Have Republicans gone too far with their absolutest positions on raising the U.S. debt limit and demanding tax cuts without any new revenue? Try as one might, there are precious few people abroad who see the economic world like the Republican Tea Party faction does. Salzburger Nachrichten columnist Thomas Spang writes that U.S. Republicans have already lost their attempt to … [Read more...] about Debt Ceiling Attack By U.S. Republicans ‘Backfires’ (Salzburger Nachrichten, Austria)
America’s Astonishing ‘Battle for the Ceiling’ (For Gazeta, Russia)
For columnist Fyodor Lukyanov of Russia's Gazeta, America's ugly debate about raising the U.S. debt ceiling serves as a disturbing counterpoint to Greece's flirtation with bankruptcy. According to Lukyanov, it is precisely the sense of fruitless confrontation in Washington that is the greatest source of American discouragement. For Gazeta, Fyodor Lukyanov writes in … [Read more...] about America’s Astonishing ‘Battle for the Ceiling’ (For Gazeta, Russia)
Just another Veteran ‘Lost to the Abyss’? Perhaps Not.
There is no denying that too many of our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are having a very difficult time coping with their lives back home---emotionally, financially, medically, mentally and in so many other ways. Homelessness, suicide, domestic violence, divorce, drug and alcohol addiction and even serious crime are some of the symptoms and consequences. We … [Read more...] about Just another Veteran ‘Lost to the Abyss’? Perhaps Not.
More Hits for American Jobs if Economic Bungling Continues
Jobs in America will take another severe hit if further bungling in the US and Europe causes a slowdown in growth of the major emerging economies, including China, Russia, India and Brazil. There are many threats to their growth but the worst come from failure to handle US public debt and potential government bankruptcies in Europe. European finance ministers will meet in … [Read more...] about More Hits for American Jobs if Economic Bungling Continues
Pulling Out Of The Briar Patch
With word coming out today that Iraq is expected to request several thousand trainers but no troops after the end of 2011 we take another step on the slow process of getting out of Iraq. A similar road is being followed in Afghanistan although there it looks like we won't be out until 2012 or 2013. Of course as is always the case with briar patches the withdrawal may not be … [Read more...] about Pulling Out Of The Briar Patch
Debt Ceiling
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All That Money Can Buy
As the dominoes continue to fall in the Murdoch Saga -- the latest are Rebekah Brooks and Britian's top police officer, Paul Stephenson -- we are reminded yet again that our institutions, both public and private, have been corrupted by money. The idea that money corrupts is certainly not new. But perhaps what is new -- at least to some -- is the idea that more money … [Read more...] about All That Money Can Buy
They Call Him ‘Chainsaw’ (Guest Voice)
They Call Him 'Chainsaw' by David Goodloe When I was a child, my parents took my brother and me on several summer road trips through the eastern United States. I think that statement requires a little context. In the years before my brother and I came along, my parents were missionaries in Africa. While they were there, they became close friends with their colleagues. … [Read more...] about They Call Him ‘Chainsaw’ (Guest Voice)
News of World Whistleblower Found Dead
No matter what is said, no matter how logical the explanation doesn't this news raise some eyebrows? A former News of the World reporter who was the first to allege that Andy Coulson knew phone hacking was taking place at the paper was today found dead at home. Sean Hoare's body was found on a extraordinary day when a Met police chief resigned over the phone hacking … [Read more...] about News of World Whistleblower Found Dead
America’s Politics: They Should Not Be about “Who Blinks First”
Has the Cold War suddenly re-emerged? Are we facing another Cuban missile crisis? Is war looming between North and South Korea? Is a nuclear standoff between Iran and Israel imminent? And, who will blink first? The media is full of such questions and topics. Just Google “Who will blink first?” and you will get almost one hundred such headlines or topics for the … [Read more...] about America’s Politics: They Should Not Be about “Who Blinks First”
No Social Security Increase Because… There’s No Inflation?
Click on the image to make the cartoon larger. This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. For more Coot Avenger cartoons go to: cootavengers.com … [Read more...] about No Social Security Increase Because… There’s No Inflation?
CBS Poll: 71% Disapprove of Republican Handling of Debt Limit Crisis
A new CBS news poll has bad news for Republicans on the debt limit, politician-created crisis: Americans are unhappy with the political class' performance on the issue but give Republicans ratings so low that they virtually spell out t-r-o-u-b-l-e with the independent voters the GOP will need to win in 2012. The poll also finds that even many Republicans are not happy about … [Read more...] about CBS Poll: 71% Disapprove of Republican Handling of Debt Limit Crisis
Obama to Women: You’re on Your Own
WASHINGTON - Are you feeling set up? Or is it snubbed? The incomprehensible motion of the shrug that Democrats are no longer interested? Pres. Obama has made it clear by serving up entitlements, while getting no compromise from Republicans, that women no longer have a friend in the Democratic party. Republicans never have been interested in our issues, with even their new … [Read more...] about Obama to Women: You’re on Your Own
A Twisted Case Against JFK
History provides perspective but can also bring distortion as a Pulitzer-Prize journalist now decides that John F. Kennedy “probably was the worst American president of the previous century.” After studying the period, the respected Thomas E. Ricks concludes: “In retrospect, he spent his 35 months in the White House stumbling from crisis to fiasco. He came into office and … [Read more...] about A Twisted Case Against JFK
The Great Republican Retreat of 2011
The Republican congressional leadership, unable to keep a single promise of consequence, is bloodied and in retreat, and the imbroglio over the budget deficit is its Waterloo. The retreat is no surprise because Mitch McConnell and John Boehner find themselves between a very big rock and a very hard place. The rock is the reality that Republicans will be blamed if there is … [Read more...] about The Great Republican Retreat of 2011
Paying To Hush-Up Bad Behavior
Here's the tally on how much News Corp has paid to hush-up scandal, according to a NYT article by David Carr. (For the record, this may be the first time I have quoted Carr favorably.) 2009: $1.6 million to settle phone-hacking claims 2009: $29.5 million to NJ company Floorgraphics, which had sued News Corp for hacking into its computer system and “disseminat[ing] … [Read more...] about Paying To Hush-Up Bad Behavior
Murdoch’s Properties Go On The Offensive
News Corp. is embroiled in a legal and ethics scandal in the U.K., and closure of the newspaper at the heart of the mess, News of the World (NOTW), has done nothing to contain the damage. News Corp. reportedly generates about 75 percent of its revenue in the U.S, and its two flagship American properties, FOX News and the Wall Street Journal, have both gone on the … [Read more...] about Murdoch’s Properties Go On The Offensive
Pakistan’s “Islamic Bombs”: America Still Not Worried
Damning evidence has been surfacing during the past decades revealing how different US administrations have been looking the other way despite Pakistan military establishment's open role in supplying nuclear know-how to rogue regimes. Now A.Q. Khan, the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb program, asserts that the government of North Korea bribed top military officials in … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s “Islamic Bombs”: America Still Not Worried
Obama Picks Richard Cordray to Head Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
On Saturday, I wrote about this entity and former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray's role in it. Now we read, on Sunday, that he will head it instead of Elizabeth Warren. From Politico: President Obama has selected former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to lead the embattled Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Obama will make the announcement Monday from the … [Read more...] about Obama Picks Richard Cordray to Head Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Why Did Congress Waste Six Months?
WASHINGTON -- The House Republican strategy to link a normally routine increase in the nation's debt limit with a crusade to slash spending has already had a high cost, threatening the nation's credit rating and making the United States look dysfunctional and incompetent to the rest of the world. But that's not the most awful thing about it. What's even worse … [Read more...] about Why Did Congress Waste Six Months?