After confusing and conflicting reports last week on whether the Pentagon had contingency plans on hand to deal with Syria militarily, and as the situation worsens in Syria, CNN now reports that the Pentagon has completed “its own planning for how American troops would conduct a variety of operations against Syria, or to assist neighboring countries in the event action was … [Read more...] about Pentagon Completes Plans for Syria with or without White House Direction
No Matter Which Party Wins In November, A Hard Swing To The Right
It's too early to know which party will win in November. But it's easy to look into the future and guess how each would govern after victory. Let's say that Mr. Obama squeaks through and gets reelected. And the Democrats hold on to the Senate. And in spite of reapportionment finagling and voter disenfranchisement gambits by Republicans they also somehow manage to eke out a … [Read more...] about No Matter Which Party Wins In November, A Hard Swing To The Right
Okinawans ‘Unswervingly’ Against Deployment of ‘Defective’ Osprey (Ryukyu Shimpo Shimbun, Japan)
The frustration among the people of Okinawa for having to host 75 percent of the U.S. military presence in Japan is long-standing. But this editorial from Japan's Ryukyu Shimpo Shimbun opposing the deployment of the accident-prone V-22 Osprey exhibits a ferocity of emotion rarely seen in Japan's traditionally staid media. The Ryukyu Shimpo Shimbun editorial starts off this … [Read more...] about Okinawans ‘Unswervingly’ Against Deployment of ‘Defective’ Osprey (Ryukyu Shimpo Shimbun, Japan)
A College Reality Check (Guest Voice)
A College Reality Check by Esther J. Cepedia Washington Post Writers Group ESTHER CEPEDA COLUMN (Advance for Thursday, June 14, 2012, and thereafter. Web release Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at 8 p.m. Eastern time.) (For Cepeda clients only) A college reality check By ESTHER J. CEPEDA CHICAGO -- It's commencement speech season, the time of year when sage elders … [Read more...] about A College Reality Check (Guest Voice)
Get Ready for More Obama Romney Dueling Speeches
Get ready to see a lot of this: dueling Presidential candidate speeches. Because if one candidate noses his way into the news cycle it means he gets to counter the other. And yesterday seemed a good prototype: In dueling speeches that sought to frame the economic debate for their election showdown in November, President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney on Thursday offered … [Read more...] about Get Ready for More Obama Romney Dueling Speeches
Middle Class Eraser
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Middle Class Eraser
Struggle for the Republican Party’s Soul: Jeb Bush Versus Grover Norquist?
Is a struggle for the soul of the Republican Party now underway? CNN's John Avlon (who wrote Independent Nation: How Centrism Can Change American Politics, one of the best books ever written on American centrist and independent voter politics) think so. The former Florida Governor recently ruffled some GOP feathers by veering from the party line. And a feather that seemed most … [Read more...] about Struggle for the Republican Party’s Soul: Jeb Bush Versus Grover Norquist?
Quote Of The Day
The Quote of the Day comes from Mike Krieger: We must admit to ourselves that there are truly evil geniuses out there, and in most cases these characters have taken control of the power structure (corporations, politics and factions of the military in most of the nations we reside in). The necessary action is not for good people to bury their heads in the sand and pretend … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day
Defense Update: Flag Day and ‘You Have Come a Long Way, Navy’
Today is Flag Day. The American Flag we honor today has not changed very much during the last 100 years. The only changes that have been made to our flag have been ones needed to accommodate additional stars as our Union grew to the 50 states that today make up the United States of America. Nothing has changed, however, in the ideals and values represented by our … [Read more...] about Defense Update: Flag Day and ‘You Have Come a Long Way, Navy’
On Obama’s Big Economic Speech: A Fizzle or Homerun?
Was President Barack Obama's speech on the economy anything that advances his campaign foward, or changes how he framed it? Or was it just one more speech? You judge for yourself. Here's the full transcript of the speech. An MSNBC panel of pundits thought the speech was bad. But Andrew Sullivan offers this extensive look at the speech in some of his always-compelling … [Read more...] about On Obama’s Big Economic Speech: A Fizzle or Homerun?
Conflict in Syria Now Threatens World Peace (Trouw, The Netherlands)
Just how dangerous is the Syria crisis to those of us in the outside world? For Trouw of the Netherlands, former U.N. envoy to Darfur Jan Pronk warns all parties involved in the burgeoning crisis that unless the key international players, i.e.: the U.S. and Russia, start marching hand-in-hand toward a peaceful settlement, the entire Middle East will likely become actively … [Read more...] about Conflict in Syria Now Threatens World Peace (Trouw, The Netherlands)
BREAKING NEWS: Egyptian Court Rules Parliament Illegal
The Egyptian Supreme Court has tossed out the recent elections for Parliament, saying that they were illegal. The military council in charge of the government has now assumed legislative powers and will name a body to write a new Constitution. This weekend a candidate strongly backed by the Muslim Brotherhood will likely win the Presidency. So much for democracy.... … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: Egyptian Court Rules Parliament Illegal
Quote of the Day: Why the Obama Campaign Is Unlikely to Change
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Time's Mark Halperin, who certainly is well-sourced and understands Barack Obama (remember Halperin's book "Game Change"?). He says not to expect big changes in the Obama campaign, despite some Democrats and pundits saying the campaign is in major trouble. He lists these factors: 44, like 43, doesn’t trust easily. He doesn’t … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Why the Obama Campaign Is Unlikely to Change
Can a Speech Help Obama Hit the Reset Button Again?
Can a speech once again help Barack Obama hit the reset button and propel him out of a political hole? MSNBC's First Read raises an important point: *** Obama’s back against the wall (again): In the five years since Barack Obama has become a fixture on the national stage, he has followed this script when the going gets tough: He gives a speech. He did it during the 2008 … [Read more...] about Can a Speech Help Obama Hit the Reset Button Again?
Report: Adelson’s Donations to Romney Could Be “Limitless”
If Forbes' report here is true, it will truly raise the issue of whether for the first time in history one person's massive, utterly unfettered use of his personal wealth can literally pay to remove someone from the White House. It should lead to a rethinking of Citizen's United (don't hold your breath). Forbes: Forbes has confirmed that billionaire Sheldon Adelson, along … [Read more...] about Report: Adelson’s Donations to Romney Could Be “Limitless”
Proprietary Colleges and Government Loans
Proprietary colleges keep growing, supported by federal loans to students. Constrained by their budget deficits, states have been cutting funds to community colleges and four year institutions, causing them have fewer places for new students. Private colleges are stepping into the breech, expanding and capturing some of these students in addition to their usual enrollees. While … [Read more...] about Proprietary Colleges and Government Loans
The Spanish Economy and the Euro
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The Spanish Economy and the Euro
Billionaires Against Billionaires
WASHINGTON -- For those who believe money already has too much power in American politics, 2012 will be a miserable year. The Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, lassitude at the Federal Election Commission and the growing audacity of very rich conservatives have created a new political system that will make the politics of the Gilded Age look like a clean government … [Read more...] about Billionaires Against Billionaires
Don Rickles and the Gasp of Political Correctness (UPDATED)
The instinct to be politically correct was on display again. This time a comedian's insulting joke led to audible gasps in a Hollywood elite audience and then, finally, to laughs. What was this shocking incident about? It was -- if you have a pacemaker make sure this won't short circuit it— about Don Rickles making an insult joke about President Barack Obama that wasn't … [Read more...] about Don Rickles and the Gasp of Political Correctness (UPDATED)
Europe May Decide Obama’s Fate (Guest Voice)
Europe May Decide Obama's Fate by Dana Milbank Washington Post Columnist LONDON -- Some think Ohio will decide the presidential election. Others are watching Florida, or North Carolina or Wisconsin. But if you really want to know who will win the White House in November, you should ask the Europeans. They aren't eligible to vote, but they may well cast the … [Read more...] about Europe May Decide Obama’s Fate (Guest Voice)