As an emerging world power, does China need the capacity to eliminate American satellites? In recent days, the buzz from the intelligence community has been that within the next few weeks, China is likely to hold another test of its capacity to destroy or disable satellites in space. According to this editorial from China's state-run Huanqiu, whether or not China holds such a … [Read more...] about China Must Have Capacity to Shoot Down American Satellites (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
McCain’s 12-Year War Against Chuck Hagel
Unseen in the cloud of preemptive dust over the nomination for Secretary of Defense is more than a decade of fallout from a friendship with John McCain that broke apart into bitterness. Chuck Hagel had supported the fellow Vietnam veteran’s run for president in 2000 but then angered his Senate colleague to the point that McCain, moving to the Neo-Con Right, approvingly … [Read more...] about McCain’s 12-Year War Against Chuck Hagel
What is in the Water Some Republicans are Drinking?
Can someone explain to me what's in the water so many Republicans seem to be drinking? It's not just that "compassionate conservativism" now seems to have been a phrase popular two centuries ago: basic civility, decency and manners also seem to be out the window, trumped (excuse the expression) by an overpowering urge to show partisanship in almost all reactions. For instance … [Read more...] about What is in the Water Some Republicans are Drinking?
Chuck Hagel: Why Obama is Using Political Capital on Pentagon Pick
Chuck Hagel: why Obama is using political capital on Pentagon pick (+video) (via The Christian Science Monitor) At first blush, former Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska seems an odd pick for secretary of Defense. He is a Republican, a point that frustrates Democrats who would rather see one of their own in this key Cabinet slot. But, to many Republicans, he’s a RINO – … [Read more...] about Chuck Hagel: Why Obama is Using Political Capital on Pentagon Pick
Don’t Blame Shanahan
WASHINGTON -- The question consuming Washington right now has nothing to do with the debt ceiling, immigration reform or the composition of President Obama's second-term Cabinet. It's whether Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan should have pulled his limping superstar, Robert Griffin III, from Sunday's game before the young quarterback further injured his tender knee. … [Read more...] about Don’t Blame Shanahan
Worker Fired For Taking Time To Care For Dying Wife
This is one of those stories that I suspect will develop considerably as time goes on. The basic story is that a city worker in Massachusetts was fired for taking off to much time while caring for his wife, who was dying of cancer. The worker is now suing alleging that there was racial bias involved (he is white and the person who took his place is hispanic) Setting aside … [Read more...] about Worker Fired For Taking Time To Care For Dying Wife
Why Chuck Hagel Will Make a Tremendous Secretary of Defense (Updates).
UPDATE II: As expected, Republicans -- especially the Neocons -- are coming out in force to sabotage Chuck Hagel’s nomination for SecDef. Fred Kaplan at Slate predicts that these people -- he calls them the “resisters” -- have four main concerns: “They fear that Hagel will cut the military budget. They fear that he’ll roll over if Iran builds a nuclear weapon. They fear … [Read more...] about Why Chuck Hagel Will Make a Tremendous Secretary of Defense (Updates).
Secretary Clinton is Back
WASHINGTON - The much anticipated return of Secretary Clinton was preceded by a flurry of insane drivel from the right, which began with vile attacks of "Benghazi flu" after she suffered a concussion, the reason for her brief absence on the scene. A blood clot was subsequently found and Clinton's been undergoing treatment since. There remains some question about whether … [Read more...] about Secretary Clinton is Back
This Just In!
This just in from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Just hours after being sworn in at the U.S. Capitol, the freshman class of House Republicans said that they were disappointed that they failed to shut down the government on their first day in office. “We were all like, ‘O.K., we’re sworn in, let’s shut this thing down,’” said … [Read more...] about This Just In!
Quote of the Day: Why Republicans REALLY Hate Chuck Hagel
Cutting away all the spin, niceties, and fig-leaf posturing that has come to represent political debate in our country, Slate's Fred Kaplin nails why Republicans hate President Barack Obama's candidate for Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagle. And Daryl Cagle does in the above cartoon, too. Kaplan: Let’s look at the real issues. Hagel is a former two-term Republican senator. … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Why Republicans REALLY Hate Chuck Hagel
On ‘Comments’
Disclaimer: I like comments. I frequently comment myself. (Most) comments are very reasoned and insightful. (Most) readers who frequently comment are brilliant and perceptive. TMV comments, in particular, are some of the best in the blogosphere. TMV readers, in particular, are some of the best-informed and discerning readers anywhere. Finally, this post … [Read more...] about On ‘Comments’
“NRA’s Vision: A Nation Packing Heat,” Bill Moyers and Michael Winship, January 5, 2013, Moyers & Company
NRA’s Vision: A Nation Packing Heat by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship We wrote and spoke about guns just a few days before Christmas, following the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. So did Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the National Rifle Association. His now infamous, “no questions” press conference was the most stunning, cockeyed, one-man show since Clint Eastwood addressed … [Read more...] about “NRA’s Vision: A Nation Packing Heat,” Bill Moyers and Michael Winship, January 5, 2013, Moyers & Company
The Real Deficit Argument
WASHINGTON -- Should our politicians dedicate themselves to solving the problems we face now? Or should they spend their time constructing largely theoretical deficit solutions for years far in the future to satisfy certain ideological and aesthetic urges? This is one of the two central choices the country faces at the beginning of President Obama's second term. The … [Read more...] about The Real Deficit Argument
Obama to Name His Picks to Head CIA, Pentagon
Obama to name his picks to head CIA, Pentagon (via AFP) US President Barack Obama on Monday will announce his picks to head the CIA and Pentagon, as he assembles his national security team for his second term, officials said. Officials said Obama would nominate White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan as CIA director to replace David Petraeus and… … [Read more...] about Obama to Name His Picks to Head CIA, Pentagon
Upside-Down Government by Losers
Sunday morning TV is like looking through the wrong end of a telescope: Diminutive figures jockey for attention while bloviating about big issues. Mitch McConnell, with his thinned-out Senate minority, trumpets that raising taxes “is finished. Over. Completed. That’s behind us.” After demolishing Susan Rice, John McCain’s Amigo Lindsey Graham zeroes in on Chuck Hagel’s … [Read more...] about Upside-Down Government by Losers
Why Joe Biden Is The Most Influential Veep In History (Dick Cheney Doesn’t Count): Report From 20 Paws Ranch
In the Situation Room: Biden (right) was the only insider to oppose the raid on Osama bin Laden When Barack Hussein Obama takes the presidential oath of office on January 21, at his side will be Joseph Robinette Biden, without question the most influential vice president for good in American history. This by way of differentiating him, as if one needs to, from Richard Bruce … [Read more...] about Why Joe Biden Is The Most Influential Veep In History (Dick Cheney Doesn’t Count): Report From 20 Paws Ranch
William Hilton Paul, Son of Sen. Rand Paul, Arrested for Underage Drinking, Disorderly Conduct in NC Airport
William Hilton Paul, 19, the son of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was arrested at a North Carolina airport for disorderly conduct and public intoxication charges, Politico reports. The teen is charged with consuming alcohol underage, being intoxicated, and disruptive and disorderly conduct, The Charlotte Observer reports. William Hilton Paul was on an early Saturday flight from … [Read more...] about William Hilton Paul, Son of Sen. Rand Paul, Arrested for Underage Drinking, Disorderly Conduct in NC Airport
Perhaps Mr. Gohmert Can Have an Epiphany
Some Helpful Hints For the GOP to Get A Clue ... It's pointless to kick people when they're down, no matter HOW rewarding it might seem, nor how much kvelling it makes in the pupik. Listen: Republican Congressman Insults Nancy Pelosi's Appearance: 'There's No Facelift With John Boehner' Scott Keyes / ThinkProgress An outspoken Republican congressman castigated House … [Read more...] about Perhaps Mr. Gohmert Can Have an Epiphany
Assad’s Fantasies Fuel Syria’s Tragedy
The Syrian tragedy is on its way to becoming more heart-rending. Caught in his fantasies, President Bashar al-Assad today confirmed he is incapable of ending the bloodletting through rational negotiations. That will place new pressures on President Barack Obama to get rid of him before Syria descends into Hades. Mediation attempts by the United Nations hold little promise now. … [Read more...] about Assad’s Fantasies Fuel Syria’s Tragedy
First Current or Former C.I.A. Officer to Face Prison for a Classified Leak (Updated)
UPDATE: As stated in the original article (below), the conviction of former CIA officer John Kiriakou -- the first current or former officer from the agency to face prison for a classified leak -- was bound to generate controversy. In “The Only CIA Officer Scheduled to Go to Jail Over Torture Never Tortured Anybody,” Kevin Gosztola at firedoglake.com jumps right into the … [Read more...] about First Current or Former C.I.A. Officer to Face Prison for a Classified Leak (Updated)