In the United States there is a general sense that Egypt is now moving out of America's orbit - but very little conception of what specifically is driving that process. This article by columnist Dr. Mahmud Madi of Egypt's Amal al-Oumma newspaper outlines the major issues driving Egyptian resentment, starting with operations of U.S.-run non-governmental organizations in Egypt … [Read more...] about Egyptians Refuse to Accept What America Would Reject (Amal al-Oumma, Egypt)
A Fearful GOP
WASHINGTON -- Republicans haven't quite thrown away what they see as a winnable presidential election, at least not yet. But they're trying their best. In GOP circles, there is more than a whiff of panic in the air. Unemployment is still painfully high, Americans remain dissatisfied with the country's direction, even the most favorable polls show President Obama's … [Read more...] about A Fearful GOP
Not Narrow Minded
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Romney Surrogate Trump Rips Into Santorum
Millionaire/billionaire (choose which one you think is accurate) Donald Trump accepted an offer from former Massachusetts Mitt Romney to in effect be a surrogate for him and in his new role Trump ripped into chief anti-Romney candidate former Senator Rick Santorum. And he did it in characteristic Trump style: blunt peppery: Donald Trump demonstrated Monday that he has no … [Read more...] about Romney Surrogate Trump Rips Into Santorum
Obama Sends Republicans the Budget they Deserve (Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany)
Complain as they might, have U.S. Republicans themselves brought on the 'political' budget President Obama submitted for fiscal year 2013? For Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung, columnist Nikolaus Piper asserts that while the ideas in the president's 'reasonable' budget are correct, Republicans were never going to pass them - and that 'given the Republicans who want to be … [Read more...] about Obama Sends Republicans the Budget they Deserve (Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany)
Why a Republican Political Savior and a Brokered Convention Is Unlikely to Happen
A lot of the buzz now is about the possibility of a brokered Republican convention -- the emergence of some kind of a new conservative political savior that'll jump into the race and save the party from the often bumbling and unloved former Massachsetts Gov. Mitt Romney or the current anti-Romney favorite, former Senator Rick Santorum. Santorum has already got some GOPers … [Read more...] about Why a Republican Political Savior and a Brokered Convention Is Unlikely to Happen
Should The Federal Government Support Institutions That Serve Non-Kosher Food?
The surging candidacy of Rick Santorum has done wonders in reshaping American politics. We are now able to look away from peripheral issues such recession, the disintegrating situation in Middle East, the unwinding of the European Union and its euro-based economics, and finally focus on the really important stuff — theology, and a president's adherence to biblical … [Read more...] about Should The Federal Government Support Institutions That Serve Non-Kosher Food?
For Chinese in U.S., Jeremy Lin Ignites ‘New American Dream’ (China Daily, People’s Republic of China)
It seems everyone appreciates the meteoric emergence of Jeremy Lin as an NBA superstar. But as far as Beijing's news masters are concerned, Lin is nearly a miracle worker. In this editorial from the state-run China Daily, the young Taiwanese American is credited for, among other things, improving China's image, helping to change 'stereotypes and prejudice regarding … [Read more...] about For Chinese in U.S., Jeremy Lin Ignites ‘New American Dream’ (China Daily, People’s Republic of China)
Political Season of Spite
The most mundane man in Washington puts his finger on the prevailing mood. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, fed up with the Republicans blocking judicial nominees, says they are being “being held up out of spite.” Spite, malice, resentment increasingly pervade the American landscape in an election year that promises to be uglier than any in living memory. It recalls the … [Read more...] about Political Season of Spite
President’s Day
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about President’s Day
Poll: Michigan Primary Race Tightens as Romney Gains Ground (UPDATED)
A new poll indicates that the big battle to win Michigan's Republican primary has now tightened considerably with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney quickly picking up steam and former Senator Rick Santorum perhaps heading in this primary to the fate of other "anti-Romney's" that shot up in the polls: he seems to be losing ground fast. The Republican race for President … [Read more...] about Poll: Michigan Primary Race Tightens as Romney Gains Ground (UPDATED)
Ideological Hypocrites (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- When we talk about hypocrisy in politics, we usually highlight personal behavior. The multiply-married politician who proclaims "family values" while also having affairs is now a rather dreary stock figure in our campaign narratives. But the hypocrisy that matters far more is the gap between ideology and practice that has reached a crisis point in … [Read more...] about Ideological Hypocrites (Guest Voice)
About that Ticker-Tape Parade for our Iraq War Veterans
I like the idea of expressing the nation’s gratitude for the sacrifices of the brave troops who served in Iraq by inviting 64 of them to a formal state dinner at the White House -- “an unprecedented event by the White House, normally reserved for foreign dignitaries.” Of course there are many who disapprove or who have reservations: “A politically motivated gesture by the … [Read more...] about About that Ticker-Tape Parade for our Iraq War Veterans
Foster Friess, Fake Cowboy, Fools the Foils
Frustrating, that's what it is. I started covering Foster Friess -- albeit unknowingly -- in 2007. So, to see that our postmeridian and matutinal media mavens, our profound political pundits, our fulminating famous frothy photonic philologists haven't even gotten to square one ... well, it's frustrating oh YOUR behalf. fake cowboys are nothing new in American popular … [Read more...] about Foster Friess, Fake Cowboy, Fools the Foils
“One Test Tube Hamburger to Go”
If you thought fast-food restaurant hamburgers were a little plastic tasting when compared to what you grill at home, you may soon be in for a new taste. Forget meat, forget plastic -- how about test tubes? Yes, test tube hamburgers may be on the way: By generating strips of meat from stem cells researchers believe they can create a product that is identical to a real … [Read more...] about “One Test Tube Hamburger to Go”
Santorum: Did He Do Nuance, Backtrack Or Spin On Comments Dissing Obama’s Christian Beliefs?
Was it nuance, backtrack -- or spin? Up and coming anti-Romney Republican Presidential nomination candidate former Senator Rick Santorum got into some hot water in the media due to one of his red meat comments this weekend that elicited a satisfied, loud belch from sated conservatives. It was a comment that should win him some votes in GOP primaries but also risks scaring … [Read more...] about Santorum: Did He Do Nuance, Backtrack Or Spin On Comments Dissing Obama’s Christian Beliefs?
On Moving The Same-Sex Marriage Goalpost
Apparently, same-sex marriage opponents have settled on the referendum as the only legitimate democratic means of settling civil rights issues. They have no fear about tyrannical majorities - yet (see below). Doug Mataconis calls it moving the goalposts: When the Courts started ruling against them, they decried judicial tyranny. Now that the legislatures, the democratically … [Read more...] about On Moving The Same-Sex Marriage Goalpost
GOP Hear Them Roar (Guest Voice)
GOP Hear Them Roar by Cliff Schecter As I watch this Republican presidential primary season proceed in a manner roughly consistent with the course of the Costa Concordia, it has led me to a suspicion I feel honor-bound to share: I think the Republicans are throwing this thing. I'm not yet sure why. It could be that it better sets them up for a president they actually … [Read more...] about GOP Hear Them Roar (Guest Voice)
ESPN Under Fire for Linsationally Bad PC Headline About Knicks Loss “Chink in the Armor” (UPDATED)
ESPN got into a a linsational tub of hot water over a racially tinged Lin headline: Intentional? As someone who worked for some years in the media both cabling (before internet) stories from abroad as a freelance correspondent for newspapers from Europe and Asia, and as someone who worked on the staff of two newspaper chais, I'd guess this is more due to an oversight … [Read more...] about ESPN Under Fire for Linsationally Bad PC Headline About Knicks Loss “Chink in the Armor” (UPDATED)
The World’s Oldest Photographs
A look at the world's oldest photographs: … [Read more...] about The World’s Oldest Photographs