War Reporting Before the Age of Twitter
How was war reporting done before the age of twitter? I’ve been reading Nick Kristof’s “Twitter” reports from Cairo, where he grumbles that since the internet has apparently been shut down, it’s difficult to get stories, photos, videos etc. to the outside world. My initial reaction was …The GOP Dodges the Pence Bullet
Many conservatives were disappointed when Rep. Pence announced he wouldn't run for the presidency. But what made them ever think he would make a good president? Why were so many conservatives disappointed when Rep. Mike Pence (R, IN) announced that he would run for governor of Indiana rather …RNC Debt Hits $23 Million
On Monday afternoon, new RNC chairman Reince Priebus released figures on the RNC's staggering financial situation. On Monday afternoon, new RNC chairman Reince Priebus released the figures for the RNC's staggering financial situation, while simultaneously announcing $500,000 in per month savings …Middle East Turmoil: Is Saudi Arabia Next?
Egypt isn't the only place in the Middle East with dire social and political problems. Saudi Arabia suffers from the same unemployment and inequality. How long can these repressive regimes last? Egypt isn't the only place in the Middle East with dire social and political problems. Saudi Arabia …Housing Bubble: Were Borrowers to Blame?
During the subprime boom, a lot of people got loans they should not have gotten. While it's easy to condemn exploitive lenders, how much should we blame the borrowers? Let’s face it: You won’t read every page of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission report. But FrumForum will, over the next …Is Obama Ready to Dump Mubarak?
Despite calls for restraint and reform, the situation in Egypt is beyond Obama's control. As protests spread, will the U.S. have any Arab allies left? The riots in Cairo seem both a surprise and an embarrassment for the Obama White House – to say nothing of demonstrations in Tunisia and now …Did Washington Push Banks to Make Bad Loans?
Conservatives claim the fundamental cause of the financial crisis was excess lending to poor people. But does this view hold up in the crisis panel report? Let’s face it: You won’t read every page of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission report. But Frum Forum will, over the next days. So …
Fox Geezer Syndrome
Over the past few years, my friends and I have noticed a troubling trend: if our parents are home all day watching Fox News, they become impossible to talk politics with. Conor Friedersdorf remembers what a pain it was to live with a liberal roommate who watched Keith Olbermann every night , and …In Praise of Ben Wedeman's Reporting
CNN's Ben Wedeman reporting on Egypt has been excellent. He refuses to detach himself from the situation on the ground. All of us owe the journalists now on the ground in Egypt a sincere debt of gratitude for their excellent reporting in a difficult and tense situation. We especially should …Were the Regulators Asleep on the Job?
The derivatives section of the FCIC report enters an area of controversy: did deregulation cause the crisis? Let’s face it: You won’t read every page of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission report. But Frum Forum will, over the next days. So let’s proceed together, page by page, identifyin…FrumForum Responds to Technical Requests
Frum Forum has implemented the first round of technical improvements to the site. Last December, we asked members of the Frum Forum community what changes they would want to see on the site from a technical perspective. While we are currently ironing out a few details, I am proud to …Did Fannie and Freddie Get a Slap on the Wrist?
Peter Wallison's 1-person Republican dissent from the FCIC complains that the report is not tough enough on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Let’s face it: You won’t read every page of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission report. But Frum Forum will, over the next days. So let’s proceed …Egypt: It's the Economy, Stupid
In the last month, the Mubarak regime has not become more authoritarian. But the price of bread and cooking oil has been rising. The Tunisian ruler has fled into exile. The headquarters of Egypt's ruling party were lit on fire. The police have been withdrawn from the streets. So -- another …Weiser New RNC Money Man?
Senior GOP sources tell F F that former Michigan GOP State Chair Ron Weiser will soon be named the RNC’s next Finance Chairman. The field of candidates to pick the next RNC Finance Chairman is narrowing, and two senior Republican sources tell Frum Forum that former Michigan GOP State Chair …The Prowl: The Amtrak Relationship
Since I've started seeing someone who lives outside DC, I have a new fondness for Amtrak which helps sustain my Friday through Sunday romance. The number of things that Vice President Joe Biden and I have in common has recently increased. While I am not exactly keeping a running tally, I feel it …The Fat Diaries: Where's the Beef?
A law firm is suing Taco Bell claiming their beef is only 35% real beef. Which makes one wonder: what's the other 65%? “What do you guys want to get?” “I dunno. What’s open now?” “Umm… Hey! There’s a Taco Bell! You want to get Taco Bell, Monica?” “Why don’t I just barf …