Why Excessive Debt is the Real Problem – Part II by Steve Suranovic One of the main reasons for the unemployment problem around the world is excessive debt. Only when we eliminate the underlying source of our problems will we be able to sustainably reduce the unemployment rate. In my last post about debt I talked about mortgage debt. This post is about government debt. … [Read more...] about Why Excessive Debt is the Real Problem – Part II (Guest Voice)
GOP Gone Wild
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So Exactly What DOES a President Look Like?
Yes, it's that time again, when pundits deliver to news consumers a whole bunch of assumptions that are gobbled up as rapidly as a fish gobbles up a baited hook. One common one already making the rounds: someone who "looks like" a President. But, as Kevin Drum notes, exactly what is a President supposed to look like? In advance of the 2008 presidential campaign, many … [Read more...] about So Exactly What DOES a President Look Like?
Bad Economy Live the Dream
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Cry Havoc and Let Slip: My Riotous Life (Guest Voice)
Cry Havoc and Let Slip: My Riotous Life by Clancy Sigal “Whatever ends your from put your ballys on link up and cause havic.” -- Blackberry message from a London rioter I’m a veteran rioter. My first, at 15, was when – for racial solidarity and sheer adrenalin rush – I jumped aboard a motorized cavalcade of Jewish tough guys roaring off my Chicago turf into a nearby … [Read more...] about Cry Havoc and Let Slip: My Riotous Life (Guest Voice)
The Republican Establishment Strikes Back: Warnings about Bachmann and Perry
If you did a movie, the title would be "GOP Wars: The Establishment Strikes Back." Two warnings....in quick succession: the Wall Street Journal warns about Bachmann being too far right and Karl Rove warns that a GOPer Presidential nominee needs to be electable. Excerpts from the Wall Street Journal: Mrs. Bachmann, the Minnesota Congresswoman, has emerged from cable-TV land … [Read more...] about The Republican Establishment Strikes Back: Warnings about Bachmann and Perry
View of London Riots’ Impact from a London Office Building
My nephew Adam Gandelman was in London last week on a business trip. This was the view of the London skyline from his office window: … [Read more...] about View of London Riots’ Impact from a London Office Building
More than a Fifth Star for Gen. David Petraeus
As Gen. David Petraeus steps down from the helm of what is now America's longest war, a war that according to many is not going well at all and at a time when casualties in that war are on the increase -- sadly accentuated by the tragic loss of 30 of our heroes in a single enemy attack just last week -- his accomplishments in Afghanistan and his legacy are already being … [Read more...] about More than a Fifth Star for Gen. David Petraeus
Report: Pakistan Gave China Access to Secret U.S. Aircraft Involved in bin Laden Raid
Yet another chapter is being started in the saga of Pakistan, a country Washington grew closere to and greatly upset India in the 1970s when Henry Kissinger and Nixon "tilted" to it to achieve the "opening" in China. In recent years it has seemingly played both sides of the fence on the issues of terrorism and being an ally. And the latest could be the nail in its coffin in … [Read more...] about Report: Pakistan Gave China Access to Secret U.S. Aircraft Involved in bin Laden Raid
The Old Obama
WASHINGTON -- For President Obama, these are the days of never hearing an encouraging word. Not since his own supporters were losing faith in his presidential campaign in the summer of 2007 has Obama confronted so many bad reviews and such widespread frustration and angry criticism from his own side. Now, the censure is reinforced by terrible tidings from the outside … [Read more...] about The Old Obama
In a London Pub
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High Expectations & Promises Unfulfilled: Why We Are Disappointed With President Obama
I'll begin this essay by declaring that it is my view that President Obama has not been the major disappointment that has left many liberals and blacks shaking their heads. I'll also note that given the watershed 2008 election and the eight dark years before it, our expectations for the next four were bound to be much too high. Yet I share some of that sense of … [Read more...] about High Expectations & Promises Unfulfilled: Why We Are Disappointed With President Obama
On Doing Nothing When There’s Nothing You Can Do
On the economy the White House Considers Doing Little Or Nothing. The reality is there is nothing they can do. A second look at this from John's post is worthwhile. And watch the whole thing, you owe it to yourself. Doctor Doom is Doctor Doom but he has also been right. The reality is there is very little anyone can do because this is … [Read more...] about On Doing Nothing When There’s Nothing You Can Do
From Welfare to Wellbeing?
In response to my article "America's Not Faring Well on Welfare", a few commentators noted that I had identified a problem and not offered any solutions. I work within a word limit so I hope I'll be forgiven for not solving all of the problems of America's welfare system in a single article. In any case, this follow-up piece presents a few practical ideas for improving the … [Read more...] about From Welfare to Wellbeing?
Barack Obama’s Falling Political Star: His Polls Continue to Slide
Barack Obama's polls continue going south -- under 40 percent for the first time in the Gallup Daily Tracking poll. … [Read more...] about Barack Obama’s Falling Political Star: His Polls Continue to Slide
The Bite of Obama
President Obama has had an awful couple of months by all accounts. The economy is in the tank (again), there is growing evidence that his base is starting to lose patience with him and the debt-ceiling deal proved once and for all that the Tea Party have tangible power in Washington (did I miss anything). Since the debt-ceiling deal the media have been peddling the … [Read more...] about The Bite of Obama
Tim Pawlenty Quits Republican Presidential Nomination Race After Poor Iowa Straw Poll Showing
Well, that didn't take long: former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who had been involved in an increasingly feisty competition with Rep. Michele Bachmann for some of the same chunk of voters in the ongoing race for the 2012 Republican nomination is out -- a day after making a poor showing in Iowa's Ames straw poll. Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota, dropped his … [Read more...] about Tim Pawlenty Quits Republican Presidential Nomination Race After Poor Iowa Straw Poll Showing
Dakota Meyer, Next Medal of Honor Recipient (UPDATED)
As reported here, Dakota Meyer, a former Marine Corps Sergeant, will be the first living Marine Corps recipient of our nation’s highest award for valor since the Vietnam War and the first living Marine to receive a Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. The Obama administration has now announced that Meyer will be honored with the award at a White House ceremony on Sept. … [Read more...] about Dakota Meyer, Next Medal of Honor Recipient (UPDATED)
VIDEO: Stage Collapses at Indiana State Fair Killing Five
A terrifying moment at the Indiana State Fair yesterday: the Sugarland Concert stage collapses, killing five (so far). Here is that terrible moment via You Tube: Another fan video showing the collapse (fuzzy but you can see it): The scene moments after: FOOTNOTE: I have worked many fairs over the years in one of my non-blogging incarnations. There are times when … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Stage Collapses at Indiana State Fair Killing Five
Bachmann and Paul Make Hay in Iowa Straw
A member of Congress who voted to send the U. S. into default is Iowa’s choice for the country’s next president as Michele Bachmann narrowly wins the state’s straw poll over Ron Paul, who would take the government out of everything, with Tim Pawlenty running a distant third. The non-binding nonsensical balloting will nonetheless be parsed for political meaning in the coming … [Read more...] about Bachmann and Paul Make Hay in Iowa Straw