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In-House News: November Atlantic
The print version of the new November issue of the Atlantic is out. It is very good. I can say this with less self-interest than usual because I have only one tiny item in it. (Hey, wait till next...
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I Am Not From Maine, But If I Were...
... I would be out this weekend stumping for Eliot Cutler, in his bid to become governor as an Independent. (Maine is one of the states where that is a plausible ambition. Two of the past five...
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The Wrong Way to Use the 'China Menace'
Several days ago I invited a torrent of hostile email from readers in China and elsewhere by saying that I thought the notorious "Chinese Professor" ad was actually on the OK side of the race-baiting...
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Go Giants
As a childhood fan of the LA Dodgers of the Koufax-Drysdale-Roseboro-Gilliam-Wills era, I viewed the SF Giants as the natural enemy. Evil, too, as proved by the time Juan Marichal clubbed the hapless...
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Omnibus TSA Fiesta
A few days ago I quoted several readers who were exasperated with my complaints about "security theater" and the TSA and thought this all belonged in the category of "whiny professor" behavior. Now,...
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Followups: TSA, Seat-Backs, Giants-Dodgers
1) Before your next trip to the airport, in fact before your next trip to anyplace other than where you are at this moment, you have to read Jeff Goldberg's account of the new TSA "pat-down"...
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Choose Your NYT Pundit
David Brooks today argues that the (probably) impending "divided government" can be a plus for the country and for policy, as Obama is forced to newly woo independents, the parties need to work...
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On 'Treason' and Julian Assange
My colleague Jeffrey Goldberg, author of a superb post this afternoon about the TSA, earlier today posted without comment a citation to an item by Seth Lipsky. The first line of Jeff's item summarized...
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Torpedo
If I could drink only one kind of beer for the rest of my life -- well, I suppose I'd be grateful to have that one! Especially it wasn't the worst beer I've ever tasted, Chinese-market Suntory, which...
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The Maine Diaspora (Updated and Uplifted!)
I mentioned this week that, while I don't claim expertise on Maine politics -- in particular the dynamic between the Republican candidate who holds the lead in the race for governor and the Independent...
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The Rally, Featuring Jon Stewart As Will Rogers
Jon Stewart's closing pitch was the most effective "we're not all enemies, actually" pitch in quite a long time. This sort of thing was common, and didn't actually have to be said out loud, for a few...
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Followups: Stewart's Evolution as Comedian-Moralist, Deficit Spending
[See 5:30pm UPDATE after the jump]1) I mentioned yesterday Jon Stewart's donning of the Will Rogers mantle in his closing speech at the "Sanity/Fear" rally. Reader J.E. reminded me of this clip, below,...
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Theodore Sorensen
I have nothing momentous to say except that I was sad to hear of his death today. By the time I met him, when I was a downtrodden speechwriter for Jimmy Carter, Sorensen was already the unmatchable...
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The Asian Challenge to Jon Stewart's Dominance
Yes, of course, I'm scare-mongering. As with many other "imminent threats" from the unstoppable Chinese and their East Asian neighbors, the idea that Comedy Central will soon lose its #1 rank in...
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Eve of the Election: From Seattle, From Seoul
Two notes about the current state of American politics, from readers on different sides of the Pacific. First, from a reader in Washington state who has been involved in Democratic politics for years:...
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I Will Say This for GW Bush
That was a great and natural looking ceremonial First Pitch he threw out Sunday night at the fourth World Series game. Throwing starts 20 seconds into this clip (with great Lyle Lovett national anthem...
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Stratfor on the Yemen Bombing Case: The Real Goal
As a diversion from today's election news, but of course also a guide to longer-term political issues, it's worth reading the new Stratfor analysis of the thwarted cargo-bombing plan. The whole thing...
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Looking for a Better Class of Angry- Letter Writer
(Updated below.) At item from the mailbox, from someone with a Chinese family name (but who now says he lives in does not seem to have been to China), offers a "teachable moment." It is in response to...
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As the First 28% of Maine Goes....
... so, perhaps, goes the other 72%? Three hours after the voting booths closed, Eliot Cutler -- the Independent candidate for governor of Maine who was far behind in polls ten days ago but has staged...
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My Only Election Comment: Bennet, Cutler, America, the World
For personal, political, and national reasons I am very relieved that Michael Bennet appears to be pulling out a very narrow victory in the Senate race in Colorado. After an election cycle that again...
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