Archive for January 2007
The monthlies.
In the News
- My wife and I have been purchasing energy-efficient light bulbs for the past year now. And pretty soon, we will have to, as California may be “the first [state] to ban incandescent lightbulbs.“ – The Iraq war and you… “There is widening concern among Republicans that [the war] could hurt their party’s electoral prospects [...]
Currently Reading
I’ve finished reading Tobias Wolff’s novel, which had an ending I didn’t see coming. Actually, the first eighty percent of the book is so different, plot-wise, than the last twenty percent, it was as if I were reading a whole different book altogether. Good, nonetheless. Recommended. (Plus, there are some pretty cool callouts of the [...]
When Uniforms Aren’t Necessary
There are two things I don’t understand about professional sports. Why football players have to wear their uniforms for Super Bowl media day… Image: Yahoo! They look like idiots. And why baseball managers have to wear uniforms… Image: Answers.com Especially considering that managers used to dress more appropriately… Image: Baseball Hall of Fame
Early Evening Politoon
Mike Luckovich on a sinking ship’s captain… Image: Yahoo!
Fixing Pro Football
Every now and then (it seems like an annual occurrence), I blog about how to fix baseball. Well, with the Super Bowl upon us, allow me to turn my eyes towards fixing professional football, namely the National Football League (or NFL). Or, as I like to refer to it, the American Football Junior League, because [...]
TV Guide
I hope the term “TV Guide” isn’t trademarked. The best show on television — hands down — is ‘House.’ And I realize that it airs on the Fox network, but so do ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Family Guy,’ so there is quality in there, somewhere. A couple months ago, journalist-turned-blogger Jake Tapper asked what shows we [...]
In the News
- Congress is investigating the Bush administration’s role in the fact that “two in five climate scientists complained that some of their scientific papers had been edited in a way that changed their meaning.” Global warming is a summer problem, not a winter one. – The first person to respond to Cheney’s Iraq war challenge [...]
In the News… Do You Heart Huckabee?
- The person with the worst possible (presidential) name has joined the circus as “former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, the onetime Southern Baptist minister, announced plans to form a presidential exploratory committee.” President Huckabee. Eep. – Is Bush’s plan to escalate our presence in Iraq in order to engage Iran? Is that too cynical? “If [...]
Bush At All-Time Low: 30%
The cream always rises to the top… “The president’s approval ratings are at their lowest point in the poll’s history—30 percent—and more than half the country (58 percent) say they wish the Bush presidency were simply over.” Ouch. What could possibly save this presidency? An end to the Iraq war? Unfortunately, it is not going [...]
Berkeley Organic Grocery
A week or so ago, I ventured into an organic grocery in Berkeley, the first time I had actually done so (despite living here for more than four-and-a-half years; although, I have been to several farmer’s markets where there is plenty of organic produce sold). I had my camera-phone in hand… A view from the [...]
In the News
- John McCain “would be the oldest person ever inaugurated as president.” That is not a good thing. – The president calls Congress’ bluff: “I’ve picked the plan that I think is most likely to succeed [in Iraq].” Famous last words… – And “there are about 24,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the highest number since [...]
Early Afternoon Politoon
Nick Anderson on Bush’s call for alternative energy… Image: Washington Post
In the News
- The House GOP is upset at how they are being treated. My sympathies. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this trying time. – Heavily-populated states California, New Jersey, Florida and Illinois are likely moving their primaries up in the year, greatly altering the nomination process. Being known early will be a plus; [...]
2008: JFK No More
Was my advice really all that bad? Because no one is listening. First, Obama and Clinton enter the 2008 cattle call, and now John Kerry has opted out. What’s next? Al Gore wins an Oscar for his documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth,’ withdraws from 2008 contention, and instead, teams up with Spielberg and crew, helps to [...]
Quote of the Day
Senator Chuck Hagel (of Nebraska), a possible candidate for president (and one of only a handful of Republicans that liberals, even me, would consider voting for), on Bush’s plans for escalating the war in Iraq… “There is no strategy. This is a pingpong game with American lives. These young men and women that we put [...]
SOTU Response Response
And now, the reyonthehill response to the Democratic response to the State of the Union… Yea, what he said.
SOTU Response
And now, the reyonthehill response to the State of the Union… Two things caught me as interesting last night. (1) Bush quoting known enemies of the United States, the deceased Zarqawi and the alive-and-plotting-well bin Laden; and (2) Bush listing potential terrorist attacks that were successfully prevented. Quoting madmen only gives in to the terrorists. [...]
In the News
- All the President’s Men 2… “The former vice presidential aide charged with perjury was ‘set up’ by the White House to protect political strategist Karl Rove during a CIA leak investigation.” Maybe this one would win the Academy Award, unlike the original, when ‘Rocky’ won in 1976. – “President George W. Bush will ask [...]
Another Day, Another SOTU, Another Healthcare Proposal
In Bush’s first State of the Union address (delivered February 27, 2001), the newly-appointed president outlined his administration’s plan for health care… “My budget puts a priority on access to health care, without telling Americans what doctor they have to see or what coverage they must choose. Many working Americans do not have health care [...]
Morning Politoon
Tom Toles on the spirit (and state) of bipartisanship in Washington… Image: Washington Post
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