News Nuggets 703

As part of our occasional primer on defense policy, the following is quite instructive:
Armied to the Hilt: The World's Biggest Armed Forces from the Economist [of London]
" In absolute numbers, rich and populous countries such as America, China and India keep the biggest militaries. Countries that have seen war (Iran, Vietnam) or are situated in strife-torn regions such as the Middle East also feature prominently."

Nuclear Scientist or Student Killed in Tehran? Either Way, Iran Blames US, Israel from the Christian Science Monitor
"If Saturday's shooting victim was connected to Iran's atomic program, his death would be the fourth killing or attempted killing of scientists linked to the country's nuclear efforts in less than two years."

Pressure on James Murdoch Is About to Intensify from the New York Times
"After his testimony in Parliament was challenged by two former senior employees and referred by a lawmaker to Scotland Yard for investigation, James Murdoch has come under rising pressure in Britain’s phone hacking scandal that is likely to intensify this week."

Police Face New Claims in News of the World Scandal from Agence France Presse via Raw Story
"Police faced new allegations Sunday that officers leaked details about terror attack victims and a murdered schoolgirl to journalists at Rupert Murdoch's felled News of the World tabloid."

'Super Congress': Debt Ceiling Negotiators Aim To Create New Legislative Body from the Huffington Post
"Debt ceiling negotiators think they've hit on a solution to address the debt ceiling impasse and the public's unwillingness to let go of benefits such as Medicare and Social Security that have been earned over a lifetime of work: Create a new Congress."

Defense on the Chopping Block (Robert Dreyfuss) from the Nation
"In the disgusting spectacle of the talks between President Obama and the Republicans on cutting spending, there’s one bright spot: the Department of Defense is facing serious cuts."

Four Ways Rick Perry Could Shake Up the GOP Race from The Week
"The Texas governor is flirting with a run for the Republican presidential nomination — and he'd arguably make the contest a lot more interesting."

In CA, Mitt Romney Isn't Seeing Love or Money This Time Around (Dan Morain) from McClatchy News Service
"Romney is perceived as the front-runner to win the GOP presidential nomination this time around. But despite his best efforts to become one with the Golden State, Romney is finding California Republicans to be a tough crowd, particularly those who have money to spend on politics."

Pawlenty Calls Obama 'Chicken' from Politico
""if you're the leader of the free world, would you please come to microphone and quit hiding in the basement about your proposals, and come on up and address the American people? Is he chicken?""
WHAT A LAUGH coming from this clown!  Here's the guy who has consistently bugged out on his tough talk statements when confronted to back them up.  

How Obama Could Win the GOP Primaries (Robert Shrum) from The Week
"Tea Party firebrand Michele Bachmann is soaring in the polls — alarming the GOP establishment, and greatly aiding the president's campaign."

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY NUGGET!!
The Gay Harlem Renaissance (Linda Villarosa) from The Root
"Quiet as it's kept, a number of the brightest lights of the Harlem Renaissance fell along the LGBT rainbow spectrum."

OBITUARY NUGGET!!
Nguyen Cao Ky, 80; Ruled South Vietnam During the War from the Boston Globe
"Nguyen Cao Ky, the flamboyant former air force general who ruled South Vietnam with an iron fist for two years during the Vietnam War, died Saturday. He was 80."
Madam Nhu bit the dust just a few months ago.  Good riddance to this one too.