If you don't read Daniel Larison you should. He is all over Willard Romney's foolish and scary foreign policy which has been constructed by old cold war warriors and neo-cons. Today we have this: When Romney Calls for “Resolve and Strength,” He Is Endorsing Recklessness and Aggression Mitt Romney is still harping on the 2009 missile … [Read more...] about Romney’s Scary and Stupid Foreign Policy
The Reviews Begin: Assessing Secretary Clinton
"It was a standoff," [Secretary Clinton] told me, "for 24 difficult hours." - Old-Fashioned Diplomacy in the Twitter Age, by Susan B. Glasser WASHINGTON - "Head of State" aptly describes Hillary Rodham Clinton's power and position, an interview conducted in the days after a diplomatic crisis was averted. The quote at the very top is a perfect example of Pres. Obama's … [Read more...] about The Reviews Begin: Assessing Secretary Clinton
Hosni Mubarak Reported “Clinically Dead”
According to news reports out of Cairo, former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is "clinically dead" at the age of 84. The reports state that he suffered a stroke and cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital. News reports from the region can sometimes be inaccurate (indeed there are some reports denying this report but admitting the heart attack or stroke) but it … [Read more...] about Hosni Mubarak Reported “Clinically Dead”
President Obama’s Real ‘Kill List’
The New York Times piece on Obama's terrorist "kill list" got a lot of attention. It listed the names of those chosen for execution by CIA and Pentagon drones outside the conventional battlefield. The names not listed on the kill list are those innocents in other countries killed by the strikes. But they are dead all the same. The anti war protests have gone silent. Although I … [Read more...] about President Obama’s Real ‘Kill List’
Who Will Be the 3,000th American Soldier to Die in the Afghanistan War?
The announcement always starts this way, “DOD Identifies …” It is then followed by the name of the Military Service our latest warrior to die in Afghanistan served in. That is how the death of our 2,000th soldier in Afghanistan was officially announced to the nation. Simply: DOD Identifies Marine … [Read more...] about Who Will Be the 3,000th American Soldier to Die in the Afghanistan War?
Without A Vision A People, A Country, And A President Are Lost
Twenty years ago the largest gathering of world leaders in history came together in Rio de Janeiro to discuss how to address the world's environmental problems. At the same time in another Brazilian city, Sao Paulo, there was a huge trade show featuring green technologies that would both protect the environment and spawn economic changes that could be the basis of jobs, … [Read more...] about Without A Vision A People, A Country, And A President Are Lost
Student Loan Indebtedness Tradeoffs
Another Bloomberg article on the education bubble. This one by Richard Vedder, director of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, and an economics professor at Ohio University. Vedder points out an incongruity about the economy and educational situation in the United States that has bothered me for years. U.S. employers complain that they can’t find enough … [Read more...] about Student Loan Indebtedness Tradeoffs
A Viable Libertarian Candidate?
It looks like the Libertarian Party's Presidential candidate is possibly going to be a real factor in November: he's New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, who has broad appeal in certain parts of the country and certain segments of the electorate. I see him as more likely to act as a spoiler for Mitt Romney than anything else. Since I am broadly sympathetic to him on many of the … [Read more...] about A Viable Libertarian Candidate?
Senators Regret Confirmation of John Roberts
Many of us are noting that the current Supreme Court, thanks in large part to its heavy-handed right and its lyin'-cheatin' chief justice, is losing Congress' confidence. Finally. Like it or not, today is when the court may "revisit" Citizens United. Not reverse their decision or anything satisfactory like that, just "revisit." And today we read that "meanwhile, the … [Read more...] about Senators Regret Confirmation of John Roberts
Romney’s Unmaid Mind
WASHINGTON -- Sí, se puede. Yes, it can be done. President Obama showed last week that it's possible to find a reasonable, humane solution for at least 800,000 young people who were illegally brought into this country as children. All you need is a moral compass and a heart. Seems to me that Obama's unilateral decision to let these noncitizens remain here … [Read more...] about Romney’s Unmaid Mind
Campaign Cash
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited … [Read more...] about Campaign Cash
U.S. Says Uribe Security Chief Worked for Drug Cartels, Paramilitaries (El Espectador, Colombia)
It's a Colombian bombshell: According to this news item from El Espectador, the former security chief of drug-fighting President Alvaro Uribe has been indicted in U.S. federal court for, among other things, taking bribes from both drug cartels and paramilitary groups, trafficking in cocaine and betraying the names of drug informants who were later hunted down and murdered. … [Read more...] about U.S. Says Uribe Security Chief Worked for Drug Cartels, Paramilitaries (El Espectador, Colombia)
VIDEO of the Day: CNN’s Don Lemon Witheringly Skewers Tucker Carlson and Daily Caller Reporter Who Heckled Obama
MUST VIEWING: CNN's Don Lemon has done what to this former fulltime journalist (me) is the definitive take on the sad - -and hopefully not trend-setting -- saga of Neil Monro, The Daily Caller reporter who interrupted President Barack Obama in the middle of an official statement and of his boss Tucker Carlson, a one-time but no longer serious and respected up and coming … [Read more...] about VIDEO of the Day: CNN’s Don Lemon Witheringly Skewers Tucker Carlson and Daily Caller Reporter Who Heckled Obama
Dream Action
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Watergate ‘Changed the World’ (Estadao, Brazil)
In many ways, it was America's finest hour, demonstrating to the world that in the United States, no one - even the president - is above the law. In this column from Brazil's Estadao, on the 40th anniversary of the Watergate break-in, some of the country's leading experts on the United States examine the scandal's impact on Brazil and the globe. For Estadao, reporter Bruna … [Read more...] about Watergate ‘Changed the World’ (Estadao, Brazil)
American Style Democracy
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The Concerned Moderate’s Vigilance List
What do moderates have to worry about? Plenty. If you're a moderate, trouble comes at you from both directions. Over at my own blog, The New Moderate, I've been updating a special Vigilance List each June to reflect our current jitters. I'd like to share the latest version with you here. 1. Perpetual recession.Our current recession is like nothing else in recent memory: an … [Read more...] about The Concerned Moderate’s Vigilance List
I wouldn’t recommend it… but you know, in prisons, anything goes.
Seriously, when I worked in prisons, people incarcerated can make most anything access most anything, including contraband. People who think prison is just bad food and workout in chain link cells and real bad punishment, are dreaming. One of the most sought after is how to make contraband food like back to home. Recently I saw this innovation. But not sure it can replace … [Read more...] about I wouldn’t recommend it… but you know, in prisons, anything goes.
Some DAYS ARE LIKE THAT: BEST INTENTIONS
His request approved, the FOX News photographer quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport to charter a flight. He was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport. Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming up outside a hanger. He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted, 'Let's go'. The … [Read more...] about Some DAYS ARE LIKE THAT: BEST INTENTIONS
Casting Call: Obama Picks John Kerry to Play Romney in Debate Preparation
The casting call is over: President Barack Obama has cast 2004 Democratic Presidential candidate and Massachusetts Senator John Kerry to play Mitt Romney in rehearsals for the critical series of debates. Hey, it's a good choice: both Kerry and Romney were for it before they were against it. But there are quite serious reasons why it's a good choice. Kerry knows Romney's … [Read more...] about Casting Call: Obama Picks John Kerry to Play Romney in Debate Preparation