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McSame

Without privatization, I don’t see how you can possibly, over time, make sure that young Americans are able to receive Social Security benefits. - John McCain

Obama as Prof

The College Issue
Case Study
By ALEXANDRA STARR
Published: September 19, 2008

When Jaime Escuder, a University of Chicago law student, was searching for a professor to supervise an independent project on prisoners’ rights, he turned to Barack Obama, but not for his politics. As a student in Obama’s constitutional law class in 2001, Escuder was impressed by his teacher’s ability to see both sides of an argument. “I figured Obama would respect the stance I took in the paper, whether or not he agreed with it,” Escuder, now a public defender in Illinois, told me. In the project, Escuder forcefully advocated for prisoners’ having the freedom to procreate. Obama gave him guidance on honing his argument — but never told him if he agreed. When he did venture an opinion, it was to prod Escuder to consider real-world implications. On running into Escuder at the Hyde Park Co-op one weekend morning, Obama said: “I don’t think that you’re giving adequate consideration to how difficult it will be for prison officials to care for pregnant women. I’ve been dealing with this recently, and believe me, it isn’t easy.” Escuder assumed Obama was talking about being a father. More

Phnom Penh

A krama, a traditional scarf with many uses, at Psar Tuol Tom Pong, a k a the Russian Market.
By ERIKA KINETZ
Published: September 21, 2008

THERE’S another revolution going on in Phnom Penh. Once home to the Communist Khmer Rouge, Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, now has its own KFC and other capitalist trappings. Skyscrapers are rising, and foreign money is pouring in. This may be your last chance to see Phnom Penh before this former village at the mouth of three mighty rivers, once called the Pearl of Asia, turns into a booming metropolis. Even today, the city seems to shimmer with the sense that its low-slung buildings, ambling cows and smiling monks are not long for this world. More

McSame's Economic Brain

Abbreviated Pundit Round-up

Your Abbreviated Pundit Round-up
by DemFromCT
Sun Sep 21, 2008 at 04:00:39 AM PDT

Sarah Quaylin really is wearing thin. Republicans are fretting over it. And that, of course, reflects on the poor judgment of the old wrinkly guy who chose her. More