3/31/2005
Cederberg the Republican Candidate?
by Matt Singer on 5:18 pm.
(Post written solely for people interested in following student politics at The University of Montana.)
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: montana |
Rumors that Pope has Received Last Rites
by Matt Singer on 4:34 pm.
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: general |
Kulturkampf: Fatwas in a Culture of Life
by Matt Singer on 4:30 pm.
DCMediaGirl brings our attention to Dan Kennedy’s “An American Fatwa” in which he explains how journalistic malpractice, false witnesses, and a fundamentalist movement have combined to make Michael Schiavo and Judge George Greer the new Salman Rushdies.
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: cultural, law |
Sierra Club Showdown
by Matt Singer on 4:23 pm.
New email from MoveOn.org sitting in my inbox. It seems that the Sierra Club is again facing a takeover by people who think they need to focus on immigration issues. This time they are pushing an anti-immigration ballot issue. Groundswell Sierra is asking for support and also has recommended candidates for the Board — apparently to avoid placing anti-immigration candidates on Sierra Club’s board.
One of those six endorsed candidates, Jennifer Ferenstein, is a fellow Missoulian and former Sierra Club President, so she has my backing. Of course, I’m not a member, but if you are, make sure you vote. This is an important debate in the environmental community.
| Comments (3) | Permanent Link | Categories: environment, political |
White House Worried About Montucky
by Matt Singer on 3:58 pm.
Bob Brigham has the analysis at Swing State Project. Long story short — why would GWB, Karl Rove, and John Snow all be making high profile visits unless the Republicans were worried about this state? There is no good answer there.
Why they have chosen to center those efforts on Social Security is beyond me. Baucus’s stance is popular in Montana. All the hometown attention is doing is pressuring Rehberg and Burns to adopt a stance that could seriously hurt their reelection chances.
Update – I should add that if you want to keep the White House nervous, you should check out Third Degree PAC. No candidates have formally announced their race against Burns (although the horses will come out of the gates soon), but Third Degree is gearing up to play a role in this election. Check them out.
| Comments (1) | Permanent Link | Categories: Conrad Burns, democrats, montana, political, republicans |
Why American Hegemony?
by Matt Singer on 12:31 pm.
Brad Plumer looks at the reasons why America is hegemonic. That America is the global hegemon currently goes, as he says, without question.
But he wonders what all this dominance is for.
He lists a few possibilities:
- By being dominant, we can prevent someone else from becoming dominant.
- By being dominant, we can prevent instability.
- By being dominant, we can promote good internationally.
So Ezra joins in. Ezra concludes that American dominance results from a certain sense of nationalism and hesitance to let someone else lead the world, even though not being the hegemon brings certain domestic benefits (like butter since there are fewer guns).
But both analyses miss something.
| Comments (1) | Permanent Link | Categories: foreign, policy |
Bozeman Democrats Oppose Privatization
by Matt Singer on 12:11 pm.
Bozeman Democrats opposed the “Snow Job” that went to town yesterday, advocating privatization. Pictures are up on their website.
Some of the notable names:
- Dorothy Eck – Progressive Champion and Former State Senator
- Tracy Velasquez – Former US House Candidate; Vice Chair, Gallatin County Dems
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: democrats, montana, political |
What the Dems Need to Do
by Matt Singer on 12:08 pm.
Ezra Klein has some good advice for Democrats. Dave Budge also has some good advice that Democrats should pay attention to. One thing people seem to be noting is that CAP and other similar ventures are creating worthwhile centers for progressive thought. That’s true, but it is certainly critical that progressive and Democratic do not become synonymous. If CAP becomes little more than just an echo chamber for Democratic proposals, it will not be in good shape. It needs to become an institution that the Democrats rely upon for ideas, not the other way around.
| Comments (6) | Permanent Link | Categories: policy, political |
Spectator Needs New Spectacles
by Matt Singer on 10:54 am.
Bill Croke, a Wyoming writer, has his take on Brian Schweitzer in a new American Spectator article that really confuses Montana’s changing demographics:
Montana’s demographics — like those of most neighboring states — have changed radically in the last decade. The scenic mountain counties in the western third of the state have seen an influx of what the locals sarcastically call “Californicators,” a population surge of semi-retired Baby Boomers, recreation-minded Gen Xers, and entrepreneurial “modem cowboys,” all pushing the political compass to the Left. Schweitzer carried the fast-growing college and ski towns of this region such as Bozeman, Missoula, and Kalispell, not to mention Butte, a Democratic stronghold thanks to its blue collar, mining-union history.This is riddled with errors. I’ve never heard a local use the term “Californicators” — that being almost like a hip Red Hot Chili Peppers reference. We simply call them “Californians” or “God damn out-of-staters.” As for the three groups that he sees coming into the state, they actually aren’t “pushing the political compass to the Left.” The most conservative age bracket in Montana (30-40 year olds) is composed largely of Gen Xers. The semi-retired Baby Boomers moving into the state are often fiscal conservatives and social moderates who vote Republican on pocketbook issues.
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: democrats, montana, montucky, political, republicans |
White Supremacists are Still Terrorists
by Matt Singer on 10:39 am.
but only according to the Black Eyed Peas (I’m talking about the song with the hilarious JT choruses), not to the Bush Administration.
Didn’t some White Supremacists just assassinate a federal judge’s family? Isn’t political violence terrorism? And isn’t murder just a bit worse than even ALF and ELF’s deplorable acts?
Update – It turns out White Supremacists did not do that, despite initial speculation. Thanks to Jeff for the heads up in comments.
| Comments (1) | Permanent Link | Categories: policy, terror |
Resource Extraction Day at New West
by Matt Singer on 10:26 am.
Interested in natural resource economics and politics in the Rocky Mountain West? Have no fear — New West Network is covering it today.
Richard Martin writes about the drilling of politics in Colorado (I believe I actually mean the politics of drilling, excuse me), where some areas are seeing gas prices near $3.00.
Meanwhile, I’ve got a story on the basics of oil and gas extraction economics and how they are playing out in real-time in the coalbed methane rich river beds of Montana and Wyoming — the two states are taking different approaches so far, but both are facing lawsuits from conservation groups.
Meanwhile, in our ongoing efforts to remind everyone that when it comes to the drive for oil and gas extraction, Jonathan Weber highlights the Goldman Sachs prediction of a “super-spike in oil prices.
If oil and gas aren’t your thing, Courtney Lower writes about the outcome of an environmental lawsuit on a silver mine in the Cabinet Mountains. And Jeff Hull evaluates a potential deal between the timber industry and Washington State aimed at preserving salmon, but Hull predicts the plan may actually send them to sleep with the fishes (isn’t that where they sleep any way).
So, yeah, the rumors about Western politics being driven by environmental issues in a way that national elections turn on national security — it is kinda true.
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: environment, montucky, policy, political |
Great Definition of Journalism
by Matt Singer on 9:55 am.
Matthew Yglesias really hits the nail on the head:
Bloggers, you see, aren’t real journalists because journalists do reporting and reporting means “calling people on the telephone and taking their statements at face value” (alternative definition: “attending press conferences and taking diligent notes”) whereas inquiries of this sort aimed at revealing new information is just a lazy waste of time. After all, if the Guckert story were worth investigating, the real journalists would have investigated it, right? Right? Well….Take a look at the empty efforts that have earned his derision.
[That was sarcasm, folks.]
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: cultural, political |
New Poll Shows Burns Vulnerable
by Matt Singer on 9:36 am.
A new DSCC poll finds Burns has only a 49% positive job performance rating, with 47% giving him negative ratings. Fewer than 50% report positive views on his likeability as well.
Unsurprisingly, with those numbers only 36% of voters are saying they will definitely or probably vote for him, while 27% will definitely or probably vote against him.
Even if these numbers are a bit skewed because they are DSCC, this is a race.
MOE plus-or-minus 4% at 95% confidence.
| Comments (8) | Permanent Link | Categories: Conrad Burns, montana, political, republicans |
Every Once in a While
by Matt Singer on 1:18 am.
I read letters to the editor that leave me scratching my head. Take this one in today’s Gazette:
I took my 5-year-old son to the Easter egg hunt at South Park. The children were separated into age groups. While waiting, organizers of the event walked around and said, “No parents (in the hunt area) please.” They even said it over the loud speaker repeatedly. As soon as the bell rang, children ran out – and so did a large number of parents. The lady next to me ran out with her daughter while I yelled “no parents.” My son returned crying with only one egg. He was one of the lucky ones. I saw kids leaving with nothing. As he stood there crying, the lady next to me returned with a basket full of eggs, couldn’t look me in the eye, only dropping her head in shame.can understand being pissed off about this as a parent, but is writing a letter going to accomplish much? Probably not except for a handful of people clucking like mother hens at the state of the world (is that a mixed metaphor or merely a bizarre one?).Easter egg hunts are for kids, not how much a parent can get for their child. All of you parents who did this, you should be ashamed of yourself to the utmost degree. The organizers did their job as well as they could, but greedy parents couldn’t behave. Shame on you parents. You have ruined the fun of Easter for my child and many others, disgusted me (I am sure I am not the only one) and have embarrassed yourselves. Take a good look in the mirror. Greed is not very Christian like, especially on Easter. Teach your children better than you behave.
That said, what the Hell are these other parents thinking? Is getting an easter egg really such a large accomplishment that you feel vindicated in your success? Or was it merely for the thrill of the hunt – hunting an inanimate object with 5-year-olds for competition?
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: cultural, general |
Eh?
by Matt Singer on 1:12 am.
Treasury Secretary John Snow visited Bozeman yesterday. In addition to saying that he hadn’t heard a good reason to not privatize social security, he also expressed concerns that America’s deficits are starting to worry markets.
Uh, John, wouldn’t that be the beginning of a fairly simple argument as to why privatization shouldn’t be socialized? I think it’s called transition costs. It’s like gas money only for your crazy policy.
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: economic, policy, social security |
3/30/2005
The Best Have Fallen, The Rest Will Follow…
by Matt Singer on 10:37 pm.
The Abu Ghraib scandal fallout has mostly hurt enlisted soldiers. But with word that one of the brass apparently authorized disciplinary techniques far in excess of the standard and then perjured himself, we may see some of the people who should bear more responsibility end up taking it.
That would be welcome.
| Comments (1) | Permanent Link | Categories: law |
Grand Old Partition
by Matt Singer on 9:58 pm.
Jerome Armstrong sees the Christian Right preparing to bolt the Republican Party over the Bush brothers unwillingness to intervene to a greater degree in the Terri Schiavo case. Off to the America First Party, he predicts.
Meanwhile, Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit writes in the online pages of Salon.com that the Republican Party has abandoned its small government roots – signaling that some may opt Libertarian or simply sit it out next time.
Looks like the GOP is in an awkward sandwich. Any additional moves at this point only further alienate one portion of their base.
Interestingly, the Democratic base isn’t saying much about how the party was divided on this issue. Maybe it is just that we are more willing to suck it up at this point. I don’t know.
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: democrats, political, republicans |
Get Email Updates on the Latest Writing
by Matt Singer on 9:32 pm.
I’m going to give this whole Email list thing a shot. If you’re interested in getting a quick email when a new article or column of mine is online or when there’s an important post here or one of the other places I write, please subscribe.
There won’t ever be more than one or two emails a day and typically only a couple per week. I’ll probably reserve it for articles and maybe just the posts I’m proud of. I mean, they are all my children, but I just really don’t love them all equally.
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: general |
I’ll Accept Your Invitation and Raise You One
by Matt Singer on 8:11 pm.
The University of Montana’s College Republicans have issued an invite to Senator Baucus “with Montana’s youth.” I’m more than happy to debate the social security issue with virtually anyone, but I don’t think I need to debate Senator Baucus, because he’s on the same side as me (that would be the side of truth and light).
I will, however, accept an invitation to debate Social Security privatization on campus any time, so let’s do that one. I’d also like to invite the President, our junior Senator, or lone Congressman back out here for a debate with “Montana’s youth” any time they are interested.
What do you say? Anyone in the College Republicans willing to debate Social Security privatization? Maybe we could do it on the radio? Would KBGA be interested? Actually, does KBGA even have a political radio show any more?
| Comments (1) | Permanent Link | Categories: gop e-brief watch, political, social security |
Senator Tester, Still Fighting
by Matt Singer on 8:07 pm.
Have I mentioned that Jon Tester is one of my favorite legislators?
If you’re not from around here and thought Brian Schweitzer was the only Montana Democrat with the cajones to question the President when this Administration was hurting Montana’s best interests, check out Senator Tester has to say:
Senate President Jon Tester said Wednesday that Republicans in Montana and Washington, D.C., are to blame for some of the big increase in the state’s proposed budget.ng about big increases in state spending? That’s what happens when the feds don’t pick up their share of the tab.Over half of the $103 million increase in state spending on human service programs is a result of cuts in federal aid for Medicaid, and other services, due to “poor fiscal management” by a GOP administration and Republican-controlled Congress, said the Big Sandy Democrat.
He also takes Montana Republicans to task, charging them with failing to adequately fund education in the past, leaving it to the Democrats to take on that responsibility.
Minority Leader Bob Keenan said this is Jon Tester is defensive because Democrats have no fiscal discipline.
Senator Keenan — it was your party that violated the budget laws in 2001, not ours. Senator Tester is going to meet his obligations and operate within the law. That’s pretty damn good. It’s something y’all failed to do, repeatedly.
| Comments (0) | Permanent Link | Categories: montana, political |
