How Is McChrystal Doing at Fulfilling His Plan?
As Rachel Maddow pointed out last night, this isn't the first time that Stanley McChrystal has been insubordinate. He--or his aides--have mouthed off to the press on two earlier occasions without getting fired.
As Rachel mentions, the first…
$15,000 a Truck Protection Payments to the Taliban
As we wait with bated breath to find out whether Obama or Stanley McChrystal wins this little war of big ego, some of the discussion has been focused on whether Obama can succeed in Afghanistan without McChrystal's leadership (particularly given…
Obama Drilling Moratorium Overturned In Curious Court Decision
The breaking news this hour is the decision of Judge Martin L. C. Feldman of the Eastern District of Louisiana to grant a preliminary injunction to the moving plaintiff oil and gas interests and against the Obama Administration's six month moratorium on deepwater drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a bad decision.
Ill-Considered Trash Talk McChrystal's Idea of Winning Hearts and Minds
Politico reports that Stanley McChrystal saw today's big Rolling Stone article before it was published but didn't object to anything in it (and the Hill reports there was even more devastating trash talk that was off the record).
Rolling Stone’s…
Joe Biden, Another Big Fucking I Told You So
The Toobz are a-tizzy this morning with a Rolling Stone article revealing that Stanley McChrystal said mean things about Joe Biden--both publicly and behind his back.
Last fall, during the question-and-answer session following a speech he gave…
Should We Prosecute Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal Now?
The Supreme Court today ruled largely with the government in a case broadly interpreting the material support statute.
At issue was whether human rights groups could work with organizations on the Foreign Terrorist Organization list in pursuit…
Negotiation 101: How to Get Corporations to Do What You Want
I just got back from driving across the rust belt – Syracuse, Buffalo, Cleveland, Toledo, MI – and am catching up on all the interesting conversations you've been having this week while I was celebrating my mom's birthday (thanks, once again,…
The Well Oiled Man Hayward Goes Yachting As Gulf of Mexico Dies
Big Shot Tony Hayward goes yacht clubbing with his sleek racing sloop, the "Bob", in the posh and prestigious J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Isle of Wight Race while the Gulf of Mexico dies from his gushing Macondo well.
The Sartorial Splendor of NYTimes Professionals (MoDo) at Work
Jim Risen castigates and slams bloggers with the tired and idiotic meme of being pajama clad dilettantes while fellow star New York Times journalists cover Federal court dressed as bag ladies. Go figure.
Lanny Davis Fudges and Shills His Way Through Another Op-Ed
Lanny Davis has an op-ed up at The Hill calling on Barack Obama to "Sister Souljah" the progressive netroots. As if Obama has not done enough of that already. Davis can go Sister Souljah himself.
Glenn Fine to Investigate Government Use of PATRIOT Powers Again
Main Justice reports that Pat Leahy and DOJ's Inspector General Glenn Fine have been chatting about further IG review of the FBI's use of the several PATRIOT provisions that were contentious issues in last years attempt to reauthorize the PATRIOT…
A Recess Appointment for Militarized Spooks But Not for Rule of Law
Remember how Dawn Johnsen's nomination to head OLC languished and then died as Obama claimed--falsely--not to have the votes? Obama pointedly didn't use a recess appointment to put his incredibly qualified candidate in the post.
Not so for…
Perry v. Schwarzenegger Prop 8 Closings Wrap Up
Greetings from the United States Federal Courthouse for the Northern District of California where Marcy Wheeler, Teddy Partridge and I spent Wednesday covering closing arguments in Perry et al. v. Schwarzenegger et al. It was quite a day…
Prop8 Liveblog: Ted Olson Brings Us Home
[About 20 minutes w/ Cooper and then Olson's rebuttal]
Walker: Mr. Cooper, carry on.
Cooper: Appreciate Court's indulgence.
Walker: Well, that's a good idea.
Cooper: want to take up CA SC's ruling on the marriages. This is something on…
Prop8 Liveblog: The Proponents Make Their Case
Cooper: NY Court of Appeals ruled in 2006, until very recently, only marriage between two sexes. MA "changed def of marriage as inherited from common law." CA: From beginning of statehood, marriage between man and women. Why has marriage…
Prop8 Liveblog: The City of SF Weighs In
Therese Stewart: The fact that legislation costs govt money is not sufficient to make law unconstitutional. Court decision on public schools. Considered toll on children, but also role of education, basic tools. Serious harm that Prop 8 imposes…
Prop 8 Liveblog: "June Is the Month for Marriages"
Teddy and I are in the ceremonial court room to watch the Prop 8 Trial. bmaz is making friends down in the actual court room. Teddy's doing a full liveblog over there where the wireless signal is strong. Until he needs a break, I'm just going…
The Return of CIFA. Now, with Interrogation Capabilities!
Jeff Stein notes that the Defense Intelligence Agency has plans to set up a new records center for its counterintelligence operation.
The Defense Intelligence Agency wants to open a new repository for information about individuals and groups…
In Bitchy Outburst, Risen Confirms Lithium Story Timed to Afghan Setbacks
Frankly, I'm willing to cut James Risen some slack. So much so that when Monday's !Afghanistan is Rich! story appeared, I didn't post my first instincts: that the story felt more like a planted David Sanger or William Broad story (or, for old…
Killer Drones Coming To America!
The FAA has been asked to issue flying rights for drones to carry out military and civilian law-enforcement functions in the US. How long before they hit one of our precious wedding celebrations right here in the homeland of the good old “real America”?