Friday, April 29, 2011
Cave of Forgotten Dreams may be the best 3-D movie ever made - Daniel Engber
http://www.slate.com/id/2286459/
Herzog is right that the setting for his film—the magnificent Chauvet cave in southern France—feels like an ancient movie theater. The paintings are situated in a dark chamber draped with calcite curtains and lit up with flickering beams from the camera crew. Framed by stalagmites, the caveman drawings seem as if they're being projected onto the walls via flashlight. (Some are overlaid on even more ancient marks—the four-lined scratches of cave bears.) After spending 90 minutes in this environment, minus some time for talking-head interviews and the obligatory epilogue about albino crocodiles, I re-emerged into the sunlight a little shaken. And quite moved: Cave of Forgotten Dreams is a Herzogian masterpiece—a ponderous and nauseating theme-park ride, but one that unfolds as a probing essay on the history of art
Herzog is right that the setting for his film—the magnificent Chauvet cave in southern France—feels like an ancient movie theater. The paintings are situated in a dark chamber draped with calcite curtains and lit up with flickering beams from the camera crew. Framed by stalagmites, the caveman drawings seem as if they're being projected onto the walls via flashlight. (Some are overlaid on even more ancient marks—the four-lined scratches of cave bears.) After spending 90 minutes in this environment, minus some time for talking-head interviews and the obligatory epilogue about albino crocodiles, I re-emerged into the sunlight a little shaken. And quite moved: Cave of Forgotten Dreams is a Herzogian masterpiece—a ponderous and nauseating theme-park ride, but one that unfolds as a probing essay on the history of art
Microsoft Reports Record Third-Quarter Results
http://www.microsoft.com/investor/EarningsAndFinancials/Earnings/PressReleaseAndWebcast/FY11/Q3/default.aspx
Microsoft is gunning to become the digital hub of the next generation: games, phone, TV and internet. Even better, they're doing it right. Unlike Google (who stumbled with Google TV), Sony (who stumbled with 3D TV), and Apple (who stumbled with Apple TV) Microsoft has figured out a better strategy. Instead of winning you over with the centerpiece of the digital hierarchy, the large screen TV, they attack from several points, offering you phone, office, PC, laptop, and gaming choices first. I'm not saying they will extinguish the competition, but they've scored a hit with enough product offerings that they can offer bundles where their competition can't.
Microsoft is gunning to become the digital hub of the next generation: games, phone, TV and internet. Even better, they're doing it right. Unlike Google (who stumbled with Google TV), Sony (who stumbled with 3D TV), and Apple (who stumbled with Apple TV) Microsoft has figured out a better strategy. Instead of winning you over with the centerpiece of the digital hierarchy, the large screen TV, they attack from several points, offering you phone, office, PC, laptop, and gaming choices first. I'm not saying they will extinguish the competition, but they've scored a hit with enough product offerings that they can offer bundles where their competition can't.
Ryan calls for ending oil subsidies - ROBIN BRAVENDER
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53895.html
Ryan’s comments come as Republicans are trying to quell the political furor caused when House Speaker John Boehner left the door open to hiking taxes on oil and gas companies, telling ABC News Monday that Congress "certainly oughta take a look at it."
Democrats quickly pounced on the opportunity, issuing statements commending Boehner for seeing the light on the issue.
Boehner’s office and other top Republicans quickly tried to get back on message, saying they aren’t interested in eliminating the tax breaks — which they argue would lead to higher gas prices because companies would just pass on their higher costs to consumers.
So why not just give the money to consumers in a fuel subsidy, if that's the case? I know oil is part of the Holy Trinity of the Republican party, but perhaps the Republicans should deal with big oil with a little more self confidence. After all, where are they gonna go?
Ryan’s comments come as Republicans are trying to quell the political furor caused when House Speaker John Boehner left the door open to hiking taxes on oil and gas companies, telling ABC News Monday that Congress "certainly oughta take a look at it."
Democrats quickly pounced on the opportunity, issuing statements commending Boehner for seeing the light on the issue.
Boehner’s office and other top Republicans quickly tried to get back on message, saying they aren’t interested in eliminating the tax breaks — which they argue would lead to higher gas prices because companies would just pass on their higher costs to consumers.
So why not just give the money to consumers in a fuel subsidy, if that's the case? I know oil is part of the Holy Trinity of the Republican party, but perhaps the Republicans should deal with big oil with a little more self confidence. After all, where are they gonna go?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The day America took leave of its senses - Rupert Cornwell
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/special-report-the-day-america-took-leave-of-its-senses-2275816.html
A great perspective on this issue from Great Britain.
Many in the viewing public are only tangentially aware of this issue, knowing only that there was some doubt about a birth certificate, bit not giving it much thought. The ploy here is to lure the "true" birthers into the open, as much of the public will be satisfied with the release of the president's birth certificate.
Which brings us to this headline. How is it in 2011 that this is the issue we are discussing? Not the deficit or joblessness or how the hell we are going to compete globally in the next 20 years. This. I hope this is a millstone and I hope the birthers and Birchers both bring this party down, if only in the hopes that something better will emerge.
A great perspective on this issue from Great Britain.
Many in the viewing public are only tangentially aware of this issue, knowing only that there was some doubt about a birth certificate, bit not giving it much thought. The ploy here is to lure the "true" birthers into the open, as much of the public will be satisfied with the release of the president's birth certificate.
Which brings us to this headline. How is it in 2011 that this is the issue we are discussing? Not the deficit or joblessness or how the hell we are going to compete globally in the next 20 years. This. I hope this is a millstone and I hope the birthers and Birchers both bring this party down, if only in the hopes that something better will emerge.
The Birther Disgrace - David Frum
http://www.frumforum.com/the-birther-disgrace
I wish it were otherwise, but it does seem that these racialized attacks on Obama have exacted a toll on him. But they also have exacted a toll on the opposition to Obama. The too-faint repudiation of birtherism by regular Republicans has shaped not only the Obama brand, but also the Republican brand. It was not only white people who heard the implied message about who counts and who does not count as a “real American.”
I wish it were otherwise, but it does seem that these racialized attacks on Obama have exacted a toll on him. But they also have exacted a toll on the opposition to Obama. The too-faint repudiation of birtherism by regular Republicans has shaped not only the Obama brand, but also the Republican brand. It was not only white people who heard the implied message about who counts and who does not count as a “real American.”
Bahrain Sentences 4 Shiite Protesters to Death - AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/04/28/world/middleeast/AP-ML-Bahrain.html?_r=1&hp
Faced with an unprecedented political unrest, Bahrain's king declared martial law and invited troops from Saudi Arabia and other Sunni-ruled Gulf countries to help quell Shiite dissent after weeks of street marches and bloody clashes in the kingdom's capital, Manama.
For the Sunni Arabs rulers around the Gulf, Bahrain also is seen as a critical showdown with Shiite powerhouse Iran. Arab leaders fear that any serious political gains by Bahrain's Shiites — about 70 percent of the population — could open the door for greater influence by the Islamic Republic even though there is no history of close bonds between Iran and Bahraini Shiites.
Faced with an unprecedented political unrest, Bahrain's king declared martial law and invited troops from Saudi Arabia and other Sunni-ruled Gulf countries to help quell Shiite dissent after weeks of street marches and bloody clashes in the kingdom's capital, Manama.
For the Sunni Arabs rulers around the Gulf, Bahrain also is seen as a critical showdown with Shiite powerhouse Iran. Arab leaders fear that any serious political gains by Bahrain's Shiites — about 70 percent of the population — could open the door for greater influence by the Islamic Republic even though there is no history of close bonds between Iran and Bahraini Shiites.
Obama’s release of birth certificate does little to allay ‘birther’ fears - Joel Achenbach
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obamas-release-of-birth-certificate-does-little-to-allay-birther-fears/2011/04/27/AFv4RP1E_story.html?hpid=z2
The clown and pony show continues. On the part of the White House, this might be the decisive salvo in perhaps the greatest rope-a-dope strategy of all time. Consider: Trump resparks the birther grass fire at a time that the White House is on its heels with the deficit issue. Other Republicans are forced to at best remain neutral on the issue. Several weeks pass and the matter begins to get tiring, Trump begins to overstay his welcome in our attention span and get a bit stale. The birth certificate is released. Trump thrust back into spotlight. The birthers are lured into daylight. The fringe is ascendant and reveal themselves with all sorts of pretzel logic as to why the birth certificate is not real. Conservative pundits find that they are not free to absolve the president of the issue and must somehow desperately remain skeptics.The Republicans look like complete loons.
Rope-a-dope.
The clown and pony show continues. On the part of the White House, this might be the decisive salvo in perhaps the greatest rope-a-dope strategy of all time. Consider: Trump resparks the birther grass fire at a time that the White House is on its heels with the deficit issue. Other Republicans are forced to at best remain neutral on the issue. Several weeks pass and the matter begins to get tiring, Trump begins to overstay his welcome in our attention span and get a bit stale. The birth certificate is released. Trump thrust back into spotlight. The birthers are lured into daylight. The fringe is ascendant and reveal themselves with all sorts of pretzel logic as to why the birth certificate is not real. Conservative pundits find that they are not free to absolve the president of the issue and must somehow desperately remain skeptics.The Republicans look like complete loons.
Rope-a-dope.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
White House seizes on Boehner’s words - Russell Berman and Ben Geman
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/157895-seeing-opening-white-house-pounces-on-boehners-words-
President Obama seized on a rare opening by Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and urged Congress to eliminate subsidies for major oil companies.
With voters anxious over rising gas prices, the president fired off a letter Tuesday calling on congressional leaders to “take immediate action to eliminate unwarranted tax breaks for the oil and gas industry.”
President Obama seized on a rare opening by Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and urged Congress to eliminate subsidies for major oil companies.
With voters anxious over rising gas prices, the president fired off a letter Tuesday calling on congressional leaders to “take immediate action to eliminate unwarranted tax breaks for the oil and gas industry.”
The Invisible Primary - Jonathan Bernstein
http://plainblogaboutpolitics.blogspot.com/2011/04/winnowing.html
The argument is that Haley Barbour actually did run for president. For a number of reasons (voter rejection via the polls, failure to hit fundraising targets, empirical logic, etc.) his campaign failed.
The fact is that a lot of these candidates who say they are deciding whether or not to run are in fact running, whether they like it or not.
The argument is that Haley Barbour actually did run for president. For a number of reasons (voter rejection via the polls, failure to hit fundraising targets, empirical logic, etc.) his campaign failed.
The fact is that a lot of these candidates who say they are deciding whether or not to run are in fact running, whether they like it or not.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Iraq’s Sadr Launches New Munasiroon Organization - Musings on Iraq
http://musingsoniraq.blogspot.com/2011/04/iraqs-sadr-launched-new-munasiroon.html
According to those who know, this is the post-US jockeying for power. That should wrap up in, oh, 2018.
According to those who know, this is the post-US jockeying for power. That should wrap up in, oh, 2018.
Financiers Switch to GOP - BRODY MULLINS, SUSAN PULLIAM and STEVE EDER
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703461504576231121265117538.html
This has the odd distinction of being bad news for the Democrats while at same time making a great campaign slogan for them.
This has the odd distinction of being bad news for the Democrats while at same time making a great campaign slogan for them.
Arizona governor: 'Birther' sentiment 'leading our country down a path of destruction' - Shane D'Aprile
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/157687-arizona-governor-birther-sentiment-leading-our-country-down-a-path-of-destruction
Um, we should have mentioned that rising a tiger has it's own risks. For a while everyone is afraid of you and runs and you're, like, totally powerful. Then the tiger realizes that it's just the two of you....
Um, we should have mentioned that rising a tiger has it's own risks. For a while everyone is afraid of you and runs and you're, like, totally powerful. Then the tiger realizes that it's just the two of you....
Hal Rogers’s 'empire' of nonprofits under scrutiny - JOHN BRESNAHAN
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53686.html
For whom the bell tolls?
It tolls for thee.
Another exhibit in my theory that rural Ketuckians are not conservative, they're authoritarian.They rarely want anything even remotely considered conservative or competent for that matter, at least under their true definitions. They just want the people in charge to be angry and blunt. It also helps to be corrupt.
For whom the bell tolls?
It tolls for thee.
Another exhibit in my theory that rural Ketuckians are not conservative, they're authoritarian.They rarely want anything even remotely considered conservative or competent for that matter, at least under their true definitions. They just want the people in charge to be angry and blunt. It also helps to be corrupt.
IMF bombshell: Age of America nears end - Brett Arends, MarketWatch
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/imf-bombshell-age-of-america-about-to-end-2011-04-25?link=MW_home_latest_news
Under PPP, the Chinese economy will expand from $11.2 trillion this year to $19 trillion in 2016. Meanwhile the size of the U.S. economy will rise from $15.2 trillion to $18.8 trillion. That would take America’s share of the world output down to 17.7%, the lowest in modern times. China’s would reach 18%, and rising.
Just 10 years ago, the U.S. economy was three times the size of China’s.
Naturally, all forecasts are fallible. Time and chance happen to them all. The actual date when China surpasses the U.S. might come even earlier than the IMF predicts, or somewhat later. If the great Chinese juggernaut blows a tire, as a growing number fear it might, it could even delay things by several years. But the outcome is scarcely in doubt.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Are Wal-Mart and Amazon on a collision course? - John Cook
http://www.geekwire.com/2011/walmart-amazoncon-collision
Two developments this past week signal that Wal-Mart is getting more serious about the online world, and could very well have Amazon.com in its crosshairs. On Saturday, Wal-Mart began testing a new home grocery delivery service in San Jose, California called Walmart to Go.
Two developments this past week signal that Wal-Mart is getting more serious about the online world, and could very well have Amazon.com in its crosshairs. On Saturday, Wal-Mart began testing a new home grocery delivery service in San Jose, California called Walmart to Go.
Guantánamo leaks lift lid on world's most controversial prison - David Leigh, James Ball, Ian Cobain and Jason Burke
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/25/guantanamo-files-lift-lid-prison
The documents...reveal:
• US authorities listed the main Pakistani intelligence service, the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI), as a terrorist organisation alongside groups such as al-Qaida, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iranian intelligence.
Interrogators were told to regard links to any of these as an indication of terrorist or insurgent activity.
• Almost 100 of the inmates who passed through Guantánamo are listed by their captors as having had depressive or psychotic illnesses. Many went on hunger strike or attempted suicide.
• A number of British nationals and residents were held for years even though US authorities knew they were not Taliban or al-Qaida members. One Briton, Jamal al-Harith, was rendered to Guantánamo simply because he had been held in a Taliban prison and was thought to have knowledge of their interrogation techniques. The US military tried to hang on to another Briton, Binyam Mohamed, even after charges had been dropped and evidence emerged he had been tortured.
• US authorities relied heavily on information obtained from a small number of detainees under torture. They continued to maintain this testimony was reliable even after admitting that the prisoners who provided it had been mistreated.
The documents...reveal:
• US authorities listed the main Pakistani intelligence service, the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI), as a terrorist organisation alongside groups such as al-Qaida, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iranian intelligence.
Interrogators were told to regard links to any of these as an indication of terrorist or insurgent activity.
• Almost 100 of the inmates who passed through Guantánamo are listed by their captors as having had depressive or psychotic illnesses. Many went on hunger strike or attempted suicide.
• A number of British nationals and residents were held for years even though US authorities knew they were not Taliban or al-Qaida members. One Briton, Jamal al-Harith, was rendered to Guantánamo simply because he had been held in a Taliban prison and was thought to have knowledge of their interrogation techniques. The US military tried to hang on to another Briton, Binyam Mohamed, even after charges had been dropped and evidence emerged he had been tortured.
• US authorities relied heavily on information obtained from a small number of detainees under torture. They continued to maintain this testimony was reliable even after admitting that the prisoners who provided it had been mistreated.
WikiLeaks: Guantanamo Bay terrorist secrets revealed - Christopher Hope, Robert Winnett, Holly Watt and Heidi Blake
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8471907/WikiLeaks-Guantanamo-Bay-terrorist-secrets-revealed.html
Guantanamo Bay has been used to incarcerate dozens of terrorists who have admitted plotting terrifying attacks against the West – while imprisoning more than 150 totally innocent people, top-secret files disclose.
Spectre of Syria
http://www.talleyrand.net/2011.04.24_arch.html#1303674111714
NATO (and much of the Western media) is busy tracking drones over Tripoli and struggling to tell which color the trucks of fighters are painted in the roads near Misrata. This has served to divert—albeit only partially and ineffectively—Western attention from the real crisis underway, which no Western leader wants to talk about, namely Syria. If events in Syria follow their logical course, we could see the Lebanonization of that country. A proxy war there between Iran and Saudi Arabia would most likely draw in Lebanon and Iraq and probably Israel. About the only force that could prevent or deter it would be a serious, collective threat of Western intervention, the vehicle for which would most surely have to be NATO.
NATO (and much of the Western media) is busy tracking drones over Tripoli and struggling to tell which color the trucks of fighters are painted in the roads near Misrata. This has served to divert—albeit only partially and ineffectively—Western attention from the real crisis underway, which no Western leader wants to talk about, namely Syria. If events in Syria follow their logical course, we could see the Lebanonization of that country. A proxy war there between Iran and Saudi Arabia would most likely draw in Lebanon and Iraq and probably Israel. About the only force that could prevent or deter it would be a serious, collective threat of Western intervention, the vehicle for which would most surely have to be NATO.
By the Light of the Dead - Mary Karmelek
http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=you-posthumously-light-up-my-life-2011-04-15
The Cemetery of the Innocents in Paris was one of the most well known in the city and its grounds were in high demand by those wishing to be buried in a Christian graveyard between the 12th and 18th centuries. While many couldn’t afford an actual plot, the majority of corpses ended up in mass graves that held around 1,500 people in each. As the corpse count climbed, several problems arose such as over crowding, putrid odors, and the supposed ability of the air in the cemetery to change the color of fabric and rot meat before one’s eyes.
The Cemetery of the Innocents in Paris was one of the most well known in the city and its grounds were in high demand by those wishing to be buried in a Christian graveyard between the 12th and 18th centuries. While many couldn’t afford an actual plot, the majority of corpses ended up in mass graves that held around 1,500 people in each. As the corpse count climbed, several problems arose such as over crowding, putrid odors, and the supposed ability of the air in the cemetery to change the color of fabric and rot meat before one’s eyes.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Apple location tracker file: Congressman asks Steve Jobs to explain by May 12 -
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/04/congressman-asks-apple-about-location-tracker-file.html
Steven Jobs regards the entire world as moveable pieces in his game of Me and the People I Regard as Worthless Which is Everyone But Me. Why Apple fanatics get upset over his regarding them as dupes and simple cash machines is beyond me.
Steven Jobs regards the entire world as moveable pieces in his game of Me and the People I Regard as Worthless Which is Everyone But Me. Why Apple fanatics get upset over his regarding them as dupes and simple cash machines is beyond me.
Tennessee ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Advances, Sponsor Says Teachers Need Time for ‘Arithmetic’ - Zack Ford
http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2011/04/21/tennessee-dont-say-gay/
A bill popularly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill advanced yesterday out of the Tennessee Senate Education Committee. The bill would prohibit teachers from discussing of any sexuality except heterosexuality in grades K-8,” even with students who may be gay or have gay family,” according to Ben Byers of the Tennessee Equality Council (TEP). The committee amended the bill to require the Board of Education to study whether homosexuality is actually being taught in schools, but it will still institute a ban in February of next year.
A bill popularly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill advanced yesterday out of the Tennessee Senate Education Committee. The bill would prohibit teachers from discussing of any sexuality except heterosexuality in grades K-8,” even with students who may be gay or have gay family,” according to Ben Byers of the Tennessee Equality Council (TEP). The committee amended the bill to require the Board of Education to study whether homosexuality is actually being taught in schools, but it will still institute a ban in February of next year.
Stuff Egypt Likes - Adam Serwer
http://prospect.org/csnc/blogs/adam_serwer_archive?month=04&year=2011&base_name=stuff_egypt_likes
Egyptians already have a civil war going on next door; it makes sense that they wouldn't want to escalate tensions with their neighbor on the other side. I don't think it's a coincidence that the number of people who want to sever relations with Israel are about the same number who want an Islamic state, but either way, we're talking about the political fringe. Let me put it this way: There is a larger percentage of birthers in the Republican Party than hardcore Islamists in Egypt
Egyptians already have a civil war going on next door; it makes sense that they wouldn't want to escalate tensions with their neighbor on the other side. I don't think it's a coincidence that the number of people who want to sever relations with Israel are about the same number who want an Islamic state, but either way, we're talking about the political fringe. Let me put it this way: There is a larger percentage of birthers in the Republican Party than hardcore Islamists in Egypt
Donald Trump calls Charles Krauthammer; columnist thinks he's in - MAGGIE HABERMAN
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53561.html
The good news: Sarah Palin is being drowned out of the conversation.
The bad news: the one drowning her out is worse.
The good news: Sarah Palin is being drowned out of the conversation.
The bad news: the one drowning her out is worse.
Iraq Troop Talks Falter - DAM ENTOUS And JULIAN E. BARNES
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704889404576277240145258616.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories
Mr. Obama could face a political backlash at home if he doesn't meet his campaign pledge to bring troops home from Iraq. If the U.S. pulls out of Iraq and violence there surges, the president could face tough questions, particularly from Republicans in Congress, about whether the U.S. misjudged Iraq's capabilities.
U.S. military officials hope continued assistance would be a powerful counterbalance to Tehran's attempts to draw Iraq into its sphere. Administration officials have said Iran continues to supply arms to its militia allies in Iraq. Iran denies this.
We haven't misjudged Iraq's capabilities. They have none. We are simply hoping that during the withdrawl, something distracts Iran.
Mr. Obama could face a political backlash at home if he doesn't meet his campaign pledge to bring troops home from Iraq. If the U.S. pulls out of Iraq and violence there surges, the president could face tough questions, particularly from Republicans in Congress, about whether the U.S. misjudged Iraq's capabilities.
U.S. military officials hope continued assistance would be a powerful counterbalance to Tehran's attempts to draw Iraq into its sphere. Administration officials have said Iran continues to supply arms to its militia allies in Iraq. Iran denies this.
We haven't misjudged Iraq's capabilities. They have none. We are simply hoping that during the withdrawl, something distracts Iran.
Vaccine Denialism Finds a Home on Left and Right - David Frum
http://www.frumforum.com/vaccine-denialism-finds-a-home-on-left-and-right
You see as much enthusiasm for homeopathy, chiropractic, herbal remedies and other forms of folk medicine on the far right as on the far left, and for the same fundamental reason: distrust of expertise, of the scientific method, and of the good intentions of the authorities. The American political landscape is shaped in much weirder ways than Beltway debates over taxes and spending usually allow.
You see as much enthusiasm for homeopathy, chiropractic, herbal remedies and other forms of folk medicine on the far right as on the far left, and for the same fundamental reason: distrust of expertise, of the scientific method, and of the good intentions of the authorities. The American political landscape is shaped in much weirder ways than Beltway debates over taxes and spending usually allow.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Trumped - The GOP establishment’s futile battle against Donald Trump. - Ed Kilgore
http://www.tnr.com/article/the-permanent-campaign/87073/donald-trump-mitt-romney-republican-election
Trump, the real estate mogul and reality TV star, has been putting out the types of feelers that usually signal a real candidacy rather than a publicity stunt. He is riding high in the polls on essentially the same customer-service-style political strategy that fellow entrepreneur Mitt Romney pursued, but a la Trump, stronger, bigger, crasser—and in a far more radical political environment, where the demand for an ultra-hard line on terrorism has been eclipsed by the niche demand for Birtherism, along with extreme policy positions that voters weren’t even obsessing about yet like virulent anti-Chinese protectionism and a policy to openly steal the Arab world’s oil.
Trump, the real estate mogul and reality TV star, has been putting out the types of feelers that usually signal a real candidacy rather than a publicity stunt. He is riding high in the polls on essentially the same customer-service-style political strategy that fellow entrepreneur Mitt Romney pursued, but a la Trump, stronger, bigger, crasser—and in a far more radical political environment, where the demand for an ultra-hard line on terrorism has been eclipsed by the niche demand for Birtherism, along with extreme policy positions that voters weren’t even obsessing about yet like virulent anti-Chinese protectionism and a policy to openly steal the Arab world’s oil.
Tim Hetherington, Chris Hondros are killed documenting Libya fighting - Leila Fadel and Jason Horowitz,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/restrepo-director-tim-hetherington-killed-in-fighting-in-libya/2011/04/20/AFio26CE_story.html
MISURATA, Libya — On Saturday evening, Tim Hetherington, the director of the Oscar-nominated documentary “Restrepo,” and Chris Hondros, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated photographer, hitched a ride to this besieged city on the Ionian Spirit, where they prepared sandwiches for refugees and talked about their plans back home. On Wednesday evening, the ship ferried the bodies of the two renowned journalists back to Benghazi.
MISURATA, Libya — On Saturday evening, Tim Hetherington, the director of the Oscar-nominated documentary “Restrepo,” and Chris Hondros, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated photographer, hitched a ride to this besieged city on the Ionian Spirit, where they prepared sandwiches for refugees and talked about their plans back home. On Wednesday evening, the ship ferried the bodies of the two renowned journalists back to Benghazi.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Newt Gingrich struggles to raise hard money - KENNETH P. VOGEL
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53448.html
Ha!! Sell some books you jerk! Apparently his fatal flaw is to court a constituency that is smarter than, say, Rick Santorum's. Newt's fans are possibly too smart to give money to a guy to run for president, when they know that guy is not going to run for president. Santorum's not so much.
Ha!! Sell some books you jerk! Apparently his fatal flaw is to court a constituency that is smarter than, say, Rick Santorum's. Newt's fans are possibly too smart to give money to a guy to run for president, when they know that guy is not going to run for president. Santorum's not so much.
Is the presidential game finally on for Sarah Palin? - James Oliphant
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-palin-wisconsin-20110418,0,2789462.story
To close her speech, Palin declared: “The 2012 election begins here!” and "Mr. President, game on!"
Oh dear God, please, please, please let this happen. She has so little chance of making it to the general election, but watching her fall to pieces in a GOP debate would be worth the months of listening to her sniff indignantly over our refusal to accept the fact she's not stupid. Plus, watching her push Romney to crazier and crazier bouts of outdoing her in the nonsense department, while at the same time watching her stumble over point after point, would be pure ecstacy. She is amazing in her contradictions: she is so incompetent yet somehow forces those around her to strive to be as incompetent as she is. How can this possibly end badly?
To close her speech, Palin declared: “The 2012 election begins here!” and "Mr. President, game on!"
Oh dear God, please, please, please let this happen. She has so little chance of making it to the general election, but watching her fall to pieces in a GOP debate would be worth the months of listening to her sniff indignantly over our refusal to accept the fact she's not stupid. Plus, watching her push Romney to crazier and crazier bouts of outdoing her in the nonsense department, while at the same time watching her stumble over point after point, would be pure ecstacy. She is amazing in her contradictions: she is so incompetent yet somehow forces those around her to strive to be as incompetent as she is. How can this possibly end badly?
Secret memos expose link between oil firms and invasion of Iraq - Paul Bignell
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/secret-memos-expose-link-between-oil-firms-and-invasion-of-iraq-2269610.html
Plans to exploit Iraq's oil reserves were discussed by government ministers and the world's largest oil companies the year before Britain took a leading role in invading Iraq, government documents show.
The papers, revealed here for the first time, raise new questions over Britain's involvement in the war, which had divided Tony Blair's cabinet and was voted through only after his claims that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Netflix posts 'buy' button but not doing the selling - Greg Sandoval
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20054948-261.html
The title is a bit confusing. The news is that Netflix had previously declined to offer consumers the option to buy the movies. However, they have now posted an option to buy the movies, though it is apparently only grudgingly agreed to do so.
The title is a bit confusing. The news is that Netflix had previously declined to offer consumers the option to buy the movies. However, they have now posted an option to buy the movies, though it is apparently only grudgingly agreed to do so.
U.S. Hurries to Sell GM Stake - SHARON TERLEP
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703916004576271382418887092.html
The U.S. government plans to sell a significant share of its remaining stake in General Motors Co. this summer despite the disappointing performance of the auto maker's stock, people familiar with the matter said.
A sale within the next several months would almost certainly mean U.S. taxpayers will take a loss on their $50 billion rescue of the Detroit auto maker in 2009.
The U.S. government plans to sell a significant share of its remaining stake in General Motors Co. this summer despite the disappointing performance of the auto maker's stock, people familiar with the matter said.
A sale within the next several months would almost certainly mean U.S. taxpayers will take a loss on their $50 billion rescue of the Detroit auto maker in 2009.
Why Did The Union Fight? - Matt Yglesias
http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2011/04/why-did-the-union-fight/
I’ve always thought there was something about the Lincoln administration’s determination to fight and win the Civil War that was a bit odd. Secession gave the regionally based Republican Party large congressional majorities that wouldn’t exist if southern states had representation in congress.
I’ve always thought there was something about the Lincoln administration’s determination to fight and win the Civil War that was a bit odd. Secession gave the regionally based Republican Party large congressional majorities that wouldn’t exist if southern states had representation in congress.
Today's (Needless) Hysteria: the S&P Panic - James Fallows
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/04/todays-needless-hysteria-the-s-p-panic/237519/
This is as much as you need to read on the S&P downgrade.
This is as much as you need to read on the S&P downgrade.
'Mama Grizzly' Sarah Palin back on the prowl - JONATHAN MARTIN
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53385.html
Sarah Palin has realized that she needs to "get back out there" and start "saying more crazy shit". The saddest thing about this is that she has realized that Michelle Bachmann and Donald Trump have crowded her market space, meaning there is a lot of market for insanity and stupidity in the populist-conservative electorate.
Sarah Palin has realized that she needs to "get back out there" and start "saying more crazy shit". The saddest thing about this is that she has realized that Michelle Bachmann and Donald Trump have crowded her market space, meaning there is a lot of market for insanity and stupidity in the populist-conservative electorate.
Brewer vetoes presidential 'birther' bill - Ginger Rough
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2011/04/18/20110418arizona-birther-bill-brewer-veto.html
Gov. Jan Brewer on Wednesday shot down an effort by the Arizona Legislature to require presidentialcandidates to provide proof of citizenship in order to get on the state's ballot.
In her veto letter, Brewer said House Bill 2177 "creates significant new problems while failing to do anything constructive for Arizona."
The House andSenate could override the governor's veto with a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber, but on Monday, such a move appeared unlikely.
Gov. Jan Brewer on Wednesday shot down an effort by the Arizona Legislature to require presidential
In her veto letter, Brewer said House Bill 2177 "creates significant new problems while failing to do anything constructive for Arizona."
The House and
Monday, April 18, 2011
The often-rumored Apple HDTV - Marco Arment
http://www.marco.org/2011/04/16/rumored-apple-hdtv
I agree with this article: Apple will probably not enter the TV market. Further, is the iPad not their vision of what the TV should become? Granted, I think that vision is wrong because you're not going to hand the iPad to your kids and tell them to rent a movie, but Apple wants to have that space, not the space on your wall or entertainment center.
I agree with this article: Apple will probably not enter the TV market. Further, is the iPad not their vision of what the TV should become? Granted, I think that vision is wrong because you're not going to hand the iPad to your kids and tell them to rent a movie, but Apple wants to have that space, not the space on your wall or entertainment center.
Libyan families flee Gaddafi forces in Ajdabiya as civilian death toll rises - Xan Rice in Ajdabiya
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/17/libya-attacks-ajdabiya-misrata-brega
Dozens of vehicles, some of them rebel trucks with heavy machine guns mounted in the back, were seen leaving Ajdabiya for Benghazi. Rebels were also seen laying anti-tank mines at the eastern gate of the city, highlighting their fears that Gaddafi's forces could retake the town.
In the besieged town of Misrata in the west, rebels said that six civilians were killed and dozens injured on Sunday in attacks by Gaddafi's forces.
Misrata has been under heavy attack for seven weeks, with hundreds of civilians killed in the effort to rout the rebels, who are reportedly better organised and disciplined than in the east of the country. Witnesses in the city have backed up reports from Human Rights Watch that Libyan government troops have been using cluster bombs as part of their offensive. The government has denied this.
Dozens of vehicles, some of them rebel trucks with heavy machine guns mounted in the back, were seen leaving Ajdabiya for Benghazi. Rebels were also seen laying anti-tank mines at the eastern gate of the city, highlighting their fears that Gaddafi's forces could retake the town.
In the besieged town of Misrata in the west, rebels said that six civilians were killed and dozens injured on Sunday in attacks by Gaddafi's forces.
Misrata has been under heavy attack for seven weeks, with hundreds of civilians killed in the effort to rout the rebels, who are reportedly better organised and disciplined than in the east of the country. Witnesses in the city have backed up reports from Human Rights Watch that Libyan government troops have been using cluster bombs as part of their offensive. The government has denied this.
Rick Santorum says he had 'nothing to do with' campaign slogan taken from Langston Hughes poem - Carolyn Kellogg
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/04/rick-santorum-backs-away-from-langston-hughes-slogan.html
God, you can smell the dumb. A perfectly respectable answer would have been "I don't know what it meant to Mr. Hughes, but here is what it meant to me...". Instead, we have another boneheaded homophobe moment. Enjoy your most ardent supporters' cash, jerk.
God, you can smell the dumb. A perfectly respectable answer would have been "I don't know what it meant to Mr. Hughes, but here is what it meant to me...". Instead, we have another boneheaded homophobe moment. Enjoy your most ardent supporters' cash, jerk.
U.S. secretly backed Syrian opposition groups, cables released by WikiLeaks show - Craig Whitlock
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-secretly-backed-syrian-opposition-groups-cables-released-by-wikileaks-show/2011/04/14/AF1p9hwD_story.html
The State Department has secretly financed Syrian political opposition groups and related projects, including a satellite TV channel that beams anti-government programming into the country, according to previously undisclosed diplomatic cables.
The London-based satellite channel, Barada TV, began broadcasting in April 2009 but has ramped up operations to cover the mass protests in Syria as part of a long-standing campaign to overthrow the country’s autocratic leader, Bashar al-Assad. Human rights groups say scores of people have been killed by Assad’s security forces since the demonstrations began March 18; Syria has blamed the violence on “armed gangs.”
The State Department has secretly financed Syrian political opposition groups and related projects, including a satellite TV channel that beams anti-government programming into the country, according to previously undisclosed diplomatic cables.
The London-based satellite channel, Barada TV, began broadcasting in April 2009 but has ramped up operations to cover the mass protests in Syria as part of a long-standing campaign to overthrow the country’s autocratic leader, Bashar al-Assad. Human rights groups say scores of people have been killed by Assad’s security forces since the demonstrations began March 18; Syria has blamed the violence on “armed gangs.”
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Tragic Death of the Flip - David Pogue
http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/the-tragic-death-of-the-flip/#
Second, it isn’t true at all that nobody’s buying Flip camcorders. So far, 7 million people have bought them. Only a month ago, I was briefed by a Flip product manager on the newest model, which was to hit the market yesterday. He showed me a graph of the Flip’s sales; Flips now represent an astonishing 35 percent of the camcorder market. They’re the No. 1 bestselling camcorder on Amazon. They’re still selling fast.
Second, it isn’t true at all that nobody’s buying Flip camcorders. So far, 7 million people have bought them. Only a month ago, I was briefed by a Flip product manager on the newest model, which was to hit the market yesterday. He showed me a graph of the Flip’s sales; Flips now represent an astonishing 35 percent of the camcorder market. They’re the No. 1 bestselling camcorder on Amazon. They’re still selling fast.
U.S., allies see Libyan rebels in hopeless disarray - Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/14/us-libya-usa-rebels-idUSTRE73D68S20110414
U.S. and allied intelligence agencies believe NATO's no-fly zone and air strikes will be effective in stopping Muammar Gaddafi's forces from killing civilians and dislodging rebels from strongholds like Benghazi, the officials say.
But the more the intelligence agencies learn about rebel forces, the more they appear to be hopelessly disorganized and incapable of coalescing in the foreseeable future.
U.S. and allied intelligence agencies believe NATO's no-fly zone and air strikes will be effective in stopping Muammar Gaddafi's forces from killing civilians and dislodging rebels from strongholds like Benghazi, the officials say.
But the more the intelligence agencies learn about rebel forces, the more they appear to be hopelessly disorganized and incapable of coalescing in the foreseeable future.
When Did Girls Start Wearing Pink? - Jeanne Maglaty
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/When-Did-Girls-Start-Wearing-Pink.html?c=y&page=1
Little Franklin Delano Roosevelt sits primly on a stool, his white skirt spread smoothly over his lap, his hands clasping a hat trimmed with a marabou feather. Shoulder-length hair and patent leather party shoes complete the ensemble.
We find the look unsettling today, yet social convention of 1884, when FDR was photographed at age 2 1/2, dictated that boys wore dresses until age 6 or 7, also the time of their first haircut. Franklin’s outfit was considered gender-neutral.
Little Franklin Delano Roosevelt sits primly on a stool, his white skirt spread smoothly over his lap, his hands clasping a hat trimmed with a marabou feather. Shoulder-length hair and patent leather party shoes complete the ensemble.
We find the look unsettling today, yet social convention of 1884, when FDR was photographed at age 2 1/2, dictated that boys wore dresses until age 6 or 7, also the time of their first haircut. Franklin’s outfit was considered gender-neutral.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Follow that bus - Reihan Salam
http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/04/12/041211-opinions-column-fungwah-salam-1-2/
Recovery will come from coach-style competition, not D.C.
Recovery will come from coach-style competition, not D.C.
Santorum officially 'testing the waters' - Shane D'Aprile
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/155975-santorum-launches-presidential-exploratory-committee
Oh joy. Perhaps 'the waters' will tell him what apparently no one that is close to him will: you have zero chance of a nomination much less a victory in a presidential campaign. Outside of his cruel remarks on gays, numerous times, can anyone remember how Rick Santorum has been making a living these last few years? On yeah, running a think tank with basically himself as the only employee and buoyed by his supporters. In other words, the charity or delusionment of his biggest fans has been paying his mortgage for these last few moons. I guess they better sign up for a few more years or tell Ricky to get a job because this just ain't happenin'. His role is going to be to rally arch-social conservatives toward the candidate of his choice, stay off TV with his remarks to them, try to avoid too many awkward questions from his base who aren't aware you can't say things like that anymore, and ride off to speaking engagements with saddlebags full of gold. Just like the American Dream.
Oh joy. Perhaps 'the waters' will tell him what apparently no one that is close to him will: you have zero chance of a nomination much less a victory in a presidential campaign. Outside of his cruel remarks on gays, numerous times, can anyone remember how Rick Santorum has been making a living these last few years? On yeah, running a think tank with basically himself as the only employee and buoyed by his supporters. In other words, the charity or delusionment of his biggest fans has been paying his mortgage for these last few moons. I guess they better sign up for a few more years or tell Ricky to get a job because this just ain't happenin'. His role is going to be to rally arch-social conservatives toward the candidate of his choice, stay off TV with his remarks to them, try to avoid too many awkward questions from his base who aren't aware you can't say things like that anymore, and ride off to speaking engagements with saddlebags full of gold. Just like the American Dream.
Pawlenty urges lawmakers to reject 2011 budget deal - Jordan Fabian
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/155859-pawlenty-urges-lawmakers-to-reject-2011-budget-deal
At this point Pawlenty is Romney, Jr. Very little substance, very little fortitude, a lot of pandering. And, not the brave kind of pandering but the most cautious and and sandblasted pandering designed to appear to take a stand, but only when the outcome is decided and no one will fault him for his stance. No one, that is, that already agrees with him. His fatal flaw is that he is too unconvincing to convince anyone of anything. He just happens upon people that already agree with him and were waiting for the most bland of platitudes to shore up their beliefs.
At this point Pawlenty is Romney, Jr. Very little substance, very little fortitude, a lot of pandering. And, not the brave kind of pandering but the most cautious and and sandblasted pandering designed to appear to take a stand, but only when the outcome is decided and no one will fault him for his stance. No one, that is, that already agrees with him. His fatal flaw is that he is too unconvincing to convince anyone of anything. He just happens upon people that already agree with him and were waiting for the most bland of platitudes to shore up their beliefs.
CBO: Budget deal cuts this fiscal year’s deficit by just $352 million, not $38 billion touted - Associated Press
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/cbo-budget-deal-cuts-this-fiscal-years-deficit-by-just-353-million-not-38-billion-touted/2011/04/13/AFFJnkWD_story.html
To a fair degree, the lack of immediate budget-cutting punch is because the budget year is more than half over and that cuts in new spending authority typically are slow to register on deficit tallies. And Republicans promise that when fully implemented and repeated year after year, the cuts in the measure would reduce the deficit by $315 billion over the coming decade.
To a fair degree, the lack of immediate budget-cutting punch is because the budget year is more than half over and that cuts in new spending authority typically are slow to register on deficit tallies. And Republicans promise that when fully implemented and repeated year after year, the cuts in the measure would reduce the deficit by $315 billion over the coming decade.
Mitt Romney's Other Problem - Alex Massie
http://www.spectator.co.uk/alexmassie/6862865/mitt-romneys-other-problem.thtml
No matter how much private wealth can impress some voters it's also easy to see how you can write an attack ad pointing out that Romney became a vastly wealthy man by purchasing ailing companies, firing half the workforce and stripping any assets that could be used to turn a profit.
This isn't entirely fair. Some of those companies might have failed anyway and others were doubtless saved by private equity. If that meant a smaller workforce so other jobs could be saved and the business resurrected then so be it. A price worth paying and so on but a tougher thing to sell during an election campaign.
No matter how much private wealth can impress some voters it's also easy to see how you can write an attack ad pointing out that Romney became a vastly wealthy man by purchasing ailing companies, firing half the workforce and stripping any assets that could be used to turn a profit.
This isn't entirely fair. Some of those companies might have failed anyway and others were doubtless saved by private equity. If that meant a smaller workforce so other jobs could be saved and the business resurrected then so be it. A price worth paying and so on but a tougher thing to sell during an election campaign.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Pray. Hope. Prepare. - Tom Friedman
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/13/opinion/13friedman.html?_r=1
When I was in Cairo during the Egyptian uprising, I wanted to change hotels one day to be closer to the action and called the Marriott to see if it had any openings. The young-sounding Egyptian woman who spoke with me from the reservations department offered me a room and then asked: “Do you have a corporate rate?” I said, “I don’t know. I work for The New York Times.” There was a silence on the phone for a few moments, and then she said: “ Can I ask you something?” Sure. “Are we going to be O.K.? I’m worried.”
When I was in Cairo during the Egyptian uprising, I wanted to change hotels one day to be closer to the action and called the Marriott to see if it had any openings. The young-sounding Egyptian woman who spoke with me from the reservations department offered me a room and then asked: “Do you have a corporate rate?” I said, “I don’t know. I work for The New York Times.” There was a silence on the phone for a few moments, and then she said: “ Can I ask you something?” Sure. “Are we going to be O.K.? I’m worried.”
Syrian soldiers shot for refusing to fire on protesters - Katherine Marsh in Damascus
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/12/syrian-soldiers-shot-protest
So even though we've gotten bored with their uprisings after Libya made it not fun, the people in the Middle East will just keep doing it? Syria will not fall, but it will destabilize. This is good news and bad news for Israel. The good news is that the conduit of weapons and support may dry up if Syria begins to crack down on what it perceives as threats from within, like militants. The bad news is that destabilization will embolden and perhaps make it easier for militants to move weapons and cash about.
So even though we've gotten bored with their uprisings after Libya made it not fun, the people in the Middle East will just keep doing it? Syria will not fall, but it will destabilize. This is good news and bad news for Israel. The good news is that the conduit of weapons and support may dry up if Syria begins to crack down on what it perceives as threats from within, like militants. The bad news is that destabilization will embolden and perhaps make it easier for militants to move weapons and cash about.
Mitt Romney to birthers: Barack Obama was born here. Period. - KASIE HUNT
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53073.html
There seems to be a see-saw act going on in the GOP for the last eighteen months or so. The clown car will take over for a couple of weeks or so, then swing back to Mitt. Just as Trump edges into the lead, I think he simultaneously starts to jump the shark. The polls showing Trump ahead are about a week old, and his thin act has already begun to, well, wear thin. Mitt on the other hand has numerous acts, and all of them are pure acting, so that he can switch roles and positions often enough to stay fresh and new and keep us guessing. So here we are with the lime light back on the grown ups, Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney, for the remainder of the week. The President is going on television tonight so the camera will swing back to some of the clown car occupants (Bachmann, Palin, Gingrich) as they offer their take on what the President says, but it was smart of Romney to get in before the gallery begins to hoot.
There seems to be a see-saw act going on in the GOP for the last eighteen months or so. The clown car will take over for a couple of weeks or so, then swing back to Mitt. Just as Trump edges into the lead, I think he simultaneously starts to jump the shark. The polls showing Trump ahead are about a week old, and his thin act has already begun to, well, wear thin. Mitt on the other hand has numerous acts, and all of them are pure acting, so that he can switch roles and positions often enough to stay fresh and new and keep us guessing. So here we are with the lime light back on the grown ups, Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney, for the remainder of the week. The President is going on television tonight so the camera will swing back to some of the clown car occupants (Bachmann, Palin, Gingrich) as they offer their take on what the President says, but it was smart of Romney to get in before the gallery begins to hoot.
What Really Worries Americans: Big Government or the Economy? - David Frum
http://www.frumforum.com/what-worries-americans-big-govt-or-the-economy
Do we truly regret that the Federal Reserve had discretionary power to create new money after October 2008? Wouldn’t it make more sense to regret that the Federal Reserve did not use its discretionary power to crack down on predatory lending activity in 2003?
If anything, as we review the record of the past three years, I’m moved to revise my own opinions of a lifetime and adapt the words of Yuval Levin’s mentor, Irving Kristol to say: “two cheers for the welfare state.”
Do we truly regret that the Federal Reserve had discretionary power to create new money after October 2008? Wouldn’t it make more sense to regret that the Federal Reserve did not use its discretionary power to crack down on predatory lending activity in 2003?
If anything, as we review the record of the past three years, I’m moved to revise my own opinions of a lifetime and adapt the words of Yuval Levin’s mentor, Irving Kristol to say: “two cheers for the welfare state.”
Ryan Budget: Compassionate Conservatism Goes Kaput - David Frum
http://www.frumforum.com/ryan-plan-compassionate-conservatism-goes-kaput
Don’t miss Yuval Levin’s piece in the current National Affairs, “Beyond the Welfare State.”
The piece is interesting and important for many reasons, but not least because of its author’s background: a prominent Bush domestic policy staffer, Levin has spent a lot of time pondering the question: “What is/was compassionate conservatism?”
Based on his new essay, the answer seems to be: compassionate conservatism is kaput.
Don’t miss Yuval Levin’s piece in the current National Affairs, “Beyond the Welfare State.”
The piece is interesting and important for many reasons, but not least because of its author’s background: a prominent Bush domestic policy staffer, Levin has spent a lot of time pondering the question: “What is/was compassionate conservatism?”
Based on his new essay, the answer seems to be: compassionate conservatism is kaput.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Pakistan Tells U.S. It Must Sharply Cut C.I.A. Activities - Jane Perlez
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/world/asia/12pakistan.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Pakistan has demanded that the United States steeply reduce the number of Central Intelligence Agency operatives and Special Operations forces working in Pakistan, and that it halt C.I.A. drone strikes aimed at militants in northwest Pakistan. The request was a sign of the near collapse of cooperation between the two testy allies.
There is literally no good news out of Afghanistan. Ever.
Pakistan has demanded that the United States steeply reduce the number of Central Intelligence Agency operatives and Special Operations forces working in Pakistan, and that it halt C.I.A. drone strikes aimed at militants in northwest Pakistan. The request was a sign of the near collapse of cooperation between the two testy allies.
There is literally no good news out of Afghanistan. Ever.
What Impact Has The New York Times Paywall Had on Traffic? - Ben Parr
http://mashable.com/2011/04/11/new-york-times-paywall-stats/
Experian Hitwise thinks it has the answer to the first question. Traffic has declined overall by 5% to 15%, according to its data. The research and intelligence firm analyzed traffic data for NYTimes.com from before and after the paywall was erected.
I am certain that there is more to the story, as to whether the paywall actually generates more revenue when you factor in the affect decreased pageviews has on the ad rates you can charge, but this is encouraging.
Experian Hitwise thinks it has the answer to the first question. Traffic has declined overall by 5% to 15%, according to its data. The research and intelligence firm analyzed traffic data for NYTimes.com from before and after the paywall was erected.
I am certain that there is more to the story, as to whether the paywall actually generates more revenue when you factor in the affect decreased pageviews has on the ad rates you can charge, but this is encouraging.
What ever happened to Sarah Palin? - Steve Kornacki
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/04/11/palin_2012/index.html
It's hard to look back at the last six month and pinpoint one precise moment when the bottom fell out for Palin (although her response to the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords, panned as tone deaf by even many of her fellow Republicans, comes close). But at some point recently, she stopped simply being a polarizing lightning rod -- one with as many fanatical followers as diehard critics -- and transformed into a figure who even Republican-leaning voters have a hard time taking seriously.
It's hard to look back at the last six month and pinpoint one precise moment when the bottom fell out for Palin (although her response to the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords, panned as tone deaf by even many of her fellow Republicans, comes close). But at some point recently, she stopped simply being a polarizing lightning rod -- one with as many fanatical followers as diehard critics -- and transformed into a figure who even Republican-leaning voters have a hard time taking seriously.
Donald Trump's Big Gay Problem - Andy Kroll
http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/04/donald-trump-president-gay-rights-iowa
Donald Trump, the billionaire New York real estate magnate and presidential aspirant, is on a quest to court the hard-line social conservatives of the Republican Party. Recently, he has repeatedly questioned President Barack Obama's citizenship, and has demanded to see Obama's birth certificate. Interviewed by the Today show last week, he said he considers himself a tea partier. And after decades of supporting abortion rights, he has pronounced himself pro-life.
Donald Trump, the billionaire New York real estate magnate and presidential aspirant, is on a quest to court the hard-line social conservatives of the Republican Party. Recently, he has repeatedly questioned President Barack Obama's citizenship, and has demanded to see Obama's birth certificate. Interviewed by the Today show last week, he said he considers himself a tea partier. And after decades of supporting abortion rights, he has pronounced himself pro-life.
Trump Will ‘Probably’ Run as Independent If He Doesn’t Win GOP Nomination -
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/04/11/trump-will-probably-run-as-independent-if-he-doesnt-win-gop-nomination/
Donald Trump will “probably” run as an independent candidate for U.S. President in 2012 if he does not receive the Republican party’s nomination, he told the Wall Street Journal in a video interview on Monday.
When Christine O'Donnell and Sister Sarah's reign of terror had finally been pushed into the memory hole, here comes The Donald, spreading laughter and ruin everywhere he goes.
Trump is a problem if the first order for the Republican party. Not only does he suck up the media bandwidth of the electorate, leaving less space for more serious candidates, he checks every box on the list to drive independents and moderates away. He has built his "campaign" on the ultimate litmus test of the Bircher right, the birther issue, and threatens to bring it mainstream just as it was dying in some back alley. He makes Sarah Palin look downright presidential through his ill-advised barbs and nonsensical rants. His past positions and statements run directly counter to the voter base he is now courting.
Worse, there is no way for Republicans to reign him in. He gains his presence not from political power but from being a brand, and there is no way a politician can stop him now. He has eclipsed the presence and power of any Republican politician.
So he continues, pushing the birther issue to a general primary litmus test, out-nuttering Palin, Beck and all the others. You see, they were amateurs. Trump is a pro. He's grifted like this before. Check out his 2000 presidential campaign. The only amazing thing about this is that he's going to pull it off twice.
Donald Trump will “probably” run as an independent candidate for U.S. President in 2012 if he does not receive the Republican party’s nomination, he told the Wall Street Journal in a video interview on Monday.
When Christine O'Donnell and Sister Sarah's reign of terror had finally been pushed into the memory hole, here comes The Donald, spreading laughter and ruin everywhere he goes.
Trump is a problem if the first order for the Republican party. Not only does he suck up the media bandwidth of the electorate, leaving less space for more serious candidates, he checks every box on the list to drive independents and moderates away. He has built his "campaign" on the ultimate litmus test of the Bircher right, the birther issue, and threatens to bring it mainstream just as it was dying in some back alley. He makes Sarah Palin look downright presidential through his ill-advised barbs and nonsensical rants. His past positions and statements run directly counter to the voter base he is now courting.
Worse, there is no way for Republicans to reign him in. He gains his presence not from political power but from being a brand, and there is no way a politician can stop him now. He has eclipsed the presence and power of any Republican politician.
So he continues, pushing the birther issue to a general primary litmus test, out-nuttering Palin, Beck and all the others. You see, they were amateurs. Trump is a pro. He's grifted like this before. Check out his 2000 presidential campaign. The only amazing thing about this is that he's going to pull it off twice.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Anatomy of an Afghan war tragedy - David S. Cloud
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghanistan-drone-20110410,0,2818134,full.story
Nearly three miles above the rugged hills of central Afghanistan, American eyes silently tracked two SUVs and a pickup truck as they snaked down a dirt road in the pre-dawn darkness.
The vehicles, packed with people, were 3 1/2 miles from a dozen U.S. special operations soldiers, who had been dropped into the area hours earlier to root out insurgents. The convoy was closing in on them.
Nearly three miles above the rugged hills of central Afghanistan, American eyes silently tracked two SUVs and a pickup truck as they snaked down a dirt road in the pre-dawn darkness.
The vehicles, packed with people, were 3 1/2 miles from a dozen U.S. special operations soldiers, who had been dropped into the area hours earlier to root out insurgents. The convoy was closing in on them.
Trump is Final Proof that the Political Class Has Failed - James Poulos ·
http://ricochet.com/main-feed/Trump-is-Final-Proof-that-the-Political-Class-Has-Failed
There are two main theories cooperating to explain the Trump phenomenon:
But neither of these, nor even both together, can adequately explain what's going on
There are two main theories cooperating to explain the Trump phenomenon:
- Donald Trump is today's best self-promoter and professional opportunist.
- The Republican field of presumptive candidates for president is lame.
Republican lawmakers sour on 2012 field - JONATHAN MARTIN
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/52893.html
“I don’t see anyone in the current field right now, and people say that to me, as well. I’m reflecting what I hear,” said California Rep. David Dreier, chairman of the House Rules Committee.
Dreier, who was first elected in 1980, said: “Everybody’s looking for a Ronald Reagan, and they don’t see one.”
“I don’t see anyone in the current field right now, and people say that to me, as well. I’m reflecting what I hear,” said California Rep. David Dreier, chairman of the House Rules Committee.
Dreier, who was first elected in 1980, said: “Everybody’s looking for a Ronald Reagan, and they don’t see one.”
Obama Puts Taxes on Table - CAROL E. LEE And DAMIAN PALETTA
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704366104576255282893680792.html
In a speech Wednesday, Mr. Obama will propose cuts to entitlement programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, and changes to Social Security, a discussion he has largely left to Democrats and Republicans in Congress. He also will call for tax increases for people making over $250,000 a year, a proposal contained in his 2012 budget, and changing parts of the tax code he thinks benefit the wealthy.
In a speech Wednesday, Mr. Obama will propose cuts to entitlement programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, and changes to Social Security, a discussion he has largely left to Democrats and Republicans in Congress. He also will call for tax increases for people making over $250,000 a year, a proposal contained in his 2012 budget, and changing parts of the tax code he thinks benefit the wealthy.
Obama to Call for Broad Plan to Reduce Debt - Jackie Calmes
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/11/us/politics/11deficit.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
In a speech to be delivered at a university here on Wednesday, Mr. Obama will in effect come off the sidelines on the debate over reducing the nation’s debt, which is reaching dangerous heights as the population ages.
After months of criticism that he has not led on budget talks, Mr. Obama will urge bipartisan negotiations toward a multiyear debt-reduction plan that administration officials said would depart sharply from the one proposed last week by House Republicans.
This president has an uncanny knack for emerging from the fray at just the right moment. While one can argue, convincingly, that it is a failure to lead, it can also be seen as a tactic in an age of fragmented media. Obama seems to appear out of nowhere just as the story crests in the public mind. The casual political observer knows only that the government was about to shut down, the Ryan budget had something to do with this, the shutdown was averted, and Obama appears with a budget to counterweight the one that the casual observer assumes shut the government down. Entitlement programs are to be pared, but taxes are held out as an option.
I do not think there was necessarily a "winner" in the aftermath of the budget showdown this weekend. The post-conflict maneuvering by the president could change that.
In a speech to be delivered at a university here on Wednesday, Mr. Obama will in effect come off the sidelines on the debate over reducing the nation’s debt, which is reaching dangerous heights as the population ages.
After months of criticism that he has not led on budget talks, Mr. Obama will urge bipartisan negotiations toward a multiyear debt-reduction plan that administration officials said would depart sharply from the one proposed last week by House Republicans.
This president has an uncanny knack for emerging from the fray at just the right moment. While one can argue, convincingly, that it is a failure to lead, it can also be seen as a tactic in an age of fragmented media. Obama seems to appear out of nowhere just as the story crests in the public mind. The casual political observer knows only that the government was about to shut down, the Ryan budget had something to do with this, the shutdown was averted, and Obama appears with a budget to counterweight the one that the casual observer assumes shut the government down. Entitlement programs are to be pared, but taxes are held out as an option.
I do not think there was necessarily a "winner" in the aftermath of the budget showdown this weekend. The post-conflict maneuvering by the president could change that.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Blockbuster Rumor: Facebook Partners with Baidu to Enter China
http://techrice.com/2011/04/09/blockbuster-rumor-facebook-partners-with-baidu-to-enter-china/
If Facebook wants to remain relevant, its main focus must be to fashion itself as a place to find everything that people are interested in. Or, failing that, to become the baby picture posting site for half the world's population.
If Facebook wants to remain relevant, its main focus must be to fashion itself as a place to find everything that people are interested in. Or, failing that, to become the baby picture posting site for half the world's population.
GOP Rep. Allen West suggests Republicans are "using" troops - Brian Montopoli
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20051890-503544.html
Sometimes the quote machine goes haywire. In fact, the quote machine, by definition, is always haywire
Sometimes the quote machine goes haywire. In fact, the quote machine, by definition, is always haywire
The Brave and Serious Mr. Ryan - James Fallows
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/04/the-brave-and-serious-mr-ryan/237008/
I mentioned earlier that if asked to choose an adjective to describe the budget plan presented by Rep. Paul Ryan, I would suggest "partisan" or "gimmicky," as opposed to "serious" or "brave." Most budget proposals are both partisan and gimmicky, so this is no particular knock against Rep. Ryan. But it's worth mentioning because so much of the pundit-sphere (excluding the Atlantic's Derek Thompson) has received the plan as a dramatic step forward in clear thinking about our fiscal future.
I mentioned earlier that if asked to choose an adjective to describe the budget plan presented by Rep. Paul Ryan, I would suggest "partisan" or "gimmicky," as opposed to "serious" or "brave." Most budget proposals are both partisan and gimmicky, so this is no particular knock against Rep. Ryan. But it's worth mentioning because so much of the pundit-sphere (excluding the Atlantic's Derek Thompson) has received the plan as a dramatic step forward in clear thinking about our fiscal future.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Google has developed speech-recognition technology that actually works. - Farhad Manjoo
http://www.slate.com/id/2290516
If you've got an Android phone, try this: Hit the microphone icon on the home screen, then ask, "How many angstroms in a mile?" Use your normal speaking voice—don't speak slowly or strain to over-pronounce "angstrom." So long as you have a good Internet connection, the phone shouldn't take more than a second to recognize your question and shoot back a reply: 1.609344 × 1013.
If you've got an Android phone, try this: Hit the microphone icon on the home screen, then ask, "How many angstroms in a mile?" Use your normal speaking voice—don't speak slowly or strain to over-pronounce "angstrom." So long as you have a good Internet connection, the phone shouldn't take more than a second to recognize your question and shoot back a reply: 1.609344 × 1013.
The Trouble With Taxing Exclusively The Rich - Matt Yglesias
http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2011/04/the-trouble-with-taxing-exclusively-the-rich/
The big problem I have with this is that if you raise high-end marginal rates while leaving deductions alone, what you do is massively increase the value of the deductions. The home mortgage interest tax deduction, for example, is both distributively regressive and also economically damaging by shunting too much money into the housing sector. If wealthy people start paying a marginal income tax rate of 47 percent, then the incentive to overconsume housing becomes much more intense. A economically sound approach to the tax code needs to go after some of these deductions, and that means some middle class families will have to pay somewhat more.
The big problem I have with this is that if you raise high-end marginal rates while leaving deductions alone, what you do is massively increase the value of the deductions. The home mortgage interest tax deduction, for example, is both distributively regressive and also economically damaging by shunting too much money into the housing sector. If wealthy people start paying a marginal income tax rate of 47 percent, then the incentive to overconsume housing becomes much more intense. A economically sound approach to the tax code needs to go after some of these deductions, and that means some middle class families will have to pay somewhat more.
China: The Big Chill - Evan Osnos
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/evanosnos/2011/04/ai-weiwei-detained.html
Beijing is in the midst of what I call the Big Chill, an ongoing sweep of Chinese writers, activists, lawyers, and others, which constitutes the most intense crackdown on expression in years. If Ai Weiwei stays in custody, this will mark the most high-profile detention yet
Beijing is in the midst of what I call the Big Chill, an ongoing sweep of Chinese writers, activists, lawyers, and others, which constitutes the most intense crackdown on expression in years. If Ai Weiwei stays in custody, this will mark the most high-profile detention yet
Thursday, April 7, 2011
The Challenges of Post-Gadhafi Libya - Abu Muqawama
http://www.cnas.org/blogs/abumuqawama/2011/04/challenges-post-gadhafi-libya.html
In short: bad. No tradition or know how of what it takes to administrate a state. No services, no operations. Couple that with a population that has had its expectations raised, is heavily armed and has a myriad of demands and visions of what a state should look like.
In short: bad. No tradition or know how of what it takes to administrate a state. No services, no operations. Couple that with a population that has had its expectations raised, is heavily armed and has a myriad of demands and visions of what a state should look like.
WSJ/NBC Poll: A Donald Trump Surprise - Jonathan Weisman and Scott Greenberg
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/04/06/wsjnbc-poll-a-donald-trump-surprise/
Among Republican primary voters, Mr. Romney captured the support of 21% in a broad, nine-candidate field. Mr. Trump was tied for second with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, with 17%. House Speaker Newt Gingrich got 11%, just ahead of former Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s 10%. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, considered a strong contender by political handicappers, remains largely unknown, with just 6% support. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota had 5%, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum 3%, and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour with just 1%.
This all goes back to my theory that many of the Republican voter bases prefer characters to actual people. hence you get W, Cheney, Palin, Bachmann, and now Trump.
Among Republican primary voters, Mr. Romney captured the support of 21% in a broad, nine-candidate field. Mr. Trump was tied for second with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, with 17%. House Speaker Newt Gingrich got 11%, just ahead of former Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s 10%. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, considered a strong contender by political handicappers, remains largely unknown, with just 6% support. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota had 5%, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum 3%, and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour with just 1%.
This all goes back to my theory that many of the Republican voter bases prefer characters to actual people. hence you get W, Cheney, Palin, Bachmann, and now Trump.
A Budget That Can’t Budge - David Frum
http://www.frumforum.com/a-budget-that-cant-budge
If the plan is not a real-world budget proposal, not an electioneering document, not a negotiating position — then what is it?
Answer: The Ryan plan is a Republican “memo to me” — an attempt by a party emerging from a troubled history to answer the question, “Who are we?” The answer is not aimed at the general public, but at Republicans themselves.
If the plan is not a real-world budget proposal, not an electioneering document, not a negotiating position — then what is it?
Answer: The Ryan plan is a Republican “memo to me” — an attempt by a party emerging from a troubled history to answer the question, “Who are we?” The answer is not aimed at the general public, but at Republicans themselves.
Chairman Ryan Gets Roughly Two-Thirds of His Huge Budget Cuts From Programs for Lower-Income Americans - Robert Greenstein
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3451
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s budget plan would get about two-thirds of its more than $4 trillion in budget cuts over 10 years from programs that serve people of limited means, which violates basic principles of fairness and stands a core principle of President Obama’s fiscal commission on its head.
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s budget plan would get about two-thirds of its more than $4 trillion in budget cuts over 10 years from programs that serve people of limited means, which violates basic principles of fairness and stands a core principle of President Obama’s fiscal commission on its head.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
With Blockbuster, Dish Gets a Retail Strategy on the Cheap - Ryan Lawler
http://gigaom.com/video/dish-blockbuster-acquisition/
Beyond the fact that there is a dwindling population that goes to the video store to rent DVDs, the question is whether DISH Network managed to purchase any content in this deal.
Blockbuster also holds streaming rights to a number of video titles that Dish could use to expand its own streaming offerings, perhaps rolling the Blockbuster licenses into a Dish-branded online VOD offering.
And there is your answer....
Beyond the fact that there is a dwindling population that goes to the video store to rent DVDs, the question is whether DISH Network managed to purchase any content in this deal.
Blockbuster also holds streaming rights to a number of video titles that Dish could use to expand its own streaming offerings, perhaps rolling the Blockbuster licenses into a Dish-branded online VOD offering.
And there is your answer....
The Two Faces of Libya's Rebels - Jason Pack
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/04/05/the_two_faces_of_libyas_rebels
Americans seem captivated by this question, perhaps because they have heard senior U.S. officials from Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to various Republican congressmen proclaim that they do not yet know enough about who the rebels are. I do not take such statements at face value. U.S. statesmen know quite well who the rebels are -- but pretend otherwise to obscure the fact that the United States has yet to formulate a comprehensive policy toward them.
Americans seem captivated by this question, perhaps because they have heard senior U.S. officials from Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to various Republican congressmen proclaim that they do not yet know enough about who the rebels are. I do not take such statements at face value. U.S. statesmen know quite well who the rebels are -- but pretend otherwise to obscure the fact that the United States has yet to formulate a comprehensive policy toward them.
Conservative Opposition To Human Happiness - Matt Yglesias
http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2011/04/conservative-opposition-to-human-happiness/
Aside from the fact that the nostalgic notion that people are only now getting married later in life because they are too busy playing video games and watching You Tube is erroneous, what's the big deal anyway? I love huge swaths of conservatism, but unfortunately too many proponents of conservatism insist on gauzy reminiscence of things that never happened or insist on staid unhappiness as a brand of capitalist success. Why?
Aside from the fact that the nostalgic notion that people are only now getting married later in life because they are too busy playing video games and watching You Tube is erroneous, what's the big deal anyway? I love huge swaths of conservatism, but unfortunately too many proponents of conservatism insist on gauzy reminiscence of things that never happened or insist on staid unhappiness as a brand of capitalist success. Why?
Paul Ryan’s revolution would finish Reagan’s - James Pethokoukis
http://blogs.reuters.com/james-pethokoukis/2011/04/05/paul-ryans-revolution-would-finish-reagans/
Is Rep. Paul Ryan’s “Path to Prosperity” potentially the most important and necessary piece of economic legislation since President Ronald Reagan’s tax cuts in 1981? Quite likely.
Is Rep. Paul Ryan’s “Path to Prosperity” potentially the most important and necessary piece of economic legislation since President Ronald Reagan’s tax cuts in 1981? Quite likely.
Romney leads in NH, Trump makes things interesting
http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/04/romney-leads-in-nh-trump-makes-things.html
If Trump actually run 21% of New Hampshire GOP voters say they'd vote for him, compared to 27% for Romney. The key to Trump's relatively strong showing? He does well with birthers and Tea Partiers, two groups he has seemed to actively court with his public comments of late. 42% of primary voters firmly say they do not believe Barack Obama was born in the United States to 35% who believe that he was and 23% who aren't sure. Trump leads Romney 22-21 with the birther crowd, but Romney holds the overall lead because he's up by a much wider margin with the folks who dismiss the birther theory.
The takeaway from this, at least for me, is that Donald Trump is a a "tell". He is an indicator that there are a lot of people willing to part with their money on easy terms and little substance. In other words, the voter base the Republicans are courting in 2012 is a mark, looking more for a character than a leader.
As Dave Weigel points out http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/04/05/trump-at-21-percent-in-new-hampshire.aspx 21% may be as high as the "birther vote" can take you.
If Trump actually run 21% of New Hampshire GOP voters say they'd vote for him, compared to 27% for Romney. The key to Trump's relatively strong showing? He does well with birthers and Tea Partiers, two groups he has seemed to actively court with his public comments of late. 42% of primary voters firmly say they do not believe Barack Obama was born in the United States to 35% who believe that he was and 23% who aren't sure. Trump leads Romney 22-21 with the birther crowd, but Romney holds the overall lead because he's up by a much wider margin with the folks who dismiss the birther theory.
The takeaway from this, at least for me, is that Donald Trump is a a "tell". He is an indicator that there are a lot of people willing to part with their money on easy terms and little substance. In other words, the voter base the Republicans are courting in 2012 is a mark, looking more for a character than a leader.
As Dave Weigel points out http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/04/05/trump-at-21-percent-in-new-hampshire.aspx 21% may be as high as the "birther vote" can take you.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
John Yoo’s Chickens Come Home to Roost - Daniel Luban
http://www.lobelog.com/john-yoos-chickens-come-home-to-roost/
Steyn and McCarthy profess to be shocked — shocked! — that the Bill of Rights might be abridged for American citizens as a result of what’s going on “over there.” But in fact, Graham’s proposal is rather mild compared to the views of, say, John Yoo, who suggested in a notorious October 2001 memo [PDF] that the President during wartime can override the Fourth Amendment — and by implication, the entirety of the Bill of Rights — at will, provided he deems it necessary for the war effort. (Graham at least seemed to be proposing that the First Amendment should be restricted through legislation rather than presidential fiat.) Of course, Yoo’s analysis has since been repudiated by the Justice Department, and he was later reprimanded by an internal Justice Department report investigating his conduct during the Bush years. But since leaving the Bush administration he’s been welcomed with open arms by the American right — not least, National Review, which has brought him on board as a contributor along with Steyn, McCarthy, and Stuttaford. If Steyn and McCarthy, at least, have expressed any misgivings about Yoo’s analysis, I haven’t seen them. (Stuttaford is more reliably libertarian.)
Steyn and McCarthy profess to be shocked — shocked! — that the Bill of Rights might be abridged for American citizens as a result of what’s going on “over there.” But in fact, Graham’s proposal is rather mild compared to the views of, say, John Yoo, who suggested in a notorious October 2001 memo [PDF] that the President during wartime can override the Fourth Amendment — and by implication, the entirety of the Bill of Rights — at will, provided he deems it necessary for the war effort. (Graham at least seemed to be proposing that the First Amendment should be restricted through legislation rather than presidential fiat.) Of course, Yoo’s analysis has since been repudiated by the Justice Department, and he was later reprimanded by an internal Justice Department report investigating his conduct during the Bush years. But since leaving the Bush administration he’s been welcomed with open arms by the American right — not least, National Review, which has brought him on board as a contributor along with Steyn, McCarthy, and Stuttaford. If Steyn and McCarthy, at least, have expressed any misgivings about Yoo’s analysis, I haven’t seen them. (Stuttaford is more reliably libertarian.)
Why France and the UN Rushed into the Ivory Coast - Adam Martin
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2011/04/france-un-rushed-ivory-coast/36342/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheAtlanticWire+%28The+Atlantic+Wire%29
The optimist will always watch the political turmoil in the pre-development world and hope the storyline changes from the routine exchange of corrupt strongmen and tribal bloodshed to one of hope and progress. It has even happened a time or two. There is no adage, but there should be, about the chances of unifying groups of people who hate each other enough to hack their fellow countrymen to death with machetes.
The optimist will always watch the political turmoil in the pre-development world and hope the storyline changes from the routine exchange of corrupt strongmen and tribal bloodshed to one of hope and progress. It has even happened a time or two. There is no adage, but there should be, about the chances of unifying groups of people who hate each other enough to hack their fellow countrymen to death with machetes.
Warning Signs Among the GOP - Charlie Cook
http://www.nationaljournal.com/columns/off-to-the-races/warning-signs-among-the-gop-20110404
Part of what is happening is that there is a giant gap between the attitudes of Republican base voters and those who are swing voters.
The GOP base is reflecting the views and values of tea party voters who stormed the town meetings of Democratic members in 2009 and 2010.
On the question, “Do you think government should do more to solve problems and help meet the needs of people or do you think government is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals?” 75 percent of Republicans thought government was trying to do too much while 27 percent thought government should do more.
But among independents, 51 percent thought government should do more, with 47 percent saying government was trying to do too much.
While those numbers among independents are effectively tied, they are a far cry from the 60-38 percent of independents who thought government was trying to do too much in the mid-October, preelection poll and a lot more like the numbers that existed in spring 2009, before Democratic prospects began to nosedive
Part of what is happening is that there is a giant gap between the attitudes of Republican base voters and those who are swing voters.
The GOP base is reflecting the views and values of tea party voters who stormed the town meetings of Democratic members in 2009 and 2010.
On the question, “Do you think government should do more to solve problems and help meet the needs of people or do you think government is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals?” 75 percent of Republicans thought government was trying to do too much while 27 percent thought government should do more.
But among independents, 51 percent thought government should do more, with 47 percent saying government was trying to do too much.
While those numbers among independents are effectively tied, they are a far cry from the 60-38 percent of independents who thought government was trying to do too much in the mid-October, preelection poll and a lot more like the numbers that existed in spring 2009, before Democratic prospects began to nosedive
Watch Out for Yemen - Joe Klein
http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2011/04/05/watch-out-for-yemen/#ixzz1IeRM0SH6
It seems to me that this is a more appropriate focus for US military attention than Libya. It may even be a more appropriate focus for US military attention than Afghanistan. (No, I'm not calling for an invasion--just...attention.)
It seems to me that this is a more appropriate focus for US military attention than Libya. It may even be a more appropriate focus for US military attention than Afghanistan. (No, I'm not calling for an invasion--just...attention.)
Moment of Truth - David Brooks
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/opinion/05brooks.html?_r=1&hp
David Brooks describes the Ryan Budget as the first real campaign issue of 2012. He doesn't explicitly say that, but it is. Up to this point both parties have shunned any talk of Medicare or Medicaid reform, much less Social Security, and rightly so. Why would any political party touch either of those issues, especially now in a political world of fractured loyalties and drifting independents? Paul Ryan has no designs on a higher office and lays out what he believes the truth to be. Whatever the truth reveals itself to be, the issue has caught some traction.
Why is this bad for Obama? Because finally Republicans are discussing something that isn't wide-eyed loony. The breath of seriousness has re-entered the room, for now.
David Brooks describes the Ryan Budget as the first real campaign issue of 2012. He doesn't explicitly say that, but it is. Up to this point both parties have shunned any talk of Medicare or Medicaid reform, much less Social Security, and rightly so. Why would any political party touch either of those issues, especially now in a political world of fractured loyalties and drifting independents? Paul Ryan has no designs on a higher office and lays out what he believes the truth to be. Whatever the truth reveals itself to be, the issue has caught some traction.
Why is this bad for Obama? Because finally Republicans are discussing something that isn't wide-eyed loony. The breath of seriousness has re-entered the room, for now.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Revealed: Gaddafi envoy in Britain for secret talks - Peter Beaumont , Nicholas Watt and Severin Carrell
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/31/gaddaf-envoy-britain-secret-talks-exit-strategy
Mohammed Ismail, a senior aide to Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam, visited London in recent days, British government sources familiar with the meeting have confirmed. The contacts with Ismail are believed to have been one of a number between Libyan officials and the west in the last fortnight, amid signs that the regime may be looking for an exit strategy.
Disclosure of Ismail's visit comes in the immediate aftermath of the defection to Britain of Moussa Koussa, Libya's foreign minister and its former external intelligence head, who has been Britain's main conduit to the Gaddafi regime since the early 1990s.
Mohammed Ismail, a senior aide to Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam, visited London in recent days, British government sources familiar with the meeting have confirmed. The contacts with Ismail are believed to have been one of a number between Libyan officials and the west in the last fortnight, amid signs that the regime may be looking for an exit strategy.
Disclosure of Ismail's visit comes in the immediate aftermath of the defection to Britain of Moussa Koussa, Libya's foreign minister and its former external intelligence head, who has been Britain's main conduit to the Gaddafi regime since the early 1990s.
NATO Warns Rebels Against Attacking Civilians - THOM SHANKER and CHARLIE SAVAGE
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/world/africa/01civilians.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Yeah, that never happens. If the members of the regime are looking for a way out, which is what I suspect, the mob bearing arms is not going to be satisfied with some diplomatic overtures. Qaddafi and his soldiers shelled their own people. Their tanks shot rounds into the houses of what we consider their own people. This is a bit different than shooting people at a march or rally. Both are repugnant and brutal acts, but these people were attacked in their own homes, possibly doing as much as they could to abide by the regime's wishes to avoid getting squashed. Yet, still they died.
This rebel army is disorganized and varied in its goals and desires. I would venture to say that at least a few of them are bent on simple revenge, and as soon as the cracks in the regime begin to widen, they will have their revenge.
Yeah, that never happens. If the members of the regime are looking for a way out, which is what I suspect, the mob bearing arms is not going to be satisfied with some diplomatic overtures. Qaddafi and his soldiers shelled their own people. Their tanks shot rounds into the houses of what we consider their own people. This is a bit different than shooting people at a march or rally. Both are repugnant and brutal acts, but these people were attacked in their own homes, possibly doing as much as they could to abide by the regime's wishes to avoid getting squashed. Yet, still they died.
This rebel army is disorganized and varied in its goals and desires. I would venture to say that at least a few of them are bent on simple revenge, and as soon as the cracks in the regime begin to widen, they will have their revenge.
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