Top Opinions of the Week

Posted on May 31, 2008

Mark Medford at The San Francisco Chronicle reflects on the success of Barack Obama’s campaign: ‘This is a cultural marker, a harbinger of something worthy to take deep into your awareness. You should take note, because Obama has accomplished his rise without the normal weaponry of American politics… He has not employed any of the disgusting tactics Karl Rove’s Republican Party used on Al Gore and John Kerry to secure a deceptive and brutal and failed chokehold on power…’

Eugene Robinson at The Washington Post writes: ‘For nearly five decades, the United States has pursued a policy toward Cuba that could be described as incredibly stupid. It could also be called childish and counterproductive — and, since the demise of the Soviet Union, even insane. Absent the threat of communist expansionism, the refusal by successive American presidents to engage with Cuba has not even a fig leaf’s worth of rationale to cover its naked illogic.’ (McCain, predictably, embraces Bush’s current Cuban policy.)

Carol Hoenig at The Huffington Post examines the White House disconnect: ‘It’s true, too, that 9/11 bode well for President Bush, since the horrid events from that day helped him take advantage of an anesthetized people. It suddenly became more important to don a flag pin than press the president about those nonexistent weapons of mass destruction. It’s also true that anyone who questions this administration is dismissed one way or another. No one in the administration is saying that (former press secretary) McClellan is lying, but instead they are puzzled that he is, well, telling the truth.’ (Bush is frequently puzzled by truth. And compassion. And cleaning product labels.)

As noted in the New York Times, Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, has written an open letter to U.S. military personnel exhorting them to ‘remain apolitical at all times and in all ways… It is and must always be a neutral instrument of the state, no matter which party holds sway. As the nation prepares to elect a new president, we would all do well to remember the promises we made. What I am suggesting — indeed, what the nation expects — is that military personnel will, in the execution of the mission assigned to them, put aside their partisan leanings.’ (Well said, Admiral Mullen!  Mullen has also indicated that the military is now prepared to accept gay service members if Congress appeals DADT.) 

P! Update: Transparency, Diplomacy, The New Cold War

Posted on May 28, 2008

Politico has the exclusive on former White House press secretary Scott McClellan’s tell-all book, What Happened: McClellan Whacks Bush, White House. (Ah, the ingratitude!)

At the Washington Independent, Arthur Allen examines the Bush Definition of Transparency: ‘To most of us, “transparent” means something you can see into… When brought up to describe toxics regulation, “transparent” might mean that the public could see the paper trail providing the scientific justification behind it. But the White House seems to have found another definition of “transparent.” It means a process that the White House can see into.’

The Women’s International Perspective notes that these days, Diplomacy is a Dirty Word. ‘In the heads of men like John McCain and George Bush international relations are bi-polar. It’s “us” and “them,” whether they are terrorists, aging communist societies, or Islamo-fascists. We’ll never talk to “them” until they surrender to “us.” Until then, we’ll keep on invading, killing, confining, blockading, and torturing.

Democracy Arsenal delves into McCain’s Disjointed Russian Policy: ‘Just two months ago in Los Angeles when he laid out his view of the world, he suggested tossing Russia out of the G8 – a needlessly provocative act that would essentially mark the start of a new Cold War in Europe…  Does he really think that he can alienate the Russians and at the same time get their cooperation on critical nuclear issues? Is he that divorced from reality?’ (Let’s just say he’s estranged from reality.)

P! Update: Bush Tears, McCain Flip Flop, Gay Marriage

Posted on May 16, 2008

- Dan Froomkin writes, “Bush has cried many times during his presidency — when he’s met with the families of dead soldiers, after 9/11, at disaster scenes. But this was different. In this case, it seems his tears were for himself.” (We’re crying too, Mr. President.) Think Progress has the story, with video.

- The Huffington Post nails John McCain’s latest flip flop, with exclusive video: ‘McCain Was For Talking To Hamas Before He Was Against It.’

- Pam’s House Blend has compiled an extensive list of outraged reactions to the California Supreme Court’s ruling on gay marriage.

- From Talking Points Memo: McCain Blasts Obama As Unfit To Defend America: ‘On a conference call with conservative bloggers this afternoon, John McCain launched what may be his most direct attack yet on Barack Obama’s national security credentials, saying flat out that Obama is incapable of protecting America and lacks the necessary traits to keep it secure from foreign threats.’ (Pardon my French, but this is absolute horseshit. McCain should be ashamed.)

Bush Honors Fallen Soldiers - By Giving Up Golf

Posted on May 14, 2008

As his approval ratings continue to plummet, the U.S. president tries to show his sensitive side. From Politico: ‘For the first time, Bush revealed a personal way in which he has tried to acknowledge the sacrifice of soldiers and their families. “I don’t want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief playing golf,” he said. “I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal.”’

We’re sure the grieving families of over 3000 American soldiers killed in Iraq are grateful for the president’s enormous personal sacrifice. If the death toll reaches 5000, do you suppose he’ll give up fishing?

Sticking To Their Story

Posted on May 11, 2008

It seems like the Neocons are forever bleating about Iran’s involvement in Iraq’s civil war. (And we all know how John McCain plans to address the situation.) Those of us who’ve been skeptical of Iran’s participation now have a reason to remain skeptical. From the Los Angeles Times blog: “There was something interesting missing from Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner’s introductory remarks to journalists at his regular news briefing in Baghdad on Wednesday - the word ‘Iran,’ or any form of it… Not once did Bergner point the finger at Iran for any of these weapons and munitions, which is a striking change from just a couple of weeks ago when U.S. military officials here and at the Pentagon were saying that caches found in Basra in particular had revealed Iranian-made arms manufactured as recently as this year.” Tina Susman, reporting from Baghdad, also has this to say: “A plan to show some alleged Iranian-supplied explosives to journalists last week in Karbala and then destroy them was canceled after the United States realized none of them was from Iran.”

This story may not get much traction in the main stream media since major news outlets thrive on the gruel that’s being served up by our current administration. Lucky for us, the blogsphere doesn’t get its talking points from Dubya.

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