For those who have been following the European reaction to President Obama's decision to ditch the Bush-era anti-missile shield, you know that the divide between East and West Europe has been stark. This article by Bartosz Weglarczyk of Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza, in very cool-eyed fashion, councils Poles on some down home truths and urges people in that nation to accept the … [Read more...] about Hard Truth: Poland Needs America More Than America Needs Us – Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
Obama’s Odd Olympic Odyssey
Let me begin by saying that I don't really have strong feelings one way or another when it comes to President Obama heading to Denmark to push Chicago for the Olympics. But as the story has developed I've heard some things that do make me wonder about the whole story. When I first heard the reports that he was going to make this trip I assumed it would be for a few days and … [Read more...] about Obama’s Odd Olympic Odyssey
A Cat’s Meow
Where have you heard this before: "We believe that the decision to perform a medical or surgical procedure should be made by the ____ in consultation with their ____." If you filled in the blanks with "patient" and "physician," you were wrong. The correct answer is your cat and veterinarian. In California, it seems the health care debate has spread to cats. … [Read more...] about A Cat’s Meow
Newsmax, the Military Coup Column Call, and Conservatives
Newsmax.com has pulled the column it ran that called for a military coup against President Barack Obama. If you missed this controversy be sure to read THIS POST on TMV, and the debate in comments. But it's important to keep something in mind: not all conservatives agree with the increasingly shrill, escalating rhetoric of demonization -- or view the Newsmax piece as … [Read more...] about Newsmax, the Military Coup Column Call, and Conservatives
A Never Ending Mistake?
Just when you think you couldn't get angrier about the utter stupidity of our military engagement in Iraq, another news item comes along to extend and enlarge the rage. This was a tidbit I ran across this morning in the English version of today's Tehran Times. It reports that the speaker of Iraq's parliament is in Iran now to discuss security cooperation between the two … [Read more...] about A Never Ending Mistake?
Defending Polanski; or, How the Hollywood Left Has Completely Lost Its Marbles
Yesterday, I posted on the truth about Roman Polanski, and this was my conclusion: Whatever you think of the cinema and celebrity of Roman Polanski, it is the truth that should matter most, including the truth about what happened over three decades ago. What is that truth? That he drugged and raped a minor, a 13-year old girl (read the sordid details here). That is … [Read more...] about Defending Polanski; or, How the Hollywood Left Has Completely Lost Its Marbles
Potential for Conflict in a Melting Arctic
Guest post by John Malone John Malone, a VP/Senior Analyst with John S. Herold, an energy investment research firm in Connecticut, is a Truman National Security Project fellow. ********** Given the threats we as a nation have faced since 9/11, it's reasonable to think in terms of how climate change will affect societies that are already under stress – how countries … [Read more...] about Potential for Conflict in a Melting Arctic
Earthquake In Indonesia
Seems the planet is a bit cranky this week. Another massive earthquake, this time in Indonesia, has killed at least 75 people and the toll is likely to exceed 100. In this case the quake was close enough to land that there does not appear to be any risk of tsumani. … [Read more...] about Earthquake In Indonesia
Police Crack Down On Babysitters
Here's the picture, a stay at home mom offers to help out her neighbors by keeping an eye on their kids for the 15-40 minutes between when the parents head to work and the school bus arrives. The kids are all friends, the mom is just trying to be a good neighbor. Well according to the state of Michigan she's a lawbreaker, illegally operating a day care. The fact that she … [Read more...] about Police Crack Down On Babysitters
Obama Rebuilds the Iron Curtain: Romania Liberia, Romania
As this article from the Romanian newspaper Romania Liberia shows once again - the divide between East and West Europe over President Obama's decision to cancel the Bush-era missile shield couldn't be starker. What West Europe regards as a reasoned and rational decision to bring Moscow more into the fold, Eastern Europe regards as naive if not betrayal. For Romania Liberia, … [Read more...] about Obama Rebuilds the Iron Curtain: Romania Liberia, Romania
The Bipartisan Consenus…
for incivility. It reminded me of this: So, at least on incivility, there does seem to be bipartisan agreement in Washington. The pols like it...except when the other party does it. [This is being crossposted at my personal blog.] … [Read more...] about The Bipartisan Consenus…
Dave and Jenny: New York To New Delhi
My last post took note of American arms sellers camping in New Delhi (see here). This post is about the increasing number of expats/professionals (including Americans) who are making India their home, and feel more than welcome here. Dave Prager and Jenny Steeves (photo above), who arrived in New Delhi from Brooklyn in 2007, say: "Unlike most countries in the world, Indians … [Read more...] about Dave and Jenny: New York To New Delhi
Newsmax Calls for a Military Coup in U.S.
Newsmax has an article up today by one John Perry, predicting that the U.S. military will intervene to take over the Obama administration (via Talking Points Memo -- h/t to njgruber in Comments for the permalink): … [Read more...] about Newsmax Calls for a Military Coup in U.S.
What’s Going On With The Pay Model for NYTimes.com?
Maybe Schiller got out just in time. John Koblin in the NYObserver: On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Arthur Sulzberger will host his annual “State of The Times” meeting for Times employees, which is generally a sleepy and awkward affair with lots of corporate cheerleading. (Last year, Mr. Sulzberger started the proceedings by playing a slideshow touting all of the paper’s … [Read more...] about What’s Going On With The Pay Model for NYTimes.com?
Powerful Earthquake And Tsunami Hits America Samoa
UPDATE: Reports are dozens have died, with chances of it exceeding 100. A powerful earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale has struck American Samoa and unconfirmed reports say a tsunami has hit the capital city. The quake was centered a deep ocean trench but caused considerable shaking on a number of islands. Waves of 10 to 15 feet high were reported by Eni … [Read more...] about Powerful Earthquake And Tsunami Hits America Samoa
More on the Public Option
As Patrick Edaburn reported earlier, the Senate Finance Committee rejected a public option for the version of health care reform legislation they are preparing. … [Read more...] about More on the Public Option
Navy Secretary Mabus: Don’t Worry over Quality of our Subs, or Women Serving on Them
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, on a visit to Northrop Grumman’s Newport News shipyard yesterday, effectively said “Don’t worry over the quality of our submarines.” After visiting the submarine building facility at Newport News---one of only two shipyards in the nation to build nuclear-powered submarines--- Mabus said during a brief news conference: “I'm absolutely comfortable … [Read more...] about Navy Secretary Mabus: Don’t Worry over Quality of our Subs, or Women Serving on Them
CQ-Roll Call Fires Editor for Questioning Layoffs
Last week, 44 employees of the company that publishes Congressional Quarterly and Roll Call were given pink slips. Today, the newsroom editor, Brian Nutting, was fired for an email he sent to top management demanding to know the reason for the layoffs. Or, to be more precise, he was fired for refusing to apologize for sending the email. Nutting worked at CQ-Roll Call for 27 … [Read more...] about CQ-Roll Call Fires Editor for Questioning Layoffs
The Truth About Roman Polanski
As you may know, famed Polish-French director Roman Polanski was recently arrested in Switzerland. In 1977, he was convicted in the U.S. of "unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor" (a disturbing euphemism). He has been on the run ever since, avoiding extradition in Europe while continuing with his career. Polanski has many fans and admirers, of course. I especially like … [Read more...] about The Truth About Roman Polanski
You First, Governor
Governor Rick Perry has been advising citizens concerned about the prospect of government-sponsored universal health care to "read the book" -- the book being Frederick Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom". The problem? Hayek is surprisingly positive towards government social insurance directed towards things like accidents and sickness -- in that very book no less. Maybe Governor … [Read more...] about You First, Governor