As President Barack Obama deliberates -- no, Dick, he's not "dithering" -- a revised strategy and troop levels in Afghanistan, some people in the White House and Pentagon have loose lips and leaked some startling news this past week. If true, consider these developments: The president has rejected four options on strategy and troop levels from his military intelligence team … [Read more...] about 40,000 More Troops To Fight 300 Al-Quada?
Sarah Palin Goes To War
...with the McCain camp. There is yet another controversy associated with the McCain-Palin ticket in which McCain's associates are saying Palin is factually challenged. UPDATE: The AP gives this list of specifics about how Palin's book may be at variance with the facts. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Goes To War
Dealing With Conscience-Driven Joe
The Democrats would seem to have two problems with Senator Joe Lieberman. The immediate one is his threat to put the kibosh on the party's signature issue, health care, as a matter of conscience. The longer term threat is that Joe will bolt the party and the Dems will lose their 60 vote, veto-proof majority in the Senate. The fact is, however, that the first problem is … [Read more...] about Dealing With Conscience-Driven Joe
Claude Lévi-Strauss: ‘Neolithic’ & A Man of Science
Claude Lévi-Strauss, who died on October 30th (aged 100), made the study of anthropology as fashionable as philosophy and poetry. The Economist pays a tribute: "Before Claude Lévi-Strauss revolutionised the discipline, anthropology in France, and generally elsewhere, was a matter of ill-attended lectures in small, cold halls, and the collection of feathers and fish-hooks as … [Read more...] about Claude Lévi-Strauss: ‘Neolithic’ & A Man of Science
Terrorist Trials in the Big Apple
That's the word: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the self-described mastermind of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and four other men accused in the plot will be prosecuted in federal court in New York City, the United States attorney general announced Friday. I couldn't be more neutral on this subject -- though I'm apparently one of the few. By now, the screaming is at … [Read more...] about Terrorist Trials in the Big Apple
America’s ‘Black Knights’ and the Fort Hood Tragedy: Dar Al Khaleej, United Arab Emirates
CAPTIONS SAYS: 'DREAM OF THE ARABS', AS A 'ZIONIST' ARM PUNCTURES THE BALLOON OF THE DREAM Continuing our coverage of the global reaction to the Fort Hood killings, this morning we posted this Arabic op-ed from the United Arab Emirates - a moderate Arab state considered friendly toward the United States. Writing for the Dar Al Khaleej, columnist Saad Mehyo suggests a … [Read more...] about America’s ‘Black Knights’ and the Fort Hood Tragedy: Dar Al Khaleej, United Arab Emirates
Sean Hannity Apologizes to Jon Stewart Who….(Etc.)
Fox News' Sean Hannity got a little egg on the right side of his face recently. He ran a segment about a recent conservative protest in Washington that was by all accounts not a mega-attended event and used some footage from an early tea party protest that showed far bigger crowds. And Comedy Central's Jon Stewart caught him on it and noted the footage discrepancies (little … [Read more...] about Sean Hannity Apologizes to Jon Stewart Who….(Etc.)
Fort Hood Warning Signs
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Fort Hood Warning Signs
In Search of a GOP Presidential Candidate
David Brooks scans the horizon for a potentially winning GOP presidential candiate in 2012 or 2016. In the process, he discovers Sen. John Thune (SD). The money lines, in my opinion, are these ... [Thune] is a gracious and ecumenical legislator, not a combative one. And ... The first person who told me I had to write a column about Thune was a liberal Democratic … [Read more...] about In Search of a GOP Presidential Candidate
Is Lou Dobbs Planning to Run As Independent Presidential Candidate in 2012?
Lou Dobbs' departure from CNN has had many new and old pundits speculating that there is a job for him at Fox News or Fox Business news in his future, even though it's denied by Fox bigwigs. But could that denial be correct? Salon's Joe Conason believes Dobbs may have his eye on a different future course: on running for President as an independent candidate in 2012, a Ross … [Read more...] about Is Lou Dobbs Planning to Run As Independent Presidential Candidate in 2012?
Obama vs Karzai Over Exit Strategy
Barack Obama is doing what George W. Bush failed to do in Iraq--looking for "where the off-ramps are," according to a White House official. As the President starts a nine-day Asia trip, he leaves behind the message that his Afghanistan decision has been strongly influenced by Karl Eikenberry, the US ambassador who was once military commander there, whose doubts about Hamid … [Read more...] about Obama vs Karzai Over Exit Strategy
Kevin Rudd On Indian-Australian Passion & Relationship
Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd batted spiritedly during his recent India visit and delivered a googly to bypass ticklish issues and move on to substantive bilateral economic and strategic issues that would help strengthen ties between India and Australia. Rudd squarely faced the contentious issues of racial violence against Indian students in Australia, as also the … [Read more...] about Kevin Rudd On Indian-Australian Passion & Relationship
Why a Big CCC Won’t Work Today – But a little one might help
The U.S. is facing massive structural unemployment – possibly for years to come. We can use a few but not all the ideas from the past because the world, and our nation's private sector and Federal government, are significantly different from the 1930’s. THE DISMAL NUMBERS The past decade was remarkable for its miserable job growth and generally stagnant wages, even … [Read more...] about Why a Big CCC Won’t Work Today – But a little one might help
Meeting the President in Section 60
Via Talking Points Memo: … [Read more...] about Meeting the President in Section 60
Don’t Push Your Luck, Stupak
Steve Benen: … [Read more...] about Don’t Push Your Luck, Stupak
Roundup
It was a busy blogging day today for me: Anti-Israel partisans were soundly defeated in their effort to convince the Norwegian NTNU to boycott Israel, as the university's executive board unanimously rejected the measure. Rhode Island's governor vetoed a bill which would have allowed domestic partners the right to dispose of their partner's remains. It's a slippery slope … [Read more...] about Roundup
Hugo Chavez: ‘Prepare for War … Colombia Now in U.S. Hands’ – Ultimas Noticias, Venezuela
As the Venezuela article we posted yesterday headlined If War Breaks Out, Venezuela's 'Fifth Column' Will Have to Be Confronted ably demonstrates, tensions - and paranoia - are increasing along the Venezuela-Colombia border. A few days ago during his weekly radio show Hello President, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez told his country to 'prepare for war' against Colombia and … [Read more...] about Hugo Chavez: ‘Prepare for War … Colombia Now in U.S. Hands’ – Ultimas Noticias, Venezuela
Can We Please Just Tax the Churches Already?
One of the few fundamental rights in America which should never have really generated any controversy is the freedom of religion. On the surface, it seems pretty simple. In layman's terms, this is a country where you can follow any religion or none at all, as you see fit, and the government shall make no law, etc. etc. etc. And yet, I begin to wonder about the wisdom of the … [Read more...] about Can We Please Just Tax the Churches Already?
“Supporting the Troops,” Revisited
As is part of a great American tradition, a lot was said and written in honor of our veterans this past Veterans Day. And, as it has become customary during the past few years, a lot has also been said and written about our newest veterans, the troops who have served so honorably and bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, as in past years, much has been said and written … [Read more...] about “Supporting the Troops,” Revisited
Happy Anniversary
It was ten years ago today that President Bill Clinton, egged on by one of those former Goldman Sachs honchos who gives himself to public service as Secretary of the Treasury, Robert Rubin, signed the bill that repealed the Glass-Steagull Act — the measure that separated investment and commercial banking. In the 1930s most everyone realized such a separation was needed to … [Read more...] about Happy Anniversary