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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

News Nuggets 163


This happened one year ago tomorrow -- Obama clinched the nomination with the final two primaries. Hard to believe.  See the related story below from The Root. 


US Reaches Out to Iran to Celebrate 4th of July from the New York Times

"Last Friday, the State Department sent a cable to its embassies and consulates around the world notifying them that “they may invite representatives from the government of Iran” to their Independence Day celebrations — annual receptions that typically feature hot dogs, red-white-and-blue bunting and some perfunctory remarks about the founding fathers."


US May Promise Europe 'No More Guantanamos' from Le Monde [of France in English]

“The states of the E.U. are close to an agreement on  taking in ex-Guantanamo  detainees. But at a price.”


Obama Hopeful on Mid-East Peace [both text and video] from the BBC

"US President Barack Obama has told the BBC he believes his country can help to get serious Middle East peace negotiations back on track."


Obama Will Try to Form a Personal Connection in Middle East from the Los Angeles Times

RISKY business -- but if anyone can pull it off Obama can.

"Now, as Obama attempts to forge new relations with a Muslim community that is at best suspicious of American motives, he relies on a diplomacy of personality that rests on the hunch that the best way to make friends for his country is by winning them over himself."


High Expectations for Obama's Cairo Speech from the Washington Post

"Clearly his goal is to signal a new era in relations with the Muslim world. But Obama's words will be measured and analyzed by audiences with conflicting interests, ancient grievances and long memories of other presidents' records."


Obama's Muslim Speech (Madeleine Albright) from the New York Times

Interesting observations here!

"I have attended a number of conferences designed to promote understanding between the United States and people who live in Muslim-majority states. According to Muslim speakers at such events, one fact stands out: When the cold war ended, America needed an enemy to replace Communism and chose Islam."


Netanyahu Reeling Because of Obama (Simon Tisdall) from the Guardian [of London]

"Obama and his acolytes have taken to almost daily, public exhortations to Netanyahu to meet his "roadmap obligations" and freeze all settlement activity, without exceptions, in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. They argue a settlement freeze is essential if the peace process is to be revived.  Israel's response has grown increasingly frenetic."


In President Obama, American Muslims Find Ally from the Washington Post

"Her attempts at cross-cultural connection can sometimes feel futile, Mansoor says, but her energy this year has been fortified by a powerful new ally: President Obama, a Christian who has promised unprecedented outreach to the Muslim world."


General Motors' Collapse Leaves Americans 'Cold' from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung [of Germany in English]

This article speaks VOLUMES about the differences in industrial policy in the US and Europe!

"The Americans, who have a better understanding of the effectiveness of market forces than most Europeans, know that GM is ruined … even in the city of Detroit, home of GM, there are voices that from a German perspective, are dumbfounding."


Right Demands Tougher Fight from Politico

"Conservatives are demanding that Senate Republicans take a harder line on Sonia Sotomayor, with new signs of tension between the Hill GOP and elements of the Republican base over the direction the opposition should move in the Supreme Court fight."


Joe Sestak: Giant Killer Against Specter? (Terry Madonna) from RealClearPolitics

"Who is this guy? And is he crazy? Does he have any chance to beat Specter? And what if he does? These and many other questions occupy the minds of Pennsylvania's best politicos some 11 months from the 2010 primary election."


The Bump Heard Round the World from The Root

"This June 3, a group of media and design impresarios are promoting “National Fist Bump Day” in honor of the anniversary. They want to celebrate a new iconic American expression of authenticity, political transparency and of course, change we can believe in."


BOOK 'NUGGETS' NUGGET!

'Renegade' CliffNotes from Politico

"Wolffe’s account of the Obama campaign isn’t to be officially released until Tuesday, but POLITICO obtained a copy earlier this week.  Herewith are some of the book’s most fascinating nuggets."


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