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12 Jul 2011 13:29

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World: Pakistani Defense Minister dim on U.S. plan to cut military aid

  • If at all things become difficult, we will just get all our forces back. If Americans refuse to give us money, then okay. I think the next step is that the government or the armed forces will be moving from the border areas. We cannot afford to keep military out in the mountains for such a long period.
  • Pakistani Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar • Discussing American aid to the Pakistani military. The U.S. spends about $2 billion per year in military aid to Pakistan, and as we mentioned over the weekend, the U.S. wants to withhold $800 million of that, the stated reason being a response to the Pakistani government’s limiting of visas for U.S. personnel, and removing U.S. military trainers. This is a situation we rather expected, as the discovery of Osama bin Laden within Pakistan put a big strain on relations, and left many Americans wondering what they were paying for. The tone of Mukhar’s reply strikes us, honestly, as pretty snarky and passive-aggressive (acknowledging the possibility of a rough translation), especially in light of the huge sums the U.S. has paid Pakistan for military aid over the past decade or so. This is, as much as anything, an implied threat — give up the money or the Taliban runs wild. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Jul 2011 12:54

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World: Libya update: Possible NATO ceasefire, Gaddafi may leave

  • ceasefire?NATO forces are considering a ceasefire in Libya for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan which begins Aug. 1. Critics of the plan are worried it could backfire, while NATO leaders are afraid that a continued bombing campaign could lead to backlash from the Muslim community.
  • withdrawal?Meanwhile, the French are saying that Gaddafi is ready to leave power — so that ceasefire might not be necessary. Negotiations between the French and Gaddafi have been difficult, but now it seems that the dictator is thinking about leaving. That would probably be best for all involved. source
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Jul 2011 11:27

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Politics: Debt ceiling drama: McConnell, Boehner muddy the waters

  • In my view the President has presented us with three choices. Smoke and mirrors, tax hikes, or default. Republicans choose none of the above. I had hoped to do good; but I refuse to do harm.
  • Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell • Speaking before another debt ceiling chat with Obama, while doing what he does best: Clouding the waters. Remember the 1980s, where deals like these could be brokered without dudes like McConnell saying things to scare the base into thinking the Democrats were pure, concentrated evil? John Boehner, who we respect a lot more, had harsh but more moderated words: “This debt limit increase is his problem. I think it’s time for him to lead by putting his plan on the table, something that the Congress can pass.” It’s either Obama being a completely evil human being or Obama not coming up with a deal that can actually pass Congress. Choose your boogeyman, guys. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Jul 2011 11:06

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World: Afghanistan: Hamid Karzai’s half-brother assassinated by bodyguard

Ahmad Wali Karzai, a powerful guy in his own right who survived numerous prior assassination attempts, was reportedly killed at the hands of the Taliban. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Jul 2011 23:17

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Politics: Bachmann throws herself a softball

  • fantasy “I will work to end cap-and-trade as President of the United States,” Michele Bachmann said in a statement yesterday.
  • reality It’ll be a hard promise to keep, because federal cap-and-trade doesn’t exist. Maybe she’ll implement it, then repeal it? source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Jul 2011 22:59

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Offbeat: Pea lobby agrees with Obama’s pro-pea statements

  • We know that if tasty and nutritious meals featuring peas are served more frequently in the White House and in the cafeterias of both Houses of Congress, it will contribute to a balanced diet, if not a balanced budget.
  • Pete Klaiber, director of marketing for the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council (which, surprisingly, exists) • Klaiber is reacting to the President’s comment this morning that we Americans need to “pull off the Band-Aid [and] eat our peas.” The President was being metaphorical, referring to harsh-but-necessary budget cuts and austerity measures, but you gotta give the DPLC creativity points for spotting this as an opportunity to push their pro-pea message. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Jul 2011 22:38

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Politics: Herman Cain: Presidential Candidate. Businessman. Gospel Singer.

  • “this does SEEM to be a gospel album recorded by the 2012 presidential candidate.” A fifteen-year-old record by pizza magnate and GOP presidential contender Herman Cain has just re-surfaced. This would make Cain the third declared candidate, after Jon Huntsman and Thaddeus McCotter, with a musical background; perhaps, if none of them receive the nomination, they can form a supergroup and perform at the convention? We haven’t had a chance to listen to the album yet, and the campaign isn’t offering it for sale, but thankfully, the entire thing is available for free here. We’ll report back as soon as we give it the time and attention it deserves. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

11 Jul 2011 22:17

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Politics: Alan Grayson to run for Congress again

  • Remember Alan Grayson? He’s the ex-Congressman from Florida known for saying things like, “I have trouble listening to what [Dick Cheney] says sometimes because of the blood that drips from his teeth while he’s talking.” As one of the few Democrats willing to throw rhetorical bombs, he attracted a moderate liberal following in 2009, but was defeated in the Great Democratic Purge of 2010. Today, he announced that he’ll be running for Congress again next year. We’re split on this; on the one hand, Grayson would fill the vacuum left by Anthony Weiner and provide a vocal, fiery voice for progressives in Congress where none currently exists. On the other hand, he aired a misleading, morally-reprehensible ad in his 2010 re-election campaign, so we’re not exactly heartbroken by his absence. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Jul 2011 21:07

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Politics: Arizona State Sen. Lori Klein points loaded gun at reporter

  • Whoever would do something like that needs to have a better grounding in gun safety before ever laying a hand on a firearm.
  • Rob Mermelstein, range master of the Phoenix Rod and Gun Club • Speaking on Arizona state senator Lori Klein, who during a conversation about carrying her gun in her purse while on the floor of the legislature, drew said gun and pointed it at a reporter’s chest to show off the laser sight. Her disclaimer? “I just didn’t have my hand on the trigger.” Mermelstein is absolutely right, and what he’s saying is the moral baseline for responsible gun ownership. We’ll take the advice of a former military man we knew — you never, ever aim a gun at somebody who you’re not prepared to kill. This is unsafe and reprehensible behavior, for which Klein will richly deserve any scrutiny she receives. The article also reports that her gun has no safety, which seems crazy — you’re going to carry a loaded, readied gun in your purse? Has Plaxico taught us nothing? source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Jul 2011 17:24

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World: Pro-Assad protesters confront U.S. and French embassies in Syria

  • Embassies in Syria beset by protests: Throngs of protesters loyal to the embattled Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad descended on the embassies of both France and the United States today, ostensibly to protest ambassadors visiting the violence-stricken city of Hama over the weekend. We say ostensibly because there’s little reason to doubt this was organized by the Syrian government, which has been using violence, intimidation and torture on its citizenry for months — rounding up a posse isn’t as hard when you wield that sort of brutal muscle. The U.S. thinks so, at least: “The Syrian government can organize protests at our embassy if it wants, but the world will not be distracted from the fact that it is the Syrian government that is imprisoning, torturing and killing people who want to peacefully protest,” said press attaché JJ Harder. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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