Large Shoes May Remain Unfilled: We do not envy NBC's task of replacing Tim Russert as host of "Meet the Press". Clearly an icon in the field of broadcast journalism, Russert is receiving astounding numbers of tributes, the content and extent of which on a level normally reserved for passing Presidents. We use Michael Calderone's "Sundays after Russert", published Sunday in
www.Polico.com as a guide for speculation concerning who might be the new host (or hostess).
Which Party Takes the Prize in November? David Paul Kuhn weighs in on the subject with a pair of articles taking opposite viewpoints, "GOP strategists mull McCain 'blowout' ", and "Many historians see little chance for McCain", published May 24 and June 15 respectively in Politico. We go from there to
www.fivethirtyeight.com and the opinions posted there, and touch on Tim Russert's math a week ago that yielded a possible electoral vote tie, throwing the selection to the House of Representatives.
Join us for fascinating details.
Administration Spanked By U.S. Supreme Court (again): Thank goodness for reason having prevailed, as we were beginning to wonder whether any of the Constitution would survive this Administration's handiwork. We're talking about the June 12 decision of the Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional Congress's enactment of a statute substituting a very limited right of appeal for a writ of habeus corpus for non-U.S. citizen detainees at Guantanamo. A 5-4 vote made it a squeaker, but bear in mind that 3 of the 5 in the majority were appointed by Republican Presidents. Thanks to Scott Horton for his "Setback for the State of Exception" published Saturday in Harper's, and to Eugene Robinson's "One for the Constitution", published Thursday in
www.truthdig.com for background research and quotes from Justices Kennedy and Scalia and President Bush that are simply quite telling. A must-listen and learn segment!
Throwing Money Away In Worship of the Military Industrial Complex: Hats off to Robert Sheer for his very revealing "Empire or Republic?", posted Saturday in Truthdig. Beginning with warnings from Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, moving to President Eisenhower's farewell address, and ending with Joe Lieberman's request for funding of 2.5 billion dollar submarines, Sheer makes abundantly clear how far down this financial disaster path we have slid. Don't miss this segment.
Can Truth Be Told Anymore? Paul Craig Roberts wonders about journalists and whistleblowers (along with scientists and others) in "Can Truth Retain Its Independence?", published May 30 in
www.informationclearinghouse.info . And no wonder. Seems that those who promote the lies are rewarded with handsome speaking engagement fees, and those who express doubts or who question the powerful are silenced by termination, drastic cuts in research funds or worse. A topic we have addressed before, but an important reminder.
Our plan is to return on Thusday, June 19. Hopefully we'll be armed with some encouraging news. Spread the word and let us hear from you!
