Notes From The Edge Of Reason: November 2008

Friday, November 21, 2008

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

Going on vacation until the end of the month. Will check in occasionally and might post a few things, but I trust that my tens and tens of readers will survive. ;-)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Today's Links (11/20) -- The "Transgender Mayor" Edition

Discussions With Clintons as Obama Creates Team
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/us/politics/20obama.html

Flunking the Electoral College
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/opinion/20thu1.html

The Former Attorney General’s Legal Bills
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/opinion/20thu3.html

Prop. 8 gay marriage ban goes to Supreme Court
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-prop8-supreme-court20-2008nov20,0,3740282.story

Daschle to join Obama's Cabinet
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-daschle20-2008nov20,0,2728210.story

The mayor-elect's new clothes: Silverton, Oregon, elects a transgender leader
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-transgender20-2008nov20,0,7855069.story

Would-be attorney general Eric Holder haunted by Marc Rich pardon
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-holder20-2008nov20,0,532485.story

Antiwar groups fear Barack Obama may create hawkish Cabinet
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-foreign-policy20-2008nov20,0,4430107.story

Obama and foreign policy: It shouldn't be personal
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-beehner20-2008nov20,0,531222.story

Bush's land mines for Obama
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-brooks20-2008nov20,0,3697638.column

Ariz. Governor Said to Be Pick For Homeland Security Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/20/AR2008112000050.html

For McCain, A Subdued Return to Capitol Hill
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/19/AR2008111904207.html

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Today's Links (11/19) -- The "Stevens-Bites-The-Dust" Edition

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Today's Links (11/18)

Many Dealings of Bill Clinton Are Under Review
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/us/politics/18clintons.html

Early Test for Obama on Domestic Spying Views
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/washington/18nsa.html

Political temperature may be just right for healthcare overhaul
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-health18-2008nov18,0,1021950.story

FDIC chief Sheila Bair could have role on Obama team
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fi-bair18-2008nov18,0,4045705.story

Dear President Obama
http://www.slate.com/id/2204824

The Dark Matter of Our Cherished Document
http://www.slate.com/id/2204377

Malia and Sasha's big move
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obamafamily18-2008nov18,0,7831186.story

Welcome to Town
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/17/AR2008111702882.html

In a New Climate, Former Weatherman Bill Ayers Speaks
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/18/AR2008111800007.html

Which GOP Will Obama Face?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/17/AR2008111702918.html

Finding His Inner FDR
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/17/AR2008111702919.html

Catching Up With Another Big Group of House Freshmen — the Class of ‘94
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002987159

Dishwasher in Chief
http://www.slate.com/id/2204825

Monday, November 17, 2008

Today's Links (11/17)

Obama, on '60 Minutes,' talks about the challenges ahead
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-transition17-2008nov17,0,4153146.story

Who would Obama pick for the Supreme Court?
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-courtobama17-2008nov17,0,6924032.story

Obama Quits Senate, Names More Staffers
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/16/AR2008111601840.html

Clinton Vetting Includes Look at Mr. Clinton
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/us/politics/17memo.html

One Cabinet Job Would Put Focus On Two Clintons
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/16/AR2008111602039.html

Bill vetting could cost Hillary her Cabinet post
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15680.html

First, Tell Me Everything
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/opinion/17mon4.html

Obama Wrote Federal Staffers About His Goals
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/16/AR2008111602440.html

What helped Obama win election now could hurt him
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-econ17-2008nov17,0,5609472.story

5 Myths About an Election of Mythic Proportions
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/13/AR2008111303287.html

Republicans ask: Just how bad is it?
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15676.html

The New Liberal Order
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1858771,00.html

The Transition: What Change Will Look Like
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1858701,00.html

Obama and the Myth of the Black Messiah
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1858897,00.html

How Presidents Pass the Torch
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1858896,00.html

Obama’s Lincoln
http://www.newsweek.com/id/169170

Pact, Approved in Iraq, Sets Time for U.S. Pullout
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/world/middleeast/17iraq.html

Deregulator Looks Back, Unswayed
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/business/economy/17gramm.html

The Bailout’s Next 60 Days
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/opinion/17mon1.html

Congress Meets for One Last Fight and to Look Ahead
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/washington/17cong.html

G.O.P. Senators Oppose Auto Bailout
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/business/17auto.html

How to Bail Out GM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/16/AR2008111601734.html

Senator Says Secret-Ballot in Private Meeting to Determine Whether Democrats Punish Lieberman
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002986759

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Today's Links (11/16) -- The Shortest Edition Ever

Lose the BlackBerry? Yes He Can, Maybe
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/us/politics/16blackberry.html

A Military for a Dangerous New World
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/opinion/16Sun1.html

Barack Obama: In search of identity
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-profile16-2008nov16,0,3916242.story

In Obama's Chicago footsteps
http://www.latimes.com/features/la-tr-obama16-2008nov16,0,5466940.story

Raise the Gas Tax
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/15/AR2008111502145.html

GOP back to square one with Hispanics
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15665.html

Obama and McCain set to meet in Chicago
http://us.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/16/transition.wrap/index.html

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Today's Links (11/15)

My Latest Letter to the Editor

For the millionth time, Obama is not a Muslim

In his letter of Nov. 12, Carl Tysinger said of President-elect Barack Obama, "I see he has terrorist friends. If this man isn't a slick Muslim, there isn't a crook in Washington."

Obama does not have "terrorist friends" and, for the millionth time, Obama isn't a Muslim ... although I don't understand why it would be a problem if he was. Our war isn't with Islam - it's with radical Islamists ... and there is a difference.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but, as the saying goes, not to their own facts. The High Point Enterprise shouldn't print letters from people that contain factual errors such as these.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Today's Links (11/14) -- The "HILLARY?! Are You Kidding?!" Edition

Clinton, Richardson on Short List for Secretary of State
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/11/14/clinton_top_contender_for_secr.html
HRC for Secretary of State: Crazy or Crazy Like a Fox?
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/11/hrc_for_secretary_of_state_cra.html

Hillary Clinton as Mrs. Foggybottom?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/13/AR2008111304112.html

Obama holds secret meeting with HRC
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15625.html

Obama, Clinton discuss top State Department job
http://us.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/14/transition.wrap/index.html

Post Drinks Cheney's Kool-Aid!
http://www.slate.com/id/2204616

A World of Advice for Obama on Foreign Policy
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/washington/14policy.html

For Obama and Family, a Personal Transition
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/us/politics/14obama.html

Democratic Pressure on Obama to Restore the Rule of Law
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/opinion/14fri4.html

Free the GOP
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/13/AR2008111303347.html

Will We Ever Learn the Truth?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2008/11/13/BL2008111301881.html

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Today's "Sarah-Palin-Just-WON'T-Go-Away" Video Vault

Today's Links (11/13) -- The "Is-It-Time-For-OUR-Bailout?!" Edition

U.S. Shifts Focus in Credit Bailout to the Consumer
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/business/economy/13bailout.html

Foreclosure Prevention Lite
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/opinion/13thu1.html

U.S. announces mortgage affordability plan
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fi-mortgage12-2008nov12,0,6283228.story

Racing to the Summit
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/12/AR2008111202531.html

Obama's Good Start
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/12/AR2008111202532.html

So When Will a Muslim Be President?
http://www.slate.com/id/2204472

For a Washington Job, Be Prepared to Tell All
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/us/politics/13apply.html

The Shape of Things to Come?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/opinion/13thu4.html

Congress isn't waiting for Obama
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-agenda13-2008nov13,0,576969.story

A Dog We Can Believe In
http://www.slate.com/id/2204485

Change You Can't Click On
http://www.slate.com/id/2204041

Obama’s Operation May Become the Model of Fundraising
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002985561

Bush, Out of Office, Could Oppose Inquiries
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/washington/13inquire.html

Bush Still Draws a Blank
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2008/11/12/BL2008111201617.html

Angrier response to Prop. 8 steps up
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-prop813-2008nov13,0,3589281.story

Political junkies struggle with election withdrawal
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-media13-2008nov13,0,7955289.story

Palin: 'Just Getting Started'
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/roughsketch/2008/11/palin_just_getting_started.html

An awkward press conference
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/1108/An_awkward_press_conference.html

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Today's Edition of the Voluminous Video Vault

Today's Links (11/12) -- The "Who's-Next-For-A-Bailout?" Edition

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Today's "Palin-Is-The-Gift-That-Keeps-On-Giving" Edition of the Video Vault

Today's Links (11/11) -- The "43-Meets-44" Edition

A Visit Both Historic and Perhaps Awkward
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/us/politics/10transition.html

Barack and Michelle Obama visit the White House
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-transition11-2008nov11,0,7434535.story

Obama Weighs Quick Undoing of Bush Policy
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/us/politics/10obama.html

Plotting Bush's Undoing
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2008/11/10/BL2008111001244.html

Hope of Seeing President-Elect Draws Crowds And Cameras
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/10/AR2008111001415.html

Obama's Cabinet: Start With Al Gore
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/10/AR2008111002478.html

Barack to Reality
http://www.slate.com/id/2204240

You Are Now Friends With Barack Obama
http://www.slate.com/id/2204045

Five Silver Linings
http://www.slate.com/id/2204044

Obama Asks Bush to Provide Help for Automakers
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/us/politics/11auto.html

For South, a Waning Hold on National Politics
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/us/politics/11south.html

Bush's tax breaks for banks could cost California $2 billion
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-budget11-2008nov11,0,4823032.story

John McCain in his element
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-mccain11-2008nov11,0,684262.story

Obama urged to overhaul healthcare, stat
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-health11-2008nov11,0,6833135.story

The GOP looking glass
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-goldberg11-2008nov11,0,6582413.column

A GOP Bridge to Nowhere
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/10/AR2008111002481.html

A vote too late for Obama
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-vincent11-2008nov11,0,3920720.story

More Than a Rock Star
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/10/AR2008111002480.html

A Path Beyond Grievance
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/10/AR2008111001544.html

Monday, November 10, 2008

Today's Mindblowing Edition of the Video Vault

GOOD GRIEF -- people can so so stupid!

Today's Links (11/10)

How Obama Rewrote the Book
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1856914,00.html

The Story of Barack Obama's Mother
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1729524,00.html

How Far Will Sarah Palin Go?
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1857003,00.html

The World's View of Obama's Win
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1856584_1856586,00.html

For the Republicans, It Could Have Been Worse
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1856822,00.html

Congress Gets Ready for the Obama Era
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1857137,00.html

Obama Weighs Quick Undoing of Bush Policy
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/us/politics/10obama.html

A Visit Both Historic and Perhaps Awkward
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/us/politics/10transition.html

Democrats Have G.O.P. to Thank, at Least in Part
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/us/politics/10caucus.html

Obama’s Call to Change: What Is Everyone Waiting For?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/opinion/10mon4.html

The meaning of Obama
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-rodriguez10-2008nov10,0,1787995.column

Under Obama, Web Would Be the Way
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/10/AR2008111000013.html

Bold Is Good
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/09/AR2008110901896.html

McCain's Downfall: Republican Foreign Policy
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/fareed_zakaria/2008/11/mccains_downfall_republican_fo.html

Obama’s Steep Climb Ahead
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002984617

Farewell, or a Future? McCain Still Has Role as Bipartisan Dealmaker
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=weeklyreport-000002984462

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Today's Links (11/9)

Obama Team Weighs What to Take On First

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/us/politics/09promises.html

Harsh Words About Obama? Never Mind Now

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/us/politics/09memo.html

The Return of John McCain, but Which One?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/08/us/politics/08web-hulse.html

Lame Ducks and Recession Politics

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/opinion/09sun1.html

Mr. Obama's War

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/08/AR2008110801989.html

A Better Vote

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/08/AR2008110801990.html

Preparing for the Obama Era

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/08/AR2008110802267.html

Can He Do It?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/08/AR2008110800224.html

Democrats set sights on Texas

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-assess9-2008nov09,0,4854103.story

Obama relies on a close-knit inner circle

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-obamacircle9-2008nov09,0,5783202.story

Religious voters helped Obama to victory

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-godgap9-2008nov09,0,4653240.story

Right-wing media feeds its post-election anger

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-onthemedia9-2008nov09,0,7065480.story

Race didn't decide the election

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-judis9-2008nov09,0,3870085.story

The GOP's deep hole

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ornstein9-2008nov09,0,1847784.story

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Today's Links (11/8) -- The "Give-Us-A-Stimulus-Package" Edition

Obama, in His New Role as President-Elect, Calls for Stimulus Package
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/08/us/politics/08obama.html

Barack Obama says stimulus plan is his priority
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-transition8-2008nov08,0,383960.story

Obama Calls On Congress to Act Fast on Stimulus
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/07/AR2008110701246.html

A Friend in Need
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/07/AR2008110703484.html

Obama has historic youth mandate
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15441.html

Obama’s Pentagon-in-Waiting
http://washingtonindependent.com/17710/obama

Palin Calls Criticism by McCain Aides ‘Cruel and Mean-Spirited’
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/08/us/politics/08palin.html

Sarah Palin fires back at 'jerks'
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-palin8-2008nov08,0,6176254.story

Duprey, Schmidt deny Newsweek report
http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/1108/Duprey_Schmidt_deny_Newsweek_report.html

Friday, November 7, 2008

McCain's Biggest Mistake?

The other day, CNN's Jack Cafferty asked his viewers what we thought was John McCain's biggest mistake in this year's presidential campaign.

McCain made so many mistakes that it’s almost impossible to pick just one as his biggest error. From picking the most unqualified running mate in history (who apparently doesn't know the countries in NAFTA or that Africa is a continent and not a country) to adopting the very campaign strategies he decried in 2000, his campaign was, to borrow a military term, FUBAR. He should be proud of his service to his country — but ashamed of the divisive campaign he ran in this race.

Your thoughts?

Today's Just-As-Fat-As-Ever Edition of the Video Vault

Today's Links (11/7) -- The Stripped-Down Edition

Now that the election is over, the regular "Today's Links" feature will be shortened a little from the behemoths that appeared over the last two days or so. Don't get me wrong -- it's still going to show up, but probably with only the really interesting and/or important stuff. Enjoy!

Obama, Assembling Team, Turns to the Economy
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/us/politics/07obama.html

Among Democrats’ Leadership Questions: What to Do With Lieberman?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/us/politics/07cong.html

Some Republicans Say Leave Sarah Palin Alone
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2008/11/7/some-republicans-say-leave-sarah-palin-alone.html

Sarah Palin returns to a chillier Alaska
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-palin7-2008nov07,0,5389820.story

Obama's foreign policy picks
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-milne7-2008nov07,0,2236272.story

The Campaign Autopsy
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/06/AR2008110602570.html

A Real Realignment
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/06/AR2008110602571.html

A Different Kind of White House
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2008/11/06/BL2008110601694.html