Friday Day of Reckoning: Pakistan Declares Holiday to Protest Film; France Closes Outposts After Cartoon Published
What could possibly go wrong? From a Dawn article only an hour or two old:
The Pakistani government has announced a national holiday on Friday to protest against the American anti-Islam [sic] that has caused an outrage throughout the Muslim…
Art Prize: The Starting Gates
Art Prize starts in Grand Rapids tomorrow.
Art Prize is an event put together by Dick DeVos' son, Rick, as an alternative to yet another film festival. It's a large open entry contest in which the prizes are awarded by popular vote (this…
Mitt: Hostage Situations Are Electoral "Opportunities"
MoJo has released the full Romney donor video. And like Josh Marshall, I was immediately struck by this passage (after 3 minutes in--this is my transcription). This is in response to a donor suggesting that if Mitt could get the Iranians to…
Mitt's Efforts at Disenfranchisement Drown in Grover Norquist's Bathtub
PA's Supreme Court just sent the state's voter ID law back to the Commonwealth judge with instructions that, unless the state can ensure that all voters who want a voter ID can get it in time for the election, then the judge must issue an injunction…
Mitt Hides with the Moochers in UT
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In the last several weeks, Mitt's campaign has suffered one after another self-inflicted wounds. Here's how the horse race pundits summarize the damage.
All campaigns have their ups and downs, but the last…
Beginning of the End in Afghanistan? Most Joint Operations Below Battalion Level Suspended
In the most significant move yet that suggests the NATO plan for Afghan security forces to take over as NATO withdraws from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 has failed, the US has halted most joint activities between US and Afghan forces below…
How Many of the Protests Have Gotten Diplomatic Documents?
Here's a few data points to suggest that the protests in Muslim countries may have been, in part, an effort to grab sensitive diplomatic correspondence.
I noted--but did not quote--this report on the documents taken from the US Consulate…
Hedges NDAA Indefinite Detention Decision Stayed By 2nd Circuit
As much as I, and most who care about Constitutional protections and Article III courts still having a function in balance of power determinations, the recent 112 page ruling by Judge Katherine Forrest in SDNY (see here and, more importantly,…
Learning to Overcome the Public Opinion Industry, at Home and Abroad
There is an American pain and a volatility in the face of judgment by elites that stem from a deep and enduring sense of humiliation. A vast chasm separates the poor standing of Americans in the world today from their recent history…
Obama Launches Trade Dispute over Chinese Auto Part Subsidies
Back in January, the Alliance for American Manufacturing released a report showing that as China has provided billions in subsidies for auto parts manufacturing, US jobs in that segment have been declining. In March, a bunch of (mostly Democratic)…
Leaky Leon Does More Damage
Marcy pointed out even before it aired that Defense Secretary (and former CIA Director) Leon Panetta's televised confirmation that Dr. Shakeel Afridi worked for the CIA in the effort to find and kill Osama bin Laden was a breech of security.…
Rahm Sues Teachers Because They Want to Read, Engage in Democracy
The Chicago teacher's strike is getting closer to agreement: while the draft agreement limits the test-driven evaluation to the levels required by the state and provides means for some means to provide support staff (counselors, for example)…
Bad Weekend in Afganistan: Attacks by Afghan National Police, Afghan Local Police and Taliban in US Uniforms
It has been a horrific weekend for NATO forces in Afganistan. Friday, insurgents infiltrated the air base where Britain's Prince Harry is stationed and destroyed a large number of aircraft and facilities. The infiltration was aided by the attackers…
OCC Circles Back to JP Morgan's Money Laundering
When I first read that the government was going to investigate JP Morgan Chase ∂for money laundering, I thought this was another case where the government continued to give wrist slaps--in the form of softball fines--to banks for behavior…
Week Two Trash Talk
Hi folks, apologize for the late start on Trash Talk; had a very long day yesterday on a matter and with clients after. So, let us get down to business.
I'm worrying myself a little with this one, because neither the Big 10.2 nor Notre Dame…
Latif's Death: A Blow to the Head of Our System of Justice
I'd like to take issue with Ben Wittes' post on the sadness of Adnan Farhan abd al Latif's death. I certainly agree with Wittes that Latif's death is terribly sad. But I object to Wittes' take on three related grounds. Wittes,
Provides a…
Lanny Breuer Admits That Economists Have Convinced Him Not to Indict Corporations
I've become increasingly convinced that DOJ's head of Criminal Division, Lanny Breuer is the rotting cancer at the heart of a thoroughly discredited DOJ. Which is why I'm not surprised to see this speech he gave at the NYC Bar Association selling…
"They Hate Us for Our Religious Freedom"
As anti-American (and anti-Western) protest continue to spread across the Muslim world, the White House continues to claim the protests are all a response to the film, The Innocence of Muslims. Yesterday, Jay Carney said,
I think it’s important…
I'll Take Middle Class "Pockets of Prosperity" for $250,000, Please
Yesterday, Mitt's advisor said that the campaign press corps lived in "pockets of prosperity" that prevented them from understanding the realities of the harsh economy.
The adviser, granted anonymity to criticize a press corps the campaign…
The Tragedy of Suicide Bombs: Children Killing Children
It was probably easy to overlook the suicide bomb attack in Kabul back on Saturday. The bomber appeared to have been stopped short of the target of ISAF headquarters and the death toll was initially reported at six, a relatively low number…
