News Nuggets 765

A balloon filling up for launch in New Mexico.  From National Geographic.

A Hint of Deterrence in U.S. Drone-War Strategy (David Ignatius) from the Washington Post
"Here’s the trickiest counterterrorism puzzle for U.S. policymakers: How do you stop al-Qaeda from attacking the American homeland without getting bogged down in protracted wars against insurgents? One answer would be to establish deterrence in the long war against Islamic extremism, like the standoff that developed between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The Soviets were obviously a far bigger adversary, but the basic logic is the same: Both sides have deadly weapons, but if you don’t shoot at us, we won’t shoot at you."

A different perspective:
Unfair Advantages: Selling Asymmetric War at the Unmanned Vehicle Systems Trade Show from the Boston Review
"With more than 8,000 attendees over four days, the ever-expanding event illustrates the recession-proof nature of the U.S. military-industrial complex."

Twists of Fate: The Towns That Loved Gaddafi Face an Uncertain Future from Time Magazine
"Unlike their neighbors in nearby communities, the residents of al-Asaaba are not happy with the way things in Libya are going. It used to be the favored town of the area; now its residents are the losers."

Iran is Losing from the Arab Uprisings (Rami G. Khouri) from the Daily Star [of Lebanon]
"The “threat” of a nuclear-capable Iran with its own enrichment facilities has been heavily marketed in the U.S. in recent years by a combination of neoconservatives, pro-Israelis and other groups that find Iran an easy target and scapegoat, for many reasons having to do with Iranian-American political tensions, historical anger on both sides, and regional strategic issues. Today, though, three other major issues seem to have relegated Iran to the background of the foreign policy scene in Washington..."

China’s Fall, Not Its Rise, Is the Real Global Threat from the Editorial Board of Bloomberg News Service
"China’s rise to global prominence has long preoccupied the leaders of the developed world. They should be more concerned about what happens if the country’s growth falters."

How The Financial Crisis Created A 'New Third World' (AUDIO) from NPR's Fresh Air Program
An EXCELLENT discussion that really clarified what's been going on with the Euro crisis!
"Michael Lewis' latest book, Boomerang: The Meltdown Tour, which tells the stories of the fiscal recklessness in both Europe and the U.S. that led to the current debt crisis."

Unions Join Occupy Wall Street (Michelle Goldberg) from the Daily Beast
"First the Transport Workers Union’s bus drivers refused to ferry arrested demonstrators. Now other unions are joining the anarchic anti–Wall Street protests. Michelle Goldberg on why the alliance is tremendously encouraging for progressives."
Goldberg argues, in part, that Occupy Wall Street may evolve into a "Tea Party" for the left.  I'm beginning to see a number of interesting parallels and this could be both a good and a bad thing.  When the Tea Party first emerged, it looked chaotic, irrational, and disconnected from any specific proposal or detailed agenda.  Like when the Tea Party first showed up, the MSM initially dismissed Occupy Wall Street.  Back then, the left mocked the Tea Party just as the right mocks OWS now.  Where will it go?  Who knows? I have a lot of concerns about the way this could evolve.  The movement already recalls (in its visuals) the 1960s counterculture (re: hippie) demonstrations.  While some on the left recall that era with fondness, most of the US does not.  Will the "look" overshadow the issues?  The GOP is doubtless gleeful at the idea that they could resurrect the divisive iconography and rhetoric of the late 1960s.  In '08, the GOP were ecstatic any time they could tie Obama with tiresome ideological relics of 40+ years ago (Rev. Wright, Ayers, Black Panthers and on and on).  So far, the OWS folks are making it really easy.  Moreover, will the ultimate outcome be to make the country even more ungovernable than it already is? 

A more optimistic view:
Rescuing America from Wall Street (Harold Meyerson) from the Washington Post
"Better late than never, the movement to take America back from Wall Street has arrived. On Wednesday, the ranks of the Occupy Wall Street encampment will swell as Move­On.org members, union activists and ordinary disgruntled citizens join the demonstration against our financial sector’s misrule of the American economy. What’s more, long-planned anti-bank demonstrations in major cities this week are growing beyond their organizers’ fondest hopes as the Wall Street protest movement catches fire."

Protesters’ Newspaper Occupies a Familiar Name from the Wall Street Journal
"The name of this new publication — the Occupied Wall Street Journal — nods to a certain national newspaper with origins not far from the protesters’ encampment in Zuccotti Park. The debut four-page issue, published Saturday, had an initial print run of 50,000; a second printing Monday night added another 20,000."

Obama’s Unlikely Anarchist Friends (Jonathan Chait) from New York Magazine
"... two things have happened within the last month that provide a faint glimmer of hope for the Democrats. The first is Obama’s American Jobs Act. The second is the growing Occupy Wall Street movement."

Has Obama Found his Inner Populist? from Politico
"Obama’s aides insist that his sharp criticism of the bank during an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos this week wasn’t intended to kick off a campaign against banking industry bad guys. But it has already had a galvanizing effect on Democrats who see it as the perfect way to hop on the right side of the Wall Street vs. Main Street divide."

Who Are The 99 Percent? (Ezra Klein) from the Washington Post
"These are not rants against the system. They’re not anarchist manifestos. They’re not calls for a revolution. They’re small stories of people who played by the rules, did what they were told, and now have nothing to show for it."

President Obama Goes on the Attack, to Democrats’ Delight from the Washington Post
"The emergence of this more pugnacious Obama has heartened Democrats, especially the most liberal ones, who spent the past few months dejected by what they saw as the president’s unwillingness to engage his opponents in political combat."

Obama Bets on 50-State Strategy to Eke Out '12 Win from Reuters
"While Republican presidential candidates target early-voting states, President Barack Obama's team is laying the groundwork for a 50-state campaign strategy it hopes will secure another White House win in 2012."

Herman Cain Rises, Rick Perry Slides in New CBS News Poll from CBS News
"The poll shows Cain, who stood at just five percent support two weeks ago, now holding 17 percent support among Republican primary voters. That puts the former Godfather's Pizza CEO into a tie with Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, whose support has essentially held steady over the past two weeks."
Cain finally gets HIS moment on the runway!  And how long will that last?  If recent history is any judge, he will be sprawled in the orchestra pit in very short order.

GOP Looks Past Sarah Palin for 2012 from Politico
"After spending the better part of three years in the center of the national political spotlight, the former vice presidential candidate appears to have worn out the patience of the GOP."

MARRIAGE NUGGET!!
Why Should Marriage Last Forever? (Mary Elizabeth Williams) from Salon
"'Til death do us part is so permanent. Does Mexico City have a good idea with renewable marriage contracts?"

BICYCLE NUGGET!!
The Rise of Urban Biking (Ben Adler) from the Nation
"The Complete Streets movement is helping city residents reimagine their roads."