• I am deeply saddened by the death of Elizabeth Edwards. Just yesterday, we heard that there was nothing more that the doctors could do and that should’ve been a clue that she was gravely ill. Her spunk and moxy are what drew many Democrats to her husband. My heart goes out to her family. May she rest in peace.
  • Turmoil in the NFL. What’s new? The New York Jets got toasted last night. The New England Patriots boldly made the case for their being the best team in the NFL (without Randy Moss). Denver fired their coach, a very interesting and unexpected move. Albert Haynesworth got suspended by the Washington Redskins for four games for being a knucklehead.
  • Did the White House compromise, again? So depressing. Here’s what’s in the tax deal. What, is the president going to take his case to the American people and fight for what he believes in? Or is this White House going to be known for its continual capitulation? Watch the video:

From Political Animal:

  • Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) believes the defense authorization bill, including the provision repealing DADT, “will get to a vote” in the lame-duck session. Here’s hoping he’s right.
  • Boosting hopes for ratification, at least a little, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) all but endorsed the pending arms control treaty, New START, during an interview this afternoon.
  • The now-complete bailout of Citigroup generated a $12 billion profit for American taxpayers.
  • The Campaign for America’s Future’s Bill Scher, who doesn’t always share the Obama administration’s priorities on economy policy, ran a compelling defense for the tax deal.
  • Jonathan Bernstein: “The truth is that there are a lot of people who just don’t accept that the President of the United States can want something, fight for it, fight effectively and correctly, and still not get it. If it doesn’t happen, it must have been — in Obama’s words — a ‘betrayal.’ Those people are wrong.”
  • How should Americans spend public money to get good teachers? Turns out, it’s a big question.
  • Today is Dec. 7, known for being Pearl Harbor Day. Disgraced former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) encouraged his fans to honor the anniversary by buying his books. What a shameless hack.

Pearl Harbor facts:

  • Not on the agenda – Americans during that time were still practicing Isolationism to some degree and wanted nothing to do with European affairs.  The idea was part of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” book he published during the American Revolution that advocated a parting from Britain.
  • Deaths/Casualties – About 1178 Americans were injured and 2388 were killed from the attack on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941.
  • Still Complacent – Pearl Harbor Day is not a federal holiday, believe it or not.  It seems that the government still has the mindset that no more attacks like this will happen on our soil, that it was an isolated event in our nation’s history. The truth is that we let our guards down and underestimated the burning desire of others who want this country’s pride tarnished.
  • The USS Utah and Arizona – The only two ships hit on Pearl Harbor Day that were not salvaged after December 7, 1941.
  • The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, congress convened for a vote of war. Surprisingly, given the gravity of the attack, there was one dissenting vote.  Who was it?  Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana, a devout pacifist gave a thumbs down vote.