Republicans may not complain much about President Obama's strategy for Afghanistan, but there is a good amount fire now directed at the administration from the liberal side. Ibn Muqawama provides a solid round-up and critique:A common refrain I hear is that the Taliban has limited appeal, they're fragmented, the Afghans don't want them back, they're not that strong, etc. The … [Read more...] about The Afghanistan Debate. (Yes, There Is One.)
The Long Arm Of The Law Reaches For Jack Murtha
The editors of the NYT (of all people) say that Rep. Murtha is becoming a dangerous liability to the Democrats. An ongoing investigation has found that[Confessed bribe-taker Richard] Ianieri’s company hired the lobbying firm of Mr. Murtha’s brother Kit. The company soon was blessed with money from an $8.2 million defense earmark. The Capitol newspaper Roll Call reported last … [Read more...] about The Long Arm Of The Law Reaches For Jack Murtha
Talking Back to the Talking Heads
On Fox News Sunday this morning, Chris Wallace asked Peter Orszag about whether a public health care option would not involve rationing. Says Steve Benen, "Orszag set the record straight." … [Read more...] about Talking Back to the Talking Heads
Why East European Leaders Have Issued a Plea to Mr. Obama: Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
Polish Foreign Minister Adam D. Rotfeld After agreeing to the installation of an American missile shield on their territories, Poland and the Czech Republic are a bit jittery watching the Obama Administration 'reset' relations with the Kremlin. And after Moscow's attack on Georgia last year and the setting aside of NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine, the rest of East … [Read more...] about Why East European Leaders Have Issued a Plea to Mr. Obama: Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
An Economic Koan
Of late we've been hearing a lot about an economic recovery. No one seems to know exactly when this might come to pass, but those who think it might happen soon all seem to agree it will be a "jobless recovery." The economy will start to grow again, in other words, but for a variety of reasons this will not occur in tandem with a lot of presently unemployed people going back to … [Read more...] about An Economic Koan
Vatican Unequivocally Confirms Automatic Excommunication for Anyone Involved in Abortion
You might remember several months ago the case of the nine-year old Brazilian girl who was raped by her stepfather: Weighing just 79 pounds and barely four feet tall, the 9-year-old girl, from Alagoinha, a town in the northeast, underwent an abortion when she was 15 weeks pregnant at one of the 55 centers authorized to perform the procedure in Brazil. Abortion is legal … [Read more...] about Vatican Unequivocally Confirms Automatic Excommunication for Anyone Involved in Abortion
Meet the Press and Shape the Message Your Way
Lindsay Beyerstein provides another solid gold example of the watchdog lapdog "journalism" for which David Gregory is so renowned: NBC's David Gregory tried to entice disgraced South Carolina governor Mark Sanford onto Meet The Press by promising a friendly hearing. Gregory subscribes to the Burger King model of journalism: Have it Your Way. "Meet The Press allows you … [Read more...] about Meet the Press and Shape the Message Your Way
Hey, Kids! Let’s Overthrow the Government
I only noticed this story, for which I can find no suitable adjective, because it was highlighted and responded to by Rick Moran at Right Wing Nuthouse. It's from Free Republic honcho Jim Robinson, who apparently is unhappy with the performance thus far of President Obama and the Democratic controlled Congress, and seeks a remedy to this untenable situation by marching millions … [Read more...] about Hey, Kids! Let’s Overthrow the Government
“Universal” Health Care Is Debatable, Children’s Health Care Is Not
Although it is very difficult to remain unemotional when the health and welfare of our most precious individuals---children---are involved, I'll give it a try. The New York Times has a heart-rending article this morning. It's about how some states have been reluctant to repair the safety net, improve health insurance, for their most vulnerable ones, and how other … [Read more...] about “Universal” Health Care Is Debatable, Children’s Health Care Is Not
Dr. Melissa Clouthier’s Plot to Destroy America
We saw plenty of it both during and shortly after the election, but as with most cycles, it died down pretty quickly afterward. Oh, you missed it? I'm talking about the tempting, low hanging fruit of blaming independents and third party candidates for your fortunes after you get your ass absolutely kicked in and handed to you on a platter in the killing fields of the political … [Read more...] about Dr. Melissa Clouthier’s Plot to Destroy America
Oysters for Health Care (Guest Voice)
Oysters for Health Care by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship This is a story of health care and two Americans; a tale of two citizens, if you will. This week, Regina Benjamin was nominated by President Obama as our next surgeon general, charged with educating Americans on medical issues and overseeing the United States Public Health Service. She was the first African … [Read more...] about Oysters for Health Care (Guest Voice)
Heartbreaking Video Of U.S. Soldier Captured By Taliban: “I’m Afraid”
An Internet site has posted a heartbreaking video of Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl, the 23-year-old U.S. soldier captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan, expressing fears that he won't be allowed to go home and see or hug his loved ones again. It's a natural expression of fear: in fact, U.S. soldiers captured by in Afghanistan and Iraq have not fared well in many cases. Their capture … [Read more...] about Heartbreaking Video Of U.S. Soldier Captured By Taliban: “I’m Afraid”
Mark Sanford’s Still Sorry, David Gregory’s Skilled Groveling
No inkling of a resignation in his 800-word OpEd in The State today. But he is really, really, sorry: It's in the spirit of making good from bad that I am committing to you and the larger family of South Carolinians to use this experience both to trust God in his larger work of changing me and, from my end, to work to becoming a better and more effective leader. I think … [Read more...] about Mark Sanford’s Still Sorry, David Gregory’s Skilled Groveling
Hillary Clinton: Pakistan’s ‘Syndicate Of Terrorism’
There is some speculation why the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, now visiting India for five days, is not visiting neighbouring US-ally Pakistan as her predecessors have always done. On the other hand, Hillary declared that Pakistan houses a ‘syndicate of terrorism’. The Indian Express reports that Hillary stated that "her country is watching the actions being taken … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton: Pakistan’s ‘Syndicate Of Terrorism’
Cluster Flip
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Cluster Flip
We’re In A New Golden Age of Television
On Speaking of Faith this week, TV and Parables of Our Time. Krista Tippet says shows like Lost, The Wire, and Battlestar Galactica are "engaging grand themes of ethics and humanity and helping a new generation tell the story of our time." Her guest, Diane Winston, a journalist and scholar of media and religion at USC, says we're in a Golden Age of television: And it's … [Read more...] about We’re In A New Golden Age of Television
“Unwinnable” War In Afghanistan? A Final Realization?
US defense secretary Robert M. Gates has stated an obvious fact: The troops in Afghanistan "are tired...and the American people are pretty tired.” So, what next (or new)? In an ominous use of the word "unwinnable", once used by the legendary media person the late Walter Cronkite to turn public opinion against the Vietnam war, defense secretary Gates (photo above) says that … [Read more...] about “Unwinnable” War In Afghanistan? A Final Realization?
Betting on Global Warming
In a slightly more fun, casual story for your Sunday reading, an interesting wager has broken out in the blogosphere. In what he calls a Challenge to Climate Change Skeptics, Nate Silver of fivethirtyeight.com is offering a rather hefty wager to all takers based on ... the weather. It came in response to another blogger who claimed that this summer seemed abnormally cool - … [Read more...] about Betting on Global Warming
When Children Learn Differently: ‘Outsiders’ Guaranteed To Bring Unique Contributions to the World
I have been trying to teach myself graphic design out of a book. It is slow going. Learning things that have many parts combined with abstract ideas take me much reading, re-reading and re-re-reading. I can learn more easily it seems if there are applicable pictures of whatever the learning is... and living poeple actually moving their eyes and hands to make the expert … [Read more...] about When Children Learn Differently: ‘Outsiders’ Guaranteed To Bring Unique Contributions to the World
Hillary Clinton Salutes Mumbai 26/11 Heroes
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton's visit to the Taj Hotel in Mumbai on Saturday was more than a symbolic gesture. She interacted with the staff of the Taj, and the adjoining Trident-Oberoi hotel, who survived last year's 26/11 terrorist attack. Taj's general manager, who lost his wife and two children in the attack, introduced the staff, and then arranged breakfast for the … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Salutes Mumbai 26/11 Heroes