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| DAYLEE PICTURE: The Haleakala volcano in Hawaii. From National Geographic. |
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
TODAY'S BIG NUGGET -- A Look Back at Obama's Convention Speech
Obama just brought the hammer down on Trumpism. Very, very hard. from the Washington Post
"...underneath it was a cold, hard, long-term calculation: The GOP’s nomination of Trump, some Democrats believe, has created a unique opportunity for the Democrats to lay claim to the mantle of sober, responsible, sane, and mature governing party in a manner that could transform our politics to an unforeseen degree in coming years. This morning, there are indications that some conservatives agree with this, too."
If any of you missed it, Obama gave the best convention speech -- and Greg Sargent shows why!
"...underneath it was a cold, hard, long-term calculation: The GOP’s nomination of Trump, some Democrats believe, has created a unique opportunity for the Democrats to lay claim to the mantle of sober, responsible, sane, and mature governing party in a manner that could transform our politics to an unforeseen degree in coming years. This morning, there are indications that some conservatives agree with this, too."
If any of you missed it, Obama gave the best convention speech -- and Greg Sargent shows why!
A Look Back on Obama's Approach to Foreign Policy
What Obama’s last year in office teaches us about resilience (David Ignatius) from the Washington Post
"... in this period of national difficulty, it’s good to remember not just Obama’s setbacks but also the side of him that demonstrates what resilience looks like. These moments remind us of America’s exceptional character, even in its current, ugly paralysis."
"... in this period of national difficulty, it’s good to remember not just Obama’s setbacks but also the side of him that demonstrates what resilience looks like. These moments remind us of America’s exceptional character, even in its current, ugly paralysis."
Whites Discovering Racism
Why some whites are waking up to racism from the Washington Post
"As the nation’s first African American president completes his second term, the country’s racial divide has grown more pronounced, bursting into full view during heated debates over issues such as income inequality, jobs, educational opportunities and, perhaps most prominently, how the criminal justice system treats blacks."
"As the nation’s first African American president completes his second term, the country’s racial divide has grown more pronounced, bursting into full view during heated debates over issues such as income inequality, jobs, educational opportunities and, perhaps most prominently, how the criminal justice system treats blacks."
Scary Reports from a Trump Rally
Writer live-tweets Trump rally: 'Anger in here is palpable' from the Oregonian
"The Story, which has so far been viewed 314,177 times, is full of details followed by commentary like, "Guy wearing Socialism Sucks shirt and lip syncing to Tiny Dancer. Nothing makes sense anymore." The entire Twitter journey, through tailgating, the rally itself and its aftermath, is engrossing."
"The Story, which has so far been viewed 314,177 times, is full of details followed by commentary like, "Guy wearing Socialism Sucks shirt and lip syncing to Tiny Dancer. Nothing makes sense anymore." The entire Twitter journey, through tailgating, the rally itself and its aftermath, is engrossing."
GOP Donors Moving to Clinton, Not Trump
Donors for Bush, Kasich and Christie Are Turning to Clinton More Than to Trump from the New York Times
"People who donated to establishment Republican candidates in the primary season are more likely to give money to Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, than to their own party’s candidate, Donald J. Trump."
"People who donated to establishment Republican candidates in the primary season are more likely to give money to Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, than to their own party’s candidate, Donald J. Trump."
Trump, the Campaign Manager
In campaign chaos, Donald Trump shows his management style from the Washington Post
"For the past two months, Donald Trump has presided over a political team riddled with turf wars, staff reshuffling and dueling power centers. But the tensions are more than typical campaign chaos: They illustrate how Trump likes to run an organization, whether it’s a real estate venture or his presidential bid. Interviews with current and former Trump associates reveal an executive who is fond of promoting rivalries among subordinates, wary of delegating major decisions, scornful of convention and fiercely insistent on a culture of loyalty around him."
The sad aspect of this is that this is very similar to the way the Clintons run their campaigns and the way Bill ran the White House.
"For the past two months, Donald Trump has presided over a political team riddled with turf wars, staff reshuffling and dueling power centers. But the tensions are more than typical campaign chaos: They illustrate how Trump likes to run an organization, whether it’s a real estate venture or his presidential bid. Interviews with current and former Trump associates reveal an executive who is fond of promoting rivalries among subordinates, wary of delegating major decisions, scornful of convention and fiercely insistent on a culture of loyalty around him."
The sad aspect of this is that this is very similar to the way the Clintons run their campaigns and the way Bill ran the White House.
The Impact of Trump ... Long Term
The Seven Broken Guardrails of Democracy (David Frum) from the Atlantic
"Here’s the part of the 2016 story that will be hardest to explain after it’s all over: Trump did not deceive anyone. Unlike, say, Sarah Palin in 2008, Trump appeared before the electorate in his own clothes, speaking his own words. When he issued a promise, he instantly contradicted it. If you chose to accept the promise anyway, you did so with abundant notice of its worthlessness. For all the times Trump said believe me and trust me in his salesman patter, he communicated constantly and in every medium that there was only thing you could believe and trust: If you voted for Donald Trump, you’d get Donald Trump, in all his Trumpery and Trumpiness. "
"Here’s the part of the 2016 story that will be hardest to explain after it’s all over: Trump did not deceive anyone. Unlike, say, Sarah Palin in 2008, Trump appeared before the electorate in his own clothes, speaking his own words. When he issued a promise, he instantly contradicted it. If you chose to accept the promise anyway, you did so with abundant notice of its worthlessness. For all the times Trump said believe me and trust me in his salesman patter, he communicated constantly and in every medium that there was only thing you could believe and trust: If you voted for Donald Trump, you’d get Donald Trump, in all his Trumpery and Trumpiness. "
The Delusions of a Trump Supporter
A Dialogue With a 22-Year-Old Donald Trump Supporter (Conor Friedersdorf) from the Atlantic
"He lives near San Francisco, makes more than $50,000 per year, and is voting for the billionaire to fight against political correctness."
A demonstration how a really intelligent person can still be really stupid.
"He lives near San Francisco, makes more than $50,000 per year, and is voting for the billionaire to fight against political correctness."
A demonstration how a really intelligent person can still be really stupid.
Inside the Mind of Trump Voters
What Do Donald Trump Voters Actually Want? (Conor Friedersdorf) from the Atlantic
"30 of the billionaire real-estate developer’s backers offer individual explanations for their support."
"30 of the billionaire real-estate developer’s backers offer individual explanations for their support."
Talk Radio Topic: "A Good Patriot" Killing Trump
Glenn Beck Suspended After On-Air Talk Of 'Patriot' Taking Out Prez Trump from Talking points Memo
"SiriusXM radio suspended conservative talk radio host Glenn Beck this week after a recent guest on his show warned Donald Trump poses an “extinction-level” threat to the country and suggested a “patriot” might need to remove him from office by any means necessary, Politico reported. During Wednesday’s “Glenn Beck Radio Program,” fiction writer Brad Thor said he “guarantees” Trump would temporarily suspend the Constitution during his possible presidency and is a “danger to America.”"
For Fox News and talk radio, here's the payoff of decades of promoting right-wing crazies as authorities and media stars. They've nurtured thousands of gun-toting paranoids many of whom are now preparing to turn those weapons on their own!
"SiriusXM radio suspended conservative talk radio host Glenn Beck this week after a recent guest on his show warned Donald Trump poses an “extinction-level” threat to the country and suggested a “patriot” might need to remove him from office by any means necessary, Politico reported. During Wednesday’s “Glenn Beck Radio Program,” fiction writer Brad Thor said he “guarantees” Trump would temporarily suspend the Constitution during his possible presidency and is a “danger to America.”"
For Fox News and talk radio, here's the payoff of decades of promoting right-wing crazies as authorities and media stars. They've nurtured thousands of gun-toting paranoids many of whom are now preparing to turn those weapons on their own!
COLD WAR HISTORY NUGGET!!
Reviled by Many Russians, Mikhail Gorbachev Still Has Lots to Say from the New York Times
"In an interview, Mr. Gorbachev shrugged off the fact that 25 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, he remains among the most reviled men in Russia. “It is freedom of expression,” he said. Yet the official line denigrating traditional democracy, combined with the very idea that he should face trial, obviously irks him, so he churns out articles, essays and books about the need to enhance freedom in Russia."
"In an interview, Mr. Gorbachev shrugged off the fact that 25 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, he remains among the most reviled men in Russia. “It is freedom of expression,” he said. Yet the official line denigrating traditional democracy, combined with the very idea that he should face trial, obviously irks him, so he churns out articles, essays and books about the need to enhance freedom in Russia."
HISTORY NUGGET!!
How an Outsider President Killed a Party (Gil Troy) from Politico
"The Whigs chose power over principles when they nominated Zachary Taylor in 1848. The party never recovered."
"The Whigs chose power over principles when they nominated Zachary Taylor in 1848. The party never recovered."
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Friday, May 27, 2016
The Consequences of Economic Contraction in China
China's Economy Is Past the Point of No Return (Gordon Chang) from the National Interest
"The economy is essentially moribund as there is not much that can stop the ongoing slide. A contraction is certain, and a severe adjustment downward—in common parlance, a crash—looks likely."
"The economy is essentially moribund as there is not much that can stop the ongoing slide. A contraction is certain, and a severe adjustment downward—in common parlance, a crash—looks likely."
Petrostate Dreams Turn to Nightmares
Twilight of the Petrostate from the National Interest
"About twenty countries around the world are dependent on a single number: the price of oil. Some, primarily Persian Gulf states, live entirely off their oil and gas wealth. They rely on crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products for 50 percent of their Gross Domestic Product and for 70-plus percent of their budget revenue. ... Oil-producing countries have been living a dream. ... An awakening from this dream is now inevitable."
"About twenty countries around the world are dependent on a single number: the price of oil. Some, primarily Persian Gulf states, live entirely off their oil and gas wealth. They rely on crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products for 50 percent of their Gross Domestic Product and for 70-plus percent of their budget revenue. ... Oil-producing countries have been living a dream. ... An awakening from this dream is now inevitable."
Weakness and Disorder among Regional Powers will Mark the 21st Century
The Post-Imperial Moment (Robert Kaplan) from the National Interest
"Vulgar, populist anarchy will define the twenty-first century. ... WORLD DISORDER will only grow. The weakening and dissolution of small- and medium-size states in Africa and the Middle East will advance to quasi-anarchy in larger states on which the geographic organization of Eurasia hinges: Russia and China. For the external aggression of these new regional hegemons is, in part, motivated by internal weakness."
"Vulgar, populist anarchy will define the twenty-first century. ... WORLD DISORDER will only grow. The weakening and dissolution of small- and medium-size states in Africa and the Middle East will advance to quasi-anarchy in larger states on which the geographic organization of Eurasia hinges: Russia and China. For the external aggression of these new regional hegemons is, in part, motivated by internal weakness."
America -- Still the Leading Power in the World
America is still great — but it needs to stay strong (Fareed Zakaria) from the Washington Post
"In fact, it is increasingly clear that the United States has in recent years reinforced its position as the world’s leading economic, technological, military and political power. The country dominates virtually all leading industries — from social networks to mobile telephony to nano- and biotechnology — like never before. It has transformed itself into an energy superpower — the world’sbiggest producer of oil and gas — while also moving to the cutting edge of the green-technology revolution. And it is demographically vibrant, while all its major economic peers (Japan, Europe and even China) face certain demographic decline."
"In fact, it is increasingly clear that the United States has in recent years reinforced its position as the world’s leading economic, technological, military and political power. The country dominates virtually all leading industries — from social networks to mobile telephony to nano- and biotechnology — like never before. It has transformed itself into an energy superpower — the world’sbiggest producer of oil and gas — while also moving to the cutting edge of the green-technology revolution. And it is demographically vibrant, while all its major economic peers (Japan, Europe and even China) face certain demographic decline."
Asia Clamoring for Closer Ties with the US
Obama's pivot to Asia is working (Doyle Macmanus) from the Los Angeles Times
"... the pivot has actually worked pretty well – as will be evident when Obama travels to Asia this week. Almost every country in the region is clamoring for a closer relationship with the United States."
"... the pivot has actually worked pretty well – as will be evident when Obama travels to Asia this week. Almost every country in the region is clamoring for a closer relationship with the United States."
Trump Transforming America in 2016
This is how fascism comes to America (Robert Kagan) from the Washington Post
"...the entire Trump phenomenon has nothing to do with policy or ideology. It has nothing to do with the Republican Party, either, except in its historic role as incubator of this singular threat to our democracy. Trump has transcended the party that produced him. His growing army of supporters no longer cares about the party. ... His incoherent and contradictory utterances have one thing in common: They provoke and play on feelings of resentment and disdain, intermingled with bits of fear, hatred and anger."
"...the entire Trump phenomenon has nothing to do with policy or ideology. It has nothing to do with the Republican Party, either, except in its historic role as incubator of this singular threat to our democracy. Trump has transcended the party that produced him. His growing army of supporters no longer cares about the party. ... His incoherent and contradictory utterances have one thing in common: They provoke and play on feelings of resentment and disdain, intermingled with bits of fear, hatred and anger."
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