News Nuggets 191

Cats on the bed and on the counter -- no problem!  My kitties do it all the time.  See the Big Kitty Nugget below from the London Daily Mail

The Mullahs' Secret Battle (Reza Aslan) from the Daily Beast

"The uprising's power struggle has shifted from the streets to the backrooms of the government. But The Daily Beast's Reza Aslan writes that, despite rumors, demonstrators are hardly giving up."

Ahmadinejad Won the Battle But Lost the War (Walter Shapiro) from Politics Daily

"In the short run, the theocrats and the Iranian hardliners may derive short-term benefits as the American military option becomes even more unsustainable and implausible. But there will come a time -- hopefully sooner than later -- when June 2009 will be commemorated as the moment when the old order began to crumble as millions of Iranians bravely embraced the 21st century."

Why Iran Hates Britain So Much from the [London] Telegraph

"Britain has taken America's place as Tehran's most loathed nation. The antipathy goes back centuries."

Radio Free Iran from the National Interest

"While the Obama administration and the “Zionists” have attracted the usual opprobrium, it is Britain that has been singled out for special treatment. ...  The Iranian autocrats are especially irate over the growing popularity of the new BBC Persian service, which has only been operating for six months, yet already has an audience of between 7 and 8 million."

Vince Lombardi Politics (David Brooks) from the New York Times

"Leaders in Congress and in the administration seem open to nearly any idea so long as it will lead to passing legislation. ... It will do what it takes to pass a bill. All of this has produced a ruthlessly pragmatic victory machine."

How Long is Long Enough? (Bob Herbert) from the New York Times

"No one seems to know how old Mohammed Jawad was when he was seized by Afghan forces in Kabul six and a half years ago and turned over to American custody. Some reports say he was 14. Some say 16. The Afghan government believes he was 12."

The more we know about Guantanamo the more appalling it gets.

Betraying the Planet (paul Krugman) from the New York Times

"As I watched the deniers make their arguments, I couldn’t help thinking that I was watching a form of treason — treason against the planet."

While I share Krugman's sense of urgency around this issue, I think this demonizing hyperbole does more harm than good.  Moreover, if I were him, I'd worry more about Blue Dog Democrats and other moderates in Congress (the Senate especially) who accept the fact of global warming and that we need to act -- as long as it doesn't cost too much!  Obama's climate bill is far more threatened by these folks than the Republican deniers out there.

INTENSE NARCISSISM NUGGET #2!! [following on yesterday's Narcissism Nugget]

Sanford: Staying is Part of God's Plan from Politico

"In a written message to supporters Monday, Mark Sanford asserted that God’s plan for him includes finishing his term as South Carolina governor."

Does it include running for president in 2012?  Or keeping your Latin honey?  Hungry minds want to know!!

BACKSTABBING NUGGET #1!!

It Came from Wasilla (Todd Purdum) from Vanity Fair

Great long-form article on Sarah Palin and John McCain's relationship as it evolved last year.

BACKSTABBING NUGGET #2!!

Club-for-Growth Targets Republicans After Climate Bill Vote from Politics Daily

"The Club for Growth is a fiscally conservative organization, known for its willingness to support conservatives who challenge liberal Republicans in primary campaigns."

YOU GO!!  That was good work you did against Arlen Specter -- let's replicate that against the 8 Republicans who voted for the Climate Bill -- especially that worthless Mark Kirk guy whose running for Senate next year in Illinois.  TAKE HIM DOWN!  

GOP Poised to Eat its Own from the Huffington Post expands on the same story.

BIG KITTY NUGGET!!

I Share My Home with 11 Cats: Four Cheetahs, Five Lions and Two Tigers from the [London] Daily Mail

'I love them all. But they're a handful.'

Amazing video, photos ... and understatements!!