And be sure to check out this great clip from Colbert, where Stephen shows how former governor Palin (we like the sound of that) writes her speeches:
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Sarah Palin Will Be Missed | ||||
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
So Long, Sarah
In case you missed it, Maureen Dowd wrote a particularly good column on Tuesday re: Sarah Palin and her role reversal with Hillary.
And be sure to check out this great clip from Colbert, where Stephen shows how former governor Palin (we like the sound of that) writes her speeches:
And be sure to check out this great clip from Colbert, where Stephen shows how former governor Palin (we like the sound of that) writes her speeches:
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Real Economy
We would be happy if the recent stock market rally was a portent for a quick recovery. But we are hugely skeptical that the worst is over, and expect volatility for at least several years.
Today, Robert Reich posts a short piece on TPM, which very closely mirrors our read of the situation. In short, recent profits ("exceeding Wall St. estimates") are not sustainable, created either by asset sales or cost cutting.
Today, Robert Reich posts a short piece on TPM, which very closely mirrors our read of the situation. In short, recent profits ("exceeding Wall St. estimates") are not sustainable, created either by asset sales or cost cutting.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Birthers
Jon Stewart, in a very funny piece on the crazies who claim that Barack Obama is not a U.S. citizen in spite of a mountain of evidence (his birth certificate, for example).
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| The Born Identity | ||||
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Frost/Nixon
After watching Frost/Nixon on dvd the other night we were both left feeling, if not sympathetic, certainly a bit sad for Richard Nixon. This is possibly the highest compliment we can pay Ron Howard (director) and Frank Langella (Nixon): viewer empathy for a man who played an instrumental role in botching Vietnam (and Cambodia) policy and who disgraced the Presidency like no other, well, that is an accomplishment.
I can't remember if the movie ended up on our list after reading the New Yorker review or if our friend Josh Edelglass, at www.MotionPicturesComics.com steered us towards this excellent film, but suffice it to say we thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to our readers.
From the New Yorker:
The movie re-creates the circumstances around the famous set of televised interviews that the British talk-show entrepreneur David Frost conducted with Nixon in 1977, three years after he resigned the Presidency. Howard and Morgan have opened up the play to the big-media world of airports, hotels, limos, and anxious telephone calls, but the center of the material is still the interviews themselves, and what each man hoped to gain from them: Nixon (Frank Langella) wanted fresh access to the stage as a statesman; Frost (Michael Sheen), whose career was in decline, wanted a chance to be taken seriously as a journalist. The interviews turn into a duel: Will Frost get Nixon to break his iron habits of denial? Or will Nixon face down Frost and escape public judgment, cheating the American people yet again of an apology, a confession of sin?
One of the virtues of “Frost/Nixon,” Ron Howard’s adaptation of Peter Morgan’s hit play, is that it brings the intelligence back to the forefront without dispelling the elements of menace and fraudulence that were also part of Nixon’s temperament.
I can't remember if the movie ended up on our list after reading the New Yorker review or if our friend Josh Edelglass, at www.MotionPicturesComics.com steered us towards this excellent film, but suffice it to say we thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to our readers.
From the New Yorker:
The movie re-creates the circumstances around the famous set of televised interviews that the British talk-show entrepreneur David Frost conducted with Nixon in 1977, three years after he resigned the Presidency. Howard and Morgan have opened up the play to the big-media world of airports, hotels, limos, and anxious telephone calls, but the center of the material is still the interviews themselves, and what each man hoped to gain from them: Nixon (Frank Langella) wanted fresh access to the stage as a statesman; Frost (Michael Sheen), whose career was in decline, wanted a chance to be taken seriously as a journalist. The interviews turn into a duel: Will Frost get Nixon to break his iron habits of denial? Or will Nixon face down Frost and escape public judgment, cheating the American people yet again of an apology, a confession of sin?
One of the virtues of “Frost/Nixon,” Ron Howard’s adaptation of Peter Morgan’s hit play, is that it brings the intelligence back to the forefront without dispelling the elements of menace and fraudulence that were also part of Nixon’s temperament.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Equal Opportunity
Last week we posted two serious (and deserved) criticisms of the U.S. with respect to health care policy and solitary confinement in prisons. Both articles highlighted ways in which the U.K. had risen above the petty distractions that often divide Americans and reached more efficient solutions.
This graph, from the report, identifies the percentage of people in each profession who were privately schooled (at what they confusingly call "public schools" here):
Notwithstanding the above, it is important to remember part of what distinguishes the U.S. in the world: the reality that anybody, from anywhere, can succeed through intelligence, hard work, and discipline (commonly referred to as the 'American Dream').
On this count, the U.K. lags far behind, and a report today provides data that backs up our anecdotal observation that where you are from and who you know play a disproportionate role in determining the opportunities available in the U.K.
This graph, from the report, identifies the percentage of people in each profession who were privately schooled (at what they confusingly call "public schools" here):
The U.S. does not have this nailed: economic class is certainly one of the single largest drivers of opportunity. But the contrast in opportunity--or at least the perception of opportunity--is stunning, and we believe that this difference helps explain many of the other cultural differences between both countries.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Comparative Politics
Two lengthier articles for your weekend reading pleasure: the subjects are healthcare (theme: what is the value of human life) and prison policy (theme: is solitary confinement torture?). We've selected them because both pieces compare U.K. and U.S. policies--a subject of great interest to us!
Healthcare (NY Times Magazine)
Prison Policy (New Yorker)
Both pieces are very interesting and well worth your time to understand how the U.S. healthcare and prison systems work and how they could be improved.
Healthcare (NY Times Magazine)
Prison Policy (New Yorker)
Both pieces are very interesting and well worth your time to understand how the U.S. healthcare and prison systems work and how they could be improved.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Hypothetically Speaking
An excerpt from today's Gail Collins op-ed parodying the Sotomayor hearings:
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Judge, before I read a string of anonymous comments about your temperament problem, I’d like to make you repeat that wise Latina remark again just for the heck of it.
JUDGE SOTOMAYOR: Thank you, Senator, for the opportunity to revisit that matter. I appreciate that the man who once said he’d drown himself if North Carolina went for Obama has a special contribution to make when it comes to the importance of thinking before you speak.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Judge, before I read a string of anonymous comments about your temperament problem, I’d like to make you repeat that wise Latina remark again just for the heck of it.
JUDGE SOTOMAYOR: Thank you, Senator, for the opportunity to revisit that matter. I appreciate that the man who once said he’d drown himself if North Carolina went for Obama has a special contribution to make when it comes to the importance of thinking before you speak.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Identity Politics
Sotomayor's most famous comment, about the superior judging abilities of a wise Latina woman, was a stupid thing to say, let alone think.
But the identity politics being pushed aggressively by the GOP, part of their angry-white-male wing (now 80% of the party?), is downright offensive.
How is it that the lead headline in the Times yesterday was about Sotomayor having to assert that her identity would not affect her judging? Can you imagine asking John Roberts whether his background as a wealthy white man would affect his rulings on corporations run by men from similar backgrounds? And yet again and again it is acceptable to ask candidates whether they will especially look out for their "own"--whether that is other women, blacks, Hispanics, etc.
Maureen Dowd skewers this approach perfectly today.
At TPM, they present contrasting videos so you can compare Lindsey Graham's question of Roberts vs. his approach to Sotomayor.
And finally, because I think this plays nicely with the new GOP, here is Michael Steele, RNC Chairman, on his strategy to bring in "diverse" Republicans: "My plan is to say, 'Ya'll come!" Steele said, adding, "I got the fried chicken and potato salad!"
But the identity politics being pushed aggressively by the GOP, part of their angry-white-male wing (now 80% of the party?), is downright offensive.
How is it that the lead headline in the Times yesterday was about Sotomayor having to assert that her identity would not affect her judging? Can you imagine asking John Roberts whether his background as a wealthy white man would affect his rulings on corporations run by men from similar backgrounds? And yet again and again it is acceptable to ask candidates whether they will especially look out for their "own"--whether that is other women, blacks, Hispanics, etc.
Maureen Dowd skewers this approach perfectly today.
At TPM, they present contrasting videos so you can compare Lindsey Graham's question of Roberts vs. his approach to Sotomayor.
And finally, because I think this plays nicely with the new GOP, here is Michael Steele, RNC Chairman, on his strategy to bring in "diverse" Republicans: "My plan is to say, 'Ya'll come!" Steele said, adding, "I got the fried chicken and potato salad!"
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Rising Unemployment: Not a Lagging but a Leading Indicator?
Today Mort Zuckerman (editor of US News and World Report) offers new insight into the economic crisis in a thoughtful and well-written editorial in the Wall Street Journal, cheerily titled "The Economy is Even Worse Than You Think." We strongly recommend reading the whole editorial, but here are the most salient bits:
"Can we find comfort in the fact that employment has long been considered a lagging indicator? It is conventionally seen as having limited predictive power since employment reflects decisions taken earlier in the business cycle. But today is different. Unemployment has doubled to 9.5% from 4.8% in only 16 months, a rate so fast it may influence future economic behavior and outlook."
Regarding outlook for the rest of 2009 and 2010:
"This process is nowhere near complete and, until it is, the economy will barely grow if it does at all, and it may well oscillate between sluggish growth and modest decline for the next several years until the rebalancing of excessive debt has been completed. Until then, the economy will be deprived of adequate profits and cash flow, and businesses will not start to hire nor race to make capital expenditures when they have vast idle capacity."
Unfortunately, Mr. Zuckerman is probably right on the money.
"Can we find comfort in the fact that employment has long been considered a lagging indicator? It is conventionally seen as having limited predictive power since employment reflects decisions taken earlier in the business cycle. But today is different. Unemployment has doubled to 9.5% from 4.8% in only 16 months, a rate so fast it may influence future economic behavior and outlook."
Regarding outlook for the rest of 2009 and 2010:
"This process is nowhere near complete and, until it is, the economy will barely grow if it does at all, and it may well oscillate between sluggish growth and modest decline for the next several years until the rebalancing of excessive debt has been completed. Until then, the economy will be deprived of adequate profits and cash flow, and businesses will not start to hire nor race to make capital expenditures when they have vast idle capacity."
Unfortunately, Mr. Zuckerman is probably right on the money.
Monday, July 13, 2009
R.I.P., Sarah
As the Republican Party continues to implode, Peggy Noonan sends out a fresh call to arms, and makes it clear that Sarah Palin should no longer be a part of the party's future. Indeed, she calls Palin "the most careless sower of discord since George W. Bush, who fractured the party and the movement that made him." Indeed.
Her column is well worth a read, as it sheds some light on how the Republican party may begin to rebuild its (deservedly) tarnished brand. What follows is the advice Noonan offers the Republicans, but it applies equally to Democrats as well:
"The era we face, that is soon upon us, will require a great deal from our leaders. They had better be sturdy. They will have to be gifted. There will be many who cannot, and should not, make the cut. Now is the time to look for those who can. And so the Republican Party should get serious, as serious as the age, because that is what a grown-up, responsible party—a party that deserves to lead—would do."
Her column is well worth a read, as it sheds some light on how the Republican party may begin to rebuild its (deservedly) tarnished brand. What follows is the advice Noonan offers the Republicans, but it applies equally to Democrats as well:
"The era we face, that is soon upon us, will require a great deal from our leaders. They had better be sturdy. They will have to be gifted. There will be many who cannot, and should not, make the cut. Now is the time to look for those who can. And so the Republican Party should get serious, as serious as the age, because that is what a grown-up, responsible party—a party that deserves to lead—would do."
Friday, July 10, 2009
Summer Doldrums
Tired of the news of late? So are we. The hot political scandals aren't doing much for us (Ensign, Palin, Sanford), nobody seems to know definitively what is going on in Iran, and enough with Michael Jackson already. Fortunately, TIME magazine has stepped into the breech with a hard-hitting piece titled "Why Are Southerners So Fat?"
As Midwesterners, we know better than to cast stones at glass houses. However, this article is at least mildly amusing, and its thesis is refreshingly simple:
"Southerners have little access to healthy food and limited means with which to purchase it. It's hard for them to exercise outdoors, and even when they do have the opportunity, it's so hot, they don't want to."
Oh.
As Midwesterners, we know better than to cast stones at glass houses. However, this article is at least mildly amusing, and its thesis is refreshingly simple:
"Southerners have little access to healthy food and limited means with which to purchase it. It's hard for them to exercise outdoors, and even when they do have the opportunity, it's so hot, they don't want to."
Oh.
Monday, July 6, 2009
"elf and safety"
In a news cycle dominated by Michael Jackson, Iranian clerics rejecting the Supreme Leader's verdict on the vote, and Palin's odd and disjointed resignation, we bring a breath of fresh air from Boris Johnson, the mayor of London.
This week, in his regular column for the Telegraph, our tow-headed mayor touches on a subject that will drive anybody who lives in England nuts: "Health and Safety." The refrain "health and safety" is used widely to justify imbecilic decisions: it is the foundation of the much-maligned nanny state that exists here--and is spreading to the U.S. (traffic cameras are just the beginning). Singapore occupies the outer frontier on nannying--signs in public bathrooms have lectures about remembering to flush, not wringing water on the floor since someone might slip--but the UK is a close second in what is a disturbing trend. As Boris writes:
We were exploring the magical cliff-top castle of Tintagel and we came across a sign on the edge of the cliff. It was expensively hand‑painted and about 1ft high. It said: "Edge of cliff". As a statement of the plonkingly obvious, it could have been bettered only if there had been another sign with a vertical arrow saying "Sky". We laughed so much we almost fell off.
The examples are certainly risible, but they raise a serious question: why is any government so extensively involved in "protecting" us from the obvious? We are not any safer, and as we allow ourselves to be monitored, directed, and constrained, we certainly have less freedom.
This week, in his regular column for the Telegraph, our tow-headed mayor touches on a subject that will drive anybody who lives in England nuts: "Health and Safety." The refrain "health and safety" is used widely to justify imbecilic decisions: it is the foundation of the much-maligned nanny state that exists here--and is spreading to the U.S. (traffic cameras are just the beginning). Singapore occupies the outer frontier on nannying--signs in public bathrooms have lectures about remembering to flush, not wringing water on the floor since someone might slip--but the UK is a close second in what is a disturbing trend. As Boris writes:
We were exploring the magical cliff-top castle of Tintagel and we came across a sign on the edge of the cliff. It was expensively hand‑painted and about 1ft high. It said: "Edge of cliff". As a statement of the plonkingly obvious, it could have been bettered only if there had been another sign with a vertical arrow saying "Sky". We laughed so much we almost fell off.
The examples are certainly risible, but they raise a serious question: why is any government so extensively involved in "protecting" us from the obvious? We are not any safer, and as we allow ourselves to be monitored, directed, and constrained, we certainly have less freedom.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Itchy and Scratchy Show
The article everyone will be talking about this week: Todd Purdum at Vanity Fair profiles Sarah Palin.
Despite her disastrous performance in the 2008 election, Sarah Palin is still the sexiest brand in Republican politics, with a lucrative book contract for her story. But what Alaska’s charismatic governor wants the public to know about herself doesn’t always jibe with reality. As John McCain’s top campaign officials talk more candidly than ever before about the meltdown of his vice-presidential pick, the author tracks the signs—political and personal—that Palin was big trouble, and checks the forecast for her future.
Despite her disastrous performance in the 2008 election, Sarah Palin is still the sexiest brand in Republican politics, with a lucrative book contract for her story. But what Alaska’s charismatic governor wants the public to know about herself doesn’t always jibe with reality. As John McCain’s top campaign officials talk more candidly than ever before about the meltdown of his vice-presidential pick, the author tracks the signs—political and personal—that Palin was big trouble, and checks the forecast for her future.
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