A view of the "southern lights" from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica. From National Geographic.
Second Explosion at Reactor as Technicians Try to Contain Damage from the New York Times
"The risk of partial meltdown at a stricken nuclear power plant in Japan increased on Monday as cooling systems failed at a third reactor, possibly exposing its fuel rods, only hours after a second explosion at a separate reactor blew the roof off a containment building."
Radioactive Releases in Japan Could Last Months, Experts Say; Japan Braces for Third Blast at Nuke Plant from the New York Times
"As the scale of Japan’s nuclear crisis begins to come to light, experts in Japan and the United States say the country is now facing a cascade of accumulating problems that suggest that radioactive releases of steam from the crippled plants could go on for weeks or even months."
Why Japan's Nuclear Meltdown Is No Chernobyl (Owen Matthews ) from the Daily Beast
"Despite the scary race to prevent two meltdowns in Japan, the man who led the Chernobyl response explains how advances in nuclear design and the swift response will prevent any damage along the lines of 1986 Soviet disaster."
Nuke Industry Continues Desperate Spin Effort (Justin Elliott) from Salon
"Again, it's too early to say where this is going. But the early signs are ominous -- both for people in Japan and for the nuclear industry's public image."
Mr. Maliki’s Power Grab in Iraq from the Editorial Board of the New York Times
"Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki of Iraq is drawing the wrong lessons from the upheavals in the Arab world. … Nearly 20 Iraqis have been killed in clashes with security forces. Instead of taking responsibility, Mr. Maliki charged that the protests were organized by “terrorists.” He ordered the closing of the offices of two political parties that helped lead the demonstrations."
Tremors of Arab Youthquake Rumble East (Editorial) from the Moscow Times
"Prime Minister Vladimir Putin seconded the sentiment: “I am confident that the real long-term interests of the European economy lie with our resources. Nothing matters more than stability.” Repercussions of the Arab “youthquake” are being felt outside the Middle East."
Personal Finance for Dictators: Where to Stash the Cash from the New York Times
"As his country burns around him, the Libyan leader, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, has stashed away tens of billions of dollars in cash in United States dollars, Libyan dinars and possibly other currencies in banks and in Bab Al Azizia, his Tripoli compound, intelligence officials and a person with ties to the Libyan government disclosed last week. A rainy day fund of such dimensions helps Colonel Qaddafi withstand economic sanctions and a freeze on Libyan government assets abroad. And, of course, if he flees, the hard cash is easier to carry than other assets like cars or houses. In fact, history offers a long list of dictators, despots and kings stockpiling cash in times of trouble — as well as instances of outright thievery."
The 'Wisconsin 14' Get a Heroes' Welcome from the Wisconsin State Journal
"Saturday's crowd, estimated by Madison Police to be between 85,000 and 100,000, surrounded the podium on the State Street side of the Capitol and showered the senators with shouts of "Thank you! Thank you!""
Walker's Big Bank Donors Take a Hit from the Nation
"The blowback from Wisconsin governor Scott Walker’s union-busting crusade has only just begun—and it may soon hit the governor where it really hurts: in the deep pockets of his biggest donors. Workers have begun organizing a “Move Your Money Campaign” against M&I Bank, whose employees are among his chief financial backers."
I'm fascinated by the RANGE of expressions of protest that are emerging in Wisconsin. There is a real LEFT-WING populism that seems to be emerging, one using the rhetoric of "rich verses the poor." I continue to think that the WI GOP will deeply regret they pursued this collective bargaining showdown in the fashion they did.
WI Budget Fallout Could Linger a Long Time (Editorial) from Green Bay Press Gazette
"For all the unrest that's stemmed from the State Capitol this month — protests that attracted people by the tens of thousands, Capitol lockdowns with increased security and philosophical conflicts that have shaken communities — the fallout doesn't end with the passage of a provision that removes collective bargaining powers for most public employees. It may just be the start."
WI Repub Lives Outside District with Mistress, says Wife from Raw Story
"Protesters who marched at the home of Wisconsin state senator Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) were met with something of a surprise on Saturday. Mrs. Hopper appeared at the door and informed them that Sen. Hopper was no longer in residence at this address, but now lives in Madison, WI with his 25-year-old mistress."
I'll tell you -- the temperature is NOT going down in Wisconsin! Whatever might have passed under the media radar for state senators a month ago will now become front page news. In WI and elsewhere, it's going to get very ugly. If you question this, check out the greeting Walker got yesterday. Dems need to be careful not to overdo it.
How Wisconsin Helps Obama (Peter Beinart ) from the Daily Beast
"The right won that state’s budget fight, reigning in unions’ collective bargaining clout. Peter Beinart on how that victory ensures a Democratic victory in 2012."
Why Republicans Should Run in 2012 -- to Lose (Thomas Schaller) from Salon
"The 2012 Republican nomination may be a prize not worth winning. Because the nomination isn't worth winning, however, doesn't mean it is ill-advised for Republican hopefuls to run in 2012. In fact, if three historical patterns tell us anything, the smart play for any Republican who hopes someday to sit behind the desk in the Oval Office is to run in 2012 -- but to lose the nomination."
A lot of truth to this analysis. I agree that for Romney -- this is HIS chance. If he doesn't get the nomination now -- he's done. It's odd the author punts when it comes to Huntsman -- to me this is the beauty of Huntsman running in 2012. It sets him up perfectly for 2016.
For 2012ers, Past is Present. Are They Ready? from Politico
"The challenge isn’t just what is said in in the current campaign. Everything that a candidate has ever said on video can be made new again, at the least opportune moment, by what an observer called the “basement gnomes” — opposition researchers from rival campaigns and the Democratic National Committee — and amplified in the new media silos, many of them partisan."
ENVIRONMENTAL NUGGET!
Green Development? Not in My (Liberal) Backyard from the New York Times
"Critics in New York contend the new Prospect Park bike lane is badly designed, endangering pedestrians and snarling traffic. Cape Wind opponents argue the turbines will defile a pristine body of water. And in Berkeley, store owners worried that reduced traffic flow and parking could hurt their business. But some supporters of high-profile green projects like these say the problem is just plain old Nimbyism — the opposition by residents to a local development of the sort that they otherwise tend to support."
Lot of truth to the complaints here.
MIDDLE EAST HISTORY NUGGET!!
The Birth of the Muslim Brotherhood (Jay Winter) from the New York Times
"The Ottoman Empire's collapse allowed Western inroads in the Middle East, and the Muslim Brothers arose in response."
Jay Winter is an outstanding historian of World War I.
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