Now that Obama has has escalated the war in Afghanistan, what lies ahead politically may be foreshadowed by a bombing in early November ordered by a German colonel. This bombing received little attention in US media, but it created a political firestorm in Germany, and the repercussions are still reverberating.
Der Spiegel published a fascinating, in-depth [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Politics'
The End of German Innocence in Afghanistan
December 4th, 2009 · No Comments · Afghanistan, Military, Obama, Politics
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The Sad State of Our Country
October 12th, 2009 · No Comments · Bailout, Banks, Corporate Power, Credit Default Swaps, Federal Reserve, Mortgages, Obama, Policy, Politics, Restructuring, Stock Market, Taxpayers, Treasury, Video, Wall Street
Last night I watch Bill Moyers Journal via the internet. The first piece interviewed David Simom, creator of “The Wire.” His realistic view of the quagmire of drugs/ghettos/crime/corruption had such a ring of Knowing that I found myself nodding and shaking my head again and again. If you are a “Wire” fan, as I am, [...]
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Losing Faith in Obama
September 8th, 2009 · 1 Comment · Health Care, Obama, Policy, Politics
I, and most of my friends, have found our enthusiasm for Obama steadily sinking. Where once I eagerly sought news of Obama on internet to see what he was saying and doing, I’ve found myself disinterested. Even seeing his speeches, which I now rarely do, leave me unmoved. I’ve been dismayed for a long time [...]
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Former Goldman Sachs Banker New German Ambassador
July 2nd, 2009 · No Comments · Administration, Banks, Obama, Policy, Politics
After fulminating yesterday about the influence of the investment banks in the Obama Administration, I came across the following item in Der Spiegel:
Berlin Gives Green Light to Obama’s Ambassador Pick
It took some time, but now it’s official. Former Goldman Sachs banker Phil Murphy is expected to become the next US ambassador to Berlin.
Investment [...]
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Why I’m Discouraged
July 1st, 2009 · 1 Comment · Bailout, Banks, Commodities, Corporate Power, Debt, Economy, Federal Reserve, Financial, Global Economy, Obama, Policy, Politics, Stock Market, Treasury, Wall Street
I’ve been discouraged for some time by Obama’s apparent reliance for advice on two of the architects of the transfer of wealth and power to the mega investment banks. Larry Summers, who is the economic adviser on whom Obama relies most heavily, led the push for repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act in the Clinton Administration. [...]
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Impunity Alive and Well in the US
June 23rd, 2009 · No Comments · Impunity, Politics
When I spend time in Latin American countries, I read the newspapers to help my Spanish. A recurring theme in those countries with the most corruption and least effective governance is the impunity of those most responsible. They can carry out any crime, including murder, and if they are ever prosecuted (which is seldom), the [...]
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The Financial Time Bomb in Corporate Investment Grade Bond Funds
March 8th, 2009 · 1 Comment · Bailout, Banks, Bonds, Debt, Financial, Nationalization, Politics, Stock Market, Wall Street
On January 9 , I provided a pessimistic assessment of prospects for the stock market, and focused on bonds as a reasonable investment vehicle (My 2009 Investment Outlook – Part II). Events have shown my pessimism on the stock market justified. With respect to bonds, I cautioned against long Treasury Bonds (interest rates at an [...]
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Why the Government Refuses to Act — AIG & the Credit Default Swap Nightmare
March 4th, 2009 · No Comments · Bailout, Banks, Debt, Federal Reserve, Financial, Nationalization, Politics, Restructuring, Wall Street
[Warning: This is a somewhat complex trail through the financial mess. You will find the journey rewarding, but it will take some time and attention to get to the end.]
In a recent post, I asked why the government is afraid of restructuring the big, insolvent banks, such as Citigroup and Bank of America. I provided [...]
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Mark Morford on the Unhappy State of the Right — and Left
March 4th, 2009 · 1 Comment · Humor, Politics
Mark Morford may be the funniest satirist going when it comes to puncturing the holier-than-thou outrage that abounds in the political scene (thanks to Giny Rorby). Some comic relief is in order. ——————————————————————— Wednesday, March 4, 2009 (SF Gate)
Ode to the unhappy/Conservatism let you down? Obama nothing more [...]
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Generational Theft — Ann Telnaes
February 16th, 2009 · No Comments · Politics, Stimulus
Click on the image below to view this wonderful animated cartoon. It cuts to the core of the GOP hypocrisy. (Thanks to sister Pat.)
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