In the past, has China resisted meddling in the internal affairs of weaker nations - and is it time for Beijing to turn over a new leaf? According to this editorial from China's state-controlled Global Times, while China has in the past followed a course of non-interference with the domestic affairs of other states, the ongoing series of uprisings in the Middle East may call … [Read more...] about It’s Time for China to Exert More Influence on Middle East Nations: Global Times, People’s Republic of China
The Age of No Retirement
What was that again about the privatization of Social Security? … [Read more...] about The Age of No Retirement
The Future Is The Past
The evolution of the modern Republican Party is a tragic tale.The Party of Lincoln has become The Party of Ayn Rand. The party which once held that government should do what the people cannot do for themselves has become the party which holds that government is the enemy of the people. Today's Republicans want to repeal the Affordable Healthcare Act; and -- as is becoming … [Read more...] about The Future Is The Past
Obama’s Budget
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obama’s Budget
The Tea Party is Winning
WASHINGTON -- Take five steps back and consider the nature of the political conversation in our nation's capital. You would never know that it's taking place at a moment when unemployment is still at 9 percent, when wages for so many people are stagnating at best, and when the United States faces unprecedented challenges to its economic dominance. No, we are acting here … [Read more...] about The Tea Party is Winning
A Song Significant for Today?
Reading the headlines around the world, this song from the 60s review "Pins and Needles" seems fitting today: … [Read more...] about A Song Significant for Today?
Across the US, GOP Lawmakers Build States of Denial (Guest Voice)
Across the US, GOP Lawmakers Build States of Denial by Michael Winship Forced at gunpoint this weekend to clean out a lot of old paper files in anticipation of some home improvements, I ran across some articles and obituaries I had saved following the death, a little more than five and a half years ago, of the late, great Ann Richards, former governor of Texas. One of … [Read more...] about Across the US, GOP Lawmakers Build States of Denial (Guest Voice)
Egypt’s Young People ‘Assault the Heavens’: La Jornada, Mexico
What can we expect from the uprisings that have suddenly erupted in Muslim lands? Highlighting the confusion over Egypt, La Jornada columnist Jose Steinsleger, who appears to be a confounded, left-wing revolutionary from Latin America, writes that whatever the risk that their dreams may be thwarted - he sides with the young people who have faced down a tyrant. For Mexico's … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Young People ‘Assault the Heavens’: La Jornada, Mexico
Condoleezza Rice on ‘The Future of a Democratic Egypt.’
After having heard and read ad nauseam criticism from the far-right neocons on the handling---or “non-handling”---of the recent Egypt crisis by the Obama administration, I braced myself for additional piling on by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a recent Washington Post opinion piece. However, it turned out to be one of the most fair and balanced opinion … [Read more...] about Condoleezza Rice on ‘The Future of a Democratic Egypt.’
A Leading Question
Jim DeMint gave a speech at the Federalist Society on Thursday where he told the audience that POTUSes aren't supposed to be leaders -- not just Pres. Obama, any POTUS -- and then added that Pres. Obama has got to go because he's not leading. … [Read more...] about A Leading Question
Gaddafi is on the way out
Incredible but true! Libya’s scary dictator Muammar Gaddafi may also be on his way out. His soldiers killed 200 people in Benghazi, the most important urban center after the capital Tripoli, but then refused to shoot anymore. His personal residence in Benghazi, which is like a luxury tent city protected by his personal elite militia, has been taken over by the people. It … [Read more...] about Gaddafi is on the way out
Is Libya Next ? Reports of Military Defections.
Reports now coming in that the city of Bengahzi that the Libyan military has joined the protests and has in effect defected from the government. Bengahzi is the 2nd largest city in Libya and therefore this could be a major blow to the current regime. Also news that the son of dictator Ghaddafi's will speak on state TV tonight. The speech has now been given and young Mr. … [Read more...] about Is Libya Next ? Reports of Military Defections.
Shiloh and Mystic
I just put up this story at Intersect.com. This is the first time since these events occurred that I've written it all down. I hope you get something valuable out of reading it. … [Read more...] about Shiloh and Mystic
Gaddafi’s Massacre in Libya?
Is a massacre going on in Libya, covered up by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's crackdown on information getting out of his country? The Daily Telegraph has an article suggesting it is. Its headline and sub headline: Libya protests: 140 'massacred' as Gaddafi sends in snipers to crush dissent Women and children leapt from bridges to their deaths as they tried to escape a … [Read more...] about Gaddafi’s Massacre in Libya?
America In The Throes Of Divide And Rule
It's the oldest political trick in the book, the one used most often by rulers of a nation badly out of economic balance. Divide and rule. Turn the victims of your system against one another. Turn their attention away from the true cause of their problems. We're seeing an absolutely masterful version of this tried and true manipulation today not only in Wisconsin this weekend, … [Read more...] about America In The Throes Of Divide And Rule
Forget Unemployment, the War on Women is the Right’s Job One
The House of Representatives has been cutting like crazy! Down with Planned Parenthood and PBS! We can’t afford to worry about mercury contamination! Safety nets are too expensive! But keep your hands off the Defense Department’s budget to sponsor Nascar racers. - Gail Collins WASHINGTON -- Yo, Cecil Richards. I told you so. This is what happens when organizations … [Read more...] about Forget Unemployment, the War on Women is the Right’s Job One
Colbuffington Re-Post & Huffbert Nation
Stephen Colbert poked some fun this week at Arianna Huffington and the news aggregation practices of The Huffington Post. Colbert complained that the HuffPo is embedding videos from his show without payment, “I have yet to receive my percentage of the Huff bucks.” With that he introduced his new site, “The “Colbuffington Re-post.” Arianna, every bit the shrewd pageview … [Read more...] about Colbuffington Re-Post & Huffbert Nation
Angry Pakistan: Ending Its Ties With America?
If Pakistan and the US were a married couple, instead of being strategic players, counselors would recommend at least a long trial separation, if not a total divorce. This conclusion appeared after a marathon brain-storming session organised at Washington DC on Pakistan's future and the US role that lasted for nearly five hours. One wishes that these think-tanks and … [Read more...] about Angry Pakistan: Ending Its Ties With America?
Brazil Just as Worthy as India of President Obama’s Support: Estadao, Brazil
Is it wrong for President Obama to support India's bid for a U.N. Security Council Seat, while appearing to oppose Brazil's? For the newspaper Estadao, Brazil's former ambassador to the United States, Roberto Abdenur, insists that Washington take another look at Brazil's qualifications, and suggests that sidelining Brazil for opposing U.N. Security Council sanctions on Iran … [Read more...] about Brazil Just as Worthy as India of President Obama’s Support: Estadao, Brazil
More Legislating Via Budget Votes: House Kills IPCC Funding
While the rest of the nation slept, House Republicans pushed through another defunding amendment. This time, the victim is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which "prepares comprehensive international climate science assessments." The amendment was sponsored by second-term Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO). I call this legislation via budget process because … [Read more...] about More Legislating Via Budget Votes: House Kills IPCC Funding