Monthly Archives: April 2007

Something Cheerful

Posted on April 17, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

After that last post, we need something life-affirming. Meet The Zimmersband.

It might cheer you up.

If you can't be bothered to follow the link above (which has information about the band that made me smile), here's their first video:

Posted in Kultcha | 1 Comment

Tragedy at Va. Tech.

Posted on April 16, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

Virginia Tech today: A maniac with a gun, and lots of ammo.

Two sets of shootings. At least 22 dead, including students and the gunman. Washington Post says 32 dead and dozens injured.

Hug your kids tonight.

Posted in Law: Criminal Law | Comments Off on Tragedy at Va. Tech.

I Think This is VERY Cool

Posted on April 16, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

Sounds like it wants to be an open-source public-spirited distributed YouTube on steroids.

Joho the Blog: Podcorps Nation The Conversations Network (a non-profit from the same folks who bring you IT Conversations) has just launched Podcorps, an all-volunteer team of “stringers” who will record the audio and sometimes the video of public events that matter to people.

Once you register, you can search for events near you that you can sign up to record. Or, if you know of an event you'd like covered, go stick it into the calendar. (The FAQ says that some stringers may want some help covering expenses, but this is intended to be an entirely non-profit enterprise.) The stringers can then publish the media where they want, although Podcorps expects most will post them at OurMedia.org and the Internet Archive where they are freely available to anyone.

Posted in Internet | Comments Off on I Think This is VERY Cool

Rots From the Head?

Posted on April 16, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

Talking Points Memo has an important point about the US Attorney firing scandal (“the Gonzales 8”): the White House has never denied that G.W. Bush participated in the decision.

And there's mounting evidence that he did.

Isn't it amazing that the press took a non-denial denial about Bush's direct involvement in the firing decision (“Anything’s possible … but I don’t think so.” — Tony Snow) and just let the matter drop? Shouldn't they be asking about this at every gaggle and press conference until they get a straight answer?

Lapdogs.

Posted in Politics: US: GW Bush Scandals | 1 Comment

The Economy

Posted on April 16, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

At The Agonist Bonddad asks, “So, are you better off now than you were 7 years ago?”

click for clearer image

Incidentally, the Bonddad Blog is worth a look too.

Posted in Econ & Money | Comments Off on The Economy

Fred Fielding Tries to Save His Reputation?

Posted on April 14, 2007 by Michael Froomkin

Heard an interesting snippet on NPR yesterday, and I found the transcriplt at NPR : Documents Show Justice Ranking U.S. Attorneys. Here's the key quote:

In a letter Thursday, White House Counsel Fred Fielding told Congress he won't budge from his original offer — to let Congress interview White House staffers privately, with no oath or transcript.

Sources tell NPR that Fielding actually wants to negotiate with Congress about how the interviews will take place. But Fielding has not been able to persuade President Bush to go along.

Assuming this is accurate, the most likely back story to this leak is that Fred Fielding is trying to save his reputation. And that means there's some really bad stuff lurking behind the stonewall. It also fits the public image of Bush as stonewaller-in-chief. (Shorter GW Bush: 'Congress, read my lips, no Iraq withdrawal. But come on by for a chat and I'll be happy to harangue you as long as you listen quietly.')

An alternate explanation for this story is that someone, perhaps Fielding perhaps someone else, is trying to put pressure on Gonzales or the White House to see reason. But I think that's less likely here. In previous administrations, leaks like this used to be salvos fired in internecine wars among the palace guard. That's been remarkably not the case in this administration due to a combination of exemplary message discipline and know-nothing disinterest in both reportage and reality. Then again, Fielding earned his chops in two of those earlier administrations…

Posted in Politics: US: GW Bush Scandals | 1 Comment