-
Newt Gingrich Moon Colony Idea Not Just Crazy, It's an Insult to D.C.
Tweet Share on Facebook January 31, 2012 Comment (16)There are a number of reasons to question former House Speaker and presidential candidate Newt Gingrich's plans to colonize the moon. There's the cost, for one—some experts estimate it at hundreds of billions of dollars. There's the basic issue of priorities. Former Gov. Mitt Romney, Gingrich's foe for the nomination, has remarked that the money would be better spent creating jobs in the United States, instead of on the moon, and he has a point. And Gingrich's drive—to be first, to be better, and just generally to dominate—is a bit over-the-top. As Gingrich said during a Florida debate:
-
Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich Wrestle for Key Florida Latino Vote
Tweet Share on Facebook January 30, 2012 Comment (3)Former Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich have been attacking each other on immigration, with each man eager to sew up the Latino vote that is so critical in Florida. But both men may find their primary tactics will give them trouble in the general election, a contest in which the Hispanic vote is becoming increasingly important with each election cycle.
-
Tim Thomas's White House Snub Wasn't Brave, It Was Just Rude
Tweet Share on Facebook January 27, 2012 Comment (18)Tim Thomas's recent, very public White House snub is not just tiresome or sanctimonious or overwrought (though it is). It underscored a distressing trend in this country: people have lost the ability to distinguish between speaking truth to power and just being a jerk.
-
The Real Sexism and Hypocrisy in the Gingrich Marriage Discussion
Tweet Share on Facebook January 26, 2012 Comment (24)Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's marriage history has raised hackles among some conservatives who wonder why "feminists" weren't harder on Democrats who had extramarital affairs. Attacking Gingrich while supporting former President Bill Clinton is just hypocritical, the argument goes.
-
Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren Rebel Against Super-PACs
Tweet Share on Facebook January 24, 2012 Comment (2)Of all the populist backlashes of the past few years, the revolt by rivals Sen. Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren is the most impressive.
-
Gabrielle Giffords Resigns, Leaving Congress With One Less Woman
Tweet Share on Facebook January 23, 2012 Comment (4)Is there anyone who isn't impressed with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords?
There are, of course, those who would disagree with her political views. But the Arizona Democrat has shown remarkable courage, optimism, and determination as she recovers from a bullet wound to the head she received while meeting with constituents a year ago. Even in Washington's hyper-partisan environment, the support for Giffords was bipartisan and genuine. House Speaker John Boehner (unfairly slammed for not making it to the memorial service for those killed in the shopping center attack) gave a beautiful speech on the floor, pointing out the critical truth that an attack on one member of Congress was an attack on all of them. President Obama delivered a powerful and moving address at the memorial service for the slain. And while election-year politics have kept Washington in its bitterly divided state, there is universal and sincere concern for Giffords.
-
Rick Santorum's Iowa Win Deserves More Attention
Tweet Share on Facebook January 20, 2012 Comment (5)Former Sen. Rick Santorum got cheated. Not on delegates—the number he captured in the Iowa caucuses when the counters put him in a very close second to former Gov. Mitt Romney is still what he'll have now, as the real winner of the contest. But Santorum, who achieved the extraordinary feat of surging from the back of the pack to beating the presumptive front-runner, barely got the attention he deserves for it.
-
SOPA May Not Be the Answer, But Digital Piracy Is Still a Problem
Tweet Share on Facebook January 19, 2012 Comment (7)The online community did an impressive job of pressuring Congress to back off the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its companion, the Protect Intellectual Property Act. Google carried an ominous black rectangle over its online logo. Wikipedia and Craigslist went down for a day, the space replaced by a page urging people to call their congressmen to stop the legislation (which, in truth, was already imperiled).
-
Rick Perry's Wrong on Obama Administration's Handling of Marine Scandal
Tweet Share on Facebook January 18, 2012 CommentJust when Texas Gov. Rick Perry started to hit a rhetorical groove ("vulture capitalism" was a brilliant criticism of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, though it's one Perry may regret if Romney continues on a path to the nomination), he stumbles. Again. And given the opportunity to fix it, he digs in.
-
God Has Better Things to Do than to Worry about Tim Tebow
Tweet Share on Facebook January 17, 2012 Comment (9)The intersection of politics and religion has been trouble enough. We have candidates piously crediting God with their decisions to run for higher office. We have religion-based bigots getting creeped out because former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is Mormon, or attacking President Obama, wrongly claiming he is Muslim. We have a candidate who threw over two wives for other women—including one he was involved with while attacking former President Clinton for having a sexual relationship with a woman not his wife—then cleansing himself with conversion to Catholicism.
