Mebbe Harvey's gonna go..
Support for U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (news - web sites) Chairman Harvey Pitt is waning as the White House considers a call for his resignation amid political furor over his agency's accounting oversight, The Washington Post reported on Saturday.
The White House is considering asking Pitt to resign or may wait and allow him to step down after the Nov. 5 congressional elections, the paper reported, citing Republican sources.
The report cited rising White House dismay over controversy stirred up by Pitt's appointment of former FBI chief William Webster and other members of the new Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
...
President Bush could strip Pitt of his chairman's title, but cannot force him to leave the agency, the paper reported.
Saturday, November 02, 2002
Friday, November 01, 2002
Mark Kleiman has some interesting thoughts on the Boy Scout/Atheist flap:
Us godless people are fed up with religious bigotry.
Now imagine that the policy singled out any other religious belief for similar discrimination: that anyone could be a Scout who wasn't a practicing Roman Catholic, for example. That policy would arguably -- Eugene has convinced me of this -- be within the rights of a private group, and not subject to being overruled by state or federal civil rights laws. But the question whether that group should have free use of public facilities for its meetings, or extensive support from the United Way, would hardly arise. The group would instantly become disreputable, for the reasons Eugene lays out.
The policy in question wouldn't merely deprive individual Catholic kids of the benefits of Scouting; it would proclaim to the world, in a way that we as a people hold abhorrent, that there's something wrong with being a Catholic. Consequently, any support for the Boy Scouts, even the indirect support of giving them free places to meet, would be seen as supporting anti-Catholic bigotry. Putting the fact that one is an Eagle Scout on one's resume or college application would suddenly become a very dicey proposition.
The fact that the policy toward atheists is a real example, while the policy toward Catholics is a far-fetched hypothetical, merely points to the fact that this one kind of religious bigotry is still perfectly acceptable in polite company. (The polling data are appalling; atheists are the only group with net negative ratings in the Pew Center poll, rated unfavorably by about two-thirds of the public.) Senator Joseph Lieberman's denial that it was possible to have morality without religion was an insult to unbelievers that could not have been delivered with political safety to any other religious group.
Us godless people are fed up with religious bigotry.
Leah A. says:
I really thought it couldn't get any worse than the despicable column she wrote about those three young American muslim doctors-to-be, whom a fellow luncher at Stoney's reported to the police. Managing to turn the eavesdropper into their victim, Noonan imagined what had happened at Stoney's, after reassuring us that she had paid close attention to the details of the story; in her mind's eye the three young men in their muslim gear (actually only one of them was wearing a religious cap) garnered strange looks from the locals, became sullen, and decided to play their 9/11 joke on the hapless woman, whom, despite the claimed close attention, Noonan still appeared to think was the waitress, rather than another luncher. Surely, Peg argued, the men should have known their presence would discombobulate the locals, why couldn't they have done something as simple as smile and introduce themselves, thus reassuring all present, presumably, that they were not terrorists. That all three men had denied talking about 9/11, making a joke or attempting a hoax, and that the police and the security tape from the toll booth had cleared them of every one of the rumored charges against them went unmentioned by Noonan. In the end she celebrated the hospital's decision (since rescinded)to deprive them of their internships.
If Leona Hemsley was the queen of mean, Peggy is its princess.
This column is worse, but what they have in common is her too little remarked upon penchant for lies. That's why she finds those fantasy rhetorical devices so congenial; they allow her to tell untruths, without appearing to be lying, or perhaps, even to be aware that she is, which is why she was such a perfect speech writer for Reagan...and Bush pere.
The lies here are too many to fully document. Start with calling the memorial the triumph of the political over the personal. (Who really thinks that Peggy Noonan saw more than five minutes of the memorial, if that?) Nothing could have been more personal, or intimate than each of the eulogies for each of the three Wellstones, and each of their three friends and associates who died with them. Nor were there any boos when Republican Senators entered; and if there were some later on, they came from so small a fraction of the audience that I couldn't hear it watching on Cspan.
I think it was Digby in another comments section who mentioned that it's an odd political rally that never mentions so much as the name of the opponent.
When in the guise of channeling Wellstone lecturing his sons for having blown this tribute, (to their father, mother & sister, please remember), Noonan goes further into fantasy by having Paul ask them to imagine a reverse scenario, a funeral for Trent Lott, in which Democrats and the Democratic party get attacked, one has to ask, what on earth is she talking about? There were no such attacks Tuesday. Didn't happen. The eulogizers spoke with passion and much affection and humor, but always and only in support of the people and ideas that mattered to the Wellstones and their friends. The passionate response of the audience was born of grief and love, for those who had been lost, and for the values that need not be lost.(And the reason for the choice of a venue with a large seating capacity was because so many people wanted to be there, and even so, people were turned away.) Interesting that in Peg's fantasy world, exhorting people to get out and vote as a tribute to a fallen Senator becomes a cynical political ploy, thereby revealing the contempt she and a few other contemporary Republicans have for the very concept of voting.
What Noonan, the divorcee who embraces the notion that parents (other parents that is)who divorce are being selfish and injuring their children, can't understand is that there was no division in the Wellstone's lives between their political beliefs and how they actually lived their lives. Naturally, the intimacy they share within their family was of a different nature than the connection they shared with constituents, but that connection was also an extension of the core values that informed even their closest and most intimate relationships. As was also true of their lost friends, Mary McEvoy, Will McLaughlin, Tom Lapic. Did Peg find it lacking in class when the President of the U of M in his eulogy for Prof. McEvoy mentioned her tireless commitment to special education and announced an annual award to be given in her name for an academic whose work connects to public service? Was that too political for her taste. For John Kennedy's? For John Adams? (To both of whom she maintains a direct line of communication)
In a spirit of magnanimity worthy of Paul Wellstone, let me say a good word for one Republican. Rod Gramms is as conservative as they come; I doubt there is a single issue I'd agree with him on, but apparently he really did care about his senatorial comrade. As quoted in the StarTribune, he confined himself [to this statement "They can do what they want. We're here tonight to say goodbye to a friend. That's all I'm thinking right now."
I really thought it couldn't get any worse than the despicable column she wrote about those three young American muslim doctors-to-be, whom a fellow luncher at Stoney's reported to the police. Managing to turn the eavesdropper into their victim, Noonan imagined what had happened at Stoney's, after reassuring us that she had paid close attention to the details of the story; in her mind's eye the three young men in their muslim gear (actually only one of them was wearing a religious cap) garnered strange looks from the locals, became sullen, and decided to play their 9/11 joke on the hapless woman, whom, despite the claimed close attention, Noonan still appeared to think was the waitress, rather than another luncher. Surely, Peg argued, the men should have known their presence would discombobulate the locals, why couldn't they have done something as simple as smile and introduce themselves, thus reassuring all present, presumably, that they were not terrorists. That all three men had denied talking about 9/11, making a joke or attempting a hoax, and that the police and the security tape from the toll booth had cleared them of every one of the rumored charges against them went unmentioned by Noonan. In the end she celebrated the hospital's decision (since rescinded)to deprive them of their internships.
If Leona Hemsley was the queen of mean, Peggy is its princess.
This column is worse, but what they have in common is her too little remarked upon penchant for lies. That's why she finds those fantasy rhetorical devices so congenial; they allow her to tell untruths, without appearing to be lying, or perhaps, even to be aware that she is, which is why she was such a perfect speech writer for Reagan...and Bush pere.
The lies here are too many to fully document. Start with calling the memorial the triumph of the political over the personal. (Who really thinks that Peggy Noonan saw more than five minutes of the memorial, if that?) Nothing could have been more personal, or intimate than each of the eulogies for each of the three Wellstones, and each of their three friends and associates who died with them. Nor were there any boos when Republican Senators entered; and if there were some later on, they came from so small a fraction of the audience that I couldn't hear it watching on Cspan.
I think it was Digby in another comments section who mentioned that it's an odd political rally that never mentions so much as the name of the opponent.
When in the guise of channeling Wellstone lecturing his sons for having blown this tribute, (to their father, mother & sister, please remember), Noonan goes further into fantasy by having Paul ask them to imagine a reverse scenario, a funeral for Trent Lott, in which Democrats and the Democratic party get attacked, one has to ask, what on earth is she talking about? There were no such attacks Tuesday. Didn't happen. The eulogizers spoke with passion and much affection and humor, but always and only in support of the people and ideas that mattered to the Wellstones and their friends. The passionate response of the audience was born of grief and love, for those who had been lost, and for the values that need not be lost.(And the reason for the choice of a venue with a large seating capacity was because so many people wanted to be there, and even so, people were turned away.) Interesting that in Peg's fantasy world, exhorting people to get out and vote as a tribute to a fallen Senator becomes a cynical political ploy, thereby revealing the contempt she and a few other contemporary Republicans have for the very concept of voting.
What Noonan, the divorcee who embraces the notion that parents (other parents that is)who divorce are being selfish and injuring their children, can't understand is that there was no division in the Wellstone's lives between their political beliefs and how they actually lived their lives. Naturally, the intimacy they share within their family was of a different nature than the connection they shared with constituents, but that connection was also an extension of the core values that informed even their closest and most intimate relationships. As was also true of their lost friends, Mary McEvoy, Will McLaughlin, Tom Lapic. Did Peg find it lacking in class when the President of the U of M in his eulogy for Prof. McEvoy mentioned her tireless commitment to special education and announced an annual award to be given in her name for an academic whose work connects to public service? Was that too political for her taste. For John Kennedy's? For John Adams? (To both of whom she maintains a direct line of communication)
In a spirit of magnanimity worthy of Paul Wellstone, let me say a good word for one Republican. Rod Gramms is as conservative as they come; I doubt there is a single issue I'd agree with him on, but apparently he really did care about his senatorial comrade. As quoted in the StarTribune, he confined himself [to this statement "They can do what they want. We're here tonight to say goodbye to a friend. That's all I'm thinking right now."
Putting a draft board together "just in case"?
What the hell?
hudson valley - The state headquarters of the Selective Service System is searching for men and women to serve on draft boards, including one in Rockland.
If a military draft would ever become necessary, about 2,000 local and appeal boards nationwide would decide which young men in their communities would receive deferments, postponements or exemptions from military service, based on federal guidelines.
Prospective board members must be citizens and at least 18 years old. Males must be registered with the Selective Service. Members cannot be employees of any law-enforcement agency, an active or retired member of the armed forces or have been convicted of a criminal offense.
Each new member would receive 12 hours of initial training, followed by four hours of annual training, for as long as he or she remained in the position.
Those who wish to be considered should call 339-8302 or 847-688-7996. Residents may also request an application online at www.sss.gov or write to Selective Service System, 105th AW/EMB 1 Militia Way, Building 210, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Rule of Law Party Whining Again.
The Maryland Republican Party is charging that partisan politics is behind a decision declaring the GOP's absentee ballot application illegal. News4's Chris Gordon reported that, as a result, just days before the election, some Republicans may be denied their right to vote.
Applications for absentee ballots require that a voter fill out their date of birth. But the Maryland Republican Party sent out applications that did not require a birth date.
As a result, State Attorney General Joseph Curran, who is a Democrat, directed the Board of Elections to declare those absentee ballot applications invalid. Republicans are in an uproar.
cry me a river.
I guess I'm about the only one who doesn't think the Harvey Pitt is going to be shown the door anytime soon. As far as I can remember, the only time the Bush administration has obviously backed down from anything or anyone was over the Linda Chavez nomination. Sure, they've backed down plenty of times on things, but always with a Fleischeresque swirl like "a changed regime is regime change" so as not to appear that they've backed down. There's no way to throw Harvey to the wolves without admitting error, and I just don't see it happening.
Fact Checking Michael Kelly's Ass (eeeew)
As Tbogg and Uggabugga have noted, Michael Kelly's latest article on Chickenhawks is his usual lesson on strawman construction and demolition. But, Michael Kelly also errs by including Abraham Lincoln in the list of honorable chickenhawks like himself. Kelly Says:
Such has given us the leadership in war of such notable "chicken hawks" as Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
A quick Google search will reveal to all that Abraham Lincoln did indeed volunteer to serve in the Blackhawk Indian War of 1832.
UPDATE: And, Buckminster Fush writes in with this:
FDR was not a chickenhawk either! A chickenhawk is a Draft Dodger, and this doesn't describe Roosevelt in the least.
He was 16 at the time of the war with Spain, and by the time the USA entered WWI
he was 34. During WWI he was assistant Sec. of the Navy, as someone in the comments pointed out. In which of these wars does Kelly think he should have fought?
FDR, though he favored intervention in the Second World War, was handcuffed by the Neutrality act of 1935. When he did seek to support the allies he asked for, and received, congressional authorization, most famously for the Lend-Lease Act.
The first time FDR called for war with the Axis was AFTER the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
To call him a chickenhawk is shameful and fallacious.
Such has given us the leadership in war of such notable "chicken hawks" as Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
A quick Google search will reveal to all that Abraham Lincoln did indeed volunteer to serve in the Blackhawk Indian War of 1832.
UPDATE: And, Buckminster Fush writes in with this:
FDR was not a chickenhawk either! A chickenhawk is a Draft Dodger, and this doesn't describe Roosevelt in the least.
He was 16 at the time of the war with Spain, and by the time the USA entered WWI
he was 34. During WWI he was assistant Sec. of the Navy, as someone in the comments pointed out. In which of these wars does Kelly think he should have fought?
FDR, though he favored intervention in the Second World War, was handcuffed by the Neutrality act of 1935. When he did seek to support the allies he asked for, and received, congressional authorization, most famously for the Lend-Lease Act.
The first time FDR called for war with the Axis was AFTER the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
To call him a chickenhawk is shameful and fallacious.
Read this sentence a few times...
Then explain it to me.
The quest for an effective "nonlethal" chemical agent like the one that killed more than 100 hostages in Moscow last weekend has tantalized U.S. military and law enforcement officials for years.
I thought Joseph Heller was dead -- who knew he was writing copy for the Post?
He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt.
The quest for an effective "nonlethal" chemical agent like the one that killed more than 100 hostages in Moscow last weekend has tantalized U.S. military and law enforcement officials for years.
I thought Joseph Heller was dead -- who knew he was writing copy for the Post?
He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt.
Forrester Supporter Assaults Lautenberg
But Mr. Lautenberg said that he was gratified to have had the chance to present his views alongside Mr. Forrester's, and that he was confident he still had the stamina and determination to handle the rough and tumble of politics. As he walked past 150 demonstrators on his way into the studio, one reached out and punched him in the arm, but Mr. Lautenberg brushed it aside.
"I was ready to start swinging back," he said later with a smile.
Hamas Threatens US, Moonie Times Reports
Intelligence sources say the top terror targets are all polling places in heavily democratic districts.
I tend to be fairly sympathetic about stupid stunts pulled by stupid teenagers and college students. And, while dressing up in blackface at a southern university is truly a horrible stunt, without knowing more I would have to put it in the 'stupid' rather than 'malicious' category. Despite all the carping about how our schools have been taken over by multicultural diversity training seminars, your average college kid doesn't have a freaking clue about this stuff.
Jim C. takes on Harvey Pitt and has this addendum:
Indeed.
ADDENDUM: This entire situation begs the question, why didn’t anyone in the media break this story before the SEC voted on Webster’s appointment last week? I presume Webster’s affiliation with U.S. Technologies was included in the biographical material submitted to the SEC. It should have been known to reporters covering the agency. It was a matter of public record. Did not one reporter there, or at the White House, think to perform even the most cursory of research about the company at which Webster chaired the board of director’s audit committee? Come on, people, I can’t do this all myself.
Indeed.
There are a variety of issues about which I can 'agree to disagree' with people. However, there are some opinions which, admittedly, are likely to get people crossed off my list (not that they care). To that fairly small set of opinions we can now add the belief that this Peggy Noonan column, in which she claims to speak for a dead man while chastizing his family and friends, isn't truly disgusting
(via Tbogg, who informs us that next week the Nooner will be channeling Jam Master Jay - perhaps to admonish his fellow Negros to Stay in School, word!)
(via Tbogg, who informs us that next week the Nooner will be channeling Jam Master Jay - perhaps to admonish his fellow Negros to Stay in School, word!)
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