"Fair and Balanced blogger." Only in the sense of Fox News.

Tennessee will lose more than it gains.

Take a page from Chuck Hagel. Leave the Republication reactionary mindset and join the human race.

-CI

Posted at May 21, 2008 12:13 AM in response to OBAMA: Michelle On The Stump For Her Man But Don't Ask Her Questions

Pardon me if this has been covered: In Mark Bowen's "Censoring Science: Inside the Political Attack on Dr. James Hansen And The Truth of Global Warming" (a mouthful) I learned of another obfuscation. By labeling documents as "pre-decisional" that Administration has shield this class of records from FOIA requests.

-C.I.

Posted at May 19, 2008 1:50 PM in response to Today's Must Read

1. I'm on your side. Torture is not sanctioned by our Constitution and is a violation of the Geneva Convention. That said, as a writer, I believe in the value of art to provoke. Do not confuse the politics of a Joel Surnow (who is DONE with the series by the way) with 24 itself. The New Yorker tackled 24's treatment of torture and found a range of ideology surrounding the show. While I have almost unbrooked fondness for Keith Olbermann, I think he let's the fact that this is a Fox/Murdoch-owned product color his thinking. But that line of reasoning should I reject The Simpsons?
2. Obviously putting Bauer on the bench viz Torture is a way to address it.
3. Again, just because Cheney loves the show, doesn' t mean I cannot. It's much more nuanced that say, True Lies, or The Siege - and dissent is a springboard to civil discourage.

Don't blame the fiction for the reality.

-C.I.

Posted at April 7, 2008 2:37 PM in response to Congress needs to bring Kiefer Sutherland and '24 'directors to testify about torture

What about The Scotman's attitude towards "off the record" comments? It is cavalier and unprofessional. I suggest we need to engage them on this point. Have ya'll read the editor's explanation? Essentially: One's the tape's rolling, there are no takebacks. As a journo myself, that's not exactly how you build contacts and respect.

For anyone who's still hungry:

Tonight, BBC America's Newsnight airs an interview with Samantha Power, who has been forced to resign as Barack Obama's foreign policy adviser after calling Hillary Clinton a "monster". As Obama faltered in this week's crucial primaries in Texas and Ohio, Power defended his foreign policy credentials in a tough in-depth interview with Jeremy Paxman.

Newsnight airs tonight on BBC America at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

For further information: Matt Marshall, 202 355 1737, matt.marshall@bbc.com

Posted at March 7, 2008 3:41 PM in response to Power Hour (Open Thread)