Good idea--if Bill went on an important int'l mission it would rev up his reputation and his ego. I think, though, that he should join the campaign after that.

Posted at June 26, 2008 11:29 AM in response to Rendell On Bill Clinton's Alleged Hard Feelings Towards Obama: "Get Over It," "Shake It Off"

I burst out laughing at your header! Better than crying, I guess . . .

Posted at June 24, 2008 4:15 PM in response to IG Report: Applicant Done in by Love of Wolves

I guess the first step would be to speak out against it, and I wish he would.

Posted at June 20, 2008 12:10 PM in response to Should Obama do more to stop the FISA bill?

Thank you, artappraiser. That thread was interesting.

Posted at June 18, 2008 8:01 PM in response to What's the deal with Patty Solis Doyle?

Thanks you both. I suspected that the media excitement about this was bogus--it doesn't make sense for Obama to try to insult Clinton at this point. Also, as you both point out, she's free and she'll be an asset--what's the problem? I would imagine that by now Clinton wishes she'd dumped Penn instead of Solis Doyle.

Posted at June 18, 2008 5:52 PM in response to What's the deal with Patty Solis Doyle?

Rather than fight and use more problematic slurs among ourselves, it would be useful to look at the effects of sexist and racist media dog-whistling.

Yes, it's disrespectful to all women when the word "bitch" is publicly used to discuss HRC. This usage is not analogous to calling a man "asshole" or "dick." For one thing, these would not be allowed in mainstream network discourse. "Bitch" is technically allowed for the same reason it's so offensive: it's a term referring to animals. In fact, both "bitch" and "Obama's baby mama" are offensive because they reduce women to biological, animalistic functions.

The "baby mama" comment combines racism and sexism in an ugly new way. It's a kind of throwback to the days when racial stereotypes were commonly acceptable. When such terms are given free reign in the media, the intent is to diminish respect for the minority group. The Obama/Osama "mistake" was another rhetorical strategy designed to diminish and re-brand a public minority figure.

We'll see a lot of interesting new variations of old slurs in the next few months, and it doesn't matter how well we responded before. I was please to see that Fox news had to back down on "Obama baby mama" so quickly. Let's keep up the good work!

Posted at June 13, 2008 3:30 PM in response to Will White Feminists Speak up for Michelle Obama?

Agreed, Slouch. Maybe he was one of Bush’s advisors on the strategy of using Guantanamo! That "foreign soil" dodge has always infuriated me. Maybe this decision will have some impact on other civil rights violations committed "outside" US boundaries, like the prison ships . . .

Posted at June 12, 2008 7:56 PM in response to Supreme Court: Gitmo Prisoners have habeas rights

Kaneblues, I think the media will have a lot of motivation to cover for McCain:
1)their corporate masters support the repubs
2)McCain has already started bribing them with support for a press shield law (on top of all the cocktail weenies)
3)it wouldn't be that much of a horserace if the public had an honest picture of McCain's and Obama's positions.

Posted at June 9, 2008 4:07 PM in response to Fear and Politics

Hello Arianna!

I don't think the fear cards they'll play--
like the plan for show trials of Guantanamo prisoners right before the election--will resonate as strongly now with an electorate that's increasingly focused on domestic issues.

That said, there's more than one use for the fear card. Republicans also like to use it as a test of strength: does the candidate have "enough balls" to run this country? Even their corrupt sliming practices are used to convey toughness. For example, Kerry looked weak just being attacked about his military service!

I think the Dems have learned to get out in front of such attacks--you can't play the strong, silent "high road." Also, Dems have a lot of money to pay for air time, since they're not going to get a fair shake in media. It's still going to be a battle, though!

Posted at June 9, 2008 2:01 PM in response to Fear and Politics

"He opposed the Iraq War":not many other mainstream media, reporters, etc. are acknowledging that this is a major factor in his win.

Posted at June 4, 2008 3:55 PM in response to Chi Trib's got it right! 5 reasons Obama won