Category Archives: Political Commentary

Political Commentary, Popular Culture

You’re Not The Only One, Glenn

49 Comments

I’m not paying any attention to the Olympics, either. I haven’t seen a single competition, and didn’t watch the opening ceremonies. I don’t think I’ve watched any channel showing it for more than a few seconds.

It’s not political–I’m just thoroughly uninterested. I also think that it’s highly overrated as a kumbaya enhancer, and I’m more interested in people for their intellectual prowess than physical abilities. I was amused a few years ago when one of my trolls (this one from Norway, but not HH) “warned” me that if the US didn’t behave better internationally, we might not be selected for future Olympics. I told him that wasn’t a bug–it was a feature.

Political Commentary

A Foreign Policy Failure

10 Comments

A former Clinton official critiques the US’ (and EU’s) mismanaging of Georgia.

I’ve been pretty unimpressed by the Bush state department (one of the reasons that I’ve been pretty unimpressed by the Bush administration in general). It’s not clear whether that’s because both Powell and Rice were captured by the bureaucracy and “went native” or because they were squishy by nature, but either way, it’s unimpressive. One of the legacies of this administration will probably be its complete inability to win the guerilla wars in the bureaucratic trenches.

Of course, it didn’t help that the president imagined that he saw Putin’s “soul” through his eyes. We now have a much better idea of the nature of his soul through his subsequent actions than George Bush got from his ocular examination.

Political Commentary

Momentous Political News

33 Comments

Chuck Hagel won’t endorse.

The post title was intended to be ironic, in case anyone had trouble guessing.

Is there anyone who cares what that pompous unprincipled idiot thinks about anything? If so, I sure hope that they don’t vote.

[Update mid morning]

Exposing the myth of “Republicans for Obama.”

Obama may count prominent GOPers like Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, presidential granddaughter Susan Eisenhower, Fairbanks, Alaska Mayor Jim Whitaker, former Iowa Rep. Jim Leach, former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chaffee and former White House intelligence adviser Rita E. Hauser–all of them namechecked on today’s call–among his announced (or likely) endorsers. But are there enough rank-and-file Republicans whispering their support at Obama rallies to actually make a difference on Election Day?

The answer, as noted in the article, is “no.” And Democrats who believe this fantasy are fooling themselves, and setting themselves up for a huge disappointment in November. I hope that the taxpayer doesn’t get stuck with the massive group therapy bill.

[Update late morning]

Hey, I told you that Chafee is a moron:

Former Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee, who left the GOP last year and later endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, has signed on with Republicans for Obama, saying that the Illinois senator embodies “my kind of traditional conservatism.”

Right.

Political Commentary, Space

On-The-Job Training

17 Comments

If you want to know why Constellation is such a godawful mess, here’s one reason:

NASA JSC Center Director’s Systems Engineering Forum Planned Aug. 21

There actually are people out in private industry (like me) who do this stuff for a living, or at least would, if NASA would give them a contract. But instead of putting out a SETA or some other support contract for systems engineering, as Steidle had planned to do, Dr. Griffin simply decided that NASA would do it. This is where it’s gotten him. Had he hired a good SE contractor (and listened) the program would likely not be in the kind of trouble it is, either technically or politically. Of course, it would probably look much different, because a proper systems-engineering approach would never have resulted in the Shaft. That was the danger inherent in putting a rocket scientist in charge of the agency. He thought he was smarter than everyone else.

Political Commentary

Brawn, Not Brain

And now, idiots:

Byers called Castro a “great guy.”

Maybe he could move to Cuba, and wrestle for Fidel instead. Of course, there’s no reason to expect a wrestler to be a deep thinker.

[Update a few minutes later]

Speaking of idiots, here we have Republicans for Obama:

This morning, former Iowa Republican Congressman Jim Leach, former Rhode Island Republican Senator Lincoln Chaffee, and prominent lawyer and former White House intelligence advisor Rita E. Hauser will host a conference call to endorse Senator Barack Obama and announce the formation of Republicans for Obama. Across the country Democrats, independents, and Republicans are coming together in support of Senator Obama to bring change to Washington. Obama has a strong record of bringing people together from the left and the right to solve problems, leading with superior judgment on foreign policy issues, and demonstrating fiscal responsibility.

What “strong record” is that? What “superior judgment” is that?

Lincoln Chafee hasn’t been a Republican in years, but he’s always been a moron. If this is the best that Obama can do in terms of “Republican” endorsements, it’s pretty pathetic.

Political Commentary

Any Minute Now

1 Comment

James Lileks awaits the war protesters. In vain.

The anarchists aren’t up on it. Nothing from the central Green party. But it’s possible they’re just getting their blast emails out, alerting everyone to the upcoming World Can’t Wait / Protest Imperialistic Imperialism Protest, complete with giant mocking paper-mache puppets of Putin with black oil dripping from his fangs. Who here can do a Putin? C’mon people, I need a big Putin. This international cabal isn’t going to collapse on its own! It needs the sort of humiliating defeat only a large, three-dimensional effigy borne on the streets of a Western city in full view of bored policemen can bring.Yes, any day now: the streets will be filled with protestors.

Mao is denounced as well.

Political Commentary, Space

Nearing The End?

9 Comments

Robert Block is wondering if the Stick is dying. I liked this bit:

In the face of the latest reports of trouble, sources say that NASA leaders are looking at a possible replacement design, including one that would use the shuttle’s two four-segment solid rocket boosters, and a liquid engine with four RS-68 engines and no upper stage. While it sounds similar to a rocket called the Jupiter 120 or the Direct 2.0 concept which is being proposed by moonlighting NASA engineers, the sources insist it is not the same.

Yes. I have a literary theory that the Iliad and the Odyssey weren’t written by Homer, but by another blind poet with the same name.

Political Commentary

The New Brown Shirts

17 Comments

Glenn explains:

No doubt they all go around exchanging Obama Salutes and clicking their heels…

But don’t call them a cult!

I guess that it really is all about the “O.” Sabine Ehrenfeld is still a lot hotter, though. At this point, given the other choices on the menu, I’m ready to sign up for a Sabine/Paris ticket. Too bad she was born in Germany.

I suspect that Senator Obama’s fans may prove to be his worst enemies.

[Update a while later]

Ace has more.