As George W. Bush goes off to write his "authoritarian" version of the past eight years, we are getting the first glimpse of what could be a drawback in having an articulate president. Barack Obama made a ringing statement Friday about the US mission in Afghanistan, but we now learn how divided his Administration was over the decision, including the opposition of Joe Biden, … [Read more...] about Obama’s Language Problem
A Massive Psychosis of Stupidity
Centuries from now, the world will look back at a relatively small but very noisy cult-like faction of people who for reasons unknown, fell victim to a massive psychosis of stupidity that made them do things like taking the "RedState Pledge": Tomorrow is something called Earth Hour Take the official RedState Pledge: I do solemnly swear that I will honor Earth Hour by … [Read more...] about A Massive Psychosis of Stupidity
The Credible Space Storm Threat
NewScientist: IT IS midnight on 22 September 2012 and the skies above Manhattan are filled with a flickering curtain of colourful light. Few New Yorkers have seen the aurora this far south but their fascination is short-lived. Within a few seconds, electric bulbs dim and flicker, then become unusually bright for a fleeting moment. Then all the lights in the state go out. … [Read more...] about The Credible Space Storm Threat
Washington’s Strategy of ‘Chaos and Intervention’ in Mexico: La Jornada, Mexico
NEWSPAPER SAYS - QUOTING SECRETARY CLINTON: 'WE'RE GUILTY OF THE VIOLENCE IN MEXICO. WE'RE BIG DRUGGIES' UNCLE SAM SAYS: 'AND IN 1847, WE WERE REAL THUGS WHEN WE STOLE HALF OF MEXICO FROM THEM, AND IN 1910 ...' Continuing with our coverage of U.S. involvement in the drug war from the Mexican point of view, today we post this article, which poses an old question being … [Read more...] about Washington’s Strategy of ‘Chaos and Intervention’ in Mexico: La Jornada, Mexico
Flicking the Lights Off
Ninety minutes to Earth Hour here on the east coast... and this fun Sarah Silverman spoof called “flicking the lights off” hasn't gotten nearly enough attention... Via Sarah van Schagen at the Grist where she has several other good Earth Hour links. See also dday at Political Animal for some conservative snark about the hour. … [Read more...] about Flicking the Lights Off
What Went Around Is Coming Around
Bush administration lawyers would be well advised to think twice before traveling to Europe -- or anywhere outside the United States: One of America’s NATO allies—which supported the Bush Administration’s war on terror by committing its troops to the struggle–has now opened formal criminal inquiries looking into the Bush team’s legacy of torture. The action parallels a … [Read more...] about What Went Around Is Coming Around
While We Talk Truth Commissions, Others Target Bush Torture Lawyers in Criminal Probe
A few weeks ago, Patrick Leahy, six-term Democratic Senator from Vermont, a former prosecutor and the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee wrote an article in TIME titled "The Case for a Truth Commission." In it, the Senator discusses the abuses during the Bush administration years---such as the scandal at Abu Ghraib, the disclosure of torture memos and the revelations … [Read more...] about While We Talk Truth Commissions, Others Target Bush Torture Lawyers in Criminal Probe
Things are Bad when the IMF says Spend More Money
Most of us know what the International Monetary Fund prescription for saving any given economy is, right? Drastically cut spending. No really, cut it. Slash it to the bone. Even military spending. Cut cut cut cut cut! This approach has opened them to criticism both from true conservatives and progressives. So then, you know it's a big deal on those rare occasions that the … [Read more...] about Things are Bad when the IMF says Spend More Money
Interview with George Clarke
Continuing my series of interviews concerning "the war on terror" (or whatever it's new name will be) and American detention policy therein, I bring you this interview with George Clarke, an attorney in Washington who represents four Guantanamo-detained clients, three of whom have been expressly "cleared for release," although all continue to languish as prisoners at … [Read more...] about Interview with George Clarke
Economy’s Latest Victim: Shopping Malls Are Closing
Is the economy killing that late 20th century American (and teenage) institution and consumerism Mecca - the shopping mall? The evidence is coming in that it is. The Week reports: Enclosed shopping centers, long the cathedrals of American consumerism, are closing their doors by the hundreds as the recession continues to clobber retail sales. Is America’s love affair … [Read more...] about Economy’s Latest Victim: Shopping Malls Are Closing
Earth Hour 2009: Turn Out the Lights Tonight
8:30 to 9:30 PM tonight, your local time.: This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world's first global election, between Earth and global warming. For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote - Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on … [Read more...] about Earth Hour 2009: Turn Out the Lights Tonight
And if you play it backwards, it spells out Lee Harvey Oswald’s hat size
Five Leadership Lessons from Obama’s Second Month of Administration
I don't know whether Shaun Reins approves or disapproves of President Obama's performance as a leader during the the president's second month in office. That isn't the point of this article from Forbes. In it, he analyzes Obama's second thirty day period as president for lessons, some positive and some negative, that other leaders, particularly in the business world, can … [Read more...] about Five Leadership Lessons from Obama’s Second Month of Administration
Obama’s Enforcer (Guest Voice)
Obama’s Enforcer By Floyd and Mary Beth Brown In Obama’s entire circle of advisers, one man rises above the pack, gaining the reputation as the most ruthless political figure in America today. This man is Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s chief of staff. Instead of being an impassioned ideologue, he instead enjoys utilizing Machiavellian tactics to achieve more traditional political … [Read more...] about Obama’s Enforcer (Guest Voice)
Adolf Hitler’s Gift At Nepal’s Narayanhity Palace
In May 2008 Nepal (world's youngest Republic that shares its borders with India and China) abolished monarchy, and King Gyanendra was given 15 days to leave the palace. A fortnight later the ex-king and his wife left Narayanhity Palace, thus ending 240-year-long Shah dynasty. The palace is now a museum and has so far attracted over 36,000 visitors in the capital city of … [Read more...] about Adolf Hitler’s Gift At Nepal’s Narayanhity Palace
Two Ways Of Looking at Our Economic Recovery
I am the eternal optimist. You have heard about the little boy, on Christmas morning, looking for his pony in a pile of horse manure? Well, "that’s me.” Therefore, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me, that I take delight in every “up tick” in the stock market, regardless of how small or fleeting. You may call me naive. That's OK. That I look for … [Read more...] about Two Ways Of Looking at Our Economic Recovery
How Does Google Become More Like HP?
From John Battelle's Friday brain-dump, this interesting observation: I spent a good couple of hours at HP this week as well. FM has done business with nearly every division of HP over the past four years, and it's remarkable to spend time simmering in the culture of a company that is, in just about every way possible, Really Grown Up. HP has more than 300K employees, but it … [Read more...] about How Does Google Become More Like HP?
Will Iran Be to Obama What China was to Nixon?: Le Monde of France
Does the phrase, 'It took Nixon to go to China' apply to the case of President Barack Obama and the nation of Iran? In this latest in a series of translations we've been doing on reaction to President Obama's outstretched hand to Iran, the editorial board of France's Le Monde makes the case that like Nixon - Obama might be just the man for the task. The Le Monde editorial … [Read more...] about Will Iran Be to Obama What China was to Nixon?: Le Monde of France
Obama and Sarkozy: Clashing Views That Need Not Be Fatal: Le Figaro, France
As we learned yesterday from Franco Venturini of Italy's Corriere della Sera, a G-20 clash is brewing between the United States, which favors more stimulus and consumption, and Europe, which favors less stimulus and more regulation of the global financial system. But unlike Venturini, who sees real danger in this difference of views and its likely consequences, Pierre … [Read more...] about Obama and Sarkozy: Clashing Views That Need Not Be Fatal: Le Figaro, France
Obama Unveils Road Map for Afghanistan
Joe Gandelman has pretty much covered the waterfront on this one. So here is only one more perspective, from the New York Times. Basically, President Obama outlined plans to further increase the presence of American forces in Afghanistan (4,000 more troops to train Afghan security forces on top of the 17,000 extra combat troops that he already has ordered to … [Read more...] about Obama Unveils Road Map for Afghanistan