Syria’s Bashar al Assad seems to be the gainer so far in the mess over chemical weapons although he does not control all Syrian territory and does not have a functioning government. He is playing a scrawny hand with brazen aplomb. His diplomatic success stems from being treated as the kingpin to whom both the US and Russia must turn if the Kerry-Lavrov duo hopes to obtain … [Read more...] about Syria’s Assad playing a scrawny hand with aplomb
First, Putin. Now Comes John McCain
Most Americans have by now read Vladimir Putin’s Op-Ed in the New York Times counseling America and Americans on the concepts of democracy, human rights, diplomacy, law and order, etc. and -- most of all -- on the need to remember that “God created us equal.” Of course, Americans needed to hear that from the man who has trampled just about every one of those principles and … [Read more...] about First, Putin. Now Comes John McCain
(UPDATED) Original report Dr. Shiping Bao that George Zimmerman Shot Trayvon Martin in the Back is disavowed
As George Zimmerman continues to self-destruct, former associate medical examiner Dr. Shiping Bao is dropping 'bombshells' all over the place, starting with his threat of filing a $100 million wrongful termination lawsuit, to accusing the prosecution of deliberately throwing the case. Bao's latest bombshell is that George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin in the back and not in … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Original report Dr. Shiping Bao that George Zimmerman Shot Trayvon Martin in the Back is disavowed
Dear Vladimir: Keep in Touch
Wonderful to hear from you after so long. We were beginning to fear Barack had offended you in some way at those interminable meetings, but it’s reassuring to know you still care. We too remember when “we were allies...and defeated the Nazis together.” Those were the good old days, meeting up in Czechoslovakia and swapping Mickey Mouse watches for vodka. It’s reassuring … [Read more...] about Dear Vladimir: Keep in Touch
Relocate 100,000 Israeli settlers? Lots of luck with that.
There's this really, really big elephant in any room where negotiations take place concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is, of course, the West Bank settlements. In yesterday's Jerusalem Post there was an article on a statement by the former chief of staff of Ehud Barak, Gilad Sher, which outlined what he believed would be necessary for a viable two state solution to … [Read more...] about Relocate 100,000 Israeli settlers? Lots of luck with that.
How Dare You, Mr. Putin
What I have to say is not about Russia working with Syria, the United States, the United Nations, the world to help get rid of Syria’s massive arsenal of chemical weapons. I applaud this and I wish the effort every success for the sake humanity -- at least for the sake of innocent men, women and children in Syria and surrounding areas. What I have to say -- and I admit that … [Read more...] about How Dare You, Mr. Putin
A little good news: fewer children are dying worldwide
In these dismal days when images of tortured children gassed to death are distressing all hearts, there is a small piece of good news. The number of infants and children worldwide who die before reaching their fifth birthday has almost halved in recent decades. However, about 45 percent die of under nutrition so there is still a long way to go. Under-five mortality dropped … [Read more...] about A little good news: fewer children are dying worldwide
Reid rips tea party on the Senate floor: ‘Anarchists have taken over’ Congress
Reid rips tea party on the Senate floor: ‘Anarchists have taken over’ Congress (via Raw Story ) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on Thursday said that efforts by tea party-backed Republicans in the Senate to use an energy efficiency bill to defund Obamacare was evidence that “anarchist have taken over” Congress. In a speech on the… … [Read more...] about Reid rips tea party on the Senate floor: ‘Anarchists have taken over’ Congress
Montana Lt. Gov. “Accidentally” Liked Picture Of Breasts On Facebook — then Removes It
Some folks just don't seem to get it about the age of the Internet, likes, Tweets, sexting, etc. And here's the latest example: the Democratic party’s top recruit for the U.S. Senate race in Montana has a Facebook problem. Either he’s dangerously clumsy with the site’s iPhone app — or he recently let the world know how much he appreciates breasts. A screengrab captured by a … [Read more...] about Montana Lt. Gov. “Accidentally” Liked Picture Of Breasts On Facebook — then Removes It
When Is War Justified?
As we reel in the aftermath of the Syrian situation, most focus on which team scored or gave up the most points, Team Putin, Team Obama, Team Republican, Team Democrat. But, as we direct our gaze to the scoreboard and squint through cloudy punditary prisms to try and make out the numbers, we miss a greater opportunity. We stand at a point in history where we may have … [Read more...] about When Is War Justified?
Siberian Mowgli: Youth returns to civilization after 12 years in wilderness
Siberian Mowgli: Youth returns to civilization after 12 years in wilderness (via The Christian Science Monitor) A young man who spent the past 12 years in the Siberian wilderness has appeared before the Russian public – and then disappeared – alarming local officials and gaining media attention as the "Siberian Mowgli." Agence France-Presse reports that… … [Read more...] about Siberian Mowgli: Youth returns to civilization after 12 years in wilderness
Images: How the U.S. Military Remembered and Observed 9/11
From the commander in chief down to our troops serving in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere, the military -- those who responded to the call of duty after the 9/11 attack and who sacrificed so much -- remembered that fateful day, each in his or her own way. In “Memory’s Requiem: 12 Years after 9/11,” we read how four service members recalled 9/11. Here are … [Read more...] about Images: How the U.S. Military Remembered and Observed 9/11
The World Needs an America that ‘Hunts Down Monsters’ (Die Welt, Germany)
Can the world wean itself off of American military oversight? Are we nearing the end of the 'Pax Americana'? For Germany's Die Welt, columnist Clemens Wergin warns readers that they'll be sorry if current trends continue, and the United States, as the crisis over Syria suggests is happening, returns to the isolationism of its Founding Fathers. For Die Welt, Clemens Wergi … [Read more...] about The World Needs an America that ‘Hunts Down Monsters’ (Die Welt, Germany)
Political thunder out of New York
NEW YORK -- Bill de Blasio, the insurgent and defiantly progressive New York City mayoral candidate, did not hold his Tuesday night victory party in one of those faux-ornate midtown Manhattan hotel ballrooms, the usual power venue for such festivities. Instead, he gathered his overjoyed supporters -- fellow members of a "movement," de Blasio insisted -- in the hip but … [Read more...] about Political thunder out of New York
5 Stories in 24 Hours and a Theme
I thought it was very interesting to find 5 articles within 24 hours that all have something to say about the economy and jobs in the United States. First, Sixty Minutes reports on the effect of technology on the workplace, which generally isn't good for workers. Next I found BusinessWeek's piece on a third of Americans believing that we are actually still in a … [Read more...] about 5 Stories in 24 Hours and a Theme
Vladimir Putin in NY Times Article: World Sees America Not as Model of Democracy But “Solely Relying on Brute Force”
Russian President Vladimir Putin is continuing on his so-called 'victory lap' after seemingly getting the better of President Obama in the Syrian chemical weapons impasse. Putin wrote a very controversial op-ed in the New York Times calling for Washington to pursue diplomacy rather than use force. By the way, PR giant Ketchum placed the article with the NY Times. Putin … [Read more...] about Vladimir Putin in NY Times Article: World Sees America Not as Model of Democracy But “Solely Relying on Brute Force”
Twelve Years After 9/11: Let’s End the Politics of Fear
Since 9/11, it seems that the American Left and the American Right have agreed on something of profound importance: We're scared. The politics of the last 12 years have been the politics of fear. Because of fear that one of us is a terrorist, we've allowed our intelligence services to listen into our private conversations; because of fear of terrorists from abroad, we … [Read more...] about Twelve Years After 9/11: Let’s End the Politics of Fear
Conservative House Republicans win again: GOP leaders move to keep government funded postponed
With each passing day we get more and more evidence that today's Party (as David Frum and others have noted) is increasingly under the control of the Tea Party movement and their representatives in the House of Representatives and of talk show hosts whose attitudes and comments can be relied on to forshadow arguments or actions GOPers will use or do. And now we have the latest: … [Read more...] about Conservative House Republicans win again: GOP leaders move to keep government funded postponed
Our Biggest and Most Lasting Loss from 9/11
Until 12 years ago today, we lived in another country. They did things differently there. For one, they did not keep bringing death to people halfway around the world who posed no imminent threat to us. For another, they didn’t casually keep sending our own young men and women to be killed and maimed in such places. One Korea, one Vietnam and one Kuwait in half a century … [Read more...] about Our Biggest and Most Lasting Loss from 9/11
Obama’s Syria speech: OK I’ll read the transcript
Okay. I'll read the transcript. Can't watch or even listen to a president Address The Country. Beginning with Reagan. George W. Bush was the clincher. For people who are sensitive to body language and oily prevarication, presidential speeches are torture. Bush's face was one big lie even when he stumbled over the truth by mistake. He looked as though he felt guilty. I … [Read more...] about Obama’s Syria speech: OK I’ll read the transcript