Did You Know....

...that Max Baer, Jr. played Jethro on the Beverly Hillbillies. Yes, that Max Baer's son.

Why does that surprise me?

And Then There Were Two

Edwards is out. An honorable campaign.
Most recent Gallup poll: Clinton 42%; Obama 36%; Edwards 12%.

Gap was 20 points ten days ago. Where will Edwards' 12% go? Where will Edwards go?

Where will Giuliani go? Back to 9/11 land? Who cares?

I'll Have Another

Michael Kinsley likens the stimulus package to having a drink to cure a hangover. At least the drink works.

Billary: The Sequel

:...Let's not get ahead of ourselves and start worrying about tomorrow. Billary gives us enough to worry about today."

Colbert King lays out his opposition to both Clintons. Ouch.

Bill is the New Dick?

Garry Wills argues that the return to the White House of President Clinton, along with President Clinton, would not only subvert the founders' brilliant executive-checked by the legislative branch formula for government, but would indeed continue the subversion of that process by Dick Cheney:

"One problem with the George W. Bush administration is that it has brought a kind of plural presidency in through the back door. Vice President Dick Cheney has run his own executive department, with its own intelligence and military operations, not open to scrutiny, as he hides behind the putative president.

No other vice president in our history has taken on so many presidential prerogatives, with so few checks. He is an example of the very thing James Wilson was trying to prevent by having one locus of authority in the executive. The attempt to escape single responsibility was perfectly exemplified when his counsel argued that Mr. Cheney was not subject to executive rules because he was also part of the legislature."

Damn, Tell Us What You Really Think

"The real Mr. Giuliani, whom many New Yorkers came to know and mistrust, is a narrow, obsessively secretive, vindictive man who saw no need to limit police power. Racial polarization was as much a legacy of his tenure as the rebirth of Times Square.

Mr. Giuliani’s arrogance and bad judgment are breathtaking. When he claims fiscal prudence, we remember how he ran through surpluses without a thought to the inevitable downturn and bequeathed huge deficits to his successor. He fired Police Commissioner William Bratton, the architect of the drop in crime, because he couldn’t share the limelight. He later gave the job to Bernard Kerik, who has now been indicted on fraud and corruption charges.

The Rudolph Giuliani of 2008 first shamelessly turned the horror of 9/11 into a lucrative business, with a secret client list, then exploited his city’s and the country’s nightmare to promote his presidential campaign." New York Times Editorial Page

Best Fries, cont......

AOL gets in the act and votes Bistro du Coin's fries the best in DC. What do you we think? They are pretty darn good.

AOL votes the O's fries #1 overall. If you're in Pittsburgh, you must have them. Warning: dont' try to eat a medium yourself. No matter how big you are, you'll regret it.

20th Time's a Charm?

Luck of the Irish? What is a sound mixer* and why do they give an Oscar for it? I don't know, but geez. How can they deny this poor guy one now? He's an O'Connell, ferchrissake.


*According to IMDB: An audio engineer who works with a boom operator to record the production sound on the set at the time of shooting.

Best Fries in DC*

A new feature, suggested by Jen during a dinner of fries and beer. Please add your own nominees. I'll decide on the winner, when I've had enough samples.

My first entry:
Belga on the Hill. Yummy Belgian French Fries. Yeah, I asked too, but they are French.

Jen's entrant: Marvin on U Street.

You? Nominate your own if you want. I can never get them crispy AND tasty. I've often thought of them as delivery vehicles for ketchup.

Judge's rulings:
McDonald's fries don't count. Not sure if Ben's Chili Bowl's do either, but argue if you must.

* Metro area. Baltimore, too. What the heck. Fredneck, not sure.

If You Believed.....

This photo was just released by NASA. It sure as hell looks like a man to me.

Your wedding pictures didn't come out that well.

Freedom's March: Backwards

"Historians in the future will reflect on an extraordinary, undeniable fact: Over time, free nations grow stronger and dictatorships grow weaker." George W. Bush

According to those who actually know what they're talking about: "On January 16, Freedom House released the findings from the latest edition of Freedom in the World, the annual survey of global political rights and civil liberties. According to the survey’s findings, the year 2007 was marked by a notable setback for global freedom."

Thanks, Jim

The Atlantic Monthly joins the New York Times by taking down its firewall. All archives and articles will be available to all. Another group of journalists to argue with.

You've Come a Long Way, Fatima

"Women in Saudi Arabia can now stay in a hotel or a furnished apartment without a male guardian, according to a government decision that comes as the country faces increasing criticism for its severe restrictions on women." Time

Wow. In the 21st century. A nation which affects the economies of the rest of the world. I know, I know, we have to keep Saudi in our corner, and keep the Wahhabi out of power, and the devil you know.... I know.

But, jeez.

364 1/2 Days To Go

One year from today, we will inaugurate a new president. No matter who it is, we'll all be grateful that the Bush presidency is over.

Nobody Puts Bill in a Corner

What to do about Bill Clinton? Many insiders are saying that he should pipe down, according to Newsweek.

He is a former president, with all of the authority and respect that position has earned him.

He has raised his profile internationally with his laudable work for Africa, HIV/AIDS drugs, and other critical issues.

He is the titular head of the Democratic party.

If his wife were not running, he would not be even in the primary race. (See October 07 post "What's Love Got To Do With It." I'd link it but don't know how.)

He is the leading candidate's husband.

According to Alter in Newsweek, Greg Craig (who coordinated the Clinton impeachment defense but is now advising Obama) wonders whether "...If Hillary's campaign can't control Bill, whether Hillary's White House could."

Did John Adams campaign for J. Quincy? Did George H.W. Bush call his son's opponent a "fairy tale?"

Happy MLK Day

"We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. And you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the way God’s universe is made; this is the way it is structured.

John Donne caught it years ago and placed it in graphic terms: "No man is an island entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." And he goes on toward the end to say, "Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind; therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." We must see this, believe this, and live by it if we are to remain awake through a great revolution."

--Martin Luther King, Jr., Remaining Awake Through A Great Revolution

Experience is Simply The Name We Give Our Mistakes

Nicholas Kristof answers the experience question.

"...think which politician is most experienced today in the classic sense, and thus — according to the “experience” camp — best qualified to become the next president.

That’s Dick Cheney. And I rest my case."

Eeeek.

He also points out the three most qualified Dems are out of the race and that John McCain has the most experience in the field on either side.

These, he says are the real---and only real---differences among the three D's:

"Mrs. Clinton’s strength is her mastery of the details of domestic and foreign policy, unrivaled among the candidates; she speaks fluently about what to do in Pakistan, Iraq, Darfur. Mr. Obama’s strength is his vision and charisma and the possibility that his election would heal divisions at home and around the world. John Edwards’s strength is his common touch and his leadership among the candidates in establishing detailed positions on health care, poverty and foreign aid."

How, then to choose?

Perhaps Wilde was right.

Is Is Still Is

In the annals of auspicious anniversaries: January 17, 1998--the day Drudge broke the story of the now sordid, sad Lewinsky affair. This really led to the impeachment of a president? Note that there was little notice of the anniversary in the media. Read the first words on the scandal here.

This seems to be a much more criminal matter.

Debatable

Watching the debate in NV. Beyond Tim Russert's usual 'stirring the political pot' questions, it's refreshing to hear three intelligent, committed candidates discuss critical issues.

Clinton and Obama have raised energy policy and climate change. (Edwards may have, too. Apologies if I missed it.)

Any one of the three is smart enough.

Allowing each of them to ask each other a question is interesting. Edwards on campaign contributions; HRC on Bush's statement that he can enter into an agreement with the Iraqi government without Congressional approval. Will Obama co-sponsor? Of course he will. Did she think he'd say: No, give George all the power he wants, he's done such a good job so far.

What Does Science Have To Do With It??

I've never been a Tom Cruise fan. That said, is he the world's biggest wack job? This video makes Mel Gibson (who I used to be the biggest fan of) like a moyle.

Unfair but Undeniable

A reasoned analysis of the reasons many Democrats are hesitant to support Hillary. Her past is both her calling card and her burden. Is it fair? Is it insurmountable?

A salient point: "Many Democrats, myself included, believe that the Clintons were subjected to an unprecedented campaign of vilification during the 1990s. We are angry about this...Most obviously, when Hillary Clinton is attacked, it makes a lot of us angry all over again...We have a lot of leftover anger from the 1990s, and it tends to spill out. "

Is this why she won in New Hampshire? Maybe part of the reason.

America's Dream, Too?

An eloquent take on this historic election from a woman who finds herself in both camps. And a much needed warning.

"This is an extraordinary moment in American history: we have our first serious black and female presidential candidates and they are, indeed, twice as good as their nearest contenders. I hope that the two of them, in whatever order, will become running mates by November. They must not fall prey to those who would love to see them played against each other in the scramble to be top dog. " Patricia Williams, professor of law at Columbia University and a regular columnist for The Nation

Thanks, Jen.

All the News

"If Eleanor Roosevelt were alive and running, they'd talk about her big teeth and her hoity toity accent. If JFK were alive and running, they'd reveal his affair with Marilyn and slander his wife for it. If Jackie O were alive and running, they'd say she f*&^%$ Onassis -- which she did -- while she was married to JFK. If Plato were alive and running, they'd say he was gay--though many Greeks were bisexual and thought nothing of it." Erica Jong

For another take on how the media doesn't cover issues, check out www.whataretheywaitingfor.com

Face Me

So, I was watching Mark Zuckerberg on 60 Minutes and decided to sign up. So many people are on, including those older than me (my 12 year old nephew laughed was I said I was thinking of getting on).

Then they talk about how FB uses info to market adverstising to members.

If the FBI wants to find out info about me, I know they can. I'm not going to make it easier for them.

If you want to find out about me, ask. I'm old fashioned that way.

At Least Obama Admits He Inhaled

Another Clinton supporter backing off of a comment.

Of course he was talking about his drug use and NOT his community organizing. Replace the highlighted phrase with "doing drugs" and with "community organizing in Southside Chicago" and tell me which he meant. Why would he not "say what he was doing ?"

"As an African American, I'm frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Bill and Hillary Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues when Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood that I won't say what he was doing but he said it in his book." Bob Johnson

Andrew Cuomo uses the phrase "shuck and jive" in everyday conversation?

Change in Increments

"Since the founding, the American political tradition has been reformist, not revolutionary," Obama told Harper's magazine in 2006. "What that means is that for a political leader to get things done, he or she ideally should be ahead of the curve, but not too far ahead. I want to push the envelope but make sure I have enough folks with me that I'm not rendered politically impotent."

Obama's approach to change is more complicated than some of his more poetic rhetoric might suggest. Compromise in politics does not have to mean selling out to retain power. Voting present as a strategy to keep a bad bill from passing in the state legislature is NOT signing the Defense of Marriage Act. **

Obama knows how to get legislation passed. He can do both and be an inspirational leader. That is not a fairy tale.

** No, I'm not blaming Hillary Clinton for Bill Clinton's action here. I am using it as an example because he is coming out so vehemently against Obama.

Writer's Shlock

Union yes. Blow the awards season with Viggo Mortensen in the running, hell no.

I sympathize with writers, who are by most accounts at the bottom of the Hollywood totem pole. They should indeed share in the profits that are sure to come with internet downloads. But, everyone even tangentially related to the industry is being hurt by the strike. As most all strikes go, the point is made, everyone is being hurt, money is being lost all around. Sit down , fight it out, settle it, and go back to making mainly bad TV and movies.

Don't deny me my Oscars.

Primary Druthers

I have not yet written on the primaries because I'm still terribly conflicted. Following represent both sides of the Obama's inspiration vs. Hillary First Woman President dilemma that many of us are facing.

"I will vote for Hillary if she is the nominee of my party, because I want Democrats appointed to the Cabinet and the Supreme Court. But I plan to vote for Barack Obama in the Pennsylvania primary because he is a rational, centered personality who speaks the language of idealism and national unity. Obama has served longer as an elected official than Hillary. He has had experience as a grass-roots activist, and he is also a highly educated lawyer who will be a quick learner in office. His international parentage and childhood, as well as his knowledge of both Christianity and Islam, would make him the right leader at the right time. And his wife Michelle is a powerhouse. The Obamas represent the future, not the past."*

"With 15 years of experience in international affairs as a U.S. senator and as first lady, and more than 35 years as an attorney and advocate, (Hillary) Clinton is a visionary leader with the skills and experience to be president. Voters across the country are responding to her historic campaign. She has repeatedly outperformed her opponents in primary debates, and polls show her gaining ground while her rivals are falling back.

Clinton is uniquely able to handle the vicissitudes of the campaign trail and the Republican attack machine. Since becoming a national figure in the 1990s, she has been examined, analyzed, and attacked from all sides — attention she has finessed with courage and grace. “I believe strongly that as Democrats and progressives, we have to tell people what our vision is and what we want to do,” she says. “We’re running a positive, issue-oriented, visionary campaign. But if people try to derail us, you can count on me to stand my ground and fight back.”

* Note to self: I am NOT a fan of Camille Paglia and disagree with a great deal of what she writes here and elsewhere. However, this passage sums up the argument for Obama so I repeat it here.