President Obama and U.S. intelligence agencies are being criticized for what appears being caught off guard by the populace revolts in Tunisia and Egypt and the copycat upheavals in Yemen and Jordan. All are U.S. allies. As for media and citizen journalists I would urge caution before issuing any verbal indictments since none is privy to classified intelligence reports and … [Read more...] about Was Obama Caught Dumb By Middle East Uprisings?
A Tale Of Two Economies
It's silly to wonder how the U.S. economy is doing. We have two vastly divergent economies in this country, one for the rich, who are often linked in one way or another to Wall Street; the other for the poor and the increasingly-ground-down middle class. The former economy is doing just fine, thank you. Not so the latter. Here's a couple of numbers that encapsulate this … [Read more...] about A Tale Of Two Economies
A Report on Egypt’s “Day of Departure”
Has the violence in Egypt -- which many (most likely correctly) consider to be state-sponsored thuggery -- backfired? Has it made demonstrators more determined than ever? Here's a report that aired on CBS with CBS Radio's Vickie Barker: … [Read more...] about A Report on Egypt’s “Day of Departure”
Quote of the Day: Egypt’s Turmoil Has Divided the Neocons
Has Egypt's turmoil divided the neocons? Our Quote of the Day comes from The Jewish Daily Forward's bureau chief in Washington, D.C, Nathan Guttman, in an article that needs to be read in full. Here's the beginning: After once uniting to support regime change in Iraq through an American military invasion, neoconservatives are now divided as they face the prospect of a … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Egypt’s Turmoil Has Divided the Neocons
Mubarak Firms Up His Grip on Power
He was hanging by his fingernails on Tuesday of this week when 2 million Egyptians poured into the streets to protest his odious rule. But you don't last for 30 years as dictator unless you acquire some survival skills along the way. Hosni Mubarak has put those skills to good use over the last couple of days, and by doing so, has firmed up a tenuous hold on power. Talk of … [Read more...] about Mubarak Firms Up His Grip on Power
Voodoo Economics
During the week just passed, Republicans in the Senate tried and failed to sink the Affordable Healthcare Act. Over in the House, Paul Ryan -- the Chairman of the House Budget Committee -- proposed cutting $58 billion from President Obama's 2011 budget. "Washington's spending spree is over," he announced. "We must chart a new course." Ryan's plan drew the following comment … [Read more...] about Voodoo Economics
Shovel Ready Jobs
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Shovel Ready Jobs
Sec. Hillary Clinton: ‘We are All in Uncharted Territory’
There must be consequences. It's time to meet escalation with escalation and lay out, in private and public, that the Egyptian military now faces a clear and painful choice: push Mubarak out now and begin a meaningful transition, or else face international isolation and a major rupture with the United States. - Marc Lynch WASHINGTON -- Even after the violence earlier this … [Read more...] about Sec. Hillary Clinton: ‘We are All in Uncharted Territory’
The National Prayer Breakfast and The Family
Yesterday morning, Pres. Obama addressed the Great Annual National Public Display of Religious Piety in Washington, D.C. The GANPDRP (aka The National Prayer Breakfast), as we all know (or should, as informed political junkies), is sponsored by The Family, an organization that has been associated with support for venomous anti-gay legislation in Uganda (which would make it a … [Read more...] about The National Prayer Breakfast and The Family
U.S. Pressure on Rights and Democracy is at Root of the Problem: Al Seyassah, Kuwait
What follows is a notable dressing down of Washington from Kuwait, a nation America saved from Saddam in the First Gulf War. And it starkly shows how frightened Gulf Arab leaders are about events in Egypt. In all the years we've been translating articles from Kuwait, in particular by Al-Seyassah editor-in-chief Ahmad Al-Jarallah, I recall nothing so strongly critical of … [Read more...] about U.S. Pressure on Rights and Democracy is at Root of the Problem: Al Seyassah, Kuwait
Celebrating Written Word & Wine: Vikram Seth & Sam Miller
In this age when Internet has extensively intruded our public and private space, a literary event last evening held at the Alliance Française, New Delhi, marked a wonderful start to a new forum "Written Word, Etc." A packed auditorium comprising young students as well as elderly folks, were in for a memorable treat. They listened with rapt attention the celebrated Indian … [Read more...] about Celebrating Written Word & Wine: Vikram Seth & Sam Miller
Michelle Obama Is No Barbie Doll
The First Lady, who has been promoting healthy diets for Americans, has misspoken herself into, of all things, a grease pit of controversy and even worse just before Super Bowl Sunday in Texas, where barbecue is sacred. In her memo to supporters announcing next year's Democratic convention in Charlotte, Mrs. Obama praises the city's many virtues, adding "And of course great … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama Is No Barbie Doll
Egyptians and All Arabs Must Beware of ‘Global Ruling Class’: Tehran Times, Islamic Republic of Iran
Does it make any sense for the Iranian regime to encourage 'people power' uprisings across the Arab world, only months after a its own sham election and the suppression of its own people? Sensible or not, this article from Iran's state-controlled Tehran Times encourages Arabs in Egypt and elsewhere to continue to rise up against their oppressive rulers, but warns them not to … [Read more...] about Egyptians and All Arabs Must Beware of ‘Global Ruling Class’: Tehran Times, Islamic Republic of Iran
Suez Canal vs. Panama Canal: Some Confusion?
It is interesting how people, events and places---and snafus---can have a confluence under the strangest and most ironic circumstances. Take the ongoing conflict in Egypt and the fears by some that serious violence could effectively close the Suez Canal. Add to this the recent claim by Chris Matthews that Egypt “of course has the Panama Canal.” Then we have the … [Read more...] about Suez Canal vs. Panama Canal: Some Confusion?
This Is a Journalist?
I don't think so. … [Read more...] about This Is a Journalist?
Stratfor On The History And Future Of The Muslim Brotherhood
Geopolitical analyst company Stratfor has a great release on the history of the Muslim Brotherhood. … [Read more...] about Stratfor On The History And Future Of The Muslim Brotherhood
Senators Claim Ft. Hood Massacre ‘Should Have Been Prevented’
At least the political blame game first chapter is closed in the investigations of accused Ft. Hood killer Maj. Nidal Hasan. Senators Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins determined from their investigation that the FBI and Pentagon committed a "string of failures" knowing Hasan was communicating with an Islamist extremist, his peers describing him as a "ticking time bomb" and … [Read more...] about Senators Claim Ft. Hood Massacre ‘Should Have Been Prevented’
Veterans ‘Discuss’ Proposed Veterans Benefits Cuts with Bachmann (UPDATED)
UPDATE: According to Daily Kos, now that the Veterans of Foreign Wars are fighting back, Bachmann is backing down on her $4.5 billion "suggested" cuts in veterans benefits: "One point on my discussion list was a $4.5 billion proposal that would affect payments made to our veterans,” Bachmann said in a statement. “That has received a lot of attention and I have decided … [Read more...] about Veterans ‘Discuss’ Proposed Veterans Benefits Cuts with Bachmann (UPDATED)
Health Care Chaos and Egypt Riots
Two narratives dominate the news--the revolt in Egypt and the future of American health care. How bad can a Pyrrhic victory get and how long can it last? As the Senate votes down health care repeal, Congress has wasted a full month on partisan posturing, leaving what was a national mess to the courts and states to scramble it into 50 forms of incoherence. Just as the … [Read more...] about Health Care Chaos and Egypt Riots
Egypt’s Prime Minister Apologizes for Attacks by Government Supporters Who Many Believe Were Paid Government “Thugs”
Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq has apologized for shocking attacks by government supporters on the largely-peaceful demonstrators (and members of the world press) but the bottom-line question among many will be: Sure this sounds reassuring but, if many of the government supporters armed with machetes etc. were basically police or paid-for thugs, what value does an apology … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Prime Minister Apologizes for Attacks by Government Supporters Who Many Believe Were Paid Government “Thugs”