Just Say: "Wall Street Reform"
[ Posted Monday, April 5th, 2010 – 16:49 UTC ]
"Can you say 'Wall Street reform'? I knew you could!"
Archive of Articles in the "Television" Category
Friday Talking Points [114] -- When Will Rahm Go? Place Your Bets!
[ Posted Friday, March 5th, 2010 – 17:14 UTC ]
This sort of "mistakes were made, but not by me" legacy-polishing, it should be noted, is usually done as a politician is leaving the stage. Which is enough of a reason for us to optimistically look into the future, here. So we are going to open the betting for when Rahm Emanuel will exit the White House. Or, to be more accurate, when he will announce his exit. Because we're just going to assume (for the fun of it) that if Rahmbo's already covering his tracks by attempting to cast history over-favorably toward himself, then his exit can't be all that far ahead. To be followed, as is usual, by signing a book contract worth at least seven figures. Rahm was said to be interested it running for mayor of Chicago at one point, but whatever excuse he ultimately uses, we're taking bets on the actual date Rahm announces he is leaving.
Friday Talking Points [113] -- Republican Reconciliation Hypocrisy
[ Posted Friday, February 26th, 2010 – 17:47 UTC ]
Once again, here is an enormous present, handed to Democrats on a silver platter. Let's hope that Democrats don't (once again) ignore the present itself, and wind up on the floor playing with the shiny wrapping paper and the empty box.
Legal Odds And Ends
[ Posted Thursday, February 25th, 2010 – 17:12 UTC ]
The first privacy issue comes from an interesting story earlier this week about how some states are considering banning the release of recorded 911 emergency calls to the public (or -- more to the point -- to the press). This is an interesting First Amendment hair to split, because a reasonable case can be made both ways.
Just The Facts, Ma'am
[ Posted Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 – 15:17 UTC ]
This will be easy enough for President Obama to accomplish, since he's probably the most Joe-Friday-ish of the bunch. But he should be backed up by Democrats who have the facts close at hand, in detail and in great number, from unimpeachable sources. If Democrats counter Republican rhetoric with hard, cold facts, it may not guarantee success for their objective; but it certainly will go a long way toward showing who is serious about fixing the problem, and who is not.
Friday Talking Points [112] -- Public Option's Last Stand
[ Posted Friday, February 19th, 2010 – 17:13 UTC ]
Before we begin here, I'd like to humbly propose a new law. No American television station should be allowed to have an exclusive contract for any Olympic games. Period.
The Heisenberg Effect Of Televising Political Negotiations
[ Posted Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 – 17:25 UTC ]
I'm going to start off today's column with a chart. I'm doing this for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that it's a really good chart. It is simple, easy to read, and involves very little mathematics (meaning it is accessible to a very wide spectrum of the American public). And it is a very effective way of presenting the facts, free of media spin. The chart comes from the White House, and shows the monthly number of jobs lost for approximately the past two years. It also uses color very well, to separate George W. Bush's term in office from Barack Obama's. Without further introduction, here is the chart:
Can Obama's Health Summit Succeed?
[ Posted Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 – 16:30 UTC ]
President Obama has recently announced a health reform summit, to take place across the street from the White House, with the C-SPAN cameras rolling. He's invited Democratic and Republican leaders from Congress to this summit. Many cynics have dismissed the effort already, either pronouncing it less than worthless, or calling it some form of political Kabuki theater which will do no good. I think these pronunciations (especially the latter one) are a bit premature, to say the least. Because either on a substantive level or a political level, I think there actually is a chance for some limited success for Obama in this exercise.
Hidden Dangers Of Citizens United Ruling
[ Posted Monday, February 8th, 2010 – 16:55 UTC ]
But what really worries me about the new rules for corporations and unions is what could happen out of sight of the voting public. I can foresee two ways for such invisible influence to happen, although there may be others I have not thought of as well, I admit.
Obama Should Hold Press Conference Soon
[ Posted Monday, February 1st, 2010 – 15:26 UTC ]
This doesn't (as a sop to the "overexposed" crowd) necessarily have to be a primetime event, either. It can be a little more informal than that, without the pomp of an evening press conference broadcast nationally on all channels. But it should be at least an hour long, and it should be held soon.