Pundit Wire

Category Archives: General

DHS, IRS Announce “See Something, Say Something” Partnership

See Something, Say Something WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security and the Internal Revenue Service have joined forces in a bold new partnership to empower Americans to stop terrorism and crime.

Under the banner of the “See Something, Say Something” program, the two agencies will work together to teach citizens ways to help identify potential terrorists or prevent criminals from carrying out their grisly deeds.

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Wagner’s Dead Elephant

Richard Wagner Richard Wagner, the great German composer, was born two hundred years ago on May 22, 1813. Wagner was one of the most stupendous musical geniuses who ever lived. He was also a notorious anti-Semite. Even on his two hundredth birthday, there is no ignoring the dead elephant in his living room.

At the same time, to say that Wagner was an anti-Semite, and to say no more than that, is too simple. It is too simple because Wagner was very much a self-contradictory genius, and his contradictions extended to his attitude toward Jewish people.

In other words, Wagner was an anti-Semite, but… And the but was not inconsequential.

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The Death of Ambassador Chris Stevens: Honesty and Accuracy

President Obama UN Speech One question I put into my Speechwriting training courses (and into any course I give) is this:

What is the Supreme Quality in any piece of professional work such as a speech? Choose from the following options:

  • Simple message
  • Strong structure
  • Accuracy
  • Loyalty
  • Energy + commitment
  • Clear language
  • Honesty + integrity
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PunditWire Correction: How Tea Party Can Help IRS

Editor's Note Contributions to social welfare groups [501(c)4s] involved in the political process do not yield tax deductions for donors, contrary to the original text of this post.

On behalf of contributor Jim Jaffe and everyone here at PunditWire, we apologize for our error. ENtag

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Obamacare Prescription: Keep Calm and Carry On

President Obama signing the Affordable Care Act There’s growing angst in the health reform community that Obamacare is not succeeding as it should. Perhaps that’s nothing more than a response to the growing popularity of immigration and tax reform.

The basic premise of the complaint, as I understand it, is that the infrastructure is not as far along as some would like, which may lead to confusion when major elements become effective next year, that Americans remain ambivalent about the bill because they don’t know what it does for them and that this lack of enthusiasm – coupled with continued GOP opposition – will yield a bad result in Congressional elections next year.

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“Thou shalt not disapprove of gay marriage…”

GayMarriage_thumb “How a minority, reaching majority, seizing authority, hates a minority!”
— Leonard H. Robbins

A florist in Washington State won’t provide floral arrangements for a gay wedding, citing her “relationship with Jesus Christ.” In response, the state’s attorney general has slapped a $2000 consumer protection lawsuit against the lady, alleging a violation of the state’s antidiscrimination laws. And the American Civil Liberties Union has threatened to weigh in with lawsuit on behalf of the gay couple that was refused service.

A simple case of discrimination? Think again.

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“Reject These Voices”: Obama’s Ohio State Offensive

OSU Commencement_Official White House Photo by Pete Souza_thumb Commencement addresses are tricky for the political speechwriter. The audience is young and distracted. They did not come to see the speaker, a politician who is never more than a sentence away from a flash-mob eyeroll.

President Barack Obama found a way around this dilemma. His commencement address Sunday at the Ohio State University was a full-throated defense of his political agenda, backed by an attack on his opponents as un-American. He carefully built up strawmen, then casually torched them in his insouciant style.

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My Memories of the George W. Bush Presidency

Pres. George W. Bush Library Dedication Following the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, here are a few memories off the top of my head:

  • The photo of Jenna and Barbara at their dad’s Inauguration, beaming proudly through the wind and rain.
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