meme orandum
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New Qaeda Activity Is Said to Be Major Factor in Alert NYT — Permalink WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 - Senior government officials said Tuesday that new intelligence pointing to a current threat of a terrorist attack on financial targets in New York and possibly in Washington - not just information about surveillance on specific buildings... | |
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Lambert @Corrente: Gaslight watch: It just keeps getting better and better! Noam Scheiber: Here's how the Times reported it: "Senior government officials said Tuesday that new intelligence pointing to a current... Jan Haugland: Also today, the New York Times gives voice to a number of intelligence experts who state that the new terror threat was certainly not based only on "old data." |
Jeffrey Dubner: The headlines of their most prominent articles: [quote] "Old Data, New Credibility Issues" (Wednesday, Page A01) "Pre-9/11...[end quote] Greyhawk: Sounds Like a Threat — Why all the fuss about threat levels? Surely the reminder of a danger doesn't favor any one candidate, does it? Robin Burk: Meanwhile, the NY Times reports today that a confluence of different information led to the elevated terror alerts in... |
| Also: Steven Taylor, KJL, Christopher Kanis, Cori Dauber, Susan Madrak, Gregory Djerejian, Betsy Newmark, Oliver Willis, Roger L. Simon, Jeff Jarvis | |
$1.9 Billion of Iraq's Money Goes to U.S. Contractors By / WaPo — Permalink Halliburton Co. and other U.S. contractors are being paid at least $1.9 billion from Iraqi funds under an arrangement set by the U.S.-led occupation authority, according to a review of documents and interviews with government agencies, companies and auditors. | |
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Kash: Today's Washington Post reveals what Bush apparently meant when he said that it was "their oil" and that "they'll use it": [snipped quote] Incompetent, venal, or both? Norbizness: Halliburton's SEC Fine : Diversion of Iraqi Development Money to Halliburton :: (1) Verbally scolding dog for peeing on... Oliver Willis: CPA Funneled Iraqi Money To Halliburton — This is pretty pathetic [snipped quote] Dear Iraqi People, We took your money, and gave it to Dick Cheney's friends. |
Kevin Raybould: First Rape, now Pillage — As if the horrible abuses at Abu Ghraib and Gitmo weren't enough, we now find that almost two... Jeanne D'Arc: A funny thing happened on the way to the reconstruction: Halliburton didn't just get money from American taxpayers, they got to spend most of the Iraqis' money as well. |
First Responders for Kerry? NRO — Permalink Don't bet on it. Iwas not among the National Review Online stalwarts reporting from Boston last week. Instead I was here in Los Angeles doing my small part in the battle against crime and villainy. Mine was arguably the more pleasant task. | |
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Bob @Unfogged: Irregular — Jack Dunphy is a cop in the LAPD. And though he's a columnist for NRO, he's also a Regular Guy. Chris Bowers: Conservatives Hate Firefighters — In a post entitled Morning Reads, today the Official Bush-Cheney Campaign blog quoted... |
Dave Johnson: The post links to this: [snipped quote] There's more, and it is just disgusting. |
The Malkin Media Diversity Test By / Townhall.com — Permalink Every five years, a herd of perpetually disgruntled minority journalists gathers together to decry the lack of "diversity" in the media. This week, thousands of them will huff and puff in unison at the "UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc." convention in... | |
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SLZoll: Michelle Malkin Michelle has written a new book* which explains why interning the Japanese was such a great idea (I'm... The Big Trunk: Her column is "The Malkin media diversity test." The New York Post carries Michelle's column on the basic tasks... Michelle Malkin: THE MALKIN MEDIA DIVERSITY TEST — My new column is up. |
Tom Maguire: He can't be serious. More: Michelle Malkin will Celebrate Diversity, too, ad we thank Memeorandum. Betsy Newmark: Michelle Malkin has a true diversity test. |
A Record of Recovery By / NYT — Permalink Over the course of last week, we heard a lot from the Democrats about their record of economic achievement. So let's take the advice of a Democrat of yesteryear, Al Smith, the former governor of New York. His trademark phrase was, "Let's look at the record." | |
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DeLong: (George Shultz Needs a Better Staff Edition) Matthew Yglesias reads the op-ed published under the name "George Schultz"... Matthew Yglesias: Gee... ...it strikes me as a bit misleading to construct a chart plotting change in GDP versus time and then discuss it as thought it were a chart of GDP versus time. |
Steve M.: LIES, DAMNED LIES, AND... I've always thought of George Shultz as one of the less venal Reaganites, but this (from... Mike Rappaport: An excerpt: "When you look at the record, a quick summary is this: President Clinton inherited prosperity; President Clinton bequeathed recession." |
Why Bush is going to win NY Daily News — Permalink In 1972, The New Yorker's movie critic, Pauline Kael, won herself a place in political lore by expressing astonishment at the Republicans' 49-state landslide victory. "How could that be?" she demanded. "I don't know a single person who voted for Nixon." | |
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Betsy Newmark: Zev Chafets says that it's a sure thing for Bush to win this year. Roger L. Simon: Uh-huh.] ...still... I think Zev Chafets makes solid points in the NY Daily News today, while doing something I wouldn't... |
Dale Franks: Take today, for instance. The New York Daily News' Zev Chafets thinks that Bush will win in a walk. James Joyner: Election Predictions — Someone called Zev Chafets, writing in the NY Daily News, argues that Bush wil win in a walk. |
Halliburton Settles S.E.C. Accusations By / NYT — Permalink The Halliburton Company secretly changed its accounting practices when Vice President Dick Cheney was its chief executive, the Securities and Exchange Commission said yesterday as it fined the company $7.5 million and brought actions against two former financial officials. | |
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Kevin Drum: A HALLIBURTON FAIRY TALE...It appears that Manchurian Global um, I mean Halliburton, has paid a fine for secretly... Josh Marshall: Today the — Times reports that the the SEC has fined Halliburton $7.5 million for, in effect, defrauding its shareholders. |
DeLong: (Cheney Lies to Shareholders Edition) Floyd Norris writes in the New York Times: "The New York Times > Business... |
Critics Say Bush's Intelligence Chief Would Be Toothless By / NYT — Permalink WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 - Members of the Sept. 11 commission joined with Congressional Democrats on Tuesday in criticizing President Bush's proposal for creating the job of national intelligence director, saying the plan would not grant nearly enough power to the position. | |
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Laura Rozen: Bush tried to implement a sham cosmetic reform instead of doing what the commission really recommended. Greyhawk: "Critics Say Bush's Intelligence Chief Would Be Toothless WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 - Members of the Sept. 11 commission... |
Matthew Yglesias: It turns out, shockingly enough, that when the 9-11 Commission recommended the creation of a Director of National... |
9/11 panel dismayed by Bush's reaction INTELLIGENCE CHIEF: Director needs real clout, members say San Francisco Chronicle — Permalink Washington — Two members of the Sept. 11 commission criticized President Bush's proposal to create a national intelligence director, telling Congress on Tuesday that the White House plan fails to give the new spy chief the executive powers needed to revamp the nation's intelligence agencies. | |
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Mark Kleiman: The 9-11 Commission sniffs the nothingburger — From the SF Chronicle (hat tip: Brad DeLong): Two members of the Sept... Kevin Hayden: Another veteran who left a limb in Vietnam is not happy with Bush's half-hearted response to the 9-11 commission. |
DeLong: (The 911 Commission Is Made Up of Unhappy Campers Edition) The members of the 911 Commission are really annoyed at... |
A Letter by an Alleged Wife of a Martyr to the Wife of Paul Johnson MEMRI — Permalink The recent issue of Sawt al-Jihad ("Voice of Jihad"), which is identified with Al-Qa'ida, published an article titled "A Letter to the Wife of the Slain Pagan Paul Johnson from the Wife of One of the Martyrs." [1] This letter celebrates the murder of the American hostage Paul Johnson in Saudi Arabia. | |
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Christopher Kanis: You have to read the letter. (Via Allah, who'll help you remember exactly which one was Paul Johnson). |
Allah: "[T]he blood of a Muslim is for us more precious than the Ka'ba, but the blood of your husband is the blood of a dog because he is an idolatrous infidel." |
Seriousness of Threat Defended Despite Dated Intelligence WaPo — Permalink Bush administration officials acknowledged yesterday that the latest terrorism alert was based primarily on information that is three to four years old, but they aggressively defended the decision to warn financial sectors in Washington, New York and Newark because of the continuing threat posed by al Qaeda. | |
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Andrew Stuttaford: From the Washington Post: "Paul Brown, deputy commissioner for public affairs at the New York Police Department, said... Gregory Djerejian: The Terror Alerts — I have to say I'm a bit baffled about the whole hullabaloo surrounding whether the latest terror... |
Cori Dauber: It isn't working. Update: Maybe the Post's reporters ought to be talking more with one another. Steve @BeggingToDiffer: Washington Post: "Two senior intelligence officials stressed yesterday that the U.S. government has information from... |
Al-Qaeda computer whizz was top terror planner: security official AFP — Permalink ISLAMABAD (AFP) - The Pakistani Al-Qaeda computer expert captured last month was one of the terror network's top planners, had a five million dollar bounty on his head and had plotted to attack London's Heathrow airport, a senior security official said. | |
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Smash: THE RECENT CAPTURE of al Qaeda's "technical support guy," Naeem Noor Khan, may be much more important than originally thought, AFP reports. Captain Ed: Not Just A Computer Nerd — Senior security officials told AFP that the al-Qaeda computer expert captured three weeks... |
Glenn Reynolds: MORE THAN JUST A GEEK: Ed Morrissey thinks that the press has dropped the ball in reporting on the capture of Al Qaeda operative Naeem Noor Khan. |
Sources: Al Qaeda may have made contact in U.S. recently CNN — Permalink WASHINGTON (CNN) — Intelligence found in Pakistan suggests that suspected al Qaeda operatives in that country contacted an individual or individuals in the United States in the past few months, according to two senior U.S. government sources. | |
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KJL: AL QAEDA BUZZING INSIDE U.S. |
Smash: Al Qaeda Active in US BREAKING NEWS FROM CNN: [snipped quote] This would appear to support my analysis that Khan was a... |
Cheney Blames Democrats for Gas Prices AP — Permalink HOT SPRINGS, Ark. Aug. 3, 2004 — Vice President Dick Cheney said Tuesday that rising consumption and decreasing domestic production have led to high gasoline prices but also blamed his Democratic opponents and their opposition to the Bush administration's energy policies. | |
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DeLong: (Cheney Lies to Constituents Edition) Josh Micah Marshall is not happy being lied to by Richard Cheney either Talking Dog: Not that Dick Cheney isn't insistent that its not the party that controls the executive, both houses of the legislature,... Juan Cole: Cheney Blames Democrats for High Oil Prices (!) US Vice President Dick Cheney lambasted the Democrats on Tuesday for causing high petroleum prices. |
Xan @Corrente: Cheneyed At The Pump — Dick Cheney, speaking in Arkansas, tries a new up-is-down theory that it's the DEMOCRAT'S fault... Jesse Taylor: Adjusting For Reality — Juan Cole points out that when Dick Cheney accuses Democrats of causing higher gas prices, he ignores why gas prices are high. Taegan Goddard: Cheney Blames Democrats For High Gas Prices — Vice President Dick Cheney "blamed his Democratic opponents and their... |
| Also: Josh Marshall | |
California's SUV Ban By / Slate — Permalink Unless you drive one of the largest SUVs, such as the Chevy Suburban, the Cadillac Escalade, or the Ford Excursion, I'll bet you've watched them thundering down quiet residential lanes and wondered to yourself: Why is that monster allowed on this little street? | |
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Kevin Drum: UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU TO BUY AN SUV...Over at Slate, Andy Bowers notices something odd: many California cities, including... |
Steve Bainbridge: SUV Ban — Andy Bowers at Slate:Unless you drive one of the largest SUVs, such as the Chevy Suburban, the Cadillac... |
ANTI-TERROR TO-DO LIST By / New York Post — Permalink THE new terror alerts in New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., are jolt ing reminders that while Congress is on summer vacation, the Islamofascists don't do recess. While the Bush administration has done much to prevent another attack on the homeland, there is still plenty more to do. | |
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Glenn Reynolds: UPDATE: Malkin's talking about the present day in this piece, in which she praises anti-terror efforts by Charles Schumer. Michelle Malkin: ANTI-TERROR TO-DO LIST — In the New York Post, I describe four things our government can do to improve homeland security in light of the recent terror alert elevations. |
The Big Trunk: The New York Post carries Michelle's column on the basic tasks remaining to be done in order secure America: "Anti-terror to-do list." |
Two Americas: The movie By / Washington Times — Permalink There are two Americas — one for people who can afford to go to movies and one for those who cannot. Rich Americans can obtain high-quality education on important national and international issues by attending lucid documentaries such as Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/ll." | |
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James Joyner: Two Americas: The Movie — Bryan Boulier has an amusing op-ed in today's Washington Times entitled, "Two Americas: The movie." The Big Trunk: Two Americas: The movie — Don't know how our friends at RealClearPolitics missed this poignant elaboration of the... |
Richard Reeb: Bryan L. Boulier, writing in in the Washington Times, deplores the existence of "Two Americas": those who can afford to go to the movies and those who cannot. |
Obama to Soon Have Black GOP Foe for Senate Race Reuters — Permalink CHICAGO (Reuters) - Illinois Republicans on Tuesday narrowed the field of prospective U.S. Senate opponents for Democrat Barack Obama to two, and virtually assured that the next senator from the Midwestern state will be black. | |
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Steve M.: If Alan Keyes does become the GOP challenger to Barack Obama for the Illinois Senate seat, I hope the press does a... Josh Marshall: According to Reuters, Illinois Republicans have narrowed their choice of senate candidates to oppose Barack Obama to two. |
Steve Gilliard: Will be elected in a landslide to Senate Obama to Soon Have Black GOP Foe for Senate Race [snipped quote] Jesus. Oliver Willis: Carpetbaggers Are Okay Now — Remember the whining about Hillary Clinton being a carpetbagger? Never mind. |
Kerry and Edwards Focus on Plan to Strengthen the Economy as Believe in America Tour Continues Kerry for President Press Room — Permalink Davenport, IA - Campaigning separately on day six of their "Believe in America" tour, John Kerry and John Edwards highlighted their plan to strengthen America by building an economy that lifts up families, creates jobs and helps businesses succeed. | |
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Robert Garcia Tagorda: Not So Fast... Before we fully accept John Kerry's commitment to "bring[ing] Wall Street together with Main Street," I... |
Vance @BeggingToDiffer: Today, amid much fanfare, John Kerry unveiled his list of supporters within the business community in an effort to win... |
Iraqis on Tour Banned From Memphis Hall AP — Permalink MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Iraqis visiting on a civil rights tour were barred from city hall after the city council chairman said it was too dangerous to let them in. The seven Iraqi civic and community leaders are in the midst of a three-week American tour, sponsored by the State Department to learn more about the process of government. | |
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Michael Totten: Welcome to Memphis — How embarassing is this? Jeanne D'Arc: That is as true for Iraqis as it is for Americans: I get emails by the dozen from people crying out against the abduction of foreigners. SK Bubba: Tennessee fights off Iraqi insurgents — By way of readers Janet and Peter Jung, Atrios, and about 150 news outlets, you... |
Pejman Yousefzadeh: GROAN* This is just loathsome: [snipped quote] I can't imagine worse public relations—and a greater genuine affront—than to offend a visiting delegation in this manner. Tom Maguire: We found this entry to be especially amusing - Not Sirius provides without comment a story telling us that "Iraqis... Richard TPD: Iraqis on civil rights tour get a dose of US hospitality — This story sickens me. |
| Also: Kevin Raybould, Atrios | |
Cover me, Boss tells Ted By / NY Daily News — Permalink The normally press-shy Bruce Springsteen is going public tonight with a one-on-one interview with ABC's Ted Koppel. Springsteen is appearing on "Nightline" to talk about the intersection of pop culture and politics, as well as a long-rumored concert tour starring him and a lineup of other politically outspoken acts such as REM and Pearl Jam. | |
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Robert Cox: TIVO THIS Hardball: Barry McCaffrey Nightline: Bruce Springsteen Imus in the Morning: Maureen Dowd Washington... |
Tbogg: Born in the (old)USA — Eric Alterman's best buddy: The normally press-shy Bruce Springsteen is going public tonight with a one-on-one interview with ABC's Ted Koppel. |
Kerry promises monthly news conferences, if elected CNN — Permalink BELOIT, Wisconsin (CNN) — Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry said Tuesday he would hold news conferences at least once a month if elected in November. "I don't have anything to hide," he declared. | |
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Steven Taylor: The New Bush Bumpersticker — Kerry promises monthly news conferences, if elected Part of today's Beltway Traffic Jam |
Captain Ed: Kerry Promises More News Conferences If President — John Kerry took steps yesterday to shore up weakening support in... |
Seattle Judge Rules for Gay Marriages AP — Permalink SEATTLE Aug. 4, 2004 — Gay couples can be married under Washington state law, because denying their right to do so is a violation of their constitutional rights, a judge ruled Wednesday. | |
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Lucia @Amptoons: Seattle Judge Rules for Marriage Equality — Newsday.com reports a favorable ruling in Washington State: "Gay couples... |
Smash: DENYING MARRIAGE LISCENSES to same-sex couples is a violation of their constitutional rights, a Seattle judge ruled Wednesday. |
Beyond the Valley of the Bush-Bashers NRO — Permalink A night on the other side of the spectrum. Because I live in L.A.'s bohemian Silver Lake neighborhood and this is an election year, I regularly get invited to Bush-bashing parties by people who assume I'm a fellow traveler. | |
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Matt Welch: What Happens When You Introduce Cathy Seipp to Your Friends: La Seipp discovers that lefties can be anti-Stalinists, and my pals learn that Republicans can be perfectly delightful. |
Ted Barlow: Catherine Seipp, Beyond the Valley of the Bush-Bashers, in National Review Online "I'm glad to be reminded that not everyone on the left is a Stalin apologist." |
Stem Cell Stumping By / WaPo — Permalink "We also — we also need to lift the ban on stem cell research — (cheers, applause) and find cures that will help millions of Americans. (applause continues)." Applause continues. That's a direct quote from the transcript of the speech that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton gave at the Democratic convention last week. | |
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Nick Confessore: Science 'n' politics wonk Chris Mooney says Anne Applebaum's column on stem-cell research leaves something to be desired. |
Chris Mooney: Anne Applebaum on Stem Cell Research — She's got a pretty interesting column today. Some of it's Bush spin, some of it's valid. |
The significance of Kerry's missed opportunity WaPo — Permalink WASHINGTON — Sometimes the best antidote against political propaganda, or spin, is to hold on to your notes. That is what I did during and immediately after the Democratic convention last week in Boston. | |
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Betsy Newmark: David Broder was not impressed with Kerry's speech. |
Joe Gandelman: Here are some of the key points he raises in his most recent column titled "The significance of Kerry's missed... |
ANTI-KERRY VETS GATHER FOR ASSAULT; BOOK CLAIMS KERRY WAR 'FABRICATIONS' Drudge Report — Permalink A veterans group seeking to deeply discredit Democrat John Kerry's military service will charge in the new bombshell book UNFIT FOR COMMAND: Two of John Kerry's three Purple Heart decorations resulted from self-inflicted wounds, not suffered under enemy fire. | |
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Roger L. Simon: As a Democrat, I would have voted for Lieberman and even considered Edwards, but there is practically no chance... Oliver Willis: Just Pathetic — Drudge must be going nuts because the pseudo-legit media continues to ignore the already discredited fabrications of these Vets vs. Kerry. Ed Driscoll: Matt Drudge has a page on the new book written by Kerry's band of brothers who aren't buying his schtick. |
Jesse Taylor: He Also Killed Kennedy - In Three Different Ways — I'm no longer actually angry about Swift Boat Veterans Against... Hindrocket: But Matt Drudge says he'll "break the embargo," starting tomorrow. Steve Antler: What happened? UPDATE: I suppose this news at Drudge explains it. The timing of the Drudge post seems to match the chart. |
GOP narrows Senate list to 2 Chicago Tribune — Permalink Illinois Republican leaders on Tuesday neared the end of their frustrating search for a candidate in the U.S. Senate race, selecting two African-Americans as finalists for the party's nomination to face Democrat Barack Obama, who also is black. | |
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Byron L: It's a possibility. The Chicago Tribune reports: [snipped quote] I just LOVE how Republicans think. |
ArchPundit: They are that nuts. Really, they are that nuts to basically try and narrow the race down to two candidates who are black. |
Ridge Defends New Terror Threat Warning By / AP — Permalink WASHINGTON - Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on Tuesday defended the decision to tighten security in New York and Washington even though the intelligence behind the latest terror warnings was as much as four years old. | |
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Jesse Taylor: I Have All The Credibility In The World — Tom Ridge: "As I was telling George over a gentle non-alcoholic creme de... |
Mike Hendrix: Someday, some way — The road goes ever on and on, down from the liberal sinkhole where it began: "WASHINGTON - Homeland... |
Persecuted for their faith -- and ignored by the U.S. By / Salon — Permalink Even staunch defenders of the U.S. -Saudi alliance, such as former Secretary of State James Baker, would be hard-pressed to assert that Saudi Arabia respects religious freedom. A 2003 State Department report flatly states that "freedom of religion does not exist" in that nation. | |
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Skippy: the ol' skippy mailbag judd legum of the progress report sends us his latest article in salon pointing out that the... |
Nick Confessore: Over in Salon, Judd Legum explains how the Bush administration — which talks a good game on international religious... |
Democrats Roll Out 'Bush Truth Squad' By / AP — Permalink WASHINGTON - Democrats rolled out a "Bush truth squad" Tuesday to state the facts as they see them and challenge the president's assertions at every turn of the campaign. Nearly 20 members of Congress, a retired general supporting John Kerry and other partisans joined in a pledge to "tell the whole truth" when President Bush doesn't. | |
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Matt Singer: Embarassing — The Bush truth squad looks like a bit of an embarassment. Either run a conventional quiet oppo effort or make sure every thing is double-checked. |
Bryan Keefer: Reporting on the new "Truth Squad" sponsored by the Democratic National Committee, Calvin Woodward tells us, "Maryland... |
Missouri Voters Approve Gay Marriage Ban By / AP — Permalink JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri voters solidly endorsed a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, a decision that was closely watched by national groups on both sides of the battle. | |
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Clayton Cramer: Missouri Voters Pass Gay Marriage Ban — The news account emphasizes that this isn't surprising—Missouri is pretty conservative. |
John Cole: Gay Marriage — Here is the real reason Andrew Sullivan wants to makes sure the gay marriage issue is resolved in the... |
Terror Alerts Knock Democrats Off Balance By / AP — Permalink WASHINGTON - The politics of terrorism has Democrats tied in knots. Each time President Bush raises fears of a possible attack, the political debate shifts from his most troublesome issue (Iraq ) to one of his strongest (the war on terrorism) while Democrats fight their impulse to question the president's motives. | |
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Greyhawk: Surely the reminder of a danger doesn't favor any one candidate, does it? Apparently the good folks at Jim Lehrer's News Hour want to know. Hindrocket: Point of Maximum Danger — Captain Ed Morissey has an excellent analysis of the significance of the capture of Naeem... |
Captain Ed: Timing Of Alert Rather Obvious — But Not How You Think — The AP's Ron Fournier analyzes reaction to the orange alerts... Steven Taylor: "Even if he didn't give Bush the benefit of the doubt, there are enormous political risks to Kerry questioning the..." |
Phantom Legions For Iraq By / WaPo — Permalink Saudi Arabia has hidden poison-pill terms inside its public, seemingly generous offer to organize an Islamic legion for Iraq. The Saudi conditions threaten to scuttle a military force that might have given a political helping hand to George W. Bush this autumn. | |
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Rich Lowry: JIM HOAGLAND ON WHAT HAPPENS... ...when the Saudis try to help. |
The Big Trunk: Hit parade of oxymorons — Jim Hoagland's Washington Post column is "Phantom legions for Iraq," and it is excellent. |
Questionable Strategy NRO — Permalink The Democrats' "un-American" charge. Before telling a reporter to "shove it" last week, Teresa Heinz Kerry complained that there were "creeping, un-Pennsylvanian and sometimes un-American traits" to the presidential campaign. | |
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Mike Hendrix: You talk about how the Bush admin calls its opponents "unAmerican"—not bothering at all with the fact that we've never... |
Howard Kurtz: National Review's Rich Lowry has some strong views on patriotism and lack thereof: "Before telling a reporter to 'shove... |
When the Koran Speaks, Will Canadian Law Bend? By / NYT — Permalink TORONTO, Aug. 3 - If the kimono or chicken curry eventually join the maple leaf, the hockey stick and the beaver as Canadian icons, then so be it. Thus goes the thinking of multiculturalism, the official doctrine of the government for nearly 50 years, and by now a value ingrained on the broader society. | |
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Cori Dauber: But whatever you think of their usual reporting on these issues, they've at least gotten the central question right — if they've buried it as deeply as they could manage. Ken Masugi: Shariah Law in Canada "A group called the Canadian Society of Muslims is testing those boundaries [of tolerance] by... |
Fred Lapides: An article detailing what is taking place in Canada, written by CLIFFORD KRAUSS for The NY Times "If the kimono or... |
Be very afraid - or not By / Townhall.com — Permalink For a few days last week in the afterglow of the Democratic convention, it was possible to embrace American optimism and to believe that, but for a few tweaks here and there, the Earth would continue to turn on its axis in the customary way. | |
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SLZoll: But here is a representative sampling anyway: Kathleen Parker Cynicism about Homeland Security warnings is the terrorists best weapon. |
Betsy Newmark: Kathleen Parker picks up the tails you lose, heads I win dilemma that the President is in. |
Conservatives, liberals and blacks Townhall.com — Permalink During the first Reagan administration, I participated in a number of press conferences on either a book or article I'd written or as a panelist in a discussion of White House public policy. On occasion, when the question-and-answer session began, I'd tell the press, "You can treat me like a white person. | |
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SLZoll: Walter E. Williams Walter is glad to be a Republican, where they treat blacks with honest prejudice and hostility instead of patronizing help with issues of concern. |
Betsy Newmark: Walter Williams looks at how most white politicians talk down to black audiences. "Have you watched some white politicians talking to black audiences? |
War and Peace, and Politics By / NYT — Permalink WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 - In an election that could well turn on questions of war and peace, danger and safety, all politics sometimes seem to be security these days. And all security has an unmistakable overtone of politics, whatever the reality or immediacy of any announced threat. | |
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Howard Kurtz: "In an election that could well turn on questions of war and peace, danger and safety, all politics sometimes seem to be security these days," says the New York Times. |
Ann Althouse: UPDATE: The answer to my question has to be that Kerry supporters are simply accepting the polls that show that the voters think Bush is stronger on terrorism. |
The Vice President Attends a Bush-Cheney '04 Question and Answer Town Hall Meeting White House — Permalink THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all for that warm welcome. Sit down, please. My wife, Lynne, and I are delighted to be here today. I brought Lynne with me. Lynne, you want to stand up? (Applause.) And by the way, that's daughter Mary, next to her, who's working within our campaign operation. | |
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DeLong: [quote]"The only thing I can think of to do [to lower prices]," said Cheney in response to a question about gas prices, "is to...[end quote] Josh Marshall: "The only thing I can think of to do [to lower prices]," said Cheney in response to a question about gas prices, "is to... |
Taegan Goddard: Said Cheney: "The only thing I can think of to do [to lower prices] is to keep pushing hard to enact a comprehensive energy plan on a national basis." |
BRITAIN TERROR ARRESTS - 13 HELD Sky News — Permalink Police say they have arrested 13 people in anti-terrorism raids around Britain. The men, in their 20s and 30s, were detained in Luton, Lancashire, Hertfordshire and in London. The suspects are believed to have been under surveillance for some weeks. | |
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Robin Burk: And the Brits have captured 13 more. Looks like leaders other than the Bush Administration are taking this info seriously. « ok, I'm done now Smash: UPDATE 2: Thirteen men have been arrested in and around London "on suspicion of being concerned in the commission,... |
Jeff Quinton: 4:47 UPDATE: bbc-cap.jpgLarger Image Sky News: "Police say they have arrested 13 people in anti-terrorism raids around Britain. |
Warm Bread By / Slate — Permalink If you've read or watched news reports about polls taken since the Democratic convention, you've probably heard that John Kerry didn't get much of a "bounce." These reports overlook the important data. Let's look at the numbers. 1. What's changed. | |
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James Joyner: Will Saletan disagrees. He notes that, although the head-to-head numbers haven't moved much since the convention, other numbers favor Kerry. |
Betsy Newmark: Just in case Kerry's dead hamster bounce was putting you in a good mood, William Saletan analyzes Bush's poll numbers to find depressing news for Bush. |
British Cops Nab 13 in Anti-Terror Raids AP — Permalink LONDON — Police conducted anti-terrorism raids (search) in London and several towns Tuesday, arresting 13 people believed involved in preparing terrorist acts. London's Metropolitan Police said the afternoon and evening arrests were "part of a pre-planned, ongoing intelligence-led operation." | |
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Cori Dauber: SUSPECTS PICKED UP IN BRITAIN 13 of them in fact. No word from the Brits on whether this has anything to do with either our alerts or the recent Pakistani arrests. Jeff Quinton: 5:15 UPDATE: It has finally hit the AP wire: "Police conducted anti-terrorism raids in London and several towns... |
Charles Johnson: Got 13 in Britain — British Cops Nab 13 in Anti-Terror Raids. |
Ridge Defends 'Three-Year-Old' Terror Alert By / Reuters — Permalink NEW YORK (Reuters) - The decision to warn key U.S. financial centers they may be attacked by al Qaeda was based largely on three-year old information, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said on Tuesday, but he insisted the threat was still real. | |
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Cori Dauber: Update: Surely if there are any questions about this alert, they couldn't possibly come from, for example, headlines... Ezra Klein: Maybe not: [snipped quote] January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August. Did he just get the memo? |
Richard TPD: Tom Ridge, then and now: Now: [quote] "We don't do politics in the Department of Homeland Security," he told reporters.[end quote] |
Harvard's Right Turn? By / Front Page Magazine — Permalink "HARVARD HATES AMERICA." That's how John LeBoutillier titled his 1978 bestseller about life at the country's most prestigious university. LeBoutillier's story was one of ivory-tower elitism run amok. | |
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Deacon: The times they are a changin' at least at Harvard, according to this piece in FrontPageMagazine by Duncan Currie a recent Harvard grad who works for the Weekly Standard. |
Ed Driscoll: First the good news: Duncan Currie looks at a right turn by Harvard's students, which is starting to have a positive influence on its faculty. |
Kerry tour stops include scenery, celebrities By / USA Today — Permalink BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — By Sunday night, with an overnight in Grand Rapids, Mich., it was 1,206 miles down and 2,400 to go for the John Kerry-John Edwards "Believe in America" bus, jet, boat and train tour. Ben Affleck, right, has added star power to the John Kerry-John Edwards tour. | |
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Ace: Oh, yeah, that SAT question: Kerry doesn't let an appearance go by without noting that People magazine once named Edwards the sexiest politician in the country. |
KJL: KERRY LIKABILITY — It's light, but this, I think, works. Makes you think, aw, decent guy: [snipped quote] Is Affleck available through November? |
British Police Arrest 13 Men in Anti-Terror Raids Reuters — Permalink LONDON (Reuters) - British police said on Tuesday they had arrested 13 men in a series of anti-terror raids across the country. "The men have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism," a police statement said. | |
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KJL: "Thirteen arrested in anti-terror raids in London and other parts of UK. More soon." Here's Reuters. |
Jeff Quinton: Other news stories: Google News 5:30 UPDATE: Reuters has the same basic facts, along with some new ones: "Earlier,... |
Pakistan Bags Top Al Qaeda Suspect, Several Arrests Reuters — Permalink ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan arrested a suspected member of al Qaeda with a multi-million-dollar price on his head and several others, government officials said Tuesday. | |
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Jeff Quinton: Pakistan Arrests Another Al Qaeda Big Fish Reuters: [snipped quote] (Via Slant Point and In the Bullpen.) |
KJL: MORE ARRESTS IN PAKISTAN |
'Everything is at stake,' Kerry tells riverfront crowd JSOnline — Permalink After scooting across Lake Michigan by high-speed ferry, Democrat John Kerry staged a large, raucous rally along the Milwaukee River Monday night, deriding President Bush's leadership in the war on terrorism and portraying the election as an all-or-nothing pivot point in the nation's future. | |
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Digby: Goon Show — I couldn't help but notice the ages of the "goons" who tried to drown out Kerry with airhorns in Milwaukee... Hindrocket: Kerried Away — Here's what I missed by not sticking around Milwaukee, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: [quote] "Everything is at stake!"[end quote] |
Skippy: from the milwaukee journal sentinel: "the high-stakes intensity of the campaign could also be seen monday in noisy... |
Keyes' Name Floated by GOP Insiders as possible Senate replacement Illinois Leader — Permalink CHICAGO — The story of finding a replacement for former Illinois Republican U.S. Senate nominee Jack Ryan took yet another plot twist today as word began circulating that certain members of the GOP State Central Committee are seeking to woo former GOP... | |
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Robert Cox: Mancow Drops Decency Lawsuit Radio Ink According to the Illinois Leader, Erich "Mancow" Muller dropped his $3 million... ArchPundit: Does God Love Me Enough — For the Republicans to seriously consider Alan Keyes? I kind of doubt it. |
Kos: [quote]"It's far from reality, yet as the saying in law enforcement goes, he's 'a person of interest.'" [end quote] Of course, Keyes is a... |
Frontier Menace By / Opinion Journal — Permalink ISLAMABAD—A sign outside the U.S. Embassy in Kabul reads: "The U.S. Embassy would be grateful if any of our friends who have information on terrorist activity or threats inform us between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday." | |
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KJL: WSJ ON THE BORDER — Nice Malkin catch. Michelle Malkin: Whoops, wrong border. |
Cori Dauber: But, lets face it, the place ain't Shangri-la. So, yesterday the good news, today some of the challenges. |
More al-Qaida Arrests Made in Pakistan AP — Permalink ISLAMABAD, Pakistan Aug. 3, 2004 — Pakistani authorities have arrested two high-ranking al-Qaida terrorists one with a multimillion-dollar U.S. bounty on his head in a days-long sweep that has netted at least six suspected militants, officials said Tuesday. | |
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Laura Rozen: Pakistani forces have managed to arrest two more high ranking al Qaeda suspects in eastern Punjab province! Ace: More "Suspicously Timed" Al Qaeda Arrests — Nabs Appear to be "Timed" to Prevent Future Terrorist Attacks; Terry... |
John Cole: Bizarro World — Mor Al Qaeda agents have been captured in Pakistan: [snipped quote] Predictably, the Washington Monthly is pissed. |
The End of Republican Rule By / Village Voice — Permalink BOSTON—The Democrats are the party of ideological whiplash. At the Boston Social Forum, a left-wing hootenanny before the national convention, you could find enthusiastic John Kerry voters attending a "hemposium" and hawking "Holy Land Olive Oil" (slogan: Support Palestinian Farmers). | |
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Rickheller @Centerfield: Democrats Cohere Around Social, Not Economic Issues — Rick Perlstein has a piece in the Village Voice arguing that... Susan Madrak: THE VISION THING — Rick Perlstein has a great article in the latest Village Voice where he dares to say the... |
Eugene Oregon: Democrats Play Nice ... With Corporations — Rick Perlstein has another good article in the Village Voice - this one on... |
Reports That Led to Terror Alert Were Years Old, Officials Say NYT — Permalink WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 -Much of the information that led the authorities to raise the terror alert at several large financial institutions in the New York City and Washington areas was three or four years old, intelligence and law enforcement officials said on Monday. | |
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Jan Haugland: Both the New York Times and the Washington Post today put great emphasis on the uncovered terror plans against financial... Pejman Yousefzadeh: TERROR THREATS, INTELLIGENCE REPORTS AND POLITICS — More bloggers than I can count have latched onto this report—which... Smash: But some government officials are privately questioning why the alert was announced, when much of the information appears to be at least three years old. |
Tom Burka: Citicorp Employees Pissed; Could Have Stayed Home Past Four Years — Citicorp employees collectively railed against the... Jon Henke: Headspace and Timing — This news... "Much of the information that led the authorities to raise the terror alert at... Jeff Goldstein: He then excerpts bits of a NYT article without mentioning that the surveillance in question has been updated recently, or that the intel was just now received from Pakistan. |
| Also: Michael Froomkin, Hugh Hewitt, James Martin Capozzola, Carpeicthus, Norbizness, Oliver Willis, Eugene Oregon, C. D. Harris, Jesse Taylor, Howard Kurtz, Tim Dunlop, Steve M., SK Bubba, Christopher Kanis, Cori Dauber, Jeff Jarvis, Fred Lapides, Tom Maguire, KJL, Dave Winer, Bob Harris, Angry Bear, Skippy, Mary @PacificViews, Ed Driscoll, Magpie @PacificViews, Digby, Michael Totten, Daniel Drezner, Jeralyn Merritt, Atrios, Susan Madrak, Michelle Malkin, Joe Gandelman | |
Source: Terror attack to be in early September By / Newsday — Permalink WASHINGTON — More financial institutions than previously disclosed may be at risk of attack, and an al-Qaida operative has told British intelligence that the group's target date is early September, intelligence sources said yesterday. | |
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Ted Barlow: Now they're saying it actually refers to an attack planned for Sept. 2. You know, the last day of the Republican Convention in New York, when Bush gives his big speech? Steve M.: In a story today, Knut Royce of Newsday — who's no water carrier for the administration (he's helped expose the Plame... Laura Rozen: UPDATE: But now Newsday's Knut Royce is reporting that an al Qaeda operative has told British intelligence that an attack is planned for September 2. |
Jan Haugland: Terrorist updates — British intelligence has said that an al-Qaeda operative has told that planned strikes against financial targets in the US will take place in early September. Pejman Yousefzadeh: Here is the latest on what we are hearing from an al Qaeda operative in the custody of British intelligence: "More... Smash: UPDATE: British Intelligence is interrogating an al Qaeda member who claims that attacks against American financial... |
| Also: KJL, Hugh Hewitt, Jeff Quinton, Joe Gandelman, Glenn Reynolds, Cori Dauber, Daniel Drezner | |
Pre-9/11 Acts Led To Alerts WaPo — Permalink Most of the al Qaeda surveillance of five financial institutions that led to a new terrorism alert Sunday was conducted before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and authorities are not sure whether the casing of the buildings has continued, numerous intelligence and law enforcement officials said yesterday. | |
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Richard TPD: bush banks on our insecurity homeland security.gif Via the inimitable Patriot Boy Now we all know: those terror... Frederick Maryland: But my suspicion that the timing and nature of DHS alerts may be driven partially by politics has been heightened after reading this front-page Washington Post story. Max B. Sawicky: I'M STILL HERE BUT WHY IS TOM RIDGE? What a hack. He can't resign too soon. Next thing you know, we'll be watching the ports for an attack by the Barbary Pirates. |
Kevin Drum: This is from the Washington Post: "More than half a dozen government officials interviewed yesterday, who declined to... Aaron @LiquidList: Can the Bush Administration get anything right regarding intelligence to keep this country safe? Michael Froomkin: Update: The Washington Post story on the arbitrary release of a warning based on aged data is clearer than the NYT... |
| Also: Hugh Hewitt, James Martin Capozzola, Norbizness, Steven Taylor, Atrios, Christopher Kanis, Cori Dauber, Barbara O'Brien, Michael Young, Tom Maguire, Dave Winer, Chuck Currie, Mathew Gross, Billmon, Steve M., Joe Gandelman | |
GOP wooing Keyes to take on Obama By / Chicago Sun Times — Permalink Barack Obama might get a race, after all. Former GOP presidential candidate Alan Keyes told Illinois Republicans Monday that he is ''open to the idea'' of taking on the Democrat in the U.S. Senate race — a move that would pit two eloquent, nationally known African Americans against one another. | |
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Jesse Taylor: All Keyed Up — Alan Keyes is being tapped as Obama's opponent in Illinois. James Joyner: Chicago Sun-Times - GOP wooing Keyes to take on Obama "Barack Obama might get a race, after all. Oliver Willis: They're thinking about running Alan "abortion is genocide for blacks" Keyes against Barack Obama. |
Pejman Yousefzadeh: . . And it is not exactly setting my heart afire in 2004: [snipped quote] This is ridiculous. Joe Gandelman: It looks like they have...and they're wooing him. It sounds like he's interested (so what if he doesn't live in Illinois... Tom Maguire: When You Ain't Got Nothin' — When you ain't got nothin', you run Alan Keyes against Barack Obama. |
| Also: Ace, Jeff Quinton, Atrios, Eugene Oregon, KJL | |
Reading the Script By / NYT — Permalink A message to my fellow journalists: check out media watch sites like campaigndesk.org, mediamatters.org and dailyhowler.com. It's good to see ourselves as others see us. | |
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John Emerson: Today Paul Krugman gave his own answer to this question, by recommending that his fellow journalists start reading David... Mary InLosGatos: Stories The Media Tells — Paul Krugman shines a bright light on the foilbles of the media. David Adesnik: KRUGMAN VS. CABLE TELEVISION: There are two good reasons to read Paul Krugman's column in this morning's NYT. |
Tom Maguire: Bob Somerby Deserves It — Paul Krugman did well in picking out Bob Somerby of the Daily Howler as a helpful guide to our media follies. Lambert @Corrente: Goodnight, moon — Any day when Krugman does a shout-out for the blogosphere is a good day: [snipped quote] Night all. Steve M.: Paul Krugman today Check your in-box, Paul. You're going to get more mail. And cable news (as I'm sure you know) isn't the sole culprit. |
| Also: Oliver Willis, Ed Cone, Barbara O'Brien, Digby | |
Critics Attack Kerry's Iraq Troops Plan By / AP — Permalink WASHINGTON - John Kerry says he can "put a deal together" as president to drastically reduce U.S. troop strength in Iraq , a pledge reminiscent of Richard Nixon's secret plan to end the Vietnam War and Dwight D. Eisenhower's promise to stop fighting in Korea. | |
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Pejman Yousefzadeh: Regarding John Kerry's secret plan to draw down American troops in Iraq, the AP has this report which seeks some... Tom Maguire: So when Mr. Fournier delivers the journalistic equivalent of the Rodney King beating, I, bouyant, light-hearted, and resolutely not-grim partisan that I am, have to avert my eyes. KJL: THE AP? THE ASSOCIATED PRESS? WHAT NEXT? REUTERS? Ron Fournier of AP today makes a Kerry-Nixon comparison. |
Ed Driscoll: The news comes as AP runs an article which compares John Kerry's "secret plans" for Iraq to Richard Nixon's to end the Vietnam war. Captain Ed: Ron Fournier writes that Kerry's plan is not only reminiscent of Nixon, but that it's ultimately irrelevant: "John... Glenn Reynolds: ED MORRISSEY and Greg Djerejian have much to say about this rather critical analysis of Kerry's Iraq plans. |
Snapping to Attention By / NYT — Permalink A few years ago, while covering John McCain's presidential campaign, I noticed this weird phenomenon. When he spoke to veterans in South Carolina, they would greet him warmly but not effusively. Then he'd go before a college audience in New Hampshire and everybody would be in rapture. | |
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Phillip Carter: In support of that point, I offer the evidence of bad post-war planning that failed to take military advice into... Nick Confessore: David Brooks gets a lot right in this column. It's wonderful that more Americans are thinking and reflecting on the sacrifices made by those in uniform. Cori Dauber: I don't know I agree with everything he's got here, but I know that he's right about the fact that the nation as a whole... |
Stephen Green: Required Reading — Why David Brooks is one of the most interesting conservative thinkers in America today. Andrew Stuttaford: POSSIBLY, A MOMENT OF MADNESS...from David Brooks in today's New York Times: "My own instinct is that we need an... Jesse Taylor: Reporting For Duty — David Brooks actually raises an interesting point (and endorses Kerry's national service program) in today's column. |
| Also: Betsy Newmark | |
Nailing down a Teresa tale NY Daily News — Permalink Just because Teresa Heinz Kerry is a billionaire doesn't mean that she doesn't pinch pennies. I hear that folks at George's Salon in Washington's Four Season Hotel - where Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry's wife gets her nails done - are complaining... | |
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Jesse Walker: On Our Guard for Sin and Degradation — Meredith Wright sends us word of yet another casualty of the indecency... Robert Cox: FINEMAN WATCH COMMENCES Howard Fineman has been banished to an undisclosed location (perhaps doing appearances with... Atrios: Journalism — It's more important to keep your job than to speak the truth. Whores. |
Betsy Newmark: Lloyd Grove finds evidence that Teresa is not a spendthrift. "Just because Teresa Heinz Kerry is a billionaire doesn't mean that she doesn't pinch pennies. Roger Ailes: Noball — Here's the measure of Howard Fineman's integrity: [snipped quote] There's a man who won't sell his soul for less than spot on a cable show with sub-basement ratings. |
A Czar Without Power? Support Leaves Questions By / NYT — Permalink WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 - President Bush on Monday cast his support for a new post of national intelligence director as an historic overhaul of the nation's major spy agencies. | |
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Mark Kleiman: We're going to have an intelligence "czar": — With no agency of his own; — With no budget authority or other direct... Tarek @LiquidList: And preventing the national intelligence director from hiring and firing his own most important deputies — or... Josh Marshall: "White House and — Bush campaign officials have long said that the details [of White House counterterrorism proposals]... |
Digby: The Politics Of Image and Derision — "White House and Bush campaign officials have long said that the details matter... David Allan Pell: If Bush is merely tossing a bone to the political animals and will ultimately serve up a chief with no power, then this is yet another waste of time in an era with little to spare. |
Pakistan Arrests Two More Al Qaeda Suspects Reuters — Permalink ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan has arrested two more foreigners believed to be members of al Qaeda in the last 24 hours, local intelligence officials said Tuesday. | |
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Smash: Our Fight — TWO SUSPECTED AL QAEDA MEMBERS have been arrested in Pakistan, Reuters reports. Captain Ed: Pakistan has suddenly hit a hot streak in capturing al-Qaeda suspects, arresting two more to bring their total to four over the past month. |
Jeff Quinton: Reuters: "Pakistan has arrested two more foreigners believed to be members of al Qaeda in the last 24 hours, local intelligence officials said Tuesday. |
So why did Bush, not Kerry, get the bounce? By / USA Today — Permalink WASHINGTON — There was a bounce after last week's Democratic National Convention. But it went to President Bush, not John Kerry. Pollsters and strategists are puzzling over Kerry's failure to get a boost from a convention that even critics acknowledged went almost precisely as planned. | |
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Michael Totten: Please. Kerry got no bounce - no bounce - from his own convention. If I were advising either Kerry or Bush I'd tell both of them to be quiet and stay away from the cameras. Joe Gandelman: Media and blog pundits, analysts, partisans, etc are now having a field day with this new detour from the conventional... Howard Kurtz: The press has invested so heavily in Bounce Theory that it can't let the matter go: "There was a bounce after last week's Democratic National Convention," says USA Today. |
John Hawkins: Kerry Hires Edwards to Sue DNC Over 'Bounce' By Scott Ott — Democrat presidential candidate John Forbes Kerry today... Rich Lowry: MORE GALLUP/USA TODAY — USA Today has interesting follow-up on its poll results: more Republicans were ginned up by the... Betsy Newmark: Susan Page in USA Today looks at the Gallup poll results and all the possible explanations for why Bush got Kerry's convention bounce. |
| Also: Mike Rappaport, Greg @BeggingToDiffer | |