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Category Archives: Columns
This is How China Hacks America: Inside the Mandiant Report – The Daily Beast
The Chinese government just got caught with a smoking cyber gun. Cybersecurity consultant Mandiant released a much-anticipated report Tuesday morning, offering the most detailed look to date inside the Chinese People Liberation Army’s direct involvement in hacking into American government … Continue reading
The Republicans’ Ugly and Shameful Chuck Hagel Filibuster – The Daily Beast
Since the election, Republican talking points have reflected the fact that they need to reach out beyond their base: to be positive rather than negative; appear more reasonable, less obstructionist. But how you act speaks more loudly than what you … Continue reading
Obama’s Chance to Lead or Kick the Can Down the Road – CNN.com
“What we have done is kicked this can down the road. We are now at the end of the road and are not in a position to kick it any further. … We have to signal seriousness in this by … Continue reading
The Scandal of Former State GOP Chairman Jim Greer Is Classic Florida – The Daily Beast
Ah, Florida—the land of sun, sand, and scandal. On Monday, former state Republican Party chairman Jim Greer added his name to the long list of Sunshine State lowlights when, after years of proclaiming his innocence, he pleaded guilty to five … Continue reading
NRA’s enemies list: Most of America – CNN.com
Question: What do George Clooney, Chaka Khan, the American Medical Association, Bon Jovi and C. Everett Koop have in common? Answer: They are among the 500 names on the National Rifle Association’s absurd new “enemies list.” Richard Nixon would be … Continue reading
With Plea Deal, Jesse Jackson Jr.’s Fall From Grace Seems Complete – The Daily Beast
Former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. agreed Friday to plead guilty to charges of misusing campaign funds, in an apparent bid to an end a federal investigation that threatens to also implicate his wife, former Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson. Both had … Continue reading
Essie Mae Washington-Williams, Black Daughter of Strom Thurmond, Dies – The Daily Beast
It’s time to say goodbye to Essie Mae: a woman the world didn’t know until she was 78, and a woman whose very existence exposed the essential hypocrisy of segregation. Essie Mae Washington-Williams, who passed away on Monday, was the … Continue reading
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Super Bowl Blackout Should Help Build Momentum for a Smart Grid – The Daily Beast
The 34-minute Super Bowl blackout is just the most recent high-profile example of a growing national problem. Blackouts are on the rise across the United States, with major power outages doubling over the past decade. The problem is an aging … Continue reading
Republican Conspiracy Nuts on Obama’s Skeet-Shooting Picture – The Daily Beast
The Obama years have been a boom time for conspiracy theories and associated catchphrases. During the first term, the “birthers” dominated this sad and sordid landscape, but in recent weeks we’ve seen the rapid rise and fall of the “Benghazi … Continue reading
‘Hizzoner’ Ed Koch, Three-Term Mayor of New York, Dies at 88 – The Daily Beast
For a generation of Americans, and especially New Yorkers, Ed Koch was simply “Mayor.” It was the title of his bestselling memoir, followed by a sequel, Politics, and even an off-Broadway tribute to Hizzonor. With typical talent for good timing, … Continue reading
Hagel’s Confirmation Hearings Contentious and Partisan – The Daily Beast
The contentious Senate hearing for secretary of defense nominee Chuck Hagel divided starkly along partisan lines, with Republicans attacking their former colleague with the pitchfork zeal of heretic hunters. Hagel’s calm recitation of consensus catechism on issues ranging from Iran … Continue reading
Immigration Reform Proposal Shows Similar Ideas Betweeen Bush and Obama – The Daily Beast
The ghost of George W. Bush is haunting President Obama’s immigration-reform push. The past president serves as both an unlikely inspiration and negative object lesson to the current effort. Because the plan pushed by Bush in his second term bears … Continue reading
A Reality Check for Chuck Hagel Bashers – CNN.com
At Thursday’s Capitol Hill confirmation hearing, Chuck Hagel will finally get to answer his critics. The decorated Vietnam veteran and two-term Republican senator from Nebraska is President Obama’s choice to be the next secretary of defense. But the bipartisan pick … Continue reading
GOP Needs More Northeast Republicans to Save the Party – The Daily Beast
Bobby Jindal’s calling it “the Stupid Party.” Glenn Beck is showing images of elephants dying while cutting up cake. And David Brooks is calling for a second Republican Party. There’s grumbling agreement even among the party faithful that the GOP … Continue reading
Obama’s Odd New Pals on Immigration – The Daily Beast
This time it will be different. After repeated failures at the federal level, comprehensive immigration reform finally looks like a real possibility this year. And that’s because a broad bipartisan coalition has been built in the Senate, motivated by both … Continue reading
Republicans’ Nefarious Election Ploy – The Daily Beast
Something’s rotten in Virginia. Conservatives in the Old Dominion state legislature are quietly plotting what could amount to an electoral coup d’etat: pushing forward a bill that would have delivered the majority of the state’s electoral votes to Mitt Romney, … Continue reading
Jindal, Courage is Not Enough – CNN.com
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal rode into the Republican National Committee retreat in Charlotte, North Carolina, ready to offer a dose of tough medicine for the Republican Party, which he now says “must stop being the stupid party.” “The Republican Party … Continue reading
Where’s the Retaliation for American Deaths in Benghazi and Algeria? – The Daily Beast
Benghazi. Algeria. This is the ground where Americans have been killed by Islamist terrorists over the past four months. And so far, nothing has been done to avenge their deaths. “Avenge.” That’s the word President Obama used when he spoke … Continue reading
‘No Budget, No Pay’ is No-Brainer – CNN.com
If you don’t get the job done at work, you won’t get paid. But Congress plays by its own rules. Specifically, Congress hasn’t passed a budget in almost four years. This is basic — and required by law. Congress seems … Continue reading
In His Inaugural Address, Barack Obama Delivers a Progressive Manifesto – The Daily Beast
“To form a more perfect union” has always been the core idea animating President Obama’s career, an attempt to bridge old divides, blending the personal and the political. The president used his second inaugural address to try to demolish the … Continue reading