SCOTUS A Go Go
Time waits for no one, and it won't wait for President-Elect Barack Obama. Poor man doesn't even have his cabinet fleshed out and people are already musing over who his Supreme Court nominees might be. You think maybe some of the robed ones might be saying "But I'm not dead yet!"? No matter; speculate we must on who they might be.
Pragmatism v. Ideology: International Relations
Glenn Greenwald and Daniel De Groot caricature pragmatism in foreign policy. Here's my attempt to sort out what it means in Obama's case.
Uncle Toobz? Are You Obstructing Oversight of TARP?
Some Republican Senator is trying to prevent anyone from conducting oversight of TARP funds.
About that Hillary as Secretary of State Thing
Everyone is wondering about why Obama would put Hillary in such a powerful position as Secretary of State. But few are wondering whether she'll have all that much power after all.
Breaking the Consumption Addiction
Economics Professor Atrios notices that the housing industry is--predictably--asking for its share of the bailout and points out that it's probably not a good idea to try to reinflate the housing bubble.
Department Of Really Bad Ideas
While I've been more than a little skeptical about Treasury and Fed shotgunning trillions to their rich friends, there are at least germs of arguments here and there for
Saving Citi But Not GM
I don't know which is more insulting to Detroit, as Congress makes the automakers grovel for a bailout. That in one night, with no oversight from Congress, Treasury just risked $300 billion of support for Citigroup. Or that, on top of that, Citi got $20 billion in funds from TARP--more for just one company than any one of the Big Two and a Half had requested?
Richard Shelby Wants To Place US Government In Bankruptcy And Eliminate Military Pensions And Benefits
Seriously. He must be saying that, right?Let me draw an analogy that will drive people nuts. What about military pensions and benefits after retirement? Well, come on what about it blowhards that are so quick to call for trashing the pensions and benefits of the auto workers, are you also arguing to trash and burn the same for those in the military???Because, there is a lot of yammering about how the
Forty Five Years
Where were you forty five years ago today? If you were old enough to remember at all, then you undoubtedly remember where you were on Friday November 22, 1963 at 12:30 pm central standard time.
Trash Talk - Clash Of The Titans Edition
It's trash talk time again. And this week as a great slate of games, so let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Oh, and happy trails to Annika Sorenstam, who has played her last round of competitive golf.
Homework Assignment for the Big Two and a Half: Solve Retirement and Health Care
Nancy and Harry just gave the Big Two and a Half a big homework assignment for the next ten days: solve retirement and health care.
A Gas Tax Instead of CAFE
CAFE standards don't work. Sure, they force manufacturers to build cheap, efficient cars. But they don't expand the market for energy efficiency. I think a gas tax could do that.
Prepackaged Bankruptcy: Be Careful of What You Wish For
It sounds like Obama is considering pre-packaged bankruptcy for the Big Two and a Half. I think he should be careful of what he wishes for.
Well, This Should Make the President-Elect More Anxious to Overturn Domestic Spying
Some Verizon employees hacked into Barack Obama's cell phone records. And the CEO of Verizon isn't telling whether these employees were authorized or not.
The Difference between GM and Toyota: The Health Care
China Hand argues that the biggest difference between GM and Toyota is the health care.
Eyes On The Spies: What Obama Can Do About Illegal Surveillance
With all the commotion and hubbub surrounding the personalities and gossip of Obama's cabinet formation, and expression of everyone's opinion on how that should proceed, little has been said about the actual policies and actions (other than Iraq) that should be implemented right out of the gate. One area that has been neglected is that of the illegal wiretapping and surveillance policies and practices that were instituted in the country's name by the Cheney/Bush regime. The EFF has some cogent thoughts on what the Obama Administration can do to right the wrongs.
The Boogeyman versus the New Bretton Woods
There's a reason why no one at the G20 wanted to shake hands with George Bush, and it has everything to do with our failing economy.
Kucinich or Cummings for Oversight
Now that Waxman is taking over Energy and Commerce from John Dingell, we need a strong leader to replace Waxman at Oversight. I nominate either Dennis Kucinich or Elijah Cummings.
Boumediene Wins Again!
BREAKING NEWS of the Gitmo variety. From Reuters:Five of six Algerians must be released after nearly seven years of captivity at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, a federal judge ruled on Thursday.U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled from the bench after holding the first hearings under a landmark Supreme Court ruling in June that gave Guantanamo prisoners the legal right to challenge their continued confinement.U.S.
Napolitano To DHS; Skeletor To Be Buried
As most of you know, I firmly supported Janet Napolitano for Attorney General and the new alarm administration. It looks as if Eric Holder will be in the Attorney General instead, but it CNN has just announced that Napolitano will be the choice for Department of Homeland Security.
Playing Chess with the Chinese
As I suggested would happen, SAIC is contemplating buying GM.