Tag Archives: Bill Clinton

Democracy & Elitism: an introduction to the American false consciousness

Part one in a series. Is there a more radioactive word in American politics today than elitist? Admit it – you saw the word and had an instinctive negative reaction, didn’t you? If not, then count yourself among the rarest minority in our culture, the fraction of a percent that has not yet had its consciousness colonized by the “evil

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America and its presidents: what the fuck is wrong with you people?

Let’s begin with a brief Q&A with America. Q: Let’s say you’re sick with a potentially deadly disease. Who do you want for a doctor? A: The smartest, most experienced and highly qualified expert in the field. Q: You’re looking to invest your life savings. Who do you trust to handle your money? A: The brightest, most agile financial mind

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ABC sinks to new low in debate, but record won’t stand for long

I missed last night’s “debate” between Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. From what I can tell this morning, that was the smartest thing I did all day. I’ve read a good bit about it and seen some video and it looks like what transpired in Philadelphia may have been a new low-water mark in American journalism. Let’s see

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“Huckabee is toast”

I recently raised some questions about Rev. Huck in a piece on parenting skills, and now an old colleague – the Pulitzer winning John Hanchette, no less – looks at some of the same issues and declares the candidacy dead. The pattern usually repeats itself every four years: Obscure candidate announces, and is at first an after-thought, unknown to most

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Giuliani explains the criteria for spending taxpayer dollars on his mistress. Hypothetically.

From this morning’s Meet the Press: Tim Russert: Would it be appropriate for a president to provide Secret Service protection for his mistress? Rudy Giuliani: It would not be appropriate to do it for that reason, Tim … The reason it’s done is because somebody threatens to do harm and the people who assess it come to the conclusion that

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DC Madame scandal: Vitter, hoist, petard

And away we go! Sen. David Vitter, a conservative Louisiana Republican, has become the first major pol linked to “DC Madame” Deborah Jane Palfrey. [UPDATE: Won’t you please help save Sen. Vitter’s winky?] A bit of context is in order. Vitter is a no-compromises god-n-country anti-hanky-panky conservative who in 1998 said that Louisiana Rep. Bob Livingston’s resignation over marital infidelity

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