Memo to Republicans: Huh?
February 26, 2009
Next verse, same as the first.
“Newsflash: McCain Lost the Election”
“he Republican Party has been using a grab-bag of strategies to counter Obama’s policies over the past month. They rail against the stimulus package for its (supposed) pork. They hammer home their points with gimmicky videos and props. They speak in warrior rhetoric and revel in heroic, fighting-man stunts. But if there is one strand running through all these strategies, it is that they evoke a discomfiting feeling of deja vu. We’ve seen this stuff before: The GOP is currently reliving John McCain’s presidential campaign. The return to the strategies of their fallen candidate may be the saddest illustration of the current state of the party.” Written by Eve Fairbanks.
from The New Republic
DB notes: When your leadership is fresh out of ideas…
***
Previously on Take 2: American Conservatism: Dead or Just Sleeping?
American Conservatism: Dead or Just Sleeping?
February 18, 2009
And we mean no.
“Throughout the fortnight-long Battle of the Stimulus Package—the Capitol Hill confrontation that culminates this week in a signing ceremony for a historically unprecedented piece of legislation that will inject more than three-quarters of a trillion dollars’ worth of adrenaline into America’s fluttering economic heart—one question preoccupied commentators and observers, especially those desperate for relief from the daunting substance of the matter: was President Obama being “bipartisan” enough?” By Hendrick Hertzberg.
from The New Yorker
DB notes: One message that Republican representatives sent to the electorate on the stimulus vote last week on the subject of relevancy is this: Not so much. Whether dead or just sleeping, 21st century American conservatism can certainly lay claim to being unified in the U.S. House of Representatives.
***
Next on Take 2: The Oscars.
Obama’s Seed Money
February 6, 2009
What’s in it for America’s farms?
How farm and food programs will—and won’t—benefit from the President’s $825 billion plan.
“As members of Congress struggle to get their arms around the $825 billion economic stimulus plan passed through the House last week and currently being debated in the Senate, a report from the Congressional Research Service sheds light on how farmers and rural communities might be “stimulated” by the first round of spending.” Written by Sam Hurst.
Plus: Chocolate recipes for Valentine’s Day
from Gourmet
DB notes: The manner in which American farms have been propped up by government spending, welfare, and subsidy is byzantine and capricious. That the first in the nation presidential caucus takes place in Iowa has been no help for the American farmer.
***
Next on Take 2: Kimsooja, Korean artist.
First Ireland, then Steroids, now…Israel and Palestine?
February 3, 2009
George Mitchell and the art of the impossible.
“Mitchell Gets Earful from Mideast”
“Winding up his week-long tour of the region, President Barack Obama’s Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, met Saudi officials here over the weekend for an exchange of ideas on ending the volatile Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mr. Mitchell conferred with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud bin Faisal Saturday night and met with King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Sunday. Specifically, the talks were said to cover the Saudi-initiated Arab Peace Initiative – first offered to Israel in 2002 – as well as how to counter what many Arab states regard as an alarming development: The increased involvement of Iran in Palestinian affairs, through its partners, Syria and Hamas.” Written by Carole Murphy.
from the Christian Science Monitor
____________________________________________________________________________________
DB notes: Where is the Israeli Marshall Plan? Where is the Palestinian Ghandi?
____________________________________________________________________________________
Also, see George Mitchell at State Department announcement:
Shake It
January 16, 2009
“When I was a kid you always had an art teacher and a music teacher. Even in the poorest school districts, everyone had access to music and other arts.” – Barack Obama
“The president-elect’s proposed Artists Corps is one plank in his push to revitalize the arts in education.” Written by Gloria Goodale.
