democratic nomination
In a 40 minute speech in Charlotte, North Carolina, President Barack Obama accepted the Democratic Party's nomination.
The president's speech concluded a night that featured a much different John Kerry from what people saw in 2004.
Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm addressed the crowd and she delivered an energizing and hard-hitting speech, including the line: "In Romney's world, the cars get the elevator and the workers get the shaft."
Other prominent speakers this evening included Carolina Kennedy, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, and former Florida Governor Charlie Crist.
The president's speech concluded a night that featured a much different John Kerry from what people saw in 2004.
Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm addressed the crowd and she delivered an energizing and hard-hitting speech, including the line: "In Romney's world, the cars get the elevator and the workers get the shaft."
Other prominent speakers this evening included Carolina Kennedy, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, and former Florida Governor Charlie Crist.
Thursday, September 06, 2012
Sorry, Chris Hayes...
I'm sorry, Chris Hayes, but you are dead wrong on this issue. Completely wrong.
TRANSCRIPT: President Bill Clinton's 2012 Democratic National Convention speech
Below the cut is the transcript of President Bill Clinton's nomination speech as delivered last night at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Via Political Wire, we learned that the president's "prepared remarks last night were 3,136 words but his speech as delivered was a whopping 5,895 words."
NOLA
This is a must-read related to the fine city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Some of the language is harsh for the residents that live down there. It's not a pretty read but it talks about the realities that do exist in this day and age.
This is happening because you live on a sinking, shrinking delta smack in the middle of a hurricane zone. Storms like this are to New Orleans what blizzards are to Chicago and heat waves are to Phoenix. Get used to it -- or move.Go read it.
Places that never or seldom flooded in past storms are now taking water because the sea is rising due to global warming while the land mass you live on is sinking. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says the Gulf could be more than 3 feet higher along the southeast Louisiana coast in 100 years. If you thought this Cat 1 was a villain, add 3 feet to the water that ran down your street and into your house. That's your future.
Levees and floodwalls can offer temporary protection. But remember, it takes billions of dollars and a decade to build a decent system for your cities. And if global warming isn't addressed, the structures you build today will leave your children and grandchildren vulnerable.
The best things you can do are adapt to live sustainably in this reality -- and demand the people you send to Baton Rouge and Congress address the causes of your peril.
The race for 2016
I touched on this the other day but the race for 2016 has unofficially started. This week, politicians have met with the Iowa delegation. This does not meet that all of them will be running for president.
Those meeting with Iowa's delegation include Virginia Senator Mark Warner, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. On the schedule for Thursday include Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
Booker is an interesting figure. As a presidential candidate, he is limited to local political positions on his resume. That would be fine if he were, say, the Mayor of New York City. But he isn't. I'm sure he's a fine person but when it comes to a mayor running for president, my guess is that the three cities where they would make great presidential candidates are New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. He has the executive experience but there's no statewide experience or foreign policy experience. Now, like with other candidates that get the nomination, the lack of foreign policy experience can be made up for with someone from Congress or even a strong Secretary of State.
What I do find surprising is that Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick did not meet with the Iowa delegation. He gave one of the most passionate speeches on Tuesday night. Is this to say that he has no plans to run in 2016? I don't know. His gubernatorial term expires following the 2014 election.
This is the first indication I have heard of either Klobuchar or Gillibrand potentially running for president. The same goes for Mayor Villaraigosa. As for Governor Schweitzer, I have not heard any rumors previously.
Regardless, until Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton states once and for all that she is not going to be a candidate, all this will continue to be talk. A Clinton run would take a bulk of the candidates out of the race.
Vice President Joe Biden was scheduled to speak to the Iowa delegation but his staff decided to cancel the appearance. If he runs, it would be his third race for the presidency.
Of all the potential candidates, Governor O'Malley is doing all the right things that signify that he is running.
Those meeting with Iowa's delegation include Virginia Senator Mark Warner, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. On the schedule for Thursday include Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
Booker is an interesting figure. As a presidential candidate, he is limited to local political positions on his resume. That would be fine if he were, say, the Mayor of New York City. But he isn't. I'm sure he's a fine person but when it comes to a mayor running for president, my guess is that the three cities where they would make great presidential candidates are New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. He has the executive experience but there's no statewide experience or foreign policy experience. Now, like with other candidates that get the nomination, the lack of foreign policy experience can be made up for with someone from Congress or even a strong Secretary of State.
What I do find surprising is that Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick did not meet with the Iowa delegation. He gave one of the most passionate speeches on Tuesday night. Is this to say that he has no plans to run in 2016? I don't know. His gubernatorial term expires following the 2014 election.
This is the first indication I have heard of either Klobuchar or Gillibrand potentially running for president. The same goes for Mayor Villaraigosa. As for Governor Schweitzer, I have not heard any rumors previously.
Regardless, until Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton states once and for all that she is not going to be a candidate, all this will continue to be talk. A Clinton run would take a bulk of the candidates out of the race.
Vice President Joe Biden was scheduled to speak to the Iowa delegation but his staff decided to cancel the appearance. If he runs, it would be his third race for the presidency.
Of all the potential candidates, Governor O'Malley is doing all the right things that signify that he is running.
Will John Kerry be the next Secretary of State?
Senator John Kerry will address the Democratic National Convention tonight during the primetime hour of 10 PM. Rumor has it that he will address the president's record on national security.
There is some speculation on The Hill's part that he could be the next Secretary of State. It's possible that it could happen. He's currently the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in early 2009 following Joe Biden leaving the Senate.
I think Kerry would make a great Secretary of State. He has the leadership abilities required for such a position.
There is some speculation on The Hill's part that he could be the next Secretary of State. It's possible that it could happen. He's currently the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in early 2009 following Joe Biden leaving the Senate.
I think Kerry would make a great Secretary of State. He has the leadership abilities required for such a position.
The Jerusalem factor
I have heard mixed reports about the booing on the floor after the votes were passed but in any event, the Democratic Party has voted to add Jerusalem back to the party platform.
The platform committee met earlier on Wednesday according to JTA.
Make no mistake that Democrats in Congress were upset with the removal from the platform.
What is interesting is that the Republicans are being hypocrites for attacking a toned down platform when their platform is toned down when it comes to Israel. They can't hold the Democratic Party to a double standard when they, themselves, are doing similar things!
The platform committee met earlier on Wednesday according to JTA.
"They are returning the language to the 2008 situation," Robert Wexler, a top Jewish surrogate for President Obama's reelection campaign and a drafter of this year's platform, told JTA. "The president directly intervened to make sure this amendment happened."Why it was removed is beyond me. In any event, it has been rectified.
"Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel” appeared in the 2008 document, along with the caveat that the matter should be left to final-status negotiations.
A Democratic National Committee official also confirmed the reinsertion.
Make no mistake that Democrats in Congress were upset with the removal from the platform.
What is interesting is that the Republicans are being hypocrites for attacking a toned down platform when their platform is toned down when it comes to Israel. They can't hold the Democratic Party to a double standard when they, themselves, are doing similar things!
The Republican platform changes included removing the adjective “undivided” from references to Jerusalem, and cutting the sentence supporting the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.The 2008 platform included the sentence “We support Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel and moving the American embassy to that undivided capital of Israel.”In the 2012 platform, that sentence is missing, with the only reference to Jerusalem – “Israel with Jerusalem as its capital” – lacking the word “undivided.” Support for moving the embassy to Jerusalem is excised entirely.
Although, to be fair, every single president has signed the waiver every 6 months when it comes to moving the embassy to Jerusalem, citing security purposes.
Bill Clinton addresses 2012 DNC
President Clinton spoke for nearly 50 minutes. This is not 1988. In 1988, they applauded the moment he said "In conclusion." This is 2012. Bill Clinton has rock star status in the Democratic Party. Only a guy with rock star status like the former president would have been able to speak for nearly an hour.
It's not how long he spoke but not only did he defend President Obama, he spoke policy. There was more substance in his speech than the entire Republican National Convention.
Politifact fact-check the job numbers that the former president cited and he was correct.
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
2012 Democratic National Convention: Night 1
What a wonderful night of amazing speeches that have me fired up for the election in November.
The best speeches in my opinion in order of when they were delivered:
Ted Strickland, former Ohio Governor and a 1980 graduate of the University of Kentucky
Deval Patrick, current Governor of Massachusetts (term expires in 2016)
Martin O'Malley, current Governor of Maryland (To be fair, he had the tough act of following Gov. Patrick's passionate speech)
Julian Castro, current Mayor of San Antonio
Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States of America
The First Lady's was not just powerful but personal. The Obamas are just as human as the rest of us are. She really killed it tonight.
Joe Kennedy III did a great job talking about his uncle, Ted Kennedy, before the moving video tribute that followed.
Rahm Emanuel, the Mayor of Chicago and former presidential chief of staff, spoke this evening and did a good job. It was not anywhere as close to the big speeches or even the most passionate speeches of the evening.
Former Congressman Robert Wexler spoke about Israel. Someone had to do it, right?
Families like the Lihns would suffer if the health care law were to be repealed.
Overall, there were more mentions of Mitt Romney tonight than during the entire RNC if Twitter and convention analysis is to be believed. Heck, there was more diversity this evening than during the four nights in Tampa.
Thank you, C-SPAN, for offering a library of convention speeches from this week in Charlotte. Transcripts are not yet up anywhere.
I started out by watching MSNBC at 7 PM but once I realized that they would offer more commentating than speeches, I soon turned it over to C-SPAN, which is not offered in HD by Insight. That said, I did flip back but only after the Kennedy video tribute when Andrea Mitchell tweeted that she would be interviewing Ted Kennedy, Jr. and Patrick Kennedy. After that, it was back to C-SPAN until after Governor O'Malley's address to the delegates. He was supposed to speak for 5 minutes but ended up speaking for closer to 9 minutes. After that, it was back over to MSNBC until probably close to 1 AM following Hardball with Chris Matthews.
The sad thing was that tonight was only the first night and it brought the house down. That's without President Clinton, Vice President Biden, or President Obama speaking.
The best speeches in my opinion in order of when they were delivered:
Ted Strickland, former Ohio Governor and a 1980 graduate of the University of Kentucky
Deval Patrick, current Governor of Massachusetts (term expires in 2016)
Martin O'Malley, current Governor of Maryland (To be fair, he had the tough act of following Gov. Patrick's passionate speech)
Julian Castro, current Mayor of San Antonio
Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States of America
The First Lady's was not just powerful but personal. The Obamas are just as human as the rest of us are. She really killed it tonight.
Joe Kennedy III did a great job talking about his uncle, Ted Kennedy, before the moving video tribute that followed.
Rahm Emanuel, the Mayor of Chicago and former presidential chief of staff, spoke this evening and did a good job. It was not anywhere as close to the big speeches or even the most passionate speeches of the evening.
Former Congressman Robert Wexler spoke about Israel. Someone had to do it, right?
Families like the Lihns would suffer if the health care law were to be repealed.
Overall, there were more mentions of Mitt Romney tonight than during the entire RNC if Twitter and convention analysis is to be believed. Heck, there was more diversity this evening than during the four nights in Tampa.
Thank you, C-SPAN, for offering a library of convention speeches from this week in Charlotte. Transcripts are not yet up anywhere.
I started out by watching MSNBC at 7 PM but once I realized that they would offer more commentating than speeches, I soon turned it over to C-SPAN, which is not offered in HD by Insight. That said, I did flip back but only after the Kennedy video tribute when Andrea Mitchell tweeted that she would be interviewing Ted Kennedy, Jr. and Patrick Kennedy. After that, it was back to C-SPAN until after Governor O'Malley's address to the delegates. He was supposed to speak for 5 minutes but ended up speaking for closer to 9 minutes. After that, it was back over to MSNBC until probably close to 1 AM following Hardball with Chris Matthews.
The sad thing was that tonight was only the first night and it brought the house down. That's without President Clinton, Vice President Biden, or President Obama speaking.
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
The Legacy of Ted Kennedy
The following aired tonight at the Democratic National Convention after Joseph Kennedy III spoke about the late Ted Kennedy, one of the greatest senators of all time.
Democratic Platform drops mention of Jerusalem as Israeli capital
According to CNN, Jerusalem is not mentioned anywhere in the Democratic Party's platform.
The party platform in 2008 had the following phrase:
This is not going to be pretty at all. Not one bit...
Update: The NJDC has released a statement.
“Jewish Democrats know full well that Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel. We—like President George W. Bush before and leaders of both parties for decades—also know that the final status of Jerusalem will have to be formally decided by the parties. This should come as a surprise to nobody.
“This Administration has the most pro-Israel record of any on record; the facts speak for themselves. From record aid to Israel to unsurpassed supplemental missile defense to heightened military cooperation to an unprecedented perfect voting record at the United Nations to gathering a global coalition against Iran, President Barack Obama has tirelessly worked to strengthen the special partnership between the United States and Israel. Meanwhile, those who are loudest today were silent for eight years when the Republicans ran the executive branch; at the time, President Bush signed waivers 16 times to avoid moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. At the time, President Bush said the future of Jerusalem ‘will be ultimately determined by the interested parties.’ The hypocrisy is stunning, but not surprising.
“As the Democratic Convention gets underway here in Charlotte, Republicans will do everything they can to shift the conversation away from talk of choice, Medicare, marriage equality, and the laundry list of issues on which American Jews overwhelmingly line up with the Democratic Party. But it won’t work.”
The party platform in 2008 had the following phrase:
Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel. The parties have agreed that Jerusalem is a matter for final status negotiations. It should remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths.In 2012? Not so much. There is no mention of Jerusalem but it does maintain the support for a two-state solution.
The President's consistent support for Israel's right to defend itself and his steadfast opposition to any attempt to delegitimize Israel on the world stage are further evidence of our enduring commitment to Israel's security.Also omitted from the platform is any reference to Israel as the "strongest ally in the region."
This is not going to be pretty at all. Not one bit...
Update: The NJDC has released a statement.
“Jewish Democrats know full well that Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel. We—like President George W. Bush before and leaders of both parties for decades—also know that the final status of Jerusalem will have to be formally decided by the parties. This should come as a surprise to nobody.
“This Administration has the most pro-Israel record of any on record; the facts speak for themselves. From record aid to Israel to unsurpassed supplemental missile defense to heightened military cooperation to an unprecedented perfect voting record at the United Nations to gathering a global coalition against Iran, President Barack Obama has tirelessly worked to strengthen the special partnership between the United States and Israel. Meanwhile, those who are loudest today were silent for eight years when the Republicans ran the executive branch; at the time, President Bush signed waivers 16 times to avoid moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. At the time, President Bush said the future of Jerusalem ‘will be ultimately determined by the interested parties.’ The hypocrisy is stunning, but not surprising.
“As the Democratic Convention gets underway here in Charlotte, Republicans will do everything they can to shift the conversation away from talk of choice, Medicare, marriage equality, and the laundry list of issues on which American Jews overwhelmingly line up with the Democratic Party. But it won’t work.”
Some thoughts on conventions, etc.
I've spent some time watching David Gregory chatting with Tom Brokaw from the Meet the Press Press Pass. Some interesting thoughts from the former news anchor, who has been covering political conventions since 1968. He thinks that they should be a one day affair.
New York Senator Chuck Schumer told Politico that he does not believe a single Democratic incumbent will lose their Senate races. I agree with the Senator, who I had the pleasure to see in person back in 2004.
Brokaw, whose first convention was in 1968, thinks week-long political gatherings are unnecessary in today's political environment. He argues that it's time to "rewrite the script" on traditional conventions and reduce them to one day.It's an interesting thought for sure. The extra days do help some lesser known politicians get their names out there. Plus, the smaller meetings with state delegations do help potential candidates with networking for the next go-around. I guarantee you that potential candidates like Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is doing all the right things this week. Having said that, we have to stay focused on this election at the same time. I'm focused on 2012 but am keeping my eye on 2016, too.
"Do that one big night and then have that by satellite transmitted around the country to football stadiums in Chicago, and Denver, and Seattle, and have big get-out-the-vote rallies." This will "re-involve the American people" in the process, he believes.
New York Senator Chuck Schumer told Politico that he does not believe a single Democratic incumbent will lose their Senate races. I agree with the Senator, who I had the pleasure to see in person back in 2004.
I'd have to agree with those predictions. A lot has changed since the Tea Party tidal wave in 2010, mainly the fact that they are not allowing anything to get done in Washington. They are blocking any kind of real progress, or compromise, for that matter.While Democrats are defending 23 seats compared to 10 for Republicans, Schumer pointed to five seats currently held by Republicans he said Democrats have a solid chance of taking: in Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Indiana and Arizona. Of seven Democratic seats vacated by retiring senators, Schumer argued, his party is well-positioned to hold on to most of them, including in Republican-leaning North Dakota.And he predicted that no Democratic incumbent would lose — even in red states like Missouri and Montana and swing states like Ohio and Florida.
Candidates for 2016 include Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley
While we are still focused in on the 2012 elections, the National Journal has brought up some names to keep an eye on for the 2016 election. What's really interesting to see in the list is that practically all of the potential candidates are governors.
One name in general, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, will see a primetime speaking opportunity in Charlotte tonight. Currently serving as the chair of the Democratic Governors Association, O'Malley previously served two terms as the mayor of Baltimore. I've been a fan of his for over 8 years now and think he would make a damn fine presidential candidate.
Politico profiled Gov. O'Malley in July and here's an excerpt.
Vice President Joe Biden will be 74 in 2016 so I really do not see him making a third run for the presidency. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has consistently said that her current job will be her last in public service. I don't see her running again. I wish that was not the case but it's likely what will be happening.
Other big names to keep an eye out for include New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Virginia Senator Mark Warner (a former governor). As for names that could see some interest sparked this week from speaking at the convention, they include Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and California Attorney General Kamala Harris.
O'Malley is at the top of my list of candidates in 2016.
One name in general, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, will see a primetime speaking opportunity in Charlotte tonight. Currently serving as the chair of the Democratic Governors Association, O'Malley previously served two terms as the mayor of Baltimore. I've been a fan of his for over 8 years now and think he would make a damn fine presidential candidate.
Politico profiled Gov. O'Malley in July and here's an excerpt.
“Our party will do increasingly better if we keep foremost and in the forefront our theory of the case — the larger story, if you will — of what are the things that we need to do … to restore our country as a great job-generating and opportunity-expanding entity,” he said.
If that sounds a little like the language of a 1990s, Clinton-style moderate Democrat, there’s good reason for it.In 2012, O’Malley slings the kind of rhetoric that pleases the Democratic base. At times, he cuts the figure of an old-school Democratic pol — a former big-city mayor from the East Coast with a photo of JFK and a portrait of the Irish revolutionary Michael Collins in his office.
Vice President Joe Biden will be 74 in 2016 so I really do not see him making a third run for the presidency. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has consistently said that her current job will be her last in public service. I don't see her running again. I wish that was not the case but it's likely what will be happening.
Other big names to keep an eye out for include New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Virginia Senator Mark Warner (a former governor). As for names that could see some interest sparked this week from speaking at the convention, they include Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and California Attorney General Kamala Harris.
O'Malley is at the top of my list of candidates in 2016.
Monday, September 03, 2012
Sunday, September 02, 2012
Some links to pass on
Greed and Debt: The True Story of Mitt Romney and Bain Capital by Matt Taibbi
The Federal Bailout That Saved Mitt Romney by Tim Dickinson
Political Fiction: Murder on the Campaign Trail by Jon Methven
The Federal Bailout That Saved Mitt Romney by Tim Dickinson
Political Fiction: Murder on the Campaign Trail by Jon Methven
Former Senator Marlow Cook talks Republicans
Marlow Cook, a former Senator who represented Kentucky from 1968 to 1974, recently spoke to cn2 about the Republicans and this year's election. Hear what he had to say.
Empty Chair teaches class, students get As!
As was noted last week in a press release by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Clint Eastwood's empty chair has the authority to teach a class and give students passing grades.
The university noted the following:
It's perplexing, isn't it? We know for a fact that this academic scandal dwarfs what happened at Florida State University, which led to several players being suspended prior to the 2007 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl presented by Bridgestone. Try saying that three times fast.
Between injuries and the scandal, 34 players did not play that game in 2007. Of course, we now know that Florida State had to vacate all of their wins in the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
The university noted the following:
Based on the joint review, UNC and the NCAA staff concluded there were no violations of current NCAA rules or student-athlete eligibility issues related to courses in African and Afro-American Studies. As a result, the NCAA did not add any allegations or include this issue during the University’s appearance in October 2011 before the Committee on Infractions.As a result, the empty chair can legally hand out passing grades to students.
It's perplexing, isn't it? We know for a fact that this academic scandal dwarfs what happened at Florida State University, which led to several players being suspended prior to the 2007 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl presented by Bridgestone. Try saying that three times fast.
Between injuries and the scandal, 34 players did not play that game in 2007. Of course, we now know that Florida State had to vacate all of their wins in the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
Saturday, September 01, 2012
Book Review: It's The Middle Class, Stupid!
Publisher: Blue Rider Press (July 10, 2012)
Political pollster Stan Greenberg and Democratic strategist James Carville teamed up to bring us just one of many books to be released during this election season. This one is different.
Carville and Greenberg make the argument on what needs to be done to rescue and restore he Middle Class to prosperity. It's the working people that help make the American economy what it is but workers are out of jobs due to the failed policies of the Bush administration.
In writing this book, they found that the Middle Class is working 200 more hours a year than they did in 1979. While working more hours, they have not really seen an increase in pay. The top 5% of wage earners worked 93 less hours in comparison.
Both political parties will tell you that the country is in decline. It's true and at that, they found that 66% of this country believes the country is in decline. The question is: Who will listen to the solutions that they put forward?
They remind the elite that the Middle Class is "smarter than you think." It does not take an idiot to point out what is happening.
They also point out that the rich have won the "class warfare" argument but also manage to cut through the political fog. No matter what the GOP may argue, taxing the wealthiest 1% of Americans remains popular with the Middle Class. It's not about blaming the Tea Party. It's about this:
That Democrats must forget about the past and the financial crisis and recognize: The story is not the recovery, but a set of powerful ongoing realities: a middle class smashed and struggling, American jobs being lost, the country and people in debt, and the nexus of big money and power that leaves the common people excluded. The story is the middle class.It's backed up by responses of Americans interviewed in focus groups, whether they are college graduates or non-college educated.
If the candidates choose to focus on the Middle Class rather than the economy itself, the country might be able to "break out of its dysfunctional politics." Greenberg's polls have revealed that voters prefer the Democratic approach to rebuilding the middle-class as opposed to the GOP's priority to reduce the deficit and size of the government. It's a 14 point margin at that!
They offer ideas for getting money out of politics in addition to the offering proposals for a balanced budget, restoring fiscal health, and restoring the middle class. It's this book that should be setting the agenda for November and the next Congress.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Mitt becomes nominee
But it was Clint Eastwood that stole the show. Rather, Invisible Obama stole the show....
WaPo has the transcript
Our friends at Think Progress live blogged the inaccuracies the entire evening.
WaPo has the transcript
Our friends at Think Progress live blogged the inaccuracies the entire evening.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Are Republicans scared of the truth?
Are Republicans scared to admit that the fact-checkers were right and that Paul Ryan was wrong?
A facebook friend said that Paul Ryan did not lie about Obama getting the blame for the Wisconsin factory shutting down.
I'm sorry but the facts are facts. Paul Ryan did lie.
Senator Russ Feingold said in a statement on Facebook:
A facebook friend said that Paul Ryan did not lie about Obama getting the blame for the Wisconsin factory shutting down.
I'm sorry but the facts are facts. Paul Ryan did lie.
Senator Russ Feingold said in a statement on Facebook:
Paul Ryan lies at RNC, gets called out for it
Don't blame President Barack Obama for something that his predecessor, George W. Bush, should get the blame for. Paul Ryan did so anyway. A plant closed in Wisconsin while Bush was in office and yet, Obama got the blame anyway.
It doesn't make sense. It's makes zero sense to me. This is the probably many of us have with the political system. Politicians give speeches with lies and distort reality. They have got to stop doing that.
It's why I have zero trust in Paul Ryan and would not trust him as the second guy in command.
What got me was that a writer for Fox News even called him out! I didn't think that they were allowed to do that. I thought it went against their by-laws.
The fact-checkers at Think Progress were very busy on Wednesday night. Who knew that this RNC could lead to the hiring of fact checkers this week?!?
It doesn't make sense. It's makes zero sense to me. This is the probably many of us have with the political system. Politicians give speeches with lies and distort reality. They have got to stop doing that.
It's why I have zero trust in Paul Ryan and would not trust him as the second guy in command.
What got me was that a writer for Fox News even called him out! I didn't think that they were allowed to do that. I thought it went against their by-laws.
On the other hand, to anyone paying the slightest bit of attention to facts, Ryan’s speech was an apparent attempt to set the world record for the greatest number of blatant lies and misrepresentations slipped into a single political speech. On this measure, while it was Romney who ran the Olympics, Ryan earned the gold.It should be noted that the writer is a contributor to Fox News. She calls out Ryan for using his speech to distract people from the record.
The fact-checkers at Think Progress were very busy on Wednesday night. Who knew that this RNC could lead to the hiring of fact checkers this week?!?
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Could we see a third party in 2016?
I just remembered why I stopped doing commentary with regards to politics. The amount of stupidity that comes out of the mouths of politicians as we get closer to the election.
It's not only the politicians but also the people that attend the conventions as we saw last night in Tampa.
A camera operator with CNN was attacked by two Republican delegates because the camera operator was an African-American. It's comments like these that not only make me sick in my stomach but also afraid for our country.
What happened to the golden rule of treating others how you wish to be treated? Where is the respect? What happened to civility?
Retiring congressmen and senators have gone on record to an extent saying that they no longer like the divisiveness in Washington. Even John McCain's chief of staff (or was it legislative director) told Meghan McCain and Michael Ian Black that if he could do it all again, he would stay as far away from Washington, DC.
But we have reached a point where even the moderate Republicans are too moderate for the Republican Party. The extreme right wing has hijacked the party and I feel that we will be seeing the creation of a strong third party to take over the center wing of the spectrum.
A third party would woo not only the Independents but centrist Democrats and Republicans. A new home for them if you will. Maybe Michael Bloomberg will be their candidate in 2016? I don't know. I always thought Bloomberg would have been a presidential candidate by now. He's one of the few with the balls to stand up to the NRA and trust me, after all the shootings this year, somebody has to do it! Why not him?!?
I'm a loyal Democrat, don't get me wrong, but there are days when I wonder what would happen if we had a strong third party.
I tweet a lot. I share links on Facebook a lot. Sometimes, you just cannot believe the stupidity that happens. I'm trying my best not to share a gazillion links a day but when I see it shared a few times already, I don't really have a choice but to share it.
It's not only the politicians but also the people that attend the conventions as we saw last night in Tampa.
A camera operator with CNN was attacked by two Republican delegates because the camera operator was an African-American. It's comments like these that not only make me sick in my stomach but also afraid for our country.
What happened to the golden rule of treating others how you wish to be treated? Where is the respect? What happened to civility?
Retiring congressmen and senators have gone on record to an extent saying that they no longer like the divisiveness in Washington. Even John McCain's chief of staff (or was it legislative director) told Meghan McCain and Michael Ian Black that if he could do it all again, he would stay as far away from Washington, DC.
But we have reached a point where even the moderate Republicans are too moderate for the Republican Party. The extreme right wing has hijacked the party and I feel that we will be seeing the creation of a strong third party to take over the center wing of the spectrum.
A third party would woo not only the Independents but centrist Democrats and Republicans. A new home for them if you will. Maybe Michael Bloomberg will be their candidate in 2016? I don't know. I always thought Bloomberg would have been a presidential candidate by now. He's one of the few with the balls to stand up to the NRA and trust me, after all the shootings this year, somebody has to do it! Why not him?!?
I'm a loyal Democrat, don't get me wrong, but there are days when I wonder what would happen if we had a strong third party.
I tweet a lot. I share links on Facebook a lot. Sometimes, you just cannot believe the stupidity that happens. I'm trying my best not to share a gazillion links a day but when I see it shared a few times already, I don't really have a choice but to share it.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Chris Matthews rips RNC Chairman Reince Priebus
MSNBC's Chris Matthews tore RNC Chairman Reince Priebus a new one this morning on Morning Joe.
A Completely Honest Debate
Thanks to the folks at The Second City Network, we bring you a Completely Honest Political Debate:
Political conventions should be cancelled
With Hurricane Isaac veering north towards New Orleans on the 7th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, both political parties should cancel their respective conventions.
Why? It's not fair for media coverage to have most of your news staff in Tampa Bay or Charlotte while cities like New Orleans will need that weather coverage on the air. It would not be fair for those of us wanting to watch coverage of Isaac having to deal with politicians or their spouses delivering a speech in primetime.
The National Journal is reporting that the RNC could be cut down to maybe even one day. One of the worst-case scenarios includes a quick roll call and truncated speech. We shall see what happens. All eyes, for the time being, should be on the Gulf Coast rather than Tampa Bay.
If C-SPAN wants to offer 24/7 convention coverage, fine by me. However, the cable news networks should be devoting their attention to the hurricane. It's the right thing to do. Politico has already reported that CNN is sending Anderson Cooper and Soledad O'Brien to New Orleans. I hope the other networks follow in their path shortly. They are not the only ones as Politico reported.
NBC's plan:
ABC's plan:
The Boston Globe's Glen Johnson speaks the truth at heart:
Why? It's not fair for media coverage to have most of your news staff in Tampa Bay or Charlotte while cities like New Orleans will need that weather coverage on the air. It would not be fair for those of us wanting to watch coverage of Isaac having to deal with politicians or their spouses delivering a speech in primetime.
The National Journal is reporting that the RNC could be cut down to maybe even one day. One of the worst-case scenarios includes a quick roll call and truncated speech. We shall see what happens. All eyes, for the time being, should be on the Gulf Coast rather than Tampa Bay.
If C-SPAN wants to offer 24/7 convention coverage, fine by me. However, the cable news networks should be devoting their attention to the hurricane. It's the right thing to do. Politico has already reported that CNN is sending Anderson Cooper and Soledad O'Brien to New Orleans. I hope the other networks follow in their path shortly. They are not the only ones as Politico reported.
NBC's plan:
Brian (Williams) is staying in Tampa for now. Lester Holt, who is already in New Orleans after traveling after Nightly last night, will lead our coverage there -- which includes Gabe Gutierrez and Tamron Hall, and the full resources of The Weather Channel, including Jim Cantore who is also already in NOLA.
ABC's plan:
We are closely monitoring the storm's path. Diane Sawyer will anchor "World News" from Tampa Bay tonight with the latest reporting on Isaac from our extreme weather team inside the storm zone. ABC News weather editor Sam Champion will report from NOLA. ABC News meteorologist Ginger Zee will report from the Mississippi Gulf coast. Matt Gutman is reporting from Key West. Cecilia Vega is also reporting from Tampa.There is no word at the moment as to what CBS News will do but I am sure that they will send somebody to the Gulf Coast.
The Boston Globe's Glen Johnson speaks the truth at heart:
Consider for a moment the juxtaposition of President Obama marshaling his administration’s forces and personally visiting New Orleans or Mobile, Ala., in the aftermath of the storm’s landfall, all while the convention hall is filled with delegates dressed in funny hats listening to partisan speeches.As for the Democratic Party's plans next week in Charlotte, I don't think the mood will be as festive.
Consider, too, the practical reality of the public and news media being forced to choose between watching a staged political event or coping with the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Paul Ryan scares me...
Congressman Paul Ryan's budget plan aside, he is a very scary person. Just read what he said when he was asked his thoughts on conception when asked by WJHL reporter Josh Smith.
These are his words, not mine. The way I interpret what he said is that he and Romney have a difference of opinion when it comes to abortion rights. Going into this past week, I thought it was reasonable that most people, even Republicans, only supported the women's right to choose when it came to the exceptions of rape, incest, and when the mother's life is in danger. Oy, was I wrong.
The interview with WJHL was not the first time that Ryan has said such comments. He had said it before with Joe Delano of KDKA in Pittsburgh as Maddowblog notes.
G-d forbid that Mitt Romney gets elected and something happens with him. I'm not advocating that you do something to him. That's just now how the system works. But G-d forbid he dies in a car crash or plane crash. After all, you should see how Political Animals ended last week. Just saying.
I don't know about you but a Paul Ryan presidency would scare me to death. It seriously would.
JOSH SMITH: ...Specifically where you stand when it comes to rape, and when it comes to the issue of should it be legal for a woman to be able to get an abortion if she's raped.
PAUL RYAN: I'm very proud of my pro-life record, and I've always adopted the idea that, the position that the method of conception doesn't change the definition of life. But let's remember, I'm joining the Romney-Ryan ticket. And the president makes policy. And the president, in this case the future President Mitt Romney, has exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother, which is a vast improvement of where we are right now.
These are his words, not mine. The way I interpret what he said is that he and Romney have a difference of opinion when it comes to abortion rights. Going into this past week, I thought it was reasonable that most people, even Republicans, only supported the women's right to choose when it came to the exceptions of rape, incest, and when the mother's life is in danger. Oy, was I wrong.
The interview with WJHL was not the first time that Ryan has said such comments. He had said it before with Joe Delano of KDKA in Pittsburgh as Maddowblog notes.
G-d forbid that Mitt Romney gets elected and something happens with him. I'm not advocating that you do something to him. That's just now how the system works. But G-d forbid he dies in a car crash or plane crash. After all, you should see how Political Animals ended last week. Just saying.
I don't know about you but a Paul Ryan presidency would scare me to death. It seriously would.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
When did CBS Sports become a tabloid?
I'm writing this here, rather than at Wildcat Blue Nation, because I don't wish to speak for anyone else but rather speak for myself and my own views on the matter. I don't say this as someone who considers myself as a sportswriter. I don't say this as a Kentucky fan. I say this as someone who has taken a class in news writing.
I had just finished reading a brilliant article by John Clay of the Herald Leader on the latest around of CBS Sports anonymous polling. It's just disgusting to me.
When these coaches say things on the record and actually turn people in, let me know. Until then, CBS Sports has fallen so low with this series that it's ruined the good name of sports journalism. Since when did CBS Sports disgrace the good name of sports reporting and become the National Enquirer?!? Was it this summer or did they somehow get replaced with writers from a parallel universe?
I had a friend attack me for complaining about this CBS Sports series and they asked me if I was "so shocked that other coaches flat out hate your hero Calipari?"
I had to respond to that comment. This is not about John Calipari and the University of Kentucky Wildcats. It's about the good name of sports journalism and what that stands for. I've never met a single sportswriter that wanted to be a sportswriter so they could poll coaches anonymously and not even quote them on the record.
I already know for a fact that they didn't interview Coach Calipari for his thoughts on the matter. I used to have respect for CBS Sports. I say used to because this goes against everything a sportswriter represents. It goes against everything that the good name of journalism represents. I stopped watching shows like Entertainment Tonight because it was starting to veer down that road of tabloid journalism, which is--by far--the worst kind of journalism that is out there.
I had just finished reading a brilliant article by John Clay of the Herald Leader on the latest around of CBS Sports anonymous polling. It's just disgusting to me.
When these coaches say things on the record and actually turn people in, let me know. Until then, CBS Sports has fallen so low with this series that it's ruined the good name of sports journalism. Since when did CBS Sports disgrace the good name of sports reporting and become the National Enquirer?!? Was it this summer or did they somehow get replaced with writers from a parallel universe?
I had a friend attack me for complaining about this CBS Sports series and they asked me if I was "so shocked that other coaches flat out hate your hero Calipari?"
I had to respond to that comment. This is not about John Calipari and the University of Kentucky Wildcats. It's about the good name of sports journalism and what that stands for. I've never met a single sportswriter that wanted to be a sportswriter so they could poll coaches anonymously and not even quote them on the record.
CBS Sports has done a whole SERIES of anonymous polls. They are not even quoting ANY
coaches on the record. It's nothing but a play for page views. That's
all it is. It's below the level of National Enquirer. Even the
Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy has attacked CBS Sports for pulling this stunt and he really went after the coaches who responded. What CBS has done here not even journalism. Hell, it's not even reporting.
Perhaps, the best question they asked was about which coach was perceived to be the most underrated. I'll give them credit on that as Mike did.
I already know for a fact that they didn't interview Coach Calipari for his thoughts on the matter. I used to have respect for CBS Sports. I say used to because this goes against everything a sportswriter represents. It goes against everything that the good name of journalism represents. I stopped watching shows like Entertainment Tonight because it was starting to veer down that road of tabloid journalism, which is--by far--the worst kind of journalism that is out there.
It's a sad day for CBS Sports when Gregg Doyel has become the only respectable writer worth reading on their site. At least he's not one that is writing and polling for this series of articles that is shoddy at best.
Why aren't they going after UNC for the academic scandal? That would be real sports reporting!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
How can ANY women call themselves a Republican?!?
With idiots like Missouri Congressman Todd Akin and Iowa Congressman Steve King, how can any women call themselves a Republican anymore?
The Republican Party has declared war on women. Sad as it may be, it's actually true. All you have to do is look at the platform for the Republican National Convention. It really does hurt all women. Don't just sit there. Take action! Stand up for your body?
The Washington Post reports:
If Republicans want to put their money where their mouths are, they would update their platform immediately and stop their war against women. There's no exceptions for victims of rape, incest, and yes, this also includes victims of sexual abuse. What if the mother's life is in danger? What happens then? Would the GOP rather she die giving birth?
Why is it that the GOP cares so much what women do with their body? Why are they not banning tattoo parlors? Those go against the Bible! It says so in Leviticus 19:28.
Everybody loves watching American football. Guess what? Football is an unclean sport and it says so right in Leviticus 11:8.
These are strange times that we live in.
The Republican Party has declared war on women. Sad as it may be, it's actually true. All you have to do is look at the platform for the Republican National Convention. It really does hurt all women. Don't just sit there. Take action! Stand up for your body?
The Washington Post reports:
As Republican officials continue their attempts to persuade Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri to end his bid for the Senate over his comments about rape and abortion, GOP leaders adopted a party platform on Tuesday that calls for a constitutional amendment protecting “human life” but does not say whether exceptions should be allowed in cases of rape and incest.So while every Republican official is calling on Todd Akin not only to withdraw from the U.S. Senate race in Missouri and calling on him to skip the convention, they are acting as hypocrites. When push comes to shove, the platform agrees with Akin. It's just in there quietly and not as public as the fucking asshole was on KTVI this weekend.
According to a plank adopted by a 112-member Republican committee meeting here, an “unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life that cannot be infringed.” The platform also calls for legislation recognizing the rights of unborn children under the 14th Amendment.
If Republicans want to put their money where their mouths are, they would update their platform immediately and stop their war against women. There's no exceptions for victims of rape, incest, and yes, this also includes victims of sexual abuse. What if the mother's life is in danger? What happens then? Would the GOP rather she die giving birth?
Why is it that the GOP cares so much what women do with their body? Why are they not banning tattoo parlors? Those go against the Bible! It says so in Leviticus 19:28.
You shall not make cuts in your flesh for a person [who died]. You shall not etch a tattoo on yourselves.Yet there are so many athletes with tattoos that used #blessed on Twitter as a hashtag. How can you be religious and have a tattoo? It's not just wrong but immoral!
Everybody loves watching American football. Guess what? Football is an unclean sport and it says so right in Leviticus 11:8.
You shall not eat of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.Yet somehow football is becoming the national pastime over baseball.
These are strange times that we live in.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Missouri Congressman Todd Akin shoots himself in foot with "legitimate rape" comments
Congressman Todd Akin, a Republican from Missouri's 2nd district, is running for the United States Senate against Sen. Claire McCaskill.
Akin appeared on KTVI this morning and went on to make a full of himself. The following excerpt comes from Talking Points Memo. It's not pretty at all. In fact, if you don't want to read what he said this morning, I would avert my eyes now.
Akin appeared on KTVI this morning and went on to make a full of himself. The following excerpt comes from Talking Points Memo. It's not pretty at all. In fact, if you don't want to read what he said this morning, I would avert my eyes now.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Mitt Romney selects Paul Ryan as running mate
In pandering to the conservative right-wing of the Republican Party, Republican Party presidential nominee and flip-flopper Mitt Romney selected Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.
Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, is one of the most conservative members of Congress.
The Obama Truth team shared a photo on Facebook on Saturday saying the following 5 things about what voters should know about Paul Ryan.
Paul Ryan denies the existence of climate change. He would rather side with the Big Oil companies than with "scientific fact and the future of human civilization."
I'm scared. You should be scared. We all should be scared.
In essence, if President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden do not get re-elected, we are all fucked. With the tea party preventing anything from happening in Washington, things in Congress are at an all-time low when it comes to anything happening.
To steal a line from The Campaign, we need some brooms in Washington because it's a mess!
Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, is one of the most conservative members of Congress.
The Obama Truth team shared a photo on Facebook on Saturday saying the following 5 things about what voters should know about Paul Ryan.
1. He believes in the same top-down economic policies that crashed our economy.That's not all. Paul Ryan is a scary candidate for vice president. Sure, Sarah Palin was just an airhead but Paul Ryan is as scary of a Vice Presidential candidate that I could ever remember. Think Progress has an introduction of the guy. He's one that is backed by the Koch brothers. That alone is scary.
2. He'd hike taxes on middle-class families to pay for tax cuts for millionaires
3. He'd cut Pell Grants, clean energy, and innovation funding even as he gives more tax breaks to the wealthy.
4. He would end Medicare as we know it.
5. He co-sponsored a bill that would ban many forms of birth control.
Paul Ryan denies the existence of climate change. He would rather side with the Big Oil companies than with "scientific fact and the future of human civilization."
I'm scared. You should be scared. We all should be scared.
In essence, if President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden do not get re-elected, we are all fucked. With the tea party preventing anything from happening in Washington, things in Congress are at an all-time low when it comes to anything happening.
To steal a line from The Campaign, we need some brooms in Washington because it's a mess!
Friday, August 10, 2012
NBC Coverage of the Olympics on Saturday
10 AM: Canoeing
10:45 AM: Women's Volleyball (Bronze Medal)
12:45 PM: Cycling
1 PM: Rhythmic Gymnastics
2 PM: Cycling
2:15 PM: Wrestling
2:45 PM: Cycling
3 PM: Documentary - Their Finest Hour
4 PM: Women's Basketball (Gold Medal)
Primetime: Track and Field, Diving, Women's Volleyball (Gold Medal)
10:45 AM: Women's Volleyball (Bronze Medal)
12:45 PM: Cycling
1 PM: Rhythmic Gymnastics
2 PM: Cycling
2:15 PM: Wrestling
2:45 PM: Cycling
3 PM: Documentary - Their Finest Hour
4 PM: Women's Basketball (Gold Medal)
Primetime: Track and Field, Diving, Women's Volleyball (Gold Medal)
NBC Coverage of the Olympics on Friday
10 AM: Synchronized swimming
11 AM: Canoe/Kayak
11:30 AM: Open Water swimming
11:45 AM: Canoe/Kayak
12:30 PM: Open Water swimming
12:45 PM: Rhythmic Gymnastics
1:15 PM: Open Water swimming
1:30 PM: Rhythmic Gymnastics
2:15 PM: Wrestling
3 PM: Track and Field
3:30 PM Wrestling
Primetime: Track and Field, BMX cycling, Diving
NBCSN has the USA-Argentina semifinal at 4 PM
11 AM: Canoe/Kayak
11:30 AM: Open Water swimming
11:45 AM: Canoe/Kayak
12:30 PM: Open Water swimming
12:45 PM: Rhythmic Gymnastics
1:15 PM: Open Water swimming
1:30 PM: Rhythmic Gymnastics
2:15 PM: Wrestling
3 PM: Track and Field
3:30 PM Wrestling
Primetime: Track and Field, BMX cycling, Diving
NBCSN has the USA-Argentina semifinal at 4 PM
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Will people remember Olympic athletes next year?
Every 4 years in the summer, we are glued to our televisions for two whole weeks, plus a few days. No, I'm not talking about the political conventions. Rather, I'm talking about the Summer Olympics. Sadly, they are coming to an end this weekend.
For some people, it's the last time you pay attention to them until the next games. Others will keep following the different sports through the seasons.
It doesn't mean that these athletes should only take our attention for one month in a 4 year period. These people compete annually. World Championships, in some cases, happen every 2 years. For other events, it's an annual thing except the Olympics take place in lieu of the usual World Championship.
The World Championships might be where someone gets their big break but unless you read the sports pages or magazines, chances are you won't know about them.
Look at swimming. Going into the Olympic Trials, I had no idea who Missy Franklin was. Now? You can't find anyone that doesn't know who she is. She's the new face of USA Swimming. She'll be that face for a while. The question remains is: will you remember that name come time for Rio in 2016? She plans to swim in college so she won't be plastered in magazine or television advertisements.
There are those sports, like gymnastics, where the only names that sound familiar years later are the gymnasts that brought back the gold. It's only around the time of the games that some of them are household names. There are names that people will never forget: Mary Lou Retton, Carly Patterson, Nastia Liuikin, and now Gabby Douglas.
With women's gymnastics, they tend to retire before they turn 20 years old. In other cases, a few years after that. That does not meet we should only remember their names one month every four years.
It does not have to be that way and it should not be that way.
For some people, it's the last time you pay attention to them until the next games. Others will keep following the different sports through the seasons.
It doesn't mean that these athletes should only take our attention for one month in a 4 year period. These people compete annually. World Championships, in some cases, happen every 2 years. For other events, it's an annual thing except the Olympics take place in lieu of the usual World Championship.
The World Championships might be where someone gets their big break but unless you read the sports pages or magazines, chances are you won't know about them.
Look at swimming. Going into the Olympic Trials, I had no idea who Missy Franklin was. Now? You can't find anyone that doesn't know who she is. She's the new face of USA Swimming. She'll be that face for a while. The question remains is: will you remember that name come time for Rio in 2016? She plans to swim in college so she won't be plastered in magazine or television advertisements.
There are those sports, like gymnastics, where the only names that sound familiar years later are the gymnasts that brought back the gold. It's only around the time of the games that some of them are household names. There are names that people will never forget: Mary Lou Retton, Carly Patterson, Nastia Liuikin, and now Gabby Douglas.
With women's gymnastics, they tend to retire before they turn 20 years old. In other cases, a few years after that. That does not meet we should only remember their names one month every four years.
It does not have to be that way and it should not be that way.
NBC Olympics Coverage on Thursday
NBC Thursday features a lot of action but chances are you will be watching NBC Sports Network at 2:30 PM Eastern to watch USA take on Japan in the rematch of the 2011 FIFA World Cup championship game.
10 AM: Synchronized swimming
10:45 AM: Canoe/Kayak
11:15 AM: Open Water swimming
11:30 AM: Rhythmic Gymnastics
12:15 PM: Track and Field
1 PM: Open Water swimming
1:15 PM: Rhythmic Gymnastics
1:40 PM: Women's Water Polo (Bronze)
3 PM: Women's Water Polo (Gold)
4 PM: Men's Beach Volleyball (Gold)
Primetime: Track and Field, Women's Volleyball semifinal, BMX cycling, Diving
10 AM: Synchronized swimming
10:45 AM: Canoe/Kayak
11:15 AM: Open Water swimming
11:30 AM: Rhythmic Gymnastics
12:15 PM: Track and Field
1 PM: Open Water swimming
1:15 PM: Rhythmic Gymnastics
1:40 PM: Women's Water Polo (Bronze)
3 PM: Women's Water Polo (Gold)
4 PM: Men's Beach Volleyball (Gold)
Primetime: Track and Field, Women's Volleyball semifinal, BMX cycling, Diving
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
NBC Olympics Coverage on Wednesday
10 AM: Equestrian
10:45 AM: Track and Field
11 AM: Men's Volleyball
12:45 PM: Canoe/Kayak
1:15 PM: Track and Field
2 PM: Men's Beach Volleyball
3 PM: Water Polo
4 PM: Cycling
4:30 PM: Track and Field
Primetime: Beach Volleyball USA-USA Gold Medal match, Track and Field, Platform Diving
10:45 AM: Track and Field
11 AM: Men's Volleyball
12:45 PM: Canoe/Kayak
1:15 PM: Track and Field
2 PM: Men's Beach Volleyball
3 PM: Water Polo
4 PM: Cycling
4:30 PM: Track and Field
Primetime: Beach Volleyball USA-USA Gold Medal match, Track and Field, Platform Diving
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Book Review: Me the People by Kevin Bleyer
Publisher: Random House (May 29, 2012)
Kevin Bleyer, a writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, has done the impossible. He has rewritten the Constitution of the United States of America. Bleyer also did a large amount of research in the process, including meeting with Supreme Court Associate Justices Stephen Breyer and Antonin Scalia.
This book, in large part, is not what you would call a laughfest. It's not written that way. It's a far cry from that, to be honest, but it's still very well written.
In reading Me the People, one can see the passion that comes from Kevin Bleyer in his quest. He didn't get the crazy idea to steal the Constitution like Benjamin Gates did in National Treasure, although the fictional Disney film is invoked quite a few times early on.
Thomas Jefferson's idea was for the document to "naturally expire at the end of 19 years." That did not happen. If it did, the country would be in a never-ending state of strife and unable to get things done. Just look at what happens in Washington every time they try and pass a law!
In reading this book, I learned that the author flew to Greece, traveled to Philadelphia, met with Supreme Court justices, and even met someone named John Hancock. Unlike many politicians, Bleyer has read the document from start to finish.
If you call yourself a politico, you'll enjoy this book. But do make sure to come pre-armed with a sense of humor.
I highly recommend Kevin Bleyer's selfless quest to rewrite the Constitution.
Monday, August 06, 2012
NBC's TV coverage on Tuesday
Here's a rundown of what to expect on Tuesday on NBC.
10 AM: Track and Field
10:30 AM: Women's Water Polo
11:30 AM: Cycling
11:45 AM: Track and Field
12 PM: Cycling
12:30 PM: Track and Field
1 PM: Cycling
1:15 PM: Diving (Rare is it that diving is shown during the day!)
2 PM: Women's Volleyball
4 PM: Men's Beach Volleyball
Primetime: Women's Beach Volleyball semifinal, Gymnastics event finals, Track and Field, and more.
10 AM: Track and Field
10:30 AM: Women's Water Polo
11:30 AM: Cycling
11:45 AM: Track and Field
12 PM: Cycling
12:30 PM: Track and Field
1 PM: Cycling
1:15 PM: Diving (Rare is it that diving is shown during the day!)
2 PM: Women's Volleyball
4 PM: Men's Beach Volleyball
Primetime: Women's Beach Volleyball semifinal, Gymnastics event finals, Track and Field, and more.
Monday's Olympic Coverage on NBC
Monday's NBC Coverage:
10 AM: Track and Field
10:30 AM: Men's Water Polo
11:45 AM: Canoeing
12:15 PM: Track and Field
12:45 PM: Sychronized Swimming
1:30 PM: Track and Field
1:50 PM: Canoeing
2:10 PM: Cycling
2:30 PM: Equestrian
3 PM: Men's Volleyball
4:15 PM: Track and Field
4:30 PM: Equestrian
Primetime: Gymnastics event finals, men's springboard diving, beach volleyball quarterfiinal, track and field, cycling
10 AM: Track and Field
10:30 AM: Men's Water Polo
11:45 AM: Canoeing
12:15 PM: Track and Field
12:45 PM: Sychronized Swimming
1:30 PM: Track and Field
1:50 PM: Canoeing
2:10 PM: Cycling
2:30 PM: Equestrian
3 PM: Men's Volleyball
4:15 PM: Track and Field
4:30 PM: Equestrian
Primetime: Gymnastics event finals, men's springboard diving, beach volleyball quarterfiinal, track and field, cycling
Sunday, August 05, 2012
Sunday's Olympic Coverage on NBC
9 AM: Tennis - Men's Gold Medal match (Federer vs. Murray)
11:30 AM: Women's Basketball
1:30 PM Equestrian
2 PM: Women's Water Polo
3 PM: Women's Volleyball
4:30 PM: Cycling
5 PM: Women's Beach Volleyball quarterfinal
Primetime (7 PM-Midnight): Track and Field, Gymnastic event finals (including the women's vault), Beach Volleyball quarterfinal, women's springboard diving final.
11:30 AM: Women's Basketball
1:30 PM Equestrian
2 PM: Women's Water Polo
3 PM: Women's Volleyball
4:30 PM: Cycling
5 PM: Women's Beach Volleyball quarterfinal
Primetime (7 PM-Midnight): Track and Field, Gymnastic event finals (including the women's vault), Beach Volleyball quarterfinal, women's springboard diving final.
Friday, August 03, 2012
Saturday's Olympic Coverage on NBC
Saturday's coverage on NBC is literally going to last all day.
9 AM: Tennis
11 AM: Women's Trampoline
11:15 AM: Track and Field
11:45 AM: Men's Volleyball (USA vs. Russia)
1:30 PM: Track and Field
2 PM: Cycling
2:40 PM: Men's Water Polo
3:45 PM: Rowing
4:15 PM: Track and Field
5 PM: Beach Volleyball
Primetime: Swimming finals, Women's Diving, Track and Field, Beach Volleyball, and more.
The men's basketball game against Lithuania will tip off on NBCSN at 9:30 AM. Check your local provider for listings.
9 AM: Tennis
11 AM: Women's Trampoline
11:15 AM: Track and Field
11:45 AM: Men's Volleyball (USA vs. Russia)
1:30 PM: Track and Field
2 PM: Cycling
2:40 PM: Men's Water Polo
3:45 PM: Rowing
4:15 PM: Track and Field
5 PM: Beach Volleyball
Primetime: Swimming finals, Women's Diving, Track and Field, Beach Volleyball, and more.
The men's basketball game against Lithuania will tip off on NBCSN at 9:30 AM. Check your local provider for listings.
The 4 American Women's Gymnastics Olympic All-Around Champions
It's a title that gets crowned once every four years and now, only 4 women have joined the elusive group of being named the Women's Gymnastics Olympic All-Around Champion. Thanks to The Today Show on NBC this morning, all four of them posed for a photo together.
Mary Lou Retton (1984), Gabby Douglas (2012), Carly Patterson (2004), and Nastia Liukin (2008)
This is the third consecutive Olympic games in which an American has taken home gold in the All-Around.
This is the third consecutive Olympic games in which an American has taken home gold in the All-Around.
Today's NBC Olympics Coverage on TV
Today's daytime coverage on NBC:
10 AM: Track and Field
10:30 AM: Rowing
10:45 AM: Swimming
11:30 AM: Track and Field
12 PM: Beach Volleyball (Kessy/Ross followed up by Rogers/Dalhausser)
2 PM: swimming
2:30 PM: Women's Water Polo
3:45 PM: Rowing
4 PM: Cycling
4:15 PM: Track and Field
Primetime: Swimming, Women's Volleyball, Diving, Track and Field, and men's Trampoline
10 AM: Track and Field
10:30 AM: Rowing
10:45 AM: Swimming
11:30 AM: Track and Field
12 PM: Beach Volleyball (Kessy/Ross followed up by Rogers/Dalhausser)
2 PM: swimming
2:30 PM: Women's Water Polo
3:45 PM: Rowing
4 PM: Cycling
4:15 PM: Track and Field
Primetime: Swimming, Women's Volleyball, Diving, Track and Field, and men's Trampoline
First Jordyn gets robbed, now Aly Raisman does, too
Aly Raisman handled her composure last night with class. She did so again this morning during The Today Show on NBC.
From the USA Gymnastics:
This is the same FIG that had changed the rules after the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney so that only 2 gymnasts from the same country were allowed to compete instead of 3 gymnasts. Had this still been the case, Jordyn Wieber would have qualified for yesterday's all-around.
Between the 2008 games in Beijing and the 2012 games in London, the FIG amended the rules so that instead of 6 gymnasts, only 5 would represent their country.
I imagine that the FIG once more will amend their rules to take out the tie-breaker. These tie-breakers only hurt the people that work the hardest to get to this point in their life. If they finished tied for third place, why rob one of them of a medal?
It makes no sense to me to deny Aly Raisman of a medal because of a stupid tiebreaking rule. She deserves the Bronze Medal, even if it's only in our hearts.
From the USA Gymnastics:
Aly Raisman of Needham, Mass./Brestyan's American Gymnastics, finished in a tie for third with Mustafina with a 59.566, but due to the tie-breaking procedures, finished fourth in the all-around. With the tied score, FIG rules dictate that each competitor's three highest scores count, with Mustafina edging the 2012 U.S. balance beam and floor exercise champion.No matter what the FIG rules dictate, Aly Raisman is a Bronze Medalist in our hearts.
"I'm really happy for Gabby," said Raisman. "She's been working really hard so I'm really excited for her, but it's definitely really frustrating because we (Mustafina) tied for third place. I was so close. But being fourth in the world is definitely something to be proud of."
This is the same FIG that had changed the rules after the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney so that only 2 gymnasts from the same country were allowed to compete instead of 3 gymnasts. Had this still been the case, Jordyn Wieber would have qualified for yesterday's all-around.
Between the 2008 games in Beijing and the 2012 games in London, the FIG amended the rules so that instead of 6 gymnasts, only 5 would represent their country.
I imagine that the FIG once more will amend their rules to take out the tie-breaker. These tie-breakers only hurt the people that work the hardest to get to this point in their life. If they finished tied for third place, why rob one of them of a medal?
It makes no sense to me to deny Aly Raisman of a medal because of a stupid tiebreaking rule. She deserves the Bronze Medal, even if it's only in our hearts.
Quote of the Day
"I don't need a medal to prove that I did well and I'm still at the Olympic Games."
--Aly Raisman during The Today Show on NBC, August 3, 2012
--Aly Raisman during The Today Show on NBC, August 3, 2012
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Thursday's Olympic Coverage on NBC
10 AM: Swimming
10:15 AM: Kayaking
10:40 AM: Swimming
11:30 AM: Women's Beach Volleyball (USA vs. Spain, featuring Jen Kessy and April Ross)
12:30 PM: Swimming
12:45 PM: Cycling
1:20 PM: Men's Water Polo (USA vs. Great Britain)
2:30 PM Rowing
3:15 PM Kayaking
4 PM: Men's Beach Volleyball (USA vs Czech Republic, featuring Rogers/Dalhausser)
Primetime coverage: Swimming, Women's Gymnastics all-around, men's volleyball, and more
At 5:15 PM, you can watch Team USA take on Nigeria in men's basketball only on the NBC Sports Network.
10:15 AM: Kayaking
10:40 AM: Swimming
11:30 AM: Women's Beach Volleyball (USA vs. Spain, featuring Jen Kessy and April Ross)
12:30 PM: Swimming
12:45 PM: Cycling
1:20 PM: Men's Water Polo (USA vs. Great Britain)
2:30 PM Rowing
3:15 PM Kayaking
4 PM: Men's Beach Volleyball (USA vs Czech Republic, featuring Rogers/Dalhausser)
Primetime coverage: Swimming, Women's Gymnastics all-around, men's volleyball, and more
At 5:15 PM, you can watch Team USA take on Nigeria in men's basketball only on the NBC Sports Network.
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