Writer James Fallows considers the long-term consequences of an Iraq invasion.
Category: The Dubya Era
Stating the Obvious.
Salon delves into the case of Noelle Bush before Florida’s courts. Who would’ve guessed that a Governor’s daughter would receive special treatment, or that GOP lawmakers would prescribe different rules for the masses than they would their own family members?
This Time It’s Personal.
Today I settle all family business, so don’t tell me you’re innocent, Carlo. Bush tells the UN we’ll go it alone against Iraq if need be. I mean, something has to happen before the first Tuesday in November, or else there’s not much point, is there?
Wrestling Big Business.
After winning the Minnesota Democratic primary, incumbent Senator Paul Wellstone runs on corporate responsibility. Hey, he’d get my vote.
Carter Beats the Dubya.
Former President Jimmy Carter decries Dubya’s Middle East policy, as well as the numerous human rights violations currently being overlooked and/or perpetrated in the name of anti-terrorism.
Freak Show.
Jake Tapper interviews Dick Armey as he (thankfully) nears retirement. “I learned real early on that if you’re having a discussion about foreign policy, just say something disparaging about the French, and everybody will think you know what you’re talking about.” Strangely enough, he also confuses Iraq with Vietnam.
Tactical Retreat.
A “close aide” of Colin Powell suggests the general is on his way out. If so, I shudder to think which right-wing apparatchik Dubya will replace him with. And you gotta think that this story leaking out is going to even further reduce the General’s influence in the Bush White House.
With Power Comes Responsibilitude!
The Amazing George W, via PlasticBag. Can we get Cheney with the J. Jonah flattop?
Shame of the Founders.
“The only thing the FISA court proved was that when wolves are guarding the henhouse, they eat a lot of coq au vin.” The always incisive Dahlia Lithwick rails against secret courts and the overlooked provisions of the Patriot Act.
Broadband and Narrow Minds
John Judis blames Michael Powell’s deregulatory fixation for telecom’s collapse. “Powell has proven a disaster…Like Harvey Pitt, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Powell would be ripe for replacement–if his feckless, ideological approach didn’t so perfectly reflect the president he serves.” To be fair, telecom was starting to look a bit peaked before Powell was Chairman (although that’s also partly because Powell was something of an obstructionist on the commission before his ascent.) And, while I’m sure it’s risen lately, demand for broadband services was egregiously low back in 2000. Like campaign finance reform, it’s one of those things you’d expect people to be all over, but for some reason it just isn’t reflected in the numbers. Without a true “killer app” for broadband (Napster/Kazaa comes close, but it’s not it), low demand will continue to be one of the reasons why the big boys aren’t building out. That all being said, I agree with the fundamentals of Judis’s piece.