When Health Insurance Isn’t Health Insurance

In May, 2008, Robin Beaton, a retired registered nurse from Waxahachie, Texas, went to her dermatologist to be treated for acne. He mistakenly wrote down something on her chart that made it appear that she might have a pre-cancerous skin condition. Not a big deal, right? It shouldn’t have been, except that soon after that, [...]

Forget The Fly: It’s Time For A Sex Scandal

Nevada Sen. John Ensign, a Republican rumored to harbor presidential aspirations, has admitted he had an extramarital affair with a former campaign aide. Yes, I know, you’ve read this story before. But just think: Ensign could be the first Senator to admit his secret sexual dalliances on Twitter. Don’t hold your breath. Politico has more, [...]

The President And The Fly

Supplemental Concerns

The last of the war supplemental bills – from now on in the Administration is folding such requests into the normal budgeting process – is on the floor in the House today. The vote is expected to be close: “I think we have the votes,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters in his weekly [...]

In the Arena

McCain Unhinged

For two years now, John McCain has been entirely consistent on Iran: every last statement he’s made–at least, those that I’ve seen–has been (a) fabulously uninformed and (b) dangerously bellicose. He’s still at it, apparently. There is no question that President Obama’s more prudent path is the correct one right now. There is also no [...]

In the Arena

Home

Well, I’m back, safe and sound…and jet-lagged. I’ll obviously have a lot to say about my Iran visit in the print magazine this week. For the moment, this David Ignatius column about the CIA analysis of the crisis reflects my thinking. What it doesn’t convey is how splendid the Iranian people are–charming, well-educated, for the [...]

U.S. Government: Global Warming Is Real, Serious

A group of 13 federal agencies, coordinated by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, has produced a report on the science behind Global Warming. The conclusions: 1. Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced. 2. Climate changes are underway in the United States and are projected to grow. 3. Widespread climate-related impacts [...]

Iran and History’s Repetitions

In today’s New York Times, Neil MacFarquhar describes the dilemma facing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei like this: “He now faces a nearly impossible choice. If he lets the demonstrations swell, it could well change the system of clerical rule. If he uses violence to stamp them out, the myth of the popular mandate for the [...]

A Public Plan: Does Health Reform Need One?

Kate Pickert sorts it out.

Dennis Ross Is Moving To The White House

Massimo Calabresi and I have been able to confirm the Haaretz report that Dennis Ross is moving from the State Department, where he was a special adviser on Southwest Asia and the Gulf (read: Iran), to the National Security Council. Read our story here. Administration advisers say it is a promotion: “He is closer to [...]