Good morning and welcome to Sunday.
On this day in history, December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
I’ve scoured the internets for news and links so you don’t have to! So here are some links to go with your morning coffee:
~As we all know, Obama pulled Bill Clinton out of his back pocket because, well, people like Bill Clinton. Lets be honest, it doesn’t make the GOP’s economic gift basket to the wealthy any more palatable but it does show what a master politician Bill Clinton is and I mean that in a good way. He has passion and it shows.
Reasonable people can disagree as to what a Clinton would have done in this situation (whether Bill or Hillary) but I can’t help but wonder if Obama’s people were aware of what a terrible visual (for Obama) it was to have a strong, dynamic, respected, passionate ex-POTUS (Bill Clinton) standing next to a weak, disliked, professorial current POTUS (Barack Obama). The difference in style couldn’t have been more striking. I noticed that Bill Clinton didn’t lash out at the progressive base but rather tried to reason with all sides. Under the circumstances, that’s good politics. The big problem for the Democrats will be that once this passes it will no longer be “The Bush Tax Cuts” but rather “The Obama Tax Cuts.” Cheers, Obama!
~Oh look, more back room deals which add lots of goodies to the economic gift basket in the hopes of making it more palpable to some Democrats. There are tax breaks/incentives for agribusiness, environmentalists, the ethanol industry and urban commuters. But what about free ponies? Isn’t this the sort of thing which causes so many average people to be critical of how the beltway does business? This sort of thing is part of the problem, not the solution.
~In a move that should surprise no one, Obama’s former OMB chief Peter Orszag is going to be joining Citigroup, because that’s how it’s done.
~Thank God for Elizabeth Warren. I’d love to know what she thinks of this economic tax deal. We know her latest views on the mega-bonuses Wall Street is dishing out. You know, because they’ve done such a bang up job righting the ship so-to-speak.
~The latest tragedy in the Madoff family saga is the apparent suicide of Bernie Madoff’s son Mark, who was found dead yesterday in his NY apartment.
~How is the US ever compete with China and other global economic powerhouses if we not only continue to offshore manufacturing, but provide economic incentives for corporations to do it? This article follows the Chinese money trail and details how the Democrats play a huge role in ensuring that manufacturing stays overseas, even with respect to so-called Green Products. The global demand for these products should be a clarion call to politicians and private industry who want to create American manufacturing jobs but no, we’re going to allow China to take over that market, thank you very much. Because that’s how it’s done. You can see more about the issue here and here.
~Turkey and Israel are working on improving ties, in part as a result of Turkey’s willingness to provide assistance to Israel during the devastating fire in the Carmel region in Israel. While relations are on the mend there are still some sticking points, particularly with respect to the fallout over the flotilla incident in May.
~If the DREAM Act passes, what will happen to the White people?
~Daniel Levy of the New America Foundation (and former Israeli negotiator at Taba and Oslo) has some interesting views on the current Mideast peace impasse. Levy tends to be a realist who has a lot of experience under his belt and he questions the wisdom of the administrations’ strategy thus far. Basically, like so many other foreign policy watchers, he believes the current formulation used by the US is a mistake in that it repeats many of the mistakes of previous administrations. That said, he thinks there is still hope. It’s a good piece and worth a read.
~Thomas Friedman, on the other hand, has a very different view of the Israeli-Palestinian situation. In sum, he’s fed up. I think most can certainly understand his frustration. While I agree with much of what he says I think he oversimplifies it- he says that the US should step back and if the Israelis and Palestinians insist on staying on this unsustainable course then they can “live with the consequences.” But when have there ever been consequences? The notion that the US would just sit back and say to both parties “you dug your own ditch, now lie down in it” is not supported by history.
~Oh, so now David Brooks is an Obama fan and thinks Obama has had a fantastic week. I think a more accurate description is that it’s been a great week for David Brooks given his likely tax bracket. Any week that is bad for liberals is a good week for him. When people like Brooks are lauding Obama for “returning to principles” you know we’re getting screwed.
~If the Brooks article wasn’t enough, then try to digest this Dana Milbank column that has Milbank delighting in Obama’s new tough stance with liberals this week. I guess it was a good week for Milbank too. Milbank is the perfect liberal foil of the MSM establishment. He rarely misses an opportunity to rail against progressive base of the Democratic party.
~What a shocker- new Nixon tapes reveal Richard Nixon was a paranoid, bigoted jerk.
~William Easterly lauds John Lennon for his anti-war activism, noting that Lennon was more often than not a thorn in the side of the politically powerful. By means of comparison he disses modern celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Bono for their propensity to sidle up to the powerful as part of their philanthropy.
~Cheer up. The 9 funniest SNL holiday skits ever!
~Contrary to some media assertions, going after Julian Assange of WikiLeaks will not be easy. Some people seem to have forgotten that the person who allegedly stole the data isn’t Assange, but Pfc. Manning.
~On Friday the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to an empty chair as Chinese political prisoner Liu Xiaobo was refused permission to accept the prize, as was his wife who is purportedly in Chinese custody. Unfortunately, China was able to threaten quite a few countries with diplomatic repercussions if they sent representatives to attend the ceremony. To his credit, Barack Obama admitted that Liu Xiaobo was far more deserving of the prize than he was. Speaking of which, I wonder how the Nobel Prize committee is feeling about their last year’s winner, Barack Obama, right about now?
~The big Afghanistan review is due any day now and guess what- are you sitting down? The military leaders and Secretary Gates see signs of improvement but they need more time. Of course they do.
~Two bombs went off in a shopping district in Sweden yesterday- one apparently was the result of a suicide bomber who killed himself and injured several people. A second bomb went off in a car but there doesn’t seem to be any injuries or fatalities in that attack, which is good. The Swedish police were notified of the pending attack 10 minutes prior and were told it was related to Sweden’s participation in the war in Afghanistan. It’s not clear if this attack was tied to a larger Muslim extremist group or not.
~A sad and poignant farewell to Elizabeth Edwards. Peace.
~A little noticed, but important piece of news regarding Haiti- Senator Pat Leahy has formally requested all aid to the country be suspended as well canceling the travel visas of top government officials. The country has been through so much but the Presidential elections seem to have been rife with abuse and violence has erupted in the streets.
~Speaking of Haiti, Sarah Palin just arrived with Evangelical leader Franklin Graham and naturally only Fox is allowed access to her. She is apparently also planning a trip to Israel and I can’t help but wonder if she will speak out against the POTUS and long-standing US policy in the region? Some Palin pals are saying these trips will help “boost” her foreign policy credentials. Uh, really? Yet another bar lowered beyond what I thought was possible. If that’s the new foreign policy experience standard then that makes pretty much anyone with a valid passport qualified to be POTUS. Cheers!
~Frank Rich has a great opinion piece in today’s NYT about the controversy over the David Wojnarowicz film “fire in my belly” at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. The work was part of a larger exhibition of same-sex themes in art and it garnered controversy for a four minute film which included a depiction of Jesus covered with ants- allegory for the fear and suffering so many were experiencing during the initial years of the AIDS crisis. Naturally, some conservative religious groups protested, followed by influential members of the GOP and the artwork was censored at the request of the Smithsonian. Rich points out the symbolic importance, and irony, of the National Portrait Gallery’s act.
~I’ve given it some thought and I think it’s time to get the pitchforks.
~Obama is going to meet with about 20 corporate CEO’s on Wednesday in order to “continue building his relationship” with them because, you know, if there is one group in this country that has been victimized by the White House, it’s corporate CEOs.
The End.
Wonderful. Lots of good stuff to digest here, SCB.
Thank you.
Clinton was just doing Obama a political favor. I think people are reading too much into this. Further, Clinton said it was the best “bipartisan” deal. Well, when he passed his tax hike on the wealthy there was nothing bipartisan about it, much as when Bush passed his cut exclusively for the wealthy in 2003. In both cases a VP had to come in and cast the deciding vote.
I think in his own way he was saying “listen people,this guy can’t deliver anything better,it’s the last chance to get anything for the people because it is only going to get worse..”
I guess the reason I never resented Clinton’s so called triangulation (a inacurrate term thought up by Dick Morris)was because he always seemed to be doing the best he could at outsmarting the Rethugs and getting as much as he could for the little guy. He was negotiating in other words.He engaged in the fight everyday in everyway.
masslib~ I think people are just reacting to the stark contrast in leadership styles.
Lake Lady–I totally agree with you.
SCB–Thanks for putting a smile on my face today. Great work!
I think Obama is confident enough to come together with the larger than life Democratic leader, Bill Clinton while the both take a long view. They looked like equals to me and you usually never see anybody look equal to the big dawg. Clinton knows about how to deal with the realities of the political landscape to the best effect for the American people, no matter how ungrateful. So many are longing for a showdown like his government shut down. I think he made it clear; now is not the time to do that!
Equals? Sorry — I definitely did not see it that way.. Oh well.. to each her own..
great line up SBC~ Thanks
I watched Elizabeth Edward’s funeral last night on c-span. The geniune love her friends had for her was so touching and far more revealing of who she was than all the smears written about her. Her daughter Cate was very brave and touching and shared how it was at the end for them.
A crowd of over a thousand filled the Church to say good bye to a woman of substance.She will be buried next to her son Wade whose grave she visited everyday until the birth of Emma Claire.
She read to him while she was there,the texts for his entire senior curriculum,the entire Bible,the news, novels. She cared for the graves of children around him and wrote movingly about it hoping another mother would follow her.
So much depth and such a wide embrace of everyone she met.
I kept thinking what a complete fool her husband was and yet I had compassion for him. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be him.
That is just part of what makes you amazing LL.. You felt compassion for John.. Did he speak? I wasn’t able to watch.
How nice whitepaw,thanks
No he did not speak. What could he have said? he looked stricken which even considering his skills at dissembling I think was authentic.
Can you imagine sitting in that front row and knowing that everytime a pair of eyes sitting behind stopped on you they were thinking,”fool”.
Lake Lady says:
12 December 2010 at 3:46 pm
Can you imagine sitting in that front row and knowing that everytime a pair of eyes sitting behind stopped on you they were thinking,”fool”.
I was thinking the exact same thing, LL.
I agree with your observations of the funeral service, Lake Lady, and it was very genuine and authentic as you say. Her friends did a great job of portraying who Elizabeth really was. What a huge loss. I also thought the same thing about John as you did, knowing what a fool he was but yet kind of feeling sorry for him. The man’s not dumb – he has got to know somewhere inside his soul how his actions hurt his family, especially his wife who was admired by many.
As always, so much to consider. Thanks once again for the great round-up.
Two quick things. 1) The Obama tax deal — does anyone think the Republicans will stop with this?
2) Remembering John Lennon, and the times in which he (and I) lived makes me think again that access has replaced activism. Current example of what to me is hopeful as efforts of activism over access: calls for the resignation of the Human Rights Campaign’s Joe Solmonese. (Michael Petrilis, http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/)
It’s about time someone called Solmonese and Human Rights Campaign on their refusal to really put democrats feet to the fire. They’ve become like an official arm of the Democratic party and they seem to always reassure whichever Democratic POTUS is in power that even if he throws us under the bus, we’ll still unquestioningly vote Democratic under the Lesser of Two Evils theory.
It’s interesting watching this unfold. Lots of people have seen HRC as a Dem Party extension since it’s inception. The calls for Solmonese to resign are accompanied by demands for a wider house-cleaning, including at least some from the Boards. Even some who have provided qualified support have had enough.
HRC has occasionally played a helpful role, but access / insider focus has become so obvious and prevalent — blatantly “insider” meetings called at several crucial moments; Solmonese telling us that Obama “has a plan,” and we should trust him — well, maybe something will actually change. If it does, the key will be whether that’s a change in focus and strategy, or just in personnel.
gop aims to kill npr next yr. im sure the sen will follow and pptus will be part of it. then pbs etc.. he has got to be stopped. challenged. sorry to say but im thinking ccainw ould have been better – why- bc the dems would have opposed alot fo his agenda oh like extending bush tax cuts etc.. but with a dem in the wh the lambs in congress wil go along. ironically i think mccain as potus would have ensured the new deal lived etc.. this was all a terrible mistake.
Given the success the Reps have had in the last couple of years, what is to come is truly frightening.
Hey T4H, I’m sure you’ve already seen the not surprising news that soon to be former Democrat Allan Ritter is switching parties. A Republican super majority in Austin … what fun they will have with Perry.
(via The Texas Tribune): “In order to best reflect the views of the majority of the people of District 21, I have decided to change my party affiliation. I believe this will allow me to more accurately and effectively represent my constituents while addressing the challenges facing our state.” http://tinyurl.com/28ewmtg
SCB, thanks for the week of “bad” news
While some of you are busy making excuses for Bill Clinton, let me remind you that both Obama and Bill support throwing out the CORE issue of the Democratic party (rich vs working Americans) for the benefit of Wall Street. Only deal they could get, my *ss! I might have been born at night, but not last night. You can partake in that game, I shall not. I prefer reality over being mind f*cked 24/7/365.
Word of warning: When Democrats vote to extend tax cuts to the rich (and they will), there will be no more Democratic party. It will be just one party, two corporate wings representing Wall Street against Main Street. Perhaps, it’s been that way all the time. But this vote will remove that varnish, permanently. So drop all the pretenses. Thank you.
The difference in the Obama and Clinton presidencies are that Clinton never got 50% of the vote, making it harder for him to govern with a mandate. Triangulation doesn’t win anything for Main Street, it serves Wall Street. Obama pissed his mandate away to Republicans because he saw that strategy make Clinton popular and then reelected. To hell with the nation. it’s only about winning for these f*cking gigantic egos!
As far as Obama and Clinton, pertaining to economic philosophy, both will give crumbs to their base only after they’ve swallowed Wall Street. whole. There is a definition of this strategy. It’s called “trickle down economics” and its failed this nation every step of the way. As delivered by both parties’ leaders only pretending to represent Main Street values, while worshipping the moneychangers. I bet both Reagan and Milton Friedman are smiling up from their graves at their “good ole boys” of Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Grrrrrrrrrrrr!
Republicans use the “morality” stick (shut up and behave, you pissants!) to steal from us only for Wall Street’s benefit. They wrap it up in God, apple pie and the American flag. Democrats now on the same page. Again, one party, two wings.
Robert Reich said it correctly, yesterday at Huffington Post. He said to ignore Bill Clinton. That he knew both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and he thought they were good men, whom had been enticed by and sold out for the fame and fortunes of Wall Street, over the rest of us. That is Bill Clinton’s friend telling you this news. So are you all going to remain supportive of Bill Clinton’s BS, while bashing ObamaBots who do same with Barack Obama? Please stop this “cult of personality” insanity. It has destroyed this nation. Both men should not only be shunned, but jailed already, for the damage they hath wrought on this nation by their policies/politics. F them both!!!!!!
Lastly, if you want a more closer view of Bill Clinton’s thinking when it comes to Obama and this bogus *tax* deal, go to HuffPo and read Mark Penn’s new blather. Sorry, Taylor, but the reason Mark Penn was chosen to lead Hillary’s campaign in 2008 (forced on her by her husband), is the fact that Bill Clinton shares Mark Penn’s ideology and fascist values. Harsh, yes, but reality.
Ronc99–I agree with just about everything you have posted. When I awoke yesterday with my Bubba-celebrity hangover, I really snapped at somebody who pushed Pres. Clinton’s siding with Obama as some sort of meaningful nod to Obama’s competence. Of course it didn’t help that the person who did this was outrageously indignant at some of Clinton’s remarks during the 2008 campaign and had whole-heartedly jumped on the “Bill and Hillary Clinton” are racists bandwagon.
Even before Bill appeared and spoke out in support of the compromise, I was against the deal and still am. There is no need for the top 2% to get any further tax breaks, especially because it does absolutely nohting to fix the economy or create jobs. It just makes the rich richer. The fact that Bill admits he doesn’t need the tax cut doesn’t stop him from taking it, so what is the point of his “full disclosure?”
This part of your post is absolutely brilliant: “let me remind you that both Obama and Bill support throwing out the CORE issue of the Democratic party (rich vs working Americans) for the benefit of Wall Street. Only deal they could get, my *ss! I might have been born at night, but not last night. You can partake in that game, I shall not. I prefer reality over being mind f*cked 24/7/365.
Word of warning: When Democrats vote to extend tax cuts to the rich (and they will), there will be no more Democratic party. It will be just one party, two corporate wings representing Wall Street against Main Street. Perhaps, it’s been that way all the time. But this vote will remove that varnish, permanently.”
I haven’t felt so hopeless and helpless in all of my life. What on earth are we going to do? What can we do?
Hey TMsters,
Here is some more factual news about Obama and our lying ass media. Please check it out. Link: http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/orwellian-centrism/?src=twt&twt=NytimesKrugman.
Krugman is correct. America is failing due to Orwellian Centrism as practiced by both political parties.
I think its wonderful that Sarah Palin went to Haiti for any reason. She went and visited earthquake victims and also went to a cholera treatment center, and her trip is getting alot of attention from the AP, and is bringing more attention to the situation in Haiti, At least she went to Haiti, unlike some of the other politicans out there. I hope she goes to other places and can bring attention to other issues in the world. She is not only visiting Isreal but Great Britain also. I think its great for her to travel. SNL was funny last night.
Krugman was very fiesty on ‘This Week’ today. Interrupting the queen of conventional wisdom,Cokie Roberts.He actually said that Obama’s whiney presser was self-indulgent.
I just loved this bird, SCB. I checked in this morning on the fly, so to speak, then was out on Christmas joy duty all day.
As to Daniel Levy, he will *never* give up hope, because the alternative is just too tragic to contemplate. I’ve been at so many forums he’s hosted and he’s a firebrand working every level he can to change the dynamics.
…as for Nixon, well, a very complex man who no doubt resented Jews, especially in the U.S. Then there is his help in the Yom Kippur War. But these tapes reveal below the skin bigotry, ingrained, taught. Stunning. Listening is a full-time historic trove.