For an Obama on the Make, Egypt is the Wise Choice (Editorial) from the Kuwait Times [of Kuwait in English]
"Public opinion in Egypt has its own logic and rationale, yet sentiments on the streets of Cairo usually spread quickly to other parts of the Islamic world. At this point, it is these sentiments that Obama is after."
Upping the Ante on Israel (David Ignatius) from the Washington Post
"The Israeli leader faced an unusual test in his meeting this week with Barack Obama. The new president is not the poker-player sort of politician: When he decides to do something, he goes straight at it, laying his cards on the table face-up. That direct style is becoming an Obama signature, and it has subtly changed the dynamics of the U.S. dialogue with Israel."
Pakistani Clerics Back Gov't Offensive, Denounce Taliban Tactics from the McClatchy News Service
Wow -- this could be a very important development.
"Pakistani religious leaders and scholars Tuesday issued a strong denunciation of the tactics of Taliban militants, providing what could be major boost to the country's U.S.-backed battle against Islamic extremism."
The Miracles of Realism (Roger Cohen) from the New York Times
"Pyle’s zeal was also the Manichean change-the-world zeal of post-9/11 America, a disoriented nation striking out to deliver liberty, democracy and the rule of law to the Middle East and western Asia, but falling short and betraying those ideals in the process."
Obama Huddles with Human Rights Groups Before Security Speech from the Huffington Post
"Under heavy criticism for a series of decisions on national security that resembled, for some, those of the Bush years, President Barack Obama hosted a lengthy meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of several key human rights and civil liberties groups."
The Past's Agenda (E.J. Dionne) from the Washington Post
"Obama is caught between two powerful forces and two conflicting ideas. Republicans want to change the subject from their own party's failures and distract from the progress Obama and Democrats in Congress are making on health care and cap-and-trade legislation. Their slogan might be: Bring on the past!"
Earth Wins One from the Editorial Board of the New York Times
"The nationwide automobile mileage and emissions standards announced by President Obama on Tuesday represent a huge step forward in the effort to limit greenhouse gases and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. They also represent a departure from the Bush administration’s indifference on these issues and an important down payment on Mr. Obama’s pledge to fashion an aggressive and imaginative energy policy."
Obama Leads Dramatic Change on North American Roads from the Globe and Mail [of Toronto, Canada]
"As in the whole battle against the carbon dioxide emissions that cause climate change, the U.S. under President Barack Obama is leading, and Canada under Prime Minister Stephen Harper is following."
Military Attorney: Waterboarding is "Tip of the Iceberg" from RawStory
I had suspected this for some time.
"Bradley told CNN that when she was first assigned to represent Mohamed, she did not question he was a hardened terrorist, because “my government was saying these were the worst of the worst.” However, she now says, “There’s no reliable evidence that Mr. Mohamed was going to do anything to the United States.”"
US Drivers Express Enthusiasm for Obama's Proposed Efficiency Standards from the Guardian [of London]
"Customers filling up their vehicles were enthusiastic about Barack Obama's proposed fuel efficiency standards, saying they accepted the anticipated hike in new vehicle costs if it would bring promised improvements in air quality, fuel efficiency and fuel costs."
Chris Kennedy Will Run for US Senate from the Chicago Sun-Times. See Lynn Sweets' analysis of this prospect HERE.
"Merchandise Mart’s Chris Kennedy, son of the late U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, will announce next week he is running for the U.S. Senate."
Shorting Obama (Jonathan Chait) from the New Republic
"It's amazing how confident Republicans are in their belief that Obama's agenda will become unpopular. ... I understand that conservatives think his agenda is substantively bad. But it's just amusing that they can't even imagine that it will become popular."
The Republicans' China Syndrome from the Guardian [of London]
"When a moderate Republican chooses a foreign post over a 2012 presidential bid, you know the GOP is in a mess."
To Fight Bill, GOP Turns on Business from Politico
"Senate Republicans have come up with a novel way to fight the climate change bill working its way through the House: Tee off on Big Business, and tie it around the neck of the Democrats. "
Steele, But No Magnet (Kathleen Parker) from the Washington Post
"The party is roiling between the purgers (good riddance to anyone who thinks outside the pup tent) and the bingers (we love everybody!). Within those two groups are subsets: the sane people who are not afraid of paradox or advanced degrees, and the "Billy Bobs" who think it's terribly clever to pass a resolution insisting that the Democrats rename their organization the "Democrat Socialist Party.""
Ah, I've been using the term 'Billy Bobs' for years to describe the GOP -- first time I've seen a conservative columnist use the term the same way.
HUMOR NUGGET!!
Obama Organic Garden causes cancer, starvation AND obesity!
For the second time, Jon Stewart makes an appearance here.
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