- Star Parker : Kumbaya falls flat in Berlin
- Paul Greenberg : Class in America
- Robert D. Novak : Can McCain Back in Again?
- Burt Prelutsky : It's Time Israel Woke Up
- Phil Harris : Alternative Energy, Alternative Doomsday
- Carol Platt Liebau : Is the Press Actually Hurting Obama?
- Mike S. Adams : A Lawsuit a Day Keeps the Leftist at Bay
- Kevin McCullough : Praying Obama's Prayer
- Jackie Gingrich Cushman : Get Lost - In A Book
- David R. Stokes : Moscow Rules
- Austin Hill : Obama, "The Vast Majority Of Muslims," And The Rest Of Us
- Steve Chapman : A Media Crush on Obama
- Debra J. Saunders : If It's Thursday, This Must Be Berlin
- Ken Connor : D.C. Government Continues Mugging Gun Owners
- Salena Zito : Cornering Pennsylvania
- Paul Jacob : Making the world safe for . . . politicians
- Doug Giles : The 10 Commandments for Classy Girls
- Tom Borelli : General Electric and Al Gore Scheme to Undermine Domestic Oil Drilling
- Robert D. Novak : Romney's Value
- Michael Barone : A Step Back From Enviro Lunacy
- Tony Perkins : Always Faithful
- Andrew Langer : Conyers to States: Thou Shall Not Lower Taxes
- Bill O'Reilly : A Cash Transaction
Full Version: Political OpEds, News and Commentary
Common Ground Common Sense > National & International News > Op-Ed Articles from the Mainstream Media > Op-Ed Articles from the Mainstream Media Archive
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Carol Platt Liebau : Is the Press Actually Hurting Obama?
Bankrupt "Exploiters": Part II by Thomas Sowell
We don't look to arsonists to help put out fires but we do look to politicians to help solve financial crises that they played a major role in creating.
How did the government help create the current financial mess? Let me count the ways.
In addition to federal laws that pressure lenders to lend to people they would not otherwise lend to, and in places where they would otherwise not invest, state and local governments have in various parts of the country so severely restricted building as to lead to skyrocketing housing prices, which in turn have led many people to resort to "creative financing" in order to buy these artificially more expensive homes.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve System brought interest rates down to such low levels that "creative financing" with interest-only mortgage loans enabled people to buy houses that they could not otherwise afford.
But there is no free lunch. Interest-only loans do not continue indefinitely. After a few years, such mortgage loans typically require the borrower to begin paying back some of the principal, which means that the monthly mortgage payments will begin to rise.
Since everyone knew that the Federal Reserve System's extremely low interest rates were not going to last forever, much "creative financing" also involved adjustable-rate mortgages, where the interest charged by the lender would rise when interest rates in the economy as a whole rose.
In the housing market, a difference of a couple of percentage points in the interest rate can make a big difference in the monthly mortgage payment.
For someone who buys a house costing half a million dollars-- which can be a very small house in many parts of coastal California-- the difference between paying 4 percent and 6 percent interest would amount to more than $7,000 a year.
For people who have had to stretch to the limit to buy a house, an increase of $7,000 a year in their mortgage payments can be enough to push them over the edge financially.
In other words, government laws and policies at federal, state and local levels have had the net effect of putting both borrowers and lenders way out on a limb.
Yet, when that limb began to crack, the first reaction in politics and in the media has been to look to government to solve this problem because-- as always-- it was called the market's fault, the lenders' fault and everybody's fault except those politicians who created this dicey situation in the first place.
Markets often get blamed for conveying a reality that was not created by the market.
For example, the fact that "the poor pay more" for what they buy in stores in low-income neighborhoods is often blamed on those who run these stores, rather than on those who create extra costs through crime, vandalism and riots.
If the store owners were making big profits, the big chain stores would be rushing in to share in the bonanza, instead of avoiding low-income neighborhoods like the plague.
Markets were also blamed for the Great Depression of the 1930s and New Deal politicians were credited with getting us out of it. But increasing numbers of economists and historians have concluded that it was government intervention which prolonged the Great Depression beyond that of other depressions where the government did nothing.
The stock market crash of 1987 was at least as big as the stock market crash in 1929. But, instead of being followed by a Great Depression, the 1987 crash was followed by 20 years of economic growth, with low inflation and low unemployment. The Reagan administration did nothing in 1987, despite outrage in the media at the government's failure to live up to its responsibility, as seen in liberal quarters. But nothing was apparently what needed to be done, so that markets could adjust. The last thing politicians can do in an election year is nothing. So we can look for all sorts of "solutions" by politicians of both parties. Like most political solutions, these are likely to make matters worse. To find out more about Thomas Sowell and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com. Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305. His Web site is www.tsowell.com. COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
We don't look to arsonists to help put out fires but we do look to politicians to help solve financial crises that they played a major role in creating.
How did the government help create the current financial mess? Let me count the ways.
In addition to federal laws that pressure lenders to lend to people they would not otherwise lend to, and in places where they would otherwise not invest, state and local governments have in various parts of the country so severely restricted building as to lead to skyrocketing housing prices, which in turn have led many people to resort to "creative financing" in order to buy these artificially more expensive homes.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve System brought interest rates down to such low levels that "creative financing" with interest-only mortgage loans enabled people to buy houses that they could not otherwise afford.
But there is no free lunch. Interest-only loans do not continue indefinitely. After a few years, such mortgage loans typically require the borrower to begin paying back some of the principal, which means that the monthly mortgage payments will begin to rise.
Since everyone knew that the Federal Reserve System's extremely low interest rates were not going to last forever, much "creative financing" also involved adjustable-rate mortgages, where the interest charged by the lender would rise when interest rates in the economy as a whole rose.
In the housing market, a difference of a couple of percentage points in the interest rate can make a big difference in the monthly mortgage payment.
For someone who buys a house costing half a million dollars-- which can be a very small house in many parts of coastal California-- the difference between paying 4 percent and 6 percent interest would amount to more than $7,000 a year.
For people who have had to stretch to the limit to buy a house, an increase of $7,000 a year in their mortgage payments can be enough to push them over the edge financially.
In other words, government laws and policies at federal, state and local levels have had the net effect of putting both borrowers and lenders way out on a limb.
Yet, when that limb began to crack, the first reaction in politics and in the media has been to look to government to solve this problem because-- as always-- it was called the market's fault, the lenders' fault and everybody's fault except those politicians who created this dicey situation in the first place.
Markets often get blamed for conveying a reality that was not created by the market.
For example, the fact that "the poor pay more" for what they buy in stores in low-income neighborhoods is often blamed on those who run these stores, rather than on those who create extra costs through crime, vandalism and riots.
If the store owners were making big profits, the big chain stores would be rushing in to share in the bonanza, instead of avoiding low-income neighborhoods like the plague.
Markets were also blamed for the Great Depression of the 1930s and New Deal politicians were credited with getting us out of it. But increasing numbers of economists and historians have concluded that it was government intervention which prolonged the Great Depression beyond that of other depressions where the government did nothing.
The stock market crash of 1987 was at least as big as the stock market crash in 1929. But, instead of being followed by a Great Depression, the 1987 crash was followed by 20 years of economic growth, with low inflation and low unemployment. The Reagan administration did nothing in 1987, despite outrage in the media at the government's failure to live up to its responsibility, as seen in liberal quarters. But nothing was apparently what needed to be done, so that markets could adjust. The last thing politicians can do in an election year is nothing. So we can look for all sorts of "solutions" by politicians of both parties. Like most political solutions, these are likely to make matters worse. To find out more about Thomas Sowell and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com. Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305. His Web site is www.tsowell.com. COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
How Should the Next President Deal with the Bush White House's Crimes?Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!
Rights and Liberties: A debate between two progressive legal experts on the FISA bill and the idea of prosecuting of Bush and White House officials for criminal acts.
Air Force Brass Get Luxury In-Flight Seats on Taxpayer's DimeLiliana Segura, AlterNet
War on Iraq: A new report finds the Air Force is spending counterterrorism funds on very fancy seating for military and civilian leaders.
Going Undercover at Mad Pastor Hagee's Christians United for Israel SummitAli Gharib, AlterNet
Rights and Liberties: There was nothing moderate about the fundamentalist, apocalyptic, Christian-right ideology of the attendants and speakers at the CUFI conference.
Free College for Poorest Students Puts Ivy League to ShameLeonard Doyle, Independent UK
Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace: Berea University in rural Kentucky is one of the wealthiest colleges, but it accepts the poorest applicants and gives them a free education.
Americans Say No to War with Iran: Will Washington Listen?Sarah van Gelder, YES! Magazine
ForeignPolicy: It's time to deal with the threats of nuclear proliferation, extreme poverty and climate disruption.
The Fabric of America Is Fraying as the Economic Downturn Continues
David Wann, Denver Post
Our economic success, as it's generally measured, obscures some deep social problems.
Christian-Themed License Plate Program Goes Too FarRob Boston, Church and State
Rights and Liberties: New lawsuit argues that South Carolina's 'I Believe' license plate favors Christianity over other faiths.
David Sirota:
How to Solve America's Wage Crisis
When labor rights are protected, wages go up. It's time to make union-membership a civil right.
Amy Goodman:
Who’s Paying for the Conventions?
A loophole in campaign-finance law allows corporations to pour unlimited funding into political conventions.
Robert Scheer:
Is Obama Betraying His Promise of Change?
Like McCain, Obama seems to embrace the fundamental irrationality of Bush's "war on terror."
Mark Weisbrot:
Anti-War Movement Successfully Pushes Back Against Military Confrontation With Iran
For something that's not supposed to exist, the anti-war movement sure was effective in fighting a recent resolution to blockade Iran.
Deb Price:
Online Adoption Agency Denies Service to Gays
The adoption website is brazenly violating anti-discrimination laws.
Sean Gonsalves:
Will Wikileaks Revolutionize Journalism?
While journalists should view Wikileaks with some skepticism, it cannot be ignored. Welcome to the brave new world of investigative reporting.
Norman Solomon:
Fund Health Care, Not War
The old claims of a justified war in Iraq have melted away. So have promises of a humane society back at home.
Susie Bright:
Finally, Marriage Licenses for All
The legalization of gay marriage is a huge milestone in the fight for equal rights. Still, it begs the question: why do people get married, anyway?
How Important Was the Surge?
Dylan Matthews and Ezra Klein
July 28, 2008 | web only
There's no doubt that the past year has seen a dramatic drop in Iraqi violence, and real gains in stability.
But was the surge the only, or even the main, factor creating this stability? To find out, TAP Online asked a dozen-or-so Iraq experts, from all sides of the political spectrum.
(AP Photo/Greg Baker)
Dylan Matthews and Ezra Klein
July 28, 2008 | web only
There's no doubt that the past year has seen a dramatic drop in Iraqi violence, and real gains in stability.
But was the surge the only, or even the main, factor creating this stability? To find out, TAP Online asked a dozen-or-so Iraq experts, from all sides of the political spectrum.
(AP Photo/Greg Baker)
36 Hours In Israel (With Barack Obama)
Gershom Gorenberg
July 25, 2008 | web only
Barack Obama's visit to Israel this week caused a sensation as politicians clamored to be seen with him, Hamas denounced him, and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert talked with him about negotiating with Syria. Here are some thoughts he should take with him.
Obama with the eternal flame in the Hall of Remembrance at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
What's Next For Campaign Finance?
TAP talks with campaign-finance guru Thomas Mann, a key advocate for McCain-Feingold who now says reform should focus more on public funding of candidates and less on contribution limits.
July 24, 2008 | By Abby Rapoport | web only
The Meltdown Lowdown
This week in economic news: McCain's offshore drilling plan is designed to support his campaign, not lower gas prices, and bailing out Fannie and Freddie could cost $100 billion.
July 24, 2008 | By Dean Baker | web only
Why McCain Should Embrace Withdrawal
The United States must listen to the Iraqi government's demands or risk endangering the gains that have been made during the past 18 months.
July 24, 2008 | By Ilan Goldenberg | web only
Arresting Developments
The capture of Radovan Karadzic, a primary architect of the vicious war in Bosnia, could transform the Balkans. But the U.S. and Europe must beware of overplaying a good hand.
July 23, 2008 | By Richard Byrne | web only
TAP talks with campaign-finance guru Thomas Mann, a key advocate for McCain-Feingold who now says reform should focus more on public funding of candidates and less on contribution limits.
July 24, 2008 | By Abby Rapoport | web only
The Meltdown Lowdown
This week in economic news: McCain's offshore drilling plan is designed to support his campaign, not lower gas prices, and bailing out Fannie and Freddie could cost $100 billion.
July 24, 2008 | By Dean Baker | web only
Why McCain Should Embrace Withdrawal
The United States must listen to the Iraqi government's demands or risk endangering the gains that have been made during the past 18 months.
July 24, 2008 | By Ilan Goldenberg | web only
Arresting Developments
The capture of Radovan Karadzic, a primary architect of the vicious war in Bosnia, could transform the Balkans. But the U.S. and Europe must beware of overplaying a good hand.
July 23, 2008 | By Richard Byrne | web only
The Operative Term is 'Hubris'
J.R. Dunn
He has a seat on his campaign aircraft marked "president". He has taken a shot at creating his own presidential seal, complete with Latin motto. He has laid claim to personal control over the world's oceans and seas. Barack Obama embodies hubris in chemically pure form. More
The Deobandi Fatwa Against Terrorism Didn't Treat the Jihadi Root
Walid Phares
Many in the West were impressed by the issuing of a fatwa (Islamic theological edict) condemning Terrorism by one of the leading religious centers in the Muslim world. Not so fast. More
Deconstructing Obama
Kyle-Anne Shiver
Deconstruction, I'm told, is still all the rage on college campuses throughout the Land. More
J.R. Dunn
He has a seat on his campaign aircraft marked "president". He has taken a shot at creating his own presidential seal, complete with Latin motto. He has laid claim to personal control over the world's oceans and seas. Barack Obama embodies hubris in chemically pure form. More
The Deobandi Fatwa Against Terrorism Didn't Treat the Jihadi Root
Walid Phares
Many in the West were impressed by the issuing of a fatwa (Islamic theological edict) condemning Terrorism by one of the leading religious centers in the Muslim world. Not so fast. More
Deconstructing Obama
Kyle-Anne Shiver
Deconstruction, I'm told, is still all the rage on college campuses throughout the Land. More
Meanwhile in Waziristan
July 28, 2008
AJ Strata faithfully watches what happens across the Pakistan border in the lawless Waziristan where Bin Laden is believed to be hiding. More
Iran's 'preconditions' to meet with a President Obama
July 28, 2008
Obama might not have any preconditions but the Iranians aren't that stupid More
Obama ad surge a bust
July 28, 2008
After spending millions of dollars in key battleground states this summer, it appears that Barack Obama has not improved his numbers in any substantial way More
Progress comes to 'progressive' Berkeley
July 28, 2008
Something useful is getting done in Berkeley, despite the bets efforts of the Banana crowd (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone). More
Imposing Educational Outcomes
July 28, 2008
Two articles in the last week indicate just how far some attitudes about education have shifted away from something students work for and toward it being a birthright, an entitlement. More
July 28, 2008
AJ Strata faithfully watches what happens across the Pakistan border in the lawless Waziristan where Bin Laden is believed to be hiding. More
Iran's 'preconditions' to meet with a President Obama
July 28, 2008
Obama might not have any preconditions but the Iranians aren't that stupid More
Obama ad surge a bust
July 28, 2008
After spending millions of dollars in key battleground states this summer, it appears that Barack Obama has not improved his numbers in any substantial way More
Progress comes to 'progressive' Berkeley
July 28, 2008
Something useful is getting done in Berkeley, despite the bets efforts of the Banana crowd (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone). More
Imposing Educational Outcomes
July 28, 2008
Two articles in the last week indicate just how far some attitudes about education have shifted away from something students work for and toward it being a birthright, an entitlement. More
Minority journalists give Obama a standing O
July 28, 2008
Despite their worries about unseemly displays of affection for a politician whose campaign they must cover, the minority journalists assembled at the "Unity" convention in Chicago managed to behave themselves better than in earlier sessions. More
Al-Qaeda on the ropes but still a danger
July 28, 2008
Their organization has been smashed but al-Qeada proved today that they are still capable of mounting a coordianted suicide attack on Iraqi civilians. More
McCain comes out against Racial Preferences
July 28, 2008
Banning racial preferences could turn into a winning issue for McCain More
More Iranian 'Rough Justice'
July 28, 2008
Mass hangings put on for the titilation and pleasure of the Iranian people. More
Labour's 'suicide election'
July 27, 2008
Odd, that as Europe's left is having a hard time staying alive, much of this country seems enamored of the most radically leftist candidate ever. More
NYT writes about terror bombing in India. Guess what's missing?
July 27, 2008
Perhaps if their editors got out among ordinary Americans they would realize how stupid this evasion of the obvious makes them look. More
Minority journalists worried about too much enthusiasm for Obama
July 27, 2008
The not-quite-yet chosen one addresses a meeting of minority journalists today, and the scribes are worried about unseemly displays of affection and enthusiasm. More
July 28, 2008
Despite their worries about unseemly displays of affection for a politician whose campaign they must cover, the minority journalists assembled at the "Unity" convention in Chicago managed to behave themselves better than in earlier sessions. More
Al-Qaeda on the ropes but still a danger
July 28, 2008
Their organization has been smashed but al-Qeada proved today that they are still capable of mounting a coordianted suicide attack on Iraqi civilians. More
McCain comes out against Racial Preferences
July 28, 2008
Banning racial preferences could turn into a winning issue for McCain More
More Iranian 'Rough Justice'
July 28, 2008
Mass hangings put on for the titilation and pleasure of the Iranian people. More
Labour's 'suicide election'
July 27, 2008
Odd, that as Europe's left is having a hard time staying alive, much of this country seems enamored of the most radically leftist candidate ever. More
NYT writes about terror bombing in India. Guess what's missing?
July 27, 2008
Perhaps if their editors got out among ordinary Americans they would realize how stupid this evasion of the obvious makes them look. More
Minority journalists worried about too much enthusiasm for Obama
July 27, 2008
The not-quite-yet chosen one addresses a meeting of minority journalists today, and the scribes are worried about unseemly displays of affection and enthusiasm. More
CAMPAIGN OUTSIDERIf McCain were a Democrat ...
Senator John McCain's record would offer plenty of ammunition for the Republican attack machine in the US presidential elections. They'd call him everything from a traitor to a gold-plated hypocrite. – Muhammad Cohen (Jul 28, '08)
How McCain Could Win Undecideds - Peter Brown, Wall Street Journal
Obama Stars Abroad, McCain Stumbles at Home - Al Hunt, Bloomberg
A Deadlock-Proof Democratic Majority? - William Kristol, New York Times
Obama Goes Global - Hendrik Hertzberg, The New Yorker
Can McCain Back Into the Presidency? - Robert Novak, Chicago Sun-Times
Obama Must Outline New Compact With Middle East - Greg Scoblete, RCP
Unfinished Business at Freddie, Fannie - Lawrence Summers, Wash Post
Another Temporary Fix - Paul Krugman, New York Times
Rewriting Reagan, Again - Ralph Reiland, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Why Obama Seized the Faith-Based Mantle - Amy Sullivan, USA Today
Evangelicals Being Snookered By Obama - David Bass, American Spectator
How Separate Must Church & State Be? - Barry Lynn, Philadelphia Inquirer
A Defining Week for Congress - Rep. John Boehner, RealClearPolitics
Dems Try to Break the Grip of Senate's 'Dr. No' - Carl Hulse, NY Times
In Russia, 'Legal Nihilism' as Usual - Jackson Diehl, Washington Post
How to Get the Biggest Bang for 10 Billion Bucks - Bjorn Lomborg, WSJ
Economics Doesn't Lie - Guy Sorman, City Journal
RCP Blog: The Tomnibus | Economy Back in Focus / PN: Happy Warriors
VP Watch: Buzz Reaching Frenzy / The Scorecard: Barn Burner in Miss.
Obama Stars Abroad, McCain Stumbles at Home - Al Hunt, Bloomberg
A Deadlock-Proof Democratic Majority? - William Kristol, New York Times
Obama Goes Global - Hendrik Hertzberg, The New Yorker
Can McCain Back Into the Presidency? - Robert Novak, Chicago Sun-Times
Obama Must Outline New Compact With Middle East - Greg Scoblete, RCP
Unfinished Business at Freddie, Fannie - Lawrence Summers, Wash Post
Another Temporary Fix - Paul Krugman, New York Times
Rewriting Reagan, Again - Ralph Reiland, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Why Obama Seized the Faith-Based Mantle - Amy Sullivan, USA Today
Evangelicals Being Snookered By Obama - David Bass, American Spectator
How Separate Must Church & State Be? - Barry Lynn, Philadelphia Inquirer
A Defining Week for Congress - Rep. John Boehner, RealClearPolitics
Dems Try to Break the Grip of Senate's 'Dr. No' - Carl Hulse, NY Times
In Russia, 'Legal Nihilism' as Usual - Jackson Diehl, Washington Post
How to Get the Biggest Bang for 10 Billion Bucks - Bjorn Lomborg, WSJ
Economics Doesn't Lie - Guy Sorman, City Journal
RCP Blog: The Tomnibus | Economy Back in Focus / PN: Happy Warriors
VP Watch: Buzz Reaching Frenzy / The Scorecard: Barn Burner in Miss.
Editorials
Losing Side - National Review
A Fresh Start With Pakistan - New York Times
Bombs in India - Times of London
The Greatest Scandal - Wall Street Journal
Political News & Analysis
Obama Admits Iraq Violence Dropped More Than He'd Anticipated - LAT
McCain Says Obama Plays Politics on Iraq - Washington Post
Obama to Meet with Rubin, Buffet on the Economy - Bloomberg
The Race Heats Up with 100 Days to Go - USA Today
Transcripts & Speeches
McCain on "This Week" - This Week
Obama on "Meet the Press" - Meet the Press
Interview with John McCain - Late Edition
Sens. McCaskill & Thune on "Fox News Sunday" - Fox News Sunday
Sens. Hagel & Reed on "Face the Nation" (PDF) - Face the Nation
Best of the Blogs
Sen. Reid Offers Excuses Not Solutions - Sen. Tom Coburn, Redstate
Top 10 Reasons Obama Creeps Me Out - Rick Moran, Right Wing Nut House
Evidence of Obama's Strength Among Hispanics - Jonathan Singer, MyDD
McCain Does Right Thing on Racial Preferences - Roger Clegg, The Corner
Romney's Effect On the Map - Nate Silver, FiveThirtyEight
McCain Is Closer Than He Should Be
- Robert Novak, Chicago Sun-Times
Obama's Audacity of Hubris
- Rex Murphy, The Globe and Mail
How Obama Became Acting President
- Frank Rich, New York Times
A Deadlock-Proof Democratic Majority?
- William Kristol, New York Times
- Robert Novak, Chicago Sun-Times
Obama's Audacity of Hubris
- Rex Murphy, The Globe and Mail
How Obama Became Acting President
- Frank Rich, New York Times
A Deadlock-Proof Democratic Majority?
- William Kristol, New York Times
After the Housing Bill: Time to Address Foreclosures
by: Dean Baker, t r u t h o u t | Perspective
OPINION
The Military-Industrial Complex: It's Much Later Than You Think
by: Chalmers Johnson, TomDispatch.com
OPINION
How Obama Became Acting President
by: Frank Rich, The New York Times
OPINION
Bush's Puppets
by: Bill Becker, Climate Progress
OPINION
Let Them Eat Free Markets
by: David Moberg, In These Times
OPINION
Getting to Know You
by: Bob Herbert, The New York Times
OPINION
The Company We Keep
by: Michael Winship, t r u t h o u t | Perspective
OPINION
Impeachment Hearings Are the Appropriate and Necessary Next Step
by: John Nichols, The Nation
OPINION
Military Women Ready to Rock the Boat
by: Jennifer Hogg, The Women's Media Center
OPINION
Why Muslims Still Hate Us
Patrick Basham on anti-Americanism and foreign policy in the Tampa Tribune.
Patrick Basham on anti-Americanism and foreign policy in the Tampa Tribune.
JEFF COHEN
Americans Move Left; New York Times Misses It ourfuture.org — It's a cherished myth of many in establishment punditry that most Americans perpetually and happily find their way to the safe center of American politics. The data, however, says otherwise.
DERON LOVAAS
The Most Oil-Addicted States ourfuture.org — The bottom line is that gasoline remains a commodity unlike most others. We have to use a lot of it, and there are few substitutes. The only way to break the habit is to adopt aggressive policies that generate more choices for consumers, in the forms of efficient cars and trucks, transportation alternatives like commuter rail, and new energy sources for our vehicles.
PAUL KRUGMAN
Another Temporary Fix nytimes.com — If the government is going to stand behind financial institutions, those institutions had better be carefully regulated — because otherwise the game of heads I win, tails you lose will be played more furiously than ever, at taxpayers' expense.
LAWRENCE SUMMERS
The Way Forward for Fannie and Freddie ft.com — Consider how much more problematic the Bear Stearns response would have been had policymakers signaled their commitment to back the company's liabilities without limit; left management in place with no change in the business model; and allowed dividends to be paid and shareholders to keep going with hope for a better tomorrow. Yet all of these elements are present in the cases of Fannie and Freddie.
DANA CHASIN
Caveat Taxpayer tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com — How can Congress and the administration make good on Henry Paulson's promise to protect taxpayers?
JARED BERNSTEIN
The Right Questions huffingtonpost.com — Thomas Pynchon said something like: if they get you asking the wrong questions, they don't need to worry about the answers. With so many aspects of our current economy in trouble, we find ourselves back in the midst of that great debate over government's role in the economy. The problem is, we risk answering the wrong questions.
KRISTIN BATEMAN
The Economy's fundamentals are "strong"? Not really. tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com — Those who, like Bush and McCain, proudly tout the strength of the economy need to start paying attention to the actual experiences of ordinary Americans.
STEPHEN GARDNER
CNN's "Black in America" Misses the "Why" news.newamericamedia.org — In a country where racism is still alive, it is important for White America not only to see, but also to understand our story as well. For too long only a partial testament been given to the adversity that affects millions of our people on a daily basis.
MARY KANE
Race and the Housing Crisis washingtonindependent.com — Blacks and Latinos with identical credit are far more likely than whites to receive subprime loans.
Americans Move Left; New York Times Misses It ourfuture.org — It's a cherished myth of many in establishment punditry that most Americans perpetually and happily find their way to the safe center of American politics. The data, however, says otherwise.
DERON LOVAAS
The Most Oil-Addicted States ourfuture.org — The bottom line is that gasoline remains a commodity unlike most others. We have to use a lot of it, and there are few substitutes. The only way to break the habit is to adopt aggressive policies that generate more choices for consumers, in the forms of efficient cars and trucks, transportation alternatives like commuter rail, and new energy sources for our vehicles.
PAUL KRUGMAN
Another Temporary Fix nytimes.com — If the government is going to stand behind financial institutions, those institutions had better be carefully regulated — because otherwise the game of heads I win, tails you lose will be played more furiously than ever, at taxpayers' expense.
LAWRENCE SUMMERS
The Way Forward for Fannie and Freddie ft.com — Consider how much more problematic the Bear Stearns response would have been had policymakers signaled their commitment to back the company's liabilities without limit; left management in place with no change in the business model; and allowed dividends to be paid and shareholders to keep going with hope for a better tomorrow. Yet all of these elements are present in the cases of Fannie and Freddie.
DANA CHASIN
Caveat Taxpayer tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com — How can Congress and the administration make good on Henry Paulson's promise to protect taxpayers?
JARED BERNSTEIN
The Right Questions huffingtonpost.com — Thomas Pynchon said something like: if they get you asking the wrong questions, they don't need to worry about the answers. With so many aspects of our current economy in trouble, we find ourselves back in the midst of that great debate over government's role in the economy. The problem is, we risk answering the wrong questions.
KRISTIN BATEMAN The Economy's fundamentals are "strong"? Not really. tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com — Those who, like Bush and McCain, proudly tout the strength of the economy need to start paying attention to the actual experiences of ordinary Americans.
STEPHEN GARDNER
CNN's "Black in America" Misses the "Why" news.newamericamedia.org — In a country where racism is still alive, it is important for White America not only to see, but also to understand our story as well. For too long only a partial testament been given to the adversity that affects millions of our people on a daily basis.
MARY KANE
Race and the Housing Crisis washingtonindependent.com — Blacks and Latinos with identical credit are far more likely than whites to receive subprime loans.
DAVID SIROTA
Bill Kristol Needs to Get Out More It's pretty odd that Bill Kristol is a "national" commentator, when he so often writes like a local D.C. gossip columnist.
BILL SCHER
Weekend Watchdog Wrap-Up Despite the controversy surrounding Sen. John McCain's claim that the "surge" strategy created the "Anbar Awakening" of Iraqi Sunni militias turning against foreign Al Qaeda fighters, when the Awakening began before the surge was even proposed, ABC's This Week failed to ask him about the factual discrepancy.
Global Warming Heating Arctic Oil Cold War As a good liberal returning today from a vacation in Canada, I'm supposed to report back on the awesomeness of Canada for its health care. But I will not. Instead, I report to you about Canada's perverse attitude about Arctic oil drilling.
RICK PERLSTEIN
I Take No Pleasure in the Vindication (2) "Do Americans not hate each other enough to fanatsize about killing one another, in cold blood, over political and cultural disagreements?" Ask the parishioners of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.
How Dumb Can They Be? I noted that there's an outside chance Barack Obama would pick an E. coli conservative as his running mate. Today we learn that dollars to donuts, McCain will. E. coli conservative for Obama running mate? When we learned Barack Obama was floating the name of former Bush agriculture secretary Ann Veneman as a possible running mate, we checked into her past in the files of the food safety advocates at Consumer Federation of America.
Bill Kristol Needs to Get Out More It's pretty odd that Bill Kristol is a "national" commentator, when he so often writes like a local D.C. gossip columnist.
BILL SCHER
Weekend Watchdog Wrap-Up Despite the controversy surrounding Sen. John McCain's claim that the "surge" strategy created the "Anbar Awakening" of Iraqi Sunni militias turning against foreign Al Qaeda fighters, when the Awakening began before the surge was even proposed, ABC's This Week failed to ask him about the factual discrepancy.
Global Warming Heating Arctic Oil Cold War As a good liberal returning today from a vacation in Canada, I'm supposed to report back on the awesomeness of Canada for its health care. But I will not. Instead, I report to you about Canada's perverse attitude about Arctic oil drilling.
RICK PERLSTEIN
I Take No Pleasure in the Vindication (2) "Do Americans not hate each other enough to fanatsize about killing one another, in cold blood, over political and cultural disagreements?" Ask the parishioners of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.
How Dumb Can They Be? I noted that there's an outside chance Barack Obama would pick an E. coli conservative as his running mate. Today we learn that dollars to donuts, McCain will. E. coli conservative for Obama running mate? When we learned Barack Obama was floating the name of former Bush agriculture secretary Ann Veneman as a possible running mate, we checked into her past in the files of the food safety advocates at Consumer Federation of America.
Caving To The Right On Affirmative Action
On ABC News's This Week yesterday, host George Stephanopoulos asked Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) about how "opponents of affirmative action" in his home state of Arizona are pushing a ballot initiative "that would do away" with the equal opportunity program. "Do you support that?" asked Stephanopoulos. "Yes, I do," replied McCain, adding that he had "not seen the details of some of these proposals," but that he's "always opposed quotas." Asked again specifically about "the one here in Arizona," McCain responded, "I support it, yes." McCain's support for the current anti-affirmative action initiative is a reversal of the stance he took in 1998 when Arizona previously considered a similar referendum. At the time, McCain said that "rather than engage in divisive ballot initiatives, we must have a dialogue and cooperation and mutual efforts together to provide every child in America to fulfill their expectations." Caught off-guard by McCain's reversal on equal opportunity, his own spokesman Tucker Bounds struggled to explain the contradictory stances to ABC News, saying, "I do not have a firm enough grasp on the historical and relevant context of McCain's remark in 1998 to give you the pushback that this question deserves." Later, the McCain campaign "refused to say whether it stands by the candidate's announcement that he supports the ballot initiative," instead saying in a statement that McCain "has always been opposed to government-mandated hiring quotas."
WHAT MCCAIN IS BACKING: In his interview with Stephanopoulos, McCain justified his support for the Arizona initiative by saying, "I do not believe in quotas." But the effort to dismantle equal opportunity in Arizona has nothing to do with quotas, which were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court 30 years ago. The proposed amendment to the Arizona's constitution, which is being pushed by the Arizona Civil Rights Initiative, seeks to "prohibit preferential treatment or discrimination" by Arizona governmental entities "based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting." "The initiative is part of a nationwide attempt by Ward Connerly to have governmental affirmative action policies eliminated." Connerly's anti-affirmative action initiatives are set to capitalize on the "tensions of race, class, and ethnicity" stirred up by anti-immigrant efforts. Connerly, who successfully outlawed affirmative action in California, is also supporting initiatives in Colorado and Nebraska. On CNN's Late Edition yesterday, McCain declined to take a position on the Colorado initiative, saying, "I'm not familiar with the referendum." The language of Connerly's Colorado amendment is essentially the same as the Arizona amendment McCain endorsed on ABC.
MCCAIN'S RECORD ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: As many news outlets have pointed out, McCain's embrace of Arizona's anti-affirmative action ballot initiative stands in opposition to his record on equal opportunity. Not only has McCain previously resisted state-level efforts to dismantle affirmative action, as he did in 1998, but he has also defended such programs on the federal level. In 1998, McCain worked with Democrats to defeat an amendment that would have ended a program that sought "to give 10 percent of all Federally financed highway contracts to companies owned by minorities and women." In 1999, while speaking at the Unity convention, McCain declared, "I'm in favor of affirmative action and I support it." He reiterated this support as recently as April 2008, telling reporters in Ohio, "all of us are for affirmative action to try to give assistance to those who need it, whether it be African-American or other groups of Americans that need it."
BENDING TO RIGHT-WING PRESSURE?: Throughout the election season, conservatives have been pressuring McCain to get behind their efforts to dismantle affirmative action. In June, after McCain's campaign repeatedly refused to take a position on the initiatives, Connerly told ABC News that it would help McCain politically to support the initiatives. McCain should say, "I believe that our country is at its best when it treats everybody as an equal and I have read these initiatives and they do precisely that," said Connerly. Other conservatives have been calling for McCain to back Connerly as well. In April, hardline right winger Pat Buchanan published a column wondering "where does McCain stand." Writing on the National Review's blog, Center for Equal Opportunity President Roger Clegg asked rhetorically of McCain, "[D]o you favor the ballot initiatives" and "Do you support the anti-preference plank in the 2004 Republican platform?" Reacting to McCain's ABC interview, Politico's Jonathan Martin wrote that McCain's answers on affirmative action and gay adoption are indicative of the fact that he has a "lack of interest in cultural issues," but that he knows there are positions he is "supposed to take" in order to please the conservative base. With his support of the Arizona referendum, McCain has now pleased one part of this base. Clegg responded by declaring, "Kudos to John McCain."
IRAQ -- REPORT SAYS MILLIONS WASTED BY CONTRACTORS ON FAILING PROJECTS: The U.S. government paid $142 million for prison and other infrastructure in Iraq to a contractor who only completed a third of the work, according to a new report by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR). The Pasadena-based Parsons received $142 million as part of a contract valued up to $900 million to build prisons, fire and police facilities, courthouses, and border stations in Iraq, but only completed a fraction of projects. The SIGIR report revealed that "millions of dollars in waste are likely associated with incomplete, terminated and abandoned projects" and nearly 43 percent of disbursed funds "were spent on projects that were either terminated or canceled." Parsons' record in Iraq has been marked by extensive waste and mismanagement. A January SIGIR report showed that Parsons' failures "touched on nearly every aspect of the company's operation in the country" and were enabled by a "confluence of shortfalls," including "weak oversight, unrealistic schedules, a failure to report problems in a timely fashion and poor supervision." Parsons was also responsible for repairing the Baghdad Police College, but the building was left crumbling and with "ceilings still stained with excrement" more than a year after Parsons promised Congress it would fix the building.
VETERANS -- SUICIDE HOTLINE RECEIVES 250 CALLS PER DAY: One year after the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) set up its first suicide hotline for veterans, the AP reports that "more than 22,000 veterans have sought help" and "1,221 suicides have been averted, the government says." The VA "estimates that every year 6,500 veterans take their own lives" and "four to five of them are under VA care." The VA's hotline comes after "years of criticism that the VA wasn't doing enough to help wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan." Last April, a group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans brought a class action lawsuit against the VA, arguing "that failure to provide care is manifesting itself in an epidemic of suicides" among veterans. Around the same time, CBS News reported that the VA "apparently concealed veteran suicide statistics, and fed the news organization faulty data for a story on the issue." In May, VoteVets.org and the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington revealed that the VA encouraged "staff to refrain from diagnosing soldiers and veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."
IRAQ -- PETRAEUS REJECTS IRAQI GOVERNMENT'S CALL FOR U.S. WITHDRAWAL: Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called for a 16-month timetable for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. The Bush administration quickly rejected the timetable, strong-arming Maliki to retract his statement. McClatchy reports that Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. top commander in Iraq, said in an interview that the situation in Iraq is too volatile to "project out, and to then try to plant a flag on, a particular date." He added, "There are a lot of storm clouds out there, there are lots of these possible lightning bolts. You just don't know what it could be. You try to anticipate them and you try to react very quickly. ... It's all there, but it's not something you want to lay out publicly." Despite the administration's rejection of the sovereign Iraqi government's requests, Iraqis have remained firm in their calls for withdrawal. Iraqi government spokesman Ali Al-Dabbagh recently reiterated that the government wanted a withdrawal of U.S. troops by 2010.
VETERANS -- SUICIDE HOTLINE RECEIVES 250 CALLS PER DAY: One year after the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) set up its first suicide hotline for veterans, the AP reports that "more than 22,000 veterans have sought help" and "1,221 suicides have been averted, the government says." The VA "estimates that every year 6,500 veterans take their own lives" and "four to five of them are under VA care." The VA's hotline comes after "years of criticism that the VA wasn't doing enough to help wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan." Last April, a group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans brought a class action lawsuit against the VA, arguing "that failure to provide care is manifesting itself in an epidemic of suicides" among veterans. Around the same time, CBS News reported that the VA "apparently concealed veteran suicide statistics, and fed the news organization faulty data for a story on the issue." In May, VoteVets.org and the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington revealed that the VA encouraged "staff to refrain from diagnosing soldiers and veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."
IRAQ -- PETRAEUS REJECTS IRAQI GOVERNMENT'S CALL FOR U.S. WITHDRAWAL: Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called for a 16-month timetable for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. The Bush administration quickly rejected the timetable, strong-arming Maliki to retract his statement. McClatchy reports that Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. top commander in Iraq, said in an interview that the situation in Iraq is too volatile to "project out, and to then try to plant a flag on, a particular date." He added, "There are a lot of storm clouds out there, there are lots of these possible lightning bolts. You just don't know what it could be. You try to anticipate them and you try to react very quickly. ... It's all there, but it's not something you want to lay out publicly." Despite the administration's rejection of the sovereign Iraqi government's requests, Iraqis have remained firm in their calls for withdrawal. Iraqi government spokesman Ali Al-Dabbagh recently reiterated that the government wanted a withdrawal of U.S. troops by 2010.
The Triumph of the Anti-Bush - Erich Follath, Der Spiegelhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133235.html
China's Bold New Nationalism - Simon Tisdall, The Guardianhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133208.html
Did Obama Wear Out His Welcome? - Dan Schnur, New York Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133236.html
Obama's Trip Has Dealt Him New Cards - Michael Tomasky, The Guardianhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133186.html
Kumbaya Falls Flat in Berlin - Star Parker, Townhall1
Go Ahead, Laugh at Obama - Byron York, National Review Online1
Why McCain Needs a Laptop - Anna Quindlen, Newsweekhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133237.html
How Important Was the Surge? - The American Prospecthttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133188.html
Start Drilling Now to Lower Oil, Gas Prices - Kevin Hassett, Bloomberghttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133247.html
Obama In Iraq's Quicksand - Peter Wehner, Commentaryhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133189.html
'Most Liberal' Rankings Are a Crock - Josh Patashnik, The New Republichttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133190.html
Rush: The Engine of Conservatism - Mark Levin, Human Eventshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133209.html
The Commentariat Russert Leaves Behind - Kurt Andersen, NY Magazine
China's Bold New Nationalism - Simon Tisdall, The Guardianhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133208.html
Did Obama Wear Out His Welcome? - Dan Schnur, New York Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133236.html
Obama's Trip Has Dealt Him New Cards - Michael Tomasky, The Guardianhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133186.html
Kumbaya Falls Flat in Berlin - Star Parker, Townhall1
Go Ahead, Laugh at Obama - Byron York, National Review Online1
Why McCain Needs a Laptop - Anna Quindlen, Newsweekhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133237.html
How Important Was the Surge? - The American Prospecthttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133188.html
Start Drilling Now to Lower Oil, Gas Prices - Kevin Hassett, Bloomberghttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133247.html
Obama In Iraq's Quicksand - Peter Wehner, Commentaryhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133189.html
'Most Liberal' Rankings Are a Crock - Josh Patashnik, The New Republichttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133190.html
Rush: The Engine of Conservatism - Mark Levin, Human Eventshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133209.html
The Commentariat Russert Leaves Behind - Kurt Andersen, NY Magazine
Obama Stars Abroad, McCain Stumbles at Home - Al Hunt, Bloomberg2
A Hug for Obama, a Handshake for McCain - John Harwood, NY Times1
How McCain Could Win Undecideds - Peter Brown, Wall Street Journal1
Obama Goes Global - Hendrik Hertzberg, The New Yorkerhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132755.html
A Deadlock-Proof Democratic Majority? - William Kristol, New York Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132756.html
Can McCain Back Into the Presidency? - Robert Novak, Chicago Sun-Times459
Obama's Reagan Moment - Louisa Thomas, Newsweekhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132757.html
A Defining Week for the Congress - Rep. John Boehner, RealClearPolitics110
Obama Must Outline New Compact With Middle East - Greg Scoblete, RCP62
Unfinished Business at Freddie, Fannie - Larry Summers, Washington Posthttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132758.html
Another Temporary Fix - Paul Krugman, New York Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132759.html
Rewriting Reagan, Again - Ralph Reiland, Pittsburgh Tribune-Reviewhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132760.html
Why Obama Seized the Faith-Based Mantle - Amy Sullivan, USA Todayhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132761.html
Evangelicals Being Snookered By Obama - David Bass, American Spectator2
How Separate Must Church & State Be? - Barry Lynn, Philadelphia Inquirer5
Dems Try to Break the Grip of Senate's 'Dr. No' - Carl Hulse, NY Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132791.html
In Russia, 'Legal Nihilism' as Usual - Jackson Diehl, Washington Posthttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132763.html
How to Get the Biggest Bang for 10 Billion Bucks - Bjorn Lomborg, WSJ2
Those Who Leak Classified Data Should Be Punished - Mike McConnell, USA Todayhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132768.html
Economics Doesn't Lie - Guy Sorman, City Journal
A Hug for Obama, a Handshake for McCain - John Harwood, NY Times1
How McCain Could Win Undecideds - Peter Brown, Wall Street Journal1
Obama Goes Global - Hendrik Hertzberg, The New Yorkerhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132755.html
A Deadlock-Proof Democratic Majority? - William Kristol, New York Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132756.html
Can McCain Back Into the Presidency? - Robert Novak, Chicago Sun-Times459
Obama's Reagan Moment - Louisa Thomas, Newsweekhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132757.html
A Defining Week for the Congress - Rep. John Boehner, RealClearPolitics110
Obama Must Outline New Compact With Middle East - Greg Scoblete, RCP62
Unfinished Business at Freddie, Fannie - Larry Summers, Washington Posthttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132758.html
Another Temporary Fix - Paul Krugman, New York Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132759.html
Rewriting Reagan, Again - Ralph Reiland, Pittsburgh Tribune-Reviewhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132760.html
Why Obama Seized the Faith-Based Mantle - Amy Sullivan, USA Todayhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132761.html
Evangelicals Being Snookered By Obama - David Bass, American Spectator2
How Separate Must Church & State Be? - Barry Lynn, Philadelphia Inquirer5
Dems Try to Break the Grip of Senate's 'Dr. No' - Carl Hulse, NY Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132791.html
In Russia, 'Legal Nihilism' as Usual - Jackson Diehl, Washington Posthttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132763.html
How to Get the Biggest Bang for 10 Billion Bucks - Bjorn Lomborg, WSJ2
Those Who Leak Classified Data Should Be Punished - Mike McConnell, USA Todayhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/132768.html
Economics Doesn't Lie - Guy Sorman, City Journal
Known Unknowns About Obama - Richard Cohen, Washington Post
'Active Grannies' the New Soccer Moms - Mark Penn, The Politico
On Barack Obama's Message - Jay Cost, RealClearPolitics
How Boxing Explains John McCain - Michael Crowley, The New Republic
Obamanomics Is a Recipe for Recession - Michael Boskin, Wall St. Journal
Harsher Tone is Risky for McCain - Reid Wilson, RealClearPolitics
Congress Lays Ground for 2009 - Jay Newton-Small, Time
Coburn's Cognition - David Keene, The Hill
Democrats Should Give 'Blue Dogs' the Boot - Glenn Greenwald, Salon
Our Weakening Country - Rep. Pete Hoekstra, The Politico
Another Blow To Justice - Jamie Gorelick, Washington Post
Our First Transnational President? - Rich Lowry, New York Post
Why the Surge Hasn't Hurt Obama Campaign - Christopher Hitchens, Slate
Fed Debate Heats Up Over Rising Inflation Risk - John Berry, Bloomberg
The Lure of the Great Cliché of China - Gideon Rachman, Financial Times
Education: The Biggest Issue - David Brooks, New York Times
'The Hour of Europe' Tolls Again - Anne Applebaum, Slate
'Active Grannies' the New Soccer Moms - Mark Penn, The Politico
On Barack Obama's Message - Jay Cost, RealClearPolitics
How Boxing Explains John McCain - Michael Crowley, The New Republic
Obamanomics Is a Recipe for Recession - Michael Boskin, Wall St. Journal
Harsher Tone is Risky for McCain - Reid Wilson, RealClearPolitics
Congress Lays Ground for 2009 - Jay Newton-Small, Time
Coburn's Cognition - David Keene, The Hill
Democrats Should Give 'Blue Dogs' the Boot - Glenn Greenwald, Salon
Our Weakening Country - Rep. Pete Hoekstra, The Politico
Another Blow To Justice - Jamie Gorelick, Washington Post
Our First Transnational President? - Rich Lowry, New York Post
Why the Surge Hasn't Hurt Obama Campaign - Christopher Hitchens, Slate
Fed Debate Heats Up Over Rising Inflation Risk - John Berry, Bloomberg
The Lure of the Great Cliché of China - Gideon Rachman, Financial Times
Education: The Biggest Issue - David Brooks, New York Times
'The Hour of Europe' Tolls Again - Anne Applebaum, Slate
Editorials
Why Terror Thrives - Jerusalem Post
Washington's Reckless Fiscal Policies - Los Angeles Times
Playing Politics at Justice Department - Boston Herald
Mr. Novak Takes Leave - Washington Post
Political News & Analysis
McCain Insists He Gets Technology - San Francisco Chronicle
Kaine 'Very, Very High' on VP Shortlist - The Politico
McCain Has Piece of Skin Removed - Los Angeles Times
Candidates Blast Bush's Economic Oversight - USA Today
Transcripts & Speeches
Interview with John McCain - Larry King Live
Interview with Gov. Charlie Crist - Hannity & Colmes
July 28 White House Press Briefing - The White House
McCain on "This Week" - This Week
Obama on "Meet the Press" - Meet the Press
Best of the Blogs
Sebelius, Kaine, Bayh, Biden - Marc Ambinder, Atlantic
Poor Conditions for Withdrawal - Daniel Larison, Daily Dish
Tom and Huckabee - Nate Silver, FiveThirtyEight
Dems Wage Purity War Against Moderates - AJ Strata, Strata-Sphere
A Surprising Leak by the Obama Campaign? - John Hinderaker, Power Line
Can McCain Back Into the Presidency?
- Robert Novak, Chicago Sun-Times
Go Ahead, Laugh at Obama
- Byron York, National Review Online
Did Obama Wear Out His Welcome?
- Dan Schnur, New York Times
A Deadlock-Proof Democratic Majority?
- William Kristol, New York Times
- Robert Novak, Chicago Sun-Times
Go Ahead, Laugh at Obama
- Byron York, National Review Online
Did Obama Wear Out His Welcome?
- Dan Schnur, New York Times
A Deadlock-Proof Democratic Majority?
- William Kristol, New York Times
Suicide Spreads as One Solution to the Debt Crisis
By Barbara Ehrenreich, Barbaraehrenreich.com
Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace: In a culture where credit rating is the key measure of self-worth, the increasing response to huge debts is "Just shoot me!"
Forget the Surge -- Violence Is Down in Iraq Because Ethnic Cleansing Was Brutally Effective
Juan Cole, JuanCole.com
War on Iraq: The bloodbath in Baghdad has resulted in fewer ethnically mixed neighborhoods, leading to the recent drop in violence.
Offshore Drilling: We Have a Choice of Simple Confusion or Outright Lies
Adam Siegel, AlterNet
Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace: The Democrats are merely a little confused about how to address America's energy crisis. The Republicans simply lie about it.
Are We Facing Just Another Market Problem or a System Collapse?Danny Schechter, AlterNet
Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace: Even as foreclosures double, and the price of gas and food rises sharply, it's been business as usual in newspapers and in Washington.
McCain Campaign Smears Have Limited Target Audience: the Media
by Steve Benen, The Carpetbagger Report - 5:51 AM
Justice Dept. Candidates were Quizzed: "What is it about Bush that makes you want to serve him?"
by Brad, Sadly No! - 5:12 AM
Lavena Johnson Was Raped and Murdered: Then the Army Covered It Up
by Jane Hamsher, Firedoglake - 4:54 PM
What Could Possibly Be More Important Than Healthcare?
by Todd Beeton, MyDD.com - 3:51 PM
Is the U.S. Planting Evidence to Help Fight the Left in Latin America?
by Revolter, BoRev - 2:53 PM
The U.S. Should Never Deny the Right to Education. So Why Are We?
by Christina Jimenez, Drum Major Institute -
How Important Was the Surge?
Dylan Matthews and Ezra Klein
July 28, 2008 | web only
There's no doubt that the past year has seen a dramatic drop in Iraqi violence, and real gains in stability.
But was the surge the only, or even the main, factor creating this stability? To find out, TAP Online asked a dozen-or-so Iraq experts, from all sides of the political spectrum.
(AP Photo/Greg Baker)
Dylan Matthews and Ezra Klein
July 28, 2008 | web only
There's no doubt that the past year has seen a dramatic drop in Iraqi violence, and real gains in stability.
But was the surge the only, or even the main, factor creating this stability? To find out, TAP Online asked a dozen-or-so Iraq experts, from all sides of the political spectrum.
(AP Photo/Greg Baker)
The group blog of The American Prospect
Can white journalists judge McCain objectively?[/color]
Posted at 5:09 p.m.
A respectable liberal blog
Things you'll learn on page A3 of the Wall Street Journal today.
Posted at 4:42 p.m.
Dean Baker's economic commentary
[color="#800000"]Ben Stein says everything is fine.
Posted at 10:14 a.m.
Did I Mention That I'm Noble?
Michael J. O'Shea
Is it 297 or 643 times we've heard Barack Obama toot: "I turned down more lucrative jobs and went to work for a group of churches"? More
Meet Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Jim H. Ainsworth
Who are these folks? With such nice, friendly, down-home sounding names, I expect they are really wonderful people. As a native Texan, I automatically like people who answer to two first names. More
The Third Lebanon War
Mark Silverberg
There is something to be learned from the frenzied love-fest given in Beirut in mid-July to the most notorious of the Lebanese prisoners released by Israel. More
Michael J. O'Shea
Is it 297 or 643 times we've heard Barack Obama toot: "I turned down more lucrative jobs and went to work for a group of churches"? More
Meet Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Jim H. Ainsworth
Who are these folks? With such nice, friendly, down-home sounding names, I expect they are really wonderful people. As a native Texan, I automatically like people who answer to two first names. More
The Third Lebanon War
Mark Silverberg
There is something to be learned from the frenzied love-fest given in Beirut in mid-July to the most notorious of the Lebanese prisoners released by Israel. More
Did the Obama campaign 'play' Judaism's most holy spot
July 29, 2008
Maariv, the Israeli newspaper that was criticized for publishing the note Obama left in the Western Wall (the "Wailing Wall"), now claims the note was leaked to it by the Obama campaign. More
Taliban fractures
July 28, 2008
Last year we predicted that some Taliban tribes would split from al Qaeda and jockey for position to align with the Pakistan government. It's happening. More
How to twist the news
July 28, 2008
The Associated Press frames a story about a shooter to make it look like he must be a conservative More
A John Edwards infomercial via PBS
July 28, 2008
John Edwards has a new infomercial being broadcast on PBS's "NOW"! Sponsored unwittingly by taxpayers, it was taped before the scandal over his alleged "love child" broke More
Meanwhile in Waziristan
July 28, 2008
AJ Strata faithfully watches what happens across the Pakistan border in the lawless Waziristan where Bin Laden is believed to be hiding. More
Iran's 'preconditions' to meet with a President Obama
July 28, 2008
Obama might not have any preconditions but the Iranians aren't that stupid More
Obama ad surge a bust
July 28, 2008
After spending millions of dollars in key battleground states this summer, it appears that Barack Obama has not improved his numbers in any substantial way More
Progress comes to 'progressive' Berkeley
July 28, 2008
Something useful is getting done in Berkeley, despite the bets efforts of the Banana crowd (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone). More
Imposing Educational Outcomes
July 28, 2008
Two articles in the last week indicate just how far some attitudes about education have shifted away from something students work for and toward it being a birthright, an entitlement. More
Minority journalists give Obama a standing O
July 28, 2008
Despite their worries about unseemly displays of affection for a politician whose campaign they must cover, the minority journalists assembled at the "Unity" convention in Chicago managed to behave themselves better than in earlier sessions. More
Al-Qaeda on the ropes but still a danger
July 28, 2008
Their organization has been smashed but al-Qeada proved today that they are still capable of mounting a coordianted suicide attack on Iraqi civilians. More
McCain comes out against Racial Preferences
July 28, 2008
Banning racial preferences could turn into a winning issue for McCain More
July 29, 2008
Maariv, the Israeli newspaper that was criticized for publishing the note Obama left in the Western Wall (the "Wailing Wall"), now claims the note was leaked to it by the Obama campaign. More
Taliban fractures
July 28, 2008
Last year we predicted that some Taliban tribes would split from al Qaeda and jockey for position to align with the Pakistan government. It's happening. More
How to twist the news
July 28, 2008
The Associated Press frames a story about a shooter to make it look like he must be a conservative More
A John Edwards infomercial via PBS
July 28, 2008
John Edwards has a new infomercial being broadcast on PBS's "NOW"! Sponsored unwittingly by taxpayers, it was taped before the scandal over his alleged "love child" broke More
Meanwhile in Waziristan
July 28, 2008
AJ Strata faithfully watches what happens across the Pakistan border in the lawless Waziristan where Bin Laden is believed to be hiding. More
Iran's 'preconditions' to meet with a President Obama
July 28, 2008
Obama might not have any preconditions but the Iranians aren't that stupid More
Obama ad surge a bust
July 28, 2008
After spending millions of dollars in key battleground states this summer, it appears that Barack Obama has not improved his numbers in any substantial way More
Progress comes to 'progressive' Berkeley
July 28, 2008
Something useful is getting done in Berkeley, despite the bets efforts of the Banana crowd (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone). More
Imposing Educational Outcomes
July 28, 2008
Two articles in the last week indicate just how far some attitudes about education have shifted away from something students work for and toward it being a birthright, an entitlement. More
Minority journalists give Obama a standing O
July 28, 2008
Despite their worries about unseemly displays of affection for a politician whose campaign they must cover, the minority journalists assembled at the "Unity" convention in Chicago managed to behave themselves better than in earlier sessions. More
Al-Qaeda on the ropes but still a danger
July 28, 2008
Their organization has been smashed but al-Qeada proved today that they are still capable of mounting a coordianted suicide attack on Iraqi civilians. More
McCain comes out against Racial Preferences
July 28, 2008
Banning racial preferences could turn into a winning issue for McCain More
Coburn's Cognition - David Keene, The Hillhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133503.html
Congress Lays Ground for 2009 - Jay Newton-Small, Timehttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133504.html
Democrats Should Give 'Blue Dogs' the Boot - Glenn Greenwald, Salonhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133526.html
What Has Obama Accomplished? - Richard Cohen, Washington Post120
On Barack Obama's Message - Jay Cost, RealClearPolitics1
How Boxing Explains John McCain - Michael Crowley, The New Republichttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133506.html
Obamanomics Is a Recipe for Recession - Michael Boskin, Wall St. Journalhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133507.html
'Active Grannies' the New Soccer Moms - Mark Penn, The Politicohttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133508.html
Harsher Tone is Risky for McCain - Reid Wilson, RealClearPolitics14
Why the Surge Hasn't Hurt Obama Campaign - Christopher Hitchens, Slatehttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133509.html
Our First Transnational President? - Rich Lowry, New York Post6
'The Hour of Europe' Tolls Again - Anne Applebaum, Slatehttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133510.html
Education: The Biggest Issue - David Brooks, New York Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133511.html
Our Weakening Country - Rep. Pete Hoekstra, The Politicohttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133512.html
Another Blow To Justice - Jamie Gorelick, Washington Posthttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133513.html
The Lure of the Great Cliché of China - Gideon Rachman, Financial Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133527.html
Fed Debate Heats Up Over Rising Inflation Risk - John Berry, Bloomberg
Congress Lays Ground for 2009 - Jay Newton-Small, Timehttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133504.html
Democrats Should Give 'Blue Dogs' the Boot - Glenn Greenwald, Salonhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133526.html
What Has Obama Accomplished? - Richard Cohen, Washington Post120
On Barack Obama's Message - Jay Cost, RealClearPolitics1
How Boxing Explains John McCain - Michael Crowley, The New Republichttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133506.html
Obamanomics Is a Recipe for Recession - Michael Boskin, Wall St. Journalhttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133507.html
'Active Grannies' the New Soccer Moms - Mark Penn, The Politicohttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133508.html
Harsher Tone is Risky for McCain - Reid Wilson, RealClearPolitics14
Why the Surge Hasn't Hurt Obama Campaign - Christopher Hitchens, Slatehttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133509.html
Our First Transnational President? - Rich Lowry, New York Post6
'The Hour of Europe' Tolls Again - Anne Applebaum, Slatehttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133510.html
Education: The Biggest Issue - David Brooks, New York Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133511.html
Our Weakening Country - Rep. Pete Hoekstra, The Politicohttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133512.html
Another Blow To Justice - Jamie Gorelick, Washington Posthttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133513.html
The Lure of the Great Cliché of China - Gideon Rachman, Financial Timeshttp://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/42323/133527.html
Fed Debate Heats Up Over Rising Inflation Risk - John Berry, Bloomberg
End the Occupation of Iraq - and Afghanistan
by: Marjorie Cohn, t r u t h o u t | Perspective
OPINION
A Step Backward for Voting System Transparency
by: Pamela Smith, Verified Voting Foundation
by: Marjorie Cohn, t r u t h o u t | Perspective
OPINION
A Step Backward for Voting System Transparency
by: Pamela Smith, Verified Voting Foundation
Obama’s War
Posted by Patrick J. Buchanan on July 29, 2008 / Comments (5) “We have to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in,” says Barack Obama of the U.S. war in Iraq. Wise counsel. But is Barack taking his own advice? For he pledges to shift two U.S. combat brigades, 10,000 troops, out of Iraq and into Afghanistan, raising American forces in that country from 33,000 to 43,000. Why does … [Read More]
How Boxing Explains John McCain
by Michael Crowley
Why That 'New Yorker' Cover Wasn't As Bad As 'Newsweek''s Obama-Praying Cover
by Leon Wieseltier
What Happens When An Israel Staffer Takes Arabic Classes At The U.N.?
by Gregory Levey
by Michael Crowley
Why That 'New Yorker' Cover Wasn't As Bad As 'Newsweek''s Obama-Praying Cover
by Leon Wieseltier
What Happens When An Israel Staffer Takes Arabic Classes At The U.N.?
by Gregory Levey
How Did The American City Reinvent Itself? By Becoming The Suburbs.
by Alan Ehrenhalt
Why The 'Most Liberal' Rankings Are A Crock
by Josh Patashnik
Justice Will Not Be Truly Served In Bosnia Until We Apply Its Lessons To Darfur
by The Editors
What Are We To Do When The Truth Is A Moving Target?
by Simon Blackburn
by Alan Ehrenhalt
Why The 'Most Liberal' Rankings Are A Crock
by Josh Patashnik
Justice Will Not Be Truly Served In Bosnia Until We Apply Its Lessons To Darfur
by The Editors
What Are We To Do When The Truth Is A Moving Target?
by Simon Blackburn
Olympic Choices 
by Doug Bandow French President Nicolas Sarkozy has backed down from an earlier pledge to boycott the Beijing Olympics. And with good reason—it's too late now for that to change much of anything for the better. 
Obama the Sophisticate by Jacob Heilbrunn Obama might not have solved the world's problems, but he did thwart McCain's attempts to label him as a foreign-policy naïf. But can Obama actually deliver what he is promising?