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
Know When to Fold ’em
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