Good or bad idea?
Politico-The NRCC is banging the good old culture wars drum today, sending out a raft of press releases asking if rookie Dems from conservative districts back the inclusion of anti-sexually transmitted disease programs.
The title of the release: Do Freshmen Dems Support $335 Million for STD Prevention in “Stimulus”?
The targets: John Adler (NJ-03); [...]

Right or wrong?
WSJ-…The Russian leader mocked U.S. businessmen who he said had boasted at last year’s Davos meeting of the U.S. economy’s fundamental strength and “cloudless” prospects. “Today, investment banks, the pride of Wall Street, have virtually ceased to exist,” he said.
Earlier, Mr. Wen called for an expansion of regulatory “coverage of the international financial [...]

Very good article all should read!
Politico-….Instead of fighting over what should go in the economic stimulus bill, pitting infrastructure spending against tax cuts and contractors against contraceptives, they say lawmakers should be fighting against the very idea of any economic stimulus at all. Call them the Do-Nothing Crowd.
“The economy was too big. It was [...]

Kathy Cox and the pro No Child Left Behind crowd have made the problem worse by mandating all students must be on a college track.
The solution is simple use joint enrollment program for students coordinated with the Tech schools starting in Jr. High. Tech schools must meet graduation and placement requirements for federal loan programs [...]

History has been made again!
Politico-Michael Steele emerged victorious in the election for chairman of the Republican National Committee Friday, and proclaimed a fresh start for a party that faces a long road back to political power.
“This is the dawn of a new party,” Steele said at a press conference following his victory. “There is not [...]

R-Cost of shoring up U.S. banks may be in trillions
The cost of restoring confidence in U.S. financial firms may reach $4 trillion if President Barack Obama moves ahead with a “bad bank” that buys up souring assets.
The figure far exceeds even the most pessimistic estimates of how great the loan losses might be because there [...]

Do you agree?
HP-In his confirmation hearing Eric Holder, President Obama’s nominee for Attorney General, declared definitively that “waterboarding is torture.”
Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, in an interview with National Public Radio’s “Tell Me More” Monday, said he was worried that “making a blanket pronouncement like that” might have a negative “effect … on the [...]

What is the solution?
McK-Two centuries after Charles Darwin’s birth on Feb. 12, 1809, people still argue passionately about his theory of evolution.
Was Darwin right? Should schoolchildren be exposed to contrary views in science class? These two controversies continue to rage, partly because both sides are evenly matched.
Most scientists and courts that have ruled [...]

Why not work with the GOP?

Agree or disagree?
TH-The Supreme Court says a man who was wrongly convicted and spent 24 years in prison may not sue the former Los Angeles district attorney and his chief deputy for violating his civil rights.
The justices, ruling unanimously Monday, say decisions of supervising prosecutors, like the actions of prosecutors at trial, are shielded from [...]

You may have noticed some problems with the blog today. They seem to have sorted themselves out, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for your patience.

Obama’s use of Limbaugh as a wedge between moderate and wingnut Republicans is taking its toll. Chris Matthews apologized on Armey’s behalf.

Politico: Former Rep. Dick Armey was scolded after losing his cool during…a heated debate about the relevance of Rush Limbaugh in the GOP. New York Times columnist Bob Herbert, waiting off camera for an [...]

Is Rove in trouble?
THEHILL-House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) subpoenaed former White House senior adviser Karl Rove, a sign that Democrats are not letting go of investigations the Bush administration stonewalled.
The subpoena requires Rove to testify regarding his role in the Bush administration’s politicization of the Justice Department, including the firings [...]

A real issue?
TH-If the government spends billions on education to help jump-start the staggering economy, what happens when things improve and schools have grown used to the largesse?
That is what Republicans are asking about President Barack Obama’s recovery plan, the largest increase in federal money for schools.
Critics say it is not a short-term boost but [...]

Agree or disagree?
McK-While President Barack Obama was busy closing down our military prison in Guantanamo and shuttering the Central Intelligence Agency’s secret Gulag around the world, Republicans on Capitol Hill were stalling a vote on Obama’s choice for attorney general, apparently in hopes of negotiating a plea bargain on war crimes.
Although it violates everything [...]