Anna Hazare, 73, is no ordinary social activist. Hazare has emerged as a sort of national hero battling against the government that has been reeling under mind-boggling corruption scandals. An Indian government attempt to head off a political crisis by arresting him appeared to backfire Tuesday when parliament's opposition members walked out and demonstrations broke out across … [Read more...] about Indian Government Throws Top Anti-Corruption Activist in Jail
Five Questions That The Republicans Can’t Answer
THE PRESIDENT AT A TOWN HALL MEETING IN MINNESOTA As I noted here, the Republicans who show up at Iowa's quadrennial straw polls and caucuses are about as representative of American voters in general as two-headed cows are representative of cows in general. Furthermore, only two of the six candidates who have won the straw poll in the last 20 years have become the … [Read more...] about Five Questions That The Republicans Can’t Answer
Hold The Ron Paul Stuff
Where's Ron Paul in all the Iowa straw poll coverage? You'll remember he came in a close second. John Stewart asks, "How did libertarian Ron Paul become the [political equivalent of] the 13th floor in a hotel?" Watch... Politico's Roger Simon agrees Paul got shafted. But Kevin Drum says no, Ron Paul doesn't deserve any more attention: Ron Paul isn't getting any … [Read more...] about Hold The Ron Paul Stuff
Whose Lunch Will Rick Perry Eat?
At first glance, the Texas governor looks most likely to rain on Michele Bachmann’s parade by out-evangelizing her with the Religious Right and setting a high bar, as he did in her Iowa hometown, for practicing local politics as a contact sport. But Perry’s well-financed campaign is going after Mitt Romney, too with a jab at him, “Take a look at his record when he was … [Read more...] about Whose Lunch Will Rick Perry Eat?
Hypocritical Americans Disable Social Networks to Prevent Free Assembly (La Stampa, Italy)
When it comes to social media, are officials in the United States once again following a policy of 'do as we say, not as we do'? La Stampa columnist Juan Carlos De Martin warns U.S. and British officials that shutting down cell phone service and social media to prevent protest is precisely what the Chinas and Irans of the world are hoping for. For Italy's La Stampa, Juan … [Read more...] about Hypocritical Americans Disable Social Networks to Prevent Free Assembly (La Stampa, Italy)
U.S. Cellphone Use: Texting, Retrieving Information Top Activities
On the same day that Google announced it was buying Motorola Mobility, Pew Internet told us that one-third of Americans now one a smartphone and that half of al cellphone owners use their phones to "get information they needed right away." Most of the headline writers focused on an inconsequential data point - people sometimes pretend to use their cellphones to avoid other … [Read more...] about U.S. Cellphone Use: Texting, Retrieving Information Top Activities
Why Excessive Debt is the Real Problem – Part II (Guest Voice)
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?