News and views

Skipping thru my daily aggregators , some articles that were of particular interest:


http://www.theweek.com/article/index/95188/The_Obama_seder : a man for everybody, a Christian who celebrates Pass-Over, invites gay/lesbian families to the White House Easter egg roll, etc...... why not define yourself as everything for everybody. He should consider celebrating Ramadan as well. Surely there must still be some honor in being who you are. I wouldn't expect my Jewish friends to celebrate Easter, nor would I take offense if they didn't. Perhaps he can attend a New Age festival and do some type of pyramid/crystal ceremony as well to get their favor?

http://views.washingtonpost.com/leadership/2009/04/obama_abroad_all_soft_no_power/all.html : different perspectives / arguments on the need to draw a line vs. the wisdom of not drawing one, and demonstrating "leadership". When does one make a stand? Are principles something one maintains simply nebulous ideas that are interpreted differently depending on circumstances?



How Bernanke Staged a Revolution
By Neil Irwin
Every six weeks or so, around a giant mahogany table in an ornate room overlooking the National Mall, 16 people, one after another, give their take on how the U.S. economy is doing and what they, the leaders of the Federal Reserve, want to do about it.

- take a peak on the Federal Reserve & how its policies are set. interesting & scary.




U.S. to Join Talks on Iran's Nuclear Program
By Karen DeYoung
The United States said yesterday that it would directly participate "from now on" in international talks with Iran over its nuclear activities, the latest move in the Obama administration's promised diplomatic outreach to the Tehran government.

- It’s nice to know that Iraq is willing to work with us provided we’re “honest”. I bet we start giving them money.


Finally a sobering parody on the Obama opposition:

http://www.theweek.com/article/index/95186/Jon_Stewarts_Obama_defense

Jon Stewart: Mocking 'Baracknophobia' (Corbis)

Jon Stewart's Obama defense
Jon Stewart has just claimed his next victim, said Jonathan Stein in Mother Jones. On “The Daily Show,” Stewart ruthlessly ridiculed conservative commentators who are “shrieking about America’s descent into tyranny” under President Obama. (watch Jon Stewart’s bit on “Baracknophobia”) Stewart’s on target—“when the federal government is doing all sorts of things that you disagree with, it doesn't mean that America is becoming a fascist state. It just means you lost.”

-nothing like making the opposition look like idiots. Conservatives better get the "A" game together - an empowered liberal can be a most formidable foe.