Category Archives: politics

Democrats Poised for November Landslipe, Economic Model Predicts

Krugman runs the numbers and concludes: Right now, GDP is flat (falling in the monthly estimates); Bush has a negative net approval of 30 percent or more; and people are tired of Republicans. So it ought to be a smashing Democratic victory. When I plug current numbers into the Abramowitz model (making a guess aboutContinue reading “Democrats Poised for November Landslipe, Economic Model Predicts”

Obama Claims American Voters Not Stupid

This blog has been pounding the issue of the gas tax "holiday" because it’s the one serious issue with enviro implications that’s developed in the campaigns over the last month. Turns out it may have been decisive. As Jonathan Alter of Newsweek wrote: Obama’s decision to push back on the gas tax actually worked. RefusingContinue reading “Obama Claims American Voters Not Stupid”

More, Better War in Afghanistan, Promises Bush

Cheney or the equivalent says it’s "The re-Americanization of the war." 40,000 or more troops: nearly two-thirds the total in Afghanistan. Up from an original number of 5,000. NATO nations refuse to live up to earlier promises to help in the war effort. Gee I wonder why not. [Soldiers of the Kalagush Provincial Reconstruction TeamContinue reading “More, Better War in Afghanistan, Promises Bush”

A President: Somebody Who Will Tell You the Truth

By God, an issue has cropped up in this three-person race for the Presidency, and two candidates have shown themselves ready and willing to become Panderer-in-Chief, and one has not. Numerous commentators have made the point: James Fallows: The pandering and ignorance-across-party-lines represented by the John McCain-Hillary Clinton united front for a temporary reduction inContinue reading “A President: Somebody Who Will Tell You the Truth”

McCain, Hillary Ignore Law (of Economics)

A lot of environmentalists have criticized GOP presidential candidate-to-be John McCain for calling for an elimination of the Federal gas tax for this summer, arguing that such a cut would encourage fossil fuel consumption and lead to emission of more greenhouse gases. Maybe, maybe not. A much simpler argument against that pandering exists, simpler evenContinue reading “McCain, Hillary Ignore Law (of Economics)”

Barack on the Verge of Triumph in Pennsylvania

Though still trailing in the polls, the possibility of eking out a victory in Pennsylvania and deep-sixing Hillary Clinton has Obama backers, including me, hoping and praying. Some examples: A reporter from the UK Telegraph reports on the excitement: In an effort to rebut Mrs Clinton’s charge that he does nothing more than give "woop-de-dooContinue reading “Barack on the Verge of Triumph in Pennsylvania”

To Save the Soul of America (From Violence)

In 2008, the year the Democrats will chose Barack Obama as their nominee for President, this speech from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., could be described as "the fierce urgency of now" speech. But King gave this speech on April 4th, precisely one year before his assassination, and on this April 4th instead of highlightingContinue reading “To Save the Soul of America (From Violence)”