Stand Back (Clive Crook) from Bloomberg
"The fact that a lot of shares have been bought with borrowed money will worsen the impact on many households and put lenders at risk as well. The blow to confidence will be all the greater because the government has acted so conspicuously as a market cheerleader. That's why the bursting of the stock-market bubble could conceivably deflate the myth that what Beijing commands of the economy shall be so."
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
The Populist Backlash in Europe
The Old Continent Creaks (Arthur Goldhammer) from Democracy Journal
"Austerity and the failures of the technocratic elite have created the current populist backlash. France’s experience is instructive—and, possibly, ominous."
This is something I have been saying for years: democracies cannot afford to do nothing in the face of prolonged economic hardship. European leaders are facing a double whammy here (of their own making) by PROMISING that austerity would solve something. Well, they are seven years into this economic downturn and the unemployment numbers out of the EU range from really soft to really bad.
"Austerity and the failures of the technocratic elite have created the current populist backlash. France’s experience is instructive—and, possibly, ominous."
This is something I have been saying for years: democracies cannot afford to do nothing in the face of prolonged economic hardship. European leaders are facing a double whammy here (of their own making) by PROMISING that austerity would solve something. Well, they are seven years into this economic downturn and the unemployment numbers out of the EU range from really soft to really bad.
Trying to Put a Period on One of the Darkest Chapters in US History
Senate Votes To Outlaw Torture from the Huffington Post
"In a landmark showing, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to outlaw the practice of torture and solidify a noncoercive method of intelligence interrogation, indicating a firm departure from the years of the Bush-era torture program -- a period that many have characterized as one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history."
"In a landmark showing, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to outlaw the practice of torture and solidify a noncoercive method of intelligence interrogation, indicating a firm departure from the years of the Bush-era torture program -- a period that many have characterized as one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history."
Poll: Social Intelligence and Computer Knowledge Seen as more important than College
When It Comes to Getting a Job, Americans Believe Skills Trump College from the Atlantic
"People see social intelligence and computer knowledge as more important than a four-year degree in preparing for the workplace, according to a new poll.
"Social intelligence"? You ... what? ... play well with others!?
"People see social intelligence and computer knowledge as more important than a four-year degree in preparing for the workplace, according to a new poll.
"Social intelligence"? You ... what? ... play well with others!?
The Obsolescence ... of Work?
A World Without Work (Derek Thompson) from the Atlantic
"For centuries, experts have predicted that machines would make workers obsolete. That moment may finally be arriving. Could that be a good thing?"
"For centuries, experts have predicted that machines would make workers obsolete. That moment may finally be arriving. Could that be a good thing?"
A New Social Contract for a Nation of Freelancers
Shared Security, Shared Growth (Nick Hanauer & David Rolf) from Democracy Journal
"Our changing economy has given rise to a nation of freelancers and contractors—and the need for a twenty-first-century social contract."
"Our changing economy has given rise to a nation of freelancers and contractors—and the need for a twenty-first-century social contract."
Why so many Americans are unmarried
Singles nation (Stephanie Hanes) from the Christian Science Monitor
"Singles now outnumber married adults in the US. What's behind that social shift – and why it matters."
"Singles now outnumber married adults in the US. What's behind that social shift – and why it matters."
Same-sex unions ... with Kids
What Could Gay Marriage Mean for the Kids? (Gabriela Herman) from the New York Times
"When courts consider same-sex unions, they often ask about what life is like for children with gay parents. Here are some answers."
"When courts consider same-sex unions, they often ask about what life is like for children with gay parents. Here are some answers."
With Gun Control, Self Defense is No Defense
Using Guns In Self-Defense Is Rare, Study Finds from the Huffington Post
"American gun owners are far more likely to injure themselves or someone else with their firearm than to stop a criminal, according to a new study from a group calling for tighter gun control."
"American gun owners are far more likely to injure themselves or someone else with their firearm than to stop a criminal, according to a new study from a group calling for tighter gun control."
Pope Condemns Weapons Makers
Pope says weapons manufacturers can't call themselves Christian from Reuters
"Francis issued his toughest condemnation to date of the weapons industry at a rally of thousands of young people at the end of the first day of his trip to the Italian city of Turin."
"Francis issued his toughest condemnation to date of the weapons industry at a rally of thousands of young people at the end of the first day of his trip to the Italian city of Turin."
It’s not Fox News’ America anymore!
Americans want a dialogue on race and gun violence after Charleston (Sophia Tesfaye) from Salon
"Right downplays guns & racism in wake of latest massacre, but Americans say it's time for a serious discussion."
"Right downplays guns & racism in wake of latest massacre, but Americans say it's time for a serious discussion."
The "Big Surprise" of Jeb's Campaign
Jeb Bush's 18-month shadow campaign (Marc Caputo) from Politico Magazine
"... many in the world of national politics thought it more likely than not that Jeb wouldn’t run in 2016, especially because they were certain his protegé, Sen. Marco Rubio, would."
It just goes to show that DC never lacks for an infinite number of beltway dunces. As regular readers here know, I have been predicting for, oh, about 18 months that Jeb was going to run.
"... many in the world of national politics thought it more likely than not that Jeb wouldn’t run in 2016, especially because they were certain his protegé, Sen. Marco Rubio, would."
It just goes to show that DC never lacks for an infinite number of beltway dunces. As regular readers here know, I have been predicting for, oh, about 18 months that Jeb was going to run.
The Candidate that Brings Real Gusto to the 2016 Race!
Trump: The 'Carnival Barker' Joins the 2016 Circus (Russell Berman) from the Atlantic
"To the chagrin of Republicans and delight of Democrats, Donald Trump jumped in to the presidential race with his typical gusto."
Berman's photos and "analysis" are priceless!
"To the chagrin of Republicans and delight of Democrats, Donald Trump jumped in to the presidential race with his typical gusto."
Berman's photos and "analysis" are priceless!
Rush Limbaugh’s downward spiral continues
Another demotion, another step toward irrelevancy (Eric Boehlert) from Salon
"The conservative yakker has a new home at one of Boston's cellar-dwelling outposts. This is Rush's life in 2015."
"The conservative yakker has a new home at one of Boston's cellar-dwelling outposts. This is Rush's life in 2015."
Sunday, June 14, 2015
TODAY'S BIG NUGGET: America's Overwhelming Power ... and Under-whelming Confidence
Iran and the Obama Doctrine (Thomas Friedman) from the New York Times
"Obama said his view was that “engagement,” combined with meeting core strategic needs, could serve American interests vis-Ã -vis these three countries far better than endless sanctions and isolation. He added that America, with its overwhelming power, needs to have the self-confidence to take some calculated risks to open important new possibilities..."
"Obama said his view was that “engagement,” combined with meeting core strategic needs, could serve American interests vis-Ã -vis these three countries far better than endless sanctions and isolation. He added that America, with its overwhelming power, needs to have the self-confidence to take some calculated risks to open important new possibilities..."
How one of Russia's top US experts tries to explain America
"America has a simple ideology" (Max Fisher) from Vox
""The idea that the United States aims at a 'color revolution' in Moscow is the single most frequently repeated theme of official Russian rhetoric." This is more than paranoia or government propaganda; it is the accepted worldview: that Russia is under constant threat from a hostile and irrational United States."
""The idea that the United States aims at a 'color revolution' in Moscow is the single most frequently repeated theme of official Russian rhetoric." This is more than paranoia or government propaganda; it is the accepted worldview: that Russia is under constant threat from a hostile and irrational United States."
China: Important, yes. But Dangerous...?
Just How Great a Threat Is China? (James Fallows) from the Atlantic
"It is the most important country for America’s future. Does that mean it’s the most dangerous? ... The extent to which the PLA feels circled-in and outgunned by the U.S. military is almost impossible for most Americans to imagine. In the United States, everyone assumes that China is ever-ascendant, while America is overcommitted, war-weary, and generally played-out."
"It is the most important country for America’s future. Does that mean it’s the most dangerous? ... The extent to which the PLA feels circled-in and outgunned by the U.S. military is almost impossible for most Americans to imagine. In the United States, everyone assumes that China is ever-ascendant, while America is overcommitted, war-weary, and generally played-out."
Putin's war ... on Information
Putin Fears His Own People (Kaj Leers) from Real Clear World
"While Russian troops are again massing at the Ukrainian border, and the first reports of renewed fighting are heard, Russian President Vladimir Putin is cracking down hard on the free flow of information in his republic. What is Putin preparing for? And what can be done to break the hold he imposes on his people? ... Reports show that Putin is gearing up for something. He has made it illegal for anyone to report on deceased Russian soldiers in peacetime, and he has organized mobile crematoriums in a bid to prevent burials of the corpses of Russian soldiers. ... This approach requires the United States and its European allies to put some serious muscle into information warfare."
"While Russian troops are again massing at the Ukrainian border, and the first reports of renewed fighting are heard, Russian President Vladimir Putin is cracking down hard on the free flow of information in his republic. What is Putin preparing for? And what can be done to break the hold he imposes on his people? ... Reports show that Putin is gearing up for something. He has made it illegal for anyone to report on deceased Russian soldiers in peacetime, and he has organized mobile crematoriums in a bid to prevent burials of the corpses of Russian soldiers. ... This approach requires the United States and its European allies to put some serious muscle into information warfare."
This Is How America Will Remember Barack Obama
This Is How America Will Remember Barack Obama (George Condon) from the National Journal
"So much of a politician's life is choreographed, but the pain of Joe Biden's loss was real for this president. And America witnessed it."
"So much of a politician's life is choreographed, but the pain of Joe Biden's loss was real for this president. And America witnessed it."
Why Americans Are Turning Against Free Trade
Why Americans Are Turning Against Free Trade (David Frum) from the Atlantic
"When the proceeds of growth are not widely shared, the consensus in favor of pro-growth measures cracks."
"When the proceeds of growth are not widely shared, the consensus in favor of pro-growth measures cracks."
What foreign governments tell their citizens about the perils of vacationing in the United States
Don’t Make Jokes About Bombs, and No Nude Sunbathing from Foreign Policy Magazine
" When foreign countries offer travel advice and warnings to their citizens en route to the United States, what exactly do they say? Thanks to Google Translate — triangulated with several other free online translation services — I was able to trawl through the websites of a dozen countries’ ministries of foreign affairs, looking for advice to U.S.-bound travelers. ... German tourists are warned not to get sick in the United States — healthcare in the United States costs so much that “often it is cheaper … to fly back to Germany and deal with [your medical problems] here.”"
" When foreign countries offer travel advice and warnings to their citizens en route to the United States, what exactly do they say? Thanks to Google Translate — triangulated with several other free online translation services — I was able to trawl through the websites of a dozen countries’ ministries of foreign affairs, looking for advice to U.S.-bound travelers. ... German tourists are warned not to get sick in the United States — healthcare in the United States costs so much that “often it is cheaper … to fly back to Germany and deal with [your medical problems] here.”"
The Pope's Response to Sexual Abuse - Starting to Get it Right
Pope Creates Tribunal for Bishop Negligence in Child Sexual Abuse Cases from the New York Times
"Responding to years of complaints from victims of clergy sexual abuse, the Vatican announced on Wednesday that Pope Francis had approved a plan to subject Roman Catholic bishops to judgment and discipline by a new tribunal if they are accused of covering up or failing to prevent
misconduct. The tribunal is intended to address what victims’ advocacy groups say has been, at best, decades of mishandling of sexual abuse cases involving minors by clergy, and at worst, the covering up of abuses by priests."
"Responding to years of complaints from victims of clergy sexual abuse, the Vatican announced on Wednesday that Pope Francis had approved a plan to subject Roman Catholic bishops to judgment and discipline by a new tribunal if they are accused of covering up or failing to prevent
misconduct. The tribunal is intended to address what victims’ advocacy groups say has been, at best, decades of mishandling of sexual abuse cases involving minors by clergy, and at worst, the covering up of abuses by priests."
The Try-Hard Generation
The Try-Hard Generation (Fareed Zakaria) from the Atlantic
"I will grant that on American campuses today, there is a pervasive culture of achievement, often in a narrow pre-professional sense. But it’s strange to blame the students for something that is largely beyond their control. After all, they did not devise the intense system of tests that comprise the gateway to American higher education, nor did they create the highly competitive job market in anxious economic times. Admissions offices now prize nothing less than perfection."
"I will grant that on American campuses today, there is a pervasive culture of achievement, often in a narrow pre-professional sense. But it’s strange to blame the students for something that is largely beyond their control. After all, they did not devise the intense system of tests that comprise the gateway to American higher education, nor did they create the highly competitive job market in anxious economic times. Admissions offices now prize nothing less than perfection."
Other Measures of Crisis in Higher Ed
Why I Defaulted on My Student Loans (Lee Siegel) from the New York Times
"I refused to waste my life to pay back a pointless and overbearing debt. ... Moneyed stumbles never seem to have much consequence. Tax fraud, insider trading, almost criminal nepotism — these won’t knock you off the straight and narrow. But if you’re poor and miss a child-support payment, or if you’re middle class and default on your student loans, then God help you. Forty years after I took out my first student loan, and 30 years after getting my last, the Department of Education is still pursuing the unpaid balance. "
"I refused to waste my life to pay back a pointless and overbearing debt. ... Moneyed stumbles never seem to have much consequence. Tax fraud, insider trading, almost criminal nepotism — these won’t knock you off the straight and narrow. But if you’re poor and miss a child-support payment, or if you’re middle class and default on your student loans, then God help you. Forty years after I took out my first student loan, and 30 years after getting my last, the Department of Education is still pursuing the unpaid balance. "
Innovative Ways to Control Guns!
Gun killings fell by 40 percent after Connecticut passed this law from the Washington Post
"... in the summer of 1994, lawmakers hustled through a gun control bill in a special session. They hoped to curb shootings by requiring people to get a purchasing license before buying a handgun. The state would issue these permits to people who passed a background check and a gun safety training course."
"... in the summer of 1994, lawmakers hustled through a gun control bill in a special session. They hoped to curb shootings by requiring people to get a purchasing license before buying a handgun. The state would issue these permits to people who passed a background check and a gun safety training course."
A perfect penalty coming out of an imperfect justice system
What do you think of the death penalty now, Justice Scalia? (Leonard Pitts) from the Miami Herald
"The argument against the death penalty will never have the visceral, immediate emotionalism of the argument in favor. It does not satisfy that instinctive human need to make somebody pay — now! — when something bad has been done. Rather, it turns on quieter concerns, issues of inherent racial, class, geographic and gender bias, issues of corner-cutting cops and ineffective counsel, and issues of irrevocability, the fact that, once imposed, death cannot be undone. Those issues were easy for you to ignore in mocking Blackmun. They are always easy to ignore, right up until the moment they are not. This is one of those moments, sir,..."
The predictable outcome when a perfect penalty comes out of an imperfect justice system.
"The argument against the death penalty will never have the visceral, immediate emotionalism of the argument in favor. It does not satisfy that instinctive human need to make somebody pay — now! — when something bad has been done. Rather, it turns on quieter concerns, issues of inherent racial, class, geographic and gender bias, issues of corner-cutting cops and ineffective counsel, and issues of irrevocability, the fact that, once imposed, death cannot be undone. Those issues were easy for you to ignore in mocking Blackmun. They are always easy to ignore, right up until the moment they are not. This is one of those moments, sir,..."
The predictable outcome when a perfect penalty comes out of an imperfect justice system.
U Wisconsin -- Who's Next?
Goodbye, Madison (Josh Marshall) from Talking Points Memo
"As he readies to run for president and grabs whatever low hanging fruit on the conservative agenda tree he can find, Scott Walker is now planning to strip tenure from professors in the University of Wisconsin higher education system."
NO ONE should be surprised by this -- and it would be a mistake to think this was simply the product of a right wing nutcase like Scott Walker. Elected officials and university presidents and administrators alike are beginning to realize that they don't need tenure to attract a very good quality faculty -- and that the savings can be enormous! A majority of professors teaching college-level humanities courses are already temporary faculty.
"As he readies to run for president and grabs whatever low hanging fruit on the conservative agenda tree he can find, Scott Walker is now planning to strip tenure from professors in the University of Wisconsin higher education system."
NO ONE should be surprised by this -- and it would be a mistake to think this was simply the product of a right wing nutcase like Scott Walker. Elected officials and university presidents and administrators alike are beginning to realize that they don't need tenure to attract a very good quality faculty -- and that the savings can be enormous! A majority of professors teaching college-level humanities courses are already temporary faculty.
Penn State, the Catholic Church, ... and Now Republican Leaders
Who Else Knew About Dennis Hastert’s Cover-Up? (Frank Rich) from New York Magazine
"As the circle widens, what's the chance that some of Hastert's congressional colleagues have knowledge of a cover-up — beyond scant rumors — and that one will eventually come forward? We are talking about two potential cover-ups here. ... Writing about the case in Vanity Fair in 2007, Gail Sheehy quoted a source who accused Hastert of having “attempted a cover-up” of his dereliction of duty in the Foley case — a cover-up that involved coordination with John Boehner (then the majority leader), Roy Blunt (then majority whip, now a senator), and Thomas Reynolds (a New York congressman who also slinked away into retirement in the scandal’s aftermath). If the church and Penn State could finally clean house, surely the House of Representatives must do the same. Whether it does or not, a press exhumation of this case may well come to haunt the 2016 election."
"As the circle widens, what's the chance that some of Hastert's congressional colleagues have knowledge of a cover-up — beyond scant rumors — and that one will eventually come forward? We are talking about two potential cover-ups here. ... Writing about the case in Vanity Fair in 2007, Gail Sheehy quoted a source who accused Hastert of having “attempted a cover-up” of his dereliction of duty in the Foley case — a cover-up that involved coordination with John Boehner (then the majority leader), Roy Blunt (then majority whip, now a senator), and Thomas Reynolds (a New York congressman who also slinked away into retirement in the scandal’s aftermath). If the church and Penn State could finally clean house, surely the House of Representatives must do the same. Whether it does or not, a press exhumation of this case may well come to haunt the 2016 election."
A Field of Has-Beens and Never-Wases: The GOP's 2016 "Contenders"
Why Do So Many Obvious Losers Think They Can Be President? (Kevin Drum) from Mother Jones
"It's not based on polls, nor anything the candidates have said, nor any detailed analysis of which blocs of voters each one will appeal to. It's just my gut feeling. So here it is: my ranking of the 2016 Republican presidential field: ... The thing that strikes me whenever I actually type up this list is how few legitimate contenders I find."
"It's not based on polls, nor anything the candidates have said, nor any detailed analysis of which blocs of voters each one will appeal to. It's just my gut feeling. So here it is: my ranking of the 2016 Republican presidential field: ... The thing that strikes me whenever I actually type up this list is how few legitimate contenders I find."
For Obama Critics, Real Leadership Will require More than Speeches and Tough Talk
Can America Lead Again? (Anne Applebaum) from Slate
"It will take more than speeches and tough talk. ... This isn’t 1979, and a revival of Reaganism isn’t going to work: America’s allies are as wary of American belligerence as they are of American indecision."
"It will take more than speeches and tough talk. ... This isn’t 1979, and a revival of Reaganism isn’t going to work: America’s allies are as wary of American belligerence as they are of American indecision."
5 takeaways from Clinton's relaunch rally.
5 takeaways from Clinton's relaunch rally. And one big one: This was Hillary being Hillary. (Glenn Thrush) from Politico Magazine
"... it did reflect Clinton’s stated goal inside the campaign – creating an ideological “foundation” for the next 17 months of campaigning. And it certainly reflected the Hillary her staff knows: a little long-winded, earnest to a fault, and above all, trying very hard to connect with her party’s base."
"... it did reflect Clinton’s stated goal inside the campaign – creating an ideological “foundation” for the next 17 months of campaigning. And it certainly reflected the Hillary her staff knows: a little long-winded, earnest to a fault, and above all, trying very hard to connect with her party’s base."
Not Even in the Gate Yet ... and Stumbling
How Jeb Bush’s campaign ran off course before it even began (Ed O'Keefe and Robert Costa) from the Washington Post
"In interviews this week, dozens of Bush backers and informed Republicans — most of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to comment candidly — described an overly optimistic, even haughty exploratory operation."
Interesting. Regular readers know that I view Bush as the most formidable GOP candidate in the field this year. But I will have to say that, in the last six week, Bush's campaign reminds me most of Hillary's campaign from '08. So far, he and his team have seemed very disconnected from both the mood and agenda of GOP primary voters and from the broader electorate. Fortunately, there is no Republican Obama on the GOP side this season.
"In interviews this week, dozens of Bush backers and informed Republicans — most of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to comment candidly — described an overly optimistic, even haughty exploratory operation."
Interesting. Regular readers know that I view Bush as the most formidable GOP candidate in the field this year. But I will have to say that, in the last six week, Bush's campaign reminds me most of Hillary's campaign from '08. So far, he and his team have seemed very disconnected from both the mood and agenda of GOP primary voters and from the broader electorate. Fortunately, there is no Republican Obama on the GOP side this season.
The stunning fall of the right’s angriest bloviator
Rush Limbaugh is cooked (Eric Boehlert) from Salon
"Indianapolis' WIBC is just the latest station to drop him like a bad habit. His days of relevance are numbered."
"Indianapolis' WIBC is just the latest station to drop him like a bad habit. His days of relevance are numbered."
Friday, June 5, 2015
TODAY'S BIG NUGGET: The Real Threats Facing America in 2015
Chill Out, America (Stephen Walt) from Foreign Policy Magazine
"TV news, think-tank pundits, and politicians all want you to see threats around every corner. Don't fall for it. ... in fact, it’s hard to identify any looming or imminent external threats, and certainly none as dire as the dangers that other societies face or as serious as the challenges the United States has overcome in the past. .... With typical hyperbole, the Wall Street Journal now sounds the alarm about the emergence of Russia, Iran, and China as “regional hegemons” (a label that greatly exaggerates each state’s position) and blames this supposed “hegemony” on an “American retreat.” A key reason these three states are in a somewhat better position today than they were a decade ago is that too many U.S. leaders have listened to the Wall Street Journal‘s foreign policy advice and squandered American power in a series of pointless and failed crusades."
"TV news, think-tank pundits, and politicians all want you to see threats around every corner. Don't fall for it. ... in fact, it’s hard to identify any looming or imminent external threats, and certainly none as dire as the dangers that other societies face or as serious as the challenges the United States has overcome in the past. .... With typical hyperbole, the Wall Street Journal now sounds the alarm about the emergence of Russia, Iran, and China as “regional hegemons” (a label that greatly exaggerates each state’s position) and blames this supposed “hegemony” on an “American retreat.” A key reason these three states are in a somewhat better position today than they were a decade ago is that too many U.S. leaders have listened to the Wall Street Journal‘s foreign policy advice and squandered American power in a series of pointless and failed crusades."
The Emerging "Arms for Soccer Balls" Scandal
A dark day for Fifa after claims of arms deals for World Cup votes from the Guardian [of the UK]
"The shockwaves from the corruption scandal that brought down Sepp Blatter continue to reverberate, with claims in Germany that the 2006 World Cup vote was influenced by a shipment of rocket-propelled grenades and allegations in Egypt that a Fifa executive solicited bribes during the 2010 bidding race."
This scandal just got SOOO much darker than I had suspected. I am beginning to wonder if FIFA is going to survive as a professional sport organization.
"The shockwaves from the corruption scandal that brought down Sepp Blatter continue to reverberate, with claims in Germany that the 2006 World Cup vote was influenced by a shipment of rocket-propelled grenades and allegations in Egypt that a Fifa executive solicited bribes during the 2010 bidding race."
This scandal just got SOOO much darker than I had suspected. I am beginning to wonder if FIFA is going to survive as a professional sport organization.
Germany's Demographic Crunch
Germany dominance over as demographic crunch worsens from the Daily Telegraph [of the UK]
"Germany's workforce will shrink by 6m over the next 15 years, declining even faster than Japan's. ... The crunch is aggravated by the double effect of a powerful post-war baby boom followed by a countervailing baby bust – the so-called “Pillenknick”. The picture in Portugal (nine) and Italy (9.2) is almost as bad."
"Germany's workforce will shrink by 6m over the next 15 years, declining even faster than Japan's. ... The crunch is aggravated by the double effect of a powerful post-war baby boom followed by a countervailing baby bust – the so-called “Pillenknick”. The picture in Portugal (nine) and Italy (9.2) is almost as bad."
When the US Should Be In the Fight ... and When Not
Contain and Amplify (Thomas Friedman) from the New York Times
"U.S. policy now should be “containment, plus amplification.” Let’s help those who manifest the will to contain ISIS, like Jordan, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and the Kurds in Iraq, and amplify any constructive things that groups in Yemen, Iraq, Libya, or Syria are ready to do with their power, but we must not substitute our power for theirs. This has to be their fight for their future. If the fight against ISIS is not worth it to them, it surely can’t be for us."
"U.S. policy now should be “containment, plus amplification.” Let’s help those who manifest the will to contain ISIS, like Jordan, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and the Kurds in Iraq, and amplify any constructive things that groups in Yemen, Iraq, Libya, or Syria are ready to do with their power, but we must not substitute our power for theirs. This has to be their fight for their future. If the fight against ISIS is not worth it to them, it surely can’t be for us."
The Problem with U.S. Allies
It’s hard to get good help these days from Brookings
"Paradoxically, U.S. capacity-building efforts infantilized rather than empowered our allies, especially the European and Arab states, creating a level of dependency that, at least until very recently, stifled independence. The Obama administration, like its predecessors, urged these countries to develop capacity but simultaneously signaled to them that America would ultimately defend them when they got into trouble."
"Paradoxically, U.S. capacity-building efforts infantilized rather than empowered our allies, especially the European and Arab states, creating a level of dependency that, at least until very recently, stifled independence. The Obama administration, like its predecessors, urged these countries to develop capacity but simultaneously signaled to them that America would ultimately defend them when they got into trouble."
Obama Looking Strong for the Stretch Run
Things are looking up for President Obama (Jonathan Allen) from Vox
"President Obama's standing with the American public is improving as he nears the final 18 months of his presidency, and a combination of solid economic numbers, finding common ground with Republicans, and a diminished need to serve as the partisan leader of Democrats should augur well for the stretch run."
"President Obama's standing with the American public is improving as he nears the final 18 months of his presidency, and a combination of solid economic numbers, finding common ground with Republicans, and a diminished need to serve as the partisan leader of Democrats should augur well for the stretch run."
Obamacare Lawsuit Sourcing Widespread Anxiety in the GOP
Obamacare Obstructing States Start to Freak at the Consequences (Josh Marshall) from Talking Points Memo
"Tonight the Wall Street Journal has a fascinating look something we may soon hear a lot more about in a very rushed and chaotic fashion. Last month, an outfit called the Milbank Memorial Fund (as best I can tell a relatively non-ideological foundation focused on health care policy) held a secret one day meeting in Chicago for officials from states who may suddenly find their citizens cut off from Obamacare health care insurance subsidies because of the new GOP challenge to the law. The verdict. Basically that they're screwed. There's simply no way for states to set up exchanges in time for this year - just at the purest technical level, setting aside whatever politics are involved."
"Tonight the Wall Street Journal has a fascinating look something we may soon hear a lot more about in a very rushed and chaotic fashion. Last month, an outfit called the Milbank Memorial Fund (as best I can tell a relatively non-ideological foundation focused on health care policy) held a secret one day meeting in Chicago for officials from states who may suddenly find their citizens cut off from Obamacare health care insurance subsidies because of the new GOP challenge to the law. The verdict. Basically that they're screwed. There's simply no way for states to set up exchanges in time for this year - just at the purest technical level, setting aside whatever politics are involved."
Hastert and the Foley Scandal
Hastert and the Foley Scandal (Josh Marshall) from Talking Points Memo
"Set aside whether this past had any role in Hastert's office's laggard response to warnings about Foley. Hastert was hiding an explosive secret. He must have been terrified of exposure. A thundering denunciation of Foley would seem like the kind of move which almost would have invited a past victim to step forward."
"Set aside whether this past had any role in Hastert's office's laggard response to warnings about Foley. Hastert was hiding an explosive secret. He must have been terrified of exposure. A thundering denunciation of Foley would seem like the kind of move which almost would have invited a past victim to step forward."
Hastert Scandal Largely Unearthed back in 2006!
Flashback: Investgative Journalist Broke Ex-Speaker Hastert Blackmail Sex Scandal in 2006 from Infowars.com
These folks had little or no credibility back in 2006 -- but boy are they crowing now!
"In 2006, Hastert was involved with the cover-up of a major sex scandal involving Republican congressmen. ... “There is also much focus on the relationship between House Speaker Dennis Hastert and his chief of staff, 56-year old Scott Palmer. Hastert and Palmer, Hastert’s longtime unmarried adviser, live together in a DC townhouse along with Hastert’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Mike Stokke, while Hastert’s wife Jean lives in Yorkville, Illinois and stays at a hotel when she visits Washington."
These folks had little or no credibility back in 2006 -- but boy are they crowing now!
"In 2006, Hastert was involved with the cover-up of a major sex scandal involving Republican congressmen. ... “There is also much focus on the relationship between House Speaker Dennis Hastert and his chief of staff, 56-year old Scott Palmer. Hastert and Palmer, Hastert’s longtime unmarried adviser, live together in a DC townhouse along with Hastert’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Mike Stokke, while Hastert’s wife Jean lives in Yorkville, Illinois and stays at a hotel when she visits Washington."
Woman says her brother was a victim of ex-Speaker Hastert
Woman says her brother was a victim of ex-Speaker Hastert from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"A woman today named her deceased brother as a victim of sexual abuse by J. Dennis Hastert, the former House speaker, saying the abuse took place while he was a student at the Illinois high school where Mr. Hastert was a wrestling coach."
"A woman today named her deceased brother as a victim of sexual abuse by J. Dennis Hastert, the former House speaker, saying the abuse took place while he was a student at the Illinois high school where Mr. Hastert was a wrestling coach."
Gay Therapy Programs - A Form of Consumer Fraud?
Can Sexuality Be Changed? (Olga Khazan) from the Atlantic
"A trial in New Jersey this week will determine whether telling gay people that they can become straight constitutes consumer fraud. The ruling might mean the end of so-called “conversion therapies” for good. ... The case is being brought by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Alabama-based civil-rights group, which is arguing that JONAH-style treatment—and other “gay conversion therapies” like it—amount to consumer fraud. Quite simply, the SPLC argues, conversion therapy doesn’t work. People can’t become ex-gay, and making promises to the contrary is a false bill of goods."
"A trial in New Jersey this week will determine whether telling gay people that they can become straight constitutes consumer fraud. The ruling might mean the end of so-called “conversion therapies” for good. ... The case is being brought by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Alabama-based civil-rights group, which is arguing that JONAH-style treatment—and other “gay conversion therapies” like it—amount to consumer fraud. Quite simply, the SPLC argues, conversion therapy doesn’t work. People can’t become ex-gay, and making promises to the contrary is a false bill of goods."
The GOP's Worst Enemy: Fox News?
Fox News Eats Its Own (Bill Scher) from Politico
"The GOP’s worst enemy is turning out to be the friendliest network. ... The recent gaffes on Fox News by Republican candidates are not because Fox News journalists are suddenly out to get Republicans. It’s because even a softball question can trip up a candidate not ready for prime time."
"The GOP’s worst enemy is turning out to be the friendliest network. ... The recent gaffes on Fox News by Republican candidates are not because Fox News journalists are suddenly out to get Republicans. It’s because even a softball question can trip up a candidate not ready for prime time."
Rubio's Continuing Problems with Cuban Voters
Cubans Really Don't Like Marco Rubio from Mother Jones
"... they saved a particular brand of venom for Marco Rubio. Cab drivers, bartenders, artists—everyone seem to have something to say about Marco Rubio, and none of it was kind. A few suggested that as a Cuban-American Rubio should display some concern for economic struggles of every day Cubans..."
"... they saved a particular brand of venom for Marco Rubio. Cab drivers, bartenders, artists—everyone seem to have something to say about Marco Rubio, and none of it was kind. A few suggested that as a Cuban-American Rubio should display some concern for economic struggles of every day Cubans..."
Jeb's Continuing Problems with Conservatives
Romney Had Problems With Conservatives. Jeb’s May Be Worse from the Wall Street Journal
"Jeb Bush may have a lot of advantages as the 2016 race begins – money, name recognition, a network of supporters. But Mr. Bush has a problem with conservatives. How bad is it? Compare his standing to that of 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney, who famously struggled to win over his party’s base. Mr. Romney’s numbers appeared healthier than Mr. Bush’s, around the same point in the races."
"Jeb Bush may have a lot of advantages as the 2016 race begins – money, name recognition, a network of supporters. But Mr. Bush has a problem with conservatives. How bad is it? Compare his standing to that of 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney, who famously struggled to win over his party’s base. Mr. Romney’s numbers appeared healthier than Mr. Bush’s, around the same point in the races."
Thursday, May 28, 2015
TODAY'S BIG NUGGET: Imperialism Not Looking So Bad These Days
It’s Time to Bring Imperialism Back to the Middle East (Robert Kaplan) from Foreign Policy Magazine
"Empire may have fallen out of fashion, but history shows that the only other option is the kind of chaos we see today. ... Totalitarianism was the only answer to the end of Western imperialism in these artificial states, and totalitarianism’s collapse is now the root cause of Middle East chaos."
Now, I should say that neither I (nor, I suspect, Mr. Kaplan) are actually suggesting that America or Europe resume an old-style imperialist approach to the Middle East. But his argument certainly showcases the historical upside to imperialism in this era where instability is becoming the norm.
"Empire may have fallen out of fashion, but history shows that the only other option is the kind of chaos we see today. ... Totalitarianism was the only answer to the end of Western imperialism in these artificial states, and totalitarianism’s collapse is now the root cause of Middle East chaos."
Now, I should say that neither I (nor, I suspect, Mr. Kaplan) are actually suggesting that America or Europe resume an old-style imperialist approach to the Middle East. But his argument certainly showcases the historical upside to imperialism in this era where instability is becoming the norm.
Obama's National Security Legacy
Obama the Carpenter: The President's National Security Legacy (Michael O'Hanlon) from Brookings
"Gauged by more reasonable and normal standards, however, Mr. Obama has in fact done acceptably well. Both his critics and his defenders tend to use unrealistic benchmarks in grading his presidency. If we use the kinds of standards that are applied to most American leaders, things look quite different."
"Gauged by more reasonable and normal standards, however, Mr. Obama has in fact done acceptably well. Both his critics and his defenders tend to use unrealistic benchmarks in grading his presidency. If we use the kinds of standards that are applied to most American leaders, things look quite different."
Are America and China Spiraling toward War or Peace?
Are America and China Spiraling toward War or Peace? (Peter Harris) from the National Interest
"Contrary to much conventional wisdom and international relations theories, which tend to predict hostility between rising and established powers in world politics—a law-like dynamic that the Harvard political scientist Graham Allison has called the “Thucydides’s Trap”—Goldstein portrays the emerging U.S.-China relationship as highly contingent upon human agency. Whether peace obtains between the United States and China, he argues, will be determined by strategic choices rather than structural forces."
"Contrary to much conventional wisdom and international relations theories, which tend to predict hostility between rising and established powers in world politics—a law-like dynamic that the Harvard political scientist Graham Allison has called the “Thucydides’s Trap”—Goldstein portrays the emerging U.S.-China relationship as highly contingent upon human agency. Whether peace obtains between the United States and China, he argues, will be determined by strategic choices rather than structural forces."
China Looking to Project its Naval Power
China, Updating Military Strategy, Puts Focus on Projecting Naval Power from the New York Times
"China intends to project naval power in the open ocean in coming years, and not just defend the country’s coastal waters, according to a strategy paper released on Tuesday. The paper, the first policy document issued by the Chinese military in two years, comes at a time of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. China’s efforts to enforce its disputed claims to vast stretches of the sea by building up artificial islands and structures on reefs and outcroppings have drawn the
Philippines and its ally the United States into a test of wills in the region."
"China intends to project naval power in the open ocean in coming years, and not just defend the country’s coastal waters, according to a strategy paper released on Tuesday. The paper, the first policy document issued by the Chinese military in two years, comes at a time of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. China’s efforts to enforce its disputed claims to vast stretches of the sea by building up artificial islands and structures on reefs and outcroppings have drawn the
Philippines and its ally the United States into a test of wills in the region."
Evading Bitter Truths on the Iraq War
Was the Iraq War a Crime or a Mistake? Yes. (Jonathan Chait) from New York Magazine
"... liberal critics are correct that the war was not merely an honest mistake. But they have framed their indictment of the Bush administration’s intelligence manipulation in such a way as to help it, and its defenders, evade the truth."
"... liberal critics are correct that the war was not merely an honest mistake. But they have framed their indictment of the Bush administration’s intelligence manipulation in such a way as to help it, and its defenders, evade the truth."
India to Launch First Homegrown Aircraft Carrier
India to Launch First Homegrown Aircraft Carrier from National Interest
"India is set to launch its first indigenous aircraft carrier later this month, according to local media reports. ... The carrier is set to undergo testing starting in 2017, and—if everything goes to plan—will be inducted into India’s navy sometime in 2018. India currently operates two aircraft carriers, both of which are foreign built."
"India is set to launch its first indigenous aircraft carrier later this month, according to local media reports. ... The carrier is set to undergo testing starting in 2017, and—if everything goes to plan—will be inducted into India’s navy sometime in 2018. India currently operates two aircraft carriers, both of which are foreign built."
The Age of the Overeducated Barista is Here to Stay
The Economy Is Still Terrible for Young People (Derek Thompson) from the Atlantic
"The era of the overeducated barista is here to stay. College graduates are still spending more and more years (and money) to get worse and worse entry-level jobs."
"The era of the overeducated barista is here to stay. College graduates are still spending more and more years (and money) to get worse and worse entry-level jobs."
New York City's Public-Housing Crisis
New York City's Public-Housing Crisis (Alana Samuels) from the Atlantic
"Many of the city's enormous low-income residences are in need of millions and millions of dollars of repair work. Why are they still standing at all?"
"Many of the city's enormous low-income residences are in need of millions and millions of dollars of repair work. Why are they still standing at all?"
The Cost of an Adjunct
The Cost of an Adjunct (Laura McKenna) from the Atlantic
"The plight of non-tenured professors is widely known, but what about the impact they have on the students they’re hired to instruct?"
"The plight of non-tenured professors is widely known, but what about the impact they have on the students they’re hired to instruct?"
Why Obamacare makes me optimistic about US politics
Why Obamacare makes me optimistic about US politics (Ezra Klein) from Vox
"Five years after its passage, Obamacare stands as a monument to much that's wrong with American politics. But it also, increasingly, is evidence of much that's right with it, too."
"Five years after its passage, Obamacare stands as a monument to much that's wrong with American politics. But it also, increasingly, is evidence of much that's right with it, too."
The "Inherent Fragility" of the Bush Campaign
Jeb Bush's Many Problems (David Frum) from the Atlantic
"Bush’s ability to raise large amounts of money has distracted attention from the inherent fragility of his campaign. But there are many reasons to be skeptical of his ability to secure the Republican nomination, much less win the White House, and the early months of his undeclared campaign have done little to dispel those doubts. Here are six: ..."
While, as usual, Frum makes some valid points, I could come up with a similar list on the "inherent fragility" of the Hillary Clinton campaign. Both of these candidates come with SO MUCH historical baggage, it's anyone's guess as to which will be the most burdened by it.
"Bush’s ability to raise large amounts of money has distracted attention from the inherent fragility of his campaign. But there are many reasons to be skeptical of his ability to secure the Republican nomination, much less win the White House, and the early months of his undeclared campaign have done little to dispel those doubts. Here are six: ..."
While, as usual, Frum makes some valid points, I could come up with a similar list on the "inherent fragility" of the Hillary Clinton campaign. Both of these candidates come with SO MUCH historical baggage, it's anyone's guess as to which will be the most burdened by it.
With a Record this Bad (By their OWN LIGHTS) What Can the GOP Run On?
Reagan, Bush, and the Search for a Usable Republican Past (Jonathan Chait) from New York Magazine
"What makes the question so devilish is that the ranks of the living presidents offer no answer to the question that can square with conservative doctrine. ... The other two, George Bush and George W. Bush, have been excommunicated for committing real or imagined ideological heresy. The Reagan answer was not a mistake — it was the reflection of a party lacking a usable past."
"What makes the question so devilish is that the ranks of the living presidents offer no answer to the question that can square with conservative doctrine. ... The other two, George Bush and George W. Bush, have been excommunicated for committing real or imagined ideological heresy. The Reagan answer was not a mistake — it was the reflection of a party lacking a usable past."
GOP 2016 Agenda: Defend Old Policies?
Why the GOP Can't Get No Satisfaction (Jim Messina) from Politico
"My British experience — including insights from Mick Jagger — taught me that the Republican Party could end up like Ed Miliband. ... So far, during the 2016 cycle, Republican presidential candidates seem dedicated to defending old policies across the spectrum from going back to pre-crisis rules for Wall Street to attacking the science of climate change to constantly focusing on restricting women’s health care decisions."
"My British experience — including insights from Mick Jagger — taught me that the Republican Party could end up like Ed Miliband. ... So far, during the 2016 cycle, Republican presidential candidates seem dedicated to defending old policies across the spectrum from going back to pre-crisis rules for Wall Street to attacking the science of climate change to constantly focusing on restricting women’s health care decisions."
How Jeb Bush Stumbled His Way Through Four Days Of Iraq Questions
How Jeb Bush Stumbled His Way Through Four Days Of Iraq Questions from Talking Points Memo
"More than a decade after President George W. Bush invaded Iraq in 2003, his brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), ended up in his own Iraq quagmire this week. The likely presidential contender for months somehow had managed to avoid talking much about his older brother even as he began to steam toward a White House bid."
"More than a decade after President George W. Bush invaded Iraq in 2003, his brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), ended up in his own Iraq quagmire this week. The likely presidential contender for months somehow had managed to avoid talking much about his older brother even as he began to steam toward a White House bid."
TOOL-OF-THE-MONTH AWARD WINNER!!
Jeb Bush: It's 'Just Really Arrogant' To Say The Science Is Decided On Climate Change from Reuters
"Look, first of all, the climate is changing. I don't think the science is clear what percentage is man-made and what percentage is natural. It's convoluted. And for the people to say the science is decided on, this is just really arrogant, to be honest with you," he said. "It's this intellectual arrogance that now you can't even have a conversation about it. The climate is changing, and we need to adapt to that reality," he said.
"Intellectual arrogance..."! Translation: "Don't let those east-coast liberals, Jews and effete snobs tell you what to think!" Of all the GOP contenders for 2016, I can honestly say that I had the most respect for Jeb Bush -- both as someone who was demonstrably smarter than his brother AND largely unwilling to say the stupidest stuff running rampant on the right. No more. When it comes to climate change, Jeb KNOWS better -- but to get the nomination he is willing to spout anti-environmental nonsense and be a total tool for climate-change deniers. Most pols sell their souls in increments. Jeb just moved over to selling his at the bulk rate.
"Look, first of all, the climate is changing. I don't think the science is clear what percentage is man-made and what percentage is natural. It's convoluted. And for the people to say the science is decided on, this is just really arrogant, to be honest with you," he said. "It's this intellectual arrogance that now you can't even have a conversation about it. The climate is changing, and we need to adapt to that reality," he said.
"Intellectual arrogance..."! Translation: "Don't let those east-coast liberals, Jews and effete snobs tell you what to think!" Of all the GOP contenders for 2016, I can honestly say that I had the most respect for Jeb Bush -- both as someone who was demonstrably smarter than his brother AND largely unwilling to say the stupidest stuff running rampant on the right. No more. When it comes to climate change, Jeb KNOWS better -- but to get the nomination he is willing to spout anti-environmental nonsense and be a total tool for climate-change deniers. Most pols sell their souls in increments. Jeb just moved over to selling his at the bulk rate.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
TODAY'S BIG NUGGET: Losing the "Martyr-state" Myth
The Many False Assumptions of Iran Hawks (Daniel Larison) from the American Conservative
"It should be mentioned here that Rubio’s thinking on Iran and its nuclear program is badly distorted by his acceptance of the absurd “martyr-state” myth and associated false assumptions about the apocalyptic views of Iran’s leaders."
"It should be mentioned here that Rubio’s thinking on Iran and its nuclear program is badly distorted by his acceptance of the absurd “martyr-state” myth and associated false assumptions about the apocalyptic views of Iran’s leaders."
Paging Mr. Cheney! Paging Mr. Cheney!
Obama Administration Faces Mounting Pressure To Answer For Torture from Huffington Post
"In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch Friday, human rights group Amnesty International pressed the Justice Department to revisit its decision not to prosecute former officials from the CIA and the George W. Bush administration for their involvement in the agency’s post-9/11 torture program."
I'm going to quibble about the headline: Obama has nothing to "answer for" regarding torture. The real question is: Will anyone from the BUSH YEARS have to "answer for" torture? What about it, Mr. Cheney?
"In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch Friday, human rights group Amnesty International pressed the Justice Department to revisit its decision not to prosecute former officials from the CIA and the George W. Bush administration for their involvement in the agency’s post-9/11 torture program."
I'm going to quibble about the headline: Obama has nothing to "answer for" regarding torture. The real question is: Will anyone from the BUSH YEARS have to "answer for" torture? What about it, Mr. Cheney?
Debt: A Real Leak in China's Economic Tub
Is the U.S. Economy Actually Leaving China Behind? (Derek Scissors) from Real Clear World
"U.S. debt accumulation is now slower than China's. Looking further down the road, China's economy is plainly slowing (by any measure), while the U.S. outlook is uncertain. The absolute wealth gap rose despite very rapid Chinese expansion from 2000 to 2007."
"U.S. debt accumulation is now slower than China's. Looking further down the road, China's economy is plainly slowing (by any measure), while the U.S. outlook is uncertain. The absolute wealth gap rose despite very rapid Chinese expansion from 2000 to 2007."
Ending Bulk Data Collection by the NSA
House Approves Bill That Would End NSA Bulk Data Collection from Reuters
"The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a bill that would end spy agencies' bulk collections of Americans' telephone data, setting up a potential showdown with the U.S. Senate over the program that expires on June 1."
"The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a bill that would end spy agencies' bulk collections of Americans' telephone data, setting up a potential showdown with the U.S. Senate over the program that expires on June 1."
Shutting Down Debate on the Nuclear Deal
Tom Cotton, Marco Rubio face defeat on Iran (Burgess Everett) from Politico
"Senate leaders are expected to shut down debate on a nuclear review bill, clearing the way for passage."
"Senate leaders are expected to shut down debate on a nuclear review bill, clearing the way for passage."
Pay No Attention to That War Behind the Curtain...
Jeb Bush: Iraq Questioning Is Disservice to Slain Soldiers from Bloomberg Business
"Likely Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush said Wednesday that questioning about how he would have handled Iraq War authorization “does a disservice” to military service members killed in action."
Bzzzt!! Oh pu-LEEZ!! Nice try. No -- rushing into war for false or misleading reasons is an exponentially bigger disservice to military service members who are then killed in action. It is very interesting seeing how the Bush people are seriously struggling to find responses to inevitable questions about the Iraq War, responses that pass the smell test. They are NOT there yet! - Nuggetsman
"Likely Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush said Wednesday that questioning about how he would have handled Iraq War authorization “does a disservice” to military service members killed in action."
Bzzzt!! Oh pu-LEEZ!! Nice try. No -- rushing into war for false or misleading reasons is an exponentially bigger disservice to military service members who are then killed in action. It is very interesting seeing how the Bush people are seriously struggling to find responses to inevitable questions about the Iraq War, responses that pass the smell test. They are NOT there yet! - Nuggetsman
For Seniors ... Who Want to Stay in Their Homes...
Living, and Dying, at Home (Alana Semuels) from the Atlantic
"America is aging, and most seniors want to stay in the places where they've lived for decades. Can they? What will it take?"
"America is aging, and most seniors want to stay in the places where they've lived for decades. Can they? What will it take?"
Just Another Tuesday in the GOP Lunatic Asylum...
Anti-Government Resistance Now The Beating Heart Of GOP (Leonard Pitts) from the National Memo
"Duly elected leaders, putatively responsible people, give credence to the crazy idea that the federal government is about to attack its second most populous state and we shrug because it’s just another Tuesday in the lunatic asylum of American politics."
"Duly elected leaders, putatively responsible people, give credence to the crazy idea that the federal government is about to attack its second most populous state and we shrug because it’s just another Tuesday in the lunatic asylum of American politics."
GOP Primaries: A Can't-Lose Proposition for All Wingnuts
The GOP's clamorous, counterproductive 2016 circus (Michael Brendan Dougherty) from The Week
"There is broad agreement among elite Republicans that the sheer number of serious and unserious candidates may hurt the party. It crams the debate stage, elicits shallow questions, and reduces the nationally televised answers to the tiniest sound-bites or hand-raises. It's bad for the party, and the country. It's also a can't-lose deal for any would-be candidate willing to endure flights to Des Moines and house parties in Nashua."
"There is broad agreement among elite Republicans that the sheer number of serious and unserious candidates may hurt the party. It crams the debate stage, elicits shallow questions, and reduces the nationally televised answers to the tiniest sound-bites or hand-raises. It's bad for the party, and the country. It's also a can't-lose deal for any would-be candidate willing to endure flights to Des Moines and house parties in Nashua."
Barriers to Bernie in NH
Question: Is Bernie Sanders eligible to run in the NH Democratic primary? from WMUR News [in New Hampshire]
"Gardner: Law says he must be a registered Democrat when he files."
"Gardner: Law says he must be a registered Democrat when he files."
Iraq War Continues to Bite Bush in the Butt
Laura Ingraham On Jeb's Iraq Answer: There's 'Something Wrong With You' (AUDIO) from Talking Points Memo
"Conservative radio host Laura Ingraham dropped the hammer on former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) on Monday after the likely presidential candidate said he would invade Iraq again, knowing what we know now. "You can't still think that going into Iraq, now, as a sane human being, was the right thing to do," Ingraham said on her radio show. "If you do, there has to be something wrong with you," she added."
"Conservative radio host Laura Ingraham dropped the hammer on former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) on Monday after the likely presidential candidate said he would invade Iraq again, knowing what we know now. "You can't still think that going into Iraq, now, as a sane human being, was the right thing to do," Ingraham said on her radio show. "If you do, there has to be something wrong with you," she added."
The Link Between Work-Life Balance and Income Equality
Home Economics from the Atlantic
"The central conflict of domestic life right now isn't men versus women or mothers versus fathers; it's the family against money."
"The central conflict of domestic life right now isn't men versus women or mothers versus fathers; it's the family against money."
Friday, May 1, 2015
News Nuggets 1516
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| DAYLEE PICTURE: A cowboy overlooking Monument Valley in Utah. From National Geographic. |
TODAY'S BIG NUGGET: Learning the Lessons of Imperial Power
Coming to Terms With American Empire (George Friedman) from Real Clear World
"... if the United States thinks of itself as an empire, then it will begin to learn the lessons of imperial power. Nothing is more harmful than an empire using its powerful carelessly. It is true that the United States did not genuinely intend to be an empire. It is also true that its intentions do not matter one way or another. Circumstance, history and geopolitics have created an entity that, if it isn't an empire, certainly looks like one."
"... if the United States thinks of itself as an empire, then it will begin to learn the lessons of imperial power. Nothing is more harmful than an empire using its powerful carelessly. It is true that the United States did not genuinely intend to be an empire. It is also true that its intentions do not matter one way or another. Circumstance, history and geopolitics have created an entity that, if it isn't an empire, certainly looks like one."
The Real Choices with the Iran Nuclear Deal
The New Deal (Jessica T. Mathews) from the New York Review of Books
"Judging it begins and ends with clarity about what choices are truly before us. That has a simple answer: there are only two alternatives to a negotiated deal."
"Judging it begins and ends with clarity about what choices are truly before us. That has a simple answer: there are only two alternatives to a negotiated deal."
China's $28 Trillion Problem
China Has a Massive Debt Problem from Bloomberg View
"China has a $28 trillion problem. That’s the country’s total government, corporate and household debt load as of mid-2014, according to McKinsey & Co. It’s equal to 282 percent of the country’s total annual economic output. ... China’s also trying to prop up a $10.4 trillion economy that’s decelerating and probably will continue to do so through 2016, or so says the International Monetary Fund. The economy expanded 7 percent -- the leadership’s growth target for this year -- in the first quarter, the weakest since 2009 and a far cry from the 10 percent average China managed from 1980 through 2012."
"China has a $28 trillion problem. That’s the country’s total government, corporate and household debt load as of mid-2014, according to McKinsey & Co. It’s equal to 282 percent of the country’s total annual economic output. ... China’s also trying to prop up a $10.4 trillion economy that’s decelerating and probably will continue to do so through 2016, or so says the International Monetary Fund. The economy expanded 7 percent -- the leadership’s growth target for this year -- in the first quarter, the weakest since 2009 and a far cry from the 10 percent average China managed from 1980 through 2012."
China's "Banks" --Finally Becoming Real BANKS?
China Rethinks Safety Net for Its Banking System from the New York Times
"When the United States started insuring customer deposits, the government wanted to instill faith in the country’s financial system, which had been broken by a string of bank runs and failures during the Great Depression. China wants to do the opposite. With the introduction of deposit insurance on Friday, Beijing is looking to shake the public’s faith, namely the long-held belief that the government will bail out troubled banks. In short, China is trying to introduce risk into the system."
"When the United States started insuring customer deposits, the government wanted to instill faith in the country’s financial system, which had been broken by a string of bank runs and failures during the Great Depression. China wants to do the opposite. With the introduction of deposit insurance on Friday, Beijing is looking to shake the public’s faith, namely the long-held belief that the government will bail out troubled banks. In short, China is trying to introduce risk into the system."
Where China is Advancing ... and Where it Isn't
China’s new, better ‘leap forward’ (Robert Samuelson) from the Washington Post
"“China’s leap forward in science and engineering,” write Freeman and Huang, “is one of the defining events in modern intellectual history.” Still, they caution against overstating China’s advances."
"“China’s leap forward in science and engineering,” write Freeman and Huang, “is one of the defining events in modern intellectual history.” Still, they caution against overstating China’s advances."
What Putin is Trying to Prove in Ukraine
Welcome Back to Kiev (Vitaly Klitchko) from the Wall Street Journal
"The fighting in the east has targeted Ukraine’s industrial heartland, shutting down mines and factories. All of this is a response to the Maidan movement, because from Moscow’s perspective it is existentially vital to prove that people can’t prevail over corruption, can’t determine their own future and can’t prosper without bowing to a foreign leader."
"The fighting in the east has targeted Ukraine’s industrial heartland, shutting down mines and factories. All of this is a response to the Maidan movement, because from Moscow’s perspective it is existentially vital to prove that people can’t prevail over corruption, can’t determine their own future and can’t prosper without bowing to a foreign leader."
Looking for a New "Culture War" -- Conservatves Will Always FInd One
The New Enemy Within (Peter Beinart) from the Atlantic
"... while they still depict themselves as under cultural assault, they don’t generally identify feminists as the ones leading the attack anymore. Increasingly, they blame Muslims."
"... while they still depict themselves as under cultural assault, they don’t generally identify feminists as the ones leading the attack anymore. Increasingly, they blame Muslims."
Echoes of a Recession: Half of Americans have money worries
Half of Americans have money worries (Bernie Becker) from The Hill
"Half of Americans have deep concerns about their financial situation, according to Gallup. The 50 percent of people in the U.S. who have money worries is basically unchanged from the 49 percent Gallup found in 2014."
"Half of Americans have deep concerns about their financial situation, according to Gallup. The 50 percent of people in the U.S. who have money worries is basically unchanged from the 49 percent Gallup found in 2014."
The Mythes Surrounding "Life Expectancy"
Zombies of 2016 (Paul Frugman) from the New York Times
"... the Social Security Administration issued a report showing that almost all the rise in life expectancy has taken place among the affluent. The bottom half of workers, who are precisely the Americans who rely on Social Security most, have seen their life expectancy at age 65 rise only a bit more than a year since the 1970s. Furthermore, while lawyers and politicians may consider working into their late 60s no hardship, things look somewhat different to ordinary workers, many of whom still have to perform manual labor."
"... the Social Security Administration issued a report showing that almost all the rise in life expectancy has taken place among the affluent. The bottom half of workers, who are precisely the Americans who rely on Social Security most, have seen their life expectancy at age 65 rise only a bit more than a year since the 1970s. Furthermore, while lawyers and politicians may consider working into their late 60s no hardship, things look somewhat different to ordinary workers, many of whom still have to perform manual labor."
Robots and Jobs: An International Perspective
Will Robots Kill the Asian Century? from the National Interest
"The rise of technologies such as 3-D printing and advanced robotics means that the next few decades for Asia’s economies will not be as easy or promising as the previous five."
"The rise of technologies such as 3-D printing and advanced robotics means that the next few decades for Asia’s economies will not be as easy or promising as the previous five."
Testing Students and Testing Teachers
This Is Why These Students Stopped Taking Tests (Casey Quinlan) from Think Progress
"Cuomo laid out a controversial agenda for school reform, which included making students’ standardized test scores 50 percent of teacher evaluations, with the other half determined by outside evaluators’ and school officials’ observations. ... The opt-outs are in part a reaction to years of education reform efforts that are focused on teacher evaluation through standardized tests and growing frustration with common core state standards, a voluntary set of standards implemented in 46 states and the District of Columbia."
"Cuomo laid out a controversial agenda for school reform, which included making students’ standardized test scores 50 percent of teacher evaluations, with the other half determined by outside evaluators’ and school officials’ observations. ... The opt-outs are in part a reaction to years of education reform efforts that are focused on teacher evaluation through standardized tests and growing frustration with common core state standards, a voluntary set of standards implemented in 46 states and the District of Columbia."
The REAL Disconnect between Robots and Jobs
Fighting Robots With Robots (Froma Harrop) from the National Memo
"It sounds so efficient. Robots make the running shoes, sell the running shoes and buy the running shoes by the most cost-effective means possible. But there’s a problem. Who’s going to pay for the running shoes? I mean, if a robot can do your job taking drink orders, reading ultrasounds or selling washing machines, how are you going to earn the wherewithal to buy stuff?"
"It sounds so efficient. Robots make the running shoes, sell the running shoes and buy the running shoes by the most cost-effective means possible. But there’s a problem. Who’s going to pay for the running shoes? I mean, if a robot can do your job taking drink orders, reading ultrasounds or selling washing machines, how are you going to earn the wherewithal to buy stuff?"
Traditional marriage gets a SCOTUS smackdown
The incomprehensible right-wing logic that’s poised to go down in flames from Salon
"Even a typically conservative majority can't save gay-marriage opponents now. At least one of these men will break."
"Even a typically conservative majority can't save gay-marriage opponents now. At least one of these men will break."
HIGHER ED NUGGET!!
The Slow Death of the University (Terry Eagleton) from the Chronicle of Higher Education
"From Cape Town to Reykjavik, Sydney to São Paulo, an event as momentous in its own way as the Cuban revolution or the invasion of Iraq is steadily under way: the slow death of the university as a center of humane critique. ... Some years ago, I resigned from a chair at the University of Oxford (an event almost as rare as an earthquake in Edinburgh) when I became aware that I was expected in some respects to behave less as a scholar than a CEO."
"From Cape Town to Reykjavik, Sydney to São Paulo, an event as momentous in its own way as the Cuban revolution or the invasion of Iraq is steadily under way: the slow death of the university as a center of humane critique. ... Some years ago, I resigned from a chair at the University of Oxford (an event almost as rare as an earthquake in Edinburgh) when I became aware that I was expected in some respects to behave less as a scholar than a CEO."
Scott Walker's Approval Drops In Wisconsin
Scott Walker's Approval Drops In Wisconsin from the Huffington Post
"Marquette is the only non-partisan pollster to survey Wisconsin since the 2014 midterms. The results, coming after years of relatively steady ratings for the governor, could represent either a significant outlier from earlier polling or a marked drop in Walker's standing."
"Marquette is the only non-partisan pollster to survey Wisconsin since the 2014 midterms. The results, coming after years of relatively steady ratings for the governor, could represent either a significant outlier from earlier polling or a marked drop in Walker's standing."
Relationship Sours Between Bush And Rubio
Relationship Sours Between Bush And Rubio As GOP Primary Heats Up from the Huffington Post
"Bush allies have started quietly spreading negative information about Rubio's record. Also, supporters of the two Miami politicians are drawing contrasts between Rubio, a 43-year-old son of Cuban immigrants, and 62-year-old Bush, a member of one of the nation's most powerful political dynasties."
I am SOOO Surprised!!
"Bush allies have started quietly spreading negative information about Rubio's record. Also, supporters of the two Miami politicians are drawing contrasts between Rubio, a 43-year-old son of Cuban immigrants, and 62-year-old Bush, a member of one of the nation's most powerful political dynasties."
I am SOOO Surprised!!
Emerging Talking Points AGAINST Clinton's Run
Martin O'Malley Goes After Hillary Clinton For Leading By 'Polls,' Not 'Principles' from the Huffington Post
"Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) went after Hillary Clinton Thursday, accusing her of changing policy positions based on polls rather than her convictions. It's the first time the prospective Democratic presidential candidate has attacked Clinton since she announced her presidential bid Sunday."
"Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) went after Hillary Clinton Thursday, accusing her of changing policy positions based on polls rather than her convictions. It's the first time the prospective Democratic presidential candidate has attacked Clinton since she announced her presidential bid Sunday."
SCIENCE NUGGET!!
Judge’s ruling grants legal right to research chimps from Science
"In a decision that seems to recognize chimpanzees as legal persons for the first time, a New York judge today granted a pair of Stony Brook University lab animals the right to have their day in court."
"In a decision that seems to recognize chimpanzees as legal persons for the first time, a New York judge today granted a pair of Stony Brook University lab animals the right to have their day in court."
SCIENCE & NATURE NUGGET!!
‘De-extinction’ of the woolly mammoth: A step closer from the New York Times
"Four thousand years after the woolly mammoth vanished from the Earth, scientists have deciphered the genetic blueprint that may offer a key to bringing it back. By comparing DNA recovered from two long-dead individuals, a team of researchers have sequenced the species’s entire genome — effectively providing a gene-by-gene instruction manual on how to build a mammoth."
"Four thousand years after the woolly mammoth vanished from the Earth, scientists have deciphered the genetic blueprint that may offer a key to bringing it back. By comparing DNA recovered from two long-dead individuals, a team of researchers have sequenced the species’s entire genome — effectively providing a gene-by-gene instruction manual on how to build a mammoth."
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