One thing I really like about Andrew Sullivan is that he allows himself to learn, then he adjusts his view according to the new information.
Here's his post from today, citing Juan Cole's assessment of Iran's nuclear capabilities and apparent strategy.
BTW: You can get to Cole's blog here. It can be dense and difficult, but the guy knows his shit.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Gerson Counsels Inclusion
Michael Gerson has an OP-Ed over at WaPo this morning, in which he laments the departure of Mel Martinez, and worries that it means Republicans will continue to lose favor with Latinos. Duh. To his credit, Gerson has criticized the anti-immigrant fervor of the Repubs in the past. But he seems never to point out that the actual treatment of actual people by the Republicans is wrong and mean-spirited. He sees it as a PR problem - he worries only that Latinos will resist voting against their own interests due to poor messaging on the part of the politicians.
Some conservatives dismiss electoral considerations as soiled and cynical. They will make their case, even if that means sacrificing Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and . . . Indiana. Yes, Indiana, which had supported Republican presidential candidates for 40 years before Obama captured it on the strength of Hispanic votes. This is a good definition of extremism -- the assumption that irrelevance is evidence of integrity. In fact, it is a moral achievement of democracy that it eventually forces political parties to appeal to minorities and outsiders instead of demonizing them. The scramble for votes, in the long run, requires inclusion.
Some conservatives dismiss electoral considerations as soiled and cynical. They will make their case, even if that means sacrificing Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and . . . Indiana. Yes, Indiana, which had supported Republican presidential candidates for 40 years before Obama captured it on the strength of Hispanic votes. This is a good definition of extremism -- the assumption that irrelevance is evidence of integrity. In fact, it is a moral achievement of democracy that it eventually forces political parties to appeal to minorities and outsiders instead of demonizing them. The scramble for votes, in the long run, requires inclusion.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
The Healthcare Situation In Canuckistan
From The Denver Post.
Myth: Canada's health care system is a cumbersome bureaucracy.
The U.S. has the most bureaucratic health care system in the world. More than 31 percent of every dollar spent on health care in the U.S. goes to paperwork, overhead, CEO salaries, profits, etc. The provincial single-payer system in Canada operates with just a 1 percent overhead. Think about it. It is not necessary to spend a huge amount of money to decide who gets care and who doesn't when everybody is covered.
Myth: Canada's health care system is a cumbersome bureaucracy.
The U.S. has the most bureaucratic health care system in the world. More than 31 percent of every dollar spent on health care in the U.S. goes to paperwork, overhead, CEO salaries, profits, etc. The provincial single-payer system in Canada operates with just a 1 percent overhead. Think about it. It is not necessary to spend a huge amount of money to decide who gets care and who doesn't when everybody is covered.
Dead Americans - October 2009
As of the end of the 7th day in October 2009:
2 Americans have died this month as a result of combat in Iraq.
17 Americans have died this month as a result of combat in Afghanistan.
840 Americans have died this month as a result of not having adequate health insurance.
2 Americans have died this month as a result of combat in Iraq.
17 Americans have died this month as a result of combat in Afghanistan.
840 Americans have died this month as a result of not having adequate health insurance.
Monsters Of Folk - Dear God
Just got the CD - these guys are new for me. I think I can hear a weird blend of Marvin Gaye, The BeeGees, and Loggins & Messina on this one. Other cuts have a Dead feel; or maybe The Byrds.
Star Power
From a story at Reuters via Yahoo:
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) – The United States is the most admired country globally thanks largely to the star power of President Barack Obama and his administration, according to a new poll.
It climbed from seventh place last year, ahead of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan which completed the top five nations in the Nation Brand Index (NBI).
"What's really remarkable is that in all my years studying national reputation, I have never seen any country experience such a dramatic change in its standing as we see for the United States for 2009," said Simon Anholt, the founder of NBI, which measured the global image of 50 countries each year.
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) – The United States is the most admired country globally thanks largely to the star power of President Barack Obama and his administration, according to a new poll.
It climbed from seventh place last year, ahead of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan which completed the top five nations in the Nation Brand Index (NBI).
"What's really remarkable is that in all my years studying national reputation, I have never seen any country experience such a dramatic change in its standing as we see for the United States for 2009," said Simon Anholt, the founder of NBI, which measured the global image of 50 countries each year.
God's Chosen
Ya really think Jesus would wear a USA t-shirt? I threw up a little in the back of my throat.
Cluster Fox
The issues have lost some of their magic, but apparently, Fox believes there's still a sizable audience for their bit about having the Dems in charge of national security puts us all in danger.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
The Sound Of A Falling Shoe
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