Great Analysis of Obama & Administration

This so accurately reflects my interpretation of the President and his approach - that it is designed to be, by his nature, more strategic, more patient and more mature than our bickering, short-sighted, shallow, attention-deprived culture can quite grasp.

Andrew Sullivan: How Obama's Long Game Will Outsmart His Critics
Jan 16, 2012 12:00 AM EST

The right calls him a socialist, the left says he sucks up to Wall Street, and independents think he's a wimp. Andrew Sullivan on how the president may just end up outsmarting them all.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/01/15/andrew-sullivan-how-obama-s-long-game-will-outsmart-his-critics.html

Alone In The Universe

While I'm not a big fan of his, Charles Krauthammer had a column today regarding the odds of intelligent life in the universe and the fate of humanity. What struck me was one of his conclusions; that the contentious and exasperating art of politics is ultimately the crucible on which all of humanities accomplishments rest. To survive, art, music, mathematics, all of man's achievements are dependent on our ability to manage our own relations.

Well said..... The magical world of voodoo ‘economists’ By Steven Pearlstein, Published: September 10 If you came up with a bumper sticker that pulls together the platform of this year’s crop of Republican presidential candidates, it would have to be: Repeal the 20th century. Vote GOP. http://www.washingtonpost.com/the-magical-world-of-voodoo-economists/2011/09/07/gIQARBiEIK_story.html And if there was ever any doubt about the hijacking of the Republican party by the reactionary right and their fault in the increasingly dysfunctional government, these studies document it...... http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/what-the-tea-party-is--and-isnt/2011/09/10/gIQABcVQIK_story.html

The Irresponsible Lunacy

Here's a good editorial from the Boston Globe on the irresponsibility of the orthodox neophytes in the House. More importantly, it highlights the naivete of the public that buys into simplistic ideas about government with slick and easy "sloganized" solutions.

Actually, I should be cheering them.....they are sowing the seeds of their own, and their party's, destruction.

The Fallacy of "Balance"

I've often fallen victim to the notion that in political matters there is equal blame on all sides. But like many, I've now come to the conclusion that that equanimity has been exploited by bullies who don't understand the meaning of democracy and are single-mindedly dedicated to running rough-shod over anyone or group that opposes them. They are not fair or gentlemen, and those of us on the other side should quit accepting some measure of blame for impasses that are clearly not of our making. Paul Krugman had an excellent column on this in today's New York Times.

Liberal Lament

The current situation in Madison, Wisconsin is a microcosm - or emblematic -- of the larger cultural-political conflict being waged on the public on a larger stage. The Wisconsin governor is not only insisting on dramatic wage, pension and health care concessions from public employees -- he's also bent on revoking their collective bargaining ability. He apparently has not talked to them, doesn't want to and just wants them to roll over.

This strikes me as similar to the attitude dominating the right wing in Washington and in states across country. They are not interested in discussions with opponents, they are not interested in compromise. They are, instead, more interested in burying their fellow citizens; in vilifying their character (and patriotism) in denying them any democratic rights to negotiate. How ironic they hold themselves us as such staunch defenders of American democracy when so often their agenda is to limit it for anyone who doesn't adhere to their world view.

Speaking of the Paranoid

Per that last entry about the emptiness of the right's agenda and its domination by bizarre paranoid fantasies; today Harold Myerson had an editorial in the Washington Post on the very subject -- Land of the Paranoid. This is especially relevant as it comes on the heels of the Tuscon shooting which, despite their denials, is a direct result of this kind of demonizing and polarizing ranting.