Let me first echo David Adesnik's remarks on President Obama's Afghanistan speech. The moral basis for action was clear from the beginning, and Obama proclaimed American supremacy with more robustness than he has ever done before. The obvious point of debate is the 18 month withdrawal order. Adesnik rightly questions just how fast this withdrawal will take place. My sense … [Read more...] about Threading the needle
Code Pink responds to Obama
As if you need me to say what I think about this. Almost the equal of MoveOn's "General Betray-us". Original image here. Cross-posted at Conventional Folly … [Read more...] about Code Pink responds to Obama
New Guidance from Washington on “Underwater” Homes
While everyone is understandably focused on Afghanistan, health insurance reform, Dubai, and Tiger Woods driving ability, the Treasury Department quietly released rules that may have an impact on house sales near you. Specifically, the new rules will apply to "short sales", where the home is not worth what is owed on it, so the bank will end up "short" money at the end. … [Read more...] about New Guidance from Washington on “Underwater” Homes
Live-blogging the speech (plus wrap-up)
Live-blogging below. Bottom line here: The President was crystal clear about why we are sending more troops to Afghanistan. We were attacked on 9/11. If the Taliban take back Afghanistan, Al Qaeda will come back with them. America's security is directly at stake. Right now, we only have enough troops for a stalemate, not for success. How will our military strategy … [Read more...] about Live-blogging the speech (plus wrap-up)
Five officers murdered in one month
In one month’s time five officers have been murdered in Washington, my home state. Would you join me in a moment of silence. . . Not a prayer, nor a recollection, but an actual moment of silence. Five officers have been murdered and there is nothing we can do to change this horrible reality. We can weep, we can rage, we can blame, and we can accuse, but nothing will make … [Read more...] about Five officers murdered in one month
Pakistan Cannot Allow American Surge Along its Border: The Nation, Pakistan
As the world awaits the President's new Afghanistan strategy, the government of Pakistan appears to be throwing down the gauntlet in the event of an Obama "surge." This editorial from Pakistan's The Nation warns that a buildup of U.S. troops along the Pakistan border would be bad for the United States, bad for Afghanistan, and nearly catastrophic for Pakistan. The … [Read more...] about Pakistan Cannot Allow American Surge Along its Border: The Nation, Pakistan
Right or Wrong, This is to Be Admired About What Obama Announces Tonight
In the epilogue to his book, Presidential Courage, Michael Beschloss recalls that five years before being elected President, John Kennedy lamented that US politics had become "so expensive, so mechanized and so dominated by professional politicians and public relations men...[And further, because of] the tremendous power of mass communications, any unpopular or unorthodox … [Read more...] about Right or Wrong, This is to Be Admired About What Obama Announces Tonight
Cheney Blasts Obama On Afghanistan Before Speech and Accuses Obama of Giving “Aid and Comfort” to Terrorist Enemy
Isn't it time to really say it? Former Vice President Dick Cheney has morphed into a former Vice President who is violating nearly every protocol of the vast majority of former Presidents and former Vice Presidents in American history by not just actively -- and repeatedly and loudly -- opposing someone of the opposite party who displaced his administration, but is now … [Read more...] about Cheney Blasts Obama On Afghanistan Before Speech and Accuses Obama of Giving “Aid and Comfort” to Terrorist Enemy
Shoe Thrown At Bush Shoe Thrower
A small diversion while we await the speech, from Agence France Presse: Television reporter Muntazer al-Zaidi was in Paris to promote his campaign for the "victims of the US occupation in Iraq" when a fellow Iraqi critic turned the tables on him, shouting: "Here's another shoe for you." The thickset man with an Iraqi accent made a brief speech in Arabic during the question … [Read more...] about Shoe Thrown At Bush Shoe Thrower
Why bother listening to Obama’s speech?
The front page of the Washington Post has already announced that 34,000 new troops will deploy to Afghanistan. The front page of the NY Times says "about 30,000". So tonight's speech isn't about the decision Obama has made. It's about how he will justify it to his own party and to the American people. Here are five things to listen for: 1. "A war of necessity" Obama … [Read more...] about Why bother listening to Obama’s speech?
Time to Praise George W. Bush?
James Fallows says it's time to praise George W. Bush, particularly when contrasted with someone else in his administration. … [Read more...] about Time to Praise George W. Bush?
Media Into Woods
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Media Into Woods
Bin Laden’s Gaslighting of America
Somewhere in an Afpak cave, the 9/11 mastermind must be smiling as the US takes the next big step in his "bleed-until-bankruptcy" plan to defeat the most powerful nation on earth. Today's news should reassure Osama bin Laden (and/or his heirs) that the objectives he laid out in November 2004 are working out well--to gaslight his enemies into self-destruction, a term derived … [Read more...] about Bin Laden’s Gaslighting of America
President Obama’s Trip to China — What Still Hasn’t Been Said
Guest post by Michael S. Chase Michael S. Chase is a Fellow with the Truman National Security Project and an Assistant Professor at the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. The views expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Naval War College, the U.S. Navy, or the Department of Defense. … [Read more...] about President Obama’s Trip to China — What Still Hasn’t Been Said
Afghanistan: President Obama Tracks Candidate Obama
Jeffrey Goldberg has a few words for those of you disappointed with the President's decision to boost troops into Afghanistan. H/t Andrew Sullivan. … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: President Obama Tracks Candidate Obama
Afghanistan: Emerging US-India-Australia Alliance
The US administration is all set for a decisive action in Afghanistan. President Barack Obama's new strategy being set in motion "for the long haul" has the active support of India and Australia. The sending of additional US troops seems part of a long-term plan, which is likely to witness strategic involvement of the two above mentioned powerful Asia-Pacific nations. It … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Emerging US-India-Australia Alliance
Cop Killer Is Killed
Breaking news this morning that 'accused' cop killer Maurice Clemmons has been shot and killed by the police. Police are still looking to arrest members of his family for aiding and abbeting in his escape from justice. … [Read more...] about Cop Killer Is Killed
EPA Delays E-15 Fuel Ruling until 2010
As we've been covering for you in the past, the Environmental Protection Agency has been considering a request from various agro-business entities for a waiver which would allow the expansion of bio-fuel additives to gasoline from the current 10% limit to 15%. The automotive industry has largely called for slowing down this process until adequate testing can be performed to … [Read more...] about EPA Delays E-15 Fuel Ruling until 2010
Obama’s “Photo-Op” Tonight, In Perspective
To those worried about President Obama using military regalia tonight to enhance his military/macho image when addressing the nation on Afghanistan from West Point: Relax. The Washington Post, has some good news for you: President Obama will not be wearing a flight suit when he addresses the cadets at West Point on Tuesday night. Nor will he wear a bomber jacket with … [Read more...] about Obama’s “Photo-Op” Tonight, In Perspective
GDP Growth — The Never Ending Idiocy
Almost any news report about the economy these days will contain some variant of the following phrase: "GDP numbers show the economic recovery has begun, but its effects have not yet trickled down." Read this over carefully. Think about it. Hard. Because it pretty much explains the fundamental problem with our current economy, and by the way, why in a real sense an economic … [Read more...] about GDP Growth — The Never Ending Idiocy