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Archives for: July 2009
This Week's Top 5 Teachable Moments
By Carole on Jul 31, 2009
There's been plenty of talk this week about how the Gates/Crowley Affair has provided Americans with a "teachable moment". I don't believe we're limited to just one teachable moment per week and so I present the following important lessons taught by recent events and the people who instigated them:
Is Virginia Getting A Political Makeover?
By Carole on Jul 30, 2009
With just fourteen weeks until Election Day in Virginia, it looks like it will be a Republican sweep for statewide offices. Republicans are leading by double digits in the race for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General according to the latest SurveyUSA poll. (source) Specifically, if the election were held today:
Is The Media Rooting For Health Care Reform?
By Carole on Jul 29, 2009
Just when it seemed Health Care Reform legislation was, if not on life support, at least looking at an extended stay in various Congressional Committees, the media blared it was on the mend. "Senators Close to Health Accord" said the Washington Post. The article went on to claim "An emerging consensus among a bipartisan group of senators is poised to shift the dynamic in the congressional debate over health-care reform and could lead to a final product that sheds many of the priorities that President Obama has emphasized and that have drawn GOP attacks." (source) The same story was picked up by most of the major news outlets. Just one problem - it's not true.
Another Blue State Senator Is Losing His Grip On Power
By Carole on Jul 28, 2009
Senator Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) is another Democrat working hard to turn his blue state red in 2010. Despite repeated denials that he knew he was getting a sweetheart deal from mortgage giant Countrywide (who went on to lose billions on home loans to credit-strapped borrowers), the official who handled his loans told Congress that Dodd got VIP discounts from the lender. (source) Ironically, Dodd's position as head of the Banking Committee gave him the job of solving the housing foreclosure and financial crises and the irony hasn't been lost on voters in his home state where the five-term senator is trailing Republican Rob Simmons 48-39 percent in the latest poll. (source)
The Obama Doctrine - Have A Beer
By Carole on Jul 27, 2009
Theodore Roosevelt had "speak softly and carry a big stick". For Harry Truman it was "the buck stops here". John F. Kennedy urged us to "Ask what you can do for your country". Will Barack Obama be remembered for the iconic phrase "Let's have a beer"?
