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Published Letters: 11
Among Howie's catalog of McCain foreign policy virtues:
1.Pilot
2.Supported the surge
3.Served on national security committees
4.Visited Iraq eight times
My foreign policy props;
1.Driver's license
2.Opposed the surge
3.Served on company safety committee
4.Visited anothe ethnic melting pot, SanFran, dozen times
If Yoo's university had hired a professor from South America it later learned was the architect - not a perpetrator - of repressive policies that included torture in his home country, would the U's response be different than it is towards Yoo? A real question for me. I don't know the answer; wouldn't hazard a guess. Anyone familiar with university politics willing to offer an informed opinion? Thanks
I lived undercover in Canada for about three months. Had a cat named Moose. Never shot her, though.
I've suffered grievously and overcome great adversity. I'm a Cubs fan.
I wear glasses and would wear my hair in a bun if I had enough. I would personally never, ever submit to an abortion. Oh, BTW, I'm a man. Muddy Waters style. M-A-N. Oooooh, yeeeaaa.
It is troubling that that there has been no campaign discussion of the executive and constitutional issues you catalog. Certainly the R's aren't going to raise the issues and the D's don't discuss because, methinks, they have no intention of holding anyone accountable. Ever. So, how about Jan 21 Obama pardons Bush and Cheney? Anything in the past. Creates/encourages assumption of guilt so it will satisfy Dems to a degree yet will put Obama firmly on the high road towards the bipartsinship he wants to restore. Then, hopefully Obama can use that unilateral power to roll back some the abuses and signing orders favored by Bush.
King: When I was a child in the fifties my father owned a small town restaurant. It was the local supper club for romantic dinners, dates, biz meetings etc. For many of those years a black man, Mr. Parker, was a waiter. I was too young to know if he was good at what he did. I assume he was. But he was a wonderful man. He was kind to me, had a few magic tricks, told me jokes a little kid would have fun repeating and in general did his best to keep a little guy happy who was forced by circumstance to hang around a non-kid environment. My parents both had great respect for Mr. Parker and often had him over for dinner when the restaurant was closed. I'm not sure of my point, but if I had to settle on one it would be that prejudice is overcome one relationship at a time. So, long after Mr Parker's passing I've placed him in e-eternity along with Jackie Robinson, Ali, the Texas Western Miners and Barack Obama. Some afected a generation, others a little boy in a small midwestern town. All are heroes.
I think it's likely many of these folks were chosen BECAUSE they understand the DC labyrinth and will be able to competently execute the policy that's handed down to them. They are not idealogues and will not be acting on their own but within parameters set by the boss. They just picked up really good jobs and will do what the boss says in order to keep them. Within reason, I'm not too concerned about, say, the Holder-Rich issue. I hope the discussions about the AG spot Obama and Holder had the "never again else..." discussion. Be more concerned about Obama's waffling on issues rather than rogue political appointees pursuing their own agendas.
Without looking them up, name any of the last five religious folks who had Warren's role at previous inaugurations. Tempest in a teapot.
Possible that Obama's DOJ maintained BushCo's state secrets doctrine to force judicial and legislative action? It certainly seems to have galvinized some prominent legislators. Plus it gives them some political cover. "we're just as tough, but what can we do if the laws change?" If they just backed away "nicely" there would be no permanent resolution to the issue and as Americans we'd be relying on the decency and good intentions of future presidents. And we know how that can work out.
Glenn: Check out this from Powell assistant Wilkerson
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2009/03/some_truths_abo/?ref=fp2
Glenn: I know a number of "whores" or ladies who accept in for sex. Comparing Davis to them is a disservice...to the ladies. They are above board, honest and everyone understands the deal going in. Lanny should be so honest.
I'm hard pressed to point to any substantive differences (other than the stimulus, I guess) between Bush and Obama. I'm so disappointed. The intellect I so admired seems to be diminishing in direct proportion to his foolish blathering about bipartisanship. He seems to be the last person paying attention to believe bipartisanship is not a dead political concept.