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Saturday, May 30, 2009

News Nuggets 160


For Suzy -- Obama ordering up a cheeseburger with jalapeno peppers at Five Guys in Washington DC yesterday.  Check out the full story HERE.

Israel Discovers the 'Real' Obama from Le Figaro [of France in English]

"Obama's message signifies a lack of concern for the political fragility of Netanyahu’s government - and he isn't betting on its longevity. The Israeli Prime Minister will soon have to choose between a domestic political crisis, a crisis with the United States, or more likely, both."


Obama knows that on Mideastern front he must display talents of skilled political juggle (Editorial) from the Yedioth Ahrnot [of Israel in English]

"US President Barack Obama is a rather sophisticated political machine. ...  Politics is the name of the game. Obama knows that in the Mideastern story he needs to display the talents of a skilled political juggle."


Middle East Hangs on Obama's Words (Simon Tisdall) from the Guardian [of London]

"A strong speech in Cairo could help tip the balance in Lebanese and Iranian elections and convince Arabs of American intentions"


High Expectations for Obama's Speech in Egypt (James Zogby) from the Huffington Post

"Already the topic of great speculation, there are several elements that should be considered by both The President and his audience in anticipation of his remarks.  First, expectations for the speech are high, and not without justification."


Obama Most Popular World Leader, Poll Finds from the New York Times

"President Barack Obama remains by far the most popular world leader among people in major Western nations and is the one political figure on whom people consistently pin their hopes in the economic crisis, according to new polls conducted for the International Herald Tribune."


Mr. Obama and Mr. Abbas from the Editorial Board of the New York Times

"President Obama’s meeting this week with the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, was a reminder of how much the Palestinians and leading Arab states, starting with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, must do to help revive foundering peace negotiations."


How President Obama Made His Energy Platform 'Pop' from the Washington Post

"The Chicago meeting marked a turning point in his thinking. He knew there was a moral case for addressing the nation's dependence on fossil fuels, but this time, he realized he could make a political and economic case for it. "


GOP Hispanic Strategists Stunned, Outraged by Sotomayor Attacks from the Huffingotn Post

"The rhetoric has been enough to make Republican strategists in heavily Latino states cringe -- concerned that such slights could cement Democrats advantages among a growing and increasingly influential political constituency."


Sotomayor as Racist or Sexist? Pundits Should Chill (Kathleen Parker) from the Washington Post

"In partisan warfare, it's never too soon to open fire.  Let's give our trigger fingers a rest and clear some underbrush."

With continuing rational dialogue like this, Parker will, no doubt, soon get drummed out of the "Pure Enough Conservatives" Club.


Rogues, Robes and Racists (Charles Blow) from the New York Times

"Someone pinch me. I must be dreaming. Some of the same Republicans who have wielded the hot blade of racial divisiveness for years, are now calling Sonia Sotomayor, the Supreme Court nominee, a racist. Oh, the hypocrisy!


No Newt, You're the Racist (Michael Hagan) from Vanity Fair

"I’d like to address the common conservative refrain that proponents of affirmative action are guilty of “reverse racism.”"


Men in Throes of Supreme Panic (Editorial) from the Boston Herald

"It’s been such fun watching the right-wing white boys sputtering over the Supreme Court nomination of Sonia Sotomayor, a Hispanic woman nominated by a black man!  “Our world domination’s slip, slip, slipping away,” you can almost hear them whimper. “What to do?”"


HOUSING NUGGET!

The New Movement to Seriously Downsize Our Homes from e-Magazine

Now, THIS is really interesting!

"The experience left Chase Rogers convinced that she was ready to join the growing number of people nationwide who are downsizing for the sake of saving money, minimizing energy use and reducing their carbon footprint."


HISTORY NUGGET!

Gerald Ford's Would-be Assassin Breaks Silence from the Independent [of London]

"The woman who fired a gun at President Gerald Ford in 1975 and spent the next 32 years in prison said in an interview today that she believed the country would change only through a violent revolution."

Ah, the decade of the 1970s -- don't you just miss it!


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