Grassland in the Cheyenne River Tribal Park in South Dakota. From National Geographic.
Open Wide: How Libya revealed the huge gap between U.S. and European military might (Lawrence F. Kaplan) from the New Republic
"The president, after all, has inaugurated “a new era of international cooperation” and has said it would be best for America “to act multilaterally rather than unilaterally.” This paradigm responds to multiple needs unrelated to national security as such. It testifies to the virtue and good intentions of its architects. "
At some point, the Europeans MUST get their s%#@ together when it comes to defense matters. It seems to me that elites and the people in general are not in reality about such issues; they're relying on the US, and, as the US cuts back its commitments in the region, they (sadly) can't simply further cut their own defense budgets and then expect to be taken seriously on the international stage. AND, as they have at times during the Libya operations, they won't look so incompetent. Their vital interests are much more at stake in Libya than the US's.
From Rome To Damascus, Via Tripoli: The Mediterranean Chessboard from La Stampa [of Italy in English]
"Silvio Berlusconi’s decision for Italy to join the bombing campaign against Gaddafi has roots and reverberations across a region where all is connected, and nothing is certain."
China As No. 1? Give Us A Break from the Editorial Board of the Investors Business Daily
"This just in from the International Monetary Fund: China could pass the United States as the world's largest economy as early as 2016. With all due respect, the IMF has it wrong again."
The Obama Conundrum: A French Glance Toward Election Day from Les Echos [of France in English]
"Barack Obama’s bid for re-election in 2012 could be smooth sailing, but is he chipping away at America’s leading role in the world?"
As Oil Profits Soar, Obama Seeks Political Wedge (Dan Froomkin) from the Huffington Post
"So far, Republicans must be pleased. A good chunk of the hit to President Barack Obama’s approval rating can be chalked up to pain at the pump. But with the biggest oil companies set to announce sky-high first-quarter profits starting Wednesday morning -- and with those huge increases directly attributable to higher oil prices -- Democrats see a chance to put Republicans on the defensive."
Paul Ryan's 'Spinal Tap' Tour (John Nichols) from the Nation
"We know how Paul Ryan’s playing in Washington. But how’s he playing in Kenosha? That’s the question that will be answered today as the House Budget Committee chair makes a rare visit to the city that lost an auto plant and much of the rest of its industrial base under watch of the free-trade supporting congressman. It could be a rude awakening for Wall Street’s favorite son"
GOP Town Halls: Reps Forced To Screen Questions, Duck Out Of Meetings In Secret (Sam Stein) from the Huffington Post
"The wave of town hall protests targeting House Republicans, and aided by labor and progressive groups, is forcing lawmakers to put restrictions on the forum’s traditionally open structure."
Well, I guess that solves that problem!
VT State Senate Gives Final Approval to Single Payer Health Care bill from the Burlington Free Press [of VT]
"Under the bill, the state would move in 2017 to a consolidated health insurance system that covers all Vermont residents..."
There's more on this HERE from Think Progress.
Republicans are Being Held Hostage by their Base (Harold Meyerson) from the Washington Post
"“Friends of Barbour,” reports The Post’s Dan Balz, “said that he had come to the conclusion that Republicans can win only if they are totally focused on serious issues and not distracted by some side issues, such as Obama’s birthplace, that have arisen in the early going.” But Republicans are massively distracted by birtherism."
Why Republicans May Be Skipping 2012 Presidential Run (Michael Shear) from the New York Times
"Haley Barbour’s decision to forgo a run for the presidency in 2012 puts him in the company of a half-dozen top Republicans who have considered — and rejected — a challenge to President Obama next year. The question is: why?"
My short version answer: The 'heavy guns', folks who might be quite formidable, are holding off until 2016. As I have said before, these folks include: Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, and Jeb Bush. Even though he's making noises about running now (and probably still will as an exercise) I include Jon Huntsman among this crowd. Why wait? Simple. Anyone who wants to take on Obama KNOWS they will need to reliably raise AT LEAST $750 million if not $1 bil or more! Obama's campaign team just happen to have announced their fund-raising goals just a few weeks ago. No one seriously doubts that Obama can fulfill on this goal. In contrast, with the exception of Romney, the GOP dwarves that are gathering for the 2012 race mostly I suspect are either running for the VP slot (see Santorum), using the 2012 race to lay a foundation for 2016 (Huntsman again) or are simply blinded by their own self regard (the rest). Romney is the only one for whom this is it, this is HIS shot. He laid the foundation for this run in '08 and there's no turning that train around now. One other reason I suspect is in the background: why take on a formidable sitting incumbent during a time of UNPRECEDENTED problems both foreign and domestic if you have the option of putting it off and running against a lame duck when times might be much better?
If some corroboration was needed, THIS JUST IN!
RNC Chairman Wants to Limit GOP Presidential Debates in Primaries from the Wall Street Journal
"The new chairman wants to limit the number of Republican primary debates by putting the official RNC stamp of approval on a handful that would start this summer and go up until the primaries kick off early next year."
You MUST be joking!? In my view, this is the RNC conceding almost in advance that their candidate pool is going to REALLY STINK and that they're fearful that whoever is the nominee will drag down the rest of the ticket. If they were planning for a no-holds-barred battle for the WH, you would think they would want AS MUCH EXPOSURE as possible, particularly given how so few of the possible contenders are really known, even among GOP voters. IN-credible!
Trump’s Donation History Shows Democratic Favoritism from the Washington Post
"Billionaire Donald J. Trump, an early presidential favorite among tea party activists, has a highly unusual history of political contributions for a prospective Republican candidate: He has given most of his money to the other side."
Donald Trump's New Obama Conspiracy Theory (Michelle Goldberg) from the Daily Beast
"Not content with questioning the president’s birthplace, Donald Trump is now wondering how a “terrible student” got into the Ivy League. Michelle Goldberg traces the far-right history of the claim—which reassures resentful whites that this seemingly brilliant black man isn’t so smart after all."
Countdown with Keith Olbermann Returns June 20, 2011 from Daily Kos
""We're creating a great platform for Keith's style, which includes a very sophisticated digital presence for him—that we think will appeal to his very enthusiastic and active following. The show will also appeal to new viewers tuning into Keith for the first time.""
Obama for Queen (Geoffrey Robertson) from the Daily Beast
"With the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton looming, some Commonwealth nations have signaled they no longer want a British monarch reigning over them. Offering the scepter to an ex-President Obama is one option, writes Geoffrey Robertson."
Oh Boy!! Obama can go on to be the first ex-president to go on to be ... king of the British Empire!
BACKYARD NUGGET!!
If Your Shed is Common or Garden Variety, Take Some Inspiration from These from the Daily Mail [of the UK]
"Entries for the Shed of the Year are already taking shape with a wide range of pubs, diners and other creations among those entered into the nationwide competition."
Everyone knows the Brits obsess about their back yards, but the pictures of what people have done with backyard garden sheds are REALLY interesting!!
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