The Media Cynic: Independent Political Blog

Robert Gibbs Pokes Fun at Sarah Palin

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 15:55:00 EST

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs poked fun at Sarah Palin by attending a press briefing with notes written on his hand. Sarah Palin was caught with notes on her hand during a question-and-answer session at last week's Tea Party convention.. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Republican Brown Wins Ted Kennedy's Senate Seat

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST

In one of the biggest political upsets in recent memory, Massachusetts Republican state senator Scott Brown has won Ted Kennedy's senate seat. Brown is a moderate Republican who opposes the healthcare bill in its present from. He is pro-choice, pro-gun and favors lower taxes for individuals and corporations. The Democrats ran one of the most incompetent campaigns in recent history. Jon Stewart of The Daily Show sums it up nicely. Take a look:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Mass Backwards

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Crisis

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Sarah Palin Joins Fox News as Commentator

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is going to join Fox News as a regular commentator. Fox News seems like an appropriate place for Sarah Palin to share her conservative views although it can at times be confusing to see exactly where she stands on issues. For example, she seems to be trying to have it impossibly both ways on the Birther issue - see here. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

President Obama: Buck Stops With Me

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST

President Obama today announced new measures in his speech about the Christmas underwear bomber. The new measures will hold people accountable for intelligence failures. Until now the intelligence data and leads about terrorist plots were apparently not assigned to individuals.

President Obama also said "We are at War. We are at War against Al Qaeda." He also said "We will not succumb to a seige mentality that sacrifices the open society and liberties and values that we cherise as Americans. Because great and proud nations don't hunker down and hide behind walls of suspicions and mistrust. That is exactly what our adversaries want and so long as I am President we will never hand them that victory."

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi Punched in the Face

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi was punched in the face at a rally on Sunday. Police say Berlusconi was punched by a man holding a small statue. Berlusconi appeared cut and was bleeding around his mouth. If he was hit with the small statue it probably hurt badly. The AP says the suspect was "immediately taken into custody" by Italian police. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

SNL Skit: Obama and Hu Jintao at a Press Conference

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

In the opening skit for Saturday Night Live last night, Fred Armisen plays President Obama at a press conference in China with Chinese President Hu Jintao. Jintao takes the U.S. apart on its spending policies (we borrowed $800 billion from the Chinese to finance the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq). It's quite astute, and the funniest -- and most disturbing, if you think about it -- skit of the night. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Giuliani Thinks New York City 9/11 Trial is Unnecessary Risk

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani tells CNN's John King that putting 9/11 terror suspects on trial in New York is an unnecessary risk. Giuliani definitely thinks the trials would create additional security problems and risk. He also says it will be very expensive. He says it would be worth it if there was "no other choice" but he believes there are other options. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

White House Website Now Runs on Drupal

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST

The White House website at whitehouse.gov is now operated with Drupal, an open source content management system. As CNET's Deep Tech blog explains open source does not always mean that technology will be easier to use or cheaper to run. Open source is a terrible idea if the particular software is not well supported. Fortunately, Drupal is well supported by an active commuity but you still need people knowledgable with Drupal to operate the website just like you would with any other software. These people won't work for free just because the software is open source.

The move has been made with other U.S. government websites. Recovery.org started using Drupal earlier this year.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Win Generates Controversy

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:15:00 EST

President Obama's completely unexpected Nobel Peace Prize win has been very controversial. As Reuters reports many Americans are puzzled that the prize went to our President who is new to office and was inexperienced on the world stage prior to being eleected. President Obama himself said he did not feel he deserved the award over some of those who were nominated. President Obama tweeted a single word on his Twitter account, "Humbled." President Obama is giving the $1.4 million cash prize to charity - if he can.

John McCain said the award puts more pressure on the President and that he now has "even more to live up to."

Kimberly Dozier reports that the award is a great honor for the President, but it could also become an albatross. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

SNL's Obama Gives Speech About Lack of Accomplishments

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

Saturday Night Live's skit Saturday night mocked President Obama's lack of accomplishments and failure to win the 2016 Olympic bid for Chicago. President Obama also has some unused t-shirts to get rid of. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

President Obama's Amazingly Consistent Smile

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 21:10:00 EST

This video created by Eric Spiegelman shows how President Obama is able to maintain the same perfect smile while meeting with hundreds of different people. Take a look:

(via Boing Boing)

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Sarah Palin's Book Title: Going Rogue

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:33:00 EST

Politico reports that form VP candidate and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin turned her book manuscript in early. The book has a massive 1.5 million copy first print run. It will in stores on November 17th. The book will be called Going Rogue: An American Life.

Palin had a deadline of Sept. 15 for her manuscript and turned it in a bit early. Copy-editing and fact-checking are now underway in a race to meet the crash publishing schedule, which has been accelerated four or five months because of the huge anticipated demand.

After Palin left office on July 26, she went with her husband, Todd, and her children to San Diego, the home of her collaborator, Lynn Vincent, and worked on the book for several weeks.

Later, Palin spent several days in New York, going over the final edits.

Sarah Palin's book will probably sell well since she has a sizeable group of avid supporters.

Photo source: Sarah Palin's Facebook

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Video: Tom DeLay Dances the Cha Cha Cha

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST

Tom DeLay danced the Cha Cha Cha last night on the premiere of Dancing With the Stars. Tom and partner Cheryl Burke danced to "Wild Thing." One thing's for sure: Tom is a better dancer than Tucker Carlson. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

President Obama Called Kanye West a Jackass

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:00:00 EST

Everyone was angry at Kanye West last night for jumping on stage and rudely interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech. Taylor Swift won Best Female Video and Kanye thought Beyonce's song was better. One of the people angry at Kanye West was apparently President Obama.

ABC reporter Terry Moran reported on his Twitter, @TerryMoran, that, "Pres. Obama just called Kanye West a 'jackass' for his outburst at VMAs when Taylor Swift won. Now THAT'S presidential."

Vulture reports that Terry Moran has since deleted the tweet because President Obama's remarks were supposed to be off the record.

(via Politico)

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Katie Couric Discusses Wee Weed Up

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST

Katie Couric talks about neology, the invention of new words. The new word she is talking about is "wee wee'd up," which was used recently by President Obama. The President said, "There is something about August going into September where everybody in Washington gets all wee-wee'd up!"

Press secretary Robert Gibbs says the term has to do with people getting "nervous for no particular reason." The President's word already has several entries in the Urban dictionary.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

WRAL: John Edwards to Admit He is Baby's Father

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:32:00 EST

WRAL reports that sources are telling them that John Edwards is going to admit that he is the father of Rielle Hunter's baby. Edwards has admitted to having an affair with Rielle Hunter but said his affair ended before the child was conceived.

Edwards, a two-time Democratic presidential candidate, confessed last August to having an affair with Rielle Hunter, who served as a videographer on Edwards' 2008 campaign. He has denied fathering her daughter, saying his relationship with Hunter ended before the child was conceived.

The name of the girl's father isn't disclosed on her birth certificate. Andrew Young, a long-time Edwards aide, initially claimed to be the father of Hunter's child, but he is reportedly writing a book in which he will claim Edwards is the father.

The National Enquirer ran a story yesterday alleging that a secret DNA test had confirmed that John Edwards is the father of the baby. The baby is now 18-months old.

Photo source: John Edwards Twitter

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Jon Stewart Tackles the Birther Conspiracy Rumors

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST

Jon Stewart tackles the growing urban legend that Barack Obama is not an American citizen and that he is not eligible to be president. CNN has already debunked the "birther rumors" but they persist. Take a look:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

The Born Identity

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Joke of the Day

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Wields Knife in Twitter Video

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger shot a special video for his 700,000+ Twitter followers. In the video, Schwarzenegger talks about how pleased he is with all the ideas his Twitter followers are sharing for cutting the budget. He also briefly wields a big knife at the start of the video. Presumably, this is a knife to cut the budget with.

The governor's press secretary Aaron McLear told the Daily News, "It was a gift he received yesterday. It just happened to be on his desk. It doesn't mean anything."

Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Sarah Palin Promises Less PC Tweets

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Newser reports that Sarah Palin is promising to fire off some less PC tweets on her Twitter account, @AKGovSarahPalin, once she has resigned as Alaska Governor. Sarah Palin's tweet said, "10 dys til less politically correct twitters fly frm my fingertps outside State site."

In a tweet posted Friday, Palin indicates that when she's out of office, she'll use a personal account on the social networking site to stay in touch.

Palin's tweet said, "elected is replaceable; Ak WILL progress! + side benefits10 dys til less politically correct twitters fly frm my fingertps outside State site."

The governor says in another message that in the meantime, "it's a pleasure to update interested folks on State biz!"

It will be interesting see exactly what Sarah Palin has to say that is "less PC." Everyone is also wondering what she will change her Twitter account to once she is no longer the Governor of Alaska.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Al Sharpton: Michael Jackson Helped Make Obama President

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 16:50:00 EST

Al Sharpton made the grandiose claim at the Michael Jackson Memorial Service that it was Michael Jackson who created the environment that allowed Barack Obama to be elected president.

"It was Michael Jackson that brought blacks and whites and Asians and Latinos together. It was Michael Jackson that made us sing 'we are the world,'" said Sharpton.

"It was that comfort level that kids from Japan and Ghana and France and Iowa and Pennsylvania got comfortable enough with each other so later it wasn't strange to us to watch Oprah on television," the reverend continued. "Those young kids grew up from being teenage comfortable fans of Michael to being 40 years old and being comfortable to vote for a person of color to be the president of the United States of America."

"Michael did that," Sharpton said. "Michael made us love each other."

The most geniune moment at the memorial service was when Michael Jackson's daughter Paris spoke about how much she loved her father.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Comedian Al Franken Wins Senate Race

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST

Former Saturday Night Live comedian Al Franken is officially a U.S. Senator. The Huffington Post reports that Republican Norm Coleman conceded to Al Franken after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that Franken should be certified the winner.

Coleman announced his decision at a news conference in St. Paul, bringing an end to a nearly eight-month recount and court fight over an election decided by only a few hundred votes.

"The Supreme Court has made its decision and I will abide by the results," Coleman told reporters outside his St. Paul home.

Franken, accompanied by his wife, told reporters outside his downtown Minneapolis town house that "Franni and I are so thrilled that we can finally celebrate this victory."

Al Franken says he promises to do his best and work hard. He says he "can't wait to get started." He says he thinks he will be seated early next week. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

President Says Economy Will Get Worse

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST

Raw Story reports that President Obama warned in a news conference that the economy will get worse and unemployment will climb over 10%.

In a wide-ranging White House news conference, Obama also said he had no plans for a fresh stimulus package, hoping to give time to see the impact of the 787-billion-dollar economic plan approved shortly after he took office.

"We're still not at actual recovery yet. So I anticipate that this is going to be a difficult, difficult year," Obama said.

"I think it's pretty clear now that unemployment will end up going over 10 percent," he said, explaining it would take time for an economic recovery to translate into job growth.

The jobless rate in the world's largest economy surged to 9.4 percent in May, with the figure shooting to a record high 11.5 percent in the most populous state of California.

"What's incredible to me is how resilient the American people have been and how they are still more optimistic than the facts alone would justify," said Obama, who has largely held onto his high popularity ratings.

The World Bank has also become more pessimistic about the economy. In an indication of how much stress the President is under, he also admitted that he still occasionally falls "off the wagon" in his quest to quit smoking. The President also acknowledged his battle with cigarettes when he spoke before signing the bill to regulate tobacco.

Photo: White House

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

President Obama Breaks Silence on Iran

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST

Huge protests were held in Iran today as many supporters of opposition candidate Mirhossein Mousavi believe the election was stolen by current Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The protests turned violent with at least 1 death when he hardline Islamic Basij militia fired on the crowds.

President Obama says the Iranian voters should be heard but he also said diplomacy with Iran should continue. Vice President Joe Biden has also spoken out and says he has "real doubts" about the Iran election results. Iran's Supreme Leader has called for a recount in the wake of the large protests. Experts believe this may be the start of a democratic shift in Iran.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Obama and Sarkozy Tell Iran No Nukes

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST

President Barack Obama and French President Nicholas Sarkozy are both calling for Iran to not develop a nuclear weapons program. President Obama says that Iran's possession of a nuclear weapon would be "profoundly dangerous" to the entire region and the world. He said if Iran gets a nuclear weapon than many countries in the Middle East are also going to want a nuclear weapon.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Bill Clinton Thinks Dick Cheney Needs More Target Practice

Fri, 15 May 2009 18:00:00 EST

Former President Bill Clinton laughed off a question Wednesday about former Vice President Dick Cheney and his claims that the country is less safe under the Obama administration.

"I wish him well," Clinton told CNN while greeting voters after a campaign stop with Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe. "It's over," he added, apparently a reference to the Bush administration.

"But I do hope he gets some more target practice before he goes out again," Clinton said with a grin before moving along the ropeline.

It's probably not a good sign for your political career if former rivals aren't taking you seriously.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

How the Media Viewed Obama's First 100 Days

Fri, 1 May 2009 15:00:00 EST

President Obama recently hit the important milestone of having been president for 100 days. So how did the media cover this event? Well, Fox News saw it as the Apocalypse, MSNBC worshipped all things Obama and CNN totally geeked out. Jon Stewart explains:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M - Th 11p / 10c

Obama 101

thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Economic Crisis

First 100 Days

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Kathleen Sebelius Named HHS Secretary

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:00:00 EST

Former Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has been confirmed and sworn in as the nation's Health and Human Services Secretary. She comes in right in the middle of a potential swine flu pandemic. President Obama says Sebelius will have to "hit the ground running" to deal with swine flu health emergency. The HHS website can be found here. You can find a list of swine flu resources here.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Top Ten Things Overheard Between Obama and Hugo Chavez

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST

President Obama and Hugh Chavez met and shook hands at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad. David Letterman has a funny Top Ten list about the meeting. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Barack Obama Meets Hugo Chavez

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST

U.S. President Barack Obama and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez - a very outspoken critic of the United States - shook hands on Friday at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad. MSNBC's First Read says President Obama "president walked across the room where all the leaders were gathering and introduced himself to Chavez." MSNBC says Hugo Chavez said a few words in English to President Obama but the administration hasn't provided details about the exchange.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Rod Blagojevich Pleads Not Guilty

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST

Impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges on Tuesday. Blagojevich has all along denied that he schemed to sell President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat. Blogojevich told reporters that he is innocent of every allegation and hopes to be vindicated in the process. He also says he has not let down the people of Illinois.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Defense Secretary Robert Gates Says Finding Osama Bin Laden Could Take Many Years

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST

Don't expect Osama Bin Laden to be captured any time soon. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates compares the hunt for Bin Laden to the FBI's 17-year long manhunt for the Unambomber.

How long might it really take to find al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden? U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggests the FBI's 17-year hunt for convicted Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski as a reasonable guide.

Or worse still, Gates said on Wednesday, consider the fate of Americans taken hostage decades ago in Lebanon who died before the United States could find and rescue them.

Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Gates dismissed the notion that something might be amiss because bin Laden and his top lieutenant, Ayman al-Zawahri, remain free more than seven years after the September 11 attacks.

"To a certain extent, I think too many people go to too many movies. Finding these guys is really hard, and especially if they have some kind of a support network," he said.

Robert Gages is pretty good at downplaying expectations. He also said, "Everybody continues to look for No. 1 and No. 2. And we will continue that effort and I think everyone's hope is that one of these days, we'll be successful."

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

When Ronald Reagan Met Vladimir Putin

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST

Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan once met Vladimir Putin in May 1988 during a visit to Moscow. In the photo above, Reagan was approached by a group of supposed Russian tourists. The tourists were actually KGB members with their families. Radio Free Europe says these "tourists" asked President Reagan about human rights conditions in the United States.

The blonde-haired man in the striped shirt on the far left is Vladimir Putin. Putin was a KGB colonel in 1988. Reagan's photographer, Pete Souza, confirmed this information to NPR in January. Pete Souza is now the White House photographer for President Obama.

(via Foreign Policy and Newser)

Photo: Ronald Reagan Library

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Jon Stewart vs. Jim Cramer

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST

Jon Stewart has been taking on the guys over at CNBC; his latest target is the excitable Jim Cramer. Cramer complained that Stewart mischaracterized his remarks, then claimed that he never told his viewers to buy Bear Stearns stock right before it crashed. Stewart did some research and well, you probably know how this one's going to turn out. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Saturday Night Live: Michael Steele is Limbaugh-Approved

Sun, 8 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST

Every time a Republican criticizes Rush Limbaugh, he then has to retract his statement, grovel and then hold a press conference to say that he and Rush have patched things up. Last night Saturday Night Live did a skit in which RNC chair Michael Steele is electrically shocked every time he says something that's not Limbaugh-approved. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Dr. Sanjay Gupta Won't Take Surgeon General Job

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 21:00:00 EST

Dr. Sanjay Gupta has decided not to take President Obama's Surgeon General offer. He didn't want to have to give up practicing neurosurgery especially with a third child on the way.

"This is more about my family and my surgical career," Gupta told CNN's "Larry King Live."

The neurosurgeon said he would likely have had to give up practicing had he taken the job as the nation's top doctor.

In addition, the 39-year-old and his wife are expecting their third daughter any time, and the government job would have meant long periods away from his family, he said.

"I think, for me, it really came down to a sense of timing more than anything else," he said. "I just didn't feel I should do that now."

It's too bad because he would have been really good at it. He has both the knowledge base and the communication skills.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

68% Have Favorable Opinion of President Obama

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST

MSNBC reports that polling has started out favorable for President Obama. 68% of those surveyed have a faborable opinion of President Obama and 67% feel "more hopeful" about his leadership. 60% approve of his job.

In the survey, 68 percent have a favorable opinion of the president, including 47 percent whose opinion is "very positive" - both all-time highs for Obama in the poll. Moreover, 67 percent say they feel more hopeful about his leadership and 60 percent approve of his job in the White House.

Yet the percentage of Americans who are confident that Obama has the right goals and policies for the country - 54 percent - is slightly smaller, suggesting that the president is more popular than his policies are. An example: 57 percent tend to support the stimulus, compared with 34 percent who tend to oppose it.

The country knows that Barack Obama inherited the financial problems when he took office so he will probably get a long pass before they started blaming him for not fixing them. He won't get a pass forever but it could last an entire year according to the survey. 84% of those surveyed say this is an economy Obama inherited, and over 66% believe he has at least a year before he's responsible for it.

Republican pollster Bill McInturff told MNSBC that Obama has a "long leash." McInturff says, "It normally doesn't last that long. But believe me, that's a good place to start."

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Governor Jindal Angers Alaskans by Calling Volcano Monitoring Wasteful Spending

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST

The Anchorage Daily News reports that Alaskans are angry that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (GOP) singled out "volcano monitoring" as wasteful spending during his response to President Obama's speech Tuesday night.

Jindal singled out "volcano monitoring" as an unnecessary frill that Democrats stuck in the recently adopted stimulus package.

"Their legislation is larded with wasteful spending," Jindal said. "It includes ... $140 million for something called 'volcano monitoring.' Instead of monitoring volcanoes, what Congress should be monitoring is the eruption of spending in Washington, D.C."

Jindal's comments provoked an eruption of their own. Alaska politicians, liberal bloggers and some scientists began pointing out how useful it is to let people know when a volcano in their neighborhood is about to explode.

"Volcano monitoring is a matter of life and death in Alaska," Democratic Sen. Mark Begich said in an open letter to Jindal.

Jindal should have looked at his speech a lot more carefully. It should be fairly obvious that volcano monitoring is important for some states just like hurricane monitoring is important in Jindal's state. In Alaska, scientists are currently keeping a close eye on Mount Redoubt which could still erupt soon.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Rupert Murdoch Apologizes For Chimp Cartoon

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST

New York Post publisher and media mogul Rupert Murdoch published a rare apology yesterday about a controversail New York Post cartoon. The cartoon shows a violent chimp being shot dead by police. Critics argue that the cartoonists is portraying the chimp in the cartoon as President Barack Obama because one of the police officers in the cartoon says of the dead chimp, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill." Al Sharpton says Murdoch's apology is not enough.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Ginsburg Is Back at Supreme Court Following Surgery

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was back on the bench today. She had been out for two weeks because she was underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer on February 5. The AP says doctors gave Ginsburg an encouraging prognosis. The doctors say they caught the cancer early when it is most curable.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Republican Sen. Judd Gregg Withdraws Nomination as Commerce Secretary

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:00:00 EST

The last think President Barack Obama needed was another resigning cabinet member but that's just what he got today. Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire withdrew his nomination as Commerce Secretary Thursday saying that he was withdrawing because he disagreed with the stimulus plan among other things. Gregg says he realized that it "really wasn't a good fit and that he wouldn't be comfortable doing this." The Atlantic says Gregg's decision caught the White House by surprise.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Barack Obama is Stressed Out on Mad Magazine's Cover

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST

President Barack Obama has been on the cover of thousands of newspapers and magazines lately but Mad Magazine's new cover is probably the least flattering. The cover shows the new president looking extremely stressed now that the inaugural fun is over. CNN's Jeanne Moos reports on the latest cover. She says Mad has received some criticism for not making Obama's ears big enough.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

George Mitchell Named Special Envoy to Middle East

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST

Today President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton named former senate majority leader George Mitchell as Special Envoy to the Middle East and Richard Holbrooke as Special Envoy to Afghanistan. Both Clinton and Obama spoke to the State Department as they announced the picks. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Caroline Kennedy Withdraws From Senate Competition

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST

In a surprise move, Caroline Kennedy has withdrawn her name from consideration to fill Hillary Clinton's senate seat. The New York Post reported it first, then the New York Times reported that she withdrew over concern for her uncle Ted Kennedy's health.

On Wednesday she called Gov. David A. Paterson, who will choose a successor to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Her concerns about Senator Edward M. Kennedy's deteriorating health (he was hospitalized after suffering a seizure during President Obama's inaugural lunch on Tuesday ) prompted her decision to withdraw, this person said. Coping with her uncle's condition was her most important priority, a situation not conducive to starting a high profile public job. Mr. Paterson had indicated to her that the job was hers if she would accept it, the person said.

An AP story said that she had the appointment all locked up. But Governor Paterson has spoken highly of many other candidates for the post. Some are speculating that Governor Paterson told her that she was not the pick and is allowing her to withdraw her name in a gracious, face-saving move.

The idea that she would back out because of Ted Kennedy's health doesn't make much sense. Ted really wants Caroline to have that seat. Ted has a wife, family and the best medical care in the world and she knew he was ill when she started campaigning for the job. We'll know more when she issues a statement.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Rick Sanchez Criticizes Joe the Plumber

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

CNN's Rick Sanchez takes on "War Corespondent" Joe the Plumber for saying the media should be abolished from reporting on wars. It's unclear exactly what Joe the Plumber meant by his statement that the media shouldn't cover the war. It was also an odd comment to make considering that Pajamas Media had sent Joe the Plumber to Israel to cover the conflict.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Burris Will Take Senate Seat Tomorrow

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST

Democrats have pretty much thrown in the towel on the Roland Burris appointment: he will be allowed to take his Senate seat. But he shouldn't expect a warm welcome.

Democratic leaders say they have no hard feelings toward Burris - and that they're willing to put aside their concerns with his appointment if he proves himself to be a loyal Democrat, keeps his word and shows a willingness to work with committee chairmen and to vote with his party.

But within the party, tensions are still lingering over how the whole episode played out and how Burris - a 71-year-old former state official who lacks Washington experience - outmaneuvered and embarrassed some of the savviest politicians in the country.

Burris has until October to file the paperwork needed to become a candidate for 2010, but he'd have to start laying the groundwork for his campaign almost instantly. He would need to hold fundraisers, create an infrastructure with offices throughout Illinois and seek support from party leaders.

Burris declined to be interviewed about his plans. Privately, his advisers acknowledge that he has an uphill task in winning over his Senate colleagues, even as they insist that he's up to it.

Unless Burris has previously unknown depths it's hard to see how he'll be more than a placeholder for Barack Obama's vacated senate seat. The entire incident is an embarrassment for the Democratic party.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Joe the Plumber to Become War Correspondent

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST

Samuel Wurzelbacher is heading off to cover the conflict in Israel between Israel and Hamas. Wurzelbacher became known to many as Joe the Plumber after he asked Barack Obama a question on his tax policies during the 2008 Elections. Joe the Plumber later criticized John McCain post-election for supporting the bailout. Joe the Plumber will be covering the conflict for ten days as a correspondent for Pajamas TV. Apparently, his fifteen minutes of fame have not yet ended.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Colbert and Colmes, Together at Last

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Now that Alan Colmes has left Hannity and Colmes the speculation as to where he'll go next was put to rest by Stephen Colbert. Colbert announced his new show, Colbert and Colmes. Colmes has a smaller chair and has a list of approved phrases he can use to praise Colbert. Take a look:

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Bill Richardson Withdraws as Commerce Secretary Designate

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST

Well, that has to be some kind of a record for the speed of resignation over a scandal: New Mexico governor Bill Richardson has resigned the post of Commerce Secretary. And he hasn't even been confirmed yet. The governor is facing allegations in a pay for play scandal.

With an almost audible sigh of relief barely two weeks before his inauguration Obama, in a printed statement that won't provide archival video footage, said he accepted the resignation-before-actually-taking-office "with deep regret."

And 16 days before becoming president, Obama sought to turn the PR smudge and federal probe of Richardson, his first Latino Cabinet pick, and his government into a patriotic plus: "It is a measure of his willingness to put the nation first that he has removed himself as a candidate for the Cabinet in order to avoid any delay in filling this important economic post at this critical time."

It may also be a measure of the inadequacy of the new Obama administration's vetting process that it somehow missed or ignored the ongoing and widely-reported grand jury testimony over alleged incidents in 2004 in New Mexico, part of a broad federal investigation of selling state services. It would seem to be an obvious something for the experienced Richardson to include when completing the 63-page questionaire given to potential Obama appointees.

While everyone was enjoying their holidays and watching Obama's Hawaiian vacation, word continued to leak that Richardson and his gubernatorial aides are under investigation by a federal grand jury probing the possibility that they steered state bond business to a Beverly Hills firm in return for $100,000 in donations to two Richardson PACs back in 2004.

They're calling the scandal "Billygate" which has to be one of the funniest gates, ever.

Obama dumped Richardson as fast as he could, but it seems quite odd that the vetting team didn't know about the scandal. After all, it was in every major newspaper. Apparently Richardson didn't think it was worth mentioning to the vetting team.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Blagojevich vs. Reid, Round 2

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST

Illinois governor Blagojevich has named former Attorney General Roland Burris to fill Barack Obama's Senate seat, over the objections of all 50 Democratic senators. Harry Reid is furious. Barack Obama has issued a statement condemning the move. But the governor is adamant. And the fight could go all the way to the Supreme Court.

If Gov. Rod Blagojevich thought that he was regaining the political high ground, or at least a little credibility, with fellow Democrats by appointing former Attorney General Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate, he was apparently mistaken. And CBS 2's Mike Parker reports that Blagojevich has hit a virtual brick wall of opposition to the move, from Illinois to Washington.

Sources on Capitol Hill tell CBS 2 Tuesday night the Senate will refuse to seat Burris. And a line in the Constitution does grant the Senate the right to reject the selection. So what's next for Burris? Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who must formally approve the appointment, says he won't do it, though he admires Roland Burris.

He's a gentleman of impeccable credentials," White said. "However, I'm standing by my previous statement that I will not certify any recommendation coming from the governor's office." White added, "I'm not a rubber stamp. I'm also the keeper of the seal of the State of Illinois." That alone prevents the Senate from swearing in Burris on January 5. But what if White changes his mind, or if Burris tries to force a vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate?

More drama. A sergeant at arms would physically bar Burris from entering, sources say. This happened once before, for a week, back in the late 19th Century. What's most likely to occur in the Senate is a vote to halt Burris' seating "pending the outcome of an investigation into the propriety of his appointment" by the Senate Rules Committee. That investigation will likely have a 60-day period limit.

"What we saw today was an act of political defiance where he is going to try to have his way despite the fact that the Senate Democratic Caucus has stated clearly that it will not seat his choice for the position," Sen. Dick Durbin said.

Ah, the drama! Burris will be physically barred from entering the Senate. Blagojevich will refuse to resign or withdraw his pick. What a total and complete political disaster.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Researchers Unlock Secrets of 1918 Flu Pandemic

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST

What a year this has been. A stock market crash, housing crash, recession and rising unemployment. Now just to end out the year, the Middle East is erupting yet again. But wait, there's more! As flu season approaches, researchers have discovered why the 1918 flu pandemic (which killed more people than all the wars in modern history combined) was so deadly. The virus contains three genes which together allow the the virus to invade the lungs and cause pneumonia.

The discovery, published in Tuesday's issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could also point to mutations that might turn ordinary flu into a dangerous pandemic strain. Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin and colleagues at the Universities of Kobe and Tokyo in Japan used ferrets, which develop flu in ways very similar to humans. Usually flu causes an upper respiratory infection affecting the nose and throat, as well as so-called systemic illness causing fever, muscle aches and weakness. But some people become seriously ill and develop pneumonia. Sometimes bacteria cause the pneumonia and sometimes flu does it directly.

During pandemics, such as in 1918, a new and more dangerous flu strain emerges. "The 1918 influenza pandemic was the most devastating outbreak of infectious disease in human history, accounting for about 50 million deaths worldwide," Kawaoka's team wrote. It killed 2.5 percent of victims, compared to fewer than 1 percent during most annual flu epidemics. Autopsies showed many of the victims, often otherwise healthy young adults, died of severe pneumonia. "We wanted to know why the 1918 flu caused severe pneumonia," Kawaoka said in a statement.

They painstakingly substituted single genes from the 1918 virus into modern flu viruses and, one after another, they acted like garden-variety flu, infecting only the upper respiratory tract. But a complex of three genes helped to make the virus live and reproduce deep in the lungs. The three genes -- called PA, PB1, and PB2 -- along with a 1918 version of the nucleoprotein or NP gene, made modern seasonal flu kill ferrets in much the same way as the original 1918 flu, Kawaoka's team found.

Most flu experts agree that a pandemic of influenza will almost certainly strike again. No one knows when or what strain it will be but one big suspect now is the H5N1 avian influenza virus. H5N1 is circulating among poultry in Asia, Europe and parts of Africa. It rarely affects humans but has killed 247 of the 391 people infected since 2003. A few mutations would make it into a pandemic strain that could kill millions globally within a few months.

So when you need a break from thinking about your 401k, you can always ponder the coming flu pandemic that could kill upwards of 50 million people.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Bush Portraits Unveiled at Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

The portraits of President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush were unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery on Friday. Robert Anderson was selected by the White House to paint the President's portrait and Aleksander Titovets was selected by the White House to paint Laura Bush's portrait. You can see the portaits here on the Smithsonian website.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Hall and Oates' Tribute to Alan Colmes

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST

Alan Colmes is leaving Hannity and Colmes for reasons that have yet to be satisfactorily explained. Hannity will go it alone for now. Jon Stewart invited Daryl Hall and John Oates to commemorate the event. Take a look:

Posted in Politics

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Top Investment Advisor Arrested in $50 Billion Fraud Scheme

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:30:00 EST

As the recession deepens, investors are pulling out of all but the safest investments. That fact has apparently led to the downfall of one of Wall Street's best known investment advisors, Bernard Madoff, 70. Madoff is a former chairman of NASDAQ. He paid high returns and clients loved him. But when clients wanted out of the market because of the uncertain financial climate, Madoff couldn't come up with the money. That's because for years he's been running a Ponzi scheme: he paid fake returns to some investors, using new investors' money. Madoff admitted this fact to two employees who went to the authorities. Now Madoff has been arrested, and is out on a $10 million bail.

According to a Securities and Exchange Commission document filed in Jan. 2008, and cited in the complaint, the firm had between 11 and 25 clients for the fiscal year ending Oct. 2007 and managed about $17 billion in assets in 23 different accounts.

Bernard Madoff Investment Securities, in addition to that private client practice, is also a market maker that trades with other dealers in bonds, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ, according to Bloomberg News. The firm was the 23rd largest market maker on NASDAQ in October, handling a daily average of about 50 million shares a day. The firm specialized in handling orders from online brokers in some of the largest U.S. companies, including General Electric Co. and Citigroup Inc., Bloomberg News reported.

But on Wednesday, Madoff allegedly told senior employees at his firm that his entire business was a fraud. According to the federal complaint, Madoff told those employees that he was "finished" and that "it's all one big lie." Madoff estimated "the losses from the fraud to be at least approximately $50 billion," the complaint states. At that time Madoff also told those employees that he intended to surrender to authorities, but before he did he planned to use $200-300 million he had left to make payments to "selected employees, family and friends," the complaint states.

His arrest has sent shudders through the investment community. Losses are expected to be in the $50 billion+ range. Madoff's arrest is most likely going to panic other investors who will also withdraw funds. It's a total disaster.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Obama Calls For Blagojevich Resignation

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST

Barack Obama has called for the resignation of Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich. The governor was arrested for multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy. The FBI has him on tape trying to sell Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder.

A day after the governor, Rod R. Blagojevich, was arrested and accused of putting Mr. Obama's vacant United States Senate seat up for bid, politicians from Washington to Chicago to the plains of Illinois made it clear that they wanted Mr. Blagojevich gone as soon as possible. Robert Gibbs, a spokesman for Mr. Obama, said that "it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois."

The Illinois legislature, which is currently adjourned, was making plans to reconvene on Monday to try to neutralize Mr. Blagojevich's authority by stripping him of his appointment authority, or even impeaching him.

The state House is expected to draft a bill that would call for a special election to fill Mr. Obama's Senate seat, which he resigned last month; state law authorizes the governor to appoint the President-elect's successor. More than 50 lawmakers have already signed a draft resolution to create a committee to investigate whether Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat, should be impeached. And the state's attorney general is weighing whether to file a legal action on behalf of the people of Illinois seeking to declare the governor unfit to serve.

Cindy Davidsmeyer, a spokeswoman for Emil Jones Jr., the president of the state Senate, said lawmakers could pass a bill on the special election as soon as next Tuesday. It is unclear whether Mr. Blagojevich would sign such legislation; he could veto it or delay it by returning it to the legislature with requests for changes or by taking no action at all for as long as 60 days.

Meanwhile everyone's wondering who is going to get caught in the dragnet around the corrupt governor. One senate hopeful -- Senate Candidate 5 as he's referred to in the transcripts of the governor's phone calls -- has been identified as Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. Jackson denies any wrongdoing, but it's early days yet in this new scandal.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

Sarah Palin Says 2012 is a Long Ways Away

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST

Reuters says Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has "flatly denied having any role in Senator McCain's loss in the Presidential election." When questions about running for president in 2012 Sarah Palin said that 2012 is a long ways away. She's right. Four years is a long time in politics but it's hard to imagine she won't eventually decide to run in 2012. Newsweek has already provided a playbook for Sarah Palin if she is planning on running. A CNN poll found that Palin and Huckabee top the lists of 2012 contenders. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney also had some support in the poll.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds

The Congresswoman Who Hung Up on the President Elect

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST

Politicians are paranoid about phone calls after Governor Sarah Palin was prank called by a radio station disc jockey who claimed to be the president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. They recorded the call in which Palin listens to the fake Sarkozy saying all kinds of awful and inappropriate things. The incident horrified politicians. So it's perhaps natural that when Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida received a phone call purportedly from Barack Obama, she hung up on him. Then when Rahm Emanuel called back, she hung up on him too. She thought it was one of the notorious south Florida radio stations pranking her. But it really was President-Elect Obama.

According to Ros-Lehtinen's flack Alex Cruz, the congresswoman received the call on her cell phone from a Chicago-based number and an aide informed her that Obama wanted to speak to her. When Obama introduced himself, Ros-Lehtinen cut him off and said, "I'm sorry but I think this is a joke from one of the South Florida radio stations known for these pranks." Then she hung up.

Moments later, Obama tried again, this time through his soon-to-be chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. "Ileana, I cannot believe you hung up on the President-Elect," Emanuel said. And then--yes, you know what's coming--she hung up on Emanuel saying she "didn't believe the call was legitimate."

A short time later, Ros-Lehtinen received an urgent call from Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who informed her that she indeed hung up on Obama. So, Obama tried again and this time he was successful. (Phew!)

"It is very funny that you have twice hung up on me," Obama said. Ros Lehtinen responded by telling Obama that radio stations in South Florida always make these sorts of jokes. Obama said similar pranksters reside in Chi-town. "You are either very gracious to reach out in such a bipartisan manner or had run out of folks to call if you are truly calling me and Saturday Night Live could use a good Obama impersonator like you," Ros-Lehtinen joked with the president-elect.

Ros-Lehtinen then congratulated Obama on his victory and pledged to work together on behalf of all Americans. She also asked Obama to call Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Albio Sire (D-NJ) to discuss Cuba policy.

No word yet as to whether Menendez or Sire hung up on the President-Elect.

Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds