memeorandum: On Taxes, ‘Modeling,’ and the Vision Thing (Wall Street Journal)

8:50 PM ET, December 24, 2011

Top Items:

Erik Wasson / The Hill:

Obama says he's not bound by Guantanamo, gun-control provisions — President Obama said Friday he will not be bound by at least 20 policy riders in the 2012 omnibus funding the government, including provisions pertaining to Guantanamo Bay and gun control. — After he signed the omnibus …

Discussion: americanthinker.com, Taylor Marsh and Weasel Zippers

The White House:

Statement by the President on H.R. 2055 — Today I have signed into law H.R. 2055, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012.” This bill provides the funding necessary for the smooth operation of our Nation's Government. — I have previously announced that it is the policy of my Administration …

Charlie Savage / New York Times:

Obama Challenges Provisions in Budget Bill — WASHINGTON — When President Obama signed a budget bill on Friday, he issued a signing statement claiming a right to bypass dozens of provisions that placed requirements or restrictions on the executive branch, saying he had “well-founded constitutional objections” to the new statutes.

Discussion: American Prospect, Sky Dancing and Washington Monthly

Jennifer Rubin / Washington Post:

Obama's worst error — President Obama missed the boat on tax reform. He put politics above entitlement reform. He worsened already-tense relations with Israel. But the worst error, in large part because it was both avoidable and is not irreversible, was to pull all troops out of Iraq.

Discussion: The Daily Dish and his vorpal sword

Peter Wehner / Commentary Magazine:
Iraq's “March Backwards Into the Sun”

Discussion: americanthinker.com

Joe Nocera / New York Times:

The Big Lie — So this is how the Big Lie works. — You begin with a hypothesis that has a certain surface plausibility. You find an ally whose background suggests that he's an “expert”; out of thin air, he devises “data.” You write articles in sympathetic publications …

Discussion: Political Mojo, The Big Picture, Paul Krugman and American Prospect

Katharine Q. Seelye / New York Times:

Gingrich's Ballot Miss Could Shake Voters' Confidence — Newt Gingrich declared confidently the other day that he would get his name on the ballot for the Republican presidential primary in Virginia. In fact, he said he already had the requisite 10,000 signatures and an additional 2,000 …

Discussion: ThinkProgress, The Caucus, Gothamist and No More Mister Nice Blog

Sarah Maslin Nir / The Caucus:
Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry Fail to Qualify for Virginia Primary Ballot

Discussion: Michelle Malkin, The Right Sphere, Election Law Blog and Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion

Associated Press: Gingrich fails to qualify for Va. primary ballot

Lawrence Solum / Legal Theory Blog:

Larry Ribstein, Rest in Peace — My former colleague and dear friend Larry Ribstein passed away this morning. Ribstein had a powerful intellect and iron will. His contributions to legal scholarship are many. In recent years, he has been best know for his work on the “uncorporation” …

Discussion: The Volokh Conspiracy, ProfessorBainbridge.com, PointOfLaw Forum, Truth on the Market, PrawfsBlawg and Marginal Revolution

Daniel Libit / The Daily:

Candidate warned of looming confrontation in 90's fundraising letter — Less than two weeks before the Iowa caucuses, Ron Paul is trying desperately to stave off the fate that befell Herman Cain, who dropped out of the Republican presidential race under a cloud of scandal.

Discussion: Weasel Zippers and Ballot Box

Faiz Shakir / ThinkProgress:

Gingrich Defends South Carolina's Decision To Fly Confederate Flag At Capital — At an event in South Carolina yesterday, Newt Gingrich was asked by a town hall participant to offer his views regarding the state's decision to fly the Confederate flag at the statehouse in Columbia.

Discussion: Outside the Beltway, The Politico, Little Green Footballs and Booman Tribune

Climate Guest Blogger / ThinkProgress:

How to Discuss Climate Change With Your Uncle During the Holidays — by Russell McLendon, in a Mother Nature Network cross-post — Most people know better than to bring up politics, religion or climatology in polite company. It's a recipe for arguments, or at least for awkwardness.

Discussion: Alan Colmes' Liberaland

Scott Whitlock / NewsBusters.org blogs:

Barbara Walters' Slobbering Interview With Obama: What Super Power Do You Want? — Barbara Walters, who famously asked Katherine Hepburn what type of tree she was, may have outdone herself in a slobbering interview with Michelle and Barack Obama. In previews of Friday's “20/20” segment …

Discussion: Althouse, Doug Ross, The Atlantic Wire and Scared Monkeys

Kevinliptak / CNN:
Christmas greetings replace partisanship in weekly addresses

Discussion: The Politico

Damian Thompson / blogs.telegraph.co.uk:

When Islam met the diversity industry... This week, I was told about a London primary school whose pupils are overwhelmingly Muslim. It isn't having a nativity play. There was a plan to sing carols in a lesson, but parents banned their children from attending. Mixed swimming lessons will soon be a thing of the past.

Discussion: Power Line and The Right Sphere

Wall Street Journal:

On Taxes, ‘Modeling,’ and the Vision Thing — The GOP front-runner says Iran is ‘evil,’ Newt Gingrich is wrong on judges, and he might consider a value-added tax. He also explains why his penchant for ‘data’ and analysis won't limit his ability to lead as president. — New York

Discussion: Big Government and GayPatriot

Alexander Bolton / Ballot Box:

Democrats believe payroll tax victory bolsters chances of taking House — Democrats believe their chances of recapturing the House have improved significantly after what was widely seen as a GOP meltdown in the payroll tax debate. — Democrats believe the messy fight has helped narrow …

Discussion: The Right Sphere