11.21.08
Posted in politics at 1:36 pm by kevin
Islamists say they’ll fight Somali pirates
This has a tinge of Alien vs. Predator about it, and isn’t unambiguously sunshine and roses (note that the group’s point isn’t to discourage piracy per se, but to limit piracy against Islamic nations). Still, it poses an interesting point to the folks who group all malefactors together in one giant bundle of badness.
Of course, I suspect that the population segment that will see this story doesn’t overlap too much with the population segment that lumps all “evildoers” together.
Permalink
Posted in politics at 12:14 pm by kevin
Dionne: What Next for Obama’s Network?
If you’re a politics junkie, this is the billion-dollar question ($1 billion is the valuation some put on Obama’s fundraising and email list). More than a fundraising machine, of course, Obama For America (now Powered By Hope… and Victory!) is likely to become a powerful advocacy mechanism - a MoveOn directed, at least implicitly, from the White House.
For instance, if the health insurance industry weren’t inclined to support universal health care of its own accord (helped, no doubt, by the prevailing winds), I could see OFA as the counterpoint to a new round of Harry and Louise ads.
Update: Ed Rollins alludes to this in his argument to keep the White House Office of Political Affairs:
…that’s why he needs a political operation in his White House — to stay connected to the supporters who elected him.
Permalink
07.07.08
Posted in politics at 8:37 pm by kevin
I realize I haven’t written here in a while. Sorry, that’s how it goes. However, the project I’ve been working on for much of 2008 - Polihood - is now in a private beta. If you’re reading this, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll get you an invitation code (or just fill out the form and ask for one!)
Permalink
12.01.07
Posted in entertainment, politics at 10:46 pm by kevin
Judge suspended for jailing court
A US judge has been removed from the bench for jailing an entire courtroom audience after none of them admitted being responsible for a ringing phone.
Yeah… that’s what we call an overreaction.
Permalink
10.28.07
Posted in education, politics at 9:44 pm by kevin
I Just Couldn’t Sacrifice My Son
This heartbreaking story of giving up on D.C.’s schools - public and charter - is a telling and worrisome sign for education in the District, and a stark reminder that even the most involved parents and significant funding can’t solve for apathetic administrators and overworked teachers.
Permalink
Posted in politics at 8:30 pm by kevin
Obama Promises a Forceful Stand Against Clinton
I like Obama; I really do. I just like Hillary more. So I’m wondering whether this “new”, more forceful Obama will be a detriment to Hillary, or a boon - by forcing her to fight back and come out stronger, which is something that both Clintons excel at.
Permalink
10.26.07
Posted in politics at 11:38 pm by kevin
Fema sorry for ‘fake’ conference
The US Federal Emergency Management Administration has apologised for having its employees pose as reporters at a hastily arranged news conference.
No actual reporters were able to attend Fema’s televised briefing on the fires in California on Tuesday because they were only been given 15 minutes notice.
Instead, press officers asked questions many described as soft and gratuitous.
Uh-huh.
Permalink
10.14.07
Posted in politics at 7:18 pm by kevin
Former CEO Says U.S. Punished Phone Firm
There’s not one, but two reasons for outrage here:
1) The NSA punishing Qwest for not acceding to the warrantless wiretapping? Really?
2) The warrantless wiretapping that started a month after Bush took office, rather than in the “post-9/11″ world? Really?
Now, to be fair, this story is coming out as part of Nacchio’s defense in his insider trading trial, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to apply a generous helping of salt to these claims. However, the documentary evidence seems to suggest that he’s not lying - and the government’s zeal in resisting declassification of documents that could definitively prove the point isn’t helping the NSA’s case.
Permalink
10.13.07
Posted in technology, politics at 3:34 pm by kevin
Unserved by banks, poor Kenyans now just use a cellphone
This is exactly the kind of revolutionary, yet concrete, change that technology has promised to bring to development.
In short: traditional banks don’t see a lot of value in serving the poor, because the transaction and administrative costs tend to exceed potential profits. Along comes M-PESA, a cell-banking service run by Safaricom (Kenya’s largest cellphone company), and lo and behold - administrative costs are reduced to the point where the business model is economically worthwhile.
Permalink
10.10.07
Posted in politics at 1:12 pm by kevin
‘Dear Abby’ says she’s for gay marriage
Good for her - I wonder how many of her readers will take this to heart, how many will suddenly boycott the heretofore-revered column, and how many will simply take the advice they like and leave the advice they don’t (which is, certainly, their prerogative).
Permalink
« Previous entries