Former President Bill Clinton makes the case for re-electing President Barack Obama in an ad titled “Clear Choice” to run in the battleground states of New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Colorado, and Nevada. Clinton, who argues that the Romney/Ryan economic plan is the plan that failed during the Bush/Cheney years, will nominate Obama for his second term at next month’s Democratic National Convention.
** NEW COLUMN COMING UP … SPACE, JERRY BROWN’S PLACE, AND A RACE.
** OBAMA TODAY. President Barack Obama is in Maryland and Washington, DC.
Obama departed the White House on Friday afternoon for the Camp David presidential retreat in the Maryland countryside.
He will return to the White House sometime on Sunday.
He has no scheduled public events on the weekend, but some very recent interviews are showing up now.
Obama says that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are running on an “extreme” agenda.
On the eve of the Republican National Convention, in what promises to be a storm-lashed Tampa, Florida, Obama says that Romney seeks to impose extremist views on social and economic issues.
He also says that Romney has no serious ideas and indulges in essentially dishonest claims.
Obama all but promised that Romney will be confronted in the debates with this record of dishonesty.
Obama will campaign during the next week in three swing states, focusing at least in part on issues of concern to college students and other young voters.
Vice President Joe Biden will show up in Tampa to counter-program the Republicans.
And the Republicans? Well, they have their big convention.
Meanwhile, the drumbeat for war with Iran continues in the Israeli press.
Some of Israel’s backers in the US are pushing for a congressional resolution to authorize US military action against Iran, ostensibly as a tool to convince Iran that the military option is a real option and that Tehran can’t simply tough out the sanctions regime and get to nuclear weapons capability.
That would seem quite reasonable as a tool of leverage, but for the fact that the very same people made the very same argument in the run-up to the Iraq War.
Authorize military action as a tool to force Saddam Hussein to back away from his weapons of mass destruction program. (Which, er, didn’t really exist.) Then he will take our position seriously.
What happened is that the congressional authorization was used to, wait for it, legitimize the invasion of Iraq.
Which certainly has backfired, among other things removing the most important check on Iranian power in the region and thus playing a major role in creating the present crisis.
Which is not to say that Iran is not in need of serious containment, or that its nuclear program should be viewed as peaceful and benign in intent.
But it is to say that it is rather amazing that the media isn’t noticing the remarkable sameness in argumentation here, as we slide closer to a war with Iran that has not been gamed out or thought through.
As this happens, Iran is preparing to host the 120 nations in the Non-Aligned Movement, spurred by the Cold War, led by nations who, at least ostensibly, didn’t want to be affiliated with either the Free World or the Communist bloc.
It’s Iran’s turn, by sheer chance, but it doesn’t look like anyone is staying away. So much for Iran becoming totally isolated in the world.
Obama is monitoring several geopolitical crises involving the Arab Awakening, Iran and Israel, Syria, Iraq, AfPak, and the South China Sea.
Military Crisis Zone Times: The Arabian Gulf is ten hours ahead of Pacific time and Afghanistan is eleven and a half hours ahead of Pacific time. The time in Manila, on the South China Sea, is fifteen hours ahead of Pacific time.
Video streaming by Ustream
In his Space Day talk at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Governor Jerry Brown enunciated some of the key themes of his governorship.
** FROM THE JERRY FILES. Governor Jerry Brown is in Northern California.
He has no scheduled public events.
No public word yet on a public pension reform bill emerging from the California state legislature, looking at leaving for the year with the upcoming holiday weekend. It’s merely needed to make sure that the Proposition 30 revenue initiative passes. Tick tock, sports fans.
Yes, it can be disorienting when a rice bowl moves. But not nearly as disorienting as when a rice bowl disappears.
No, that is not a koan, merely common sense.
The legislature will be in session for just one more week.
** AN INSULAR ROMNEY STRUGGLES WITH HIS SURPRISINGLY HEARTFELT VEEP PICK AFTER STRIKING OUT INTERNATIONALLY. … From my August 23rd essay.
** RECALLING TOTAL RECALL: INTRIGUE, ULTRA-VIOLENCE, HUMOR AND WHAT ELSE THAT IS MISSING FROM THE SCHWARZENEGGER REMAKES. … From my August 17th essay.
** LONDON’S GRAND OLYMPICS, ON AND OFF THE TRACK. … From my August 13th essay.
** GORE VIDAL: REMEMBERING A BRILLIANT, CONTROVERSIAL LEGEND OF THE SORT WE DON’T FOSTER ANY MORE. … From my August 3rd essay.
** ROMNEY’S DANGEROUS BUFFOONERY. … From my August 1st essay.
** SUNRISE IN CALIFORNIA? … From my July 26th feature.
** CHINA MOVES SWIFTLY ON NEW “CITY” ENCOMPASSING SOUTH CHINA SEA, GULF CRISIS SIMMERS. … From my July 24th feature.
** 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.
In his weekend video/radio address President Barack Obama, keeps the spotlight on his opponents’ plans to privatize Medicare.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM AL JAZEERA. With the US entangled in 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. 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 from the Russia Today channel. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the state-run 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 $96.15 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
This is up about $62 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 $18 per barrel from the price at the time of the Osama bin Laden raid.
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| Comments (25) |
Very good Bill Clinton ad for President Obama.
That is a good Jerry Brown speech – Thoughtful.
Good weekend address by President Obama on Medicare.
Good on for replaying this…
Jonas says:
August 25, 2012 at 11:51 am
That is a good Jerry Brown speech – Thoughtful.
Barack, keeping on keeping on message…
Jonas says:
August 25, 2012 at 11:57 am
Good weekend address by President Obama on Medicare.
I like Bill Clinton!!! Now.
Great HuffPo essay on Romney and the state of the Presidential race.
Why is this not in the media??
BB:Meanwhile, the drumbeat for war with Iran continues in the Israeli press.
Some of Israel’s backers in the US are pushing for a congressional resolution to authorize US military action against Iran, ostensibly as a tool to convince Iran that the military option is a real option and that Tehran can’t simply tough out the sanctions regime and get to nuclear weapons capability.
That would seem quite reasonable as a tool of leverage, but for the fact that the very same people made the very same argument in the run-up to the Iraq War.
Authorize military action as a tool to force Saddam Hussein to back away from his weapons of mass destruction program. (Which, er, didn’t really exist.) Then he will take our position seriously.
What happened is that the congressional authorization was used to, wait for it, legitimize the invasion of Iraq.
Which certainly has backfired, among other things removing the most important check on Iranian power in the region and thus playing a major role in creating the present crisis.
You have to have a memory and a mind to get it. That’s why the media doesn’t report it…
It is good. I guess Brother Bradley is going to use it for a centerpiece for his next epic essay…
Capitol Boy says:
August 25, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Good on for replaying this…
Jonas says:
August 25, 2012 at 11:51 am
That is a good Jerry Brown speech – Thoughtful.
I am actually quite surprised that President Obama has not asked Congress for such an authorization resolution. Because, this time, it may actually work! Stranger things have happened, in any event.
Seriously, the Obama/Biden administration would not, in my opinion, misuse or abuse such authority to rush to war as the previous administration did but rather as a serious effort to avoid war as the congressional authorization for the use of US military force in Iraq was supposed and drafted to accomplish.
>Some of Israel’s backers in the US are pushing for a congressional resolution to authorize US military action against Iran, ostensibly as a tool to convince Iran that the military option is a real option and that Tehran can’t simply tough out the sanctions regime and get to nuclear weapons capability. That would seem quite reasonable as a tool of leverage, but for the fact that the very same people made the very same argument in the run-up to the Iraq War.
Authorize military action as a tool to force Saddam Hussein to back away from his weapons of mass destruction program. (Which, er, didn’t really exist.) Then he will take our position seriously.
What happened is that the congressional authorization was used to, wait for it, legitimize the invasion of Iraq. Which certainly has backfired, among other things removing the most important check on Iranian power in the region and thus playing a major role in creating the present crisis.
I have a sneaky hunch that it will be very long and epic, indeed! It’s what we’ve all come to expect, enjoy, and appreciate!
Clear your schedule, Jack!
Jack Aubrey says:
August 25, 2012 at 4:02 pm
It is good. I guess Brother Bradley is going to use it for a centerpiece for his next epic essay…
Capitol Boy says:
August 25, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Good on for replaying this…
Jonas says:
August 25, 2012 at 11:51 am
That is a good Jerry Brown speech – Thoughtful.
I trust that we can safely assume that Ryan will suffer the same fate … just on a larger scale.
>Obama all but promised that Romney will be confronted in the debates with this record of dishonesty.
Chris Christie sure is an awful windbag ripping on JB for being “old”…
Iran crisis video today?
No.
The balloon is popped.
> Capitol Boy says:
August 27, 2012 at 5:05 pm (Edit)
Chris Christie sure is an awful windbag ripping on JB for being “old”…
Biden is not the most highly credible of message deliverers at this point.
> Elizabeth Miller says:
August 25, 2012 at 10:35 pm (Edit)
I trust that we can safely assume that Ryan will suffer the same fate … just on a larger scale.
>Obama all but promised that Romney will be confronted in the debates with this record of dishonesty.
It was only 2500 words!
> Elizabeth Miller says:
August 25, 2012 at 10:00 pm (Edit)
I have a sneaky hunch that it will be very long and epic, indeed! It’s what we’ve all come to expect, enjoy, and appreciate!
Clear your schedule, Jack!
Jack Aubrey says:
August 25, 2012 at 4:02 pm
It is good. I guess Brother Bradley is going to use it for a centerpiece for his next epic essay…
Capitol Boy says:
August 25, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Good on for replaying this…
Jonas says:
August 25, 2012 at 11:51 am
That is a good Jerry Brown speech – Thoughtful.
Well, if one learns from the past, one learns that having authorization for war in place makes war all the more likely.
> Elizabeth Miller says:
August 25, 2012 at 9:55 pm (Edit)
I am actually quite surprised that President Obama has not asked Congress for such an authorization resolution. Because, this time, it may actually work! Stranger things have happened, in any event.
Seriously, the Obama/Biden administration would not, in my opinion, misuse or abuse such authority to rush to war as the previous administration did but rather as a serious effort to avoid war as the congressional authorization for the use of US military force in Iraq was supposed and drafted to accomplish.
>Some of Israel’s backers in the US are pushing for a congressional resolution to authorize US military action against Iran, ostensibly as a tool to convince Iran that the military option is a real option and that Tehran can’t simply tough out the sanctions regime and get to nuclear weapons capability. That would seem quite reasonable as a tool of leverage, but for the fact that the very same people made the very same argument in the run-up to the Iraq War.
Authorize military action as a tool to force Saddam Hussein to back away from his weapons of mass destruction program. (Which, er, didn’t really exist.) Then he will take our position seriously.
What happened is that the congressional authorization was used to, wait for it, legitimize the invasion of Iraq. Which certainly has backfired, among other things removing the most important check on Iranian power in the region and thus playing a major role in creating the present crisis.
Actually, not exactly.
> Jack Aubrey says:
August 25, 2012 at 4:02 pm (Edit)
It is good. I guess Brother Bradley is going to use it for a centerpiece for his next epic essay…
Capitol Boy says:
August 25, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Good on for replaying this…
Jonas says:
August 25, 2012 at 11:51 am
That is a good Jerry Brown speech – Thoughtful.
ADD
>
Capitol Boy says:
August 25, 2012 at 1:10 pm (Edit)
Why is this not in the media??
BB:Meanwhile, the drumbeat for war with Iran continues in the Israeli press.
Some of Israel’s backers in the US are pushing for a congressional resolution to authorize US military action against Iran, ostensibly as a tool to convince Iran that the military option is a real option and that Tehran can’t simply tough out the sanctions regime and get to nuclear weapons capability.
That would seem quite reasonable as a tool of leverage, but for the fact that the very same people made the very same argument in the run-up to the Iraq War.
Authorize military action as a tool to force Saddam Hussein to back away from his weapons of mass destruction program. (Which, er, didn’t really exist.) Then he will take our position seriously.
What happened is that the congressional authorization was used to, wait for it, legitimize the invasion of Iraq.
Which certainly has backfired, among other things removing the most important check on Iranian power in the region and thus playing a major role in creating the present crisis.
Jack Aubrey says:
August 25, 2012 at 3:29 pm (Edit)
You have to have a memory and a mind to get it. That’s why the media doesn’t report it…
Thanks, I appreciate it.
>
Capitol Boy says:
August 25, 2012 at 1:06 pm (Edit)
Great HuffPo essay on Romney and the state of the Presidential race.
Nice.
> Capitol Boy says:
August 25, 2012 at 12:44 pm (Edit)
I like Bill Clinton!!! Now.
You’re welcome.
> Capitol Boy says:
August 25, 2012 at 12:38 pm (Edit)
Good on for replaying this…
Jonas says:
August 25, 2012 at 11:51 am
That is a good Jerry Brown speech – Thoughtful.