Tuesday video: Specter announces switch
As promised, better video on the Arlen Specter defection/switch/change/betrayal. This includes footage from the senator himself.
Spin Control archive for Jan. 1, 2009
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2009
Tuesday video: Specter switching sides
Some early video on Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania deciding to switch from the Republicans to the Democrats. Admittedly it's a bit annoying, particularly the number of times the MSNBC reporter says it's "huge." We'll try to find better video, with a bit more thoughtful…
Sims clears Senate hurdle
The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee approved the nomination of King County Executive Ron Sims for a high-ranking job in the Obama administration.Sims has been nominated for the No. 2 spot at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Sen. Patty Murray's office…
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009
Fun video: In case you missed Monday
The folks at TalkingPointsMemo say Monday really had only one topic. Oink.
Fun video: Deja flu?
We went through a swine flu scare in the 1970s. Seems like National Lampoon dubbed it "Swine Flu Over the Cuckoo's Nest," but I might be misremembering that.But there were some absolutely terrible public service announcement with that non-pandemic. Have a look, if for nothing…
Counting down to 100
President Barack Obama's first 100 days in office are up on Wednesday. Prepare for more reports like the one above from the national media.Because of that milestone, The Spokesman-Review is collecting comments from readers on what they think of his presidency so far: Specifically, whether…
Peaceful protest at City Hall
A group of young adults tried to bring some attention to the kidnapping of children in Uganda by camping outside Spokane City Hall over the weekend until they could be "rescued."They were part of a national protest called "Invisible children" which set up demonstrations in…
SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2009
Guess who's not coming to dinner 1
As different as Spokane County’s two major political parties are, they have one thing in common: They always need more money. Because of that, until just a few years ago they had something else in common: Once a year, they’d rent a hotel ballroom, throw…
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009
Can we get a bang out of Tree City-hood?
Spokane is once again a "Tree City". It's a designation that only goes to municipalities that meet certain conditions (explained below.)To celebrate our Tree City-hood, which we've achieved for six straight years. Spokane Parks and Rec are having a "to-do" Saturday from 11 a.m to…
Friday fun video2: Texas secession
For anyone getting tired of the talk of Texas seceding from the union, here's a video with a one word suggestion: Go.
Friday fun video: Thursday, quickly
If you were busy with other stuff Thursday, here's the TalkingPointsMemo synopsis:
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2009
County to builders: We're closed Friday
In a move designed to help save money, Spokane County's Building and Planning offices will be closed on Fridays, starting the first week of May.County officials announced this week they'd negotiated a "memorandum of understanding" with two unions that represent staff in the department, which…
Today's fun video: Goofing on dictators
Jon Stewart makes fun of dictators and demagogues. But can this really be a regular feature.The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10cThis Week in Demagogues - Ahmadinejad & Chavezthedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesEconomic CrisisPolitical Humor
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009
About those Obama birth cert. documents 36
Reader John W. Snyder Jr. wrote recently to find out whatever happened to the documents Chief Justice John Roberts got down in Moscow, Idaho, on President Obama's birth certificates. (If that made you say "Huh?" Catch up at this link.)Here's the update:Copies of Dr. Orly…
Earth Day Greetings
Happy Earth Day. Sorry I didn't get you a card or a present.To make up for it, Spin Control is passing along (without harming the environment as far as we can tell) Earth Day sentiments from elected officials. Inside the blog are paperless reproductions of…
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2009
Today's fun video: Stewart on torture memos
The torture memos were the talk of the talk shows last weekend, which means they were in for a look by Jon Stewart on the Daily Show Monday evening.The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10cWe Don't Torturethedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesEconomic CrisisPolitical…
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009
Some conversation with that Tea Party?
The folks over at Huckleberries are holding forth on Tea Parties as a result of Sunday's Spin Control Column on what Democrats and Republicans should learn from last week's demonstrations.It's getting lively, as often happens at Huckleberries.Click here to join in the online conversation.
Coming this week: Congress does green stuff, pets
A pair of hearings this week in the other Washington might have some interest to local folks.On Tuesday, Sen. Patty Murray heads a hearing on the state's needs for a "green economy work force." It will feature some folks involved in training and educating workers.…
Monday bonus video: Moms in Congress
Good Morning America did a piece this morning on "Moms in Congress", featuring Cathy McMorris Rodgers fairly prominently. Not sure what the news peg was...the lead in suggests it's "spring and fertility", but perhaps it's just a slow news day.
Monday a.m. video: If you slept in Sunday
Torture memos discussed on the Sunday morning news shows, courtesy of TalkingPointsMemo:
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2009
After Tea time, who wins? 1
Inland Northwest Democrats who belittle the Tea Party gatherings of last Wednesday do so at their peril. Inland Northwest Republicans who embrace them wholeheartedly could be in for a few surprises. In terms of number of venues and total participants, the demonstrations outstripped any protests…
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2009
Eugster, Allen running in South Spokane 1
The City Council race in South Spokane went from nothing to the potential for "really something" Friday morning as former Councilman Steve Eugster announced he'd run and incumbent Mike Allen said he'd seek the seat to which he was appointedThat sets up a competition between…
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2009
Thursday fun video: The day, quickly
Fresh off the editing boards at 5 p.m. PST, the day in review from TalkingPointsMemo.
Got a question for your congresswoman?
Tonight's your chance to ask it is coming up.U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is appearing live on KSPS tonight and taking questions from the public. The show airs at 7 p.m. on Channel 7, and viewers can call 800-278-4315 to ask a question or send…
Today's video: Views of the tea parties
You've had a chance to read about the "tea parties". For those who haven't had enough of the accounts, here are some videos to watch:O'Reilly on Fox News applauds "robust debate."Olberman points out problems with the DC protest.Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and…
The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.
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