Perhaps it was David Brooks who summarized Michael Moore best. In a June 26th op-ed column for the New York Times, he wrote: Like Hemingway, Moore does his boldest thinking while abroad. For example, it was during an interview with the British paper The Mirror that Moore unfurled what is perhaps the central insight of his oeuvre, that Americans are… Read more →
Category: Politics
Open That Wallet
It must feel great spending ten thousand dollars to attend a fundraiser only to be told that you aren’t paying enough. Hillary Clinton told several hundred supporters — some of whom had ponied up as much as $10,000 to attend — to expect to lose some of the tax cuts passed by President Bush if Democrats win the White House… Read more →
Should Indian Casinos Pay Taxes?
One of the upcoming California ballot initiatives asks whether Indian casinos should be required to pay taxes. Thus far, this extremely profitable $6 billion industry (and that’s just here in California) has operated tax-free. I’ve come to the conclusion that native American casinos should pay taxes. Those who argue the other side of the issue usually do so because of… Read more →
A Better Tax System
For anyone who owes money to Uncle Sam, April 15th is not a day you look forward to. Even if you’re getting money back, Tax Day can cause a migraine by virtue of the sheer volume of paperwork required to comply with federal and state tax laws. What’s even worse, though, is hearing people like Kevin Drum claim that a… Read more →
Kooks and Tinfoil Hats
Kooky: Kevin Drum of Washington Monthly thinks it’s high time we redacted the Fifth Amendment: I’d like to see videotaping required for all police interviews, and in return I’d suggest that the 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination be discarded. If police interviews are all recorded and trials are all held in public, it’s not at all clear to me what… Read more →
Rwanda: Have We Learned Nothing?
Mention the word ‘genocide’ or make reference to the systematic murder of millions and most people in the Western world will immediately think of the Holocaust. But that dark period represents only one of three such events to occur in the last century. During World War I, the forces of nationalism within the faltering Ottoman Empire lead to the 20th… Read more →
The Daily Kos
When it comes to bloggers, the biggest name in liberal politics on the web is The Daily Kos. He’s raised a lot of money for political candidates, is frequently referenced by campaigns, and Hugh Hewitt has even discussed putting him on the air. All this as a result of his successful web site. But yesterday Kos stepped over the line… Read more →
Air America… Radio?
A new radio network with a liberal slant called Air America hit the airwaves today. It’s getting a lot of press — as it should. I wish them all the best. Their marquee host thus far is Al Franken. Not exactly my cup of tea politically, but Al’s certainly funny guy. He’s good enough, he’s smart enough, and I guess… Read more →
A New Kind of Domestic Terrorism
So this is how it’s done now? Several hundred people stormed the small yard of President Bush’s chief political strategist, Karl Rove, yesterday afternoon, pounding on his windows, shoving signs at others and challenging Rove to talk to them about a bill that deals with educational opportunities for immigrants. The first bit of education those people need is a lesson… Read more →
Good Terrorists?
In the aftermath of Israel’s assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, many people have made reference to Hamas’ “extensive social network” and all the wonderful things it does for the Palestinian people. Manish over at Damn Foreigner (whose civilized style and thoughtful viewpoints I greatly respect) notes: According to the Council on Foreign Relations, 90% of Hamas’ approximately $70 million budget… Read more →