http://www.drewmocracy.com Perspectives on politics, parenting and personal technology from just outside the beltway Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:54:14 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Chris Matthews corners Michele Bachman on her facile association between "liberal" and "anti-American." Truly, she has nothing to contribute toward solving the challenges facing our nation. Hat tip to Oliver Willis. Share This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/10/17/rep-michele-bachman-obama-is-anti-american/  After a week of telling audiences both from the stage and in ads that Obama is a terrible, scary person who "pals around with terrorists," McCain is now correcting audience members who parrot the trash back to him. ABC News has video and excerpts: "Frankly we're, we're scared," one voter told McCain. ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/10/10/mccain-obama-is-a-decent-person/ If you live in Virginia, you can vote now. Yes, today. You don't need to wait until election day. and face long lines. If you work far from your home, don't let bad traffic, poor weather, or long lines affect your ability to exercise your right to vote. Many election offices ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/10/08/yes-virginia-voting-has-started/ My son and I spent a few hours today at the Small Press Expo, an annual festival of comics and cartooning in Bethesda, Md. Our biggest find was discovering Frank Cammuso, author of a terrific new children's comic book, Knights of the Lunch Table. My son and I just read his ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/10/05/exploring-knights-of-the-lunch-table-and-more/ Scout Tufankjian, a photographer for Newsweek, Time, the New York Times  has an amazing portfolio of Obama photos. I found these via my buddy Tim Arnold.Share This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/10/03/amazing-obama-photographs/ It's been a revealing week of excerpts from Sarah Palin's interviews with Katie Couric. Let's recap: Palin can't name a single court case that she disagrees with other than Roe v. Wade. If a girl was raped and impregnated by her father, she would counsel the girl to "choose life." Although her running ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/10/02/what-i-learned-from-the-couric-palin-interviews/ Next time someone tries to tell you that Obama hasn't been specific about what he's do, or that "change" is just a slogan, show them this video: Share This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/09/22/a-blueprint-for-change/  McCain just lost the critical astronomer vote. My father, a professional astronomer, passed this along to me. Apparently McCain hates planetariums. They are "foolishness." From an AP Story: [McCain] was asked about nearly $200 million in congressional pet projects Palin requested for 2009 for her state, despite her boasts that she ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/09/17/mccain-loses-the-astronomer-vote/ Sarah Pallin is clearly unfamiliar with the cornerstone of Bush's failed foreign policy. Charlie Gibson: Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine? Sarah Palin: In what respect, Charlie? Charlie: What do you interpret it to be? Palin: His worldview. Charlie: No, No, the Bush Doctrine. He enunciated it ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/09/11/palin-unfamiliar-with-bush-foreign-policy/ The most shocking thing about McCain's selection of Sarah Palin is that he only met her once or twice before deciding that she was qualified to serve as the most powerful leader on Earth. Now, he's asking us to get to know her in fewer than 70 days. As conservative Andrew Sullivan ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/08/31/sarah-palin-a-stranger-to-mccain/ I thought Joe Biden gave an effective acceptance speech last night, and one section resonated with me personally. I've been taking AmTrak between Washington and New York quite a lot in the past year. In fact, I'm taking a train tonight. There's truth in the romanticism of train travel. You wind ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/08/28/biden-grounded-in-america/ Scene: Cohen dinner table earlier. Son approaches father, Pokeman card in hand. Son: Daddy, look, my friend gave me a Pokeman card at camp. Me: Cool, I like it. Son: I need 15 of them to play. You can buy more cards for me. They don't cost very much. They are very, ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/08/12/a-pokeman-play-in-one-act/ Sorry for the radio silence on this blog, but with the Onion churning out political satire this spot on, why should I exert myself brewing up original commentary? Share This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/07/11/bush-surveys-damage-caused-by-his-presidency/ Once in awhile, I find that my podcasts don't download completely. Here I am, listening to the show in iTunes or on my iPod, and suddenly the episode just stops. I look  closely and realize the the episode's total running time is shorter than is supposed to be. The balance ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/06/11/fixing-incomplete-podcast-episodes/ Exciting news this week for Internet movies (photo above). First, Netflix has released a $99 box that lets you watch their titles on your TV. You get instant access to 10,000 of their nearly 100,000 titles -- mostly older titles and TV shows. Even more exciting: The Blockbuster Museum is now ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/05/21/2-milestones-in-internet-movie-downloads/ Hillary should stay in the race until the elections are over on June 3. It's just two weeks from tomorrow. Speaking as someone who declared support for Obama when he first got in the race, I'm fine with Clinton staying in through the final primary. She's been campaigning for some two ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/05/19/hillary-should-stay-in/ When Barack Obama takes to stage to give his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on August 28, it will be the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Poetry. (Hat tip: Some Guy With a Web Site.)Share This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/05/08/nice-timing/ I watched a few dozen 30-second ads from MoveOn.org's "Obama in 30 Seconds" campaign -- a small sample of the over 1,000 entries. It was amazing how many submissions did a variation of people looking into the camera and saying "I am change" or "I am hope" or some variation ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/04/28/my-picks-obama-in-30-seconds/ In wake of last week's horribly-moderated debate by Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos, August nicely recaps their absurdities.Share This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/04/21/abc-news-fire-brigade/ Lawrence Lessig, Professor of Law at Stanford, gives a cogent, clear, and interesting presentation about why he's supporting Barack Obama. This has been floating around the net since early February, but worth re-posting in case you haven't yet see it. When done with this, you can watch his video explaining why ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/04/20/a-clear-explanation-for-supporting-obama/ If you haven't yet seen the videos by Josh Marshall's new outfit, get yourself over to Veracifier.com with all deliberate speed: Veracifier's is topped only by the Daily Show in its ability to distill hours of video footage down to the tastiest cuts of meat. Here for instance, they showcase Doug ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/04/18/stupid-guy-defends-iraq-invasion/ Articles by NPR, Politico, the New York Times, and other mainstream media sources, are painting a picture of a steep hill for Hillary. NPR Blog: Media Ask "The Beginning of the End for Clinton?": A "drumbeat" has started to sound in the media the past week with the speech on race by ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/03/23/true-narrative-emerging-hillary-cant-win-nomination/ Marc Andreessen, co-author of the world's first graphic web browser and co-founder of Netscape Communications, has endorsed Barack Obama. It's a thoughtful post, based on his impressions during an 1.5-hour meeting with Obama a year ago. He writes that in person, Obama is quite authentically normal: I've spent time with a lot ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/03/04/netscape-founder-endorses-obama/ Spoiler alert! Thanks to the crack reporters at the Onion, the winner of the 2008 election can be known today. (For an entertaining read on the problems with Diebold's electronic voting machines, I recommend Brave New Ballot.) Diebold Accidentally Leaks Results Of 2008 Election EarlyShare This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/02/29/election-results-leaked/ Yesterday, I wrote about attending Barack Obama's town meeting in Alexandria. Today, the Washington Post published a photo in today's paper that -- through the magic of digital enhancement -- shows me and my friend Jen in the crowd. Why are we not actually looking at the candidate? That I ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/02/11/spotted-in-the-obama-crowd/ Barack Obama visited T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria earlier today, and I was lucky enough to get a ticket. I got there at 9:30 a.m., doors opened a little after noon. Obama didn't take the stage until after 3. It was well worth the wait. T.C. Williams, by the way, ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/02/11/obama-brings-hope-to-alexandria/ Please, God, no: Still crunching numbers here, looking at absentees in American Samoa, reading the exits from Alaska, etc., and the one obvious conclusion is that the contest for the Democratic nomination may be decided by the very frightening Credentials Committee mentioned yesterday by Howard Dean. The Credentials Committee will ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/02/06/scalia-to-pick-democratic-winner/ I banged my forehead a few days ago which necessitated a trip to the ER, but caused no permanent damage other than some ugly bruising around my eye. The story of how it I did it is so klutzy and lame that it will never be widely told. Fortunately, my ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/01/30/black-eye/ The Washington Post reports that Bill Richardson's endorsement is being heavily courted by both the Clinton and the Obama campaigns. He's received calls from Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy, as well as both candidates themselves. Richardson is torn as he is an former member of the Clinton Administration. But as the Post ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/01/29/richardson-saved-by-obama/ Getting no respect. But quite funny. Mysterious Traveler Entrances Town With Utopian Vision Of The Future (Tim is right. Posting videos is much easier than writing).Share This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/01/28/john-edwards-the-rodney-dangerfield-of-presidential-candidates/ I love this video. Not only does it use clips from Election, one of my favorite movies, but it beautifully encapsulates the Clinton campaign's sense of entitlement. As a friend said yesterday, "she's largely riding Bill's coat tails." That's overstating it a bit. Still, while I respect her long career ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/01/24/hillary-clintons-inner-tracy-flick/ As we pause to honor Dr. King's birthday today, let's recall the political struggle it took to get the holiday approved in the first place. It took a backlash against Old South rhetoric to turn the tide. In short: In 1983, the holiday was opposed by Ronald Reagan and many (but ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/01/21/mlk-day/ If he goes the distance, Barack Obama's victory speech in Iowa may ultimately be the more historic. It's gotten a lot of praise over the past few days and deservedly so. This line was particularly nice: "Years from now, you'll look back and you'll say that this was the moment, ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/01/06/john-edwards/ In wake of Obama's win in the Iowa caucuses tonight, and Jon Edwards (apparent) second place finish, I'm reminded of one of the chief maxims taught to me at my political campaigning program: every campaign is about either the future or the past. The 2008 presidential campaign is the first campaign ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2008/01/04/the-future-or-the-past/ I'm overdue to upgrade my cell phone, which I bought in 2003. My current phone has been, for me at least, a very reliable LG VX6000. I've been drooling over the iPhone with its visual voice mail, integrated Google Maps, Safari browser, slick email, and beautiful screen. But alas, as everyone ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/12/28/2008-consumer-reports-cellular-survey/ The Bad Astronomer has posted his top 10 astronomy photos of 2007. My favorite is his pick for number 2, even if it is actually a video. It shows a solar eclipse taken from a space-based solar satellite. A total solar eclipse, you may know, is when the moon passes in ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/12/22/amazing-solar-eclipse-video/ In my neck of the woods, there are plans afoot to extend Metro Rail to Dulles International Airport. It's a 23-mile, multi-billion dollar project that won't be fully finished until at least 2015. Meanwhile, some friends of mine had a better idea for their holiday travel. They live in Alexandria and ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/12/18/rental-not-rail-to-dulles/ As a consultant to nonprofit organizations, I've seen Oprah single-handily drive charitable giving. But I've never seen anything like this: COLUMBIA, S.C. — It was a staggering sight. Upwards of 29,000 people at a political rally. And the Democratic primary in South Carolina is not until Jan. 26. The Double O Express ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/12/10/do-not-underestimate-the-power-of-oprah/ National Public Radio has again proved themselves one of the last major news outlets one can take seriously. NPR hosted a debate this week between the Democratic presidential contenders. Unlike the overhyped YouTube debates, the discussion was substantive and detailed -- they focused on three main topics. Everyone got fairly equal ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/12/06/a-debate-worth-listening-to/ TechConsumer has an interesting cost comparison of using Netflix to catch up on "Heroes." His conclusion: If you watch a lot of episodes in a short period, Netflix is more economical than Amazon's Unbox or iTunes. Initially (first day or two) my wife and I just watched our five hours that ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/11/20/netflix-my-name-is-hiro-nakamura-i-come-from-the-future-techconsumer/ I've been tinkering with the Slideshare.net service recently. It's a YouTube-like service for sharing PowerPoint and Keynote type slide shows. Here's my review of Slideshare that I wrote for Influence, one of my company's blogs.Share This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/10/31/scary-online-slide-shows/ The latest version of Mac OS X -- Leopard -- went on sale today. Steve Job's snarky comment in this post's title was in that there's one version and one price ($110) unlike some other operating system which has five different versions. The one with all of the features costs ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/10/26/everyone-gets-the-ultimate-version/ I have a cousin who lives in New Jersey, but works in New York City. She's a smart girl and generally supports Democratic candidates. As you surely recall, that election featured a number of nail-bitingly close races for the U.S. Senate with only one seat determining control of the Senate. ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/10/26/virginians-vote-early-if-not-often/ How about this. Washingtonian Magazine has named my employer, Forum One, a "cheap eat." Oh, wait, actually we're among Washington's 55 great places to work. And we're hiring.Share This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/10/18/a-great-place-to-work/ The smart folks at Freepress.net (the organization founded by my old college professor Bob McChesney) have released a fun game that spreads the word about the evils of media consolidation.Share This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/10/16/whack-a-murdoch/ Thanks again to everyone who keeps asking about my new nephew, Quinn. After open heart surgery and 28 days in the hospital, he's finally safe at home. He's breathing and eating on his own now. My sister, her husband, and their eldest son traveled to their new home in Altoona, PA ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/09/10/quinn-at-home/ Obama is holding a small-dollar fundraiser in DC on Sept. 18. Entry fee is just $25/person. It's part of his "Countdown to Change" program. I predict a huge crowd.Share This http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/09/07/obama-coming-to-dc/ According to beautiful screenshots leaked by ThinkSecret The next major release of Mac OS X, dubbed "Leopard" apparently has some new parental controls: The controls allow parents to set weekday and weekend time limits as well as "bedtime" hours during which the computer cannot be accessed. The above graphic is an ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/08/29/new-mac-os-parental-controls/ I've been writing about my new nephew Quinn and his struggles. He was born on Aug. 7, but had a congenital heart defect and required open heart surgery last week. While the surgery was a success, things were looking grim just three days ago when the doctors said it ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/08/28/progress-for-quinn/ My wonderful father-in-law is coming to visit for a week to watch our son. Summer camp is over and school doesn't start until next week, but my wife and I both have to work. "Papa camp," we're calling it. So we brainstormed a bunch of fun things he can do ... http://www.drewmocracy.com/2007/08/26/46-things-to-do-with-a-5-year-old/