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Category: Politics Page 24 of 73

Metro, You’re Making It Really Hard

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On January 12, 2009

In DC, Policy, Politics, Virginia

I’m a big defender of the DC Metro system.   Sometimes I think it’s because I came from a city with a pathetic public transport system (hi, Atlanta!), and other times I think it’s because I can’t stand the sound of one more twit from New York talking about how great the system is back home.  But mostly I defend it because it’s a system that does a pretty good job – given its resources – of serving as circulation system for DC and its surrounding communities.  They’ve got a really difficult funding situation, though – they essentially have to go begging four masters on a regular basis (the Fed, DC, MD, and VA gov’ts) and suffer all the risks and political vagaries that go with that.  So, when faced with the rare chance to put their hands on some serious capital project spending power?  They flub it:

Unfortunately, when WMATA sat down to talk about what kind of projects they had that fit the criteria for economic stimulus, they only came up with $529 million worth of stuff. That’s better than being dishonest and trying to get their hands on billions of dollars worth of money to go waste.

But it also reflects a failure of vision, planning, and leadership. A well-run agency ought not become so cowed by the narrow horizons of conventional political wisdom that it’s left with this little to ask for when the situation changes.

Oh, I could think of something . . .

Obama’s Instinct Is Wrong

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On January 11, 2009

In Law, Politics, Society

This morning’s This Week contains a clue as to whether Obama is taking seriously the rule of law in the United States.  In response to Stephanopolous raising the appointment of a special prosecutor to independently investigate the crimes of the Bush Administration (e.g., torture and warrantless wiretapping), Obama said:

We have not made final decisions, but my instinct is for us to focus on how do we make sure that moving forward we are doing the right thing. That doesn’t mean that if somebody has blatantly broken the law, that they are above the law. But my orientation’s going to be to move forward.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So, let me just press that one more time. You’re not ruling out prosecution, but will you tell your Justice Department to investigate these cases and follow the evidence wherever it leads?

OBAMA: What I — I think my general view when it comes to my attorney general is he is the people’s lawyer. Eric Holder’s been nominated. His job is to uphold the Constitution and look after the interests of the American people, not to be swayed by my day-to-day politics. So, ultimately, he’s going to be making some calls, but my general belief is that when it comes to national security, what we have to focus on is getting things right in the future, as opposed looking at what we got wrong in the past.

This is simply wrong.  You’re not going to know how to get things right in the future if you don’t know what and how you got it wrong in the past.   I understand that it would be a politically unpopular thing to do.  But Obama wasn’t elected just to do popular things.  He was elected to do a job.  His job, as I noted the other day, is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.  You don’t do that by ignoring the people who have turned the Federal government into a vehicle for destroying it.  You don’t do that by providing clear evidence that there are no consequences for breaking the law.  You have Cheney out there essentially daring Congress and the incoming administration to do anything about his actions, and this is Obama’s response?

The saddest part?  Is that we’ve seen this happen before.  And following instincts like Obama’s here is a large part of what made the Bush Administration possible.

Leno Nails It

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On January 10, 2009

In Politics, Society

I can’t believe that I’m quoting Jay Leno, but this bit from a recent monologue involving the Senate not seating Burris is perfect:

“Actually, it looks like Roland Burris will get his Senate seat, but Senate leaders said not until his certificate is signed by the Illinois secretary of state. They say this has been the rule since 1884. They’ve never, ever wavered from this. Of course, over the past eight years, they’ve waived rules against, y’know, torture and spying on Americans and violating the Constitution, but never the little signature.”

Priorities.

“The Secret Service, they’re insane.”

By

On January 9, 2009

In DC, Policy, Politics, Virginia

Yup, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va) is quote as having said that today, about the Fortress DC Lockdown the Secret Service seems to be planning.   Closing all of the bridges from Virginia to DC is bad enough, but making pedestrians prove that they have a right to be in their own neighborhoods?  Yeah, I think we might be approaching insane.

GOP Takes On the Tough (Imaginary) Issues

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On January 8, 2009

In Distribution, Law, Policy, Politics

Looks like the Republican rodeo clowns are already starting their show:

Republicans introduced a bill Wednesday that would bar Congress, President-elect Barack Obama and federal media regulators from bringing back the Fairness Doctrine, which they said would all but eliminate the talk-radio industry.

Maybe we can get a bill to bar bringing New Coke back, too?  As Steve Benen notes:

These guys aren’t pushing a bill to get rid of the Fairness Doctrine, because it’s already gone. They’re pushing a bill to prevent anyone from trying to bring it back — despite the fact that there is no meaningful effort to do so. TNR’s Marin Cogan recently wrote a great piece, noting that she couldn’t find anyone on the left who was serious about reinstating the policy. Cogan explained, “The prospect of being in the opposition often brings out the worst in conservatives — paranoia and self-pity.”

The Republican party likes to go on and on about responsibility and self-reliance, but they’ve got this whiny victimhood thing down pat.

Contempt for the Citizenry

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On January 8, 2009

In Politics, Virginia

Vivian’s got a good point.

Biking to the Inauguration

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On January 8, 2009

In Cycling, DC, Politics

Washcycle carries the WABA press release:

The bike valets will be located on the south side of the Jefferson Memorial and on 16th Street NW between I Street and K Streets NW.  Both will be open from 7am to 5pm.  In case of extreme weather, the valets will be closed, but the unattended bike parking racks will still be available for use.

“Bike valets are very similar to car valets,” said Henry Mesias, project manager at WABA. “You simply ride up to the valet, a volunteer will attach one half of a claim ticket to your bike and hand you the other half.  The volunteer will then park the bike in a safe enclosure while you head off to enjoy the inauguration.  When you want to leave, you show us your half of the claim check and we get you your bike and you ride off.  It’s quite simple.”  Mr. Mesias says that the association is prepared to park well over 1000 bikes.

More details at Washcycle.

Petty Things

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On January 6, 2009

In Personal, Politics

Ah, schaedenfreude.

New Visitor Policy at the U.S. Capitol?

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On January 6, 2009

In DC, Politics

We learned many things from Roland Burris’ visit to the U.S. Capitol today.  While I’m not sure if any of them are particularly useful, this part stood out:

Capitol police officers tried to clear a path for Mr. Burris. “You can’t keep a regular citizen from walking into the Capitol,” one officer shouted.

News to me.  Have you tried walking up those steps, lately?  Any one want to try out this new policy on their lunch break tomorrow and report back?*

*No guarantee of bail express or implied.

If Sens. Feinstein and Rockefeller Don’t Like

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On January 6, 2009

In Policy, Politics

Panetta at the CIA, it makes me think it must be a good idea.

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