How good of a no limit hold 'em poker player would Barack Obama make if we were to dump him into the World Series of Poker tour with the likes of Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu and the rest of their crew? Don't ask me how I launched off on that tangent this week, but it's the premise of my latest column at Pajamas Media, "Obama Just Doesn't Know When to Fold 'em." Whether it's … [Read more...] about Know When to Fold ’em
HOPE for Afghanistan?
Kagan & Kristol:Some conservatives are arguing that President Obama's weakness and indecision forecast American failure--and that, if we're going to fail, we should just get out now... Some Republicans are understandably dismayed at the prospect of supporting a war they worry this president is incapable of prosecuting with sufficient vigor or conviction. They argue that … [Read more...] about HOPE for Afghanistan?
Three cheers for Michael Moore!
Moore has penned an open letter to President Obama, begging him not to send more troops to Afghanistan. And just in time -- with all the talk about Lou Dobbs and the rest, the heartland was beginning to forget that the left bows to no one in its willingness to anoint an ignorant loudmouth as its beloved champion. Here's some of my favorite passages from Moore's letter:Choose … [Read more...] about Three cheers for Michael Moore!
American Occupiers Must Act to Protect Iraqi Press Freedom: Kitabat of Iraq
ALONG WITH WOULD-BE ASSASSIN, IRAQI SOLDIERS LAUGH UNDER SIGN THAT SAYS: 'Assassination attempt against journalist Al Abadi is an assassination attempt against democracy' The intricacy of America's role in post-war Iraq has yet to be understood, but a few indications can be discerned by editorials like this one. In the process of toppling Saddam, a startling independent … [Read more...] about American Occupiers Must Act to Protect Iraqi Press Freedom: Kitabat of Iraq
Little Green Footballs: ‘Why I Parted Ways With The Right’
I recently did some posts noting a developing split in the Democratic party ranks -- a split likely to be greatly accentuated if, as expected, President Barack Obama announces hefty troop increases for a surge-but-we-won't-call-it-that in Afghanistan. But there signs of cracks in the GOP's wall as well -- and here's one of them: Little Green Footballs, long considered one of … [Read more...] about Little Green Footballs: ‘Why I Parted Ways With The Right’
Hillary’s Bombshell: Obama Administration Subtly Launches Dramatic Policy Change on Peace Process (Guest Voice)
Hillary's Bombshell: Obama Administration Subtly Launches Dramatic Policy Change on Peace Process by Barry Rubin In a one-paragraph statement welcoming Israel’s ten-month-long freeze on building apartments in existing West Bank settlements, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a major statement. The dramatic new U.S. stance on Israel-Palestinian Authority peace … [Read more...] about Hillary’s Bombshell: Obama Administration Subtly Launches Dramatic Policy Change on Peace Process (Guest Voice)
Huckabee, Clemmons, Clemency, & Criminal Justice
UPDATE: Police shot and killed Maurice Clemmons early this morning in Seattle. They still don't know what prompted him to shoot four police officers as they did paperwork on their laptops Sunday morning. --------------- It's hard for those of us with a liberal bent (like me) -- who argue for a more forgiving and restorative criminal justice system -- to resist calling out any … [Read more...] about Huckabee, Clemmons, Clemency, & Criminal Justice
On the Eve of Afghanistan Announcement, Some European Thoughts.(Update)
On the eve of President Obama’s address to the nation outlining his strategy for Afghanistan, the news wires and blogs are brimming with both facts and speculation about what the president will say. There have been sufficient leaks to make it a very fair speculation that “about 30,000” additional troops will be sent to Afghanistan over the next 12 to 18 months. In … [Read more...] about On the Eve of Afghanistan Announcement, Some European Thoughts.(Update)
Abu Muqawama quits daily blogging
Andrew Exum, aka Abu Muqawama, has announced that he will be dramatically scaling back his blogging. Exum is a very serious analyst of military issues and his daily presence will be missed. From the comments on his post, you can get a sense of how much he is respected. So why is Exum quitting? He writes: Blogging forces me into more or less split-second reactions to … [Read more...] about Abu Muqawama quits daily blogging
The mayor of Wasilla
I told you I was Going Rogue and going to write about it. The story of Sarah Palin's political life begins in Wasilla. Last fall, adversaries mocked her as a one-year governor and two-term mayor of a small town in Alaska. But what did being mayor of Wasilla mean to Palin? How it did shape her politics? Reading a political memoir, you don't expect to get much more than … [Read more...] about The mayor of Wasilla
Even the NY Times is beating up on Obama
In case you missed this editorial on the Arab-Israeli peace process, condescending titled "Diplomacy 101": The president’s promising peace initiative has unraveled... The Israelis have refused to stop all building. The Palestinians say that they won’t talk to the Israelis until they do, and President Mahmoud Abbas is so despondent he has threatened to quit. Arab states are … [Read more...] about Even the NY Times is beating up on Obama
Barack Obama: New American “War President”?
Poor Barack Obama! All eyes and ears will turn to West Point tomorrow night (Tuesday, 8pm) where the US president would announce whether he would send more troops to Afghanistan or withdraw them. Once again the world witnesses the tussle between powerful American war machine and "a multitude of young people who were the backbone of Obama's campaign." (Update: Meanwhile … [Read more...] about Barack Obama: New American “War President”?
Homophobia Trumps Human Rights
That's Rick Warren's homophobia, and the human rights of gay Ugandans who are being targeted with legislation -- sponsored by a Ugandan "minister" with whom Warren is friendly -- that would punish homosexual relations with life in prison, and would authorize execution for homosexuals who are HIV-positive. The proposed law would also impose stiff penalties for anyone who knows … [Read more...] about Homophobia Trumps Human Rights
And Now We Enter The Age of: Sky WiFi
This is being (hurriedly) written from the skies of Delta, where eBay is giving cards so fliers can sample its new sky WiFi that will run $9.95 -- a reasonable price for a connection far better than I've had in most hotels or airports. And so we enter a new era where you'll look around and see other passengers seriously intent as they go through emails, write business email, … [Read more...] about And Now We Enter The Age of: Sky WiFi
When Michael Moore Makes Sense (Sort of)
I can't help it sometimes. I feel like a moth drawn toward a flame. When Michael Moore pens a heartfelt letter to the President of the United States imploring him to save the world, I simply have to read it. And I confess... I did. I read every last morsel. And here's the surprising part... Mr. Moore has actually highlighted (albeit in a completely unintentional way, I'm sure) … [Read more...] about When Michael Moore Makes Sense (Sort of)
Why ClimateGate May Be Really Good For The Field (P.S. No Data Was Lost)
First off, I have to express a little disappointment, because I planned to write this last night after reading some posts from yesterday and now it looks more like it's a response to a recent guest post. I always planned on going with this title (sans the P.S.), but now it sounds a bit Orwellian in context. No matter. OK, obviously it would be a huge travesty and very … [Read more...] about Why ClimateGate May Be Really Good For The Field (P.S. No Data Was Lost)
Three Cheers For The High Court
I find myself in the unusual position of cheering the Supreme Court for suppressing release of more photographs of American abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan. The high court today instructed the lower court to re-examine the issue. My common sense is that we have seen enough of the photos and to show more would only aggravate the ill feeling and revulsion of a … [Read more...] about Three Cheers For The High Court
Bringing Afghanistan Home
Pre-game coverage of the President's speech at West Point tomorrow night is on track as White House spinners emphasize that he will "give a clear sense of both the time frame for action and how the war will eventually wind down.” Translated, this means that a 48-year-old man named Barack Obama will tell Americans how and why he is sending some 30,000 men and women, most of … [Read more...] about Bringing Afghanistan Home
Afghanistan: The “Dithering” Ends. The Soldiering Begins—Follow-Up
In my "Afghanistan: The 'Dithering' Ends. The Soldiering Begins," on president Obama’s Afghanistan address to the nation tomorrow night, I said, “President Obama’s deliberations and decisions, however, have gone far beyond just numbers." I mentioned a few highlights on strategy, goals, benchmarks, "exit ramps," etc., and on the additional efforts and participation expected on … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: The “Dithering” Ends. The Soldiering Begins—Follow-Up
GOP Conservative “Litmus Test” on the Horizon for Republican Party Support?
Will the GOP impose a "Litmus Test" that those who support it insist isnt, such as Dick Armey? Armey talks about it and the "Democrat party" (a way the Democrats don't want to be called so some Republicans use it) in the video below. If candidates don't meet 8 out of the 10 requirements they won't get party funding (so don't call this a "litmus test..." get it?) Some consider … [Read more...] about GOP Conservative “Litmus Test” on the Horizon for Republican Party Support?