In my humble opinion, Chas Freeman was a disaster waiting to happen and belongs nowhere near US intelligence and foreign policy. This Democrat is grateful that the Obama administration has come to its senses. Eric Fingerhut at JTA asks 'The Freeman fight: Was it all about Israel?' JTA: Obama team's intel pick pulls out Freeman slams 'Israel lobby' Rosner's … [Read more...] about Do I Look Like a Rich and Powerful Lobby to You?
The Israel Lobby Continues to Dominate
With the barbarians clattering at the gate, the sad but probably inevitable end came yesterday to Chas Freeman's bid to be seated as Chairman of the National Intelligence Council. Since we've covered this all before, there is no need to recap the particulars, but Freeman left no doubt as to his view of the playing field on his way out the door. "The libels on me and their … [Read more...] about The Israel Lobby Continues to Dominate
Why Japanese Television Rules
This was pointed out to me by my wife, but the stunning cultural relevance was so clear that I knew you would all want partake in this particular feast. In the United States, much criticism has been laid on reality television shows and contest formats. Rightly so! You can keep your Survivor, Amazing Race and Who Wants to Be the Next Celebrity Supermodel Top Chef. In Japan, … [Read more...] about Why Japanese Television Rules
National History Day: Because History Matters
History is one of the most important subjects with which a functioning human being can be conversant. "A knowledge of the past prepares us for the crisis of the present and the challenge of the future," President Kennedy once observed. That's true not because history repeats itself in some cyclical game of futility, but because there are certain constants and frequently … [Read more...] about National History Day: Because History Matters
Albatross? What Albatross?
Republican Rob Portman will likely have no opposition in a bid for his party's US Senate nomination in 2010. A big reason for that is his access to the deep pockets that made one Cincinnati area the second-most-fertile zip code for George W. Bush's presidential coffers. Portman's longtime connection with both of the Bushes and their contributors has apparently frightened off … [Read more...] about Albatross? What Albatross?
U.S., Japan and ‘South Korean Traitors’ Had Best Act with Discretion: Korean Central News, North Korea
TOP CARTOON: IN 1994, KIM JONG-IL GRINS AS UNCLE SAM OFFERS A LIGHT WATER REACTOR AND 500,000 TONS OF FUEL OIL A YEAR IN RETURN FOR THE NORTH'S DISMANTLEMENT OF ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM. BOTTOM CARTOON: IN 2008, KIM JONG-IL TURNS HIS BACK ON THE SAME OFFER, SAYING: 'THAT’S NOT ENOUGH. NOW WE HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS.' Are Seoul and Washington planning to invade North Korea, … [Read more...] about U.S., Japan and ‘South Korean Traitors’ Had Best Act with Discretion: Korean Central News, North Korea
Why Rush is (100 Percent) Wrong, but I am One-Third Right
As my wife so often reassures me, I am hardly ever right. So, when I am proven right it is an occasion to celebrate. How about when I am proven one-third right? Can I just pat myself a little on the back? You be the judge. But, you ask, how can someone be one-third right? Well, you may remember---if I was fortunate enough to attract your attention---that one … [Read more...] about Why Rush is (100 Percent) Wrong, but I am One-Third Right
American Consumerism Has Helped Everyone
From Singapore, and originally written in Chinese, comes this short history of American consumerism, and all the good it has done for the world, which takes a rather appreciative, if unusual, perspective: Though the concept of American consumers driving the global economy is getting old and becoming unsustainable, it has been in force successfully for the past 60 years … [Read more...] about American Consumerism Has Helped Everyone
e-Jihad: Who’d Have Known?
From Egypt, check out this aspect of the Israeli-Arab conflict: an interesting convergence of paradigms, technology and the need to be heard... … [Read more...] about e-Jihad: Who’d Have Known?
Farmer Hans to U.S. Bankers: “Welcome to the Kill”
On a somber day in April, 1957, I said goodbye to my parents and little sister as I boarded the KLM airplane at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport that would take me to the promised land, the United States of America, where I would realize my dream. I was only 17. I use these words, because I just read a heartrending article in the Dutch NRC Handelsblad that includes these … [Read more...] about Farmer Hans to U.S. Bankers: “Welcome to the Kill”
The Curious Case Of Citigroup Running For Cover
As sad as it is to say, it is impossible to gauge whether Citigroup Chief Executive Officer Vikram Pandit is cooking the books to save his job and his company. Or is the troubled gigantic financial institution really on a road to recovery. Pandit reported in a letter to employees Monday Citigroup had an operating profit of $8.3 billion before taxes and "special items" … [Read more...] about The Curious Case Of Citigroup Running For Cover
Unfecking Brooks and the Moderates
David Brooks has received mostly taunting for his trouble in writing a New York Times op-ed last week lamenting Obama's failure to govern from the center. Most of taunts have come from the right, deriding Brooks for failing to recognize earlier that Obama is a classic, dyed-in-the-wool, tax and spend, big government liberal. That taunting may be fair all told, but I think it … [Read more...] about Unfecking Brooks and the Moderates
Obama Education Reform Could Upset Unions, Democrats And Republicans
President Barack Obama's long promised education reform plans could set the stage for yet another bruising political battle since it contains things that unions, teachers, Democrats and Republicans could oppose: President Barack Obama embraced merit pay for teachers Tuesday in spelling out a vision of education that will almost certainly alienate union backers. A … [Read more...] about Obama Education Reform Could Upset Unions, Democrats And Republicans
Hillary Visits Middle East: Sky Still In Place (Guest Voice)
Hillary Visits Middle East; Sky Still In Place by Barry Rubin Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the Middle East and the sky didn’t cave in. Two very large groups spun the story to the contrary: the purveyors of the conventional wisdom on the region (that is, academics, media, and other opinion-makers) who were speaking out of wishful thinking that … [Read more...] about Hillary Visits Middle East: Sky Still In Place (Guest Voice)
Tobacco: Oh! What A Drag…
During my six-month stay in Adelaide (Australia) last year, I was struck by the fact that more women (as compared with men) smoke in public. While in the US more and more smokers are kicking this addiction. In India an increasing number of women are lighting up. Why? The typical response of all women: Tension! Men don't give a clear answer! (Last year, a WHO study revealed … [Read more...] about Tobacco: Oh! What A Drag…
Obama’s Bay of Pigs?
Today's suicide-bombing of an Iraq peace conference and the American commander's warning that we are "not winning" in Afghanistan are sobering reminders that the Obama troop withdrawal plan did not close the file on US misadventures in the Middle East. They underscore the final assessment of Thomas Ricks' new book, "The Gamble": "The quiet consensus emerging among many … [Read more...] about Obama’s Bay of Pigs?
Why Haven’t The Banks Been Nationalized?
Elrod postulated that the reason why the banks haven't been nationalized is because they believe the economy will recover. That could be, but I'm not entirely sure that's the case. The larger issue is the sheer size of losses. Here's an excerpt from Hussman Funds (h/t Mish) marked up by me: Make no mistake. Buying up “troubled assets” will not materially ease this crisis, … [Read more...] about Why Haven’t The Banks Been Nationalized?
A Quick Question on Card Check
It seems that the "Employee Free Choice Act" or Card Check will head to the floor for a vote in both chambers this week. Support in the Senate, however, seems to be wavering. At least six Senators who have voted to move forward with the so-called card-check proposal, including one Republican, now say they are opposed or not sure -- an indication that Senate Democratic … [Read more...] about A Quick Question on Card Check
Separation of Church and Health. A Modest Proposal.
Introductory question: What do foreign, oil producing nations, American farmers and trash collectors have in common with the Catholic Church? Hopefully we will be able to address that question here today. To begin with, we'll look at this article from the St. Louis Dispatch which addresses concerns that many Catholic run hospitals are threatening to shut down if the Obama … [Read more...] about Separation of Church and Health. A Modest Proposal.
Quote of the Day: John McCain Doesn’t Want Obama To Fail
Our political Quote of the Day must provide definitive proof that Sen. John McCain is a RINO -- at least from the standpoint of the GOP's WHHF ("We Hope He Fails") movement which includes some Republican politicians, talk show host Glen Beck and is lead by talk show and party powerhouse Rush Limbaugh: After a losing presidential campaign in 2000, John McCain came back to … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: John McCain Doesn’t Want Obama To Fail