12.29.2008
Holiday Roundup II
That's right, posts on two consecutive days! Betcha didn't see that coming...
Item 1: This shameful story makes you want to live in one of those nice, stable "socialist" European countries where people can actually still, you know, retire.
Item 2: Three cheers for James Webb! The idealistic Senator from Virginia has volunteered to lead the charge for prison reform in the new year, yet another area of policy that screams for reform. As one might expect, Webb aims to decrease the U.S.'s staggering prison population (over half of which are black, although they represent about 13% of the population overall) by diverting non-violent and non-serious offenders to treatment and rehabilitation programs. Seems like a good idea, right? Rather than sending College Joe and his eighth of weed off to jail, where he'll get his student financial aid revoked and instead gain an "advanced degree in criminality" from his cellmate (President-elect Obama's words, believe it or not), why not give him a slap on the wrist with a citation or fine, thereby adding to the state coffers while also teaching him a lesson about how and when to get high? Of course, the spokespeople for the federal drug agencies don't like this idea at all. To me, that makes it all the more correct...
Item 3: Is there one federal agency that Bush didn't fuck up? Can somebody give me ONE? I thought not. Today, let's fret a little bit more about the FDA, especially the part where they didn't notify the public about the melamine-tainted food it was consuming until the AP filed a FOIA request and dragged it out of them. Bon apetit!
12.28.2008
Holiday Roundup
Back with a vengeance...
Item 1: In international news, Israel's recent bombardment of Gaza continues to dominate headlines. Clemons and Yglesias are quick to jump on this development as an/the early test of Obama's Middle East policy, but David Axelrod kept his lips sealed about it this morning on Face the Nation, reiterating for the millionth time that there is only one U.S. president at the moment, and his last name rhymes with "mush." I do agree with the aforementioned bloggers in one respect, however: There isn't and probably never will be sufficient impetus on the part of the regional parties alone to produce an enduring solution - the United States must become and be seen to be a fair mediator searching for a final solution (excuse the turn of phrase) to this interminable conflict. Obama has as good a chance to making headway on this issue as any modern president. As is the case with so many issues in need of attention, it's up to him to seize the opportunity.
Item 2: The Voice takes a cyber-sleigh ride through Rightbloggerland, noting the pervasive disappointment and somewhat humorous wishful linking (nyuk nyuk) regarding Obamalot and Blago. Tough Christmas to be a wingnut, I suppose. Get used to it, you silly idiots.
Item 3: Even as the nation's leading economist (there, I said it), Paul Krugman, waxed Quixotic on Face the Nation today about how this fiscal mess should be one huge lesson in the negative potential of rampant deregulation, Bush and his ilk demonstrate yet again that it's a lesson they won't be learning. What caused this crisis? Deregulation (etc.). What will solve it? More deregulation!!! That's just classic Bush logic, right there. [h/t Brilliant at Breakfast]
The Daily Taylor lives! Go out and spread the good news!
Item 1: In international news, Israel's recent bombardment of Gaza continues to dominate headlines. Clemons and Yglesias are quick to jump on this development as an/the early test of Obama's Middle East policy, but David Axelrod kept his lips sealed about it this morning on Face the Nation, reiterating for the millionth time that there is only one U.S. president at the moment, and his last name rhymes with "mush." I do agree with the aforementioned bloggers in one respect, however: There isn't and probably never will be sufficient impetus on the part of the regional parties alone to produce an enduring solution - the United States must become and be seen to be a fair mediator searching for a final solution (excuse the turn of phrase) to this interminable conflict. Obama has as good a chance to making headway on this issue as any modern president. As is the case with so many issues in need of attention, it's up to him to seize the opportunity.
Item 2: The Voice takes a cyber-sleigh ride through Rightbloggerland, noting the pervasive disappointment and somewhat humorous wishful linking (nyuk nyuk) regarding Obamalot and Blago. Tough Christmas to be a wingnut, I suppose. Get used to it, you silly idiots.
Item 3: Even as the nation's leading economist (there, I said it), Paul Krugman, waxed Quixotic on Face the Nation today about how this fiscal mess should be one huge lesson in the negative potential of rampant deregulation, Bush and his ilk demonstrate yet again that it's a lesson they won't be learning. What caused this crisis? Deregulation (etc.). What will solve it? More deregulation!!! That's just classic Bush logic, right there. [h/t Brilliant at Breakfast]
The Daily Taylor lives! Go out and spread the good news!
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