Philadelphia is shaping up to be a key city in a key battleground state in this election, but machine problems and long lines may plague the polling stations and voter disenfranchisement will be a serious risk. Unfortunately for voters, the people charged with running a smooth election in Philly seem surprisingly unconcerned. Philly’s veritable election czar, Marge Tartaglione (D), in particular, shocked ANP with her comments at a recent hearing. See more videos at http://americannewsproject.com

Hi, this is Danielle Ivory at the American News Project in DC. Thanks to Justin Gardner for allowing us to post story items here! We’ll start doing this regularly next week.
Just by way of introduction, the ANP is an independent non-profit video news organization in DC. We produce pieces for the web, but [...]

Forecasters are now predicting that Hurricane Gustav will become a category five storm sometime soon. As you all undoubtedly know, Gustav is the first major hurricane to threaten the Gulf Coast since Katrina and Rita in 2005. The question now is: have we learned anything?
Evacuation plans are in effect for New Orleans and other parts [...]

To put it mildly, without a dramatic reduction in fuel prices, airlines in America are screwed. They were struggling even before the rise in oil prices and it would hardly be a stretch to call the industry one of the most disliked in America. The only service left to airline passengers is low fares. If [...]

One of the recent signs that the airline industry is not doing well is American Airlines’ decision to charge $15 for your first checked bag.
But, hey, now the airline is saying it’s not that big of a deal. Apparently only one in four passengers checks a bag.
But the real kicker to AA’s statement [...]

The blogosphere can cough up a lot of interesting controversies. This week’s revolved around a Dunkin Donuts’ online ad featuring Rachel Ray in a scarf similar to the Arab keffiyeh which has come to symbolize Palestinian militantism. The company pulled the spot after conservative commentators, most notably Michelle Malkin, harshly criticized Ray’s clothing choice, claiming [...]

My cartoon was linked to post from the NYTimes
(Click on Bob McCarty) NYTIMES link

In reading blog coverage and comments about the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal, I’ve gotten the sense that there are a lot of people who think this is no big deal. The underlying assumption is the either prostitution is not worth enforcing or that this particular case should be a private matter for the Spitzer family. [...]

Senator Dodd speaks with authority and clarity about a complex problem that affects millions of Americans facing foreclosure on badly constructed and/or misrepresented loans, as well as a panicky credit market and business community. The interview is conducted on CNBC - the business channel of record - where he has a dialog with business journalists, not as presidential candidate, but as an important actor on the American economic stage.

On NPR a guy who missed the bridge collapse by a minute. He says, (my best recollection) “If I hadn’t brushed my teeth, if I hadn’t changed a Band-aid, I’d have been on that bridge.”
On MSNBC a girl who was in the car with her mother right behind the famous school bus. They pulled off [...]

Biden was best, again.Richardson exceeded low expectations. Obama fell short of high expectations. Edwards fell short of low expectations. Kucinich met zero expectations. That other guy has white hair. Mike Gravel’s shtick is not as entertaining as YouTube videos. YouTube questions were better and more entertaining than Britt Hume. YouTube questions were not that entertaining. It is Hillary Clinton’s nomination to lose. She didn’t lose it Monday night. Chuck Hagel is the GOP’s only hope. The GOP has no hope. None.

If a high-ranking official lies under oath, you take that official to the wall. No one is above the law. No one has the option of lying under oath without paying the consequences.

I’ve yet to comment on the recent immigration debate, though I have previously shared my thoughts on the topic at Thought Theater. Having recently spent some time ruminating on the relevant issues, along with today’s reading of George Will’s latest commentary, I’m ready to take another swipe at the subject.
There seems to be a [...]

Saturday morning, I woke up and went downstairs to start making breakfast. Sleepily, I turned on the radio to listen to the news. My head was in the refrigerator when I thought I heard the announcer say that Greensburg, Kansas, had been destroyed by a tornado.
I popped my head out of the fridge and listened [...]

I’ve never been a Don Imus devotee. In fact, I can’t recall the last time I listened to any portion of his show. I’ve never met the man and I know next to nothing about his character or his motivations other than what I’ve garnered during this rancor over his racially charged remarks.
So what [...]

Today the New York Times has an article discussing the state of civility in the blogosphere. The article opens with the question, “Is it too late to bring civility to the web?” Rather than answer the question directly, I’ll offer a corollary observation that provides long established insight into the answer.
While some may [...]

So, Dick Cheney almost gets killed and some on the left think his death may have been a good thing. Meanwhile, political-shock artist Ann Coulter insinuated John Edwards is, in her words, a faggot. Wow. Astonishing.
I am neither surprised nor particularly scandalized that some lefties would welcome Cheney’s demise. Many on that side of the [...]

From opposite ends of the country, two stories that will either make you laugh or simply shake your head.
First, from North Dakota:
North Dakota’s House has agreed to repeal the state’s anti-cohabitation law without a vote to spare, and Gov. John Hoeven is expected to sign it.
The law, which makes it illegal for a man and [...]

From a purely narrative point-of-view, Anna Nicole Smith has suffered the perfect end. A tabloid death to punctuate a tabloid life. Cue the music for True Hollywood Stories, we have a great American tale here.
More so than any other modern celebrity, Anna Nicole epitomized the commoditization of fame. With no discernable talent, man-made D-cups and [...]

From an article by by Abbas William Samii (an analyst with the Center for Naval Analyses) at The Weekly Standard:
The Iranian cabinet decided in mid-January that it would try to reduce consumption by introducing gasoline rationing, and reports from the provinces reveal that rationing is already taking place. The measure will not be popular among [...]