Blago’s Pick Built a Monument to Himself
December 31, 2008 by admin · Comments
Photo credit: Flickr user southbound_07
Just when you thought this Blago situation couldn’t get any weirder (or disgraceful) comes the above photo of the mausoleum that his senate appointee, Roland Burris, built for himself in Chicago. Time Magazine reported on it this morning, and thankfully an enterprising person on Flickr went out and captured an image of this unbelievable site for all to see. Click here to see a high res version of the above photo so you can read all about Burris’ resume, accomplishments, and “other major accomplishments” that are already carved onto his very elaborate grave.
Time has a great fact sheet on the former Illinois Attorney General and wannabe Senator that can be found here.
The “Biblically Fast” Electric Car Needs a Practical Refueling Solution
December 15, 2008 by admin · Comments
Tesla Motors is slowly trickling out their groundbreaking electric car, hopefully at a pace fast enough to keep them from shuttering their doors during the economic downturn.
The folks at Top Gear recently got a hold of it and ran it hard, finding that although this car breaks many of the electric car stereo types, it still relies on a battery that takes over 8 hours to charge:
Electric only vehicles clearly suffer from a lack of infrastructure to support them. When the battery dies you’re stuck for 8-16 hours - a seemingly insurmountable deal breaker. But Israeli entrepreneur Shai Agassi, sick of seeing his nation purchase oil from countries that are funding terrorists, has come up with an innovative solution involving high technology and old fashioned logistics that just might make electric vehicles practical. Take a look at this extensive Wired article that details Agassi’s plan to convert the world to electrically powered vehicles. He just might be on to something.
University of Hartford Hosts Election Forum
December 6, 2008 by admin · Comments
I will be one of two “Political Practitioners in Residence” at the University of Hartford starting in January, team-teaching a course on parties and interest groups with a member of the political science faculty. In addition to team-teaching a class we will also be hosting public forums, the first of which was held on November 12th with my fellow practitioner Marshall Collins, a fellow UofH alum who taught in the fall semester.
Here’s an article about the event from the University of Hartford Student Newspaper, The Informer:
Panel Discusses Issues Ahead
By: Brendan Brust
Posted: 11/13/08
On Wednesday night, the University’s Wilde Auditorium hosted a forum examining the issues facing president-elect Barack Obama and Congress. Entitled, “Where Do We Go From Here?”, the occasion saw the attendance of former congressmen, Democrat Jim Maloney of Connecticut’s fifth district and Republican Rob Simmons of Connecticut’s second district. Two practitioners in residence, Marshall Collins and Lon Seidman, moderated the hour-and-a-half long discussion.
After a welcome and two brief opening statements, the panelists began addressing questions from the moderators on foreign policy, the economy, immigration, civil liberties and domestic issues. Questions from the audience were then taken before both former congressmen and the panelists wrapped up their hopes and predictions for the future Obama administration in a closing statement.
In his opening statement, Simmons called this year’s election “historic.” He revealed that while he supported John McCain during the campaign, it should be clear that he and a great majority of the country recognize the significance of an African-American entering the White House. He continued on to say that many are optimistic about the prospects of a new administration. “However, the devil is in the details,” Simmons noted, and the details in Obama’s policy shall be dependent on who the president-elect incorporates into his team.
Maloney opened in agreement with his former colleague, but immediately made a distinction on why he felt this election was historic. “This was a realignment election,” Maloney observed, “which means that a certain coalition has come to power to replace another coalition.” He added that there is reason to believe this transfer of power will last for a long time.
The first question addressed to the panelists focused on the economy and how Obama will manage the country’s struggling financial system. Maloney asserted that Obama will most definitely support a stimulus bill drafted by Congress, as well as tax cuts for those Americans making below $200,000 a year. He added, “particular industries, like the currently ailing auto-industry, will receive specialized stimulus packages,” in order to create economic incentives.
Addressing the subject of the economy, Simmons voiced his concern about the economic collapse, namely the lack of congressional oversight over bank loans. The current handling of insurance group AIG distressed him further.
“It bothers me that AIG gets $85 billion through a bailout and then spends half a million dollars on an executive weekend less than a week later,” the former congressman said.
The next question posed by the moderators moved the discussion along to issues of civil liberties. Collins asked what the incoming Obama administration plans to do about the detainees from the controversial Guantanamo Bay detention camp, which he has recently promised to shut down. The two panelists firmly disagreed on the subject, Maloney arguing they should be treated as military combatants, however irregular, while Simmons deemed the idea of granting the detainees civil trials “inappropriate.”
Before long the question of healthcare was raised. On the question of whether or not Obama’s healthcare plan is workable in Congress, Maloney replied a confident, yes.
“The plan will get passed. Often times, the criticism of the plan is that it appears too expensive - no actually, not passing it is too expensive,” Maloney asserted. “In business, healthcare costs are 20 percent of payroll. In other industrialized countries with universal healthcare this is not so; meaning the cost of making a car in Germany is 20 percent less. We have to reform healthcare in order to be competitive.”
Simmons argued that Obama is building on the current healthcare system and as a result will have to persuade members of his own party, some of who want single-payer universal healthcare where the government itself funds health care providers.
Responding to questions on foreign policy, there was room for agreement. Both men agreed that America’s current reliance on foreign oil is undesirable. Simmons noted “70 percent of our oil is imported from countries that don’t necessarily support us overseas.” Both men acknowledged the current struggles on the warfront, particularly in Afghanistan.
“There’s been talk of negotiating with the Taliban and we’ll have to wait and see if cooperation can be achieved that promises stability,” Maloney said.
In their closing statements, both men offered optimism, support, encouragement and sometimes criticism for the incoming administration. Maloney saw this election as a confirmation that the people of America are ready to tackle all the problems discussed and more. “I’m very hopeful that Obama really meant his commitment to bipartisanship,” he said.
As the night came to a close, Simmons stressed to everyone in the room that a huge part of the night’s main question, “Where do we go from here?” is dependent on the American public, now more than ever. “Our involvement must continue past the election. These are important things for all of us to consider, because we are lucky enough to be part of the process.”
Video: Powell Endorses Obama!
October 19, 2008 by admin · Comments
This is huge. A very articulate endorsement by Colin Powell for Barack Obama. Let’s see how long it takes for the Republican attack machine to go after Powell in the closing weeks of this election. Here’s video of Powell’s endorsement courtesy of MSNBC:
Barack Obama Talks About What Change Really Means. Must Watch!
September 14, 2008 by admin · Comments
If you ever have people asking you for specifics on what Barack Obama means by change, send them this video. It’s Barack at his best detailing how the Obama administration will indeed be different from what we’ve seen in the past. It was recorded in Concord, NH last week:
Video: Setting the Record Straight on McCain’s Disrepectful Campaign
September 12, 2008 by admin · Comments
Months ago, before the “silly season” began, John McCain pledged to run a “respectful” campaign. McCain’s team was so serious about raising the tone of elections, he had his campaign manager fire off a memo to reporters pledging nothing less:
Throughout his life John McCain has held himself to the highest standards and he will continue to run a respectful campaign based on the issues. We expect that all supporters, surrogates and staff will hold themselves to similarly high standards when they are representing the campaign.
Lucky for us in Connecticut, where Obama holds nearly a twenty point lead, we don’t get to see a bulk of the campaign communications in this race. But apparently other states are getting more than their fair share of McCain smear adds that are anything but respectful. Take a look at this piece from Brave New Films and share with your friends in the battleground states:
Must Watch Video: McCain Calls Hillary’s Healthcare Plan “Lipstick on a Pig”
September 10, 2008 by admin · Comments
Today is all about colloquial comments, so let me offer another: when you point a finger there are four more pointed back at yourself:
See the above video from earlier in the campaign cycle when McCain commented on Hillary Clinton’s healthcare proposal. And I thought Barack Obama’s response is dead-on. Let’s focus on the real problems facing the country:
Biden on Iraq
September 8, 2008 by admin · Comments
I love Biden.
Fun with the RNC Green Screens
September 7, 2008 by admin · Comments
One would think after that disastrous speech in Lousiana, the McCain folks wouldn’t put their guy in front of solid backgrounds again.. Of course this entire week at the RNC convention has been one irresistible chroma key screen after the other. I was just waiting for the modified footage to roll in, and the above mashup is probably the best one of the bunch.
It mixes the great ‘Barack roll’ video (already up to 2+ million views on YouTube) with RNC footage. Stephen Colbert, who created the “Green Screen Challenge” to take advantage of poor McCain set choices, probably wishes he thought of it first!
Special thanks to Kevin Bondelli who found this one.
Oh, in case you’ve been living under an Internet rock, click here to discover the significance of the song choice.
Photos From Today’s Connecticut for Obama Rally
September 6, 2008 by admin · Comments
Barack Obama attracts a crowd even when he’s not there to see it! Today the Connecticut Democrats sponsored a rally to kick-off the final weeks of this historic election in Hamden. The event was originally slated for an outdoor venue, but the impending arrival of Tropical Storm Hanna brought the festivities inside the Hamden Middle School.
Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people were on hand, most leaving their contact information so they can volunteer for the campaign. More photos are on Aldon Hynes’ Flickr!
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