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
Gordon Brown: A Lack Of British Leadership (Guest Voice)
Gordon Brown: A Lack Of British Leadership by Dalitso Njolinjo Rarely does a politician display his disdain for the people his serves quiet like Mr Gordon Brown. If you want to know what is wrong with British politics and why Britain is the country that is worst placed to deal with this financial crisis, look no further then our unelected Prime Minister. The man … [Read more...] about Gordon Brown: A Lack Of British Leadership (Guest Voice)
Obama’s Used-Car Salesmen
I wouldn't buy one from Larry Summers. I might take a chance on Tim Geithner but have a good mechanic check it out first. As the President's top two economic advisers keep offering us financial vehicles for the rocky road ahead, they just don't inspire confidence in survivors still stunned by the crash of those in which the two of them had so much involvement over the past … [Read more...] about Obama’s Used-Car Salesmen
Obama: New Afghanistan Troop Strategy to Stop Taliban And Al Qaeda In Afghanistan And Pakistan
President Barack Obama announced a new Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy that is less a totally new approach than a reaffirmation of the original goals many Americans had in the the days immediately following 911: secure Afghanistan so that it's not controlled by the Taliban and essentially run by Al Qaeda and shut off terrorists' bordering havens -- notably Pakistan. There are … [Read more...] about Obama: New Afghanistan Troop Strategy to Stop Taliban And Al Qaeda In Afghanistan And Pakistan
Book Review: Yes We Can: Barack Obama’s History-Making Presidential Campaign
Barack Obama is now in a new era: it was "Yes We Can" during the campaign, but now he's President and the predominant theme isn't what might be but what he is now -- and whether he can deliver. To Democrats and some other voters, it's still "Yes We Can," while to Republicans it's "No You Won't" -- and to some on Wall Street it's "I Hope We Can -- But Boy Do I Have My … [Read more...] about Book Review: Yes We Can: Barack Obama’s History-Making Presidential Campaign
Mexican Piñata
Libertarian’s Exit Boosts Tedisco’s Chances in NY20
Another last minute twist has once again changed the landscape of this Tuesday's race for the vacant New York 20th district congressional race. Following a series of challenges to ballot signatures, Libertarian Party candidate Eric Sundwall has dropped out of the race. "We are dismayed that the people of the 20th Congressional District will not have the opportunity to vote … [Read more...] about Libertarian’s Exit Boosts Tedisco’s Chances in NY20
Vespasianus: Celebrating Emperor’s Birth Anniversary
Italy celebrates this year the 2,000th birth anniversary of Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus responsible for many of the Roman buildings, including the Colosseum. He also took drastic measures to restore sanity to the Roman Empire's finances, which had been emptied by Nero's extravagance (One is tempted to make comparisons with the present times!!!). The … [Read more...] about Vespasianus: Celebrating Emperor’s Birth Anniversary
After-Midnight Blogger: High Up People Write Poetically To Strangers Edition
The Electronic Letter Makers they are polite always wealthy but have one tiny trouble, so much money, but the wrong visa or safety deposit box key is missing or the country is under siege and the money sewn into pillows, or a bank account has been abandoned by a dead person... and all that is needed is a stranger-- us-- to wave the magic wand of … [Read more...] about After-Midnight Blogger: High Up People Write Poetically To Strangers Edition
‘Lost Smiles’ as Obama Prepares for Europe: Corriere della Sera, Italy
Judging from this op-ed by Franco Venturini of Italy's Corriere della Sera, despite the adulation felt for Barack Obama during the 2008 campaign, it could be rough sledding for the President when he visits Europe for the first time since taking office next week. Franco Venturini writes in part: "Celebrated with enthusiasm on both sides of the Atlantic, Barack Obama's … [Read more...] about ‘Lost Smiles’ as Obama Prepares for Europe: Corriere della Sera, Italy
The Republicans Present Their Own Budget Plan With One Tiny Hitch
The hitch: After blasting President Barack Obama on the budget, it turns out that Rep. Mike Spence can't answer a question on what the deficit would be under the new Republican plan -- and he continues to blast Obama's projected deficit even after he can't answer the question about the GOP's: It's clear what the GOP's strategy is heading into 2010. This is its real … [Read more...] about The Republicans Present Their Own Budget Plan With One Tiny Hitch
Calderon’s Bush-Style Militarization of Mexican Politics: La Jornada, Mexico
CARTOON TITLE: 'DIPLOMACY IN ACTION' SECRETARY CLINTON'S SIGN SAYS: 'THERE'S NO PROBLEM GOVERNING MEXICO' MEXICAN FOREIGN SECRETARY ESPINOSA SAYS: 'YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT ALL!' With Hillary Clinton in Mexico praising that country's president for his handling of the drug war, is President Calderon, who took office after a contested election, using that national emergency to … [Read more...] about Calderon’s Bush-Style Militarization of Mexican Politics: La Jornada, Mexico
The Dirtiest Word In America
The dirtiest word in American society is not a four, but a five-letter word spelled t-a-x-e-s. The mere mention of raising taxes by any politician is an automatic death sentence. Give Republicans since the Reagan administration credit for transforming the meaning of taxes from a necessary devil to the horrors of Satan. Not to be outdone, most Democrats in Congress … [Read more...] about The Dirtiest Word In America
And the Health Insurance Debate Rages On
Please, dear reader, consider this a follow up to Pat Edaburn's excellent piece on Health Care reform. Wow! What A Deal! Insurance companies agree to cover everyone, and not even charge ludicrous extra amounts for people who have been ill, but only if everyone is required to buy insurance. That's right, the same highly profitable insurance companies that have caused the … [Read more...] about And the Health Insurance Debate Rages On
Obama’s Online Town Hall Meeting Goes To Pot
It was an experiment that the White House reportedly liked and could well try again. President Barack Obama held his highly-anticipated online Town Hall and the response was big and positive -- and also heavily weighted with people who had lots of questions about pot. It didn't flop with a gong, but proved to be an intriguing idea...with a bong. No one can say the questions … [Read more...] about Obama’s Online Town Hall Meeting Goes To Pot
The Toxic Assets Avenger
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The Toxic Assets Avenger
The Mighty, Indispensable Major Dailies
At Pres. Obama's news conference two days ago, Kevin Chappelle from the Newark Examiner asked what might be called an outlier (but not a "softball") question: ... A recent report found that, as a result of the economic downturn, 1 in 50 children are now homeless in America. With shelters at full capacity, tent cities are sprouting up across the country. In passing your … [Read more...] about The Mighty, Indispensable Major Dailies
Rewriting the Map, Climate Change Style
Whatever your opinion about how we humans are best suited to deal with the impacts of climate change and our role in generating that phenomenon, when countries have to start redrawing their borders as a result of those impacts it's hard to argue that there isn't any phenomenon to argue over. … [Read more...] about Rewriting the Map, Climate Change Style