Bob Barr explains the conservative crack-up

So the conservative movement in recent years has suffered from allowing itself to become captured by the Republican Party, and it has lost, in many respects, its independence, the power that comes from being a true independent, principled movement, the conservative movement. These issues have become very complex because of that. So, for example, when… Continue reading Bob Barr explains the conservative crack-up

Sub-prime Lender Files for Bankruptcy

Once a highflier in the booming market for making risky mortgage loans, the New Century Financial Corporation filed for bankruptcy court protection today. From NYT Not sure how I feel about this news from the mortgage industry. Normally, I think home ownership is a net-good for society. But that shouldn’t be an excuse for lenders… Continue reading Sub-prime Lender Files for Bankruptcy

Income inequality grew significantly in 2005

Income inequality grew significantly in 2005, with the top 1 percent of Americans — those with incomes that year of more than $348,000 — receiving their largest share of national income since 1928, analysis of newly released tax data shows. The top 10 percent, roughly those earning more than $100,000, also reached a level of… Continue reading Income inequality grew significantly in 2005

Greenwald on Brooks

David Brooks’ column in The New York Times this morning contains several important observations. It would maximize clarity in our political discussions if journalists could just ingest Brooks’ central point: the dominant right-wing political movement in this country that has spawned and driven the Bush presidency has nothing to do with – it is in… Continue reading Greenwald on Brooks

Ex-Aide Says Gonzales Was Involved in Firings

“I don’t think the attorney general’s statement that he was not involved in any discussions about U.S. attorney removals is accurate,” the former Gonzales aide, D. Kyle Sampson, said under questioning at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. From New York Times Looks like Sampson wasn’t willing to be the next Scooter Libby.

GSA Chief Is Accused of Playing Politics

Witnesses have told congressional investigators that the chief of the General Services Administration and a deputy in Karl Rove’s political affairs office at the White House joined in a videoconference earlier this year with top GSA political appointees, who discussed ways to help Republican candidates. From GSA Chief Is Accused of Playing Politics – washingtonpost.com… Continue reading GSA Chief Is Accused of Playing Politics

Stop the Falsiness

The video, called “Stop the Falsiness,” was created by MoveOn and Brave New Films as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on Colbert’s portrayal of the right-wing media and parodying MoveOn’s own reputation for earnest political activism. The short film, uploaded to YouTube in August 2006, includes clips from “The Colbert Report” as well as humorous original interviews… Continue reading Stop the Falsiness