Jack Shafer at Slate is doubting Twitter: Unlike several other technology-friendly journalists, I've found it more noise than signal in understanding the Iranian upheaval. I'm not saying that there is no signal to be found; I'm just saying that my cognitive colander isn't big enough to strain out Iran information I can rely on.... I appreciate, as Atlantic Senior Editor Andrew … [Read more...] about Twitter Revolution Buzz Pushback
It’s About Credibility
This meme surfaced in the comments thread of my primary post yesterday. That meme hinges on this news, per the WSJ: The Iranian government ... accused the U.S. for the first time of interfering in the postelection dispute. Iran protested to the Swiss ambassador, who represents U.S. affairs in Iran because the two nations have no diplomatic ties. White House spokesman … [Read more...] about It’s About Credibility
Iran, You Will Make Progress For You Stand on the Shoulders of Burma, Tienamen, Budapest 1956
You likely read the extensive coverage here at TMV of Burma's monks and nuns rising up against Senior General in Charge Of Everything, Mr. Than Shwe, the butcher of Burmese tribal people, the over-fed scourge of the poor of Burma. You may have seen the photos I put up from one of my frightened correspondants in Yangoon, photos of innocent elderly monks with their heads … [Read more...] about Iran, You Will Make Progress For You Stand on the Shoulders of Burma, Tienamen, Budapest 1956
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Elected, or Self-Selected?
We carry a joke of sad irony in our family ...about elections that took place in the Soviet states during the time of Communism. My father's large family who farmed in a remote part of Hungary, was over-run by propagandists who claimed Hungary had totally free elections, but in fact, everyone in the little village of 46 families, knew the higher ups bullied, deceived, thieved … [Read more...] about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Elected, or Self-Selected?
PLAYTIME IS OVER – NOW LET’S REALLY GET DIRTY
President Obama should study the tough political wheeler-dealers, horse-traders, and consummate arm-twisters that preceding him in office: Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ), and Ronald Wilson Reagan (RWR). They may have been all smiles for public consumption but they were top politicians behind closed doors who left policies and legacies that … [Read more...] about PLAYTIME IS OVER – NOW LET’S REALLY GET DIRTY
Obama’s Remarks on Gay Rights
The White House: REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT THE SIGNING OF A PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM REGARDING FEDERAL BENEFITS AND NON-DISCRIMINATION Oval Office 6:04 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Well, today I'm proud to issue a presidential memorandum that paves the way for long-overdue progress in our nation's pursuit of equality. Many of our government's hard-working, … [Read more...] about Obama’s Remarks on Gay Rights
Public Worried About Deficit
According to a new poll from MSNBC the public is getting increasingly concerned about the amount of debt that is being incurred by the administration. As mentioned in the MSNBC article this may be a sign we are moving past the honeymoon phase to where the public starts to split between how they feel about the person and how they feel about the policies. It's actually pretty … [Read more...] about Public Worried About Deficit
The dynamics of revolution
Lots of commentators have pointed out the relatively conservative aims of the Iranian protesters. The marchers seek only to perfect the Islamic Republic so that it lives up to its ideals. They have only called for new Presidential elections, with hints now and then for the replacement of Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei with a different cleric. The chief players in the movement - … [Read more...] about The dynamics of revolution
The American Tribe – Unite
I wrote yesterday about tribes and how I believe President Obama is getting us back to respect and need of the whole tribe. I got to thinking about the American Tribe, which I tend to do. What makes the American Tribe unique is that we are a tribe composed of people who were kicked out of, or in rare circumstances voluntarily left, virtually every other tribe on earth. The … [Read more...] about The American Tribe – Unite
Why Twitter Works
In Iran, why didn't they just turn Twitter off? From All Things Considered: Jonathan Zittrain, co-founder of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School, says Iran uses a basic filtering architecture that has the average Internet connection piped through a government server farm before it goes anywhere else. But, like resourceful American students in … [Read more...] about Why Twitter Works
Lebanon and Iran: Mr. Obama’s Push of Dialogue and Openness Kicks In – L’Orient Le Jour, Lebanon
To what degree can the recent election result in Lebanon and the current events in Iran be attrutible to President Barack Obama? That question is at the heart of much of the global commentary in regard to the unfolding drama in the streets of Tehran, and as we learn from this article from Lebanon's L'Orient Le Jour, Beirut as well. For L'Orient Le Jour, Issa Goraieb … [Read more...] about Lebanon and Iran: Mr. Obama’s Push of Dialogue and Openness Kicks In – L’Orient Le Jour, Lebanon
TV Blames Victims, Not Perps
I was watching the evening news last night and they had a story about credit cards. It seems a lot of people are no longer able to service them. In response, in hopes of getting at least something back on their bad loans, card issuing banks now often cut deals for a lot less than outstanding balances. This is not a very surprising phenomenon, given the way the economy has … [Read more...] about TV Blames Victims, Not Perps
On the Big New NOAA Global Climate Change Report
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a report today on the effects we can expect that global climate change will have on the United States. Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States draws material from 13 US government science agencies. Ten key findings: Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced Climate changes are … [Read more...] about On the Big New NOAA Global Climate Change Report
The Vile Hypocrisy and Cynicism of Neocons on Iran
Matthew Cooper notes the continuing "neocon buffoonery" around Iran and Pres. Obama's response to the unrest there: … [Read more...] about The Vile Hypocrisy and Cynicism of Neocons on Iran
Robert Fisk Reports From Iran
He's been driving all around Tehran with no interference, and seeing extraordinary scenes. Here are some snips: … [Read more...] about Robert Fisk Reports From Iran
OBAMA FATIGUE
After five months in office, his whirlwind presidency is taking a toll on the President in more ways than one. Worrying about the economy "keeps me awake at night," he told an interviewer yesterday. At the same time, signs of Obama Fatigue are showing up among his own party in Congress over the massive muddle of health care reform. His tireless cheer-leading has failed … [Read more...] about OBAMA FATIGUE
Have You Read a Good Passport Lately?
On long international flights, after I have exhausted my regular reading material, I sometimes resort to reading my U.S. passport. I have one of those “old” passports, the ones without the “sensitive electronics,” but also without much interesting reading material. Thus, I have by now pretty much memorized the gallant laissez-passer admonishment by our State … [Read more...] about Have You Read a Good Passport Lately?
A Time To Play, A Time To Shut Up
Most high school graduation ceremonies are behind us now but they're still fuming over the one held Friday in the Bonny Eagle school district in Portland, Maine. Diplomas for two graduates were upheld because of excessive celebration in the eyes of the school superintendent. One grad blew kisses to his mother and the other accused of inflating and releasing a rubber duck and … [Read more...] about A Time To Play, A Time To Shut Up
Fire David Letterman Rally Becomes Medley Of Hate
So what if David Letterman apologized to Sarah Palin and if she did accept his apology? Apology, aschmology...in American politics, some people can't turn down a chance for some good 'ol, fashioned hate. Who could pass up chance to chance to attend a bona fide, "Fire David Letterman" rally right after he apologized and Palin accepted his apology? Apparently hundreds of … [Read more...] about Fire David Letterman Rally Becomes Medley Of Hate
HERE WE GO AGAIN
U.S. Senator John Ensign of Nevada recently admitted to an extramarital affair. We have gone through this many times before with other elected figures under different personal circumstances, including the failed impeachment of President Clinton. Some people who have inherited the faulty combination of prurient and puritan genes are getting themselves all worked up in a tizzy … [Read more...] about HERE WE GO AGAIN