OJ Simpson // Current

What if Terrorists Get Off Like O.J. Simpson?

More at cspan, November 18, 2009 Grassley to Eric Holder

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Politics, Diplomacy Behind Obama’s Gaza Silence

Even as Israelis and Palestinians plunged deeper into conflict, U.S. President-elect... more

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11 months ago
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Bye Bye Richardson!

When he ran for president, Bill Richardson touted more than an adventurous style and... more

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11 months ago
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Rat Sign Vanishes From Blagojevich’s Alley

City officials say the most publicized rat warning sign in Chicago has vanished.... more

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11 months ago
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THANK YOU AMERICA!!! Chrysler Gets $4 Billion Loan In U.S. Bailout

DETROIT — Chrysler LLC received its $4 billion low-interest federal loan Friday,... more

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Me-ow! Ann Coulter Hits Michelle Obama Over Styles

Right-wing flame thrower Ann Coulter blasts incoming First Lady Michelle Obama as a... more

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Samuel L. Jackson Stepping Out With Michelle Obama and Kids!

WTF??? What’s Samuel L. Jackson doing getting all snuggly with First Lady Elect... more

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Why Hamas Will FAIL… Israeli ground forces cross border into Gaza

Oh, it’s ok, he says…park the tank in front of the fire hydrant. We’re only... more

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Barack Obama Responds To Blagojevich’s Evil Genius!

Like many of my fellow bloggers, I don’t have the credentials to argue the legal issues. I’m inclined to believe no matter what the constitution or case law says, if the Senate wants to keep Burris out, it can find the legal way to do it. Politically, on the other hand, I’m betting Burris gets sworn in. And Blagojevich — after providing plenty more fodder for the late night comics (who never doubted the pols would give them more material) — will walk. No conviction. No time. Maybe a plea and small fine.

When I was a much younger man I paid the rent for a lease-holding, unemployed roommate. When I found a better apartment and told the roommate, he changed the locks and locked me out in anger. When I had the superintendent let me in to gather my belongings, the roommate had me arrested for burglary. Hauled off from my place of employment, finger-printed, booked and released, I had to hire a lawyer and show up in court. Three times! The ex-roommate called in sick. On the third the case was thrown out. My only recourse was to file a civil suit that would cost more money and recover none. I walked away with a lesson learned: the law can be used as an ugly weapon.

Blagojevich’s evident glee at the press conference announcing Roland Burris and featuring Bobby Rush — the only person ever to defeat President-elect Barack Obama in any election for any office — reminds me of the evil genius of that long-ago roommate. I know nothing of Chicago politics but I knew something about NYC politics. It’s simply not out of the question that Blagojevich understood he could get a don’t “hang or lynch” Burris quote from a Bobby Rush. My problem with the pick has nothing to do with law or the constitution. My problem is it epitomizes old-school big-city racial politics at its worst. I hope Obama got a lot of R&R on that last vacation of his. This circumstance may be the least of his problems; but for his post-racial presidency it may be the most iconic.

Oh, and, btw, to those who say that Burris should have turned it down, I say right back to you that Charlie Rangel should have announced that he will not run again and saved everyone a whole lot of angst! Burris has nothing to lose!Like many of my fellow bloggers, I don’t have the credentials to argue the legal... more

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Corporate Bailout! The New Fox Reality Show!

In case you’ve been in a coma or lost in the desert or have been somewhere with no TV, radio or newspapers, the Big Three, as they’re called, of the automobile industry - GM, Ford, Chrysler - are hankering for a bailout and are asking Congress to pony up somewhere in the neighborhood of $35 million. Their claim was that unless the money is forthcoming, all three of them will go down the tube along with millions of jobs.

After at first coming to town on corporate jets - not a good idea when you’re claiming to be broke - and then, a month or so later, driving or riding to D.C. in hybrid vehicles, they came to our nation’s Capitol with their hands out. Even with the scaled-down transportation, Congress balked at the amount, with the U.S. Senate refusing to go along with the U.S. House (whose motto is, apparently, we’ll spend your money on damned near anything) and so President George W. Bush finally agreed to use some of the “Toxic Assets Recovery Plan” monies to loan Chrysler and GM about $13.4 billion with another $4 billion or so in March if the auto industry comes up with plans to get real and obtain a bottom line that is not sucking mud.

While there are all sorts of explanations as to how the Big Three got into this sorry state, one thing cannot be ignored: The U.S. auto industry has vehemently opposed every attempt to make the industry more responsive to consumers’ needs and wants.

It is by now common knowledge that every time there was a bill introduced to raise the fuel standards, the Big Three reacted as if someone had shoved cattle prods up their collective derrieres and would send in hordes of lobbyists to oppose the measure. Congress would then routinely vote it down. Even the bill that passed this year won’t require new fuel standards for several years. Consequently, most of the autos and trucks manufactured by the Big Three get about 12 miles per gallon - downhill with a tailwind and belching smoke all the way.

From seat belts to air bags to turn signals, the knee-jerk reaction of Ford, GM and Chrysler was to oppose any and all. No matter about public safety or convenience, the general response to Congress was: “Don’t tell us what to do.” Of course, when Congress did tell them what to do, the automakers bragged about the “improvements” and promptly raised their prices.

Now, akin to those “rugged individualists” out West, the auto industry is pleading, “Give us the money and go away” a common cry by those who like the government’s money but don’t like any restrictions or prohibitions.

At this point, it is assumed that government money flowing to Chrysler and GM (for now, Ford doesn’t need any help, which didn’t stop it from going to D.C. for a handout) will have some strings attached but as targets, not requirements. The House bill, which Bush is using as a template, gives some indication of those strings: The automakers will need to promise to manufacture cars and trucks that get better gas mileage, manage things a bit better, seek concessions from the United Auto Workers, which is not at fault for much of anything as members will build whatever comes down the line, and keep knee-jerk negative reactions to consumerism to a minimum.

And, for goodness sake, stop objecting to turn signals.In case you’ve been in a coma or lost in the desert or have been somewhere with no... more