Letters to the Editor
Alan Bennett
Published Letters: 248 Editor's Choice: 8
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The Senate
[Read the article: Harry Reid works to ensure telecom amnesty, warrantless surveillance]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thanks to all colleagues who are working the phones and emails. I have said before, and I repeat, I don't trust both the R and D leadership in the Senate. For all his tough talk Jay Rockfeller never really put the boot to Pat Roberts ( when he was leader of the SIC) on most issues. Lots of angry wind, but he mastered the technique of folding.
The present D leadership is pathetic. Reid is about as charismatic as a wet fish.
If colleagues have time send/call Sen Dodd's office with expressions of support and encouragement. The two go hand in hand. Also Wyden and Feingold.
The D leadership had better know that their collegiality, and corporate funds, will cost them if they don't oppose this bill.
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Kiurtz and Murray
[Read the article: Howie Kurtz, Shailagh Murray, and the vapid, petty Beltway media mind]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]If you look at the comments section in WaPo you will find that readers have taken the measure of these two buffoons. I commented and told both that they have sunk to the bottom. I admire the way John Stewart skewers these so called knowledgeable media and political types. Kurtz has a comments section now and gets a battering. Murray is, simply put, an ass.
I hope Digby will keep at this. The biggest con show is Reliable Sources. Even Kurtz admits as much. He gives us his two cents (way down from ten cents!).
Just look at what happened to Chris Matthews on last night's Hardball when he was called a right wing tool. Watch his face.
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It's all about money
[Read the article: Is Hillary running away with the race?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Every news outlet touts polls and at the same time we have Mr Shapiro and others downplaying their use or significance. So who is wasting time and money on this effort and writing and talking about it? This article is pointless. There is only one poll that will count. Be patient. Meanwhile the big bad media is salivating at the prospect of millions in ad revenue. Elections and campaigns are good for business.
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Bizarro Boylan
[Read the article: A bizarre, unsolicited e-mail from Gen. Petraeus' spokesman ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Glenn: this guy is a clown. Don't waste your time and effort dealing with this idiot. He is the quintessential army type that characterises BushCo: an insolent asshole.
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Too Clever By Half
[Read the article: Deconstructing Tim Russert vs. the Clintons]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Russert, Matthews, Tucker are a breed of journalists who feel so self important because they labour under both the delusion and illusion that they are journalists. They belong to a mutually self-reinforcing club that helps sell one another's books and other promostional stuff.
The Clintons are a bonanza. They can be attacked against a Russert supportive chorus with ease. Fellow journalists will whoop. They don't dare do it to the Bushes because they can git hit back. When Russert asks Laura and barbara Bush to have their husban's release their personal corespondence, documents and diaries then we will get a level playing field.
That we have to see Tim grieve analysing stuff like this says tons for the low level of our political discourse.
Edwards did himself no good by piling on. He lost me because, in the end, he behaved like a trial lawyer.
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The Politics of Accommodation
[Read the article: Schumer: Arrogance or impotence?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Let us not be surprised. Look at Lindsay Graham, McCain Warner and Specter on the Republican side; and Feinstein, Schumer, Nelson and even Reid on the Democratic side. They are all practitioners of the politics of accommodation. They more often talk the talk but rarely walk the walk. McCain may be great on torture, but look at his vote.
The "world's greatest deliberative body"is filled with the preening sort. Joe Biden is a perfect example: he phones President Musharraf of Pakistan to conduct his own diplomacy. Anything more ridiculous?
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380- SQ and Emirates
[Read the article: Ask the pilot]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Over the top: boy, you are an oversucker for overhyperbole. No wonder they didn't invite you. Who needs a downer on the inaugural? I have travelled extensively with SQ and Emirates and enjoyed the service and on time performance. The 380 will only be as good as the carrier.
Strange eh! A tiny island nation of 2 million people and a minor city state have airlines that runs rings around our own awful carriers. Reality check: the 380 will gradually move up to a 3 class 600+ plane configuration except for some ME and Asian routes. All the spending money and need to flash it around is there. Watch out for Chinese grandees spending the big euros (I wanted to say bucks but!!!).
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Please Forward
[Read the article: The fact that wasn't a fact on Clinton]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]If at all possible can you forward a copy of this to Russert Matthews, Blitzer, Morning Joe and other self righteous practitioners of "journalism" and ask them to comment. Don't wait for a reply.
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Polls and Piffle
[Read the article: Why voters don't like Congress]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The questions asked by pollsters on Congress are simple and misleading. They take no account of the actual complexities of debates, rules and procedures; of rules that allow a minority to hinder the majority. As a whole journalists go for the easy answers, the glib pronouncements and the facile analyses that cover the next four minutes before a commericial.
That aside, I suspect that Reid did not give the candidates time to return for the Mukasey vote. There is a story of a deal in the background. I have to say that Feinstein, Schumer, Mitch O'Connell and Harry Reid have become a creepy foursome. They are neither Republicans or Democrats. They are Senators with an agenda that has yet to be made clear.
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Unconventional Wisdom
[Read the article: The kitchen gets hotter for Giuliani]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]SO: the general public does not trust Hillary or like her. What a useless generalisation. Who knows what the general public thinks. Sure: the Village punditocracy does like her or trust her. I thought this was about Rudi?
Joan: when you appear on Hardball do you ever wonder at how Chris glosses over Rudi but gets into a twist about Hillary? Do you meet in the Green Room? Ask Chris why he behaves like an a**h*** whenever her name comes up. Do you ever feel the urge to confront his blatant prejudices? Why does he treat McCain with kid gloves?
Sorry I won't see this: I have taken off MSNBC from my selection because I had to pay extra for it. Did not think listening to Russert or Chris worth it. Will pick up excerpts of Keith from Crooks and Liars.