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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
July 10, 2009
18 Tamuz 5769
Political Junkies, the Doctor Is in
By
Roger Simon
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
A new feature: Ask Dr. Politics! A forum for civil exchange in a civil society.
Dear Dr. Politics: You attack Mark Sanford for "walking off his job" to visit his soul mate in Argentina, but you praise Sarah Palin for quitting her job when she has 18 months left to serve. Can you explain the difference? Thank you. You are a poltroon, a sluggard, a miscreant and a wretch.
Reply: The difference is that Mark Sanford continued to draw his salary during his dalliances. He took off for nearly a week, didn't tell anybody where he was going and chose funny business over state business.
Sarah Palin, on the other hand, is giving up her state paycheck rather than rip off the taxpayers while she jets around the nation speaking at political dinners or taking trips to exotic locations to "encourage trade," which is what governors usually do. Sure, she will make a bundle, but she won't make it off the people of Alaska anymore.
And even when politicians are "at work," they are not always working. According to the inestimable Mark Knoller (inestimable is a good thing), who is a CBS News White House correspondent and the unofficial statistician of the press corps, during George W. Bush's two terms in office, he spent all or part of 490 days at his Texas ranch and all or part of 487 days at Camp David. I'll do the math for you: That's 2.7 years. Or, to put it another way, George W. Bush spent one out of every three days on vacation.
OK, maybe that's unfair. Presidents do real work at their "Western White Houses" and at Camp David. And I suppose you could not preside over an unnecessary and tragic war and a devastating economic collapse without putting in some real hours.
But regarding Palin, I don't understand why people who hate her want her to stay in office. We should encourage more incumbents to quit, not fewer.
Dear Dr. Politics: Is it possible to buy some salon time with you? I think it could lead to an informative exchange of important views in a calm and serious atmosphere. Also, you are a cullion, a cur, a hound and a loggerheaded, beef-witted harpy.
Reply: Let me be clear about one thing: Dr. Politics is for sale. Dr. Politics believes what his father always told him, "G-d gave us two hands to grab all we can with them."
For $100 (nothing bigger than 10s, serial numbers not in order, nothing traceable), you can call me on the phone. For $200, I will answer the phone. For $300, I will come to your house and read my column to you. For $500, I will mow your lawn in one of those cool patterns they use at ballparks. (How do they do that, by the way?) For $1,000, I will write that you are on the "shortlist" for the 2012 Republican nomination. For $2,000, I will say you show "real potential" with "committed activists" in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. For $5,000, I will say you are a "unifying" and not a "polarizing" figure. For $10,000, I will agree not to write about you at all. I call this last one my Blue Light Front-Runner Special.
Dear Dr. Politics: Is there anybody who can beat Barack Obama? Thank you, you dankish, crook-pated, gorbellied, rough-hewn bugbear.
Reply: Much as we in the punditry business would like to pretend otherwise, the future is unpredictable. But let us imagine it is the fall of 2012, the Dow has fallen to 5,000, unemployment has risen to 20 percent, travel and commerce are paralyzed by a new Arab oil embargo, cable TV has raised its rates yet again and bands of flesh-eating zombies roam the streets.
I say Obama still wins by one to three percentage points.
Dear Dr. Politics: Obama may look unbeatable to you, but a recent Quinnipiac poll found Obama getting only a 49 percent approval rating in Ohio, which is dramatically down from his 62 percent approval rating in May. Is this indicative of a wider trend, or is this poll an outlier? Thanks, doofus.
Reply: It may be indicative of a wider trend. I cite as evidence a recent story from a major wire service that began: "WASHINGTON — Democrats achieved their biggest majority in the U.S. Senate in decades on Tuesday as Al Franken of Minnesota finally took his seat — but President Barak Obama will still have to fight hard to muster the votes to pass health care reform and other major initiatives."
When the press no longer spells the president's name correctly, that president could be in real trouble. It was a sure sign for Dik Nixon.
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Roger Simon Archives
© 2009, Creators Syndicate
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