UP-FRONT BUDGET NUGGET!!
Running in the Red: How the U.S., on the Road to Surplus, Detoured to Massive Debt from the Washington Post
"All told, Obama-era choices account for about $1.7 trillion in new debt, according to a separate Washington Post analysis of CBO data over the past decade. Bush-era policies, meanwhile, account for more than $7 trillion and are a major contributor to the trillion-dollar annual budget deficits that are dominating the political debate."
A must-read to get straight why the budget is so out-of-balance!
Gaddafi’s Youngest Son Killed in NATO Airstrike from Raw Story
"SAYF al-Arab Gaddafi, embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's youngest son, and three of his grandchildren were killed in an airstrike on Saturday, a government spokesman said."
Will the Arab Spring Spread South? from the Guardian [of the UK]
North Africa and the Middle East have witnessed a string of uprisings and attempted revolutions but will the unrest threaten any of sub-Saharan Africa's long-lasting autocratic leaders? Take a look at our guide to the countries facing civil upheaval"
A REALLY INTERSTING multimedia map goes with this article. Check it out!
Uganda Unrest Gathers Pace Despite Bloody Government Crackdown from the Guardian [of the UK]
"Violent response to protests led by Kizza Besigye has fuelled rioters' determination to throw out President Yoweri Museveni."
Will Pakistan Erupt like Egypt? (David Ignatius) from the Washington Post
"In Egypt, this pressure cooker led to a revolution whose loudest slogan was “dignity.” The same upheaval could spread to Pakistan, and given the strength of Islamic extremism there, it would have devastating consequences. Meanwhile, the relationship between Islamabad and Washington becomes more poisonous by the week. What’s behind this dysfunctional relationship, and what, if anything, can be done to repair it? Is there a way to encourage greater Pakistani independence and confidence without rupturing ties with the United States?"
US-UK - Mind the Gap: Is the Relationship Still Special? (Nile Gardiner) from World Affairs Journal
"Cameron and Obama, both relatively youthful leaders who had revitalized their respective political parties with a message of change, superficially have much in common. But what does the future hold for the special relationship under David Cameron, both for the remaining two years of Obama’s current term, and beyond if there is a handover of power in the White House?"
This conservative British perspective rightly notes (but still understates) the degree to which Obama has little patience for the Europeans -- particularly as they seem to increasingly embrace the "disarm, look to the US, and hope for the best" approach to their defense budgets. If they expect to be taken seriously in the world, they can't expect the US to bankrupt itself forever on bloated defense budgets -- just so they can cut their defense spending in lieu of cuts in a gold-plated safety net which most Americans have never had in the first place.
Policy in an Age of Post-Truth Politics (David Roberts) from Grist.org
"...the crucial fact of post-truth politics is that there are no more referees. There are only players. The right has its own media, its own facts, its own world. In that world, the climate isn't warming, domestic drilling can solve the energy crisis, and Obama is a socialist Kenyan. (Did you see Obama's birth certificate yet? If he had that much trouble convincing people he was born in the country, how did he expect to convince them he's a reasonable moderate?) Obama can back centrist policies all day, but there is no mechanism to convey that centrism to the broad voting public. There is no judge settling disputes or awarding points."
Republicans Run Away from 2012 Race (Gloria Borger) from CNN
"In conversations with Republican strategists and officeholders, the importance of the upcoming election is never understated: Historic, some say. A must-win for the GOP. An election of great consequence for the nation. All of which may be true. And all of which leads to the next question: Why are so many Republicans running -- away from the race?"
Mitt Romney's Rusty Debut (Joshua Green) from the Atlantic
"Romney, sans necktie, looked a little older, a bit whiter in the temples, tanned and rested. Whatever product he once used in his hair he now seems to be using less of. His expensive sports coat and patrician mien gave him a country club aspect that probably wasn't quite what he was aiming for, but then Romney was off in just about every facet of his performance."
Is Mitt ever "on"? He sounds like the same guy who ran in '08 -- with just a few more spins of the dial when it comes to his positions on important issues.
Romney on Healthcare: Obama Should Have Asked Me if it Worked from The Hill
"... let me tell you this, if and when I have the occasion to debate President Obama, I'm gonna ask him this question: 'Mr. President, why didn't you call me and ask how it worked?'""
OH! OH! Now THERE'S a winning strategy against Obama! "Boy, were you stupid for adopting MY PLAN!"
Jon Huntsman Bets Against History, Taking on Obama in 2012 (Jill Lawrence) from the Daily Beast
"Lincoln trounced his erstwhile Civil War general, George McClellan; Truman dispatched his former commerce secretary, Henry Wallace; and now Obama is looking to do the same in 2012 against his outgoing China ambassador. Jill Lawrence on why Jon Huntsman thinks he can beat the odds—and his boss."
Haley Barbour's Exit Leaves Sad GOP 2012 Field (Matt Latimer) from the Daily Beast
"Now that Haley Barbour, one of the savviest politicos around, has dropped out of the presidential race, we may as just make Tim Pawlenty the Republicans’ Bob Dole for 2012 and be done with it—at least he won’t embarrass the party when he loses, says Matt Latimer."
Birthers, Buffoonery and a Sad Discourse (Kathleen Parker) from the Washington Post
"If you really, really dislike Barack Obama, his long-form birth certificate, finally proffered in exasperation, is quite simply a counterfeit. If you are a fan of the president — or even a respectful critic — you are relieved finally to have rid the country of the plague of “birtherism,” the rabid belief that Obama wasn’t born in this country and isn’t constitutionally qualified to be president. To whichever group one claims membership, one can’t help wondering when exactly we lost our minds."
Obama Birthers: Idiots of the Information Age (James Murray) from 3 News [of New Zealand]
"We live in an era where access to information is seen as a right, but the more we know the less we are able to trust. ... Yesterday, a black American president showed admirable grace while pandering to a rumour spread by racists. “We don’t have time for this kind of silliness” is a fantastic riposte to the nonsense spread by birthers; but I really wanted Obama to let loose and hammer these bigots for the fundamentally, intellectually challenged morons they actually are."
Tom Tancredo: Obama Withheld Birth Certificate To Make Republicans Look 'Nuts' from Huffington Post
"The idea, according to Tancredo, is that Obama withheld his birth certificate until now simply for the purpose of making Republicans look foolish. And the analogy to Ali seems to suggest a begrudging admiration of the strategy."
Protesters Drive Koran-Burning Pastor Out of Michigan from Raw Story
"A controversial Florida pastor banned last week from protesting at a Detroit-area mosque on Friday cut short a demonstration at a city hall largely drowned out by counter-protesters."
William and Kate’s Royal Wedding: British Monarchy’s New Era is Sealed with a Kiss from the Washington Post
"Then Will and Kate gave them what they wanted. Thirty years after the famous single kiss on the balcony between Charles and Diana, their son Prince William and his new bride, Catherine Middleton, made their own bit of history. Wearing the isn’t-this-silly smiles of a modern, young couple fresh from the altar, they gave the crowd not one, but two. More than any other moment, it symbolized the turning of a page for the British monarchy, of a new generation of kings and queens who would, perhaps, stand somewhat closer to the people."
ENERGY NUGGET!!
Optical Battery' Discovery Could Mean Solar Power Without Solar Cells from the Huffington Post
"Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a scientific discovery that is intriguing all on its own but it is the breakthrough’s potential applications in solar power generation that have them excited."
LBJ HISTORY NUGGET!!
New LBJ Tapes Suggest Past is Prologue from National Journal
In newly released recordings, President Obama might find someone to commiserate with.
TORNADO VIDEO NUGGET!!
A half-mile wide tornado moves near a highway in Tuscaloosa, AL.
HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY NUGGET!!
Experts Examining 'Old Christian' Discoveries to Determine Authenticity from the Jordan Times
"Jordanian antiquities authorities have announced the recovery of several lead-sealed texts which they believe will prove whether a cache of metal books represent the oldest Christian writings ever discovered are authentic or well-crafted forgeries."
AMERICAN CULTURE NUGGET!!
The Most Hated Baby Names from LiveScience
"There is no scientific study on the most-hated names, but these results, culled from hundreds of online message board postings by Baby Name Wizard blogger Laura Wattenberg, suggest that people have very strong opinions about what makes a good name."
Michael? WTF!? What's wrong with Michael?! I can totally get all the other names that are on this list.
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