Revelations from WikiLeaks that China is running out of patience with North Korea thickens the plot on the Korean Peninsula, and makes recent editorial comment from China's state-controlled press even more interesting. Beginning over the Thanksgiving weekend, we've posted five editorials from the state-run Global Times which reflect a dual strategy on the part of the … [Read more...] about Beijing’s Evolving Stance on the North Korea Crisis: Global Times, China
Scarborough, Bloomberg, Lieberman To Launch “No Labels” on Behalf of Civility
I heard about this group, No Labels, a week or so ago. Did some digging, wasn't too sure about it, just been listening, have a friend who'll be there in NYC for the launch. And now, Howard Fineman is up with a lengthy piece about it, just this afternoon. You can read it here. Do we think Scarborough unloaded on Sarah Palin today so that he could do it before the launch of … [Read more...] about Scarborough, Bloomberg, Lieberman To Launch “No Labels” on Behalf of Civility
2012, Baby! (Moving beyond political rhetoric to a, pardon the phrase, “reality we can believe in”)Guest Voice
2012, Baby! (Moving beyond political rhetoric to a, pardon the phrase, "reality we can believe in") by Alex Hammer The world of politics is dead. Long live politics. The 2010 election represented a tipping point in American politics. No, not a second wave of a Republican revolution, but he emergence of "we the people" as a potent political force in modern times. … [Read more...] about 2012, Baby! (Moving beyond political rhetoric to a, pardon the phrase, “reality we can believe in”)Guest Voice
WikiLeaks: On Balance, Transparency Trumps Secrecy
But what struck us, and reassured us, about the latest trove of classified documents released by WikiLeaks was the absence of any real skullduggery. After years of revelations about the Bush administration’s abuses — including the use of torture and kidnappings — much of the Obama administration’s diplomatic wheeling and dealing is appropriate and, at times, downright skillful. … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks: On Balance, Transparency Trumps Secrecy
Driver Rage Is Outrageous
A school crossing guard is attacked by a motorist and his passenger while 20 children and adults watched in disbelief. Two suspects later were arrested. For the life of me, I cannot think of a penalty that would fit the crime short of the Draconian 30 lashes. Suggestions? … [Read more...] about Driver Rage Is Outrageous
All I Want For Christmas Is Civil Liberties Undies
OK, Santa, let me make it easy for you this year. Have the elves replicate it, or just buy it and pop it in your sleigh. For the civil libertarian who has everything [else], here’s news to warm the overactive constitutional cockles of your heart. Some enterprising upstart with a copy of the tattered old document in his/her closet is marketing underwear with the Fourth … [Read more...] about All I Want For Christmas Is Civil Liberties Undies
The Greatest Exposure By Wikileaks Is In The Reactions
There are digital reams of pages about how we should feel about WikiLeaks but nearly no one is talking about the actual content inside the US; which is the pattern for the prior leaks but is getting worse. I'm beginning to wonder how many Americans actually read the articles written about the leaked contents (I try to), let alone the primary documents (I have not nor would … [Read more...] about The Greatest Exposure By Wikileaks Is In The Reactions
The GOP’s Palin Problem Isn’t Going Away
While many of you may roll your eyes at the prospect of reading another article about Sarah Palin - pro or con - the issues she raises as a personality in the Republican party simply can't be ignored, or saved for discussion when she announces her candidacy for the presidency sometime next spring. Make no mistake. Palin is already running for the office, testing her message … [Read more...] about The GOP’s Palin Problem Isn’t Going Away
WikiLeaks
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks
Obama “Slurpee Summit” With Congressional Leaders Today: Will GOP Outmaneuver Obama Again?
Thanksgiving is over and now many Americans turn to figuring out what to get for Christmas presents. Will President Barack Obama give the Republicans one today? Today is the day of what the media calls "Slurpee Summit" because as CNN notes during mid-terms "Obama described Democrats working to 'dig the car out of the ditch' while Republicans sit back sipping on a Slurpee." … [Read more...] about Obama “Slurpee Summit” With Congressional Leaders Today: Will GOP Outmaneuver Obama Again?
[updated] Joe Scarborough: Stop Being Afraid of Sarah Palin
Glad he's making the same point I did over the last few days. From Politico: If Republicans want to embrace Palin as a cultural icon whose anti-intellectualism fulfills a base political need, then have at it. I suppose it’s cheaper than therapy. But if the party of Ronald Reagan, Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio wants to return to the White House anytime soon, it’s time that … [Read more...] about [updated] Joe Scarborough: Stop Being Afraid of Sarah Palin
Way To Go, Gov. Christie!
The feds are demanding that New Jersey return to them the $271 million that was spent on the aborted rail tunnel between New Jersey and Manhattan before Christie pulled the plug on the project. … [Read more...] about Way To Go, Gov. Christie!
WikiLeaks’ Release: An Invaluable Exposure of American Hypocrisy – The Nation, Pakistan
The number of U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks is so large, so fascinating and so cutting, that it's hard to know when the global reaction will end. Equally difficult is to figure out where to begin when discussing that reaction. But Pakistan seems as good a place to begin as any. Thus far, Pakistan has been stung by two items contained in the leaked U.S. … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks’ Release: An Invaluable Exposure of American Hypocrisy – The Nation, Pakistan
Please Don’t Love Her Just Because She’s Stupid
That really does seem to be Sarah Palin's main appeal, as in this tweet, where she asks why the U.S. government can't stop Wikileaks' "treasonous acts" the way she "recently won in court to stop my book "America by Heart" from being leaked[.]" … [Read more...] about Please Don’t Love Her Just Because She’s Stupid
When Systems Don’t Work, People Work the System
In July of this year, Dana Priest and William M. Arkin published a series of articles in the Washington Post that were the fruit of a two-year investigation into America's national security apparatus. In the introduction to the series -- called Top Secret America -- Priest and Arkin wrote: … [Read more...] about When Systems Don’t Work, People Work the System
Naked Government
TSA screenings pale in comparison to what Wikileaks has just done to Americans--and with less justification. Airport body searches are meant to save lives. The release of all those stolen diplomatic cables strips government bare just for the hell of it. After the Eisenhower years, a former aide named Emmet Hughes wrote a "scathing" book about inner deliberations of the White … [Read more...] about Naked Government
Has WikiLeaks Finally Leaked Too Much?
Has WikiLeaks finally leaked too much? Here's a good roundup that looks at this issue. Meanwhile, a Republican lawmaker wants WikiLeaks labeled as a "terrorist group." … [Read more...] about Has WikiLeaks Finally Leaked Too Much?
Pay Freeze for Most Federal Workers Ordered by Obama
President Barack Obama has ordered a pay freeze for most federal workers for the first time in two years in a step aimed at helping stem the bloating federal deficit: The president’s proposal will effectively wipe out plans for a 1.4 percent across-the-board raise in 2011 for 2.1 million civilian federal government employees, including those working at the Defense … [Read more...] about Pay Freeze for Most Federal Workers Ordered by Obama
We Need a Divorce
One major interpretation of the 2010 Midterm election results is that many progressive, liberal and Democratic policies have been generally discredited among the majority of the American electorate. So what can Progressives, Democrats and Liberals do over the next few years? The national rejection is not just a result of poor messaging, nuance, campaign spending, turnout, … [Read more...] about We Need a Divorce
The Traveling Piano (Guest Voice)
The Traveling Piano by Mickie Friedman as told to Alison Fox My father Nathan Gandelman was a remarkable man. When he was barely the age of twelve he was sent off to the U.S. -- from Minsk, then in Russia -- by his parents to join relatives in New York City, but then chose to settle in New Haven, CT, with other members of his family. He obviously thrive and from a young age … [Read more...] about The Traveling Piano (Guest Voice)