7.30.2004
7.29.2004
The week of a lifetime...
More images from what has undoubtedly been one of the best weeks of my life.
This young lady is from California and was attending her third Democratic Convention. She is also one of the shrewder business women I have ever encountered. She absolutely took me to the cleaners in a pin trade.
Johnny's night. I cannot even begin to express the feelings I had.
A sea of red.
One of the coolest things about this experience was the chance I had to meet many of my personal heroes. Harvey Gantt certainly is one of those heroes, and it was an absolute pleasure to sit in the same row as he and Mrs. Gantt. I still had hopes that I might get down to the floor until I realized that Harvey Gantt was sitting up in the higher seats too. If Harvey couldn't go down there, I sure wasn't going to make it. My gain.
Here's what it looked like from the floor on Wednesday. If you ever have a chance to go to one of these things, do so. It has been absolutely worth all the double hours I am going to have to pull from now through March to make up for this time. Thanks, Senator Edwards.
This young lady is from California and was attending her third Democratic Convention. She is also one of the shrewder business women I have ever encountered. She absolutely took me to the cleaners in a pin trade.
Johnny's night. I cannot even begin to express the feelings I had.
A sea of red.
One of the coolest things about this experience was the chance I had to meet many of my personal heroes. Harvey Gantt certainly is one of those heroes, and it was an absolute pleasure to sit in the same row as he and Mrs. Gantt. I still had hopes that I might get down to the floor until I realized that Harvey Gantt was sitting up in the higher seats too. If Harvey couldn't go down there, I sure wasn't going to make it. My gain.
Here's what it looked like from the floor on Wednesday. If you ever have a chance to go to one of these things, do so. It has been absolutely worth all the double hours I am going to have to pull from now through March to make up for this time. Thanks, Senator Edwards.
The Battle is Joined
I thought I had been in the building for the best speeches of the convention - Clinton,Carter, Obama, Sharpton and Edwards.
Well, I have to think now that I was sitting in a hotel in Georgia watching the best speech of the convention. John Kerry rose to the occasion this evening. He gave a hell of a speech.
Kerry's riff on the American Flag was an absolutely stunning bit of emotional rhetoric from a politician with a reputation for reserve and calm. Kerry threw down the gauntlet - the Democrats will not let the Republicans claim unto themselves the ideals of patriotism and religious faith.
I look forward to reading the text of the speech - there was quite a bit of borrowing phrases from others and weaving them into a new fabric that was quintessentially Kerry.
Senator Braun's oft-repeated story of all of us being in the same boat together. John Edwards' prescient use of the Abraham Lincoln prayer that we are on God's side. John Edwards condemnation of negative politics. Dick Cheney's "Help is on the way." George W. Bush's "restore integrity and honesty to the White House." Bill Clinton's "America's best days are yet to come."
I believe he did everything he needed to do. I am proud to call him my party's nominee.
Well, I have to think now that I was sitting in a hotel in Georgia watching the best speech of the convention. John Kerry rose to the occasion this evening. He gave a hell of a speech.
Kerry's riff on the American Flag was an absolutely stunning bit of emotional rhetoric from a politician with a reputation for reserve and calm. Kerry threw down the gauntlet - the Democrats will not let the Republicans claim unto themselves the ideals of patriotism and religious faith.
I look forward to reading the text of the speech - there was quite a bit of borrowing phrases from others and weaving them into a new fabric that was quintessentially Kerry.
Senator Braun's oft-repeated story of all of us being in the same boat together. John Edwards' prescient use of the Abraham Lincoln prayer that we are on God's side. John Edwards condemnation of negative politics. Dick Cheney's "Help is on the way." George W. Bush's "restore integrity and honesty to the White House." Bill Clinton's "America's best days are yet to come."
I believe he did everything he needed to do. I am proud to call him my party's nominee.
I.R.S. Says Americans' Income Shrank for 2 Consecutive Years
This sucks.
"The overall income Americans reported to the government shrank for two consecutive years after the Internet stock market bubble burst in 2000, the first time that has effectively happened since the modern tax system was introduced during World War II, newly disclosed information from the Internal Revenue Service shows."
Explain to me again why George Bush is running negative campaign ads instead of running on his record?
"The overall income Americans reported to the government shrank for two consecutive years after the Internet stock market bubble burst in 2000, the first time that has effectively happened since the modern tax system was introduced during World War II, newly disclosed information from the Internal Revenue Service shows."
Explain to me again why George Bush is running negative campaign ads instead of running on his record?
Pictures
Here are some photos for your enjoyment:
Bobby Kennedy spoke in my hotel. I managed to speak to him briefly about the NC Riverkeeper program and the Neuse. He seems like a nice guy, but he was swept away rather quickly.
Yeah thats WWE wrestler Mick Foley. And me. Heh. He's a Kerry delegate. Across the South, heads are exploding.
Roberta Flack lit up the room at the Congressional Black Caucus party last night.
Mo is a 20 year veteran of the Boston Police Department. He also has blue eyes. A really gentle, beautiful animal, who enjoyed apples.
Mark Shields was kind enough to stop in the rain and take a picture with me. He's ubiquitous here. I have seen him at least 7 times.
More later...
Bobby Kennedy spoke in my hotel. I managed to speak to him briefly about the NC Riverkeeper program and the Neuse. He seems like a nice guy, but he was swept away rather quickly.
Yeah thats WWE wrestler Mick Foley. And me. Heh. He's a Kerry delegate. Across the South, heads are exploding.
Roberta Flack lit up the room at the Congressional Black Caucus party last night.
Mo is a 20 year veteran of the Boston Police Department. He also has blue eyes. A really gentle, beautiful animal, who enjoyed apples.
Mark Shields was kind enough to stop in the rain and take a picture with me. He's ubiquitous here. I have seen him at least 7 times.
More later...
Closeup
It has been too long since I posted. I have been unbelievably busy today, and I don't have wireless access in the hall, so, I post when I can.
I just want to say that tonight, over a year of hard work came to fruition. I have dreamed about the moments I experienced tonight, and it was everything I thought it might be.
John Edwards did wonderfully well, especially considering he got to the stage after Al Sharpton had sucked all the oxygen out of the room. Sharpton's speech was a manificent red-meat speech. He played fantastically to the room. Less so, I suspect, to the public on TV. But damn, did he fire that room up.
Edwards gave a speech which drew very heavily on his stump speech. But notice, if you will, that at the end, he tied the two Americas into a vision of one America, optimistic, hopeful, moving forward.
It was a damn good speech, and I am proud that the sweat of my brow managed to contribute in some small way to putting a fine man, a man who will be a great Vice President, on the stage tonight in Boston.
------------
Earlier today, I was at Kerry's arrival at the wharf by the USS Constitution. Here's a picture. Many more to be posted soon. Some include prominent politicians waving their hands in the air like they just don't care...
But this one is going on my wall...
I just want to say that tonight, over a year of hard work came to fruition. I have dreamed about the moments I experienced tonight, and it was everything I thought it might be.
John Edwards did wonderfully well, especially considering he got to the stage after Al Sharpton had sucked all the oxygen out of the room. Sharpton's speech was a manificent red-meat speech. He played fantastically to the room. Less so, I suspect, to the public on TV. But damn, did he fire that room up.
Edwards gave a speech which drew very heavily on his stump speech. But notice, if you will, that at the end, he tied the two Americas into a vision of one America, optimistic, hopeful, moving forward.
It was a damn good speech, and I am proud that the sweat of my brow managed to contribute in some small way to putting a fine man, a man who will be a great Vice President, on the stage tonight in Boston.
------------
Earlier today, I was at Kerry's arrival at the wharf by the USS Constitution. Here's a picture. Many more to be posted soon. Some include prominent politicians waving their hands in the air like they just don't care...
But this one is going on my wall...
7.28.2004
Tonight
Barack Obama, Mark Shields, Wendie Malick (rrowwrrr), Jim Lehrer, John Lewis, Jeff Greenfield, Wolf Blitzer, Jerry Springer, Ed Rendell, and yes... Mick fricking Foley. Followed up by the Congressional Black Caucus party in my hotel, with the North Carolina's own Roberta Flack. All people I saw tonight. Had my camera battery not died on me, I would be showing you my pictures. Guess you'll have to wait.
But let me just say that I was so impressed by Obama. Optimism. True belief in the possibilities of America. Nice to see, wasn't it?
But let me just say that I was so impressed by Obama. Optimism. True belief in the possibilities of America. Nice to see, wasn't it?
7.27.2004
So you'll know..
... what kind of people we are up against, here's one of the intellectual champions of the right, David Frum, commenting on the 9/11 tribute last night (thanks to Jesse:
On National Review online:
"The presentation turns out to be a halting personal statement by one of the 9/11 bereaved, a Muslim woman originally from Sri Lanka who now serves on the Democratic platform committee. Her speech is followed by a a violin solo of “Amazing Grace,” a dimming of the lights, and a blaze of candles. No words of course – too Christian. And just to distance them even further from the hymn, they chose a violinist named Gabe Lefkowitz. It’s like an update of that old Calvin Trillin joke: “Terrorists strike America – Muslims, Jews suffer most.”"
That's right, make fun of the mother of the lost victims, attack the liberals for bing anti-Christian, and, for good measure, invoke the religion of the teenage soloist, just to make sure the antiSemites don't feel left out.
We have to get these people out of power.
On National Review online:
"The presentation turns out to be a halting personal statement by one of the 9/11 bereaved, a Muslim woman originally from Sri Lanka who now serves on the Democratic platform committee. Her speech is followed by a a violin solo of “Amazing Grace,” a dimming of the lights, and a blaze of candles. No words of course – too Christian. And just to distance them even further from the hymn, they chose a violinist named Gabe Lefkowitz. It’s like an update of that old Calvin Trillin joke: “Terrorists strike America – Muslims, Jews suffer most.”"
That's right, make fun of the mother of the lost victims, attack the liberals for bing anti-Christian, and, for good measure, invoke the religion of the teenage soloist, just to make sure the antiSemites don't feel left out.
We have to get these people out of power.
Images of Boston
The tribute to the victims of 9/11 contained a moving speech by a woman who lost her daghter-in-law, son and unborn grandchild on Flight 11 and a performance of "Amazing Grace" by a teenage solo violinist. The delegates on the floor had little flashlights, the lights were dimmed, and the effect was absolutely stunning. I write about this, because if you watched it on Fox News, you missed it. Alone among the networks, they babbled over it.
Boston's Irish population stems largely from the massive influx of Irish Immigrants during the potato famine in the 1840s. This is a the Famine Memorial on Spring Street. Ireland's population before the famine? 8.5 million. Afterwards? 1 million dead, as many as 2.5 million emigrated. Meanwhile, the British absentee landlords continued to force the Irish to export grain to pay the rents.
Fred Phelps and his "God Hates Fags" contingent embarrassed Christianity and sullied the free speech pen at the Fleet Center. The "pen" as it is called, is not the only place to protest, as parades and marches occurred throughout the city all day, but if you want to remain unmolested while speaking your mind within shouting distance of the Fleet Center - into the pen you go. Unfortunately, Phelps was already there...
These guys had something to say...
Followed very closely by these guys:
The Massachusetts State House, where the gay marriage debates took place earlier this year, and where John Kennedy, Tip O'Neill, John Kerry, and others plied their trade before heading to DC.
More later...
What a night
So it'sthree in the morning, and I have to be at a delegate breakfast at 8. No problem. I'm wired.
Tonight, in a quiet voice, Jimmy Carter destroyed the Bush Presidency. No one could have listened to that speech and come away with any impression but that the President of the United States was just calmly and tactfully scolded by his better.
I have never loved Jimmy Carter more than I did tonight when he stated unequivocally that "nothing less than the natioin's soul is at stake in this election." Only a statesman of Carter's stature could have brought off that speech. And he did it magnificently.
Clinton was,well, Clinton. There will never be another like him. What some of you watching from home may have missed was the amount of that speech which was off-the-cuff and not on the teleprompter. He ad libbed at least a third of that speech. And, moreover, he ended it at 10:59.
All in all,a successful evening for the DNC.
Later, I had the privilge of meeting both Jesse Taylor of Pandagon and Atrios of Eschaton. Atrios's real name is likely public by now, but I won't blow it. It was a pleasure to hang out with him at the North Carolina/Oregon Delegation party at the Hanover House, which is the townhome over the Bull & Finch, also known as Cheers. As you can see below, I impose upon General Clark for a photo. I saw Attorney General Reno earlier in the day,but she looked fairly determined to get somewhere, so I didn't bother her. I said hello in passing and she gave a cheery wave to what was no doubt the 500th person to have recognized her on the street.
There are a few nitpicks, however. The main one is that the building is just too small for this event. The public spaces outside of the spectator bowl are nearly nonexistent, mere low-ceilinged hallways with nowhere near enough roomfor traffic to circulate. There are constant bottlenecks and insufficient bathroom facilities. For a building as new as the Fleet Center is, you think they might have thought to include some wide hallways and some windows.
Nevertheless, Bostonians are going out of their way to make us feel welcome. I've never met nicer cops.
I will have more to say tomorrow. Howard Dean and Barack Obama tomorrow - red meat time.
Tonight, in a quiet voice, Jimmy Carter destroyed the Bush Presidency. No one could have listened to that speech and come away with any impression but that the President of the United States was just calmly and tactfully scolded by his better.
I have never loved Jimmy Carter more than I did tonight when he stated unequivocally that "nothing less than the natioin's soul is at stake in this election." Only a statesman of Carter's stature could have brought off that speech. And he did it magnificently.
Clinton was,well, Clinton. There will never be another like him. What some of you watching from home may have missed was the amount of that speech which was off-the-cuff and not on the teleprompter. He ad libbed at least a third of that speech. And, moreover, he ended it at 10:59.
All in all,a successful evening for the DNC.
Later, I had the privilge of meeting both Jesse Taylor of Pandagon and Atrios of Eschaton. Atrios's real name is likely public by now, but I won't blow it. It was a pleasure to hang out with him at the North Carolina/Oregon Delegation party at the Hanover House, which is the townhome over the Bull & Finch, also known as Cheers. As you can see below, I impose upon General Clark for a photo. I saw Attorney General Reno earlier in the day,but she looked fairly determined to get somewhere, so I didn't bother her. I said hello in passing and she gave a cheery wave to what was no doubt the 500th person to have recognized her on the street.
There are a few nitpicks, however. The main one is that the building is just too small for this event. The public spaces outside of the spectator bowl are nearly nonexistent, mere low-ceilinged hallways with nowhere near enough roomfor traffic to circulate. There are constant bottlenecks and insufficient bathroom facilities. For a building as new as the Fleet Center is, you think they might have thought to include some wide hallways and some windows.
Nevertheless, Bostonians are going out of their way to make us feel welcome. I've never met nicer cops.
I will have more to say tomorrow. Howard Dean and Barack Obama tomorrow - red meat time.
7.26.2004
John Edwards, Juris Doctor
As an answer to those Edwards detractors who would criticize the Senator's former career as a medical malpractice trial lawyer, Anthony J. Sebok, a professor at Brooklyn Law School, has written this concise and accessible essay for Findlaw.com. In addition to pointing out that physicians should primarily address their complaints about rising malpractice premiums to the insurance industry, Sebok debunks the negative myths about Edwards' medical malpractice litigation and about trial lawyers in general by examining not only Edwards' career, but the philosophical underpinnings of American tort law. Bolstered by pertinent recent statistics regarding malpractice awards, and tempered with some practical insight on the concept of personal responsibility, Sebok's column gives you all the ammunition you need to converse with those who seem to think "trial lawyer" is an epithet.
(Thanks to the Hammer for the heads up.)
(Thanks to the Hammer for the heads up.)
Relevance
The newspapers are full of the question "are conventions still relevant?" The short answer is, yes. While there can be no doubt that the events of this weekend are stage-managed down to the color of the bag lunches given to delegates, there can also be no doubt that, for this one week, Boston is the center of the political universe.
I just came back from the NC Delegation breakfast, where we were greeted by the shouter in chief himself, General Wesley Clark. He did a fine job, and it is clear his duty at this convention and in this campaign is to nail down the national security vote. Clark: "THAT is OUR FLAG. We know it because we have fought for it. We have seen good men and women buried under it. We love that flag. And we will NOT let Tom Delay, John Ashcroft, Dick Ceney and George W. Bush take that flag away from us. We will not."
He will do well, but he paled in comparison to the brief, amateurish but elegant statement made by Senator Kerry's swift-boat gunner. If he is allowed to have some TV time on Thursday, Kerry's bounce is going to be large indeed.
But back to the point of my post. Conventions are still relevant because they still exist. As long as we gather powerbrokers in one place and let them preach to the converted for a week, the conventions will still matter. Will they continue to be newsworthy? That depends on what newsworthy means. If by newsworthy you mean sensational and controversial - then probably not. But, in a rational society, the press would focus on the ideas and goals and emotions motivating these, the most active participants in our democracy. Funny how that isn't happening here, and won't be happening in New York. There is an illness affecting our Democracy, and I am more and more convinced that it is centered in our press.
Kos has an interesting post up right now concerning the continued relevance of the Democratic Party in the era of the 527 and the blogosphere. I like Kos, I really do, but he does have a tendency to attach messianic significance to a bunch of political junkies typing their thoughts out on webpages. Certainly the fundraising muscle of bloggers has only begun to be flexed, but the Parties have always had a way of subsuming every challenge to their hegemony. Ask LaFollette and Teddy Roosevelt how easy it is to break the system.
The blogs and the 527s (provided they survive the next round of campaign reform) offer a superb opportunity to develop and expand the political power of the next generation of activists and policy-makers. But I do not see people bringing up their children as "Kossacks" or "Atrians."
I'm a Democrat, dammit, and proud of it.
I just came back from the NC Delegation breakfast, where we were greeted by the shouter in chief himself, General Wesley Clark. He did a fine job, and it is clear his duty at this convention and in this campaign is to nail down the national security vote. Clark: "THAT is OUR FLAG. We know it because we have fought for it. We have seen good men and women buried under it. We love that flag. And we will NOT let Tom Delay, John Ashcroft, Dick Ceney and George W. Bush take that flag away from us. We will not."
He will do well, but he paled in comparison to the brief, amateurish but elegant statement made by Senator Kerry's swift-boat gunner. If he is allowed to have some TV time on Thursday, Kerry's bounce is going to be large indeed.
But back to the point of my post. Conventions are still relevant because they still exist. As long as we gather powerbrokers in one place and let them preach to the converted for a week, the conventions will still matter. Will they continue to be newsworthy? That depends on what newsworthy means. If by newsworthy you mean sensational and controversial - then probably not. But, in a rational society, the press would focus on the ideas and goals and emotions motivating these, the most active participants in our democracy. Funny how that isn't happening here, and won't be happening in New York. There is an illness affecting our Democracy, and I am more and more convinced that it is centered in our press.
Kos has an interesting post up right now concerning the continued relevance of the Democratic Party in the era of the 527 and the blogosphere. I like Kos, I really do, but he does have a tendency to attach messianic significance to a bunch of political junkies typing their thoughts out on webpages. Certainly the fundraising muscle of bloggers has only begun to be flexed, but the Parties have always had a way of subsuming every challenge to their hegemony. Ask LaFollette and Teddy Roosevelt how easy it is to break the system.
The blogs and the 527s (provided they survive the next round of campaign reform) offer a superb opportunity to develop and expand the political power of the next generation of activists and policy-makers. But I do not see people bringing up their children as "Kossacks" or "Atrians."
I'm a Democrat, dammit, and proud of it.
Ricky Williams retires. . . wha?
Not a good day to be a fan of the Fish or a fantasy football owner who has drafted the starting running back for the Miami Dolphins. It appears that Ricky Williams, stud running back and NFL oddball, is retiring after only two years in Miami. Williams has suffered from depression and social anxiety disorder and has always been a wee bit unusual (he used to wear his helmet during interviews), but this comes as a huge surprise given his recent success and the high expectations for the Fins this season.
While this may be a great decision for Ricky and his family, he really shafted his fans and teammates with the timing of this announcement - one week before the opening of training camp and after most of the top free agents have been signed. Welcome to the big-time Travis Minor!
While this may be a great decision for Ricky and his family, he really shafted his fans and teammates with the timing of this announcement - one week before the opening of training camp and after most of the top free agents have been signed. Welcome to the big-time Travis Minor!
Boston
I have arrived in Beantown. Well, actually, I arrived at about 3:30 this afternoon. I got to the Hyatt Regency, where I am staying with the North Carolina delegation, only to find that I was to board a bus at 4.
So I went to my room and changed into a suit - no tie - and got on the bus to the official delegation welcome party for the North Carolina delegation.
I had only eaten a can of slimfast and two bags of pretzels all day, so the food smelled great. They had pasta bars where the cooks were making sauce (mmmmmm garlic....) and a table that stretched about 25 yards, with all sorts of heavy hors d'ouvres. I am finding that the best part of being in a delegation is the free food.
From that party, after I gorged myself and drank a few drinks, it was on to the Boston Pops concert at City Hall. The O'Jays opened. Money money money money - mon-ay!
At the end of the concert, the city launched a ridiculous amount of fireworks, and from my vantage point, they were bursting right over Faneuil Hall. It was really quite beautiful.
Then it was back to the hotel for another reception, this one with another open bar and an icecream sundae table - a quick change - and off to some Boston Irish Pubs, which were disappointingly empty after midnight.
Sightings of famous people today - Senator John Breaux, schmooozing the Louisiana delegation outside the Park Plaza hotel. A sign held by a limo driver which read "John Podesta." Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, who cut a serious rug on the brick pavers outside City Hall during the O'Jays concert.
I also spoke to Harvey Gantt, who is a Kerry delegate from Charlotte, Rep. Brad Miller and my great Congressman - David Price. He and I discussed the relative merits of the eclair versus the petit-four. He was off to the Sox-Yankees game (GO SOX!), which has been declared a metaphor for the general election (Boston convention party vs. New York convention party). I also found Congressman Mike McIntyre wandering with his son, lost in the theatre district and trying to find the hotel. We pointed him towards the right street and kept walking.
This really is a confusing but entertaining city. It was not laid out in a grid, to say the least, and the modern streets follow the same haphazard pattern of the colonial alleyways they replaced. So, it's hard to explain how to get anywhere from anywhere. It's a very walkable, pleasant town. As Mayor Menino said tonight, it's a big city, but it's a small town.
Coolest sign seen today? "Old South Meeting House - Benjamin Franklin was baptised here."
Talk to you tomorrow.
So I went to my room and changed into a suit - no tie - and got on the bus to the official delegation welcome party for the North Carolina delegation.
I had only eaten a can of slimfast and two bags of pretzels all day, so the food smelled great. They had pasta bars where the cooks were making sauce (mmmmmm garlic....) and a table that stretched about 25 yards, with all sorts of heavy hors d'ouvres. I am finding that the best part of being in a delegation is the free food.
From that party, after I gorged myself and drank a few drinks, it was on to the Boston Pops concert at City Hall. The O'Jays opened. Money money money money - mon-ay!
At the end of the concert, the city launched a ridiculous amount of fireworks, and from my vantage point, they were bursting right over Faneuil Hall. It was really quite beautiful.
Then it was back to the hotel for another reception, this one with another open bar and an icecream sundae table - a quick change - and off to some Boston Irish Pubs, which were disappointingly empty after midnight.
Sightings of famous people today - Senator John Breaux, schmooozing the Louisiana delegation outside the Park Plaza hotel. A sign held by a limo driver which read "John Podesta." Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, who cut a serious rug on the brick pavers outside City Hall during the O'Jays concert.
I also spoke to Harvey Gantt, who is a Kerry delegate from Charlotte, Rep. Brad Miller and my great Congressman - David Price. He and I discussed the relative merits of the eclair versus the petit-four. He was off to the Sox-Yankees game (GO SOX!), which has been declared a metaphor for the general election (Boston convention party vs. New York convention party). I also found Congressman Mike McIntyre wandering with his son, lost in the theatre district and trying to find the hotel. We pointed him towards the right street and kept walking.
This really is a confusing but entertaining city. It was not laid out in a grid, to say the least, and the modern streets follow the same haphazard pattern of the colonial alleyways they replaced. So, it's hard to explain how to get anywhere from anywhere. It's a very walkable, pleasant town. As Mayor Menino said tonight, it's a big city, but it's a small town.
Coolest sign seen today? "Old South Meeting House - Benjamin Franklin was baptised here."
Talk to you tomorrow.
7.23.2004
Like it or not, Mr. Bush will be held accountable
With all the hoopla over the 9/11 Commission report and it' 'share the blame' approach, there is no doubt where the blame should be assigned for the chaos in Iraq. Forgetting for the moment the treasonous deceptions that led us to war, Paul Krugman makes a strong case that this President's planning for and handling of "post-war" Iraq has been at best incompetent. And George likes to think of himself as the nation's CEO.
As he's done so many times in his career, he's again proven that he can manage little more than his vacation schedule. The shareholders are going to fire this guy in November. That's accountability.
As he's done so many times in his career, he's again proven that he can manage little more than his vacation schedule. The shareholders are going to fire this guy in November. That's accountability.
US Army sending troops to Texas
The Army has decided to move 8,800 troops to Texas. According to the article, it's not clear why. I think they're on a mission to bring democracy and freedom.
More Revelations in Berger Inquiry
Let's get this straight: two days ago the White House knew nothing about the Berger inquiry, yesterday the White House Counsel's Office knew about it and today the NSC knew about it. It seems to me that there is more evidence of a politically-motivated leak than there is of some evil motive by Berger.
Jon Stewart on "Talking Points"
Saw this linked on Atrios. . . it's nice to see the Television Critics Association winner for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information demonstrate how the media regularly gets played by politicians and pundits - and their often-fictional talking points.
7.22.2004
Vinroot's out
Thanks to jri for the tip-off. N&O is reporting that Vinroot will not call for a run-off, freeing Ballantine to begin campaigning directly against Dem incumbent Mike Easley. This strikes me as goodness for the Republicans.
The Berger Affair
DailyKos culls some blurbs from the Center for American Progress into to a nice overview of the Berger affair.
Lance Redux
Another stage win. . . Here's the play-by-play (this was a long mountainous stage and the stage ends with a relatively flat section after a long descent):
17 H 14 - Kloden Lead By 75m
Kloden has an impressive lead on Landis, Armstrong, Ullrich and Basso. There are 500m to go and it looks like the German champion will win the 17th stage...
17 H 15 - Lance Wins Again!
Lance has chased down Kloden and won the stage! The yellow jersey caught the German champion in the final 25m to win his 4th stage this year.
17 H 17 - Armstrong The Unstoppable...
It doesn't matter if it's a climb, a time trial or a sprint, Lance is unstoppable this year. He has just taken the lead away from Kloden in the closing 25 meter of the 204.5km 17th stage. We await confirmation of the minor places but it seems that Ullrich was third, Basso fourth and Landis fifth.
17 H 14 - Kloden Lead By 75m
Kloden has an impressive lead on Landis, Armstrong, Ullrich and Basso. There are 500m to go and it looks like the German champion will win the 17th stage...
17 H 15 - Lance Wins Again!
Lance has chased down Kloden and won the stage! The yellow jersey caught the German champion in the final 25m to win his 4th stage this year.
17 H 17 - Armstrong The Unstoppable...
It doesn't matter if it's a climb, a time trial or a sprint, Lance is unstoppable this year. He has just taken the lead away from Kloden in the closing 25 meter of the 204.5km 17th stage. We await confirmation of the minor places but it seems that Ullrich was third, Basso fourth and Landis fifth.
7.21.2004
LANCE!!
Simply the greatest American athlete since Jim Thorpe.
He won today by over a minute, and his nearest competitor, Ivan Basso, folded like a cheap suit.
He won today by over a minute, and his nearest competitor, Ivan Basso, folded like a cheap suit.
The sad case of David Miner
David Miner is a North Carolina state representative from Cary. He is one of President Bush's most successful fundraisers. He is a reliably conservative voice on fiscal and social matters, and has been rated one of the most effective legislators in Raleigh time and again. He's young, he's a disciplined campaigner, and he has been touted as a politician with a national future. In the context of the 50/50 divide in the State House, he has occasionally compromised in order to pass legislation. He's a capable and effective public servant.
He's also out of a job.
Nelson Dollar, a self-describes right-wing conservative who owes his very presence on the ballot to Russell Capps and the Wake County Taxpayers Association, ran a negative campaign of disgusting ferocity against Miner. Whispers were allowed to circulate which, shall we say, fortuitously combined Mr. Miner's single status and his vote against the anti-gay marriage amendment. And the lemmings marched to the polls and voted against David Miner, friend of the Bush Administration and rising star in the Republican party, because he is too liberal.
When an insane publicity hound like Vernon Robinson finishes first in a congressional primary, the Republican Party has embarrassed itself. When a Republican as capable and honorable as David Miner is bounced by Republicans in a primary because he is not conservative enough, the Republican Party is self-destructing.
As a North Carolina Democrat, thinking strategically, I am eager for guys like Nelson Dollar, Russell Capps, and Vernon Robinson to be the prototypical Republican candidates, because the center will come to us. As a North Carolinian, I am saddened to see capable public servants drummed out of office for doing their jobs the right way.
He's also out of a job.
Nelson Dollar, a self-describes right-wing conservative who owes his very presence on the ballot to Russell Capps and the Wake County Taxpayers Association, ran a negative campaign of disgusting ferocity against Miner. Whispers were allowed to circulate which, shall we say, fortuitously combined Mr. Miner's single status and his vote against the anti-gay marriage amendment. And the lemmings marched to the polls and voted against David Miner, friend of the Bush Administration and rising star in the Republican party, because he is too liberal.
When an insane publicity hound like Vernon Robinson finishes first in a congressional primary, the Republican Party has embarrassed itself. When a Republican as capable and honorable as David Miner is bounced by Republicans in a primary because he is not conservative enough, the Republican Party is self-destructing.
As a North Carolina Democrat, thinking strategically, I am eager for guys like Nelson Dollar, Russell Capps, and Vernon Robinson to be the prototypical Republican candidates, because the center will come to us. As a North Carolinian, I am saddened to see capable public servants drummed out of office for doing their jobs the right way.
7.19.2004
Tiger's lost his roar
Somebody's finally said it - Tiger Woods is no longer the world's best golfer. Though he's still #1 in the world rankings, SI's Gary van Sickle calls Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson the real top two. So where has Tiger's roar gone? Maybe he's too distracted by domestic matters.
7.17.2004
Le Maillot Jaune
While many predicted that Lance Armstrong would reclaim the yellow jersey in today's Stage 13 through the Pyrenees, Thomas Voeckler turned in one of the gutsier performances of the tour, finishing 13th, but retaining the Yellow Jersey by a margin of 22 seconds. You couldn't help but wonder if Armstrong would have been able to find an additional twenty-two seconds if fan interference had been better controlled, but by the end, most of us were pulling for the young Frenchman to hang on one more day anyway. He deserved it. Voeckler was dropped by the peloton on every climb, by my count six times, but always fought his way back, often to the surprise of the commentators. No Frenchman has worn the yellow jersey for this long since 1992, and Voeckler will be a national hero regardless of his final standing.
Armstrong once again battled Ivan Basso for the stage win, but this time took the victory with a short but decisive sprint. It always appears, to me at least, that Armstrong's strength is a superior awareness of his energy reserves and an uncanny ability to exert only enough effort to accomplish the result he needs. While Basso is not reknowned for his time trial results, I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the podium in Paris.
While the commentators have largely ignored him, Andreas Kloden is also looking extremely strong, and I'm beginning to think Armstrong might not be the only competitor adept at biding his time over this long and grueling race. Fourth overall, and fourth in today's stage, the unassuming German riding for T-Mobile always seems to be right there at the finish, doing what he needs to do with quiet dispatch. With Tyler Hamilton out and Ullrich a bit of a mystery, Kloden may be a contender. And, while the commentators and other media seem to discount him, Armstrong doesn't, and in post-race comments today mentioned only two names: Basso and Kloden.
Tomorrow's Stage 14, 124.2 miles of relatively flat riding, will see the Pyrenees only in the background, and will likely be the last hurrah for the sprinters, who must gain as much time as possible if they hope for a place in the final standings. While most don't consider him a contender, it will be interesting to see what Voeckler has left and what he does with it. After all, barring a crash, we already know what Lance Armstrong will do: exactly what he has to.
Armstrong once again battled Ivan Basso for the stage win, but this time took the victory with a short but decisive sprint. It always appears, to me at least, that Armstrong's strength is a superior awareness of his energy reserves and an uncanny ability to exert only enough effort to accomplish the result he needs. While Basso is not reknowned for his time trial results, I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the podium in Paris.
While the commentators have largely ignored him, Andreas Kloden is also looking extremely strong, and I'm beginning to think Armstrong might not be the only competitor adept at biding his time over this long and grueling race. Fourth overall, and fourth in today's stage, the unassuming German riding for T-Mobile always seems to be right there at the finish, doing what he needs to do with quiet dispatch. With Tyler Hamilton out and Ullrich a bit of a mystery, Kloden may be a contender. And, while the commentators and other media seem to discount him, Armstrong doesn't, and in post-race comments today mentioned only two names: Basso and Kloden.
Tomorrow's Stage 14, 124.2 miles of relatively flat riding, will see the Pyrenees only in the background, and will likely be the last hurrah for the sprinters, who must gain as much time as possible if they hope for a place in the final standings. While most don't consider him a contender, it will be interesting to see what Voeckler has left and what he does with it. After all, barring a crash, we already know what Lance Armstrong will do: exactly what he has to.
7.16.2004
Armstrong has big day in Pyrenees
There is a lot of racing to go, but Lance Armstrong and his team of Blueberries have opened up some minutes on his biggest competition. Armstrong finished second in the stage - and is now second overall. His lead is 3.5 minutes over Jan Ullrich and he's more than 4 minutes ahead of Tyler Hamilton. A dominating performance, but this is just the first day in the mountains.
7.15.2004
Live from Boston... The Stinging Nettle
Senator John Edwards, let it be known, returns the love to those who support him. I received my Democratic Convention credential pack yesterday. The Senator put me on the a standing committee of the Party, and I am going to Boston.
This information, of course, with a limited amount of detective work, can lead to the release of my true identity. Like Spiderman, I will then be least able to protect those I love the most. But with great power comes great responsibility, so I guess that's a price I'll have to pay in order to bring to all 6 of my regular readers (thanks Dad) gavel to gavel coverage of the parties outside the Convention h..... I mean the Convention.
I hope to meet and speak with some of my more famous blogging brethren during the week, including Matt Stoller, Markos Moulitsas and Jesse & Ezra from Pandagon. The Party has really reached out to bloggers in a big way, and the coverage they will receive should be an interesting change from the 1 hour of primetime talking head babble they are likely to get from the networks.
I am really looking forward to this. You will not get objective coverage, but you will get the facts as I see them. If I don't like a speech I hear, I'll tell you about it. If Tom Brokaw is really wearing shorts with his coat and tie, I'll let you know. I'll also try to write some about the behind-the-scenes machinations and festivities. Most of the Convention actually takes place away from the hall, I understand. So, I'll let you know what I see and hear.
Stay tuned...
This information, of course, with a limited amount of detective work, can lead to the release of my true identity. Like Spiderman, I will then be least able to protect those I love the most. But with great power comes great responsibility, so I guess that's a price I'll have to pay in order to bring to all 6 of my regular readers (thanks Dad) gavel to gavel coverage of the parties outside the Convention h..... I mean the Convention.
I hope to meet and speak with some of my more famous blogging brethren during the week, including Matt Stoller, Markos Moulitsas and Jesse & Ezra from Pandagon. The Party has really reached out to bloggers in a big way, and the coverage they will receive should be an interesting change from the 1 hour of primetime talking head babble they are likely to get from the networks.
I am really looking forward to this. You will not get objective coverage, but you will get the facts as I see them. If I don't like a speech I hear, I'll tell you about it. If Tom Brokaw is really wearing shorts with his coat and tie, I'll let you know. I'll also try to write some about the behind-the-scenes machinations and festivities. Most of the Convention actually takes place away from the hall, I understand. So, I'll let you know what I see and hear.
Stay tuned...
Speed Bump
This news kinda sucks.
At this point, I'll be accused of celebrating bad economic news. Let me make clear that I do not celebrate it when things go bad. I wish people were being employed in real jobs. I wish the economy was truly in a real recovery. I wish we didn't have a deficit the size we do. I wish our government's fiscal and economic policy was being guided by firm hands on the tiller.
But it's not happening right now. After January, I hope, it will be.
At this point, I'll be accused of celebrating bad economic news. Let me make clear that I do not celebrate it when things go bad. I wish people were being employed in real jobs. I wish the economy was truly in a real recovery. I wish we didn't have a deficit the size we do. I wish our government's fiscal and economic policy was being guided by firm hands on the tiller.
But it's not happening right now. After January, I hope, it will be.
7.11.2004
Edwards Country
I volunteered at the Rally in Raleigh yesterday to welcome our boy Johnny back as the next Vice President of the United States.
It was sweltering. I gave out water all day long to the patient and good humored crowd. I got to squirt people with spray bottles, which was lots of fun.
The only hitch came with the PA, which was inaudible when women spoke, for some reason, but the two Johns had no trouble making themselves heard.
It was sweltering. I gave out water all day long to the patient and good humored crowd. I got to squirt people with spray bottles, which was lots of fun.
The only hitch came with the PA, which was inaudible when women spoke, for some reason, but the two Johns had no trouble making themselves heard.
25,000 people!!!
It looks like this:
.jpg)
and this:
huge crowd
.jpg)
This one says it all, and predicts the future:
.jpg)
7.09.2004
This is rich...
The GOP is now calling on John Kerry and John Edwards to condemn the "obscenity-laced remarks" of Whoopi Goldberg at the gigantic Radio City Music Hall fundraiser last night.
Without a hint of irony, the GOP placed this crap on their website today.
Shorter GOP: "A performance venue is no place for the kind of language that Vice President Cheney uses on the floor of the Senate."
Without a hint of irony, the GOP placed this crap on their website today.
Shorter GOP: "A performance venue is no place for the kind of language that Vice President Cheney uses on the floor of the Senate."
Nation's Liberals Suffering From Outrage Fatigue
The Onion is at it again. . .
"With so many right-wing shams to choose from, it's simply too daunting for the average, left-leaning citizen to maintain a sense of anger," said Rachel Neas, the study's director. "By our estimation, roughly 70 percent of liberals are experiencing some degree of lethargy resulting from a glut of civil-liberties abuses, education funding cuts, and exorbitant military expenditures."
. . . and there's also this nice Infographic:
"With so many right-wing shams to choose from, it's simply too daunting for the average, left-leaning citizen to maintain a sense of anger," said Rachel Neas, the study's director. "By our estimation, roughly 70 percent of liberals are experiencing some degree of lethargy resulting from a glut of civil-liberties abuses, education funding cuts, and exorbitant military expenditures."
. . . and there's also this nice Infographic:
I was going to...
post about my middle school attendance records, but the microfilm fell out of the canister, then my dog grabbed it and ran outside, where a pterodactyl (who knew they still existed!?) swooped down and grabbed my dog, with the microfilm still in her teeth, and flew over a nearby volcano, and dropped her in.
I'm so upset about my dog, I can't even begin to discuss the allegations that I once missed art class to make out with Kellie behind the gym.
I've addressed that previously. It's time to move on.
I'm so upset about my dog, I can't even begin to discuss the allegations that I once missed art class to make out with Kellie behind the gym.
I've addressed that previously. It's time to move on.
7.08.2004
Conspiracy theories confirmed
"Dear Pakistan, please don't catch Bin Laden until the Democratic Convention starts. Thanks, George."
Josh Marshall has the goods, and so does The New Republic, including this quote from an official of the ISI, Pakistan's security forces:
But according to this ISI official, a White House aide told ul-Haq last spring that "it would be best if the arrest or killing of [any] HVT were announced on twenty-six, twenty-seven, or twenty-eight July"--the first three days of the Democratic National Convention in Boston
The New Republic nails the gist of the problem in its final paragraph:
Pushing Musharraf to go after Al Qaeda in the tribal areas may be a good idea despite the risks. But, if that is the case, it was a good idea in 2002 and 2003. Why the switch now? Top Pakistanis think they know: This year, the president's reelection is at stake.
If true, this deserves impeachment. Happily the Senators John will obviate the need for such procedures on November 2.
Josh Marshall has the goods, and so does The New Republic, including this quote from an official of the ISI, Pakistan's security forces:
But according to this ISI official, a White House aide told ul-Haq last spring that "it would be best if the arrest or killing of [any] HVT were announced on twenty-six, twenty-seven, or twenty-eight July"--the first three days of the Democratic National Convention in Boston
The New Republic nails the gist of the problem in its final paragraph:
Pushing Musharraf to go after Al Qaeda in the tribal areas may be a good idea despite the risks. But, if that is the case, it was a good idea in 2002 and 2003. Why the switch now? Top Pakistanis think they know: This year, the president's reelection is at stake.
If true, this deserves impeachment. Happily the Senators John will obviate the need for such procedures on November 2.
7.07.2004
Lance Watch
The current speculation is that Lance Armstrong will wear the Yellow Jersey after today's Stage Four time trial in the Tour de France. US Postal, starting in the coveted last position, will know from that vantage point exactly how much effort is needed to win the stage without over-exerting, and they certainly have the riders to take the victory. If Armstrong's team is able to give him the win in this stage, most observers don't expect him to try to hang on the the Yellow at this point in the race; tactics and the politics of sponsorship dictate otherwise. Still, if Armstrong begins Stage Five wearing the Yellow Jersey, perhaps the stateside sports media will wake up and actually provide some prime time coverage of the event. Fortunately, the Outdoor Life Network is providing stellar daily coverage of the race, both live in the morning and taped in the evening. Check it out.
7.06.2004
If you want to see fear...
... go here. Of course, you have to make your way through amateurish web design, horrible fonts and a laughable amount of invective and misleading rhetoric, but if you look close, you'll see the GOP swallowing hard.
They know what is about to happen. It happened to them in 1992. They got caught on the wrong side of a wave, of the rise of a unique political talent. So they have taken it upon themselves to crush him.
Guess what. They shot this wad in 1996, and it failed. Miserably. In a state which is much more conservative than America.
The trial lawyer thing? Won't work. And it won't work because people read and love Grisham novels. People hate lawyers. But, by and large, they really think THEIR lawyer is an honorable and hard working person. John Edwards will just make them think he's THEIR lawyer.
And tort reform? Click here to find out why that dog won't hunt.
They cannot beat this man by going negative, because he will smile, sidestep the blow, and hit them back twice as hard -- but (and here's the great part) he'll be nice while he's doing it. The debate with Cheney cannot come soon enough. I really think this may be the first year where the VP debate is truly pivotal, because of the central role Cheney plays in this Administration, and the way George W. Bush got elected because most Americans said, "well, at least he was smart enough to pick Dick Cheney."
This time, our guy is the one who will be underestimated. The story line ahead of that debate will be "can the young Senator hold his own against the wily, experienced Vice President?" The story afterwards?
Cheney's lunch eaten. Story at 11.
They know what is about to happen. It happened to them in 1992. They got caught on the wrong side of a wave, of the rise of a unique political talent. So they have taken it upon themselves to crush him.
Guess what. They shot this wad in 1996, and it failed. Miserably. In a state which is much more conservative than America.
The trial lawyer thing? Won't work. And it won't work because people read and love Grisham novels. People hate lawyers. But, by and large, they really think THEIR lawyer is an honorable and hard working person. John Edwards will just make them think he's THEIR lawyer.
And tort reform? Click here to find out why that dog won't hunt.
They cannot beat this man by going negative, because he will smile, sidestep the blow, and hit them back twice as hard -- but (and here's the great part) he'll be nice while he's doing it. The debate with Cheney cannot come soon enough. I really think this may be the first year where the VP debate is truly pivotal, because of the central role Cheney plays in this Administration, and the way George W. Bush got elected because most Americans said, "well, at least he was smart enough to pick Dick Cheney."
This time, our guy is the one who will be underestimated. The story line ahead of that debate will be "can the young Senator hold his own against the wily, experienced Vice President?" The story afterwards?
Cheney's lunch eaten. Story at 11.
In the words of Howard Dean: "Yeeeeaaaarrrgggghhhh!"
A stream of thoughts, as I have neither the time nor the capacity to put them all into a coherent article at this point.
Yippeee!
God bless John Kerry.
The most depressed man in America right now is Representative Richard Burr.
Vote for Alan Thornburg on July 20.
Yipppeeee!
Nothin' could be finer than a VEEP from Carolina! (opyright 2004 - The Stinging Nettle)
Did I say Yippeeee!?
Ok, gotta get some work done. Actual substance later.
Yippeee!
God bless John Kerry.
The most depressed man in America right now is Representative Richard Burr.
Vote for Alan Thornburg on July 20.
Yipppeeee!
Nothin' could be finer than a VEEP from Carolina! (opyright 2004 - The Stinging Nettle)
Did I say Yippeeee!?
Ok, gotta get some work done. Actual substance later.
Edwards destined for Washington, K to stay in Durham
Not new news anymore, but we at the Nettle are pleased nonetheless. I'm sure DrFrank will have more. . .
Kerry-Edwards
Krzyzewski rejects offer from LA-LA land
Kerry-Edwards
Krzyzewski rejects offer from LA-LA land
7.01.2004
Coach K to the Lakers?
Duke's AD says "serious negotiations" underway.
Well, at least this time when his team is looking at a down season he's not saying his back hurts...
Well, at least this time when his team is looking at a down season he's not saying his back hurts...
I have concluded
that timekeeping will eventually drive me from the practice of law.
Ugh. I am not a commodity. I am a professional. Treat me like one.
This is not a comment on my firm, but on the way all lawyers are forced to do business when we charge by the billable hour instead of by task. Clients hate it, because they feel like they're being nickeled and dimed, and attorneys hate it, because, well, it sucks. There has to be a better way.
Ugh. I am not a commodity. I am a professional. Treat me like one.
This is not a comment on my firm, but on the way all lawyers are forced to do business when we charge by the billable hour instead of by task. Clients hate it, because they feel like they're being nickeled and dimed, and attorneys hate it, because, well, it sucks. There has to be a better way.
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