By Juan Cole Iran is winning and Israel is losing. That is the startling conclusion we reach if we consider how things have changed in the Middle East in the two years since most of the WikiLeaks State Department cables about Iran’s regional difficulties were written. Related Entries December 6, 2010 Obama’s Tax Cave Is Worse Than Expected December 6, 2010 Global Stature
Continue reading …By Eugene Robinson Ben Bernanke may or may not succeed in saving the economy, but at least he has the courage to try—and the honesty to tell the truth. The same cannot be said of our elected officials. Related Entries December 6, 2010 Obama’s Tax Cave Is Worse Than Expected December 6, 2010 Cutting Medicare and Social Security
Continue reading …Based on what the New York Times describes as President Obama’s “substantial concessions to Republicans,” Democrats in Congress have reason to fret. Not only did Obama agree to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, but he caved into Republican demands to neuter the estate tax. Apparently a deficit hawk is someone who adds to the deficit—in this case $900 billion over two years. To keep things in perspective, Republicans otherwise refused to extend unemployment benefits at a cost of $56 billion, because, you know, that would add to the deficit. Unemployment benefits will be extended as part of the compromise.
Continue reading …It appears Republicans need to be read their conservative Miranda rights: anything negative you say about Sarah Palin can and will be used against her by the liberal media. Such was made infinitely clear on Monday's “Hardball” when the host first teased, “Has someone sounded the dog whistle,” and later opened a segment, “Are Republicans putting out the word that it's time to stop Sarah Palin?” (video follows with transcript and commentary): read more
Continue reading …Genre: Bob Dylan Title: Must Be Santa It’s the season of bad sweaters, lame office Christmas parties, and drunk uncles in Santa caps. This Bob Dylan song will get you in the mood. Christmas In the Heart Artist: Bob Dylan Price: $7.40 (As of 12/07/10 05:03 am details )
Continue reading …By Steven Borowiec The South Korean government has been criticized sharply for its response to the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island. The future for those residents who have returned to this transformed little place is uncertain. Related Entries December 6, 2010 Global Stature December 6, 2010 Happy as a Hangman
Continue reading …When asked what would happen if he was “taken out,” either physically or technically, WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange said in an online chat that over 100,000 people have encrypted copies of leaked material and “If something happens to us, the key parts will be released automatically.” Assange also maintained that not “a single person has come to harm as a result of our activities,” and that he wished to go home, but can not because his government was working to hand him over to the Americans “merely so that Australian politicians and diplomats can be invited to the best US embassy cocktail parties.”
Continue reading …enlarge Judson Phillips at the Tea Party Nation has decided Sarah Palin should run for head of the Republican National Committee. Here’s the text of the letter they sent asking her to run: Dear Governor Palin, John Kennedy once said, “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Right now, your country needs you as the Chairman of the Republican National Committee. We are in a fight for the survival of our country. The Democrats have walked off the socialist cliff and are driving the country headlong into the abyss. Unfortunately, there are many on the Republican side who do not seem to get it. They are the embodiment of the old political joke that says, with the Democrats you get more of the same and with Republicans you get less of the same. We need you as Chairman of the RNC. You have shown in the past no hesitation to take on the establishment. You did it in Alaska. If we end up with establishment control of the GOP and their support for an establishment candidate in 2012, Obama and the socialists will have won. An establishment candidate will not work to repeal Obamacare and the other programs Obama, Pelosi and Reid have put in place. We need someone who will put conservatives in control of the party apparatus, not RINOs. Michael Steele has spent Republican money with the gusto of a liberal. You showed in Alaska, you know how to put the brakes on unnecessary spending. Finally, you are a superstar. You have an unbelievable ability to light up a crowd and to raise money. Both of which the Republican Party needs. Something is really wrong with the GOP when the RNC cannot fund a get out the vote campaign for mid-term elections. The GOP needs a conservative who can raise money and energize the troops. You are the only one out there with these unique talents. We, the undersigned, are asking you to ask yourself what you can do for your country and to step up and become a candidate for Chairman of the RNC. Thank you for your consideration and for what you continue to do for this great country. Judson Phillips, Founder – Tea Party Nation There’s just so much wrong with this, I’m not sure where to start, but it may all be moot anyway. I cannot imagine Sarah Palin giving up her celebrity status as a reality TV star and snark queen to do something as mundane as run the RNC. And how would that all work out in terms of her deal with Fox News? On the other hand, can you imagine the ridiculousness of the Sunday shows with Palin making the rounds? She’d make Michael Steele look like a genius.
Continue reading …By Mr. Fish Related Entries December 5, 2010 WikiLeaks: Not for Government Eyes November 30, 2010 WikiLeaks and the End of U.S. ‘Diplomacy’
Continue reading …By Mike Luckovich Related Entries December 5, 2010 WikiLeaks: Not for Government Eyes November 30, 2010 WikiLeaks and the End of U.S. ‘Diplomacy’
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