Rapey Rape Rape

GOP congressmen still can't keep themselves from talking about rape.  Seems to me if there's one thing you'd want to avoid talking about, it would be that, but they can't help themselves because they truly believe it.  In Republican world if you got pregnant from a rape it means you liked it.

One Coin To Rule Them All

If Republicans again attempt to bring the country to the brink of defaulting on its debt, then yes, Obama should #mintthecoin.  Minting platinum coins is silly, but threatening to block the government from paying its creditors is insane.  Even some in Washington do not seem to understand that the debt ceiling deals with money that has already been appropriated!  If Republicans want to hold money hostage they should do it during the appropriations process and threaten to shut down the government, nut to cause the treasury to default.

I'm getting very tired of governance by hostage taking.  Republicans succeeded in 2011 of bringing down the President's popularity, but obviously they failed in their ultimate goal of making him a one term president.  I don't expect them to join hands with Obama and put all their differences aside, but maybe they could try to advance their views in a way that doesn't destroy the world economy.

Hagelian Dialectic

Today President Obama announced his new nominee for Secretary of Defense will be former Republican Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel.  When I first heard reports Hagel would be the choice a few weeks ago I was weary about a Democratic president appointing another GOP Daddy to the Defense Department, but then I was reminded of the outspoken stand Hagel took against the Iraq War after it became clear it was devolving into a civil war.  Hagel opposed Bush's surge and staked out a position to the left of even some of his Democratic colleagues.

It's clear many Republicans haven't forgotten his heresy by their muted to hostile reactions.  Neocon pundits like Bill Kristol and former Romney campaign stenographer Jennifer Rubin are downright apoplectic at the thought of Hagel being confirmed due to what they claim is his hostility to Israel.  The ire of Rubin and Kristol are enough to make me support Hagel, but his brave Iraq War opposition seals the deal.

My hope is that Hagel's confirmation will show that it is possible to break with Washington's pro-war, Israel-must-never-be-questioned consensus and still advance to higher office.  I doubt Hagel's appointment will result in much policy change, but it's a first step.