Month: January 2011

Rand Paul, Eugene McCarthy, and the ‘Values of the Hills and Hollows’

What does it take for a dyed-in-the-wool progressive to transform himself into such a warmongering Dick Cheney look-alike that he even harkens back to the Vietnam war era, darkly implying that we were stabbed in the back by Eugene McCarthy and a bunch of crazy college kids?  I’ll tell you just what it takes: the … Continue reading “Rand Paul, Eugene McCarthy, and the ‘Values of the Hills and Hollows’”

Will US Use Punjab Governor’s Death as Pretext for More Drone Attacks?

On Tuesday morning, the reports of Salman Taseer’s assassination topped headlines around the world. Taseer, the governor of Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province, had been killed by one of his own security guards in a market in Islamabad. The assassination comes amidst mounting political chaos in Pakistan, marked by the instability of the government’s ruling coalition and … Continue reading “Will US Use Punjab Governor’s Death as Pretext for More Drone Attacks?”

Sudan Referendum May Be Only the Beginning

Amid growing certainty that the much-anticipated weeklong referendum on independence for south Sudan will indeed begin Sunday as scheduled, U.S. officials and independent experts are warning that the situation in both the north and the south is likely to remain very fragile for some time to come. Ensuring that the referendum’s outcome — almost certain … Continue reading “Sudan Referendum May Be Only the Beginning”

Enough Already: Close Gitmo

Remember way back when? President Barack Obama promised to close the Guantánamo prison, restore the United States’ moral standing, and end the practice of torture.  It was two years ago. In January 2009, as one of his first acts as president, Obama signed an executive order that committed the United States to closing the prison … Continue reading “Enough Already: Close Gitmo”

Thursday: 1 Iraqi Killed, 1 Wounded

A huge military parade in Baghdad marked the 90th anniversary of the founding of Iraq’s army, but other than the arrests of a number of suspects, the day was very peaceful security-wise. Only was person was reported killed, while another wounded. Meanwhile, the Pentagon ordered the largest budget cuts since before the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in New York City; the drawdown of troops in Iraq should help keep costs down.

Wednesday: 6 Iraqis Killed; 6 Iraqis, 4 Iranians Wounded

At least six Iraqis were killed and six more were wounded in light violence. Also, four Iranians were wounded. Meanwhile, Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr made an unannounced return to his home in Najaf for the first time in almost five years today and, coincidentally, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi also visited Iraq to cement ties with the new government.

Tea Party Should Emulate Clinton, Not Reagan

As the Tea Party migrates from the grass roots to the brier patch of the nation’s capital, sadly it will probably meet the same fate as other movements from “real America” who tried to plow new ground in Washington – in the ash heap of history. The governmental juggernaut always seems to take minor hits … Continue reading “Tea Party Should Emulate Clinton, Not Reagan”