CBS’ Bob Schieffer Blasts Congress, Proposes ‘Second Congress’ That Would Take On Important Issues
In the commentary portion of Face the Nation today, Bob Schieffer put forth a modest proposal for a new American government which ensures responsibility and accountability: a second Congress. Yes, it's Congress 2: Electric Boogaloo, and unlike most sequels, this one shows more promise than the original. Schieffer's desire to reform government comes from...
Our notion of nations
Consider: I a matter of a year, the leaders of Italy, Greece, Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia have all been ousted not in the normal course of governance and not at the polls. Who’s in charge there? In the Middle EAst, it’s the people, at last (but can they retain power?). In Europe, its bondholders and...
FCC to media: Don’t look to us, we can’t help you
When the FCC said it was putting together a report on the future of media, many feared it would recommend subsidies and other breaks for traditional media entities, but the report actually provides very little help for media companies, other than some helpful advice.
FCC report recommends targeting government ads toward local news
A long-awaited FCC report on the state of the American media hits a lot of familiar points. But here's something new: As an antidote to the well-documented problems facing local media, the FCC is recommending that the government actually intervene by funneling money into local ad markets via government advertising.
A Big Quarter From Google, and Shake-Up at the Top–Larry Page to Become CEO
First look at Google earnings: Net revenue of $6.4 billion and $8.75 a share.The Street was looking for $6.06 billion and $8.09 a share.Also, importantly, a shake-up at the top: Larry Page will become CEO, and Eric Schmidt will move to chairman.
Want to Cut Your Cord? The NBC U-Comcast Deal Won’t Make It Easier
If you were hoping that the government restrictions on the NBC U-Comcast deal would make it easier for you to stop paying for cable, you're out of luck. The government is forcing the new company to offer its stuff to online outlets like Netflix and iTunes. But it won't happen in the way that cord...
Shhh! The FCC Says It Will Approve Comcast–NBC U Deal
Some non-news from Washington: The Federal Communications Commission says it will approve the Comcast-NBC Universal deal, with some restrictions. The approval isn't a surprise, though it'd be nice to tell you what those restrictions are. Alas, for now, we can't.
Wikileaks: Power shifts from secrecy to transparency
Welt am Sontag in Germany asked me for an op-ed on Wikileaks. Here it is, auf Englisch. Hier, auf Deutsch.
Government should be transparent by default, secret by necessity. Of course, it is not. Too much of government is secret. Why? Because those who hold secrets hold power.
Now Wikileaks has punctured that power. Whether or not...
Big Brother’s Big Brother
Here are paragraphs about Wikileaks I just inserted into the chapter of Public Parts that I happen to be writing right now about government. Very much beta. Take a look:
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Wikileaks has pushed the definition and question of transparency to its limit and beyond, releasing hundreds of thousands of leaked documents about the wars...
