This is truly a sad state of affairs. Thank you for sharing this MJ.

Something interesting occurred to me upon reading the scholarship program's stated goals. This particular portion really caught my eye -

...promotes more effective binational cooperation and nurtures open-minded, thoughtful leaders...

Is there any chance whatsoever that we could force OUR nations leaders into this program? Not only will they get an education (which more than a fair number show little evidence of having) but they would also get an infusion of open-mindedness and be encouraged to be thoughtful (both qualities which are glaringly absent in our nations leadership)!

Just a thought...

Posted at May 30, 2008 1:41 PM in response to Tell Congress: Get Those Fulbrights to Palestinian Students

Something that jumped out at me (and irked me to no end) was the idea of comparing neoconservatives to the special forces.

Are you kidding me? Neocons are some of the biggest chickensh*ts there are. Comparing neocons to actual serving military units (of any nation) is incredibly inappropriate. And for the record I also feel it's inappropriate to use the word intellectual in reference to neoconservatives. This must have been part of some jest as well right?

There is no need to compare neoconservatives to anything involving actual personal combat experience. It's also unecessary comparing them to any mythical monsters. Neoconservatives are real living breathing monsters. And I'd like to suggest we test the notion that silver bullets would not stop them. Can we please try? Please!?

Posted at May 8, 2008 12:36 PM in response to Robert Kagan Protests: Neocons are NOT Vampires and Werewolves!

I'm sorry Gretz but your argument just doesn't make sense to me.

So you are saying that Americans will continue to vote for consistently destructive right-wing ideologues because the Democrats nominate left-wing ideologues? You didn't exactly say that but it is in essence what you're saying. That's mind-numbingly nonsensical. Why? Why in the world would a person vote for someone that's SURE to make things worse (just about every Republican that's been elected) over someone who MIGHT make things worse? And while I will admit that this does seem to be what Americans do I'm still stunned by it. Republicans have done nothing for the average American yet they continue to get suckered into electing them into office where they rob them blind, gut service that were put into place to help them and privatize everything they can so that we can all pay more for less. It's simply ridiculous.

There's also the very blurry definition of what right-wing and left-wing really means in America today. The Democratic party has shifted pretty dramatically to the right over the years (the Clintons certainly played some role in this) so the term left-wing is pretty misleading and very often misused. It's gotten to the point that if you don't hate abortion, love automatic weapons and wear an American flag lapel pin you're a left-wing nut which is of course completely absurd.

On a side note, I personally don't think playground name-calling is helpful in discussing what's wrong with our nation or how we can all go about making things better. But if you are going to attempt to take the high road might I suggest you avoid the adolescent name manipulation? Obambi? Come on... seriously

Posted at April 15, 2008 3:07 PM in response to McCain-Gramm Economics

I'm curious if any of the figures for home/rent increases over the period of time you indicate here have factored in all of the properties that were formerly rental units which were closed down and rebuilt as condos. Only now, with the bubble burst and owners sitting on empty properties, are some of these conversions being reintroduced into the rental market. But they are very expensive options in an already expensive market.

I live in West Hollywood (which is probably not the best place to look for the national average) and over the past 5+ years rents climbed pretty steadily (especially once rent control was trashed several years ago) and many many buildings in the area were either converted to condos or more often demolished in order to build condos from the ground up. In both cases the number of units available for rent dropped pretty noticeable and the prices for those units left climbed noticeably as well. Many people I knew were force to move to greater distances, like to the valley, in order to find apartments that were within their budgets and thus were forced into the horrible LA commute. And now with gas prices rising rapidly that too is now squeezing them. They feel like they're running out of options at this point.

I personally rent because the LA market for housing has been and continues to be obscene. In addition I refuse to get sucked into the dreadful commuter lifestyle (the frustration takes years off your life, you're not paid for the hours spent doing it, and it's horrible for the environment). I've been lucky enough to have my own business located only a few blocks from where I live and that is important to maintain for me. But now I've been in the same apartment for 8+ years and while I'd like to move to a newer or better apartment, my options are limited and the price increase I will have to pay is not insignificant...so I'm currently staying put.

Posted at April 7, 2008 7:18 PM in response to The Problem With Housing Bailouts: Arithmetic, Not Ideology

"They" did it 4 times? I know Hillary has won in that Republican stronghold called New York twice and only won convincingly as the incumbent which isn't exactly a spectacular achievement. Are there some other elections where she's beaten a Republican that I'm unaware of?

Surely you're not including Bill's political successes as hers too. They may certainly contribute and support each other but it's been my understanding that Hillary's political career was her own and Bill's was his. The Republicans may like to attack them both and will likely continue to do so but I'm far from convinced that she's proven herself as a candidate vs. the Republican party in an election.

Posted at April 3, 2008 1:15 PM in response to A Divisive Way to Divide the Delegates

Has the entire country (and Team Clinton) forgotten that if there's one thing that Republicans of nearly every stripe hate more than Democrats (and now apparently Lesbians) it is the Clintons?

So if I'm to understand this, the Republicans "will use unfair and factually groundless linkages between Obama and Reverend Wright to defeat Obama in the fall" right? As you say Reed - no shocker there. But this tactic for me does raise the proverbial double edge sword. Hmm, so that's a single front war to be fought by Team Obama vs. the shameless Republican machine. I personally feel he could weather that inane little storm. On the other hand there's an entire arsenal of tried and true linkages to all sorts of scandal and conspiracy on the Clinton camp that the Republicans have spent years acquiring. Hillary Clinton (and Bill) will be fighting a war on more fronts than Bush/Cheney (and McCain) could wish for in their wildest terrorist war-orgy dreams.

Which candidate stands a better chance of fighting the Republican war of innuendo and faux muck? I'd say the answer is fairly obvious and I wish someone who's voice is louder and perhaps wiser than mine would come out and finally say it. If for no other reason than to shut is gangrenous kind of inner party tactic down as soon as possible.

Posted at April 2, 2008 4:50 PM in response to A Divisive Way to Divide the Delegates

Am I imagining things or did I not remember reading about how we've been essentially paying everyone off in order to get them to stop killing each other (openly) and us (at all)? I could have sworn I read that.

If that is indeed what we've been doing perhaps the new "surge" (they're gonna regret that word soon enough) in violence may be linked to us running out of cash to pay them? I'm speculating of course but maybe they got sick of the tanking dollar, demanded Euros, and we told them to take a leap! Of course I kid about the dollar-Euro thing but I'm just betting there's a money link in this somewhere.

Posted at March 25, 2008 5:06 PM in response to The Surge Is Not Really Working

That's all part of Josh's insidious plan to push McCain on us. In case you use the wrong word - Lieberman will whisper the right one to you - and then everyone will just ignore the gaff.

Simple.

Posted at March 24, 2008 8:45 PM in response to Bias!!!

Darn! Did I post that out loud?

Posted at March 24, 2008 8:04 PM in response to Bias!!!

You didn't hear this from me CSCS but I hear he's actually pulling for McCain this week!

ssshhhhhhh!

Posted at March 24, 2008 8:03 PM in response to Bias!!!