A new Pew Research Center poll articulates what many pundits have been saying: despite the daily crises, denunciations from some on the right and left, charges that he has been too soft, too war-like, dithering, jumping into a policy without thinking, President Barack Obama seems positioned well for 2012 at this early stage in the game. Barack Obama currently fares as … [Read more...] about Poll: Obama in Good Position For 2012 Presidential Re-Election Bid
American Enough?
Guest post by Hamid M. Khan Hamid M. Khan is a Rule of Law Adviser with the U.S. Institute of Peace in Kabul, Afghanistan, and a fellow with the Truman National Security Project in Washington D.C. Recently, Rep. Peter King, with much fanfare and consternation, launched the House Committee on Homeland Security's hearings regarding "The Extent of Radicalization in the … [Read more...] about American Enough?
Detroit Loses 25% Of Population In 10 Years
One of the more stunning statistics out of the census. Certainly we knew Detroit had been on a long term decline but I'm not sure it was expected that they would have such a huge drop. The state of Michigan also saw a drop in population and it appears to be the only state to have actually lost people. … [Read more...] about Detroit Loses 25% Of Population In 10 Years
Libya: It’s Time For The Arab League To Step Up
EGYPTIAN AIR FORCE FIGHTER JETS To paraphrase the great military blogger Tom Ricks, the only people not freaking over Libya are those who didn't like the idea of a no-fly zone in the first place. That noted, the U.S.-led NATO air forces have accomplished what they set out to do in a mere three days. Radar and anti-aircraft missile sites are in ruins and Moammar el-Qaddafi's … [Read more...] about Libya: It’s Time For The Arab League To Step Up
Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79
Iconic multiple-Oscar-winning actress and mega-celebrity Elizabeth Taylor, once called "the most beautiful woman in the world" and an ongoing subject in tabloids due to her many marriages and late-in-life-illnesses, is dead at 79. But make no mistake about it: Taylor will also be remembered as a top-flight actress. She was pitchforked into the headlines in the mainstream and … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79
Libya, Obama, and Rachel Maddow
WASHINGTON -- News from people on the ground, including experts, reveal there really isn't a strategic reason for Pres. Obama to have engaged the U.S. in the Libya no-fly zone. Now that Pres. Obama finally admits Gadhafi could stay, which could be seen in the tea leaves from the start, the perils of the President's war of choice are coming home. Rachel Maddow, working … [Read more...] about Libya, Obama, and Rachel Maddow
UPDATE: Jerusalem Bus Bombing: The 3rd Intifada Begins?
UPDATE: According to the blog Israel Matzav there has been one death. Carl live-blogged, the newest updates are at the bottom of the post. ================================= MSNBC just reported that a bus blew up in Jerusalem and there are many casualties. This may signal a new reign of terror by Palestinians. A bus explosion in Jerusalem has caused dozens of … [Read more...] about UPDATE: Jerusalem Bus Bombing: The 3rd Intifada Begins?
Selective Memory and Cynical “Humanitarianism”
The selective memory is John McCain's: … [Read more...] about Selective Memory and Cynical “Humanitarianism”
Mike Huckabee Supports Reinstating Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Military Policy
And so Mike Huckabee, who two weeks ago jettisoned his status as Republican conservative who could be supported by many independent voters when he dove into being a birther (and later tried to partially walk the comments back) has now come full circle: he is now just one more Republican pandering to the party's right wing. Who ever thought you'd see the day when Mike Huckabee … [Read more...] about Mike Huckabee Supports Reinstating Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Military Policy
Catastrophe Jackpot
This copyrighted cartoon is license to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Catastrophe Jackpot
Rand Paul Pondering Presidential Run?
Should we get ready to say "President Rand Paul?" Maybe we shouldn't, but apparently he is starting to say it and is thinking it might sound very nice: Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., visited Charleston Monday to talk about his possible presidential bid, how to rein in the national debt and the current military action in Libya. Paul, a tea party favorite who won his Senate … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Pondering Presidential Run?
Poll: Nearly 7 in 10 Support Air Strikes in Libya
A new CBS poll finds that nearly 7 in 10 support air strikes in Libya -- a sign that the U.S. public will give early efforts a chance. But if the history of past wars is any indication, patience won't last forever -- and probably even less in the case of Libya: Nearly seven in ten Americans support the use of military air strikes in Libya in order to protect civilians from … [Read more...] about Poll: Nearly 7 in 10 Support Air Strikes in Libya
Scott Brown Against Cutting All Planned Parenthood Funding
Here's yet another indication that Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown intends to vote in a way that more reflects his state's electorate and less in the way Tea Party movement Republicans demand him to vote: he's against eliminating all Planned Parenthood funding. Look for Rush, Sean, et. al to start going after him with frequency and a Tea Party primary challenge when he's up for … [Read more...] about Scott Brown Against Cutting All Planned Parenthood Funding
War of Empty Words
As usual, the air is filled with sounds but nobody is saying much. In this era of certainty about everything, Libya has exposed the soft underbelly of politics and punditry by reducing expertise to belaboring the obvious. A New York Times editorial, after describing Qaddafi as "a thug and a murderer who has never paid for his many crimes, including the bombing of Pan Am … [Read more...] about War of Empty Words
Suggestive Selling Is Even At Work In the Political and Media Worlds
I had just finished paying for some magazines at Hartford’s Bradley International Airport before heading back to San Diego when the cashier asked me: “Do you want some gum with that?” “No,” I told her.” “Some water?” “No.” “A newspaper? “ “No!” “How about a candy bar?” “No!! Just the magazines.” I went to my doctor due to a stomach problem. After the … [Read more...] about Suggestive Selling Is Even At Work In the Political and Media Worlds
(UPDATE II) Why There Was No Right Decision On The Libyan No-Fly Zone
If all you have is a hammer -- which in this case is the world's biggest military -- then every problem ultimately resembles a nail. ~ WILL BUNCH I have reluctantly come around to supporting the no-fly zone over Libya because, as belated as the action may be, it is in the service of a larger cause -- the democratic transformation of the Arab world, warts and all as well as … [Read more...] about (UPDATE II) Why There Was No Right Decision On The Libyan No-Fly Zone
Feckless Italy Shoots Itself In The Foot Yet Again
QADDAFI AND BERLUSCONI MAKE NICE Napoleon famously observed that no Italian state had ever finished a war on the same side as that on which it had started, except when it had changed twice, and no European nation has had a closer if sometimes ambivalent relationship with Libya than NATO partner Italy. Libya became an Italian colony in 1910 and remained so until … [Read more...] about Feckless Italy Shoots Itself In The Foot Yet Again
Why I’m Supporting My President
In a word - it's complicated. First and foremost, I am supporting the president because he is Commander in Chief and he has taken the United States to war. He didn't take the Obama administration to war, or the Democratic party, or (many) liberals. He has taken the country to war - my country, our country. If we have disagreements - and believe me, I've got a ton - they can … [Read more...] about Why I’m Supporting My President
A Survey on Emotions in Politics
Please do me a favour -- and, more importantly, a favour for academic research. I was contacted recently by a team of researchers at Appalachian State University in North Carolina that is currently studying the role of emotions in politics. They're conducting a survey that they hope will help them with their research. I can't take the survey myself, as I'm not a U.S. … [Read more...] about A Survey on Emotions in Politics
Reports That Charlie Sheen May Soon Be Back on TV
To another season of "Two and a Half Men" or not to another season of "Two and a Half Men?" Actually that is NOT the question. Now it's more like, will Charlie Sheen return to another season of "Two and a Half Men" or will he say "LOSING! DUH!" to CBS and say "WINNING! DUH!" as he signs a contract for a new show at Fox? A variety of reports are now suggesting that apart from … [Read more...] about Reports That Charlie Sheen May Soon Be Back on TV