For all my many criticisms of him during his presidency, I have come to respect President Bush’s post-presidency. He’s kept out of the toxic political battles that came after he left office. He’s had the confidence or perhaps simply the realism and detachment to leave it to posterity to judge his presidency and not try to duke it out in the 24/7 press cycle like his toxic second Dick Cheney. And there are moments of grace, like the recent 50th anniversary commemoration of the the March on Selma. DC’s Republican leadership stayed away. But Bush was there. One might argue that there was little to be gained by Republicans attending since, in the nature of things, it was not going to be a receptive audience and they would be upstaged infinitely by the iconic symbolism of an African-American President. But the same applies to Bush. And he was there.
TPM’s Managing Editor, David Kurtz, is in attendance for today’s oral arguments at the Supreme Court in what is likely to be the decisive case for marriage equality nationwide – and perhaps by extension LGBT equality writ large.
At 4 PM EDT, he’ll be in The Hive (sub req) taking your questions on the proceedings.
Rand Paul jokes about Baltimore protests and riots. “I came through the train on Baltimore (sic) last night, I’m glad the train didn’t stop,” he said, laughing, during an interview with conservative radio host Laura Ingraham.
I was at the White House Correspondence Association Dinner this weekend. As you can probably imagine, it is a fairly ridiculous affair, with celebrities, political celebrities, hangers on and one massive ballroom jammed so tight with tables that you literally have a hard time backing your seat out even to stand up. Doctors advise applying a thick layer of irony before going in to make it out with your dignity intact.
But this time I did have a peak experience.
With troubles at home, Gov Chris Christie is stationing 150 state troopers abroad … in Maryland.
ICYMI: With former President Bush raising his voice again on foreign policy, a few thoughts on why he really should remain silent.
Protestors interrupt SCOTUS hearing with anti-gay rant. David Kurtz reports from inside the chamber.
David will be taking your questions in The Hive (sub req) at 4PM about what he saw inside the chamber in today’s the oral arguments. Get your questions in now.
David Kurtz was in the Court chambers this morning as the Justices heard arguments in what is likely to be the pivotal case on the marriage equality issue. Here’s his report.
If you’d like to ask David questions about what he saw and what the Justices said, he’ll be answering your questions at 4 PM in The Hive (sub req). Get your questions in now.
A protestor with a loudspeaker stood among protestors on the sidewalk in front of the Supreme Court on the crisp, clear April morning of the hearing, chastising “fornicators” and “masturbators”.
“When you put that penis in that anus, that’s a choice.”