Poplicola

New York Times Columnist Line of the Day – 1 July 2010

yellow new york taxi in front of new york times building

If you’re one of the four-or-so frequent readers of this here blog, chances are you also occasionally check out the New York Times op-ed page. You may even know the names: Thomas “Friedman’s Just Another Word For Nothing Left to Lose” Friedman, Gail “The Colander” Collins, Nicholas “The Dark Crystal” Kristof, &c. Well, I’ve decided to devote a daily feature to these folks, by daily pointing out one line that is either awesome, funny, insightful, intelligent, ridiculous, or utterly divorced from reality. I hope you enjoy. Today’s is from Gail “The Colander” Collins, who in her column...

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Morning Constitutional – Thursday, 1 July 2010

open book beside white ceramic teacup on saucer

Good morning, folks. The new Twilight movie broke some records for 12:01am shows. Now, your morning constitutional: President Obama will push for comprehensive immigration reform today during a speech at American University in D.C. German Chancellor Angela Merkel fights for survival after struggling to get her preferred presidential candidate, Christian Wulff, elected. Turkish aid from a flotilla that attempted to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza but was attacked by Israel starts flowing into Gaza. Turkey is also holding its first high-level meeting with Israel since the flotilla incident. For the third time, Republicans successfully filibustered a bill...

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New York Times Columnist Line of the Day – 29 June 2010

yellow new york taxi in front of new york times building

If you’re one of the four-or-so frequent readers of this here blog, chances are you also occasionally check out the New York Times op-ed page. You may even know the names: Thomas “Friedman’s Just Another Word For Nothing Left to Lose” Friedman, Gail “The Colander” Collins, Nicholas “The Dark Crystal” Kristof, &c. Well, I’ve decided to devote a daily feature to these folks, by daily pointing out one line that is either awesome, funny, insightful, intelligent, ridiculous, or utterly divorced from reality. I hope you enjoy. Today’s is from Roger “Life of the Party” Cohen, who in...

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Morning Constitutional – Tuesday, 29 June 2010

silhouette photo of grass field

Good morning, folks. Steve Carell is indeed leaving The Office after next year. Now, your morning constitutional: General Petraeus appears for confirmation hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee today to lead the war effort in Afghanistan. His confirmation is basically assured, but questions will arise about the President’s strategy for the war. Kagan taking questions during her confirmation hearing; seems to be getting at least a little bipartisan support on the committee; Scott Brown glowingly called her “undoubtedly a brilliant woman who has served her country in a variety of capacities.” Dahlia Lithwick at Slate on...

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Senator Inouye likely to be next president pro tempore of the Senate

united states capitol

With the passing of Senator Byrd, Senator Daniel Inouye is next in line to become the president pro tempore of the Senate. Just want to point out that this makes the presidential line of succession the following: an African-American, an Irish-American, an Italian-American, and, finally, a Japanese-American. Somewhere, Strom Thurmond is turning over in his grave.

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Subjects of the drug cartel

two green cactus plants at daytime

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer believes that most undocumented aliens illegal immigrants er, Mex’cans are here to smuggle drugs. For real (original link went to Washington Post, but that link died): “I believe today, under the circumstances that we’re facing, that the majority of the illegal trespassers that are coming into the state of Arizona are under the direction and control of organized drug cartels and they are bringing drugs in,” Brewer said. “There’s strong information to us that they come as illegal people wanting to come to work. Then they are accosted and they become subjects of...

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Church adopts local public elementary school for Jesus

photo of empty class room

This is going to end well: LAKELAND, Fla.—When his budget for pencils, paper, and other essential supplies was cut by a third this school year, the principal of Combee Elementary School worried children would suffer. Then, a local church stepped in and “adopted” the school. The First Baptist Church at the Mall stocked a resource room with $5,000 worth of supplies. It now caters spaghetti dinners at evening school events, buys sneakers for poor students, and sends in math and English tutors. The principal is delighted. So are church pastors. “We have inroads into public schools that...

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Let the Eagle Soar

brown hawk flying freely

The mighty United States today beat Algeria 1-0 with a goal in the 91st minute. Since England beat Slovenia (at the same time) 1-0, it means (based on goals scored) that the mighty United States won their group and advance to the next round (whoo!).

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New York Times Columnist Line of the Day – 23 June 2010

yellow new york taxi in front of new york times building

If you’re one of the four-or-so frequent readers of this here blog, chances are you also occasionally check out the New York Times op-ed page. You may even know the names: Thomas “Friedman’s Just Another Word For Nothing Left to Lose” Friedman, Gail “The Colander” Collins, Nicholas “The Dark Crystal” Kristof, &c. Well, I’ve decided to devote a daily feature to these folks, by daily pointing out one line that is either awesome, funny, insightful, intelligent, ridiculous, or utterly divorced from reality. I hope you enjoy. Today’s is from Thomas “Friedman’s Just Another Word For Nothing Left...

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