Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque in an undated family photo. (U.S. Navy photo) Update: In a short release the U.S. Navy announced its latest casualty in the Afghanistan War: WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of Defense announced Nov. 10 the death of a Sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, … [Read more...] about Breaking: Member of Special Operations Forces Killed in Rescue of American in Afghanistan (Updated)
The Perils for Latin America of Obama’s Fear-Inspired Re-Election (Opera Mundi, Brazil)
Before this first Worldmeets.US post since Hurricane Sandy struck our offices in Rockaway Park, I want to thank everyone who sent words of support and expressed concern after the disaster, not only for us, but for people across the region who have been impacted by the most powerful storm in our lifetimes. Since then, we have been working diligently to get back up and running, … [Read more...] about The Perils for Latin America of Obama’s Fear-Inspired Re-Election (Opera Mundi, Brazil)
Obama Uses Campaign Apparatus to Press Congress for Higher Taxes on Rich
There had been some doubt among many whether -- despite their assures they would not -- Team Obama was going to make the same mistake it made after the 2008 elections and not use its impressive campaign apparatus linked up via email with millions of supporters to clamor and fight for Obama's positions. Now there is no doubt they won't make the same mistake: Stephanie Cutter, … [Read more...] about Obama Uses Campaign Apparatus to Press Congress for Higher Taxes on Rich
Egypt’s Morsi Overplayed His Hand: Analysts
Egypt's Morsi overplayed his hand: analysts (via AFP) Egypt's Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, overreached by giving himself broad powers and trying to ram through a new constitution without sufficient consultation, analysts say. His abrupt annulment on the weekend of a November decree putting himself above judicial review -- after weeks of sometimes… … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Morsi Overplayed His Hand: Analysts
New Battleground Poll: Yes..Hike Taxes on the Rich
The bottom line of a new Battleground Poll is this: it shows strong support for raising taxes on the rich and will be one more component strengthening the political hand of President Barack Obama on this issue -- an issue on which some key Republicans are quite systematically moving towards making it clear that they feel this will happen and that the Republican Party>needs to … [Read more...] about New Battleground Poll: Yes..Hike Taxes on the Rich
Scarborough on Talk Radio ‘Bullies’: Republicans Should ‘Punch Them in the Face’ (Guest Voice)
Scarborough on talk radio ‘bullies’: Republicans should ‘punch them in the face’ (via Raw Story ) MSNBC host Joe Scarborough is calling on Republicans to push back against talk radio “bullies” like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh by punching them “in the face.” The conservative host on Monday noted that some on the “far right” had realized … [Read more...] about Scarborough on Talk Radio ‘Bullies’: Republicans Should ‘Punch Them in the Face’ (Guest Voice)
Mexican-American Star Singer Killed in Plane Crash
Mexican-American star singer killed in plane crash (via AFP) A small plane carrying Mexican-American star singer Jenni Rivera crashed in northern Mexico on Sunday, leaving no survivors and sparking an outpouring of grief among fans and fellow celebrities. The wreckage of the Lear Jet, which was carrying six other people, was found by farmers in the state … [Read more...] about Mexican-American Star Singer Killed in Plane Crash
The Extraordinary Hail Mary Play To Persuade Petraeus To Run Against Obama: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
It was obvious long before the presidential primary season got underway that many Republicans thought they could take back the White House, but didn't believe they had a winning candidate in a field of wannabes long on wingnuttery and short on competence. And so in the most extraordinary attempted Hail Mary play in modern American political history, as well as a betrayal of … [Read more...] about The Extraordinary Hail Mary Play To Persuade Petraeus To Run Against Obama: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
The Footprint We Can’t Afford
"There's been a certain amount of pop sociology in America ... that the Shia can't get along with the Sunni and the Shia in Iraq just want to establish some kind of Islamic fundamentalist regime. There's almost no evidence of that at all. Iraq's always been very secular." ~ William Kristol, April 4th, 2003 Joe Covered William Kristol's comments below but I had a little more … [Read more...] about The Footprint We Can’t Afford
Morsi Fails to Silence Opposition
To my non-surprise, Egypt's current President is not able to silence his critics. I didn't think he'd be able to. Let's hope I stay right about that, but I'm pretty optimistic. *Update*: Apologies for the subscription-only link. Good updates on this story here and here. … [Read more...] about Morsi Fails to Silence Opposition
Birth of a Political Cartoon
I am the world's biggest fan of cartoonists, the cartoon industry and cartoons. I just got my most recent issue of Mad -- which I've read each month (only missing it during the five years where I wrote for newspapers from India and Spain) since I was 6. I had my birthday on November 30 and I won't say how old I am but let's just say that when I was a kid McDonald's had signs … [Read more...] about Birth of a Political Cartoon
Tea Party Flag (Cartoon)
LEGAL NOTICE ON CARTOON: This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Reproduction elsewhere without licensing is strictly prohibited. See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Tea Party Flag (Cartoon)
Biased About Bias (Guest Voice)
Biased About Bias by Peter Funt Mainstream media, or "lame stream" as Sarah Palin prefers it, came under increased attack during the presidential campaign, mostly among conservatives who railed against a perceived liberal tilt. "It goes without saying that there is definitely media bias," said Paul Ryan on the stump, claiming that most people in media "want a … [Read more...] about Biased About Bias (Guest Voice)
Pakistan Leader Visits Shot Girl in British Hospital
Pakistan leader visits shot girl in British hospital (via AFP) Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday visited the Pakistani schoolgirl recovering in a British hospital after she was shot by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' education. Zardari also met 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai's family at the specialist Queen Elizabeth Hospital in … [Read more...] about Pakistan Leader Visits Shot Girl in British Hospital
Mursi Course of Action (Cartoon)
LEGAL NOTICE ON CARTOON: This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Reproduction elsewhere without licensing is strictly prohibited. See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Mursi Course of Action (Cartoon)
Rocky Road Ahead for Implementation of Obamacare
Rocky road ahead for implementation of Obamacare (via AFP) President Barack Obama may have defeated opponents of his landmark health care law in the courts and at the ballot box, but the sweeping reforms still face a rocky road ahead. Advocates are concerned that the funding needed to help expand coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans could take a hit… … [Read more...] about Rocky Road Ahead for Implementation of Obamacare
Quote of the Day: Bill Kristol on Conservatism Becoming a “Racket”
Our political Quote of the Day comes from conservative and Weekly Standard maven Bill Kristol who argues its time for a renewed conservative movement -- and it may take a new generation to do so. The key quote comes on where conservatism is today: And the conservative movement?—?a bulwark of American strength for the last several decades?—?is in deep disarray. Reading … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Bill Kristol on Conservatism Becoming a “Racket”
NFL Cowboys’ Brown Dies in Car Crash, Teammate Arrested
NFL Cowboys' Brown dies in car crash, teammate arrested (via AFP) NFL player Josh Brent was arrested early Saturday on drunk driving manslaughter charges in connection with a single-vehicle smash that killed Dallas Cowboys reserve Jerry Brown. According to police in the Dallas suburb of Irving the 24-year-old Brent -- named in the police report at Joshua … [Read more...] about NFL Cowboys’ Brown Dies in Car Crash, Teammate Arrested
When You Hear Pols Talk About “Reform,” Duck
Generals know that most battles are won before the fighting actually starts. They're won by the material brought to the field, the number of troops in place and troop morale. Smart pols know something similar — most of their own political battles are also won in advance. They are won by the way words and terms applied to certain issues have been shaped so as to seem acceptable … [Read more...] about When You Hear Pols Talk About “Reform,” Duck
Why Can’t Obama Behave Like a Winner?
Why can’t the President take yes for an answer? A month after voters affirmed him, why is he signaling so many concessions to a GOP in disarray? There are sightings of the Barack Obama who botched the first debate with Mitt Romney—-disengaged, distant, bogged down in details of issues rather than passionate about what’s at stake. All this goes beyond ideology and partisan … [Read more...] about Why Can’t Obama Behave Like a Winner?