Whither Health Care

I read one of those "breaking news" stories on the front page of my local newspaper yesterday and it was all about President Obama's team at the Whitehouse having written their own version of comprehensive health care legislation and presented it to the Democratic leadership in Congress. The news story was severely lacking as to the specifics of this latest health care bill -- other than to assert that it really does exist, has been committed to writing and the President expects to see it passed into law. The article went on to say Democratic Senate leaders are determined to pass health care legislation with a simple majority of 51 votes rather than with 60 votes (requiring only a simple majority is sometimes referred to as the "nuclear option"). I will believe this when it actually happens and not until then.

Couric Currency

Couric Currency

Some CBS news employees (faced with lay-offs)felt Katie Couric should give up some of her salary to save their jobs. Get a clue! says Liz Smith. No one does that. Katie C has an iron-clad contract and deserves to keep every dime of her salary.

FOXNews.com - Obama Writing Health Bill to Skirt GOP Filibuster

FOXNews.com - Obama Writing Health Bill to Skirt GOP Filibuster

I doubt the Democrats will actually go "Route 51" on health care legislation.

Dick Cheney versus Joe Biden (and George W. Bush)

After more than a year of ignoring Dick Cheney's pointed criticisms of its handling of the War on Terror the Obama Whitehouse, through the person of Joe Biden, is responding. While there is little Biden has to say on the subject that is new, Biden has given emphasis to two of the better arguments against Cheney; namely, that the Bush Whitehouse abandoned waterboarding and other "enhanced" techniques still favored by Cheney by 2006 and that even Richard Reed the "shoebomber" received prompt Miranda warnings approved by the Bush justice department. In giving Miranda warnings to the Christmas Day bomber the current adminstration is following a policy identical to the policy actually followed when Bush was President. Cheney is not merely urging a continuation of anti-terror policies followed by the Bush Whitehouse, Cheney is seeking the re-adoption of policies rejected by the Bush Whitehouse. To follow Cheney's current position to its immediate and logical conclusion, the Bush administration made America "less safe" from 2006 onward by rejecting tactics favored by Dick Cheney.

Political Memo - G.O.P. Hopes for Senate Control Face Hurdles - NYTimes.com

Political Memo - G.O.P. Hopes for Senate Control Face Hurdles - NYTimes.com

What would it take for the GOP to take control of the U.S. Senate? Republicans would have to win every one of the eight Democratic-held seats viewed as vulnerable — in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, North Dakota and Pennsylvania.

New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg taken to hospital after falling in home

New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg taken to hospital after falling in home

Senator Lautenberg now reported to be okay after hospital visit.

FOXNews.com - Liz Cheney: Biden, Obama Administration Ignoring Al Qaeda Pursuit of WMD

FOXNews.com - Liz Cheney: Biden, Obama Administration Ignoring Al Qaeda Pursuit of WMD

"Liz Cheney repeated her father's contention -- backed up by a study issued last week by Harvard's Kennedy school of Government -- that Al Qaeda is trying "very hard" to get and use a weapon of mass destruction."

The message here is sound, the problem, in the case of Liz Cheney is many people dislike the messenger.