Friday, November 7, 2008
So what do I write about now? I mean… is there still news? I heard Barack Obama went to the gym yesterday. That’s news right? So cold… so very cold…
What’s that? A light at the end of the tunnel? Could it be? Could it possibly be useless bullshit coded as culture wars that I can get outraged about again? When all hope fails, turn to BIll O’Reilly. Last night, Bill O’Reilly kicked off his annual War on Christmas, or, his war on the War on Christmas? I am not sure how it works exactly but I am pretty sure it is coded hate speech of SOME kind. The Christmas arms race escalates this year with bumper stickers.
I am not the only person feeling a little empty after this election. Both David Brooks and Paul Krugman use their columns to project their fervent wishes onto the incoming administration. Krugman wants them to think big while Brooks just sort of awkwardly bares his soul and says “think Republican.”
Unemployment, Georgia, and Hope after the jump
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Friday, October 31, 2008
Four days left, you can tell me that as much as you want, but I still don’t believe it. Obama is on the air in a bunch of new states and people are beginning to blame Sarah Palin for, well, everything. USA Today has interviews with both of the candidates which are relatively generic, but not bad. If you want to get into obsessive levels of detials, head over to TPM election central’s morning roundup.
A new poll by the AP says that 1 in 7 voters are still persuadable. I met one guy last weekend in New Hampshire who was certain Senator Obama was going to take away his guns and Senator McCain is going to get rid of his social security. I guess that does make it a tough choice, but then again, he was also clearly batshit insane.
Crazy old Bush is still trying to deregulate, sex offenders need to cancel their Halloween plans and get back Loretta, there’s some special Rock Band news after the jump.
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Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The US has decided to humor the Iraqi government by “negotiating” with them to determine the future of the US military in Iraq. Those negotiations are quickly dissolving into acrimony with the Iraqi government condemning the US’s demands. The US is trying to make sure that their military has a large number of bases all over the country and that the military can operate with little or no oversight from the Iraqi government. The Iraqis want us to get the hell out. My initial thought on this is that it is the case of Iraqi politicians trying to drum up popularity at home by denouncing the big bad United States. Also, that the US military is going to do whatever it wants no matter what the Iraqis say.
The Republican Party is gearing up for big losses in November in both the House and the Senate (and possibly the Presidency). Talk with your Republican coworkers about how the party can refocus, find its roots and plan an eventual return to power. If you are Democrat, just smile and sip your coffee.
The Clinton’s have a literal enemies list that has expanded significantly during this election. While kind of creepy, this can actually be a fun topic of conversation at work! Chat over the water cooler about who would be on your enemies list. So far I have student loan debt, the guy who bumped into me on the subway this morning, and Ryan Reynolds.
I am quick to criticize New York Times Columnists (mostly because of my crippling jealousy) so I should be quick to praise them too. Both David Brooks and Tom Friedman had great columns yesterday and today. Brook’s is about debt and Friedman’s is about the fact that he has been to Egypt (and about Barack Obama).
The Celtics lost game 3, bringing the series to 2-1. Though neither team really covered themselves with glory last night.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The death toll in Burma (which we mentioned yesterday) has continued to mount and is beginning to approach the horrific level necessary to get Worldwide attention. The death toll from the cyclone has reached 15,000 and another 3,000 are still unaccounted for. In addition, the infrastructure in the country has been completely decimated so survivors are having a hard time getting food, water or medical care. US response to the crisis so far has been a condemnation of the Burmese government from Laura Bush and $250,000. *vomits*
Who cares about all that downer news, it is PRIMARY DAY! *vomits, weeps* All across the “great” states of Indiana and North Carolina, democratic voters are flocking to the polls to decide who they want to be the Democratic nominee for President. The New York Times has a great story detailing the various scenarios that could play out today based on who wins what. If you only read one story about the primary, read this one. The Washington Post has a similar kind of article that details eight questions that the primary will answer. The Post also wins the award for article that most depresses me about the state of politics in America.
Finally, David Brooks is back in love with Obama, and all’s right with the world. I will say I laughed at his use of the phrase “vast elitist conspiracy” - well done Brooks.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Not much news today as most of the country’s politicians and journalists hold their breath in anticipation of the testimony of Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker. Petraeus and Crocker will be testifying before Congress about the state of Iraq. Similarly to when they last testified, they are expected to say that things have improved and that significant progress has been made. Their testimony might be undercut somewhat by the fact that there are currenly pitched battles going onin Baghdad between rival Shiite militias.
President Bush has backed and sent to Congress a free trade agreement with Columbia. This puts him at odds with the Democratically-controlled Congress and their Union allies. Luckily though, it puts Mark Penn on his side. If they could combine forces they could screw it up so much that they actuallly do a great job and get the bill passed.
The Pope is coming! The Pope is coming! (side note: coolest thing I learned from the article is that the Pope’s plane is named ‘Shepard 1′)
Finally, David Brooks has a good column today on what political progress in Iraq looks like. I am cutting him some slack even though I am pretty sure his column is a review of a book review.
