A scene from Arches National Park in Utah. From National Geographic.
UP-FRONT DEFENSE POLICY NUGGET!!
China has Joined the Club with its First Aircraft Carrier (Matthew Good) from the Guardian [of the UK]
An EXCELLENT comparative article showcasing many of the key issues I've been emphasizing here for some time.
"Bear in mind that the United States has two more active carriers than the rest of the world combined. ... While the vessel is set for sea trials later this year, the Chinese still have to master its use, including learning how to launch and recover jets, which should take them several more years to accomplish. The fact that the Chinese will possess a carrier has some defence analysts concerned, but they'd be the sort that view any alteration in the current global status quo discomforting. The United States currently has 11 carriers, all Nimitz class boats, with three new carriers currently in production, all of which are new Ford class super-carriers."
UP-FRONT SCREW-THE-DICTATORS NUGGET!!
U.S. Underwrites Internet Detour Around Censors from the New York Times
"The Obama administration is leading a global effort to deploy “shadow” Internet and mobile phone systems that dissidents can use to undermine repressive governments that seek to silence them by censoring or shutting down telecommunications networks."
Rebel Gains Spark Fierce Battle for West of Libya, as Gaddafi Regime Under Pressure from All Sides from the Daily Telegraph [of the UK]
"A renewed battle for the west of Libya could end the month-long stalemate in the struggle between Colonel Gaddafi's ugly regime and the rebels fighting for control."
Obama's Secret Afghan Exit Formula (Leslie H. Gelb) from the Daily Beast
"Obama is keeping under wraps a hush-hush plan for withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan—and he hopes it will satisfy those pushing for a quick exit and the diehards determined to stay the course, Leslie H. Gelb reports exclusively."
For the US, Game Not Over in Asia from the Times of India [in English]
"As the debt-ridden US struggles to reduce its deficit and a cash-rich China flexes its muscles, most of Asia is worried about a weakened America retreating from the region. ... Last week, Robert Gates, the departing US defence secretary, stepped in to dispel these fears."
Obama’s Partnership Deficit Around the Globe (David Ignatius) from the Washington Post
"Merkel’s visit highlighted an interesting problem for Obama, which I would describe as his “partnership deficit.” It’s a paradox that this genuinely multilateralist administration, eager to break with the unilateral policymaking of George W. Bush, has had trouble finding reliable partners."
Saleh’s Health said to be ‘Bad,’ but Physician Denies Yemini President has Brain Hemorrhage from Al Arabiya [of Saudi Arabia in English]
"“The information we have says that President Saleh is still in bad condition, mainly as he suffers problems in the lungs and respiration,” said the Yemeni expatriate who requested anonymity. Mr. Saleh was flown to Riyadh on June 4 on board a Saudi medical aircraft to be treated, a day after an explosion ripped through a mosque where he was praying inside his Sana’a presidential compound."
Wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make it.
U.S.-Chinese Tensions Mask Growing Relationship (Katherine Lewis) from the Fiscal Times
"This is a dramatic – and little appreciated – illustration that when you scratch the surface of the post-modern economic relationship between China and the U.S., you are just as likely to discover interdependence between the two countries as competition. And as the United States continues to struggle to recover from the worst recession since World War II, this symbiotic relationship could become increasingly important to Americans."
In Saudi Arabia, Comedy Cautiously Pushes Limits from the New York Times
"Stand-up comedy in Saudi Arabia remains a somewhat clandestine affair, emerging from the raw local performers hired as warm-up acts for the mostly Arab-Americans who began touring the Middle East a few years ago. But Saudi comics are now coming into their own."
Retiring? Sorry, You May Have to Work Another 20 years: Study Shows Many Americans Can't Afford Golden Years Until Age 84 from the Daily Mail [of the UK]
"A new study has shown that many Americans - especially those in the lower income brackets - will have to keep working into their 70s or even 80s to be able to afford to retire."
Iraq asks U.S. Congressman to Leave After He Says They Should ‘Repay’ for War from Agence France-Presse via Raw Story
"Republican representative Dana Rohrabacher's remarks at a news conference in Baghdad stood in stark contrast to those by senior American officials, who have pressed Iraqi officials to decide soon whether they want US troops to stay beyond a year-end withdrawal deadline."
YEAH! -- they invited us there! When are they going to PAY UP!? Answer: Never, cement head! When are American taxpayers going to stop paying for Bush's Iraq adventure? Answer: no end in site! Just what you'd expect from a Congressional winger who spends all of his time in the bubble of right-wing B.S.! This is what happens when the GOP lets one it's clowns loose in the real world -- they embarrass themselves and the US.
Black Hopes vs. White Anxiety (Clarence Page) from the Chicago Tribune
"Race relations have undergone a curious flip-flop. Polls show blacks feel more optimistic about the nation's future than whites, despite the Great Recession that's giving everybody the blues. Having a black, or, if you prefer, biracial, president explains a lot of that optimism, polls show. But white Americans, particularly working-class whites without a college diploma, have become more gloomy."
The Palin Files: Inside the Crazy World of a Presidential Wannabe from the Independent [of the UK]
"As 24,000 of her emails are made public, the American people get to see 'the hockey mum' as never before. Guy Adams joins the media frenzy."
Release of Sarah Palin Emails Angers US Conservatives from the Guardian [of the UK]
"Rightwingers accuse media of vendetta against possible Republican nominee and ask why Obama was not targeted too."
I swear -- conservatives are always an upset looking for a place to happen. AS IF Obama's record was not fully explored in '08. The reason Palin is getting the treatment now is because she successfully blocked release of these e-mails back then. I find it disturbing how quickly the far right reaches for victimizing false equivalents to constantly re-enforce the "MSM is out to get Sarah Palin" narrative. It makes it so they NEVER have to deal with Palin's actual record, her actual words and actions.
WATER WORLD NUGGET!!
Seven Watery Wonders of the World (Rebecca Greenfield) from the Atlantic
"Memorial Day has happened, and the Summer Solstice is nearly here. Meaning, it's basically summer. So get out your swim trunks and head to some unique watering holes with The Atlantic and Atlas Obscura. Featured in this week's edition of "Seven Wonders of the World":"
A guide to some of the world's oddest aquatic destinations, from a massive, deep-blue underwater sinkhole to the world's most dangerous infinity pool
PAINTING MASTERPIECES NUGGET!!
Van Dyck Paintings Unearthed by Saleroom Sleuth from the Guardian [of the UK]
"A London dealer has revealed the methods that have enabled him to attribute three unknown works to Charles I's court painter, Anthony van Dyck.."
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