Yes, yes, to fight the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11. But eight years later, American blood and treasure are still being poured into a country of dirt-poor, illiterate people who support themselves by growing poppy for opium and heroin under one of the most corrupt governments in the world. As Barack Obama makes a midnight visit to honor the incoming dead and console … [Read more...] about Why Are We Still in Afghanistan?
Tom Friedman’s logic
The vote is in. Tom Friedman says no more troops for Afghanistan. Why? When I think back on all the moments of progress in that part of the world — all the times when a key player in the Middle East actually did something that put a smile on my face — all of them have one thing in common: America had nothing to do with it. America helped build out what they started, but … [Read more...] about Tom Friedman’s logic
The Unbalanced Balance
You'll be seeing many variants of this headline today: "Economy growing, but not jobs." Like so much of recent economic reporting, it's deceptive. It suggests a kind of balance between two things of equal weight and importance, one good (economic growth) and one bad (unemployment). Such a deception implies that except for a difficult jobs situation, other key elements of the … [Read more...] about The Unbalanced Balance
No Statute of Limitations for Valor
Two questions that come up when I write on the subject of our nation’s highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, are why it sometimes takes so long for the Medal to be awarded and whether an award can be “upgraded” to the Medal of Honor. (I use that term reluctantly because I don’t want to make awards and decorations for our brave troops sound like a product that can be … [Read more...] about No Statute of Limitations for Valor
The GDP Number Is A Good Start, But…
When last quarter's GDP showed a small decrease, I ripped it to shreds, pointing out that by nearly every measure, things were worse than anticipated. Sure the headline number was alright, but only because of a massive 11% increase in government spending, and a massive reduction in imports (imports subtract from GDP) which I viewed as bad since it signaled economic activity was … [Read more...] about The GDP Number Is A Good Start, But…
Apparent Hate Crime at Los Angeles Synagogue
LA Times: Synagogue shooting in North Hollywood leaves 2 wounded By Times staff writers | 7:56 a.m. Two men, shot in the lower torso as they were about to enter the temple, are taken to a nearby hospital. Police are treating the shooting as a hate crime. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/10/shooting-at-la-synagogue-investigated-as-hate-crime-man-arrested.html … [Read more...] about Apparent Hate Crime at Los Angeles Synagogue
Breaking: House Health Reform Bill Unveiled
From a Politico email alert: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled a health reform bill Thursday that would cost $894 billion over 10 years and includes a public option. It meets President Obama’s goal of not adding to the federal deficit, cutting the deficit by about $30 billion in the first 10 years. And now it gets interesting. Full story here. … [Read more...] about Breaking: House Health Reform Bill Unveiled
Tom Friedman’s amnesia
Tom Friedman says don't send more troops to Afghanistan, because there are no positive trends to build on, like the Anbar Awakening before the surge in Iraq. Yet back in 2007, Friedman condemned the surge precisely because there was no progress to build on: January 3, 2007 Now President Bush wants a “surge” of more U.S. troops to Baghdad, in one last attempt to bring … [Read more...] about Tom Friedman’s amnesia
Obama Goes to Dover
Speaking as one who has been critical of most of President Obama's domestic initiatives this year, I find myself in the curious position of having to praise him three times in one week. First, he moved to finally provide long overdue improvements to the nation's power grid. Then he worked with Congressional leadership to shut down foreign tax dodge schemes. (Sadly, with Charlie … [Read more...] about Obama Goes to Dover
Evidence that we don’t need more troops
David Adams commanded a US advisory team in the Afghan province of Khost. Ann Marlowe reported from Afghanistan. They write, From the beginning of 2007 to March 2008, the 82nd Airborne Division's strategy in Khost proved that 250 paratroopers could secure a province of a million people in the Pashtun belt. The key to success in Khost—which shares a 184 kilometer-long … [Read more...] about Evidence that we don’t need more troops
Superb article on Afghanistan
There's plenty of material out there, but Steve Biddle's article in TNR [subscription only] stands head and shouders above the rest. Even if you're against more troops, you should test your logic against Biddle. For example, NYT columnist Nick Kristof wrote:The United States was born of our ancestors’ nationalistic resentment of a foreign power whose troops we saw as … [Read more...] about Superb article on Afghanistan
New Tax Cheat Bill from… Charlie Rangel?
When I read this item at Politico over coffee this morning, I had to double check and see if I hadn't inadvertently followed a link to The Onion. A new bill is being introduced which would make it far more difficult for people to hide their assets in foreign banks to avoid paying taxes on the money. Good idea! But it's being introduced, in part, by Charlie Rangel. (I'll give … [Read more...] about New Tax Cheat Bill from… Charlie Rangel?
Update About “Most Mortgages Are Probably Invalid”
My last post referred to a story that suggested that many -- perhaps even the majority -- of mortgages were invalid due to failing to properly transfer ownership during securitization. However, Calculated Risk has a guest post up that calls the story "sensationalist swill" and gives much more context than originally provided. As I noted previously, I am very naive about … [Read more...] about Update About “Most Mortgages Are Probably Invalid”
An Obama Administration Fox News “Truce”?
It sure sounds that way. More HERE. … [Read more...] about An Obama Administration Fox News “Truce”?
Hug Obama, Find the Moderates (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- Memo to Democrats: You will be defined by President Obama whether you like it or not, so you might as well embrace him for the benefits he can bring you. Memo to Republicans: Talk a right-wing game in your ideological magazines and at your tea parties if that makes you happy. But to win elections, your candidates had better look like middle-of-the-road … [Read more...] about Hug Obama, Find the Moderates (Guest Voice)
Poking the Cobra (Guest Voice)
Poking the Cobra Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Now is the time for all good men to put their hands together, pull them apart and rapidly put them back together again, and repeat, to give props to the president for not curling up into a fetal position with a “Kick Me” sign taped to his butt. You know. Like a Democrat. He’s taking it straight to his perceived enemy, … [Read more...] about Poking the Cobra (Guest Voice)
Lost Airplane
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Lost Airplane
Crash Plus Eighty
Just in the historian geek category. Today and tomorrow, the 28th and 29th, mark the 80th anniversary of the Great Crash. While things are certainly tight for a lot of us, perhaps a time for reflection on how much worse it was back then. … [Read more...] about Crash Plus Eighty
Secretary Costs Pepsi $ 1.26 Billion ?
In the amusing if likely to be overturned category.... It seems that the company is being sued by Charles Joyce and James Voigt who claimed that the company had used information they supplied as a basis for the Aquafina bottle water product. The lawsuit was filed in April but according to Pepsi they did not get notice until September. A secretary says she set aside the … [Read more...] about Secretary Costs Pepsi $ 1.26 Billion ?
Should Democrats Embrace GOP Marginalization Strategy?
I like Steve Benen and used to read his blog, The Carpetbagger Report, regularly. I still occasionally read his posts at his current home, The Washington Monthly’s Political Animal -- but I have to seriously question this post from earlier today, bemoaning Democrats' perceived inability (unwillingness?) to enforce "party loyalty." An excerpt: Political parties that expect … [Read more...] about Should Democrats Embrace GOP Marginalization Strategy?