Whitney Houston performing “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl shortly before the Gulf War. You’ll never see or hear it done better.
** NEW COLUMN COMING UP … OBAMA’S CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH: ECLIPSING THE EMPIRE STATE.
** OBAMA THIS WEEKEND. President Barack Obama is in Washington.
Obama has no scheduled public events on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.
Rick Santorum continues to lead Mitt Romney in polling for the Michigan Republican presidential primary on February 28th.
Romney is counter-attacking viciously, and, with de facto ally Ron Paul, acted to shut down the only pre-Super Tuesday debate, which had been set for Atlanta on CNN.
The four candidates will debate on February 22nd.
While the Republican disarray plays out, complete with Newt Gingrich getting a fresh $12 million to spend, some top Republicans are, as I expected, looking at the possibility of a new candidate for the presidency.
Names I hear being mentioned are Mitch Daniels, Chris Christie, and Jeb Bush.
The only one who impresses me particularly is Jeb Bush.
But he has one rather large problem ...
Obama’s short week ahead is deceptive in its public scheduling.
The Obama schedule betrays none of the behind the scenes drama surrounding the Iran/Israel and Syrian crises. The former crisis is discussed in the piece excerpted and linked below.
On Tuesday, the Obamas bring music legends and contemporary major artists to the White House for a celebration of Blues music in recognition of Black History Month as part of their “In Performance at the White House” series.
On Wednesday, Obama will deliver remarks at the construction site of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The museum is scheduled to open in 2015 and will be the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life.
On Thursday, Obama will travel to Miami, Florida, to participate in a still undisclosed official event.
On Friday, Obama will host Prime Minister Thorning-Schmidt of Denmark for a meeting in the Oval Office.
In his weekend video/radio address from the Boeing plant in Everett, Washington, President Barack Obama describes a series of steps to strengthen American manufacturing.
The two leaders will discuss preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago, including proposals for supporting the transition in Afghanistan, increasing Alliance defense capabilities, and advancing NATO’s relationships with key partners. With Denmark currently holding the European Union presidency, they also will talk about the recent European summit and the latest steps that Europe is taking to address its sovereign debt crisis.
Obama is monitoring a variety of other geopolitical crises, mostly related to the Arab awakening, AfPak, Iraq, Iran and Israel.
Military Crisis Zone Times: The Arabian Gulf is eleven hours ahead of Pacific time, and Afghanistan is twelve and a half hours ahead of Pacific time.
** FROM THE JERRY FILES. Governor Jerry Brown is in Northern California.
Brown has no scheduled public events.
Brown wrapped up two days hosting Chinese Vice President Xi in Southern California. Xi is slated to take over the general secretaryship of the ruling Chinese Communist Party this year and to become president of the People’s Republic of China next year. Also on hand were Vice President Joe Biden and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The governor, who was criticized during his first go-round as governor for pursuing a California foreign policy with regard to Mexico, Canada, and Pacific Basin nations, announced that he will open California trade and investment offices in Beijing and Shanghai.
The state’s extensive network of trade offices was shut down as a waste of money in 2003.
But Brown says he will find partnership funding for the renewed offices, which will be re-established in a country on its way to becoming the world’s largest economy, but not there yet.
California has the world’s eighth largest economy.
Brown also announced that he will establish a joint California-China task force for trade and investment.
He is seeking to build a relationship over time, the way the Chinese like to do things, which I believe would extend into another Brown term. His second this time around, a record fourth overall.
And yes, it is my opinion that Brown intends to run for re-election and would be a very clear favorite under all likely scenarios.
Brown gave a well-received speech at a private luncheon for Xi on Friday at the J.W. Marriott in downtown LA.
Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Governor Gray Davis joined Brown and other dignitaries to honor the Chinese leader.
Brown’s speech went quite well, but with one caveat.
After beginning with a few short bursts of oratory, then pausing for translation, he galloped ahead of the translator, leaving him in the dust for several minutes.
Naturally, Brown had no text, so the poor translator was left having to furiously scribble down what Brown was saying and recreate it for Xi and his traveling party.
** DRIFTING TO WAR WITH IRAN: BEWARE THE HYSTERIA. With the Republican presidential race in disarray and something of a lull in the post-”inevitable Romney” phase, there is one ongoing constant: All the conceivable nominees, at least in the current set of prospects, are pushing for war with Iran. …
Not that these warhawks have anything like a plan as to how an Iran war would, you know, work.
It might be nice to imagine that an attack could work. If one believes that Iran is developing nuclear weapons — as most experts who’ve looked at this, including the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, do — then this is serious business. Notwithstanding the futile protest of iPod-wielding students a few years back, whose fate may be shared by the initial revolutionaries of Egypt (when will we stop imagining that the people most like us represent the mainstream of another society?), Iran is a worrisome, hostile, radical fundamentalist power. One which was held neatly in check by Saddam Hussein. Who of course was removed from power at the insistence of the very people now flipping out over Iran and pushing war there.
The reality is that the US invasion of Iraq ended up empowering Iran, leading to government in Baghdad which is dominated by politicians friendly with Iran.
If we can’t control what happens in Iraq, a nation which we conquered for a time, we’re not very well going to control what happens in Iran, a more formidable opponent which, unlike Saddam’s Iraq, really does have international terrorist assets.
Pushing such a war is an obviously very dangerous idea. But it’s treated rather blithely in a stenographic US media, with little attention to its substance or peril. Even in the record number of Republican debates, in which media moderators have allowed candidates to mouth their shallow talking points without any substantive discussion.
While Iran’s growing role in the region is alarming to many Arab states and beyond, the underlying dynamic is principally Iran vs. Israel, two governments presently controlled by religionists. One which may well have a Mahdi complex, another which may well have a Masada complex. … From my February 16th essay.
** RICKROLLED: ROMNEY WILL BE “INEVITABLE” AGAIN WHEN … So, when will Mitt Romney be “inevitable,” again? And why are his weaknesses and failures a constant source of surprise?
Romney will be the inevitable challenger to Barack Obama when and if he walks on stage in Tampa to deliver his acceptance speech. A good start would be winning somewhere with a positive message, rather than the avalanche of negativity he’s relied on so far in taking only three of the first eight states, losing three in embarrassing landslides.
As to why the ever “inevitable” Romney’s repeated belly flops come as surprise, well, chalk it up to a sort of hive media phenomenon. … From my February 9th essay.
** NEWTONIAN MOTION, THE BIG NEVADA BUST, THE ROAD AHEAD (AND THE RISE OF RICK?). … From my February 7th essay.
** ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT SILVER: HOW NEVADA AND THE WEST GOT SHORT-CHANGED. … From my February 3rd column.
** WHAT LIGHT FROM THE SUNSHINE STATE? What light has been shed by the Florida Republican presidential primary? It’s not easy to see how Newt Gingrich wins. And it’s not hard to see how Mitt Romney falls. … From my February 2nd column.
** REPUBLICANS LOSE BIG ON REDISTRICTING GAMBLE, BROWN MOVES FORWARD. … From my January 30th essay.
** NEWTONIAN MOTION: WILL GINGRICH BLOW IT (AGAIN)? … From my January 26th essay.
** NEWTONIAN MOTION: UNDERLYING THE DECIDEDLY UNDEAD. … From my January 20th column.
** STATING THE STATE: JERRY BROWN GETS DISCIPLINED AND LAYS IT OUT. … From my January 19th feature.
** EXTREMISM IN DEFENSE OF IRONY: BY ROMNEY’S RADICAL DEFINITION HIS OWN CHIEF STRATEGIST IS “ANTI-FREE ENTERPRISE.” … From my January 15th essay.
** FROM GOVERNATOR TO MOONBEAM. … From my January 3rd, 2011 feature.
** OBAMA: RIDING WITH HISTORY. (NOTE: As Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, this column was the featured column on the top of the front page of the Huffington Post.) … From my January 19th, 2009 Huffington Post column.
Actor Kevin Costner, who picked Whitney Houston for the 1992 movie, The Bodyguard, spoke at her funeral in Newark, New Jersey, saying she was the only one who could have filled her role.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM AL JAZEERA. With the US entangled in several major military operations in the region, and the Arab awakening underway, it’s valuable to keep up with news and perspectives from the leading Middle Eastern-based TV news network. Based in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar, Al Jazeera is very influential and more than a bit controversial. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer. The NWN live link to AJ does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM RUSSIA TODAY. Russia has re-emerged as one of the world’s great powers. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer, bringing you English-language, jargon-free, fast-paced coverage of global and Russian news from the Russia Today channel. You probably already know about CNN International, BBC World, and Al Jazeera. Russia Today, which also features culture, entertainment, and sports, is based in Moscow and is owned and operated by the TV Novosti division of Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti. While it’s quite foolish to expect to see, say, criticism of Vladimir Putin on Russia Today, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. With U.S. cable news chattering away as it does, this sort of respite can be informative. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** TRACK GLOBAL AND NATIONAL ENERGY PRICES IN NEAR REAL TIME VIA BLOOMBERG ENERGY MARKET WATCH. Having crashed over $147 for yet another record on July 11th, 2008, crude oil closed on Friday at $103.24 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Energy markets are closed on the weekend.
This is up about $69 from the low of $34 per barrel prior to enactment of the Obama economic recovery program, reflecting a low point in global economic activity, and down about $11 from the price at the time of the Osama bin Laden raid.
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| Comments (26) |
Great video of Whitney Houston singing the National Anthem.
Good weekend address by President Obama on the economy.
Good sad news news video of Kevin Costner at Whitney Houston’s funeral.
Good speeech by Barack, he is doing a really great job of staying on the economic message!
I left out the rest of my name…
Awesome.
What a loss.
Jonas says:
February 18, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Great video of Whitney Houston singing the National Anthem.
Good for him. That was a kick-ass movie and they were both great in it.
Jonas says:
February 18, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Good sad news news video of Kevin Costner at Whitney Houston’s funeral.
I love it! What a hilarious story on JB!!!
BB:He is seeking to build a relationship over time, the way the Chinese like to do things, which I believe would extend into another Brown term. His second this time around, a record fourth overall.
And yes, it is my opinion that Brown intends to run for re-election and would be a very clear favorite under all likely scenarios.
Brown gave a well-received speech at a private luncheon for Xi on Friday at the J.W. Marriott in downtown LA.
Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Governor Gray Davis joined Brown and other dignitaries to greet the Chinese leader.
Brown’s speech went quite well, but with one caveat.
After beginning with a few short bursts of oratory, then pausing for translation, he galloped ahead of the translator, leaving him in the dust for several minutes.
Naturally, Brown had no text, so the poor translator was left having to furiously scribble down what Brown was saying and recreate it for Xi and his traveling party.
I REALLY love this…
lol
BB: While the Republican disarray plays out, complete with Newt Gingrich getting a fresh $12 million to spend, some top Republicans are, as I expected, looking at the possibility of a new candidate for the presidency.
Names I hear being mentioned are Mitch Daniels, Chris Christie, and Jeb Bush.
The only one who impresses me particularly is Jeb Bush.
But he has one rather large problem …
Thanks for a great memory of Whitney Houston.
Happy Prezzes Day!
When your best candidate is named “Bush” it is time to admit you have a problem…
Capitol Boy says:
February 18, 2012 at 2:26 pm
I REALLY love this…
lol
BB: While the Republican disarray plays out, complete with Newt Gingrich getting a fresh $12 million to spend, some top Republicans are, as I expected, looking at the possibility of a new candidate for the presidency.
Names I hear being mentioned are Mitch Daniels, Chris Christie, and Jeb Bush.
The only one who impresses me particularly is Jeb Bush.
But he has one rather large problem …
I hope Whitney finds the peace she didn’t find in life.
A lovely sentiment, to be hoped for.
Indeed.
>Requiem says:
February 18, 2012 at 3:58 pm (Edit)
When your best candidate is named “Bush” it is time to admit you have a problem…
Capitol Boy says:
February 18, 2012 at 2:26 pm
I REALLY love this…
lol
BB: While the Republican disarray plays out, complete with Newt Gingrich getting a fresh $12 million to spend, some top Republicans are, as I expected, looking at the possibility of a new candidate for the presidency.
Names I hear being mentioned are Mitch Daniels, Chris Christie, and Jeb Bush.
The only one who impresses me particularly is Jeb Bush.
But he has one rather large problem …
You’re very welcome.
>Requiem says:
February 18, 2012 at 3:56 pm (Edit)
Thanks for a great memory of Whitney Houston.
Happy Prezzes Day!
Shocking. Positively shocking.
>Capitol Boy says:
February 18, 2012 at 2:26 pm (Edit)
I REALLY love this…
lol
BB: While the Republican disarray plays out, complete with Newt Gingrich getting a fresh $12 million to spend, some top Republicans are, as I expected, looking at the possibility of a new candidate for the presidency.
Names I hear being mentioned are Mitch Daniels, Chris Christie, and Jeb Bush.
The only one who impresses me particularly is Jeb Bush.
But he has one rather large problem …
He is pretty eloquent there.
>Capitol Boy says:
February 18, 2012 at 2:20 pm (Edit)
Good for him. That was a kick-ass movie and they were both great in it.
Jonas says:
February 18, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Good sad news news video of Kevin Costner at Whitney Houston’s funeral.
Indeed.
>Capitol Boy says:
February 18, 2012 at 2:17 pm (Edit)
Awesome.
What a loss.
Jonas says:
February 18, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Great video of Whitney Houston singing the National Anthem.
Yes, though the weekend addresses are becoming a bit monotonous.
>Cap says:
February 18, 2012 at 2:14 pm (Edit)
Good speeech by Barack, he is doing a really great job of staying on the economic message!
None better.
>Jonas says:
February 18, 2012 at 1:50 pm (Edit)
Great video of Whitney Houston singing the National Anthem.
Her rendition of The Star Spangled Banner is and will always be the gold standard, as far as I’m concerned. Lovely to experience it again here.
>Capitol Boy says:
February 18, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Awesome.
What a loss.
>Jonas says:
February 18, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Great video of Whitney Houston singing the National Anthem.
Add to that the fact that his name doesn’t appear on a single ballot. It does underscore how terrible their two candidates (and Newt) are.
Requiem says:
February 18, 2012 at 3:58 pm
When your best candidate is named “Bush” it is time to admit you have a problem…
Capitol Boy says:
February 18, 2012 at 2:26 pm
I REALLY love this…
lol
BB: While the Republican disarray plays out, complete with Newt Gingrich getting a fresh $12 million to spend, some top Republicans are, as I expected, looking at the possibility of a new candidate for the presidency.
Names I hear being mentioned are Mitch Daniels, Chris Christie, and Jeb Bush.
The only one who impresses me particularly is Jeb Bush.
But he has one rather large problem …
It is amazing, isn’t it?
>Elizabeth Miller says:
February 18, 2012 at 5:49 pm (Edit)
Her rendition of The Star Spangled Banner is and will always be the gold standard, as far as I’m concerned. Lovely to experience it again here.
>Capitol Boy says:
February 18, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Awesome.
What a loss.
>Jonas says:
February 18, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Great video of Whitney Houston singing the National Anthem.
That guy must rue the day his brother decided to run first …
>Pat Skipper says:
February 18, 2012 at 7:06 pm (Edit)
Add to that the fact that his name doesn’t appear on a single ballot. It does underscore how terrible their two candidates (and Newt) are.
Requiem says:
February 18, 2012 at 3:58 pm
When your best candidate is named “Bush” it is time to admit you have a problem…
Capitol Boy says:
February 18, 2012 at 2:26 pm
I REALLY love this…
lol
BB: While the Republican disarray plays out, complete with Newt Gingrich getting a fresh $12 million to spend, some top Republicans are, as I expected, looking at the possibility of a new candidate for the presidency.
Names I hear being mentioned are Mitch Daniels, Chris Christie, and Jeb Bush.
The only one who impresses me particularly is Jeb Bush.
But he has one rather large problem …
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