News Nuggets 474

Mount Fitzroy among the mountain passes between Argentina and Chile.  From National Geographic.

Obama Takes Asia by Sea (Robert Kaplan) from the New York Times
"In geopolitical terms, the president’s visits in all four countries are about one challenge: the rise of China on land and sea."

Why Obama is Right on India (Chalres Krauthammer) from National Review
"Modern China is the Germany of a century ago — a rising, expanding, have-not power seeking its place in the sun. The story of the first half of the 20th century was Europe’s attempt to manage Germany’s rise. We know how that turned out. The story of the next half-century will be how Asia accommodates and/or contains China’s expansion."
Well, this is something of a double milestone: it is only the second time I've ever posted anything by Krauthammer and again only the second time I've posted anything from the National Review.  May miracles never cease.

Obama in India: Taking the Partnership Global (Teresita Schaffer) from YaleGlobal Online
"The most dramatic change for the US and India has been the creation of a security relationship. In 2000, there was practically none…."

Why the GOP Must Back Obama on Iran (Meir Javedanfar) from The Diplomat
"Stopping Iran from getting a nuclear bomb is a bi-partisan issue. It’s essential Republicans work with the Obama administration."

Netanyahu and Clinton in Extended Talks on Mideast from the New York Times
"The length of the meetings — seven hours, including at least two hours in which Mr. Netanyahu and Mrs. Clinton met alone in a suite at the Loews Regency Hotel — suggested the two sides sensed an opportunity to break the deadlock that has stalled the negotiations since last month."

Barack Obama Will Be Back on Top (Robert Shrum) from The Week
"Here's why the president will win re-election in 2012."

Liberals and the Debt Commission (Jonathan Chait) from the New Republic
"How should liberals respond to the debt commission? The correct answer, I think, is to see it as an opportunity for a policy success or a political win. The wrong answer is to reject it out of hand."

Obama Has Boehner Right Where He Wants Him (William Galston) from the New Republic
"Obama faces a win-win situation. If he extends his hand to the opposition and they spurn it, the independents and swing voters whose views will determine the 2012 election will give him credit for doing what they want while coming down hard on Republican obstructionists. If the Republicans grasp his outstretched hand, then the country might actually make some progress."

Pelosi for House Minority Leader: A Bad Idea or Just What the Democrats Need? (Karen Tumulty) from the Washington Post
"Pelosi's decision to hang on as leader of the House Democrats has surprised and confounded much of Washington, including many in her own party. But if it is looked at through the windshield of what lies ahead, rather than the rearview mirror of the midterm election campaign, many argue, her skills as legislator and fundraiser are what's needed now."

Speaker or Not, She's a Keeper from the Editorial Board of the Los Angeles Times
"Judged solely by her record and not shrill Republican attacks, the House speaker deserves to retain her party leadership position."

Cindy McCain does Video Opposing DADT, Accuses 'Our Government' of Sending Signal that Bullying is Okay - Her Hubbie is the Lead Defender of DADT from Americablog
" Today, Cindy McCain joined a number of celebrities in a video about gay youth suicide and bullying.  Mrs. McCain's part of the video condemned DADT and then accused our government of sending bullies a message that what they do is okay. The woman basically accused her husband of sharing the blame for gay kids killing themselves."
It is actually refreshing to see the spouses of Republican politicians actually take stands at variance with their political hubbies.  Throughout the 2008 campaign, Cindy M. seemed like such a suppressed person, someone who once had opinions and a fuller self-expression now condemned to hold her tongue.  It remains one of my peeves with Laura Bush.

The End of the Line for Holy Joe? (Steve Kornacki) from Salon
"Devising a scenario in which Joe Lieberman stays in the Senate past 2012 is getting pretty hard to do."
Good news!  Who's on the bench for the Dems in CT?  Ned Lamont?  Who else?

CHILDREN'S BOOK NUGGET!!
Best Picture Books 2010 (PHOTOS) from Huffington Post
Check out the links here as well!
"This week, The New York Times released 'The Best Illustrated Children's Books 2010' and Pubishers Weekly released its 'Best Books of 2010' list. At the end of last month, the Society of Illustrators honored the best book illustrations of the year with its annual "Original Art" exhibition. Now, it's our turn to weigh in."