Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Your Morning News 2.6.08
Posted by Josh in debunked urban legends, Democrats, Election 2008, Japan, Mitt Romney, Republicans, Spys, Threats against the US, Tonradoes
So yesterday was the Super-Duper Tsunami Tuesday, and all across America people are rolling out of bed feeling tired, unsatisfied, and slightly confused. That is what happens when you have a one-night stand… with DEMOCRACY. After millions spent on campaigns and weeks spent on analysis, the Super Tuesday Primaries in 22 states were roughly a tie for the Democrats. Because of arcane and apparently legal delegate apportionment rules, even states where one candidate won by a solid margin split their delegates pretty evenly. Senator Clinton won more of the big states like New York and California, but Senator Obama won more states total. Now the country turns its attention to the next round primaries, which will be taking place on Feb. 9th and includes Louisiana, Washington, and Kansas. So prepare to hear a lot of tearful speeches about Hurricane Katrina. If someone asks what you think, just say it will probably go all the way to the convention while you sigh of infinite weariness.
The Republicans and the rest of today’s news after the jump.
In the Republican primary, Senator John McCain and Governor Mike Huckabee won most of the contests yesterday with McCain taking in the lions share of the delegates. Governor Mitt Romney did win some states, but expectations were higher and many are saying he doesn’t have a real chance at the nomination anymore. Word is that today Romney is conferencing at his campaign headquarters with key staff to analyze the results, the size of the staff, and the plan the budget moving forward. That is political code for, “how the hell do I get out of this thing my dignity intact.” If Romney to drop out now look for him to begin laying the groundwork for a run for President in 2012 by becoming Mr. Nice-Guy Conservative. Governor Huckabee was expected to be nothing but a spoiler for Mitt Romney, but he won all of the southern primaries. It looks as if he has emerged as the “Not John McCain” candidate. Look for the friendship and nonaggression pact he and McCain seemed to have going for them to vanish.
Tornadoes tore through the South late Tuesday night, causing massive devastation and killing at least 44 people. That is off of the early wire service reports so more casualties could be coming in.
Mike McConnell, The Director of National Intelligence, who wins my vote for most Orwellian job title, testified before Congress in his annual assessment of threats against the United States. He testified that Al Queda is gaining strength, is beginning to train westerners, and soon may reach pre-9/11 levels. He also testified that Iran is a bigger threat than some had previously said and the US is unprepared to deal with cyberterrorism. So do whatever the President and the intelligence community wants or die at the hands of Iranian cyberterrorists.
He and other intelligence leaders also reacted angrily when Congress discussed the possibility of outlawing water boarding, even though the intelligence community claims they haven’t water boarded anyone since 2003. I guess it is always a good club to have in the bag.
The economy continues to be in rough shape as the Dow Jones fell 2.7% yesterday and everyone began double checking to make sure they know how to spell recession.
Because I feel like the news is a bummer today, I wanted to point out a Japanese study that suggests mobile phone use does not increase your risk of brain cancer. I don’t know if you were worried about that before, but don’t be.