The AP reports that President Elect Barack Obama is preparing an order to close the infamous Guantanamo Bay U.S. military facility -- a facility that has become a "high concept" symbol of the Bush administration's use of torture: Advisers to President-elect Barack Obama say one of his first duties in office will be to order the closing of the U.S. military prison at … [Read more...] about Obama Gets Ready To Close Gitmo: Will Prepare An Order
Barack Obama’s ‘Eloquent Silence’: Le Figaro, France
Why won't Obama say anything about Gaza? It seems that foreign commentators have been left cold by the president-elect's explanation that, 'There is only one president at a time.' Today we present a rare addition to the growing body of foreign reaction to Obama's near silence on the subject. This article, an editorial from France's Le Figaro, provides some understanding and … [Read more...] about Barack Obama’s ‘Eloquent Silence’: Le Figaro, France
Welcome Aboard, Senator Burris
As I've been predicting since the beginning, and in defiance of Harry Reid's curious statements in the recent past, Roland Burris has cleared the last hurdles and will apparently be seated as the next U.S. Senator from Illinois later this week. WASHINGTON--Roland Burris won his battle to succeed Barack Obama as the junior senator from Illinois this afternoon as Senate … [Read more...] about Welcome Aboard, Senator Burris
Israeli Committee Votes To Ban Two Israeli-Arab Political Parties
Larger summary here. Look: I'm sure the two parties have taken stances I consider wrong-headed or even appalling. It doesn't matter. That's true of a lot of parties in a lot of states (including the risible and frankly racist Yisrael Beiteinu among Israeli parties). Insofar as Israel claims to be a liberal democracy, it needs to act like it, and that means not taking creepy … [Read more...] about Israeli Committee Votes To Ban Two Israeli-Arab Political Parties
Obama’s “Home Run?”
Did he hit the ball out of the park with this one? (But as we've noted, there are dangers....) … [Read more...] about Obama’s “Home Run?”
Wall Street Blamed For High Gasoline Prices
It defied the logic of supply and demand when gasoline prices soared above $4 a gallon last year. It turns out oil speculators were the culprits. There is no other way to explain it, according to an investigative report by CBS News "60 Minutes." The most frightening aspect of the report is that former disgraced Enron computer program geeks manipulated the price increases … [Read more...] about Wall Street Blamed For High Gasoline Prices
Obama and Gaza: Time to Pass the Torch?
There has been a whirlwind of curiosity about Obama's thoughts on the Gaza conflict that has only been been whipped into a low-level fervor due to Obama's wise decision to stay tight lipped on the issue. Despite Obama citing foreign policy as perhaps the most important area for the rule of one president at a time, reporters and pundits have attempted a variety of approaches to … [Read more...] about Obama and Gaza: Time to Pass the Torch?
More Signs Of Obama’s Media Smarts: He Does a PSA
What do we know about President Elect Barack Obama and the new and old media? He knows how to use it. Just as FDR pioneered the effective use of radio and as JFK pioneered the effective use of TV as Presidential communication tools, Obama is showing signs that he will be a media-savvy President who'll use these two strands and the "new media": 1. He tapped into the Internet … [Read more...] about More Signs Of Obama’s Media Smarts: He Does a PSA
“Mozart Of Madras”: Rahman Wins Golden Globe Award
Bollywood's celebrated film music director, Allah Rakkha Rahman has created history by becoming the first Indian to bag the prestigious Golden Globe Award on Sunday. Rahman has sold nearly as many albums as Madonna, reports Reuters. "His scores for a host of Indian language movies have fused global influences from hip-hop and rap to Broadway musicals and Indian folk music in … [Read more...] about “Mozart Of Madras”: Rahman Wins Golden Globe Award
Will Army Create Chubby Center For Overweight Recruits?
The U.S. Army is fighting the war in Iraq. It's fighting the war in Afghanistan. But now a top recruiter is suggesting it may soon open a third front: A war against flab due to the heavy fact that many recruits are now overweight: The Army has been dismissing so many overweight applicants that its top recruiter, trying to keep troop numbers up in wartime, is … [Read more...] about Will Army Create Chubby Center For Overweight Recruits?
Harry Reid’s Curious Tendencies
Lately I've found it difficult to figure out precisely what might be motivating Harry Reid. You would think this would be a time for popping champagne corks and perhaps even some resting upon laurels. Sitting at the head of a newly enlarged Senate majority and with his party's candidate poised to take the White House, things would seem to be fairly well under control for him. … [Read more...] about Harry Reid’s Curious Tendencies
Bush Unguarded
Revealing, Introspective, Gracious. Three attributes that are not usually attached to President George W. Bush were on display this morning at his final press conference. Bush showed a humble side of himself when talking about the Presidency, his love of the job, and sharing with the White House press corps the "disappointments" that he endured during his eight years at the … [Read more...] about Bush Unguarded
The Bush Legacy, As Ben Sargent Saw It
My hometown is fortunate to have as a resident Pulitzer Prize winner, cartoonist Ben Sargent. Sargent has been contributing political cartoons to the Austin American-Statesman since 1974. One of Sargent's favorite subjects for his cartoons has been George W. Bush, both as Texas governor and as the 43rd president. Most of the cartoons depicting Bush have not been very … [Read more...] about The Bush Legacy, As Ben Sargent Saw It
Hamas: A Fatal Failure in Leadership and a Prize-Winning Puppet
Not sure what a proxy is? What a puppet looks like? Then read this, from the Jerusalem Post: [An Egyptian government] official told The Jerusalem Post by phone that two senior Iranian officials who visited Damascus recently warned Hamas leaders against accepting the [Egyptian cease fire] proposal. His remarks came as Hamas representatives met in Cairo with Egyptian … [Read more...] about Hamas: A Fatal Failure in Leadership and a Prize-Winning Puppet
Emerging Verdicts On George Bush’s 8 Year Legacy: Mixed, Abysmal, Weak Economic Gains
Some news organizations are now taking a stand-back-and-look examination of President George W. Bush, and let's just say that when they made their list of pluses and minuses they ended an extra page for the minuses - and their verdict will not make Rush and Sean very happy. The good news for George Bush: they are not (yet) calling him the worst President ever. The bad news: … [Read more...] about Emerging Verdicts On George Bush’s 8 Year Legacy: Mixed, Abysmal, Weak Economic Gains
2001: A Space Odyssey’s HAL Turns 17 Today
Wired News: SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't seen or read 2001: A Space Odyssey [link], this article contains details that reveal important plot developments. So, if you like to be a tabula rasa when you view a film or read a novel, stop here. 1992, or maybe 1997: HAL 9000, the master computer aboard the Discovery spaceship in the fictional film and novel 2001: A Space … [Read more...] about 2001: A Space Odyssey’s HAL Turns 17 Today
Obama’s Janus Dilemma
As he takes the oath in this aptly named month, Barack Obama is faced with looking both forward and back over an enormous list of national problems. Steering the country through economic minefields will obviously take almost all of his administration's energies but, to the extent that present difficulties are rooted in the disastrous Bush years, the past can't be totally … [Read more...] about Obama’s Janus Dilemma
Joe the Plumber Touches Down in Israel
I found myself unloading a healthy dose of skepticism over the prospect of Joe Wurzelbacher taking on the role of Middle East war correspondent in my new column at Pajamas Media, "No-Joe. Wurzelbacher is not Edward R. Murrow." I invite you to read and comment. For an opposing perspective, you are also encouraged to read the companion, contrasting piece by Bob Owens, "Pro-Joe: … [Read more...] about Joe the Plumber Touches Down in Israel
Obituary: Sri Lanka’s Brave Editor
The murder of Lasantha Wickramatunga, 51, a fearless and outspoken Sri Lankan editor, by unknown gunmen on January 8 brings to light the hazards faced by journalists who take their profession seriously. Here is a tribute to Wickramatunga in South Asia's wellknown magazine HIMAL: "On 9 January, Himal Southasian, Kathmandu held a meeting in memory of Lasantha Wickramatunga. … [Read more...] about Obituary: Sri Lanka’s Brave Editor
Libertarianism: If Not Now, Then When? (Guest Voice)
Is it time for Americans to take a truly seriously look at libertarianism? Joel S. Hirschhorn who is not happy with either party, says that if there is a time to consider libertarianism, the time is now. But what are its prospects? He also discusses someone who hasn't been in the headlines much these days: Ron Paul. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the views of TMV … [Read more...] about Libertarianism: If Not Now, Then When? (Guest Voice)