Into the Freying Pan

The more I read him, the more I like him. although Oprah's weight in the media world is a little overstated, it would be interesting to see what the Prez would have to say. It's so hard to hear something that's not scripted by the White House. To get something raw would be a miracle.

Rift Between Parties Over NSA Wiretapping Grows

This is aloser for the Dems. Like I said yesterday, the Dems need a Right-wing patsy (Grover or Barr should do nicely) to be out in fromt of this thing, not Hillary. Mehlman's line is revealing. Where are the Democratic bloggers on this thing?

Democrats May Argue Liberties to Their Peril - Los Angeles Times

Dems need to Rove this issue immediately. We need to find some John Birch rightwing nut who is a super Libertarian for a patsy. Get the dude to make a lot of noise about how the Bush Administration is spying on good gun toting Americans (O'Reiley?). Make it look like the Bush/Cheney are going to take away guns to make America safer. It doesn't have to be grounded in reality, it just has to spilt of the Cato and true conservative Libertarian types.

Having a patsy eliminates the need for Kerry , Gore and Feingold being out in front of this thing. The Dems will be in a bad position for a long itme if this gets tatooed on the party.

Rove's Early Warning:

"And, yes, the core questions must be asked: Are we really safer now than we were five years ago? Has the Iraq war, as organized and prosecuted by the administration, made us stronger or weaker? Do we feel more secure knowing the heck of a job our government did during Hurricane Katrina? Do we have any confidence that the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies will clean up their act if Washington remains under the sway of one-party government?"

It befuddles me that the Democratic Party has been so incompetent about asking those questions. Kerry fumbled the ball so many times on so many things, but this was the big one. Security is the most important thing on the radar and will be for a long time, probably this whole generation. If the Dems lose this now, they will be out of power for a long time. You have to tie the question of feeling safer with competence (Iraq, Katrina, Domestic spying?). That will equal a Dem victory.

France in Search of Tech Prowess - Los Angeles Times

A better more cost-effective way to become more technologically proficient is to encourage it through contests and prizes. Similar to what was done with the "space planes" and Virgin Galactic, it would be relatively inexpensive compared to U.S. military spending and get more done quicker. The space plane thing took only a few years, while the centrally planned, government run NASA is still arguing about how to replace the shuttle.

Politics Alleged In Voting Cases

Wow, the GOP is trying to limit voters from making a choice by eliminating the choice. Brilliant! It's sad and disappointing that the President is more worried about the voting rights of Iraqis than of U.S. Citizens in the U.S.

Gore's Challenge

While this is all true and important, it is critical to realize that this will win the Democrats nothing. These appeals make the Dems look weak and doubtful. It's good that this is coming from an unelected party elder. The party needs to be seen as stronger and smarter on issues of National Security. National Security is of primary importance in the minds of voters. Corruption, lying, wire taps, all bad, but they will not motivate one new voter.

The better question on local Federal races is how to use this? Where does the accountability of the last six years lie? It probably should lead to Rummy, Dick and the Cabal, however you might be able to pin some of the blame on a Congress sleeping at the wheel. I really hate McCain, but I have to admire his moxie standing up to the Prez for the torture amendment.

G.M. Expects to Save $4 Billion in 2006 - New York Times

I was wondering why yesterday's News Hour story didn't mention this in the costs per car. GM could cut its dividend to zero and then look like a company that's really trying to do something. That and the contracts and the bureaucracy is for a car company that is far bigger and not one that is shrinking. The hit on Michigan with Ford and GM's problems is hard. The state is working on diversification and that's a start. However the state also needs to get more efficient in the way the state and local governments are set up (see a ranking of the most school districts).

Lobbying to Sell Your House - New York Times

Real Estate Business is such a drag on the sales and purchases of homes. The system is based on an old model that is inefficient and people fighting for "rents." The process will be slow. Perhaps a move to fee based agents?

Texas Redistricting Is One More Hurdle for DeLay - New York Times

The irony is delicious. Too bad that their is no chance for the Dems unless they can get a conviction.

Lobbying Colors GOP Leadership Contest

More culture of corruption. That sounds terribly fishy that he's hanging out on a caribbean island with lobbyists. If there isn't something wrong with that, I'm not sur4e he's ready to be a leader.

George Will's take on all this is the best. They are all going to cheat and try to get around the limits and rules. Why don't we let technology do the work for us. Unlimited campaign donation amounts with 24 hour Internet reporting. Additionally beefed up FEC, looking into ways to make things better.

Hollywood's New Zombie - The last days of Blockbuster. By Edward Jay Epstein

All I can say is, Amen. Blockbuster was probably one of the worst abuses of monopoly power. Not that the amounts were so much or that were the engines that drove industry, but for sheer meaness toward customers, I can't think of a company that engenders such hatred. WalMart might screw their workers, but at least they have the best price on Tide. Ask the person next to you what they think about Blockbuster.

The Unmasking of JT Leroy: In Public, He's a She - New York Times

Great story! To be a celebrity, the fame, the mney, the scrutiny ....

Album Sales Shift Back to a Decline - New York Times

Biggest non-story I've ever heard. the biggest problem with the record industy is that they are greedy. How much is the number one album versus the number on DVD?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/home.do

Wedding Crashers $14.99
Strokes latest CD $9.99
Mary J. Bliges' latest $13.99

What's the better value? You get 90 minutes of movie plus bonus features for about $3-4 more. If you're at the store, why on earth would you buy music that way?

The other stuff has an effect too. However if the record companies didn't collude and hurt consumers, I'd feel much worse.

If the movie studios are that worried about Bit Torrent, they should move the price points lower on DVDs. If you can get exclusive stuff with the DVD, plus it's only a ffew $$ more, people would rather obey the law than break it.

Quote Cuisine

Fantastic feature on Marshall Wittmann and the way Washington works in quotes. From what I hear he's a great person to work for and a true talent.

For Bush, a Test in the Midterms

"But in 1958, 1966 and 1978, the out party gained ground largely by exploiting the failures of the party in power and exacerbating the contradictions in its coalition."

I never beleive you need a message or anything useful when you have such a bad opponent. The point of running against incumbents is to make it about their record. It's not bad to have a plan, but do not let it muddle your goal, winning.