News Nuggets 108

Syria Calling (Seymour Hersh) from the New Yorker

Today's MUST-Read about Obama's efforts in the Middle East and their special impacts on Syria and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Terry Gross interviewed Hersh today on Fresh Air on NPR.

"The Obama transition team helped persuade Israel to end the bombing of Gaza and to withdraw its ground troops before the Inauguration."

Speaking Freely, Biden Finds an Influential Role from the New York Times

"Mr. Biden has settled into a role of what Mr. Obama compares to a basketball player “who does a bunch of things that don’t show up in the stat sheet,” the president said in an interview Friday."

Obama's Fine Print on Security (David Ignatius) from the Washington Post

"The Obama team agrees with Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson that the Constitution isn't "a suicide pact," and it understands that there are extreme situations where the rules on interrogation might have to be stretched. But it doesn't want to make the Bush mistake of opening the door to lawless actions."

Feds Declare GM, Chrysler Not Viable, Refuse More Aid from the McClathcy News Service

A FASCINATING look at the behind-the-scenes conversations that have been going on between the WH and the Auto companies and WHY the WH views these companies as not viable.  The WH's assessment is, in my view, on the money.

"GM and Chrysler faced a Tuesday deadline for the government to approve plans they'd submitted weeks ago in hopes of persuading the Obama administration that they could remain in business and deserved additional money.  But the decision from Obama was no."

Detroit Plan has GOP All Over the Map from Politico

"President Barack Obama may or may not be able to save the U.S. auto industry, but his dramatic restricting plan is already having some effect: It’s sent the highly disciplined GOP message machine careening out of control."

How the World Sees the G20 Summit - Fear, Apathy, and Barack Obama from the Guardian [of London]

A good examination of the 20 countries and what they each will be looking for at the summit.

"From Moscow to Baghdad - what politicians want from the G20."

Prospect of Barack Obama Show Causes UK to Clear the Decks from the Guardian [of London]

"With an entourage of 500 staff, an armour-plated limousine and a fleet of decoy helicopters, America's new president will arrive for his first visit to Britain amid huge razzmatazz on Tuesday for the G20 summit. But it will be his closed-door meetings with world leaders that are likely to prove the most significant of the trip."

Why Doesn't the UK Have a Michelle Obama? from the Times [of London]

"With every picture she’s putting middle-aged women on the fashion map. And black women on the glamour spreads. And mothers in a new sassy spotlight. Oh, and curtailing anorexia in the process: each time she beams from a glossy, the broader broad wins the day."

Michelle Takes the World Stage from Politico

"The first couple’s trip to Europe Tuesday takes Michelle Obama to a land that likes her husband but seems positively fascinated by her."

Obama's Marriage Lessons for Men from the Standard [of Kenya]

An, at times, poignant commentary on the state of Kenyan marriage these days.

"Women say that all men are the same. Someone even declared that men are dogs. But if you ask any woman about US president Barack Obama, she will tell you that ‘Obama is different’."

VIDEO NUGGET!

"Did You Know..."

A wonderfully thoughtful and engaging extended clip showcasing how FAST global change and technological change are occurring -- this went viral on YouTube last year.  It finally caught up to me this weekend.