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02 May 2011 01:58

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U.S.: For those who missed it: Obama’s full speech on bin Laden’s death

Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

13 Apr 2011 16:59

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Politics: Surprisingly defiant tone for Obama in budget speech

  • So… how y’all feel about that speech? Reviews streaming in following President Obama’s remarks about U.S. budgetary issues are somewhat mixed, but that’s what you’d expect when the speech in question struck such a starkly firm, at times defiant tone. Indeed, the favorite words of the administration, like “bipartisanship,” “compromise,” and “common ground” were all there, but there was also a lot of base-feeding red meat to his pitch that likely inflamed conservative orthodoxy and left liberals feeling better than they had expected.
  • The Paul Ryan Plan President Obama flatly and sternly dismissed Rep. Ryan’s “Path to Prosperity,” stating the plan would “end Medicare as we know it,” has a “deeply pessimistic” vision for America, and there’s “nothing courageous about asking for sacrifice from those who can least afford it and don’t have any clout on Capitol Hill.”
  • The Tax Man plan? The crux of the President’s rebuttal is that taxes on our highest income earners not only must go up, but that they should go up — a marked departure from more moderate rhetoric he’s used in the past years, likely due to the opposition’s success in injecting the word “socialism” into the debate. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

13 Apr 2011 15:23

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U.S.: Obama has harsh words for the Paul Ryan budget

  • The fact is [Paul Ryan’s budget] is less about reducing the deficit than it is about changing the basic social compact in America.
  • President Barack Obama • Speaking about Rep. Paul Ryan’s “Path to Prosperity,” which liberals have bemoaned for placing too much additional burden on the financially poor. Whatever you may think about Ryan’s proposal, the claim the President is making seems astute. The ideological battle between Democrats and Republicans in modern America is much more about public vs. private function than it ever truly ends up being about spending; both parties spend a ton without a second thought (the Republican’s ability to whitewash this fact must rank as a political marvel of the highest order). Rather, the Republican consistency has usually been to cut government’s role in social equity whenever they can, shredding elements of the social compact being only a political issue, not a moral one. As Paul Ryan said, his proposal isn’t just a budget, it’s a “cause.” source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Mar 2011 14:53

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World: Syria’s Bashar al-Assad defiant in anticipated speech

  • The oldest trick in the book: Faced with an upswell of protest against his government (during which deadly violence was turned on the citizens), Syria’s Bashar al-Assad gave a much anticipated speech. In explaining the protests against him, he resorted to a very familiar tactic for repressive heads-of-state facing public anger; blame it on a foreign conspiracy. Protesters had hoped to hear some concessions on reform, especially on Syria’s emergency powers law, which allows arrest without warrant. Sad to say, no such statement was to come from Assad, for whom the Parliament chanted “Only God, Syria, and Bashar!” source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 13:02

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U.S.: Obama gives speech to the National Prayer Breakfast… but why?

  • event The National Prayer Breakfast, an annual event in Washington D.C. boasting thousands of attendees, some foreign dignitaries and officials. The NPB is organized by “The Family,” also known as “The Fellowship.”
  • reality “The Family” is a Christian group with U.S. politicians as members, and included Ugandan MP David Bahati while he authored religion-inspired legislation to execute or imprison “serial” homosexuals.
  • awkwardPresident Obama gave a speech today to a group that considered David Bahati a friend, and hasn’t publicly or vehemently denounced his proposed law, which legalizes grave crimes against humanity.  source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

31 Aug 2010 20:31

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U.S.: Obama: The (combat end of the) Iraq war is officially over and stuff

  • Mission accomplished? Obama’s presidential address tonight marked the end of a long war (as far as combat operations go), and the next step will be to move forward and deal with more pressing concerns – Afghanistan and the economy. Now, there were certain things that might cause great disagreement – the somewhat firm emphasis that we’ll be getting out entirely next year is kind of a biggie – but ultimately, average people aren’t in this mode anymore. They want to see a stronger economy, not a never-ending, ultra-contentious war. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

31 Aug 2010 20:04

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U.S.: Watch the video of Obama’s Iraq speech here, guys

  • Here’s The first half …
  • … Annnnnd here’s The second half
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

27 Aug 2010 12:42

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Politics: Glenn Beck rally will include baseball stars, Dr. King’s niece

  • I made it clear when we were approached: I said, ‘If it’s political, I wouldn’t even approach Albert with it.’ I don’t want to be there if it’s political.
  • St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa • Totally misjudging the nature of Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” event on Saturday. He’ll be bringing his biggest star, Albert Pujols, with him. The baseball luminaries will be in D.C. on Saturday to play the Washington Nationals (who perhaps have the worst luck in the world right now), but will also be honored at the event. The event will also have a speech from Martin Luther King Jr.’s niece, Alveda King, which should be interesting to see. (Hint: She works at a conservative think-tank.) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Jul 2010 22:26

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Politics: Max Headroom: Mitch McConnell embraces “Party of No” rhetoric


  • Mitch explains himselfSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says it’s honorable to be the “Party of No” (and proudly so). He makes a lot of arguments here, but the most annoying one is the one about the FCC regulating the internet. How the hell did net neutrality turn into that description?

  • Alvin Greene stays steady The most awkward Senate candidate in the history of the world actually managed to hold it together for six solid minutes today during a speech to his local NAACP. Which is honestly better than we’d do. We’d turn into a puddle of sweat quicker than that.

  • Mark Williams is an idiotAnd yet, CNN continually brings him on their network. Roland S. Martin is having none of Williams’ incendiary remarks with their loopy logic and moronic conclusions. If this guy is one of the leaders of the movement, the movement needs a new leader or two.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Jun 2010 23:02

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Politics: The key 45 seconds from Obama’s oil spill speech tonight

  • Let’s face it. Obama’s good with discussing broad. But when it comes to specifics with the American people, he’s a little lacking. The truth of the matter is that there’s not really much new here. Pretty much the one thing that is new, or at least explained in better detail, is the BP escrow fund, which Obama had this to say about it: “This fund will not be controlled by BP. In order to ensure that all legitimate claims are paid out in a fair and timely manner, the account must and will be administered by an independent, third party.” source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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