Letters to the Editor
bystander
Published Letters: 1640
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thanks, bamage...
[Read the article: The role of political reporters]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]...for the link. I'm only 20 minutes in, but these responses are all of the empty platitudes I might have expected. Process, process, process. Not what compromises might be made, not where the points of intersection might be, not where the trade-offs are. It very much feels like this "togetherness" (politicians and media working together) is an announcement; putting the peons on notice that the powerful are about to make a decision for them. "You can have the two party system only for as long as you play by the rules. And, we write the rules."
Really! Kudos to the person who asked the question, Why now? Why is bipartisanship suddenly so critical, now? Where was this question years ago? Not answered, naturally, but a good question to ask. My fantasy is that there are going to be an awful lot of Republican politicos looking for work. My ear tells me I just heard, "You agree to appoint, seat, hire us, or else."
Thank you Diane for capturing the question of whether a Bloomberg is issuing a warning to the candidates. Not answered, of course, but nice to know none of them were willing to answer it. Sure sounds like Bloomberg gets to decide if there is a sufficient indication from the candidates that they're willing to toe the line. (Not unlike Justice Kennedy being the sole decider on the supreme court. - Not that he necessarily wanted, or foresaw, that role.)
David Boren: Extreme partisanship on both sides(!?!?). God, bamage. You tried. The answer is we lost forward momentum? We? Who's we? You and the mouse in your pocket? What momentum? Bipartisan momentum? Where was it in the last 7 years? Please don't anyone try to tell me there were ANY bipartisan effort on the Republican side.
[Was this show really for Boren to promote his new book? A Letter to America]
Will you appoint a bipartisan cabinet? Ask Bill Clinton how well that worked for him. Entitlements will squeeze out national defense? Christ on a skateboard.
I think I have just seen the future, and it ain't looking to rosy to me. Bah!
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bamage
[Read the article: The role of political reporters]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think your introductory would have made Glenn proud. You did, however, give them an "out." One I suspect they were heartily grateful for, as indicated by their response; I could almost hear them thinking Thank God for this. Bipartisan incrementalism will be a two edged sword. The increments can as easily move more regressive as progressive, as easily more corporatist as more populist. Your points about where the polls suggest the American public is, as opposed to where most of the legislation has gone, was spot on. So. Maybe we slide into the pit incrementally form here on out, rather than in one big whoosh. But, to the extent that this Kumbya-bipartisan-togetherness of the media and politicos reflects the powerful taking a 'stand' at some point, I clearly heard a threat to populist/progressive initiatives. This great big ship of a democracy may turn very, very slowly, but for the first time I find myself wondering if it hasn't already turned too far to ever really change course. It's sounding to me like a whole array of options have been swept off the table along with impeachment.
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electoral compass
[Read the article: The role of political reporters]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]No can complete. IMHO, it is poorly designed. Categories too broadly defined or too either-or. Too many of my responses were nuanced or contingent. Gave up half way through when my snarl-response kicked in.
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Ondelette
[Read the article: Illustrative New Hampshire snippets]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The two-headed beast should be offered a choice: keep the Edison/Mitofsky/NEP exit polls or keep your FCC licenses....
Only one thing to say to that rant.
A*M*E*N !!!!!
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Lord, Ondelette
[Read the article: Illustrative New Hampshire snippets]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]If you be a Wurlitzer
I be a t'ween
with a pocket full of quarters
and a desire
to listen through
the whole play list.
Damn! You go!
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tracking the results
[Read the article: Illustrative New Hampshire snippets]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Can't vouch for the reliability or validity of the site but it's supposed to update regularly:
http://www.politico.com/nhprimaries/nhmap-popup.html
Will look for others...
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background...
[Read the article: Illustrative New Hampshire snippets]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]... on The Politico and politico.com's parent/holding company.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=The_Politico
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Bebop
[Read the article: Illustrative New Hampshire snippets]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'll be honest. You're scaring me. I'm beginning to suspect an MSRA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). You NEED to see a doc if this infection is not responding. In critters good vets suggest you should see a turn-around in 72 hours. If not, you have the wrong antibiotic. The fact that you mentioned the doc prescribed tramadol in conjunction suggests this infection is very painful for you. If a dog is interested in sniffing the wound that is NOT a good sigh. Get thee to a doc! Please!
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omooex
[Read the article: Illustrative New Hampshire snippets]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Have you ever been polled? I have. They're notoriously persistent. I suspect that's because a decent poll/pollster will do a random sample. Once they have your name, a mere caller ID/answering machine won't necessarily slow them down. I've been 'harrassed' by the same pollsters for weeks - until I got so fed up I answered the call. Folks without land lines, obviously, may not be included. That may - or may NOT - have demographic implications. But, I'm not sure anyone knows. Maybe you do, in which case it would be helpful if you'd post that information and good pollsters will 'correct' the data for over/under representation.
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oomex
[Read the article: Illustrative New Hampshire snippets]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]A classic joke in econometrics.
A wife comes home late and finds her husband on his hands and knees searching under a lamp post.
"What are you doing?", she asks.
"Searching for my house keys."
"Have you found them?"
"No." he grumbles.
"Where did you drop them?"
"Over there," he says pointing to the steps to their front door.
"Then, why are you searching way over here?"
"Because, this is where the light is."
I trust no interpretation is necessary.
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seconding Anonymust
[Read the article: Illustrative New Hampshire snippets]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thanks for sharing that letter, Glenn. Bebop is truly one of a kind, and this thread would not be the same without him. Not the same at all.
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LWM
[Read the article: Illustrative New Hampshire snippets]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]OMG LOL. That's great. Copied and saved. Had never heard that one before. Love it!