Jay began writing politically themed commentary and founded his blog, Swimming Freestyle, in October 2007. Here he'll write about politics from a progressive perspective.

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Heaven Forbid He Tell The Whole Story

1 comment

May 20, 9:37 AM

by Jay McDonough, Progressive Politics Examiner

In the middle of yesterday's little skirmish between John McCain and Barack Obama over the use of diplomacy with Iran, Senator McCain was asked why he had been mischaracterizing Obama's call for diplomacy with Iran as Obama's intent to negotiate with the knuckleheaded Iranian President Ahmadinejad.

Let's face it - Senator McCain is very deliberately using Ahmadinejad to represent Iran. Ahmadinejad is a bigoted nutcase whose hold on power in Iran is tenuous and, at best, only partial. It doesn't serve Senator McCain to offer voters a full explanation of who runs Iran, as presenting a more nuanced view of Iran including more moderate Iranians would detract from his argument that negotiations with Iran would be worthless.

Ahmadinejad is unpopular in his country and is most noteworthy for spouting ridiculous rhetoric that has damaged his country's reputation and set back any meaningful opportunities for reconciliation with the West.

Sounds familiar, huh?

Topics: McCain , Iran , Ahmadinejad

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A PIcture for the Day

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October 7, 5:50 PM

An ultra-Orthodox Jew prayed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, before the start the holiday of Rosh Hashana. Jews will mark the two-day holiday of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, at sundown on Monday. (Photo: Bernat Armangue/Associated... Read More
Topics: A Picture for the Day

Mail Goggles

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October 7, 4:26 PM

An advancement rivaling sliced bread:As mornings after go, there are few combinations more deadly than a computer, too much alcohol and a seething sense of indignation.But there could soon be a solution for people who cannot resist sending an ill-conceived... Read More

Why the Ayers attack won't work

2 comments

October 7, 3:58 PM

Given the energy the McCain/Palin camp is putting into linking Barack Obama and William Ayers, they clearly view it as their last hope to make up support they've lost as a result of a couple crappy debate performances and an economy that is teetering... Read More
Topics: Obama , McCain , Ayers

Shameful outbursts now common at McCain/Palin rallies

17 comments

October 7, 1:24 PM

Partisan loyalty is normal. Folks don't typically go to campaign rallies unless they support the candidate and some will, obviously, have extreme loyalty to that candidate. But at what point does that partisan loyalty become a blinding... Read More
Topics: Republicans , McCain , Palin

Afghanistan government in peace talks with Taliban

1 comment

October 7, 12:39 PM

The other day I posted an update on the war in Afghanistan, now being characterized as "grim" by an unreleased National Intelligence Estimate. Included in the post were comments by NATO commander, Gen. David McKiernan, suggesting a longer... Read More
Topics: Afghanistan , Taliban

Veterans group gives McCain a "D"

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October 7, 9:44 AM

Despite John McCain's efforts to claim he's is a friend of veterans, there's ample proof otherwise. During the recent presidential debate, Senator McCain once again claimed his support among veterans groups:“I’ll take care of them.... Read More
Topics: McCain , Veterans , IAVA

A Picture for the Day

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October 6, 5:52 PM

Indian men watched a large screen displaying India's benchmark share index on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange building in Mumbai, formerly Bombay. India's main index tumbled nearly 6 percent to its lowest close in more than two years as a looming... Read More
Topics: A Picture for the Day

One more thing about the bailout.....

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October 6, 5:45 PM

About all that righteous indignation that the government took taxpayer dollars to bail out Wall Street? It ain't so. In fact, we should probably wish it were so. In fact, the U.S. will borrow that $700B from China mostly. We are... Read More
Topics: Bailout

It continues to be all about credit

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October 6, 5:25 PM

Anyone else get a knot in their stomach watching the stock market today? The Dow was down 800 points during the day, eventually closing down nearly 370 points. Anyone hoping the market would respond favorably to the TARP (Troubled Asset Relief... Read More
Topics: Economy , Bailout