"It’s important to have long memories, because the language about “small government” and “states rights” is with us today, and there’s no reason to think the basic meaning has changed significantly from the days when it was about stopping black people from voting. “States rights” dresses itself up as anti-tyrannical language, but it’s actually pro-tyranny. It’s about crafting a nation that makes it the easiest to use government power to override individual rights. Remember this picture every time you hear someone waxing on about the inherent nobility of “leaving it to the states”, because odds are they’re beating the same drum they have since the South lost their war to preserve slavery," – Amanda Marcotte.
Month: January 2008
Max Blumenthal’s Huckavideo
Larison is underwhelmed. Here’s the vid.
How Crazy Is Tom Cruise?
Watch him recruit for the Super Adventure Club. He’s there to help you. That’s all. Money quote:
"If you’re on board, you’re on board, just like the rest of us."
“Do I Look Nervous?”
“Am I nervous at all? Do I look nervous? I am having a great time. This is a strategy we selected — it is the only strategy that can work for us and it’s a good one… and given the nature of the race which is wide open, we think it is going to turn out to be a smart strategy." – Rudy Giuliani.
A Green Case For McCain
One might even wonder if a McCain presidency, combined with a Democratic Congress, offers the best chance for a bipartisan-yet-still-decent emissions-reduction bill to get enacted and stay enacted. (Think Schwarzenegger and health care in California.) I’m skeptical, but it’s not an outlandish argument.
The Clinton Temptation
Hilzoy has a must-read post. Money quote:
Many Democrats, myself included, believe that the Clintons were subjected to an unprecedented campaign of vilification during the 1990s. We are angry about this. Since I share this anger, it should go without saying that I find it completely comprehensible. But I don’t think that it would be a good idea for us to nominate a candidate who brings it out in us, especially not in an election that truly has the potential to reshape the political landscape.
Most obviously, when Hillary Clinton is attacked, it makes a lot of us angry all over again. And it seems to me that a lot of Democrats don’t just get angry in whatever way the current attack warrants. We have a lot of leftover anger from the 1990s, and it tends to spill out. I don’t think this is particularly useful if we want to win.
Those Stimulus Plans
Which would do more damage: Clinton’s or Obama’s?
Cyclists For Obama
A key constituency makes its choice.
Red State Dems
There’s a stampede away from the Clintons.
An Emotion Map
How to get around a big city and avoid the stress.
The Dish 