In one of the best scenes in the movie Heat, Robert DeNiro tells Al Pacino: “Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.” And while the “heat” isn’t exactly on, I have come to the decision that it is time that I fold this little experiment in social and political punditry, at least temporarily.
That fact of the matter is that while initially a fun and intellectually stimulating hobby, Postcards has become a tremendous draw on my time. I find increasingly that I come home from 10 hour days of staring at a 17-inch computer monitor at an office only to trade it for another two or three hours at night and early the next morning staring at a 13-inch laptop.
Please don’t misunderstand me, it has been a labor of love, but it is a labor nonetheless. I’ve just come to the conclusion that these hours could be better spent elsewhere – exercise, for one, Mrs. Goldwater and the children for another. To use a tired cliché, I guess you could say I’m stepping down to spend more time with my family.
To all forty or so of you who have taken the time to stop by and comment over the past five months, you have my undying gratitude. Your input and comments have been truly inspiring.
But for now at least, it is time to say goodbye…
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Time To Say Goodbye
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
A Geek's Dream
If George Lucas had only written this into Episode I instead of Jar-Jar Binks:
ht: TigerHawk
ht: TigerHawk
Enough Already - Declare Franken Winner
Look, I'm not any more ecstatic about the prospect of a Senator Al Franken any more than most of the folks who peruse this site are. But the fact of the matter is that after all of the legal remedies were exhausted, Franken won. He won by the slimmest of margins, but he won nonetheless.
It is time for Norm Coleman to accept the hand dealt him, acknowledge his disastrous campaign, and move on.
The citizens of Minnesota deserve it. Boy, do they deserve it.
It is time for Norm Coleman to accept the hand dealt him, acknowledge his disastrous campaign, and move on.
The citizens of Minnesota deserve it. Boy, do they deserve it.
US Ready To Ease Preconditions On Iran
The US is set to drop a key precondition for continued nuclear negotiations with Iran, Obama Administration officials are hinting. The US has long insisted that it will not conduct diplomatic discussions with Iran unless Tehran shuts down its nuclear facilities during the early stages of discussions.
With Tehran recently announcing that it has installed 7,000 centrifuges in its Natanz uranium enrichment facility, the precondition would appear to be without teeth anyway.
As the Administration debuts its new-sheriff-in-town routine with Western Europe and Turkey, Tehran and Pyongyang continue work on their nuclear ambitions unimpressed. As years of useless UN sanctions and resolutions will attest, carrot-and-stick diplomacy won’t go very far. And if we are not willing or unable to go on the offensive, we may at least want to reconsider our position on the defensive…
With Tehran recently announcing that it has installed 7,000 centrifuges in its Natanz uranium enrichment facility, the precondition would appear to be without teeth anyway.
As the Administration debuts its new-sheriff-in-town routine with Western Europe and Turkey, Tehran and Pyongyang continue work on their nuclear ambitions unimpressed. As years of useless UN sanctions and resolutions will attest, carrot-and-stick diplomacy won’t go very far. And if we are not willing or unable to go on the offensive, we may at least want to reconsider our position on the defensive…
Jailhouse Rock
Not the kind of publicity I think the President is going for. Perhaps he's looking for one of them there presidential pardons...
Monday, April 13, 2009
A Candle In The Wind…
OK, I probably should have ended my posting for the day with the Harry Kalas obit, but news today of the passing of another legend of sorts – adult film star Marilyn Chambers.
If there was ever a starlet to capture the euphoric highs and monotonous lows of pornogra…oh forget it, just read the news here.
If there was ever a starlet to capture the euphoric highs and monotonous lows of pornogra…oh forget it, just read the news here.
Heeeeeeeeeeeee’s Outta Here!
There. I said it. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate lead-in than that. Harry Kalas, a legend in Philadelphia sports broadcasting for over four decades, has died today at the age of 73. Reports are that Kalas collapsed in the broadcast booth before the start of the Phillies game in Washington, DC earlier this afternoon.
If there was ever a voice to capture the euphoric highs and monotonous lows of the game of baseball, Harry Kalas’ baritone was it. Together with former Phillie Richie Ashburn, the pair called Phillies games for both radio and television broadcasts throughout the 70’s, 80s, and most of the 90s, ending only with Ashburn’s death in 1997. Kalas continued to broadcast with other commentators following Ashburn’s death, culminating with his dramatic call of the Phillies World Championship in October of last year. I’m glad he got to see his beloved team reach that pinnacle, and share in the city’s pride during the ensuing celebration.
For many, including me, Harry Kalas was Philadelphia baseball, but he was so much more. The sound of his voice year after year was a soothing reminder of the hope and promise the start of each season brought after a cold and dreary Philadelphia winter.
Now his absence will only remind me of the passage of time.
If there was ever a voice to capture the euphoric highs and monotonous lows of the game of baseball, Harry Kalas’ baritone was it. Together with former Phillie Richie Ashburn, the pair called Phillies games for both radio and television broadcasts throughout the 70’s, 80s, and most of the 90s, ending only with Ashburn’s death in 1997. Kalas continued to broadcast with other commentators following Ashburn’s death, culminating with his dramatic call of the Phillies World Championship in October of last year. I’m glad he got to see his beloved team reach that pinnacle, and share in the city’s pride during the ensuing celebration.
For many, including me, Harry Kalas was Philadelphia baseball, but he was so much more. The sound of his voice year after year was a soothing reminder of the hope and promise the start of each season brought after a cold and dreary Philadelphia winter.
Now his absence will only remind me of the passage of time.
WSJ On Private v. Public Health Insurance
The Wall Street Journal editors have posted a rather ominous-sounding editorial on their site: The End of Private Health Insurance. The opinion that follows is as sobering; namely, that this middle class entitlement will neither encourage competition nor ultimately allow the public to choose how they receive health care services.
If You Vilify Them, They Will Leave…
The New York Times puts a curious spin on the current trend of mega bankers leaving the confines of their Wall Street palaces (by force or otherwise) for the greener pastures of smaller investment houses. The reasons, the Times asserts, vary: joining banks that do not face tightening regulations, including foreign banks; opting to go with start-up companies with the potential for a future payout; or, leaving simply because of culture clashes at merging companies.
One other possible explanation - how about that these guys simply looked across the street at the AIG building and the witch hunts their financial counterparts were subjected to over compensation and said, “Not me”.
But some feel this exodus is a good thing; that this marks the beginning of a “broad and necessary” reshaping of Wall Street. “If risk-taking spreads out to these smaller institutions, it is no longer a systematic threat,” says Matthew Richardson, professor of economics at New York University.
Huh? But I thought that the current financial conflagration occurred because the toxic assets of the big guys were whacked up, bundled and repackaged to the smaller guys. It became a systematic threat when the smaller institutions assumed this risk. I'm not sure how hiring on some of the braintrust that made some bad decisions on Wall Street will reduce this risk on Main Street.
One other possible explanation - how about that these guys simply looked across the street at the AIG building and the witch hunts their financial counterparts were subjected to over compensation and said, “Not me”.
But some feel this exodus is a good thing; that this marks the beginning of a “broad and necessary” reshaping of Wall Street. “If risk-taking spreads out to these smaller institutions, it is no longer a systematic threat,” says Matthew Richardson, professor of economics at New York University.
Huh? But I thought that the current financial conflagration occurred because the toxic assets of the big guys were whacked up, bundled and repackaged to the smaller guys. It became a systematic threat when the smaller institutions assumed this risk. I'm not sure how hiring on some of the braintrust that made some bad decisions on Wall Street will reduce this risk on Main Street.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Check...matey!
Arrghh!! Somali pirates have raised the stakes in their continuing game of high seas chicken, this time seizing an Italian tugboat with sixteen Italian crewmen on board. Earlier, French commandos stormed a sailboat held by different Somali bandits, freeing four captives. However, one captive died in the operation. Gotta admire the French for trying though; hope similar operations are on the drawing board over on the American side.
The Obama team is said to be continually monitoring the situation and weighing options in between bites of their deep dish pizzas.
I'll leave the planning to the professionals, but is it unrealistic to send a group of Navy frogmen in under the cover of night to cause slow leaks in the lifeboat? You can't plug leaks and guard a captain at the same time...
Update:
Checkmate, matey! - Of course, Navy SEALs snipers under the cover of night are also effective. Good call by the President to authorize it and God bless the US Navy for carrying it out.
The Obama team is said to be continually monitoring the situation and weighing options in between bites of their deep dish pizzas.
I'll leave the planning to the professionals, but is it unrealistic to send a group of Navy frogmen in under the cover of night to cause slow leaks in the lifeboat? You can't plug leaks and guard a captain at the same time...
Update:
Checkmate, matey! - Of course, Navy SEALs snipers under the cover of night are also effective. Good call by the President to authorize it and God bless the US Navy for carrying it out.
Saturday Morning Blogroll
What others from around the blogosphere were saying this week...
CENTER LEFT:
Crooked Timber - a remedy to counter conservative Supreme Court decisions...
Donkeylicious - the solution to social security? Bring in more immigrants!...
Huffington Post - in defense of Harold Koh...
Glenn Greenwald - Noting contradictions between candidate Obama and President Obama on habeas corpus...
Anonymous Liberal - Reconsidering the Geithner plan...
CENTER RIGHT:
Exurban League - Obama reaches out to "moderate" pirate community...
Argghhh!! - One experience with life under a national health care system...
Keith Hennessey - Does the President's budget cut the deficit in half?
Neo Neocon - Mistaking America's arrogance for Obama's?
RedState - The New York Times: doomed and deservedly so?...
CENTER LEFT:
Crooked Timber - a remedy to counter conservative Supreme Court decisions...
Donkeylicious - the solution to social security? Bring in more immigrants!...
Huffington Post - in defense of Harold Koh...
Glenn Greenwald - Noting contradictions between candidate Obama and President Obama on habeas corpus...
Anonymous Liberal - Reconsidering the Geithner plan...
CENTER RIGHT:
Exurban League - Obama reaches out to "moderate" pirate community...
Argghhh!! - One experience with life under a national health care system...
Keith Hennessey - Does the President's budget cut the deficit in half?
Neo Neocon - Mistaking America's arrogance for Obama's?
RedState - The New York Times: doomed and deservedly so?...
Giving Polar Bears Their Due Process
The Washington Times is reporting that new global warming legislation under construction in Congress contains (at the moment, anyway) a provision allowing global warming victims to sue the federal government for damages stemming from government or corporate inaction on climate change.
The Trial Lawyers Association has voiced opposition against the measure, saying they are “just too darn busy” litigating pharmaceutical and tobacco product liability cases.
The Trial Lawyers Association has voiced opposition against the measure, saying they are “just too darn busy” litigating pharmaceutical and tobacco product liability cases.
Barney Diplomacy
Apparently, strong foreign policy will not be a hallmark of the Obama Administration, so says Sen. Chuck Schumer:
Then again, strong foreign policy is sooo 1980’s.
ht: Townhall
Then again, strong foreign policy is sooo 1980’s.
ht: Townhall
Friday, April 10, 2009
Obama And War Funding
In a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, President Obama framed his request for an additional $83.4 billion in funds for Afghanistan along familiar themes: “the Taliban is resurgent and al Qaeda threatens America (emphasis mine) from its safe haven along the Afghan-Pakistan border.”
It will be interesting to watch this drama unfold. Not only from the standpoint of watching Pelosi and her gang of thugs twist and contort at the thought of providing additional war funding, but also for the reaction of congressional republicans who slogged it out with President Bush during similar funding battles. I agree with the President on this issue, and hope republicans of similar mind will stand with Obama as well.
But one teensy wrinkle I think the administration may need to reconcile – do you recall the stink raised by democrats (including Obama himself) concerning the “imminent threat” justification they claimed Bush used for the invasion of Iraq? If we are to hold President Obama to the same standard, does Afghanistan pass this muster? If the Office of Homeland Security is to be believed, the answer is no. “We maintain there is no credible information to suggest there’s an imminent threat against the homeland at this time”, according to an agency statement released in November 2008.
So if al Qaeda’s danger isn’t imminent (and by extension, Afghanistan’s), why all the fuss?
It will be interesting to watch this drama unfold. Not only from the standpoint of watching Pelosi and her gang of thugs twist and contort at the thought of providing additional war funding, but also for the reaction of congressional republicans who slogged it out with President Bush during similar funding battles. I agree with the President on this issue, and hope republicans of similar mind will stand with Obama as well.
But one teensy wrinkle I think the administration may need to reconcile – do you recall the stink raised by democrats (including Obama himself) concerning the “imminent threat” justification they claimed Bush used for the invasion of Iraq? If we are to hold President Obama to the same standard, does Afghanistan pass this muster? If the Office of Homeland Security is to be believed, the answer is no. “We maintain there is no credible information to suggest there’s an imminent threat against the homeland at this time”, according to an agency statement released in November 2008.
So if al Qaeda’s danger isn’t imminent (and by extension, Afghanistan’s), why all the fuss?
Pirate Plot Thickens…
Somali pirates holding a freighter captain hostage are receiving reinforcements by way of other pirated ships rushing to the scene with a cargo of human shields of their own. This, as the USS Bainbridge surrounds the drifting lifeboat in an attempt to force the bandits to give up the standoff.
General Petraeus has indicated that other US warships will be arriving on the scene shortly, including the guided missile frigate USS Halyburton. Halyburton?! I knew Dick Cheney’s bloody hands were all over this somehow!!
General Petraeus has indicated that other US warships will be arriving on the scene shortly, including the guided missile frigate USS Halyburton. Halyburton?! I knew Dick Cheney’s bloody hands were all over this somehow!!
Rebuilding The Brand
But reconnecting with a younger generation of voters doesn’t mean conservatives should attempt to emulate Britain’s Conservative Party, writes Kimberly Strassel in today's Wall Street Journal.
In fact, what’s happening in Britain should seem vaguely familiar, albeit with the roles reversed…
And 41% Think Communism's Bitchin'...
When Barack Obama was elected last November, I chalked it up to an electorate that was: battle weary after seven years of fighting a war on terror; frustrated with eight years of Republican management (or mismanagement as it were) of the executive office; and, frightened at the sight of their life savings and other investments evaporate overnight. But I was comforted somewhat by the thought that democrats, emboldened with a spark of political relevancy, would inevitably overextend themselves leading to swift retribution at the ballot box.
I still think the former will occur; however, after reading the results of this Rasmussen poll, I'm not sure of any short-term political ramifications benefiting republicans. The phone survey found that 53% of adult respondents believe capitalism is better than socialism, with a quarter apparently not being able to tell the difference between the two.
Perhaps more alarming for the Republican Party, only 37% of those surveyed under the age of 30 years old prefer capitalism - almost evenly divided among those who are BFF's with socialism (33%) and those who couldn't focus their attentions away from the Xbox long enough to venture an opinion (30%).
As we saw in the election, Obama was able to connect with this voting segment in a manner that made republicans seem stale and out of touch. This survey would seem to further that notion - and signal to the GOP that it has its work cut out for it in terms of outreach programs to the younger generation of voters.
I still think the former will occur; however, after reading the results of this Rasmussen poll, I'm not sure of any short-term political ramifications benefiting republicans. The phone survey found that 53% of adult respondents believe capitalism is better than socialism, with a quarter apparently not being able to tell the difference between the two.
Perhaps more alarming for the Republican Party, only 37% of those surveyed under the age of 30 years old prefer capitalism - almost evenly divided among those who are BFF's with socialism (33%) and those who couldn't focus their attentions away from the Xbox long enough to venture an opinion (30%).
As we saw in the election, Obama was able to connect with this voting segment in a manner that made republicans seem stale and out of touch. This survey would seem to further that notion - and signal to the GOP that it has its work cut out for it in terms of outreach programs to the younger generation of voters.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Behind The Numbers
Philip Klein of the American Spectator presents a fairly detailed breakdown of the 46 million uninsured Americans number that is used as the rallying cry by proponents of universal health coverage.
Being that we may have over $600 billion for health care reform on the line, I think additional due diligence on this number would be helpful.
Update:
Came across this op ed piece from Ramesh Ponnuru (National Review) in this morning's New York Times. His hook - universal health shouldn't be the goal of health care reform; more affordable and portable health care should.
Update, Part II:
Keith Hennessey weighs in on the 46million figure as well...
Being that we may have over $600 billion for health care reform on the line, I think additional due diligence on this number would be helpful.
Update:
Came across this op ed piece from Ramesh Ponnuru (National Review) in this morning's New York Times. His hook - universal health shouldn't be the goal of health care reform; more affordable and portable health care should.
Update, Part II:
Keith Hennessey weighs in on the 46million figure as well...
Yes We Can Go Broke Together!
The New York Times this morning is reporting that the Obama Administration is encouraging banks and other large investment houses to create bond instruments very similar to the war bonds sold in both World Wars; but these Bailout Bonds will be used instead to assist in the bailout of the financial industry. I thought bailout bonds are what you posted when your Uncle Manny got in trouble for talking to those painted ladies by the bridge?
Anyway, the conventional wisdom here is that banks will create these instruments, or funds, that will buy up other banks’ troubled assets. It is assumed that the bond holder will eventually profit once the funds sell the investments for a profit. Also built into this assumption is that these legacy assets are worth more than currently valued. If the opposite holds true, there are considerable risks for investors.
I’m having a hard time understanding how this Ponzi scheme differs from the one that got us into trouble the first time.
Anyway, the conventional wisdom here is that banks will create these instruments, or funds, that will buy up other banks’ troubled assets. It is assumed that the bond holder will eventually profit once the funds sell the investments for a profit. Also built into this assumption is that these legacy assets are worth more than currently valued. If the opposite holds true, there are considerable risks for investors.
I’m having a hard time understanding how this Ponzi scheme differs from the one that got us into trouble the first time.
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