What's New? and the House Brew
The House Brew is back to keep you up to date on what's new at TPMCafe. Lots new to talk about today, so let's get to it.
First off, America Abroad is welcoming Vali Nasr to their conversation. Nasr, an expert on political Islam who just published an important book on the "Shia Revival," starts things off by answering the question: "Should We Worry About the Saudi Threats?" (the answer, it seems, is yes). Meanwhile...
Also at America Abroad, John Ikenberry continues the conversation on the Concert of Democracies by tying it into the Princeton Project and Immanuel Kant's love of billiards.
In the Coffee House, Max Sawicky is trying to defeat the anti-immigrant sentiment that has historically hampered his beloved populism (causing one commenter to call for his "kinky" exile), M.J. Rosenberg is arguing that in primary states anti-war cred will be a prerequisite for Democrats (and calling for community predictions), and Greg Anrig wonders aloud about the inability of the EAC to come to any conclusions about voter fraud.
Last but certainly not least, Greg Sargent at Election Central has the inside track on the Clinton Camp's private demand for an explanation of why new Newsweek polling showing her beating McCain and Giuliani was left out of its cover story this week. Also, Matt Corley and Eric Kleefeld have the dirt on John McCain's fundraising machine.
In the future I will bring discussion threads, reader blogs, and reports from management on site issues and future discussions into the Brew, but that's it for now. Let me know if I missed anything and share some TPM wisdom with us.












Excellent. Looking forward to this new feature.
I don't have any TPM wisdom, but I can report: my House Brew today is Intelligentsia Black Cat. Just recently got some and tried it for the first time...yum.
Dissent Protects Democracy.
December 19, 2006 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks delicious. I've been drinking 75 cent deli coffee all day. Not so delicious.
December 19, 2006 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ouch. Sounds like TPM Headquarters is in dire need of an espresso maker. :-)
Dissent Protects Democracy.
December 19, 2006 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just go easy on the "pink sugar"....
;<)
Alphonse ( Al ) Kada
December 19, 2006 6:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
heh heh. no sugar for me...straight up. puts much needed hair on my chest...
Dissent Protects Democracy.
December 19, 2006 7:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lower Manhattan those offices are, right? I don't understand how so many overworked financial services workers can continue to drive the world economy on such crappy coffee (here's a hint, though: when I used to work just off WalL Street, a week wouldn't go by when I didn't get a whiff of pot at lunchtime).
December 19, 2006 9:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
So if I switch over now, maybe I can avoid huge tufts of ear hair at the other end of middle age?
December 19, 2006 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey! Some folks are happy to have any hair at middle age.
And Andrew... Thanks for the time and efforts put in so far 'round the Cafe.
~OGD~
December 20, 2006 3:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
I've very glad to see the return of Kate's role.
December 20, 2006 8:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Glad to be here Jay. Let me know what I can do to try to fill her shoes.
December 20, 2006 8:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
You'll carve out your own course. The existence of the role is all I really care about, someone promoting end user blogs and discussions that he or she thinks are worthwhile.
I don't expect to agree with all such assessments. That's fine. I'm just glad to see the role restored.
December 20, 2006 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I love living in NYC, with brazen, pot-smoking pedestrians.
Dissent Protects Democracy.
December 20, 2006 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thing is, I'm pretty sure it's the stockbrokers. One the one hand, I can't blame them; on the other, it doesn't give me a lot of confidence in the system.
December 20, 2006 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, stockbrokers are pretty big partiers. My guess is the lunchtime joint is the least of it.
Yep, no confidence at all....
Dissent Protects Democracy.
December 20, 2006 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, let's just say that it alters my understanding of what it is to buy low and sell high.
December 21, 2006 5:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
ba dum, crash.
Dissent Protects Democracy.
December 21, 2006 6:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm pretty impressed with where this thread has gone.
December 21, 2006 8:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, leave it to us to take a post down into new depths.
(I have a good fart joke; I'm saving that for the next House Brew.)
Hey, but look how great you did on the "impeachment" post...! Quite a good conversation there.
Dissent Protects Democracy.
December 21, 2006 9:22 AM | Reply | Permalink