Andrew Sullivan's tireless efforts continue. This and this are perhaps the most chilling of his entries to date. If you're so inclined, say a prayer for the dissidents tonight. Some of them may no longer be here by the time the sun rises. God speed. … [Read more...] about Iran: As the ‘Breaking Point’ Looms
Strong Words for Brazil from a U.S. Congressman
This morning I wrote on the latest so-called "ruling" by a Brazilian judge on the five-year long battle by New Jersey dad David Goldman for custody of his son, Sean, who is being held in Brazil against every international rule and convention. In the "ruling," the Brazilian judge said that David Goldman should have custody of his son. However, there are some big, … [Read more...] about Strong Words for Brazil from a U.S. Congressman
Why The Economy Won’t Recover For A Long Time
People that have read my musings/alarms/rants over the last half year will know that I anticipated that the economy would pause in its downturn in the spring/summer (although in February I was starting to get doubtful it would) and then plunge far worse in the fall than it has thus far. My reasoning was simple and twofold. The first was that I thought there would be a very … [Read more...] about Why The Economy Won’t Recover For A Long Time
The Ayatollah Speaks; Game, Set, Match?
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has spoken. Last Friday's national election results were not rigged because “the Islamic state would not cheat," he declared. He warned the opposition would be “responsible for bloodshed and chaos” if the protests continued. At least eight citizens have been killed in the demonstrations so far. The ayatollah is the hammer, the … [Read more...] about The Ayatollah Speaks; Game, Set, Match?
REVISED: House Resolution Tracks with Obama
Shame on me for overreacting (misreacting) earlier to the House vote based on one report. Per Andrew Sullivan, the actual wording of the House measure seems to be about where it should be and is largely consistent with Obama's stance earlier in the week: Expressing support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule … [Read more...] about REVISED: House Resolution Tracks with Obama
Ahmadinejad’s Closest Adviser: Undoing Election Results “Unthinkable”
The Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad has snatched an unprecedented interview with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's right-hand man and head of Ahmadinejad's reelection committee, Mojataba Samareh Hashemi. According to the Handelsblad, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Samareh Hashemi have been friends since childhood, and analysts say Samareh Hashemi has great influence on the … [Read more...] about Ahmadinejad’s Closest Adviser: Undoing Election Results “Unthinkable”
The Right’s “Bull in the China Shop” Approach to Iran
One would think that one of the leading architects of the biggest policy failure for decades if not more would be reluctant to give Pres. Obama advice about how to handle the momentous events in Iran. But there Paul Wolfowitz is, mangling history and giving condescending suggestions to Obama on his options with regard to Iran -- and on the op-ed page of the same paper that … [Read more...] about The Right’s “Bull in the China Shop” Approach to Iran
Iranian Women, Ayatollah: A Genesis of the Iranian Demonstrators
My dear Iranian women students: It’s me, your teacher from long ago. I was still a struggling doctoral student back then when your fathers, wanting their beloved daughters to have an American education, sent you across the ocean to the small USA college where I had my very first job as a teacher. It was 1976. And there was tension between our countries. But education seemed … [Read more...] about Iranian Women, Ayatollah: A Genesis of the Iranian Demonstrators
Health Care Reform Heads to the I.C.U
Steve Benen has a great report and analysis on how substantive health care reform is swirling near the bottom of the bowl today. He helpfully reminds us of the old axiom about the making of sausage and why you don't want to watch it. This process is no different. Taking that as a starting point, I don't think it's all that difficult for us to draw a few conclusions about the … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform Heads to the I.C.U
My Other “Job”
I wanted to let people know that I may not be posting as much because I've taken on the task of getting the blog the Progressive Republican off the ground. Travis Johnson started the blog and he is busy with another project to help unite Progressive Republicans, so he asked me to oversee the day-to-day operations of the blog. Don't worry, I will still blog here and … [Read more...] about My Other “Job”
Iran: The Man And The Boy
For years the world has been distressed and not infrequently appalled by the behavior of Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Everyone has always known, of course, that he wasn't the real power in Iran, that he didn't call the shots on really big issues. This was the prerogative of the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. There was nonetheless a commonly held … [Read more...] about Iran: The Man And The Boy
Republican Senator Inhofe Refuses To Even Meet With Sotomayor
So much with any pretense of being anything but a person with a set-in-concrete ideology: Republican Senator Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) has made it known that he won't EVEN MEET with Barack Obama Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. It would be inconceivable 10, 20 or any number of years ago that any United States Senator whose duty includes voting on Supreme Court nominees … [Read more...] about Republican Senator Inhofe Refuses To Even Meet With Sotomayor
The Tweet Heard ‘Round Tehran: A New Channel of Public Diplomacy?
Guest post by Jessie Daniels As we watch with interest the events unfolding in Iran, one of the major stories dominating the headlines is the Twitter effect. Twitter, and other new media, have given a global voice to the angst over the elections and have made the intensity of those marching in Tehran palpable to those sitting on the couch watching halfway around the world. … [Read more...] about The Tweet Heard ‘Round Tehran: A New Channel of Public Diplomacy?
Blogs: What’s Cooking…?
Orangette...Cannelle et Vanille...Chez Pim...Dorie Greenspan...Becks & Posh...Steamy Kitchen..Homesick Texan...The Bitten Word...Tartelette. Hey what are these funny names? If you ever get tired of reading the political blogs...you may turn your attention to the above mentioned "appetizing" blogs included in The Times "50 of the world's best food blogs." More here... I … [Read more...] about Blogs: What’s Cooking…?
A “Ruling” in the Sean Goldman Brazil Custody Case
Both NJ.com and MSNBC report on a startling development in the tragic battle by an American father to regain custody of his son who was kidnapped to Brazil five years ago. A Brazilian judge has ruled that David Goldman should have custody of his son. However, there is just one big, ridiculous catch: David Goldman can "have custody" of his son for only six days a week, … [Read more...] about A “Ruling” in the Sean Goldman Brazil Custody Case
Revenge of the Little People
The recent incidents of domestic terror and violence have left me pondering what role, if any, the blogs, the cable bomb throwers and the media in general play in such things. Does hate speech on the air translate into hate action in the field, at least for some? Or are we talking about sick, deranged people who would have killed somebody anyway and just latched on to political … [Read more...] about Revenge of the Little People
USA: Joys Of Bus Ride In Times Of Crisis
My fascination for bus rides and backpacking/trekking has remained intact. I was delighted to learn that even among the car-loving Americans, bus travel is now becoming popular. Well, this may cause a social and economic revolution in the USA!!! People are more "loath to get into their cars." The Federal Highway Administration says Americans drove 81 billion fewer miles in … [Read more...] about USA: Joys Of Bus Ride In Times Of Crisis
The Kremlin Balanced ‘Between Two Chairs’: Iran’s and the West’s – Gazeta of Russia
Continuing with our coverage of the Iranian election crisis as it impinges upon the United States, we present this article from the boldest publication on the Russian media firmament, Gazeta. This newspaper, owned in part by former Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev - reports on events and issues that other Russian media fear to touch. According to this Gazeta editorial, … [Read more...] about The Kremlin Balanced ‘Between Two Chairs’: Iran’s and the West’s – Gazeta of Russia
Polls: Obama Honeymoon Ending But He’s Still Highly Popular
Several polls show that the honeymoon is ending for President Barack Obama but, five months into his term, he remains highly popular personally. The bride still loves the groom -- but she's now beginning to seriously question his judgment and ability to be a good provider. Even so, Republicans shouldn't be smiling: polling suggests the party is at an all time low and one … [Read more...] about Polls: Obama Honeymoon Ending But He’s Still Highly Popular
Ex-Presidents’ Flying Circus
As Bush 41 jumps from a plane to celebrate his 85th birthday, Jimmy Carter, a few months younger, parachutes into the Middle East with his own foreign policy for the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and now Bush 43 is getting into the look-at-me act. "Just because you're an old guy, you don't have to sit around drooling in the corner," the elder Bush said after landing safely in … [Read more...] about Ex-Presidents’ Flying Circus