In the ArenaUncategorized
This is typically excellent work by Fred Kaplan, especially these two paragraphs:
President Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates have said that their limited mission in Afghanistan is to keep that country from becoming a safe haven for terrorists who want to attack the United States and its allies or to destabilize the region.
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In the ArenaUncategorized
Take a look at this Drudge front page, all red and crazy. Over a CNBC commentary? It’s obvious that Drudge, like Rush Limbaugh, is rooting for Obama to fail. But this sort of, well, crap, is downright pestilential. Real human beings have real investments–401ks, homes, small businesses–that are on the line. Again and again, I’m …
In the ArenaUncategorized
I am a huge Zadie Smith fan. Her novels have a hurtling, tossed-off humanity, an overstuffed joy to them. Here she tries to pin down the transcendence of Barack Obama. I don’t anybody has quite nailed it yet, but she comes close. In any case, it’s enormous fun to watch her think and speak in harmony.
On Time.com today: The U.S. Catholic Church’s all-out war against an abortion bill that doesn’t exist and wouldn’t pass even if it did. Or, Why I Don’t Want to Hear Another Word About FOCA.
In the ArenaUncategorized
From my travels. Jet-lag receding, I hope to resume less foggy blogging today…or maybe tomorrow.
Response: Several commenters approve of the criticism leveled by sgwhiteinfla below. Let me respond. The commenter makes two points. He says I’m snarky about Joe Biden because he sometimes says things like, “Vladimir Putin, Lord love …
Nancy Pelosi, who is leading a congressional delegation to Italy (the economy may be tanking but the co-dels must go on!), popped by the Vatican today for a chat with Pope Benedict. Anti-abortion advocates are pleased to hear that the Holy Father took the occasion to remind Pelosi that he does not believe Catholic politicians should …
In the ArenaUncategorized
Huffpost reports that the House GOP members, who had so many wonderful things to say about the stimulus package was wending through the Congress, are now trying to take advantage of it. Politics 101 dictates the following: They should pay the price for their latter-day Hooverism. As little money as humanly, legally possible should go to …
Because that‘s what really caused the newest Illinois senator’s problems, though probably smart if he’s the subject of an investigation, er, “review.”
On the Air Force One flight from Phoenix to Washington, White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs made his first public comment about the recent revelations concerning Sen. Roland Burris. Here is a transcript of the exchange.
QUESTION: You were asked a couple times yesterday about the President’s reaction to the revelations about Roland
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In the ArenaUncategorized
The President’s decision send 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan is troubling on several grounds:
1. We don’t have a policy there yet. We don’t know what the goal is–or how we’re going to deal with the Pakistan part of the equation (which is where the more serious military issues lie), or the corruption of the Karzai government. …
was a battle he didn’t win.
The NYT reports:
WASHINGTON — Dick Cheney spent his final days as vice president making a furious last-ditch effort to secure a pardon for his onetime chief of staff, I. Lewis Libby Jr., leaving him at odds with former President George W. Bush on a matter of personal loyalty as the two moved on to
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Late Tuesday afternoon, the presidential entourage arrived at the Montelucia Resort and Spa, a sprawling luxury retreat on the outskirts of Phoenix. The motorcade alone stretched several city blocks, and after it had left, sheriff’s deputies and secret service agents stood lookout between the Mediterranean style villas. Other hotel …
Gloria Borger on why doing nothing is not an option. But you have to have the right message.
