A boatman in the Philippines. From National Geographic.
Russia's Sinking Ship (Editorial) from the Moscow Times
"These seminars are organized by the Memorial rights group and the Indem think tank. The forum brings together Russia’s top democratic leaders and thinkers and searches for ways to boost the country’s economic, scientific and technological development. After an entire day of discussion, the findings were certainly disturbing."
Kristol's 'Emergency Committee?' Give Me a Break (Stephen Walt) from Foreign Policy Magazine
"The ironies here are remarkable. For starters, you have some of the same geniuses who dreamed up and sold the Iraq War -- one of the dumbest blunders in the annals of U.S. foreign policy -- joining forces with someone who thinks U.S. Middle East policy ought to be based on his interpretation of Old Testament prophecy."
Artificial Islands Already Failing from Discovery News
"A dramatic series of of aerial images show that plans to build artificial islands to block oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill from reaching Louisiana's sensitive marshland appear to be crumbling. Literally. Two months ago, against the advice of many coastal scientists, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal began furiously campaigning for the construction of six artificial islands to hold back the advancing oil. The federal government quickly granted Jindal his wish, and construction on the islands has been continuing apace."
Here's a critique of Jindal's role in this from Americablog.
Our View on Banking Bailout: TARP Supporters Deserve Praise, Not Retribution from the Editorial Board of USA Today
"In the reaction of these angry activists there is something evocative of the early 1930s. When the stock market crashed then, many in and out of government saw it as a good thing that would teach Wall Street speculators a lesson. ... The lack of government intervention, driven in part by a sense that lessons needed to be learned, helped create a global meltdown and fuel the rise of fascism."
Line-for-line, the best editorial I have read concerning the TARP program and the lawmakers who supported it!
Pelosi Puts Her Stamp on the House from the Christian Science Monitor
"Nancy Pelosi is the most powerful woman in American politics and the most powerful House speaker since Sam Rayburn a half century ago. She is also one of the most partisan. During her 3-1/2-year tenure as speaker, she has shepherded through major pieces of legislation – most notably the landmark and controversial health-care bill, for which she was responsible in the climactic hours more than is generally known – and done so in an era of partisan gridlock. To achieve that, she has shown uncommon skill in enforcing discipline in Democratic Party ranks at a time when members are more fractious and ideologically diverse than in decades."
Can Obama Get His Mojo Back? (Roger Simon) from Politico
"Then, a terrible thing happened: Obama began to do things. He saved the economy from disaster. He provided new medical coverage for children. He passed historic health care reform for the entire nation. But who turned on him? Liberal Democrats."
The Indomitable Clintons (Peter Osnos) from the Atlantic
"Who would have thought Bill and Hillary would be so respected and adored a dozen years after the Lewinsky scandal? A new book chronicles their darkest days."
A New Breed of Debt Collectors (Megan McCardle) from the Atlantic
"Businesses in trouble are probably more willing to look to their old collections as a source of revenue. But it's also a result of increasing improvements in computer technology. It's easier to aggregate very small amounts--say, hundreds of unpaid co-pays from a doctor's office. Those debts can be unloaded at pennies on the dollar to firms which then use the interwebs to find their victims debtors and dun them for cash"
Is Jim DeMint an Ace in the Hole for Obama? (Stuart Rothenberger) from Congressional Quarterly
"More than Florida’s Marco Rubio, Kentucky’s Rand Paul or Colorado’s Ken Buck — all endorsed by DeMint in GOP Senate primaries against the wishes of party strategists and insiders — the president stands to benefit the most, long term, from DeMint’s rhetoric and actions leading up to the 2010 midterm elections."
When an Entire Political Party Moves to Bizarro World (Steve Benen) from Washington Monthly
"The right-wing Arizonan was asked on Fox News how his party would pay for $678 billion in tax cuts for the wealthy, which Republicans are currently demanding. Kyl said what he actually believed: Republicans wouldn't pay for them, and thinks it's a mistake to even try. Spending should be paid for, Kyl said, but tax cuts shouldn't."
What an astonishing statement ... even for a wingnut like Kyle!
WV-Sen: Democrats Savor Manchin's Name on Ballot from Congressional Quarterly
"It is becoming increasingly likely that West Virginia will hold a special election to fill the seat of the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D) this November and that Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) will be the 800-pound gorilla in that contest. And that prospect is being cheered by some Democrats on the House side of Capitol Hill."
DANGEROUS GOP OPERATIVE NUGGET!!
Serial Butt-Biting GOP Operative Sinks Teeth Into Texas Race from Mother Jones Magazine
"Charles Hurth has a history of biting women's behinds. Now it's Texas Democrats who have to watch their asses."
GREAT APE NUGGET!!
You're It! Gorillas Play Tag from Discovery News
"African great apes play that ever-popular kids' game as a way to learn how to keep a competitive edge."
ANIMAL BOOK NUGGET!!
Where Sparky May Go After His Final Walk from the New York Times
"A Review of: The Divine Life of Animals: One Man’s Quest to Discover Whether the Souls of Animals Live On."
No comments:
Post a Comment