Archive - 2004

October 4th

McNamara Redux

(Originally published in Greater Democracy)

In a recent blog entry, Professor Gordon L. Bowen at Mary Baldwin College summarizes an editorial which he wrote for the local newspaper. Mary Baldwin College is in Staunton Virginia, and the ghost of Woodrow Wilson looms large there.

(Categories: )

Shoot the messenger!

(Originally published in Greater Democracy)

As a blogger that received press credentials to cover the Democratic National Convention, I found myself being interviewed by members of the mainstream media, including the Wall Street Journal. One of the big topics was dealing with bias. Many bloggers, myself included, wear our biases on our shirtsleeves, or often in the form of political buttons. I am no exception. The argument goes that if you are up front about your biases, people reading what you write can adjust for them. However, if you pretend they aren’t there, and strive to be as unbiased as possible, you will still have your biases slip through. The other side of the argument is that no matter how unbiased you really are, people will attack you for being biased, and if you have been maintaining you are unbiased, they will call you a liar/

October 3rd

October surprises

A lot of people I’ve been speaking with spend a lot of time talking about October surprises. Will the Bush administration miraculously find Osama Bin Laden this month? Will the United States launch a pre-emptive attack on Iran? Will Cheney have heart troubles and have to be replaced by a Republican that hasn’t aliened as many people, such as McCain or Guilliani? I’m not really expecting any of these October surprises.

However, my life has been made up of October surprises, and it seems like this is as good a time as any to reflect on them. This morning, my wife and two of my daughters went to Riverbank Park to help the North Stamford Association. Riverbank Park seems to be one of those places high school students go to have parties on the weekends.

(Categories: )

October 1st

An Open Letter to George Soros

George Soros has a blog! (http://georgesoros.com:80/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Home) He is asking for comments, and I sent the following:

Mr. Soros,

We met at your house at a fundraiser for Howard Dean last year, and I am glad to see your involvement in the Blogosphere. I look forward to reading your comments online.

When Gov. Dean ended his bid for the Presidency, he challenged his supporters to run for local office, and my wife is running for State Representative in Stamford and Greenwich. (http://kimhynes.smartcampaigns.com). The August 30th issue of ‘The Nation’ (http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20040830&s=rogers) spoke about the importance of getting involved with state politics.

(Categories: )

Hard Work

My post debate spin:

Bush repeatedly spoke about it being 'hard work'.

It is hard work telling the truth to the American people.
It is hard work getting other countries to work with us.
It is hard work establishing a plan that fights terrorism and makes the country more secure.

It is about time we elect someone who isn't afraid of hard work.

It is about time we elect John Kerry.