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Notebook

Point-Counterpoint

On the Record: A Look at Our Leaders’ Military Service

DumbAss!

The Politics of War

Hiding Behind the Troops: When “Supporting the Troops” Means Political Cowardice – Jamie Beard

Liberals in Washington and around the country are coming under fire for their criticism of the President’s handling of the war. The Republican leadership contends that Democrats’ criticisms of the President and his administration harm the troops by undercutting support and emboldening the enemy. Calls for an exit strategy, timetable, or even some semblance of a coherent plan for completing the mission and leaving Iraq in the hands of the Iraqi army have been decried as “surrender,” “cutting and running,” or worse. Some have even labeled the critics treasonous, asserting that their comments amount to providing “aid and comfort” to the enemy in a time of war. [more]

Schmidt Hits the Fan: Under Fire, Republicans Take Aim at an American Hero – Nathan Schneider

John Murtha, a hawkish former marine and ranking Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee in the House of Representatives, made headlines November 18 when he called for a redeployment of U.S. forces currently in Iraq as soon as it is practicable. He argued that our forces on the ground have no leadership our clear goals, that their presence is helping to fuel the insurgency, and that there is nothing more to be gained by leaving them vulnerable to further attacks. His remarks surprised and angered Republicans, who immediately suited up for their only successful mode of operation—attack mode. [more]

Supreme Court Watch

A Failure of Ethics: Why Alito Cannot Be Trusted on the Highest Bench – Nathan Schneider

We all know that Samuel Alito is a hardcore conservative. So hardcore about states’ rights, for instance, that he disputed Congress’s authority to regulate the sale of machine guns. So hostile to civil liberties that he sided with police who illegally strip-searched a ten-year-old girl for drugs. He is so far out of the mainstream of legal thought that liberals were quick to give him the nickname “Scalito,” equating him with the current anchor of the right wing on the Supreme Court, Justice Antonin Scalia. [more]

Conservative to the Core: Alito’s Extremist Agenda – Rachel Caligiuri

As new information trickles out, it becomes more clear just how dangerous Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito is. If he is confirmed as Sandra Day O’Connor’s replacement, we are likely to see a marked change in such areas as women’s right to privacy, civil liberties, and workers’ rights. His conservative track record leaves us with few questions—except for the one about why Democrats aren’t voicing louder opposition. [more]

Counting the Votes

Ten House Races to Watch in ’06: The Open, The Contested, and the Flat-Out Brawls – Varoon Modak

Some House seats to keep an eye on come November.

Sick of the Status Quo: Disenchantment Leads to Democratic Victories – Brian Wantz

Now that we’re all a little less hung over than we were the morning of November 9th (and 10th and 11th…), we can step back and take a serious look at what Democrats accomplished on Election Day, and what it means for our 2006 prospects. As has been widely reported, Democrats swept races across the country. We launched Tim Kaine to a surprisingly decisive six-point victory to hold on the Governor’s Mansion in Virginia (the erstwhile “red state”); blew out a Republican challenger in the New Jersey gubernatorial; and crushed Governor Schwarzenegger’s desperate attempt to salvage his political career. But those were just the banner races. [more]

Off the Steroids, On the Rocks: Arnold’s Political Power Wilts Away – Suzanne Ruecker

Move over, Arnold. Big-budget productions no longer appeal to the Californians who once voted the governor into office. The California Special Election showed that the Golden State is through with Schwarzenegger’s fables of reform and the growing strength of special interests in the capital. On November 8th, voters shot down all 8 propositions on the ballot, including 4 known collectively as the governor’s “Reform Agenda,” upon which the leading man himself spent $7 million to promote. And Californians are ready to say, “See ya, Arnie.” [more]

Opinion

O’Reilly’s Cordial Invitation: TV Host Invites Terrorists to City by the Bay – Finley Wise

When Michelle Malkin appeared on the November 1st episode of Fox’s The O’Reilly Factor, host Bill O’Reilly was all smiles. Malkin is, after all, very beautiful. She also happens to be an analyst for O’Reilly’s own Fox News Network. She was appearing on the show that day to promote Unhinged: Exposing Liberals Gone Wild, her new book that blasphemes the Democratic Party for purported hypocrisy. She claims that Democrats fashion themselves as paragons of tolerance and civility while underhandedly attacking conservatives with bigoted and derisive remarks the likes of which would make Karl Rove and his neo-con cronies cringe. [more]

Republicans are Immoral (And Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Show It) – Eric Panzer

Recently, Republicans in Congress initiated cuts to food stamps, heating assistance, school lunch funding, and Medicaid—all programs designed to help children, the poor and the elderly. It is hardly unique to my pinko-liberal perspective to think that sticking it to the misfortunate is not nice, immoral, and—in answer to the age-old question—not what Jesus would do. [more]

Sentenced to Death: Injustice at Work – Aurora Masum-Javed

Whether because of the emails he received by the thousand, pressure from the Catholic Church, political considerations, or simple compassion, Governor Schwarzenegger agreed to a clemency hearing for Stanley Tookie Williams, which will be held on December 8. While the governor has made no promises about what he will decide, the hearing represents a glimmer of hope for a man who has become a guiding light for so many. [more]

Debate – Kevin Fingerman

It was curiosity that got me. Being new on campus, I just had to pick up any magazine that billed itself as “Berkeley’s Conservative Student Voice.” I soon found myself with a fresh copy in hand, leafing through the October issue of The California Patriot. I turned to page 21 after a teaser for “In Defense of Feminism” caught my eye, expecting a thought-provoking discussion on the topic. Needless to say, I was surprised to find that it was blank, save for the title: “A Coherent Case for Feminism.” [more]