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Paul
Krugman reminds us that economic experts are often as wrongly placed as
errant hairs on an old man’s butt.
Economic news from my favorite forecaster Bonddad: Is a Bear Market Developing? He’s been on my show several times, as we talked about this long before anyone else on radio was focusing on it. I’ll have him on in the coming weeks to talk about it again. Also, kudos to Bonddad, because he got a big mention in the WSJ’s Marketbeat.
Vet Voice is zeroing in on what should be job one.
Marc Lynch, in a post from mid-November, analyzes Brian Katsulis, who was recently on my radio show, on Iraq.
Slick Mitt is trying to win New Hampshire the old fashioned way, by buying
it.
Beyond Islamic wackos punishing a gang rape victim, which inspired Clinton to let fly against both the Saudis and Bush, we get another reminder
that the Saudis are not
our friends.
More than 40% of the foreign fighters who entered Iraq to join the insurgency
in the past year were citizens of Saudi Arabia, America’s key partner in the
Middle East, according to detailed information seized from a camp used by
them. Documents and computers found by the US army at Sinjar, on the Iraqi-Syrian
border, revealed that the other single largest group came from Libya, which
is now being rehabilitated as a reliable western ally. … ..
Jessica speaks out against the Saudis too.
Since the neocons want to proclaim Iraq
stable these days, can we just declare victory and get out? Never mind what
will happen once we start the necessary redeployments to save our force structure.
But seriously, the
Taliban is back and not even Bill O’Reilly’s coming spin after his trip
there can change that reality.
The Taliban has a permanent presence in most of Afghanistan and the country
is in serious danger of falling into the group’s hands, according to a report
from an international think tank.
But seriously, the conservatives are really pushing the “Iraq has turned
the corner” mantra.
But does the absence of this deus ex machina invalidate our hard-won gains?
Why does this mean that we cannot achieve success by other means?Sure, there is no oil law. … — insert excuse here — … ..
Sure, the de-Baathification law has not been modified. … — insert
excuse here — … ..As for federalism, the Kurds are running their own region, the Sunni sheiks
in Anbar and elsewhere are exercising not just autonomy but control of their
own security, and the southern Shiites are essentially governing themselves,
the British having withdrawn in all but name.Yes, a provincial powers law would be nice because it would allow for provincial
elections. — insert more rationalizations here — … ..Why is top-down national reconciliation as yet unattainable? … — insert
more… … — … ..
Then why not redeploy? They’re afraid of what will happen if we do, which answers
all the blathering from the wingnuts targeting Democrats.
Note to neocons, it’s the tribes, stupid.
Amidst all of this add Lebanon in limbo.
But don’t forget Annapolis, as a last ditch effort by Bush to finally do something looms over the horizon.
Memeorandum has all the day’s headlines
if you want to keep up with what’s getting attention. It’s a great site to have
in your favorites.
David
Brooks drags pro immigration Rudy out of moth balls.
“I’m pleased to be with you this evening to talk about the anti-immigrant
movement in America. … “I believe the anti-immigrant movement in America
is one of our most serious public problems.”
Sean Hannity’s head will explode. Oh! I almost forgot, so to add, here’s a beauty from the Weekly Standard: Rudy, the Disciplinarian. Hilarious.
Obama’s strength in Iowa is getting more and more attention. It’s being framed
as Hillary
bracing for possible letdown in Iowa. Be watchful of headlines. They’re
trying to sell papers. Unfortunately they also create an atmosphere around the
race. The text tells the story.
Is Hillary running scared in Iowa? The latest poll from the Washington Post
and ABC News shows Barack Obama ahead in the Hawkeye State, slightly in the
lead with 30 percent to Hillary Clinton’s 26 percent. Although this is statistically
a tie — it has been a horse race among Obama, Clinton and John Edwards for
the last few months — it is the first poll in months actually showing Obama
in the lead.And Hillary Clinton must be worried. … ..
… .. Goldford, the caucus expert, warns me not to jump to any conclusions
about Hillary Clinton’s chances, even though it is only six weeks before the
caucuses. “When it was six weeks the last time around [presidential nomination
campaign], [Howard] Dean had just started to implode. Even four weeks out,
Kerry’s camp was all but on life supports.”Caucuses are such unusual and idiosyncratic processes, it’s hard to know
who will show up.”He concludes: “I wouldn’t put my money on any candidate yet.”
It’s waiting time and no one knows how the holidays will set in for the candidates. Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride through Santa Claus season.
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