Fox News Blames Benghazi Attack on Gitmo Detainee
Fox News quotes sources claiming that former Gitmo detainee Sufian Ibrahim Ahmed Hamouda Bin Qumu was involved in--and may have planned--the attack on American's Consulate in Benghazi.
Intelligence sources tell Fox News they are convinced…
As Failure Language Creeps into Afghanistan Discussion, McCain, Young Call for Accelerated Withdrawal
Now that most joint operations involving US and Afghan forces have been put on hold, there are major developments in both media discussions of the war and in opinions among prominent Republicans in Washington on how the US should move forward…
Tim Pawlenty Gives Mitt the Bain Treatment
Here's part of how Mitt would make money at Bain Capital: He'd get a organization that had real value. He'd suck that value out of the organization. It would go into debt. And often, before the organization lost too much of its value, Mitt and…
Latif, the NDAA, and Mitt's Moochers
Amy Goodman is doing a 100 city tour to support public outlets that carry Democracy Now. She also gave a talk about the importance of independent media at Grand Rapids Community Media Center.
And, she had me--live!--on her show.
Man…
Now that MI's Unemployment Has Gone Up over 1%, Will the Press Report It?
I've been a little mystified by reporting on Michigan's unemployment of late. There was this NYT story that gave credit to Rick Snyder credit for, "presiding over an employment rebound in a state that not long ago had the highest jobless rate…
The Missing Two Minutes: Mitt's Case for Permawar
In an effort to excuse Mitt's disdain for 47% of the country, Republicans are pointing out there's a break in the tape from the Mitt fundraiser. MoJo explains the break this way.
According to the source, the recording device was inadvertently…
An Auspiciously Timed Republican Meltdown
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The Republican party is in a bit of a meltdown in response to the leak of Mitt's comments about the 47% of the country he disdains. Some--mostly the pundits not facing voters in November--are embracing his claim…
Friday Day of Reckoning: Pakistan Declares Holiday to Protest Film; France Closes Outposts After Cartoon Published
What could possibly go wrong? From a Dawn article only an hour or two old:
The Pakistani government has announced a national holiday on Friday to protest against the American anti-Islam [sic] that has caused an outrage throughout the Muslim…
Art Prize: The Starting Gates
Art Prize starts in Grand Rapids tomorrow.
Art Prize is an event put together by Dick DeVos' son, Rick, as an alternative to yet another film festival. It's a large open entry contest in which the prizes are awarded by popular vote (this…
Mitt: Hostage Situations Are Electoral "Opportunities"
MoJo has released the full Romney donor video. And like Josh Marshall, I was immediately struck by this passage (after 3 minutes in--this is my transcription). This is in response to a donor suggesting that if Mitt could get the Iranians to…
Mitt's Efforts at Disenfranchisement Drown in Grover Norquist's Bathtub
PA's Supreme Court just sent the state's voter ID law back to the Commonwealth judge with instructions that, unless the state can ensure that all voters who want a voter ID can get it in time for the election, then the judge must issue an injunction…
Mitt Hides with the Moochers in UT
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In the last several weeks, Mitt's campaign has suffered one after another self-inflicted wounds. Here's how the horse race pundits summarize the damage.
All campaigns have their ups and downs, but the last…
Beginning of the End in Afghanistan? Most Joint Operations Below Battalion Level Suspended
In the most significant move yet that suggests the NATO plan for Afghan security forces to take over as NATO withdraws from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 has failed, the US has halted most joint activities between US and Afghan forces below…
How Many of the Protests Have Gotten Diplomatic Documents?
Here's a few data points to suggest that the protests in Muslim countries may have been, in part, an effort to grab sensitive diplomatic correspondence.
I noted--but did not quote--this report on the documents taken from the US Consulate…
Hedges NDAA Indefinite Detention Decision Stayed By 2nd Circuit
As much as I, and most who care about Constitutional protections and Article III courts still having a function in balance of power determinations, the recent 112 page ruling by Judge Katherine Forrest in SDNY (see here and, more importantly,…
Learning to Overcome the Public Opinion Industry, at Home and Abroad
There is an American pain and a volatility in the face of judgment by elites that stem from a deep and enduring sense of humiliation. A vast chasm separates the poor standing of Americans in the world today from their recent history…
Obama Launches Trade Dispute over Chinese Auto Part Subsidies
Back in January, the Alliance for American Manufacturing released a report showing that as China has provided billions in subsidies for auto parts manufacturing, US jobs in that segment have been declining. In March, a bunch of (mostly Democratic)…
Leaky Leon Does More Damage
Marcy pointed out even before it aired that Defense Secretary (and former CIA Director) Leon Panetta's televised confirmation that Dr. Shakeel Afridi worked for the CIA in the effort to find and kill Osama bin Laden was a breech of security.…
Rahm Sues Teachers Because They Want to Read, Engage in Democracy
The Chicago teacher's strike is getting closer to agreement: while the draft agreement limits the test-driven evaluation to the levels required by the state and provides means for some means to provide support staff (counselors, for example)…
Bad Weekend in Afganistan: Attacks by Afghan National Police, Afghan Local Police and Taliban in US Uniforms
It has been a horrific weekend for NATO forces in Afganistan. Friday, insurgents infiltrated the air base where Britain's Prince Harry is stationed and destroyed a large number of aircraft and facilities. The infiltration was aided by the attackers…