tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61438522011-11-21T12:31:46.162-08:00A few musings, observations, commentsValley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.comBlogger3581100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-56095836405443635262011-11-21T12:31:00.000-08:002011-11-21T12:31:46.190-08:00

This concept has been kicked around for a few days, but TPM boils it down nicely -- if Congress were to do nothing, then deficits would go WAY down.  Now, that's different than what a specific desired policy outcome might be -- for instance, payroll taxes go up in 2012 and Medicare payments to doctors go down -- but defense cuts are triggered and the Bush tax cuts would expire at end of 2012. 

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-69128911303982636822011-11-20T21:04:00.000-08:002011-11-20T21:05:43.981-08:00

Memo from banking lobbyist offering specific tactics to attack OWS. Can you say #motivation?

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-12655817513265429902011-11-20T08:13:00.000-08:002011-11-20T08:13:21.046-08:00

This is so true. Who is Grover Norquist anyway and why does he have such a hold on one of the two major parties in the United States?

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-21473813659000113932011-11-19T20:02:00.000-08:002011-11-19T20:02:14.563-08:00

Why are we still in Afghanistan?

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-32287333144700642152011-11-19T13:17:00.000-08:002011-11-19T13:17:59.224-08:00

Police yesterday pepper sprayed a SITTING group of protesters at UC Davis.  As Kevin Drum says, don't watch unless you have a fairly strong stomach for casual brutality.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-27684118106109766732011-09-21T21:35:00.000-07:002011-09-21T21:35:29.973-07:00

Every time I listen to Elizabeth Warren I think she's one of the few who crystallizes the social contract essential to a free and democratic society.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-78306363696118263152011-09-02T21:45:00.000-07:002011-09-02T21:45:38.083-07:00

Explained plainly by Robert Reich.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-51401108808778826132011-09-02T15:45:00.000-07:002011-09-02T15:48:56.094-07:00

I have to say this is quite depressing. I thought I had hit the bottom of my disappointment with e debt ceiling deal but this is just ridiculous. What is he going to stand for? Jobs? Environment? Real tax reform? Labor? Guantanamo? Financial reform and accountability? Defense/wars? It is like the health care bill took everything out of the white house. Here is another really good article

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-88214021633892539952011-08-08T22:13:00.000-07:002011-08-08T22:13:54.390-07:00

As most of you know the ratings agency Standard & Poor's recently lowered its rating of U.S. Treasury debt from AAA to AA+.  I've read a lot of pieces talking about why S&P should or shouldn't be listened to, but Nate Silver's view is one I found particularly interesting.  The pull quote from it is his judgment on the matter, but if you have the slightest bit of wonkination interest on the debt

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-88688417134894211302011-07-31T19:37:00.000-07:002011-07-31T20:09:21.348-07:00

Intellectually I know politicians have a complete lack of awareness about the impact of their decisions on real, working people - or people who are unemployed but trying to get a job.  But sometimes the callousness of what comes out of the government just slices through to the bone. But it appeared Obama's proposal to extend the current payroll tax holiday beyond the end of 2011 would not be

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-20855326898587556682011-07-17T21:33:00.000-07:002011-07-17T21:33:39.207-07:00

Today's lineup should have produced an interesting discussion about what's going on with the debt, with a lineup of Dick Durbin and Jim DeMint.  Instead I found it extremely disappointing that David Gregory appeared to go out of his way to equalize the nonsensical talking points being made by Jim DeMint.  Durbin's a pretty savvy press guy, he was running circles around DeMint.  Note to press --

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-25679670405319278592011-07-17T20:45:00.000-07:002011-07-17T20:45:43.804-07:00

Slick looking ad, well produced -- saying she won't vote to increase the debt ceiling.  Makes me think Mitt, who condemned the "Family Leader"pledge that Bachmann signed, ain't all that horrific.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-63878697158742942592011-05-16T12:58:00.000-07:002011-05-16T12:58:27.997-07:00

After Trump dropping out, who's officially in so far -- Newt, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney.... am I missing anyone?

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-34018045867805254272011-05-16T12:53:00.000-07:002011-05-16T12:54:17.682-07:00

From the article, referring to what Reagan said about the debt limit: Reagan wrote: “The full consequences of a default – or even the serious prospect of default – by the United States are impossible to predict and awesome to contemplate. Denigration of the full faith and credit of the United States would have substantial effects on the domestic financial markets and the value of the dollar.”Via

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-10929305445733182852011-05-15T21:11:00.001-07:002011-05-15T21:11:12.182-07:00

Joe Klein crystallized exactly what I was thinking.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-2813157400449088822011-05-01T21:41:00.001-07:002011-05-01T21:41:14.156-07:00

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-71503700623120626802011-04-14T13:57:00.001-07:002011-04-14T13:57:37.532-07:00

I miss Nancy Pelosi as the Speaker of the House.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-21481484265222660592011-04-14T13:51:00.000-07:002011-04-14T13:51:53.688-07:00

This photo is priceless.  Via TPM headlining a story about how the budget bill needed 40 Democratic votes to pass.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-80199363208333542312011-04-12T12:43:00.000-07:002011-04-12T12:43:23.983-07:00

Politico has a summary of the recent budget cuts.  It's pretty brutal.  If you want to have an unfiltered opinion on what the cuts do, look at John Cole's analysis (via Steve Benen).

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-84452388770109960122011-04-12T12:35:00.001-07:002011-04-12T12:35:30.716-07:00

Ezra Klein lays out the recently agreed to budget cuts in a helpful chart.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-54511096400515807992011-04-11T15:35:00.000-07:002011-04-11T15:35:09.056-07:00

Very funny.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-14131069604115673242011-04-10T22:01:00.000-07:002011-04-10T22:01:41.680-07:00

I was just wondering - if Paul Ryan's plan is to have Medicare give people money to buy private insurance, is that corporate welfare?

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-27543404379837005832011-04-09T22:12:00.000-07:002011-04-09T22:12:32.640-07:00

This can be broken all the way down to the congressional district level; it also includes an informative calculation of various trade offs (admittedly from a lefty POV, but you get the point).

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-52617556797367703322011-04-09T18:06:00.000-07:002011-04-09T18:06:55.178-07:00

When people are being killed in Afghanistan because some nutjob in Florida burned a copy of the Koran, I think that no amount of military presence can "fix" the situation in Afghanistan and that it's now time for our troops to leave, or at least we need to consider a major change in how we address the region.  I have supported the war in Afghanistan from the time it began - not necessarily its

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-31139600529477825862011-04-09T17:31:00.000-07:002011-04-09T17:31:14.055-07:00

There's been a lot written about the budget deal that the President & Congress reached last night.  I'm not really sure I can add much else, except to point to Robert Reich's commentary on how the Democrats managed to actually move backwards from the GOP's initial offer of $32 billion in cuts to wind up at over $38 billion in cuts.  Who was the lead negotiator for the Dems again....? The next

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-34369958045641539502011-04-07T23:06:00.001-07:002011-04-07T23:06:52.608-07:00

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-32807902462357543662011-04-07T23:02:00.001-07:002011-04-07T23:02:31.733-07:00

One thing I like about divided government is that it sure has a way of focusing people on what the government is doing....

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-14158325226084943682011-04-04T10:30:00.000-07:002011-04-04T10:30:46.004-07:00

Ok - so it does look like the U.S. is transferring some responsibility to the NATO coalition.  This has more details than I've seen to-date about what's been going on in terms of who is doing what. 

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-39486657571425316612011-04-03T14:26:00.000-07:002011-04-03T14:26:18.393-07:00

I'm looking at the White House website to get its take on the Libya situation, and what's next.  Well, under the "issues" section, not only is Libya nowhere to be found, but to my surprise, neither is Iraq and Afghanistan.  If you click through the foreign policy link, all there is is a 2009 speech on AfPak, along with a contemporaneous white paper, and a non-working link for Iraq.  Let me know

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-43713195378231703952011-04-03T14:01:00.000-07:002011-04-03T14:01:08.492-07:00

As usual, Zakaria's comments are well worth watching.  This whole thing is depressing.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-21397398174743829822011-04-03T13:19:00.000-07:002011-04-03T13:19:24.651-07:00

Very interesting analysis from Bob Herbert.  From the article: The U.S. has not just misplaced its priorities. When the most powerful country ever to inhabit the earth finds it so easy to plunge into the horror of warfare but almost impossible to find adequate work for its people or to properly educate its young, it has lost its way entirely. Nearly 14 million Americans are jobless and the

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-77402332040755571452011-04-02T20:09:00.001-07:002011-04-02T20:09:51.330-07:00

I've always wondered why L.A. didn't have its name on its street signs - the city seal looks pretty cool.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-13568494837446951342011-04-02T19:59:00.003-07:002011-04-02T19:59:51.138-07:00

As a native Angeleno and a longtime follower of the Dodgers, I found this reprehensible.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-15193262698773334172011-04-02T19:49:00.000-07:002011-04-02T19:49:10.561-07:00

I don't just think this is limited to the GOP, as Democrats don't seem all that interested in opposing these cuts.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-20807358143645812322011-04-02T19:32:00.000-07:002011-04-02T19:32:45.409-07:00

Well this is just madness.  This is where I think the phrase "zero accountability" might be applicable.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-86192630127115297282011-03-23T22:29:00.001-07:002011-03-23T22:29:37.519-07:00

If it were me in the opposition.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-83672691506753609392011-03-22T22:34:00.000-07:002011-03-22T22:34:13.307-07:00

So here I am having these feelings of general support regarding the Libya action, with the feeling of dread that the (again understandable) hesitation may have created all kinds of problems.  Not to mention the practical limits of engaging in yet another conflict.  And yet one might possibly (but not necessarily) be persuaded to put these aside if the moral cause is, for lack of a better word,

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-63086419665511771272011-03-17T21:23:00.000-07:002011-03-17T21:23:33.520-07:00

I continue to find myself taken aback at my feelings regarding the matter of Libya.  Like I said in an earlier post this seems to me the very type of situation that calls for international action.  I'm astonished that a) I am supportive of the intervention and b) the U.N. even managed to pass a resolution over this.  After Iraq.  After the handling of Afghanistan.  After Guantanamo.  After

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-24562937729453836052011-03-16T22:20:00.000-07:002011-03-16T22:23:25.850-07:00

One of the distressed Japanese nuclear power plants contains a fuel known as MOX -- which is a mix of uranium and plutonium that's reprocessed from spent uranium (or the disposal of weapons grade plutonium). Over the last couple days I've been thinking (as probably many of us have) about nuclear power and its role in our society.  I've often thought that the big issue that makes nuclear a

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-55835553880175346142011-03-15T22:35:00.000-07:002011-03-15T22:35:08.986-07:00

If the news reports are accurate then it appears Kadafi is on his way to regaining control of the country - largely due to superior firepower.  I find myself wondering if the debate over Libya wouldn't be so difficult if we had not invaded Iraq the way we did.  Would we really be so slow to help rebels fighting a longtime dictator -- rebels who expressly asked the U.S. Secretary of State for help

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-2392629635022129072011-03-14T22:08:00.000-07:002011-03-14T22:08:08.259-07:00

The scale of this thing is truly humbling.  My prayers continue to be with the people of Japan.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-21118772001975829142011-03-14T15:32:00.000-07:002011-03-14T15:40:57.731-07:00

I've been in a dialogue with various folks about the moral prospects of intervention in Libya - most of whom oppose intervention on the basis of our past actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.  One of my responses sums up my thinking on this issue nicely: Libya is a different situation than Iraq and AfPak, and from a moral perspective, could justify intervention. The practical dimensions are such that

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-47828088896443663022011-03-14T12:10:00.000-07:002011-03-14T12:10:09.978-07:00

I have to say Josh Marshall's post has given me something to think about.  Like him, I'm not entirely clear where I sit at the moment.  But it is a useful exercise in looking at things in context.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-15873207091203550532011-03-12T18:34:00.000-08:002011-03-12T18:34:06.041-08:00

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-21484877373568236812011-03-06T20:46:00.001-08:002011-03-06T20:46:47.798-08:00

Another must watch video.  I don't say this much at all, but this and the Zakaria video are absolutely worth seeing.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-19430270500212075432011-03-06T20:40:00.000-08:002011-03-06T20:40:03.908-08:00

Found via The Vigil.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-52509217982527842142011-03-06T20:14:00.000-08:002011-03-06T20:17:08.757-08:00

This is one of the most important commentaries I've seen on the recent developments in the Middle East. You MUST watch this video. We should all support the wave of freedom sweeping across a people long oppressed.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-78850561028673825842011-03-05T22:34:00.000-08:002011-03-07T09:52:00.458-08:00

Dear Fellow Angelenos, We have an election on Tuesday; there are quite a few measures affecting the City of Los Angeles. Below are my recommendations. I'm taking a much keener interest lately in following local politics - I'm a relative newcomer to the arena, so I've got a lot to learn. However, these ballot measures seem to me to be extremely relevant – and directly affect the quality of life

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-75891482909281057382011-03-02T22:25:00.001-08:002011-03-02T22:32:54.420-08:00

This article was open on my computer when I got home; presumably Karen was reading it (this is when I love that we share a computer). This is an astonishingly astute post about LA, my home for 37 of my 40 years.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-32593557583449565252010-10-10T10:57:00.000-07:002010-10-10T10:58:38.586-07:00

Greetings California Friends,Below are my recommendations regarding the upcoming Proposition initiatives. I leave the elected offices to you - as I'm sure many folks have minds already made up and what I say here won't change that. I intend these to be as objective as possible. Whatever you decide, please go out and vote! (Also, as always, if you don't wish to receive these updates, please

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-66254695205576121702010-03-21T20:36:00.001-07:002010-03-21T20:36:39.743-07:00

I can't believe they did it - but they did it. The bill isn't perfect - but let's face it, little in life is. I am an unabashed progressive, and this (among others) is the reason I voted for Democrats in 2006 and Barack Obama in 2008. I especially tip my hat to Nancy Pelosi, who had to pass health care reform three times -- the first time was the bill that included the public option, the

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-71658016611109856812010-02-17T22:14:00.001-08:002010-02-17T22:41:33.463-08:00

I'm saddened, but not shocked. In case you did not see this, (also here) the new VA governor, Bob McDonnell, is removing express protection from discrimination for gays and lesbians from Virginia's books. There's no humane reason to do so, and such actions encourage a view that our fellow citizens are somehow second class people.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-27380029559636412922010-01-27T22:35:00.001-08:002010-01-27T22:35:46.696-08:00

I thought tonight's speech was strong, well timed and hit all the major points that needed to be hit. I am now reminded why I voted for Barack Obama, and particularly appreciated his position of not being stopped by difficulty or setbacks. He expressly called out to Democrats they still have 59 votes in the Senate, and directly addressed Republicans about filibustering every piece of business

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-75347423692919621142010-01-19T21:17:00.000-08:002010-01-19T21:18:12.058-08:00

Hi - lots has been said already about this evening's victory by GOP senate candidate Scott Brown and the implications for the healthcare bill. Rather than point out everything that went wrong, I suggest writing to your House representative to express support for the Senate bill - pass it and move on. The alternative is the status quo for the foreseeable future. I refer you to my previous post

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-77284318495368735962009-12-19T20:15:00.000-08:002009-12-19T20:20:50.190-08:00

Hi - I've been going back and forth over whether I support the health care bill as currently constituted. My understanding is "reform" would come in the way of insurers not being able to deny folks insurance for pre-existing conditions, removal of lifetime caps, restrictions on kicking people out of a policy when they actually get sick, providing an "exchange" where insurers are supposed to

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-44496772084487920922009-08-17T21:41:00.000-07:002009-08-17T21:44:43.058-07:00

Dear Friends,It's been awhile since I've written; today's news that the Administration may be conceding the public option for health reform prompted me to write. Here's what I think we can do - we can not just TALK and SUPPORT why a public option is essential, but ACTIVELY and FORCEFULLY support such an option - which I believe has not happened on any public level. I can think of five, simple

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-66083689837024377772009-02-15T19:51:00.000-08:002009-02-16T21:49:33.950-08:00

I am absolutely fascinated by the Obama presidency so far. He took office on January 20 and:1) Signed an equal pay act ("Lilly Ledbetter" Act).2) Signed a bill renewing and expanding "S-CHIP" (Children's Health Insurance).3) Will sign the "stimulus" package on Tuesday. If you are interested, an alleged breakdown of the stimulus is on ProPublica here. (I say alleged because who knows what's

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-82494980700982984262009-02-08T18:33:00.000-08:002009-02-08T20:44:57.412-08:00

Greetings, Everyone - we're trying to settle in our new home in the lovely hamlet of Encino. I've been perusing the headlines and I'm a little baffled by the recent stories about how much spending for education and construction is coming off the stimulus bill in favor of more tax cuts. See stories here, here, and here. This seems entirely unnecessary to me. Some thoughts on this -1) Spend the

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-82800955897507185492008-11-04T21:35:00.000-08:002008-11-04T21:36:30.416-08:00

Dear Friends:This is a magnificent day for our country. Not only are the eight years of Bush rule over, but today the United States elected a man that, were he alive and in our country at its founding, might not have even had the right to walk the streets without permission. Were he an adult in the United States before 1964 and 1965, a mere 44 years ago, he might not have had the right to vote.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-30607001972225884942008-10-25T21:45:00.000-07:002008-10-25T21:55:50.802-07:00

Hello everyone,In case you've wondering where I've been these last few weeks, I've been in the process of buying a house.... more on that later, but as most of you already have long since known, it sure takes up a heck of a lot of time. And since you're all wondering, we're moving to Camelot (LA residents who were around in 2002 will get the reference). Anyway, on to the business of

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-86650152033665627422008-10-05T21:36:00.001-07:002008-10-05T22:22:05.692-07:00

I, like many others, have wondered when John McCain's association with the Keating Five would come up. I guess the answer to that would be now. If McCain wants to run on experience, perhaps this isn't the experience he would want to tout in the current crisis.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-78549520913679879872008-10-02T23:03:00.000-07:002008-10-02T23:30:49.992-07:00

Just a few thoughts on this evening's debate. On substance, Biden appeared well informed and had a good command of the issues. Biden was very effective in talking about John McCain, and was particularly good near the end when he picked apart McCain's supposed "Maverick" status. Palin didn't let herself get ruffled - she didn't have one of the CBS' Katie Couric moments. She also had that "

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-63020629947847717112008-09-28T20:50:00.001-07:002008-09-28T20:50:57.546-07:00

Via TPM, an awkward moment from John McCain where he has to retract a comment made by Sarah Palin in connection with Pakistan. Turns out her view was the very one espoused by Barack Obama during the debate on Friday....Happy Sunday!

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-46432169158570261272008-09-27T19:46:00.000-07:002008-09-27T22:27:24.990-07:00

Debate thoughts - my overall impressions are similar to those being circulated by various commentators on the web; e.g., McCain clearly was not able to look Obama in the eye, neither candidate scored any knockout blows, made any real mistakes, and each got a few zingers in. I don't get the sense that this debate would change too many people's minds. I also found it a little boring. I will say,

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-81828185057249119882008-09-21T21:28:00.000-07:002008-09-21T22:23:59.896-07:00

Lots of news over the weekend about the $700,000,000,000 bailout package proposed by the Bush administration. I'm probably one of the least qualified people to understand what we ought to do about the current financial meltdown. And frankly, the idea of inoculating risky behavior and bad business decisions from the corrective powers of the market just stinks. (As an aside, it's remarkable

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-27174953479372730182008-09-14T20:47:00.001-07:002008-09-14T21:42:28.495-07:00

Picking out McCain's shortcomings are kind of fun, I must admit. Here's a few more for you to brighten your Monday tomorrow.1) Alan Greenspan -- I repeat, Alan freeking Greenspan -- does not support John McCain's tax plan.2) McCain's own economic advisor says tax increases are unavoidable without massive spending cuts, and spending cuts are a political fig leaf.3) More MSM outlets noting the,

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-6057023639510939382008-09-11T23:19:00.000-07:002008-09-11T23:22:34.800-07:00

Hi - I've not been posting because in addition do doing a little house-hunting, my head is going to explode if I think about the garbage spewing out of the McCain-Palin propaganda shop. I get so angry that I actually can't think straight. I guess it's a good plan, because it's certainly kept me off balance. And no, to any McCain supporters, I'm not being unkind and you know it.No more.1)

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-79003098302700687082008-08-25T22:12:00.000-07:002008-08-25T22:16:50.051-07:00

Hi - I caught a little bit of the convention this evening - three things definitely worth seeing:1) The tribute video to Teddy Kennedy. Great stuff.2) Kennedy's speech. I thought Kennedy gave a good speech, but the crowd seemed very worried about him. He seemed like this was where he wanted to be.3) Michelle Obama. I thought she was teriffic - she sounded just like one of us.You can see the

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-53275697466686977372008-08-23T23:36:00.000-07:002008-08-23T23:38:33.860-07:00

I've done a complete 180 on Joe Biden today. Whether you like him or not, he's the right pick. It just goes to show that we were smart in nominating Barack in the first place - if it were up to me (thankfully it's not), I'd probably not have picked Biden. How wrong I think I would have been.The debut is here -- it's about half hour. I suggest watching Barack's intro and as much of Biden's

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-82252457237841195352008-08-13T22:42:00.000-07:002008-08-13T23:03:16.373-07:00

There's a lot that's been written about the crisis in Georgia over the last week or so; there's not much I can add that hasn't already been said. However, I'd like to point out this article from the Post about McCain's top foreign policy advisor - who earlier in the year was being paid by both John McCain for advisory services and the Georgian government for lobbing services - at the same time.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-55341632767845737592008-08-05T21:32:00.000-07:002008-08-05T21:33:55.354-07:00

This one from Princeton. All three have links on the sidebar, I'll be checking them often....

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-44563116464885824082008-08-03T14:38:00.000-07:002008-08-03T14:40:07.265-07:00

A friend of mine just pointed out what appears to be a superior election projection calculator - www.fivethirtyeight.com. I'll be checking out this one as well.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-70848793399846577042008-08-02T18:11:00.000-07:002008-08-02T18:15:58.627-07:00

An insightful piece about the tenor of the campaign, definitely worth reading.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-12291179391362976682008-08-01T21:08:00.000-07:002008-08-01T21:13:54.854-07:00

The best political insights and analysis I've EVER seen has been from a gentleman known as Billmon. He used to post to a site called Whiskey Bar, but hung up his cleats after getting burned out. I'm happy to say he's back - at least for the moment, posting to a diary at Daily Kos. I highly encourage you to take a look at his writing whenever it pops up.If you doubt my absolute slavish

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-62278054878599976932008-07-29T22:37:00.000-07:002008-07-29T23:21:32.614-07:00

I'd like to take a few minutes to discuss the concept of terrorism. Yesterday, a man opened fire in a church because he disagreed with the liberal policies of the church, killing two and wounding seven. My wife points out that this was nothing short of terrorism. It didn't take me long to agree. I've not seen major news outlets classifying this as a terrorist attack, and it got me thinking - why

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-21351127892221226322008-07-27T21:31:00.001-07:002008-07-27T21:31:43.387-07:00

Terrific op-ed by Frank Rich of the NYT (sent to me by a friend), which encapsulates what I've been wanting to say much better than I could have. Even if you're not inclined to vote for Obama, I encourage you to read it.Cheers - have a good week.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-55858121497623709902008-07-25T22:18:00.000-07:002008-07-25T22:22:08.034-07:00

Hi - I saw this McCain ad as I was surfing the net this evening, and my first thought was "oh no, here we go again - the GOP doing a mash-up of Obama with a bad, scary dictator - this time, the Iranian President." But as I looked at this more closely, I'm wondering if it might not backfire - notice that Obama looks like he wants to kick Ahmedinejad's sorry behind. Maybe they're trying to go for

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-50246268300120519282008-07-22T22:08:00.001-07:002008-07-22T22:10:56.674-07:00

Family was at Disneyland last week, and of all the things I'm in the tank for the place. I hadn't been there in about 20 years or so - since my high school prom date (which went pretty poorly if I recall correctly). Everyone had so much fun, and I really didn't care that it is owned by a mega-corporate empire. These guys know what they're doing, the Happiest Place on Earth and all that.....

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-60267909550757831942008-07-22T22:04:00.000-07:002008-07-22T22:05:17.679-07:00

You may have heard about how Barack Obama and John McCain both submitted op-eds to the NYT, only for the paper to run only the one submitted by Obama. I'd probably be a little miffed if I were John McCain, but here's the reply from NYT to John McCain - essentially asking McCain to do a little writing to detail his own Iraq plans instead of just merely attacking Obama. However, this being an

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-21787974589972040902008-07-21T22:47:00.000-07:002008-07-21T22:48:25.512-07:00

I realize that John McCain sometimes gets confused by economics. But perhaps he also ought to brush up on his geography and realize that Iraq and Pakistan don't share a common border. (via Washington Monthly).Meanwhile, Obama visited Iraq today, including visits to PM Maliki and U.S. General Petraeus. An interesting op-ed from the Post talks about the impact of this trip, and why its something

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-64533381019169923592008-07-09T21:50:00.001-07:002008-07-09T21:50:55.527-07:00

Today the FISA bill passed the Senate 69-28; roll call link here. It passed the House on June 20 293-129; roll call link here. Some notable votes listed below - Senate first, then scroll down for House. Note McCain did not cast a vote. Cheers.SENATE:YES:Feinstein - CA (D)Hagel - NE (R)Lieberman - CT (DINO)McCaskill - MO (D)Obama - IL (D)Webb - VA (D)NO:Biden - DE (D)Boxer - CA (D)Brown - OH (

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-45592656986349902902008-07-07T07:47:00.001-07:002008-07-07T07:51:09.895-07:00

Odd - it's been awhile since I've seen anything on U.S. casualties in Iraq:Killed - 4,114Wounded - 29,978Total casualties - 34,092(Yes, "wounded" is a casualty).

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-45332849689798673932008-07-06T22:11:00.000-07:002008-07-06T22:26:34.495-07:00

Hi - there's been a firestorm of criticism of Obama over the last week or so, and how he is allegedly "shifting" to the center for political expediency. I'd like to comment specifically on a) his supposed "shift" in his policy toward Iraq; b) his support of faith based initiatives; c) his comments on the recent USSC decision on guns. I recall multiple discussions over the last year with many of

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-10123815006296452362008-07-01T22:40:00.000-07:002008-07-01T22:42:10.705-07:00

Hi - well, now that the presidential campaign is really starting to heat up, I'd like to take a moment to talk about Wesley Clark's recent comments about whether John McCain has the relevant experience to be president. By now, you've probably heard something along the lines of how Wes Clark supposedly impugned McCain's military service or somehow dishonored John McCain's war record.I've attached

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-20619014851925768142008-06-04T21:57:00.000-07:002008-06-04T21:58:13.034-07:00

Good evening,Unless you've been hiding in a cave the last day or so, you know that Barack Obama has clinched the Democratic nomination. His acceptance speech is here. It's worth watching, and his generous comments about HIllary call to mind what happens next now that she will be conceding the race to Obama this Saturday. I've been asked countless times in the last day if I think Obama will

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-64973208945235229052008-05-08T22:51:00.001-07:002008-05-08T22:53:21.114-07:00

Hi - most of you are probably aware of Hillary Clinton's comments reported yesterday regarding race, and how she is more electable than Obama because whites support her more than they do Obama. The story is here. It's difficult for me to get my mind around these comments coming from a Clinton; during Bill Clinton's presidency, and after it, I was and remained one of his biggest supporters.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-16595941017525654552008-04-17T22:09:00.000-07:002008-04-17T22:10:01.046-07:00

Hi - as you might have noticed, not many posts lately. New kid has been keeping us busy, and tired :-) A friend of mine pinged me this evening, for my thoughts on the debate and of course I can't resist. I managed to catch a lot of the debate, and I'll agree with his characterization that Obama was often on the defensive, but I thought he mostly kept his cool. Obama did get a couple of hard

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-63087594860653697712008-02-29T22:13:00.000-08:002008-02-29T22:14:12.924-08:00

Via Hilzoy (I really like this blog).

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-10495363969207224062008-02-29T21:38:00.000-08:002008-02-29T21:40:57.817-08:00

Hi - I'd like to take a moment out of enjoying my newly expanded family to attach an op-ed that I think is an important perspective on what appears to be an effort to convince American Jews that Obama is somehow anti-Israel or anti-Jewish. I couldn't have said it better myself, and, as an American Jew, I offer my wholehearted support for Barack Obama. As an aside, I'd sure like to see John

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-82841974725985805252008-02-23T20:54:00.000-08:002008-02-23T20:57:42.465-08:00

I'm going to bed. (Via Publius).p.s. we just had our second baby boy, 7 pounds and 11 ounces. The joy doesn't get old, and the amount of love to go around just grows exponentially. Our children are the reflection of God's light.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-24849343856165132732008-02-10T14:15:00.000-08:002008-02-10T14:19:03.751-08:00

As you probably know, Mike Huckabee has won 2 of the 3 contests on the GOP side yesterday. However, with only 87% of precincts reporting, and a separation of about 200 votes or so, the state GOP has declared McCain the winner. I've been waiting around to see if that last 13% will come in, but so far, they haven't released it. Info on this here.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-7984007506107397932008-02-09T10:32:00.001-08:002008-02-09T10:32:52.788-08:00

Hillary is just way COOL.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-23662597032615145712008-02-07T21:50:00.000-08:002008-02-07T21:54:54.994-08:00

This is particularly concerning.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-70824893759058869222008-02-07T21:39:00.000-08:002008-02-07T21:40:34.419-08:00

I'm sorry, but this is way too funny...

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-34455222924344973292008-02-06T13:36:00.000-08:002008-02-06T13:38:53.322-08:00

Exciting night yesterday evening. NPR has a very cool map of the results. In terms of delegates, most pundits and analysts agree this seems to be a tie. However, one thing in particular strikes me as interesting - Obama won states the Democrats need to win in November. He'll likely win CA, NY, NJ, MA - states Hillary won - but look at his performance in GA and AL, for instance - huge wins. Same

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-60917243045124566122008-02-04T17:06:00.000-08:002008-02-07T21:41:55.097-08:00

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-77818119690813629602008-02-04T16:13:00.000-08:002008-02-04T16:40:41.523-08:00

So another thing - why is it in one airport, the security line people barely glance at my ID, where in another airport, the guy takes a UV-light to my ID, compares it to my boarding pass, looks at me to be sure it's me, and looks at the ID again.I did, however, just pig out on a big basked of chicken strips and fries, in one of those airport sports bars. You know the type of establishment -

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-56370884968587008262008-02-04T16:11:00.001-08:002008-02-04T16:13:49.136-08:00

Are such a draaaag. Flight delayed. Tired. I found an outlet and a wireless hot spot, but it took scouring about seven or eight gates before finding a comfy chair with an outlet next to it. Oh - the weather out side is fright-ful. But inside it's so not delight-ful. With the people crammed on the go, this really blows, really blows, really blows.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-52776044317014401152008-02-01T22:27:00.000-08:002008-02-01T22:30:56.295-08:00

I, like Hilzoy, have been meaning to write about this issue but haven't. She says it as well, if not better than I could have, it's worth a read.

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143852.post-59343372991417773662008-01-31T22:42:00.000-08:002008-01-31T22:49:16.061-08:00

Watched the debate - very substantive, and both looked polished, knowledgeable and ready. You can watch at cnn.com. Best line from Barack was challenging Hillary's experience argument - "Senator Clinton, I think, fairly, has claimed that she's got the experience on day one. And part of the argument that I'm making in this campaign is that, it is important to be right on day one". Best line from

Valley Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408884651975955897noreply@blogger.com2