http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/06/29/The-Dubious-Threat-of-a-US-Debt-Default.aspx
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told Sean Hannity of Fox News on Tuesday: “Dealing with this deficit problem is far more important than meeting some artificial date created by the Treasury Secretary. We cannot miss this opportunity.”
But former Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete V. Domenici, R-N.M., a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center, said: “It is beyond my comprehension as to what an elected official could get out of thinking that we should in fact default or that default isn’t very significant.”
“The truth of the matter is that default on this debt means your country could indeed be at risk and things could change economically way beyond what you expect and be irretrievable in terms of the negative effect on us,” Domenici added.
Hold on. It's going to be a rough ride.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The Debt Limit Option President Obama Can Use - Bruce Bartlett
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Columns/2011/04/29/The-Debt-Limit-Option-President-Obama-Can-Use.aspx
Some Wall Street types are predicting a financial apocalypse in the event of default. But there is no evidence that this has moved Republican hardliners one inch. They heard similar warnings about financial apocalypse in the fall of 2008, leading to passage of TARP, the Troubled Asset Relief Program, which rescued many banks and prevented a meltdown in the banking system. Although most economists believe that TARP was essential and that the economy would be far worse off had it not been enacted, there’s not a single Republican who will defend it because they universally believe TARP was an unjustified bailout for fat-cat bankers-- a horrible mistake and set a dreadful precedent.
Some Wall Street types are predicting a financial apocalypse in the event of default. But there is no evidence that this has moved Republican hardliners one inch. They heard similar warnings about financial apocalypse in the fall of 2008, leading to passage of TARP, the Troubled Asset Relief Program, which rescued many banks and prevented a meltdown in the banking system. Although most economists believe that TARP was essential and that the economy would be far worse off had it not been enacted, there’s not a single Republican who will defend it because they universally believe TARP was an unjustified bailout for fat-cat bankers-- a horrible mistake and set a dreadful precedent.
Rhode Island Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill -
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/29/137510698/rhode-island-senate-passes-civil-unions-bill
Ahh, Little Rhody. You do me proud.
Ahh, Little Rhody. You do me proud.
Egypt police clash with youths; over 1,000 hurt - Patrick Werr and Yasmine Saleh
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/30/us-egypt-protest-idUSTRE75R7ZM20110630
Nearly five months since a popular uprising toppled long-serving authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's military rulers are struggling to keep order while a restless public is still impatient for reform.
The latest clashes began after families of people killed in the uprising that ousted Mubarak held an event in a Cairo suburb late on Tuesday in their honor.
Some said those involved were bent on battling police rather than protesting. To others, the violence seemed motivated by politics.
"The people are angry that the court cases against top officials keep getting delayed," said Ahmed Abdel Hamid, 26, a bakery employee who was at the scene overnight, referring to senior political figures from the discredited Mubarak era.
I would guess there are a number of things going on here: restless youth that want jobs, a populace that wants security, subsidies in question, high food prices. No one promised that this was going to be short, but to lament that fact that Mubarak is no longer in power is shortsighted and placing yourself on the wrong side of history.
Nearly five months since a popular uprising toppled long-serving authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's military rulers are struggling to keep order while a restless public is still impatient for reform.
The latest clashes began after families of people killed in the uprising that ousted Mubarak held an event in a Cairo suburb late on Tuesday in their honor.
Some said those involved were bent on battling police rather than protesting. To others, the violence seemed motivated by politics.
"The people are angry that the court cases against top officials keep getting delayed," said Ahmed Abdel Hamid, 26, a bakery employee who was at the scene overnight, referring to senior political figures from the discredited Mubarak era.
I would guess there are a number of things going on here: restless youth that want jobs, a populace that wants security, subsidies in question, high food prices. No one promised that this was going to be short, but to lament that fact that Mubarak is no longer in power is shortsighted and placing yourself on the wrong side of history.
Michele Bachmann campaigns against gay marriage in South Carolina Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/58020.html#ixzz1QktrYk1t - ALEXANDER BURNS
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/58020.html
While this is the issue that will propel her in the GOP primary, it is conversely the issue that will make her electoral poison. Not anything she has said here, but the narrative that will be painted when her past statements are coupled with her current, albeit more tempered, statements.
While this is the issue that will propel her in the GOP primary, it is conversely the issue that will make her electoral poison. Not anything she has said here, but the narrative that will be painted when her past statements are coupled with her current, albeit more tempered, statements.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Greece passes key austerity vote - Gavin Hewitt
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13960947
We're a long way from the bombings of the 60s and 70s. But this is a Socialist government, meaning that to meet the demands of the protesters and rioters, a new option even farther to the left could emerge in Greek politics. This was never a stable country to begin with, and radicalism begets radicalism, meaning that Communist parties tend to spawn Nationalist parties. I am hoping that Greece's retreat from the eurozone and a return to its own worthless currency is where the chaos ends.
We're a long way from the bombings of the 60s and 70s. But this is a Socialist government, meaning that to meet the demands of the protesters and rioters, a new option even farther to the left could emerge in Greek politics. This was never a stable country to begin with, and radicalism begets radicalism, meaning that Communist parties tend to spawn Nationalist parties. I am hoping that Greece's retreat from the eurozone and a return to its own worthless currency is where the chaos ends.
Michele Bachmann: Can She Survive Being Taken Seriously? - Ed Kilgore
http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/90900/michele-bachmann-iowa-republican-nomination-speech-gop
There are two things to keep in mind about Bachmann in the next 90 days or so:
1) A lot of the momentum that she is getting in the polls could just as easily be the share that, up to this point, has been whipsawing between candidates like Donald Trump and Sarah Palin. In other words, this might just be a function of the protest vote and a message that the Republican base likes people who talk tough. In other words, nothing new to see here.
2) This is Bachmann's introduction to the nation. A lot of people outside of the Christian right voters in the midwest that she has already won over simply don't know who she is. She has a history of oddball positions and statements, the least of which are her garblings of American history, and once these theocratic and homophobic posititions become widely known she is going to plummet in the polls or drag a ticket down with her.
Kilgore also notes something really interesting when he states that Bachmann has been fitted into the template that has been cut for Sarah Palin. She will be given civics tests at every turn, waiting for her to flub relatively easy history questions, as she has already shown a propensity to do. To me, this is fair game. Bachmann built her candidacy on questioning the "Americaness" of others and often the mistatements are unforced errors, not questions that were posed to her "gotcha" style. She and Sarah Palin do fit into the same mental space on a lot of issues and a lot of behavior, and fairly or not, they represent and even seem to relish representing a certain archetype that is present in many communities: the brainless, beautiful, judgmental, shallow Christian with her own house not quite in order.
You tell me how well those archetypes do when forced to go outside their comfort zone, and there you have the answer on how well Michele will do.
There are two things to keep in mind about Bachmann in the next 90 days or so:
1) A lot of the momentum that she is getting in the polls could just as easily be the share that, up to this point, has been whipsawing between candidates like Donald Trump and Sarah Palin. In other words, this might just be a function of the protest vote and a message that the Republican base likes people who talk tough. In other words, nothing new to see here.
2) This is Bachmann's introduction to the nation. A lot of people outside of the Christian right voters in the midwest that she has already won over simply don't know who she is. She has a history of oddball positions and statements, the least of which are her garblings of American history, and once these theocratic and homophobic posititions become widely known she is going to plummet in the polls or drag a ticket down with her.
Kilgore also notes something really interesting when he states that Bachmann has been fitted into the template that has been cut for Sarah Palin. She will be given civics tests at every turn, waiting for her to flub relatively easy history questions, as she has already shown a propensity to do. To me, this is fair game. Bachmann built her candidacy on questioning the "Americaness" of others and often the mistatements are unforced errors, not questions that were posed to her "gotcha" style. She and Sarah Palin do fit into the same mental space on a lot of issues and a lot of behavior, and fairly or not, they represent and even seem to relish representing a certain archetype that is present in many communities: the brainless, beautiful, judgmental, shallow Christian with her own house not quite in order.
You tell me how well those archetypes do when forced to go outside their comfort zone, and there you have the answer on how well Michele will do.
How the demise of a trusted adviser could bring down Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - Robert Fisk
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/how-the-demise-of-a-trusted-adviser-could-bring-down-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-2303671.html
This is the first chapter in this book, not the last chapter. If and when Ahmadinejad falls from power it will not be from corruption. It will be from keeping too much of the corruption for himself.
This is the first chapter in this book, not the last chapter. If and when Ahmadinejad falls from power it will not be from corruption. It will be from keeping too much of the corruption for himself.
Michelle Obama denies supporting gay marriage - JENNIFER EPSTEIN
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57923.html
This is so tired. I get that the perception has to be that Obama "evolved" on the issue, rather than admitting the truth that he has always supported marriage equality, but to bring his wife into it is carrying the illusion a bit too far. The issue became went from a liability to one that was accepted by a majority in what seemed a blink, so I can't hold Obama too responsible for taking this position. But come on! No one believed his reticence on the issue to begin with. Why not just wink in explaining your newfound support as we all know it was always there.
This is so tired. I get that the perception has to be that Obama "evolved" on the issue, rather than admitting the truth that he has always supported marriage equality, but to bring his wife into it is carrying the illusion a bit too far. The issue became went from a liability to one that was accepted by a majority in what seemed a blink, so I can't hold Obama too responsible for taking this position. But come on! No one believed his reticence on the issue to begin with. Why not just wink in explaining your newfound support as we all know it was always there.
Palin Vows "110 Percent" Commitment to Iowa -- If She Runs - Scott Conroy
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/06/28/palin_vows_110_percent_commitment_to_iowa_110398.html
"I'm very grateful that someone would bother to go to these efforts to make a documentary about the record of my team in Alaska that worked so hard for energy security and ethics reform and privatizing businesses that should never be in government's hands," Palin said. "This film really is a great illustration of what it is that you can accomplish as a team, a bipartisan approach, just common-sense solutions to some tough issues. We tackled it, we succeeded, and someone went to the trouble of documenting what it was that we accomplished. I appreciate that, so that brings me to Iowa."
Don't let the sun go down on you, Sarah. You gotta do somethin' to keep their interest now.
"I'm very grateful that someone would bother to go to these efforts to make a documentary about the record of my team in Alaska that worked so hard for energy security and ethics reform and privatizing businesses that should never be in government's hands," Palin said. "This film really is a great illustration of what it is that you can accomplish as a team, a bipartisan approach, just common-sense solutions to some tough issues. We tackled it, we succeeded, and someone went to the trouble of documenting what it was that we accomplished. I appreciate that, so that brings me to Iowa."
Don't let the sun go down on you, Sarah. You gotta do somethin' to keep their interest now.
Endgame - Dester Filkins
http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2011/07/04/110704taco_talk_filkins
The country remains riddled with violence, and negotiations with the Taliban—a last-resort option—have led nowhere. It is not hard to imagine a repeat of the Afghan civil war, which engulfed the country after the withdrawal of the Soviet Union, and which ultimately gave rise to the Taliban. Bloodied but unbroken, the Taliban hardly seem like an army preparing to beg for peace. Their leaders greeted Obama’s words with a swift promise: “Our armed struggle will increase.”
The country remains riddled with violence, and negotiations with the Taliban—a last-resort option—have led nowhere. It is not hard to imagine a repeat of the Afghan civil war, which engulfed the country after the withdrawal of the Soviet Union, and which ultimately gave rise to the Taliban. Bloodied but unbroken, the Taliban hardly seem like an army preparing to beg for peace. Their leaders greeted Obama’s words with a swift promise: “Our armed struggle will increase.”
Palin, in Iowa, ‘Still Thinking About’ Running - Trip Gabriel
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/29/us/politics/29palin.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
“A lot goes into such a life-changing, relatively earth-shattering type of decision,” she said as she entered the Pella Opera House for the 5 p.m. screening of the film, to be followed by a cookout for 1,000. “Still thinking about it.”
The point is being made all over the airwaves and the blogoshpere...she is jealous of the attention that Bachmann is getting and this could motivate her to jump in. Sarah cannot attend a party where she is not the guest of honor and if someone throws one without her...well that would be their mistake, wouldn't it?
“A lot goes into such a life-changing, relatively earth-shattering type of decision,” she said as she entered the Pella Opera House for the 5 p.m. screening of the film, to be followed by a cookout for 1,000. “Still thinking about it.”
The point is being made all over the airwaves and the blogoshpere...she is jealous of the attention that Bachmann is getting and this could motivate her to jump in. Sarah cannot attend a party where she is not the guest of honor and if someone throws one without her...well that would be their mistake, wouldn't it?
8 suicide bombers, 10 others killed in attack at Kabul hotel
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/06/29/afghanistan.kabul.attack/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
The attack came on the eve of a news conference that was scheduled to take place at the hotel Wednesday to discuss the planned transition of security from international to Afghan forces that U.S. President Barack Obama announced last week.
This was the Taliban's public demonstration that such a transition will fail and that they will continue their war after the Americans have left. Unfortunately, they will have to be brought to the table at some point.
The attack came on the eve of a news conference that was scheduled to take place at the hotel Wednesday to discuss the planned transition of security from international to Afghan forces that U.S. President Barack Obama announced last week.
This was the Taliban's public demonstration that such a transition will fail and that they will continue their war after the Americans have left. Unfortunately, they will have to be brought to the table at some point.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The wrong John Wayne - Stephen Dinan
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2011/jun/27/the-wrong-john-wayne/
Get used to it. The problem with people that are perceived as "flakes" is that we doubt whether they really know what they are saying. It is plausible to the electorate that Bachmann really didn't do her research or didn't take the time to go over the facts before she spoke. Whereas Obama let slip one time that there were 58 states, no one really thinks he is unclear on how many states there are. Bachmann has shown a willingness in the past to serve up red meat rhetoric and speak off the cuff about things she is passionate about. The downside to this is that people doubt your ability to put together cogent conversations and to talk sensibly.
Get used to it. The problem with people that are perceived as "flakes" is that we doubt whether they really know what they are saying. It is plausible to the electorate that Bachmann really didn't do her research or didn't take the time to go over the facts before she spoke. Whereas Obama let slip one time that there were 58 states, no one really thinks he is unclear on how many states there are. Bachmann has shown a willingness in the past to serve up red meat rhetoric and speak off the cuff about things she is passionate about. The downside to this is that people doubt your ability to put together cogent conversations and to talk sensibly.
Greece gripped by general strike over austerity package
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13935400
it is being reported that markets are confident that the austerity package will be accepted. I think a lot of this is short-term optimism. I think that enough entities have lost faith in the euro that it's going to revert to the old order or shrink dramatically. Is there a reason that a euro zone could not consist of France, Germany, England, the Scandinavians, the Low Countries, the Swiss, Austrians, Czechs, Polish and perhaps a few others? By casting off the "sick" economies that are far too centralized and stagnant, to deal with their economies and currency with their own devices and to administer their own monetary policy seems wise to me.
it is being reported that markets are confident that the austerity package will be accepted. I think a lot of this is short-term optimism. I think that enough entities have lost faith in the euro that it's going to revert to the old order or shrink dramatically. Is there a reason that a euro zone could not consist of France, Germany, England, the Scandinavians, the Low Countries, the Swiss, Austrians, Czechs, Polish and perhaps a few others? By casting off the "sick" economies that are far too centralized and stagnant, to deal with their economies and currency with their own devices and to administer their own monetary policy seems wise to me.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Gates Beats Out Petraeus in Fight Over Afghanistan Withdrawal
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/06/gates-beats-out-petraeus-in-fight-over-afghanistan-withdrawal/240919/
Petraeus had sold then-President George W. Bush on the Iraq surge and helped persuade Obama to overrule some of his closest advisers--including Vice President Joe Biden--and deploy 33,000 new troops to Afghanistan in December 2009. When it came time to decide when those troops would come home, however, Petraeus suffered a rare defeat. Obama rejected the general's proposal to shift large numbers of troops to eastern Afghanistan in order to mount an expansive counterinsurgency campaign there. And the president was ultimately unwilling to budge from his belief that the surge troops needed to fully withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of next year.
Petraeus had sold then-President George W. Bush on the Iraq surge and helped persuade Obama to overrule some of his closest advisers--including Vice President Joe Biden--and deploy 33,000 new troops to Afghanistan in December 2009. When it came time to decide when those troops would come home, however, Petraeus suffered a rare defeat. Obama rejected the general's proposal to shift large numbers of troops to eastern Afghanistan in order to mount an expansive counterinsurgency campaign there. And the president was ultimately unwilling to budge from his belief that the surge troops needed to fully withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of next year.
Perry gets tepid response at Latino convention - CHRIS TOMLINSON
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/23/v-print/2281455/perry-gets-tepid-response-at-latino.html
But a joke about how perfect it was to appoint Jose Cuevas to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission because his name sounds like Jose Cuervo - a brand of tequila - fell flat. Perry struggled to regain his confidence as he described Texas as a land of opportunity.
"You have a role model you can look up to, someone who proves that any obstacle can be overcome," Perry said. "That is especially true for a Hispanic child in Texas."
But a joke about how perfect it was to appoint Jose Cuevas to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission because his name sounds like Jose Cuervo - a brand of tequila - fell flat. Perry struggled to regain his confidence as he described Texas as a land of opportunity.
"You have a role model you can look up to, someone who proves that any obstacle can be overcome," Perry said. "That is especially true for a Hispanic child in Texas."
President Obama backs rights for gay couples in New York fundraiser
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/06/23/obama.ny.fundraisers/
It is telling how quickly this stance went from being a political liability to an advantage.
It is telling how quickly this stance went from being a political liability to an advantage.
Is Rick Running? - James Freeman
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304569504576403751413473280.html
Is Rick running? I don't see a lot of bog donors flocking to him, but he might be the candidate that can thread the needle of saying crazy things while maintaining an aura of plausibility.
Is Rick running? I don't see a lot of bog donors flocking to him, but he might be the candidate that can thread the needle of saying crazy things while maintaining an aura of plausibility.
Why Eric Cantor won’t make the budget deal - Ezra Klein
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/why-eric-cantor-wont-make-the-budget-deal/2011/05/19/AG3FYPhH_blog.html
Cantor was a douche before this, so this doesn't really change my mind about him, but the article is right: his ambition is outweighing his oath and his ideological aims at this point.
Cantor was a douche before this, so this doesn't really change my mind about him, but the article is right: his ambition is outweighing his oath and his ideological aims at this point.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Swedish lesson - David Frum
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/06/22/pm-the-swedish-lesson-commentary/?refid=0
This is a point I've often pondered: why Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and Greece but not Sweden or Denmark? Sweden is the punchline du jour for jokes about excessive secular government meddling in the business of their citizenry, and perhaps they do. But is that were the factor that decided which countries faltered in the latest crisis, wouldn't Sweden have been the first to go down?
There is a bit of a common thread with these countries, though. If you notice Spain, Greece, and Portugal all have common recent histories: in the middle of the last century these countries experienced communist uprisings followed by military rule. These military rulers suppressed dissent, often comprised of student and labor movements, with brutality, murder, kidnapping, and torture. In response terror cells sprang up and during the 1970s Europe was treated to waves of bombings, bank robberies, and hijackings. If America had radical chic, Europe had terror chic.
Once these terror cells were stamped out and the military governments receded and democracy restored, it's my theory that generous benefits were ladled out to the working class sectors as amends for the excesses of the military governments, as many of their membership still served in government capacities in the post-junta world. There was a coming together and generous benefits for workers was the glue, which is coming unstuck as we speak.
This is a point I've often pondered: why Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and Greece but not Sweden or Denmark? Sweden is the punchline du jour for jokes about excessive secular government meddling in the business of their citizenry, and perhaps they do. But is that were the factor that decided which countries faltered in the latest crisis, wouldn't Sweden have been the first to go down?
There is a bit of a common thread with these countries, though. If you notice Spain, Greece, and Portugal all have common recent histories: in the middle of the last century these countries experienced communist uprisings followed by military rule. These military rulers suppressed dissent, often comprised of student and labor movements, with brutality, murder, kidnapping, and torture. In response terror cells sprang up and during the 1970s Europe was treated to waves of bombings, bank robberies, and hijackings. If America had radical chic, Europe had terror chic.
Once these terror cells were stamped out and the military governments receded and democracy restored, it's my theory that generous benefits were ladled out to the working class sectors as amends for the excesses of the military governments, as many of their membership still served in government capacities in the post-junta world. There was a coming together and generous benefits for workers was the glue, which is coming unstuck as we speak.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Five Points in Perry’s Favor - Kevin D. Williamson
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/270101/five-points-perry-s-favor-kevin-d-williamson
The National Review is as good a weather vane of the GOP as anyplace else. It looks like many are on to Perry, but his "on paper" virtues will propel him to the front.
The National Review is as good a weather vane of the GOP as anyplace else. It looks like many are on to Perry, but his "on paper" virtues will propel him to the front.
Gingrich campaign fundraisers quit - SHANNON McCAFFREY
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/gingrich-campaign-fundraisers-quit-983277.html
Quit what? The effort to shill books and DVDs? If they ever really thought this was a political campaign I can't understand why. You can tell the man was grifting from a million miles away.
Quit what? The effort to shill books and DVDs? If they ever really thought this was a political campaign I can't understand why. You can tell the man was grifting from a million miles away.
Poll: Bachmann surges to primary lead - by Stephen Dinan
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2011/jun/21/bachmann-surges-primary-lead/
Mr. Romney has the air of inevitability about him — 37 percent of the 998 likely primary voters surveyed said they think he will win the nomination. The next closest candidate was Mrs. Bachmann, whom 7 percent of respondents predicted would win the nomination.
We'll see. Rick Perry still has time to work his black magic on this race.
Mr. Romney has the air of inevitability about him — 37 percent of the 998 likely primary voters surveyed said they think he will win the nomination. The next closest candidate was Mrs. Bachmann, whom 7 percent of respondents predicted would win the nomination.
We'll see. Rick Perry still has time to work his black magic on this race.
Bahrain sentences 10 Shi'ites to life in prison - Erika Solomon
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/22/us-bahrain-trials-verdict-idUSTRE75L19W20110622
Bahrain sentenced 10 prominent Shi'ite activists and opposition leaders to life in prison on Wednesday on charges of plotting a coup during protests in the Gulf island kingdom earlier this year.The sentencing could inflame tensions in the Gulf Arab kingdom, where demonstrators have launched small protests every day after emergency law was lifted on June 1. It may also threaten a national dialogue planned to start next month.
Seconds after the verdict was issued, one of 21 defendants lined up in grey prison suits shouted: "We will continue our peaceful struggle." Other defendants responded by shaking their fists and shouting "peaceful, peaceful."
Bahrain is more or less like a corporate entity, one that borders a large and aggressive Shiite population in Iran. We can't say for certain that Iran will "intervene" in Bahrain, but I can't see the downside for Iran in sowing unrest. Not only are their fellow Shiites clearly being railroaded, but it presents a chance to poke the Saudis in the eyes a bit, the Saudis now in the predicament of more or less propping up the beleaguered tiny country.
Bahrain sentenced 10 prominent Shi'ite activists and opposition leaders to life in prison on Wednesday on charges of plotting a coup during protests in the Gulf island kingdom earlier this year.The sentencing could inflame tensions in the Gulf Arab kingdom, where demonstrators have launched small protests every day after emergency law was lifted on June 1. It may also threaten a national dialogue planned to start next month.
Seconds after the verdict was issued, one of 21 defendants lined up in grey prison suits shouted: "We will continue our peaceful struggle." Other defendants responded by shaking their fists and shouting "peaceful, peaceful."
Bahrain is more or less like a corporate entity, one that borders a large and aggressive Shiite population in Iran. We can't say for certain that Iran will "intervene" in Bahrain, but I can't see the downside for Iran in sowing unrest. Not only are their fellow Shiites clearly being railroaded, but it presents a chance to poke the Saudis in the eyes a bit, the Saudis now in the predicament of more or less propping up the beleaguered tiny country.
Officials: 40 al-Qaida militants escape Yemen jail - AHMED AL-HAJ
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110622/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen;_ylt=AvI6q_vbxDrAvJHF7X04BUes0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTFodDhiajZwBHBvcwMyNgRzZWMDYWNjb3JkaW9uX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNvZmZpY2lhbHM0MGE-
As Yemen lurches toward civil war, and not neccesarily the Arab Spring kind of war where liberal democracy faces autocracy down, it's unsettling to contemplate that the guys we are more or less forced to root for are clearly the inept and corrupt. I don't automatically cringe at rooting for the corrupt, but the inept part has me worried. We essentially depend on the Keystone Kops to keep this place in order. That's not a good sign.
As Yemen lurches toward civil war, and not neccesarily the Arab Spring kind of war where liberal democracy faces autocracy down, it's unsettling to contemplate that the guys we are more or less forced to root for are clearly the inept and corrupt. I don't automatically cringe at rooting for the corrupt, but the inept part has me worried. We essentially depend on the Keystone Kops to keep this place in order. That's not a good sign.
Huntsman Can’t Win Over the GOP in 2012 - John Guardiano
http://www.frumforum.com/can-huntsman-meet-high-expectations
John Huntsman's position as the moderate, which to the GOP base reads "liberal" or "dead to me", is going to play like gangbusters in New Hampshire, but will fall flat in the south. Since the south is now the wellspring of the Republican party, I fail to see his path to the nomination. More importantly, as he overlaps Romney on a number of issues and traits, is he not endangering the party and allowing a sure loser like Perry to elbow his way into the conversation?
John Huntsman's position as the moderate, which to the GOP base reads "liberal" or "dead to me", is going to play like gangbusters in New Hampshire, but will fall flat in the south. Since the south is now the wellspring of the Republican party, I fail to see his path to the nomination. More importantly, as he overlaps Romney on a number of issues and traits, is he not endangering the party and allowing a sure loser like Perry to elbow his way into the conversation?
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Bristol Palin Reveals True Feelings About the McCains, 'Dancing With the Stars,' Levi Johnston and More -SHEILA MARIKAR
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bristol-palin-tells-mccains-dancing-stars-levi-johnston/story?id=13889893
Is Sarah Palin just a hypocrite, a bad mother, or both? Since we can assume that Mom vetted this book before it was published and apparently set out to settle some scores, using her just as dim daughter for her purpose, let's look at the score;
* Daughter of a fundy Christian on birth control? Check.
* Too clueless to sit down with daughter and explain the limits of the birth control? Check.
* Bought pregnancy tests for said daughter? Check. (Eight? Before her mom was wealthy there is no way a 17-year old could afford eight pregnancy tests)
* Ironically critical of how made up the McCains were, and how they were luggage hounds? Check. (At least the McCains were on a presidential campaign trail at the time, not a "family vacation".)
Some say ignore them and they will go away. That's not how it works. Honestly, until Sarah Palin is humiliated she won't go away. I'm not suggesting that anyone partake in that, or that it should be engineered, but literally until she steps in something too deep for her base, she is with us for good. She's like the Carrie Prejean of politics, except not as smart.
Is Sarah Palin just a hypocrite, a bad mother, or both? Since we can assume that Mom vetted this book before it was published and apparently set out to settle some scores, using her just as dim daughter for her purpose, let's look at the score;
* Daughter of a fundy Christian on birth control? Check.
* Too clueless to sit down with daughter and explain the limits of the birth control? Check.
* Bought pregnancy tests for said daughter? Check. (Eight? Before her mom was wealthy there is no way a 17-year old could afford eight pregnancy tests)
* Ironically critical of how made up the McCains were, and how they were luggage hounds? Check. (At least the McCains were on a presidential campaign trail at the time, not a "family vacation".)
Some say ignore them and they will go away. That's not how it works. Honestly, until Sarah Palin is humiliated she won't go away. I'm not suggesting that anyone partake in that, or that it should be engineered, but literally until she steps in something too deep for her base, she is with us for good. She's like the Carrie Prejean of politics, except not as smart.
Huntsman launches bid for White House, attacks 'corrosive' politics - Michael O'Brien
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-primaries/167511-huntsman-to-warn-of-un-american-future-if-things-dont-change
Every time he's right, his chances of getting the nomination go lower. Why not just kiss Obama on the mouth, to say that the earth is getting warmer?
Every time he's right, his chances of getting the nomination go lower. Why not just kiss Obama on the mouth, to say that the earth is getting warmer?
Obama to announce Afghan plans Wednesday - Karen DeYoung and Scott Wilson
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/checkpoint-washington/post/obama-to-announce-afghan-plans-wednesday/2011/06/20/AG4JAIdH_blog.html
Obama has been under conflicting pressure on the pace of troop withdrawals from his own advisers, some of whom believe that the the broad civil-military campaign in Afghanistan has overreached, and argued that the killing last month of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan has greatly weakened al Qaeda.
I believe that we should be withdrawing, but I think the notion that bin Laden's death has weakened anything is ludicrous. Al Qaeda is not an organization in the sense that we hold, it's more of a philosophy. Even if we stamped out bin Laden's organization, even if we killed every jihadist in Afghanistan, the bombers that have hit the West over the last four years were from the West.
And that's just the point: what do we hope to hope to accomplish? If it's curbing terrorism, we have chosen an extremely inefficient way to do it. If it's rebuilding a nation, let's choose one that will offer us some benefit. China is spending what we are spending in Afghanistan, only they are building infrastructure to extract natural resources in countries like Chile that will actually benefit them five years from now.
Obama has been under conflicting pressure on the pace of troop withdrawals from his own advisers, some of whom believe that the the broad civil-military campaign in Afghanistan has overreached, and argued that the killing last month of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan has greatly weakened al Qaeda.
I believe that we should be withdrawing, but I think the notion that bin Laden's death has weakened anything is ludicrous. Al Qaeda is not an organization in the sense that we hold, it's more of a philosophy. Even if we stamped out bin Laden's organization, even if we killed every jihadist in Afghanistan, the bombers that have hit the West over the last four years were from the West.
And that's just the point: what do we hope to hope to accomplish? If it's curbing terrorism, we have chosen an extremely inefficient way to do it. If it's rebuilding a nation, let's choose one that will offer us some benefit. China is spending what we are spending in Afghanistan, only they are building infrastructure to extract natural resources in countries like Chile that will actually benefit them five years from now.
Huntsman the Dark Horse - John Avlon
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/06/21/jon-huntsman-s-long-shot-chances-for-winning-the-gop-2012-presidential-nomination.html
Maybe he will do better than many think. Maybe he will do better than I think. Maybe the entry of two global warming believing Mormons who do not demonize gays for political gain and believe in evolution will give way to Rick Perry.
Maybe he will do better than many think. Maybe he will do better than I think. Maybe the entry of two global warming believing Mormons who do not demonize gays for political gain and believe in evolution will give way to Rick Perry.
Obama to announce troop drawdown - Sam Youngman
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/167435-report-obama-will-announce-troop-drawdown-wednesday
This is a consensus move. The war is over. I don't know whether we lost or won, but it's over.
This is a consensus move. The war is over. I don't know whether we lost or won, but it's over.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Singapore urges China to clarify South China Seas claim -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13838462
Singapore, home of a US naval base, saw the docking of one of China's newest-gen naval platforms at a Singapore dock. Singapore, after watching the Chinese get into tiffs with the Vietnamese and the Filipinos over naval claims, has asked China to "clarify" its aims and ambitions in the South China Seas. I have no doubt that the Chinese will more or less refuse to do that, but more importantly is the story within the story of rising tensions between the Chinese and the Vietnamese. Traditional enemies of the Chinese, the Vietnamese sit directly on their border. It is also crucial to ask what the Vietnamese would lose in a confrontation, even a hot one, with the Chinese. A conflict would certainly be short and China would be hard pressed to impact anything of importance to the Vietnamese, as they have little, so while the Vietnamese certainly can't go about provoking fights, they have some experience in taking on large nation states.
Singapore, home of a US naval base, saw the docking of one of China's newest-gen naval platforms at a Singapore dock. Singapore, after watching the Chinese get into tiffs with the Vietnamese and the Filipinos over naval claims, has asked China to "clarify" its aims and ambitions in the South China Seas. I have no doubt that the Chinese will more or less refuse to do that, but more importantly is the story within the story of rising tensions between the Chinese and the Vietnamese. Traditional enemies of the Chinese, the Vietnamese sit directly on their border. It is also crucial to ask what the Vietnamese would lose in a confrontation, even a hot one, with the Chinese. A conflict would certainly be short and China would be hard pressed to impact anything of importance to the Vietnamese, as they have little, so while the Vietnamese certainly can't go about provoking fights, they have some experience in taking on large nation states.
Texan Perry Sizes Up Roadblocks to GOP Bid - NEIL KING JR. And PATRICK O'CONNOR
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303936704576396002471789980.html
Great move. What the GOP needs is a cartoon imitation of George W. Bush to focus the spotlight directly onto Barack Obama.
Southern social cons are rejoicing, as is Barack Obama.
Great move. What the GOP needs is a cartoon imitation of George W. Bush to focus the spotlight directly onto Barack Obama.
Southern social cons are rejoicing, as is Barack Obama.
Friendship of Justice and Magnate Puts Focus on Ethics - Mike McIntire
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/us/politics/19thomas.html
Why do this unless you consider yourself more than a judge?
Why do this unless you consider yourself more than a judge?
Friday, June 17, 2011
Our Lefty Military - Nicholas Kristoff
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/opinion/16kristof.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
The military is a social experiment, generally a successful one. I am puzzled that we don't take more cues from the militray to address some of the problems in civil life.
The military is a social experiment, generally a successful one. I am puzzled that we don't take more cues from the militray to address some of the problems in civil life.
Southern Baptists urge path to citizenship for illegal immigrants - ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57177.html
Sorry. This isn't 2005. The Republicans have moved on without you. Your effort is for nothing.
Sorry. This isn't 2005. The Republicans have moved on without you. Your effort is for nothing.
John Edwards Sought Millions From Heiress as Feds Closed In - ABC News Exclusive - JAMES HILL
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/john-edwards-sought-millions-heiress-rachel-bunny-mellon/story?id=13861284
Is there a bigger douche bag in the world than John Edwards? The saddest fact is the commentary that it offers on our political system and cultural hierarchy: it rewards the shameless. This guy is the Democratic Sarah Palin, except, you know, he's not as dumb as she is.
Is there a bigger douche bag in the world than John Edwards? The saddest fact is the commentary that it offers on our political system and cultural hierarchy: it rewards the shameless. This guy is the Democratic Sarah Palin, except, you know, he's not as dumb as she is.
Zawahiri at the Helm - Lawrence Wright
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2011/06/zawahiri-at-the-helm.html
One big difference in Zawahiri’s leadership from that of his predecessor is likely to be a renewed focus on Egypt. Zawahiri’s terrorist career began when he was fifteen years old, when he started a cell to overthrow the Egyptian government. Now the government actually has been overthrown, no thanks to Zawahiri’s efforts. The country is in a tumultuous and formative but also vulnerable moment in its history, which Zawahiri will seek to exploit. He knows that Egypt is the real game in the Islamist contest for power. The future of Egypt will determine much of what happens in the rest of the Arab world
One big difference in Zawahiri’s leadership from that of his predecessor is likely to be a renewed focus on Egypt. Zawahiri’s terrorist career began when he was fifteen years old, when he started a cell to overthrow the Egyptian government. Now the government actually has been overthrown, no thanks to Zawahiri’s efforts. The country is in a tumultuous and formative but also vulnerable moment in its history, which Zawahiri will seek to exploit. He knows that Egypt is the real game in the Islamist contest for power. The future of Egypt will determine much of what happens in the rest of the Arab world
How Today's Conservatism Lost Touch with Reality - Fareed Zakaria
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2077943,00.html
Watching this election campaign, one wonders what has happened to that tradition. Conservatives now espouse ideas drawn from abstract principles with little regard to the realities of America's present or past. This is a tragedy, because conservatism has an important role to play in modernizing the U.S.
Watching this election campaign, one wonders what has happened to that tradition. Conservatives now espouse ideas drawn from abstract principles with little regard to the realities of America's present or past. This is a tragedy, because conservatism has an important role to play in modernizing the U.S.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Twenty-seven Senators sign bipartisan letter calling on Obama to speed up Afghan withdrawal - Greg Sargent
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/twenty-seven-senators-sign-bipartisan-letter-calling-on-obama-to-speed-up-afghan-withdrawal/2011/03/03/AGdnPzVH_blog.html
Speaking of messes and being boxed in, Obama can't back out too quickly for fear of being the guy that lost Afghanistan, and can't back out quickly enough to satisfy everyone else that thinks we've done all we can. It's been ten years and we've killed bin Laden. What more is there that we can do? Stay for twenty more and build roads to nowhere?
When Republicans and Democrats are uniting on anything, it's time to take notice.
The wars are over, at least in the hearts of the American people, and there is little left to do but get out quickly.
Speaking of messes and being boxed in, Obama can't back out too quickly for fear of being the guy that lost Afghanistan, and can't back out quickly enough to satisfy everyone else that thinks we've done all we can. It's been ten years and we've killed bin Laden. What more is there that we can do? Stay for twenty more and build roads to nowhere?
When Republicans and Democrats are uniting on anything, it's time to take notice.
The wars are over, at least in the hearts of the American people, and there is little left to do but get out quickly.
White House Defends Continuing U.S. Role in Libya Operation - HARLIE SAVAGE and MARK LANDLER
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/us/politics/16powers.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
This is a mess. This has about a year to go, or more, before it ends ugly. Obama was really boxed in between allowing the face of terrorrism in the 80s freely flaunt the Western world and a humanitarian disaster broadcast live, the alternative being that no one would do anything. The French and the Italians should be in the lead but would not have acted without the US doing something first. Obama blew it by dipping a toe and not setting expectations right. The best thing that will happen as a result of this is that Qaddafi will be dead. He won't be leaving Libya alive after this and will no doubt be murdered by someone wearing a uniform Qaddafi paid for.
This is a mess. This has about a year to go, or more, before it ends ugly. Obama was really boxed in between allowing the face of terrorrism in the 80s freely flaunt the Western world and a humanitarian disaster broadcast live, the alternative being that no one would do anything. The French and the Italians should be in the lead but would not have acted without the US doing something first. Obama blew it by dipping a toe and not setting expectations right. The best thing that will happen as a result of this is that Qaddafi will be dead. He won't be leaving Libya alive after this and will no doubt be murdered by someone wearing a uniform Qaddafi paid for.
Romney Solidifies 2012 GOP Lead
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303499204576387842860992586.html
Unless he gaffes this up, he's the nominee. Further, as long as he is the frontrunner, Huntsman is doomed.
Unless he gaffes this up, he's the nominee. Further, as long as he is the frontrunner, Huntsman is doomed.
Michele Bachmann's First Dude - David A. Graham
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/06/16/michele-bachmann-s-first-dude-husband-marcus-bachmann.html
What's really gonna keep Bachmann out of the VP slot?
In November 2005, Marcus Bachmann delivered a presentation called “The Truth About the Homosexual Agenda” at the Minnesota Pastors’ Summit. According to a gay activist who attended and spoke to City Pages, Bachmann’s presentation ended with testimony from three people who claimed they’d been gay and had been “cured” and become straight.
What's really gonna keep Bachmann out of the VP slot?
In November 2005, Marcus Bachmann delivered a presentation called “The Truth About the Homosexual Agenda” at the Minnesota Pastors’ Summit. According to a gay activist who attended and spoke to City Pages, Bachmann’s presentation ended with testimony from three people who claimed they’d been gay and had been “cured” and become straight.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Conservative groups pay for talk-radio plugs - KENNETH P. VOGEL & LUCY MCCALMONT
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/56997.html
Part of what keeps me from becoming outright Republican, aside from the social cons, is the fact that it seems a lot of the conservative "apparatus", talk radio, websites, TV, magazines, direct mail, etc. seems set up specifically to rip off the people that it allegedly serves. The ads there are cheesy and misleading, playing on the fears of the elderly and misinformed. Penis creams, erectile disfunction and quack medicine ads abound. Police scanners and advice to invest in terrible gold schemes play on the fears of the misinformed. Clearly the hosts know that they are dogin a disservice, but I can't help but think that their philosophy is that if these rubes are dumb enough to hand money over to them for misinformation, that's their fault. I guess to a certain extent they are correct, but to another extent it keeps me from voting Republican.
Part of what keeps me from becoming outright Republican, aside from the social cons, is the fact that it seems a lot of the conservative "apparatus", talk radio, websites, TV, magazines, direct mail, etc. seems set up specifically to rip off the people that it allegedly serves. The ads there are cheesy and misleading, playing on the fears of the elderly and misinformed. Penis creams, erectile disfunction and quack medicine ads abound. Police scanners and advice to invest in terrible gold schemes play on the fears of the misinformed. Clearly the hosts know that they are dogin a disservice, but I can't help but think that their philosophy is that if these rubes are dumb enough to hand money over to them for misinformation, that's their fault. I guess to a certain extent they are correct, but to another extent it keeps me from voting Republican.
Michele Bachmann Grabs GOP Presidential Debate Spotlight - Howard Kurtz
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-06-13/michele-bachmann-for-president-2012-she-grabs-nh-gop-debate-spotlight/
Many people think of Bachmann and Sarah Palin as cut from the same cloth, but beyond their obvious similarities as outspoken conservative women, they are distinctly different. Bachmann, a decade older at 55, had a career as a tax lawyer and is well versed in the finer points of legislation. She is not only a third-term House member but spent a half-dozen years before that in the Minnesota Senate.
It will be interesting to see where this ride takes her. I think it is unfair to her that she is always mentioned in the same sentance as Sarah Palin; Bachmann has at least put some thought into her positions, for all their faults and even if they are garnered to gain her attention. I don't see this working out, her positions are too radical and she is way too preachy, and I think the VP position is out of the question too. "Hot and vacuous" had its shot last time.
Also, sorry to be unfair to Bachmann and mention her along with Palin, but the more attention that goes to Bachmann the less that goes to Palin. It's unfair, but true. (And yes I hope Palin does something stupid in response!)
Many people think of Bachmann and Sarah Palin as cut from the same cloth, but beyond their obvious similarities as outspoken conservative women, they are distinctly different. Bachmann, a decade older at 55, had a career as a tax lawyer and is well versed in the finer points of legislation. She is not only a third-term House member but spent a half-dozen years before that in the Minnesota Senate.
It will be interesting to see where this ride takes her. I think it is unfair to her that she is always mentioned in the same sentance as Sarah Palin; Bachmann has at least put some thought into her positions, for all their faults and even if they are garnered to gain her attention. I don't see this working out, her positions are too radical and she is way too preachy, and I think the VP position is out of the question too. "Hot and vacuous" had its shot last time.
Also, sorry to be unfair to Bachmann and mention her along with Palin, but the more attention that goes to Bachmann the less that goes to Palin. It's unfair, but true. (And yes I hope Palin does something stupid in response!)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Drug Shortages - Alex Tabarrok
http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2011/06/drug-shortages.html
This is a case where regulation clearly has missed its mark. This is not to say that medicines or medical supplies should be have their industries stripped of regulation; there are a lot of good reasons to make the introduction of drugs a stringent process.
It seems pretty obvious to suggest that these regulations be rolled back, which is what I am suggesting, but many times when we encounter a ludicrous legal or regulatory construct, there was a novel reason it was put into place in the first place, often by those who would call for its immediate removal the loudest.
Some of the commenters on this article suggest that perhaps it was rent seeking competitors in the pahrma industry who lobbied for these onerous regulations, in order to erect entry barriers. That seems more logical to me then supposing government agents who rub their hands together in anticipation of making things complicated. It sometimes ends up that way, but rarely does it start that way.
This is a case where regulation clearly has missed its mark. This is not to say that medicines or medical supplies should be have their industries stripped of regulation; there are a lot of good reasons to make the introduction of drugs a stringent process.
It seems pretty obvious to suggest that these regulations be rolled back, which is what I am suggesting, but many times when we encounter a ludicrous legal or regulatory construct, there was a novel reason it was put into place in the first place, often by those who would call for its immediate removal the loudest.
Some of the commenters on this article suggest that perhaps it was rent seeking competitors in the pahrma industry who lobbied for these onerous regulations, in order to erect entry barriers. That seems more logical to me then supposing government agents who rub their hands together in anticipation of making things complicated. It sometimes ends up that way, but rarely does it start that way.
Why Groupon Is Poised For Collapse - Rocky Agrawal
http://techcrunch.com/2011/06/13/why-groupon-is-poised-for-collapse/
This is a long article, and it lays out a number of reasons Groupon could collapse. I think he's muddying it a bit; I think Groupon will collapse because it's so easy to duplicate and small businesses will eventually acclimate to deals that are a bit better for them instead of Groupon, but I guess we're both right.
This is a long article, and it lays out a number of reasons Groupon could collapse. I think he's muddying it a bit; I think Groupon will collapse because it's so easy to duplicate and small businesses will eventually acclimate to deals that are a bit better for them instead of Groupon, but I guess we're both right.
Thieves Found Citigroup Site an Easy Entry - NELSON D. SCHWARTZ and ERIC DASH
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/technology/14security.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
For example, some hackers specialize in prying out customer names, account numbers and other confidential information, Mr. Martinez said. Brokers then sell that information in the Internet bazaars. Criminals use it to impersonate customers and buy merchandise. Finally, “money mules” wire home the profits through outlets like Western Union or MoneyGram.
For example, some hackers specialize in prying out customer names, account numbers and other confidential information, Mr. Martinez said. Brokers then sell that information in the Internet bazaars. Criminals use it to impersonate customers and buy merchandise. Finally, “money mules” wire home the profits through outlets like Western Union or MoneyGram.
Debate Swings Door Open for Perry, Closed For Palin - Nate Silver
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/debate-swings-door-open-for-perry-closed-for-palin/
None of which is to suggest that two hours on a Monday night in June will matter all that much in the grander scheme of things. But at the risk of ignoring a couple of candidates who were not on the stage tonight, the four Republicans who seem as though they will have the most influence on the party’s nominating decision are Mr. Romney, Mr. Pawlenty, Mr. Perry, and Ms. Bachmann.
None of which is to suggest that two hours on a Monday night in June will matter all that much in the grander scheme of things. But at the risk of ignoring a couple of candidates who were not on the stage tonight, the four Republicans who seem as though they will have the most influence on the party’s nominating decision are Mr. Romney, Mr. Pawlenty, Mr. Perry, and Ms. Bachmann.
And they're off! - Live-blogging the Republican debate - The Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2011/06/live-blogging-republican-debate
1. Romney won and solidified his position as the front runner, something he is unlikely to release easily.
2. Michelle Bachmann appeared frighteningly normal and will possibly win Iowa, then create some noise and recede.
3. Pawlenty egged himself in the face. He did not appear in command and did not rise to the moment (several times). Unless he manages to pass Bachmann in the first two primaries he is done. So, in other words, he is done.
4. Herman Cain is not going to do much of anything and a year from now will be a circuit speaker, but not much else.
5. Gingrich continued his grifter tour and apparently will keep it up for some time.
6. Santorum showed (again) repeatedly why he is not higher office material and should work for a one-man think tank, like he already does.
1. Romney won and solidified his position as the front runner, something he is unlikely to release easily.
2. Michelle Bachmann appeared frighteningly normal and will possibly win Iowa, then create some noise and recede.
3. Pawlenty egged himself in the face. He did not appear in command and did not rise to the moment (several times). Unless he manages to pass Bachmann in the first two primaries he is done. So, in other words, he is done.
4. Herman Cain is not going to do much of anything and a year from now will be a circuit speaker, but not much else.
5. Gingrich continued his grifter tour and apparently will keep it up for some time.
6. Santorum showed (again) repeatedly why he is not higher office material and should work for a one-man think tank, like he already does.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Syrian army 'cracking' amid crackdown - Hugh Macleod and Annasofie Flamand
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/06/201161118126791811.html
I am skeptical of reports of inter-military clashes, but it is certainly possible. Syria is in chaos and there are a lot of different ways each day's events could swing the situation, but unless the military joins the unrest, the regime is going nowhere.
I am skeptical of reports of inter-military clashes, but it is certainly possible. Syria is in chaos and there are a lot of different ways each day's events could swing the situation, but unless the military joins the unrest, the regime is going nowhere.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Rick Santorum's Case for Big Government - Conor Friedersdorf
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/06/rick-santorums-case-for-big-government/240174/
The federal government exists to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, Santorum says, "not to take care of people." It may seem as if his position is identical to every other Republican contender. There is, however, a significant difference. Unlike libertarians, whose primary pitch is that the Constitution constrains what the federal government can do, and unlike economic conservatives, who argue that small government permits us to become more prosperous because the market is left to work its magic, social conservatives like Santorum insist that it's impossible to separate a desire for small government from a focus on social issues.
The federal government exists to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, Santorum says, "not to take care of people." It may seem as if his position is identical to every other Republican contender. There is, however, a significant difference. Unlike libertarians, whose primary pitch is that the Constitution constrains what the federal government can do, and unlike economic conservatives, who argue that small government permits us to become more prosperous because the market is left to work its magic, social conservatives like Santorum insist that it's impossible to separate a desire for small government from a focus on social issues.
We're halfway to a lost decade - Jordan Wolvers
http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/06/08/were-halfway-to-a-lost-decade/
The red line now shows five things much more clearly:
1. The slump began in late 2006. And indeed, we were hardly enjoying good times through early 2006.
2. It’s a big slump, and GDP per capita fell by over 7 percent.
3. We remain a long way below the previous peak.
4. It’s going to take a long while to return to where we were back in 2006. Most forecasters are expecting GDP to grow by around 3 percent, implying per-capita growth closer to two percent. At those rates, average incomes in 2013 will (finally!) be back around the levels of 2006.
The red line now shows five things much more clearly:
1. The slump began in late 2006. And indeed, we were hardly enjoying good times through early 2006.
2. It’s a big slump, and GDP per capita fell by over 7 percent.
3. We remain a long way below the previous peak.
4. It’s going to take a long while to return to where we were back in 2006. Most forecasters are expecting GDP to grow by around 3 percent, implying per-capita growth closer to two percent. At those rates, average incomes in 2013 will (finally!) be back around the levels of 2006.
Google Kids - Why doesn't this exist? - Michael Agger
http://www.slate.com/id/2296647/
Pet theory as to why there is no "Google Kids": Silicon Valley is insular, inwardly focused and obsessed with itself. It is also populated with tons of people that are single, and have little use or time for things that some suburban mom would find useful or fun. This also explains why most of their shit flops. The things that do well (Facebook, Windows, Groupon, Netflix) are things families use. The things that flop, aren't.
Pet theory as to why there is no "Google Kids": Silicon Valley is insular, inwardly focused and obsessed with itself. It is also populated with tons of people that are single, and have little use or time for things that some suburban mom would find useful or fun. This also explains why most of their shit flops. The things that do well (Facebook, Windows, Groupon, Netflix) are things families use. The things that flop, aren't.
Up To 8-Foot Long, 160-Pound Mountain Lion On The Loose In Greenwich, Conn - Lou Young
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/06/09/turns-out-there-is-a-mountain-lion-in-greenwich/
Shorten that byline and you have a movie title
Shorten that byline and you have a movie title
Newt’s Implosion - David Frum
http://www.frumforum.com/newts-implosion
So here’s the question: If Romney does win, how do we make sense of the media narrative of the past 2 1/2 years? Does it mean that the Tea Party was overhyped from the start? Or that Tea Party candidates somehow canceled each other out? Or was the problem one of followership — that Tea Party voters were drawn to candidates so fatally flawed that they failed before they had properly begun?
I think the testing ground for how far the Tea Party could carry the Republican party was the 2010 midterms. You saw some slightly wacko people cary into office, but the ones who made the larger, national storyline (Christine O'Donnell and Sharon Angle) were defeated. I think that provides some evidence that people wanted to send a message, but not one that was completely daft, and that is what you are seeing now. A lot of populist anger pushing fringe candidates to the front of the pack before they immolate.
With that said, Gingrich's "campaign" was never anything of the sort. This was a bald faced grab at CPAC cash for the next five years or so, a way to regain the spotlight in the new GOP Olympus of kooks and conspiracy theorists. Here we have the weakness in the conservative nomination process: because of the tremendous cash that can be had on the speaking circuit, individuals are drawn to seek the biggest spotlight and say outrageous things that gets one speaking engagements. The problem, as we see, is that it really muddles the process, and voters who for whatever reason really thought that their favorite kook was going to get nominated get angry (they seem to be perpetually angry) and then vow to "punish" the party the next election for "not being conservative enough", angrily nominating Christine O'Donnell and Sharon Angle.
So here’s the question: If Romney does win, how do we make sense of the media narrative of the past 2 1/2 years? Does it mean that the Tea Party was overhyped from the start? Or that Tea Party candidates somehow canceled each other out? Or was the problem one of followership — that Tea Party voters were drawn to candidates so fatally flawed that they failed before they had properly begun?
I think the testing ground for how far the Tea Party could carry the Republican party was the 2010 midterms. You saw some slightly wacko people cary into office, but the ones who made the larger, national storyline (Christine O'Donnell and Sharon Angle) were defeated. I think that provides some evidence that people wanted to send a message, but not one that was completely daft, and that is what you are seeing now. A lot of populist anger pushing fringe candidates to the front of the pack before they immolate.
With that said, Gingrich's "campaign" was never anything of the sort. This was a bald faced grab at CPAC cash for the next five years or so, a way to regain the spotlight in the new GOP Olympus of kooks and conspiracy theorists. Here we have the weakness in the conservative nomination process: because of the tremendous cash that can be had on the speaking circuit, individuals are drawn to seek the biggest spotlight and say outrageous things that gets one speaking engagements. The problem, as we see, is that it really muddles the process, and voters who for whatever reason really thought that their favorite kook was going to get nominated get angry (they seem to be perpetually angry) and then vow to "punish" the party the next election for "not being conservative enough", angrily nominating Christine O'Donnell and Sharon Angle.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Romney draws early fire from conservatives over views on climate change - Philip Rucker and Peter Wallsten
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-draws-early-fire-from-conservatives-over-views-on-climate-change/2011/06/08/AGkUTaMH_story.html
As Rush Limbaugh said about this, "bye-bye nomination". I applaud Romney for actually taking a stance on something, anything, for once, and I'm not sure this is fatal to his campaign. Knowing Romney, it was probably a calculated move to its core, but it's refreshing to see someone strike out from the John Birch wing and head towards the center.
As Rush Limbaugh said about this, "bye-bye nomination". I applaud Romney for actually taking a stance on something, anything, for once, and I'm not sure this is fatal to his campaign. Knowing Romney, it was probably a calculated move to its core, but it's refreshing to see someone strike out from the John Birch wing and head towards the center.
The White House Debates Afghanistan—Again - Fred Kaplan
http://www.slate.com/id/2296538/
If the mission is strictly to erode al-Qaida's position in Afghanistan, then Obama shouldn't have sent the extra 30,000 troops to begin with; al-Qaida hasn't had more than a few hundred fighters in Afghanistan for several years. If the mission is to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorists in the future, and if part of that goal involves leaving behind an Afghan army that can defend the country and an Afghan government that its people view as legitimate and worthy of active support, then, no, we're not there yet.
I think the only thing keeping us from the tipping point where withdrawl is more or less demanded from the electorate is the fact that we are, unfortunate as it is to say, in a presidential campaign. No one wants to take a hard stance at this point until it's clear that viewpoint is either widely accepted or can be used to flog someone who has taken the adverse viewpoint. This war is going to be over by 2012, even if the messiness of withdrawl remains to be done.
If the mission is strictly to erode al-Qaida's position in Afghanistan, then Obama shouldn't have sent the extra 30,000 troops to begin with; al-Qaida hasn't had more than a few hundred fighters in Afghanistan for several years. If the mission is to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorists in the future, and if part of that goal involves leaving behind an Afghan army that can defend the country and an Afghan government that its people view as legitimate and worthy of active support, then, no, we're not there yet.
I think the only thing keeping us from the tipping point where withdrawl is more or less demanded from the electorate is the fact that we are, unfortunate as it is to say, in a presidential campaign. No one wants to take a hard stance at this point until it's clear that viewpoint is either widely accepted or can be used to flog someone who has taken the adverse viewpoint. This war is going to be over by 2012, even if the messiness of withdrawl remains to be done.
Palin’s Delusions of Grandeur - Alex Massie
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-06-08/sarah-palins-delusions-of-grandeur-margaret-thatcher-declines-meeting-/
The British really know how to tear someone apart, especially those who deserve it:
Why should Lady Thatcher have any interest in meeting Palin? Even if the Iron Lady were not in such rusty health, what would be the point or purpose of any such encounter? What possible interest could she have in meeting a two-bit, half-term governor of Alaska? To ask the question is to make the answer so clear that even Palin's most deluded admirers might be able to understand it.
What, assuming the former prime minister were in the habit of receiving guests (which she is not), could they possibly talk about? One is a giant figure; the other, politically speaking, a carnival pygmy better suited to life on a second-rate reality television show.
The British really know how to tear someone apart, especially those who deserve it:
Why should Lady Thatcher have any interest in meeting Palin? Even if the Iron Lady were not in such rusty health, what would be the point or purpose of any such encounter? What possible interest could she have in meeting a two-bit, half-term governor of Alaska? To ask the question is to make the answer so clear that even Palin's most deluded admirers might be able to understand it.
What, assuming the former prime minister were in the habit of receiving guests (which she is not), could they possibly talk about? One is a giant figure; the other, politically speaking, a carnival pygmy better suited to life on a second-rate reality television show.
Moving right, way right
http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2011/06/tim-pawlentys-economic-plan
As the candidates try to out-tea-party one another, they push the Overton window of acceptable economic policy to the absurd right. This makes it much more difficult for a reasonable Republican candidate to win office, and for any Republican politician to support reasonable economic policy. And no matter what party you belong to, you should find it troubling that Mr Pawlenty's ridiculous economic plan could ever be considered acceptable by a large portion of the population.
The point is that most of the "serious" GOP candidates (Romney, Pawlenty, Hunstman, I suppose Giulliani counts as well) are more or less indistinguishable. They even look alike. The problem is that to differentiate themselves they will have to adopt many of the crazy positions being pushed by the unserious candidates (Palin, Bachmann, Santorum, Cain, Gingrich) or at least agree on camera with them.
Barack Obama is vulnerable in 2012 and the best thing he has going for him are the Republicans.
As the candidates try to out-tea-party one another, they push the Overton window of acceptable economic policy to the absurd right. This makes it much more difficult for a reasonable Republican candidate to win office, and for any Republican politician to support reasonable economic policy. And no matter what party you belong to, you should find it troubling that Mr Pawlenty's ridiculous economic plan could ever be considered acceptable by a large portion of the population.
The point is that most of the "serious" GOP candidates (Romney, Pawlenty, Hunstman, I suppose Giulliani counts as well) are more or less indistinguishable. They even look alike. The problem is that to differentiate themselves they will have to adopt many of the crazy positions being pushed by the unserious candidates (Palin, Bachmann, Santorum, Cain, Gingrich) or at least agree on camera with them.
Barack Obama is vulnerable in 2012 and the best thing he has going for him are the Republicans.
Pawlenty’s Blue-Collar Blues - David Frum
http://www.frumforum.com/pawlentys-blue-collar-blues
Perhaps it's another way to say "boring" but Pawlenty has the uncanny knack to appeal to no one. I suppose he is an option at VP, but since the GOP is probably going to nominate Romney they will need a bit of a nutter at VP, which Pawlenty unfortunately has none of.
Perhaps it's another way to say "boring" but Pawlenty has the uncanny knack to appeal to no one. I suppose he is an option at VP, but since the GOP is probably going to nominate Romney they will need a bit of a nutter at VP, which Pawlenty unfortunately has none of.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
GOP’s 2012 Choice: Romney… Or Obama - Jeb Golinkin
http://www.frumforum.com/gops-2012-choice-romney-or-obama
Among all Americans, Mitt is running dead even (47-47) with President Obama…and among registered voters, the poll actually shows the Mittster running ahead. You might legitimately wonder how this is possible given the fact that Romney basically invented Romneycare. The answer is that four out of 10 Republicans surveyed had no opinion on the Massachusetts healthcare plan at all. That may be the case now, but rest assured President Obama’s team will educate those four voters about where the President got his brilliant idea for Obamacare.
All of that said, it still doesn’t change the fact that Romney polls well against the President while other candidates get absolutely slaughtered. Head to head, Obama beats Palin by 17, Bachmann by 13, TPaw by 11, and Gingrich and Huntsman by 10.
Among all Americans, Mitt is running dead even (47-47) with President Obama…and among registered voters, the poll actually shows the Mittster running ahead. You might legitimately wonder how this is possible given the fact that Romney basically invented Romneycare. The answer is that four out of 10 Republicans surveyed had no opinion on the Massachusetts healthcare plan at all. That may be the case now, but rest assured President Obama’s team will educate those four voters about where the President got his brilliant idea for Obamacare.
All of that said, it still doesn’t change the fact that Romney polls well against the President while other candidates get absolutely slaughtered. Head to head, Obama beats Palin by 17, Bachmann by 13, TPaw by 11, and Gingrich and Huntsman by 10.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Attack kills 120 Syrian forces; crackdown feared - ZEINA KARAM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110606/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_syria
Opposition activists were skeptical of the official casualty toll, saying the authorities were setting the stage for a new onslaught. But even they acknowledged there was fighting, although it was not clear who was involved.
Opposition activists were skeptical of the official casualty toll, saying the authorities were setting the stage for a new onslaught. But even they acknowledged there was fighting, although it was not clear who was involved.
Sarah Palin Has Her Own American History - Amanda Marcotte
http://www.doublex.com/blog/xxfactor/sarah-palin-has-her-own-american-history
This is a fascinating theory that Ms Marcotte comes up with: in her mind Sarah Palin isn't wrong because Sarah Palin wasn't really talking about Paul Revere. She was describing, in her own confused way, the way she imagines the Tea Party defending America. Because none of it is really based in fact, by her definition it can't be incorrect, so she can't be wrong.
Further, those that take her message closest to their hearts are probably not too clear on what happened there either, so they don't mind if she got a snippet or two incorrect here and there. What counts to them is that she was attacked by a "gotcha question" posed the elite media which is composed of the kids that were smarter and ruder in high school than they were, hence Sarah was right.
This is a fascinating theory that Ms Marcotte comes up with: in her mind Sarah Palin isn't wrong because Sarah Palin wasn't really talking about Paul Revere. She was describing, in her own confused way, the way she imagines the Tea Party defending America. Because none of it is really based in fact, by her definition it can't be incorrect, so she can't be wrong.
Further, those that take her message closest to their hearts are probably not too clear on what happened there either, so they don't mind if she got a snippet or two incorrect here and there. What counts to them is that she was attacked by a "gotcha question" posed the elite media which is composed of the kids that were smarter and ruder in high school than they were, hence Sarah was right.
Out of the Shadow of Fear - A rare inside look at Syria, a land where the regime rules with a murderous impunity - Asne Seierstad
http://www.newsweek.com/2011/06/05/out-of-the-shadow-of-fear-in-syria.html
This is a rather long article examining the brutal regime in Syria and their methods to retain control. I've said before that I think Assad will survive this round of upheaval, unfortunately. But I think we need to keep this in perspective: none of the uprisings in Communist Europe succeeded the first time around either. Hungary in 1956, Czechoslovakia in 1968, etc. all failed but the people watched and learned for the next time. I'm not even saying it will be 10 years from now, maybe sooner. It just won't be the same form of protest and uprising that succeeds. All Assad is doing now is making it more difficult for himself to find refuge later.
This is a rather long article examining the brutal regime in Syria and their methods to retain control. I've said before that I think Assad will survive this round of upheaval, unfortunately. But I think we need to keep this in perspective: none of the uprisings in Communist Europe succeeded the first time around either. Hungary in 1956, Czechoslovakia in 1968, etc. all failed but the people watched and learned for the next time. I'm not even saying it will be 10 years from now, maybe sooner. It just won't be the same form of protest and uprising that succeeds. All Assad is doing now is making it more difficult for himself to find refuge later.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Israeli Forces Kill 25 Protesters at Syrian Border - Ujala Sehgal
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2011/06/israel-accuses-syria-spreading-uprising-israeli-border/38508/
Is Assad using the Israelis to distract form his own killing of Syrian civillians? Yes.
Does this play right into his hands? Yes.
Is Assad using the Israelis to distract form his own killing of Syrian civillians? Yes.
Does this play right into his hands? Yes.
Palin: I didn't `mess up' Paul Revere history - LAURIE KELLMAN,
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110606/ap_on_el_ge/us_palin
The best part is that she felt the question was a "gotcha" question: "What have you seen today and what will you take away from your time here?"
The best part is that she felt the question was a "gotcha" question: "What have you seen today and what will you take away from your time here?"
Friday, June 3, 2011
Yemen president wounded in rocket strike - AHMED AL-HAJ
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jSNzYjgw9GUpJjO0w5UGX5JALiiA
So what does this mean? Why care what happens to stupid Yemen?
Yemen is soon to be another failed state, except this failed state will occupy the lower Saudi peninsula and border Saudi Arabia. It will also be directly across a strait from the world's most failingest failed state, Somalia. Even better will be the porous border it shares with the world's oil supplier, who is already hard pressed to tamp down extremist elements within its own populace.
But wait, there's more.
The Saudis had to send troops into neighboring Bahrain earlier in the Arab Spring to end the protests there, and it watched Egypt's government collapse and Syria burst into flames. The Arab Spring is devouring the stability is had come accustomed to.
Sure Saddam is gone and Qaddafi is now too weak to cause them trouble, but the US is growing tired of its role in Iraq. The Iranians need an enemy that cannot fatally wound them. What happens if a full-scale insurgency spreads into Saudi Arabia? Weapons smuggeled in from Somalia through Yemen, perhaps Iran as well, could heavily arm an insurgency. The Saudis don't have the armed forces to guard the entire route, or to intervene in Yemen successfully.
You can see where this is going. The next bin Laden is a Yemeni armed with money from Somali allies who strikes a fatal blow to the House of Saud.
So what does this mean? Why care what happens to stupid Yemen?
Yemen is soon to be another failed state, except this failed state will occupy the lower Saudi peninsula and border Saudi Arabia. It will also be directly across a strait from the world's most failingest failed state, Somalia. Even better will be the porous border it shares with the world's oil supplier, who is already hard pressed to tamp down extremist elements within its own populace.
But wait, there's more.
The Saudis had to send troops into neighboring Bahrain earlier in the Arab Spring to end the protests there, and it watched Egypt's government collapse and Syria burst into flames. The Arab Spring is devouring the stability is had come accustomed to.
Sure Saddam is gone and Qaddafi is now too weak to cause them trouble, but the US is growing tired of its role in Iraq. The Iranians need an enemy that cannot fatally wound them. What happens if a full-scale insurgency spreads into Saudi Arabia? Weapons smuggeled in from Somalia through Yemen, perhaps Iran as well, could heavily arm an insurgency. The Saudis don't have the armed forces to guard the entire route, or to intervene in Yemen successfully.
You can see where this is going. The next bin Laden is a Yemeni armed with money from Somali allies who strikes a fatal blow to the House of Saud.
Palin fires shot at Romney at Bunker Hill - Shawna Thomas, Alex Moe, and Mark Murray
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/02/6772188-palin-fires-shot-at-romney-at-bunker-hill
Here is the wrinkle: she sucker punched him on a day when he was announcing his candidacy, and she did on purpose. His reaction, whimpering and accomodating when asked whether he thought it was a coincidence, is telling. She's already operating by her own set of rules and clearly he is afraid to join her.
Here is the wrinkle: she sucker punched him on a day when he was announcing his candidacy, and she did on purpose. His reaction, whimpering and accomodating when asked whether he thought it was a coincidence, is telling. She's already operating by her own set of rules and clearly he is afraid to join her.
On the Maddeningly Inexact Relationship Between Unemployment and Re-Election - Nate Silver
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/02/on-the-maddeningly-inexact-relationship-between-unemployment-and-re-election/
The problem is that whatever signal there is gets filtered through an awful lot of noise. Consider:
The problem is that whatever signal there is gets filtered through an awful lot of noise. Consider:
The unemployment rate itself is subject to fairly significant measurement error.
Voters will interpret the unemployment rate in different ways, and assign the president varying amounts of credit or blame for it.
The unemployment rate is but one of a number of salient economic indicators.
Economic performance is but one of the ways that voters evaluate a president.
Voters’ evaluation of a president is important, but they also consider the the strength of a president’s opponents, including third-party alternatives in some elections.
The Mistake of 2010 - Paul Krugman
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/opinion/03krugman.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
So, here we are, in the middle of 2011. How are things going?
Well, the bond vigilantes continue to exist only in the deficit hawks’ imagination. Long-term interest rates have fluctuated with optimism or pessimism about the economy; a recent spate of bad news has sent them down to about 3 percent, not far from historic lows.
And the news has, indeed, been bad. As the stimulus has faded out, so have hopes of strong economic recovery. Yes, there has been some job creation — but at a pace barely keeping up with population growth. The percentage of American adults with jobs, which plunged between 2007 and 2009, has barely budged since then. And the latest numbers suggest that even this modest, inadequate job growth is sputtering out
So, here we are, in the middle of 2011. How are things going?
Well, the bond vigilantes continue to exist only in the deficit hawks’ imagination. Long-term interest rates have fluctuated with optimism or pessimism about the economy; a recent spate of bad news has sent them down to about 3 percent, not far from historic lows.
And the news has, indeed, been bad. As the stimulus has faded out, so have hopes of strong economic recovery. Yes, there has been some job creation — but at a pace barely keeping up with population growth. The percentage of American adults with jobs, which plunged between 2007 and 2009, has barely budged since then. And the latest numbers suggest that even this modest, inadequate job growth is sputtering out
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Palin meets with Fox News officials - Peter Hamby
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/01/palin-meets-with-fox-news-officials/
Beware boys...there may come a time when she doesn't think she needs you. If Palin represents the populist wing of the GOP, and Fox represents the corporate marketing arm of the GOP, you would think Fox would want to kill her momentum as quickly and quietly as possible. The thing keeping them from doing so is that she brings in (respectable, but not great) ratings, and there is also the chance to at least try and control her. But I submit that if she weren't thinking about running, she is now becoming enthralled with the idea, and probably won't be able to resist. The wording of the Fox statements on her is changing too, from "there is no change in her status" to "right now there is no change in her status", a small distinction but an indicator that Fox is beginning to figure things out for themselves. I would doubt that she has any intent on being honest with Fox about her intentions, not after Roger Ailes called her an idiot, and she can make money other ways.
No, this will eventually end when Roger Ailes thinks it incumbent upon him to end the Palin candidacy, even if that's before she has officially declared. Then and only then will she be "suspended" from Fox, and here's one guy hoping that that's what causes her to run, motivated even more on acrimony and revenge.
Beware boys...there may come a time when she doesn't think she needs you. If Palin represents the populist wing of the GOP, and Fox represents the corporate marketing arm of the GOP, you would think Fox would want to kill her momentum as quickly and quietly as possible. The thing keeping them from doing so is that she brings in (respectable, but not great) ratings, and there is also the chance to at least try and control her. But I submit that if she weren't thinking about running, she is now becoming enthralled with the idea, and probably won't be able to resist. The wording of the Fox statements on her is changing too, from "there is no change in her status" to "right now there is no change in her status", a small distinction but an indicator that Fox is beginning to figure things out for themselves. I would doubt that she has any intent on being honest with Fox about her intentions, not after Roger Ailes called her an idiot, and she can make money other ways.
No, this will eventually end when Roger Ailes thinks it incumbent upon him to end the Palin candidacy, even if that's before she has officially declared. Then and only then will she be "suspended" from Fox, and here's one guy hoping that that's what causes her to run, motivated even more on acrimony and revenge.
CNN Poll: Majority gives thumbs down to Ryan plan
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/01/cnn-poll-majority-gives-thumbs-down-to-ryan-plan/
And this is before its really been explained.
And this is before its really been explained.
Global war on drugs 'has failed' say former leaders
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13624303
And like all unsuccessful wars it will go on until it is politically unpopular to support it. That puts us about twenty years or so from now.
And like all unsuccessful wars it will go on until it is politically unpopular to support it. That puts us about twenty years or so from now.
A guide to the Barack Obama - Paul Ryan smackdown - DAVID NATHER
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/56061.html
A decent an pretty impartial guide, meaning that I agree with it.
A decent an pretty impartial guide, meaning that I agree with it.
Libya conflict: UN accuses both sides of war crimes -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13622965
Rights experts said they had found evidence of crimes including murder and torture, in a pattern suggesting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was behind them.
The UN mission also said opposition forces were guilty of abuses that would constitute war crimes, although they were not as numerous.
I'm not even sure who the rebels are, but I would imagine that there are probably some unsavory characters among them, as well as heroes. Unfortunately, Libya and Iraq are the blueprints for western intervention.
Rights experts said they had found evidence of crimes including murder and torture, in a pattern suggesting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was behind them.
The UN mission also said opposition forces were guilty of abuses that would constitute war crimes, although they were not as numerous.
I'm not even sure who the rebels are, but I would imagine that there are probably some unsavory characters among them, as well as heroes. Unfortunately, Libya and Iraq are the blueprints for western intervention.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
What are Dems prepared to trade away? - Greg Sargent
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-morning-plum/2011/03/03/AGHUgOFH_blog.html
There’s no way around it: Republicans have won the political war over the debt ceiling.
There’s no way around it: Republicans have won the political war over the debt ceiling.
Syrians are tired of Assad's 'reforms' - Fadwa al-Hatem
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/may/31/syrians-assad-bill-fair-elections?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Fcommentisfree%2Frss+%28Comment+is+free%29
The inhabitants of villages such as Talbiseh, or Rastan – that is, those who have not fled for their lives yet – will most likely be unable to give their opinion regarding this bill.
They have been under tank and machine gun fire for the past few days while the Syrian military widens its crackdown against protesters throughout the country. If they are not as enthusiastic or grateful as they should be about this elections bill then surely they are forgiven. The family of 13-year-old Hamza al-Khatib, whose horribly mutilated body was handed back to them by the security services last week, can also be forgiven if they are not impressed in the slightest.
The inhabitants of villages such as Talbiseh, or Rastan – that is, those who have not fled for their lives yet – will most likely be unable to give their opinion regarding this bill.
They have been under tank and machine gun fire for the past few days while the Syrian military widens its crackdown against protesters throughout the country. If they are not as enthusiastic or grateful as they should be about this elections bill then surely they are forgiven. The family of 13-year-old Hamza al-Khatib, whose horribly mutilated body was handed back to them by the security services last week, can also be forgiven if they are not impressed in the slightest.
Egypt is still run by a military dictatorship - Fareed Zakaria
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/26/zakaria-egypt-is-still-run-by-a-military-dictatorship/
In the short-run there are enormous pressures. We think of Egypt as having gone through a regime change. But it really didn't go through a regime change. Egypt has been run since 1952 by a military dictatorship. It is still run by a military dictatorship.
In the short-run there are enormous pressures. We think of Egypt as having gone through a regime change. But it really didn't go through a regime change. Egypt has been run since 1952 by a military dictatorship. It is still run by a military dictatorship.
Newt Gingrich's Image Slides Among Republicans - Frank Newport
http://www.gallup.com/poll/147860/Newt-Gingrich-Image-Slides-Among-Republicans.aspx?utm_source=tagrss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=syndication&utm_term=All%20Gallup%20Headlines
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich's Positive Intensity Score dropped to 6 in the two weeks spanning May 16-29, down from 11 for May 9-22. Gingrich's current Positive Intensity Score is his lowest to date, off from a score as high as 19 earlier this year, and among the lowest for any Republican candidate Gallup is tracking.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich's Positive Intensity Score dropped to 6 in the two weeks spanning May 16-29, down from 11 for May 9-22. Gingrich's current Positive Intensity Score is his lowest to date, off from a score as high as 19 earlier this year, and among the lowest for any Republican candidate Gallup is tracking.
Who Really Wins with Ryan’s Budget? - David Frum
http://www.frumforum.com/who-really-wins-with-ryans-budget
Palin speaks to a radical mood in the country: a mood of victimization and resentment.
Paul Ryan also speaks to a radical mood in the country: a mood to use the present economic crisis as an occasion for the radical overhaul in the American state, in a way that dramatically redistributes costs and benefits.
Paul Ryan’s radicalism is the radicalism felt by many affluent Americans.
Palin speaks to a radical mood in the country: a mood of victimization and resentment.
Paul Ryan also speaks to a radical mood in the country: a mood to use the present economic crisis as an occasion for the radical overhaul in the American state, in a way that dramatically redistributes costs and benefits.
Paul Ryan’s radicalism is the radicalism felt by many affluent Americans.
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