Thursday, May 25, 2006
The Secret is Out
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Israel's U.N. ambassador, in unusually blunt comments, criticized Russia, China and Qatar on Monday for disappointing the Jewish state in their role as U.N. Security Council members this year.
But Ambassador Dan Gillerman, addressing a New York meeting of B'nai B'rith International, a Jewish humanitarian organization, heaped praise on U.S. Ambassador John Bolton, jokingly describing him at one point as a secret member of Israel's own team at the United Nations.
Noting that just five diplomats worked in the busy Israeli U.N. Mission, he told the group: "Today the secret is out. We really are not just five diplomats. We are at least six including John Bolton." [...]
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Israel's U.N. ambassador, in unusually blunt comments, criticized Russia, China and Qatar on Monday for disappointing the Jewish state in their role as U.N. Security Council members this year.
But Ambassador Dan Gillerman, addressing a New York meeting of B'nai B'rith International, a Jewish humanitarian organization, heaped praise on U.S. Ambassador John Bolton, jokingly describing him at one point as a secret member of Israel's own team at the United Nations.
Noting that just five diplomats worked in the busy Israeli U.N. Mission, he told the group: "Today the secret is out. We really are not just five diplomats. We are at least six including John Bolton." [...]
themassesareasses© on blogger Thursday, May 25, 2006
Thursday, May 11, 2006
The Conservative Nanny State:
How the Wealthy Use the Government to Stay Rich and Get Richer
The key flaw in the stance that most progressives have taken on economic issues is that they have accepted a framing whereby conservatives are assumed to support market outcomes, while progressives want to rely on the government. This framing leads progressives to futilely lash out against markets, rather than examining the factors that lead to undesirable market outcomes. The market is just a tool, and in fact a very useful one. It makes no more sense to lash out against markets than to lash out against the wheel. [...]
Dean Baker is a macroeconomist and co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, DC. His blog, Beat the Press, provides commentary on economic reporting.
How the Wealthy Use the Government to Stay Rich and Get Richer
The key flaw in the stance that most progressives have taken on economic issues is that they have accepted a framing whereby conservatives are assumed to support market outcomes, while progressives want to rely on the government. This framing leads progressives to futilely lash out against markets, rather than examining the factors that lead to undesirable market outcomes. The market is just a tool, and in fact a very useful one. It makes no more sense to lash out against markets than to lash out against the wheel. [...]
Dean Baker is a macroeconomist and co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, DC. His blog, Beat the Press, provides commentary on economic reporting.
themassesareasses© on blogger Thursday, May 11, 2006
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Stephen Colbert hosting the White House Correspondent Dinner
Stephen Colbert, with a stone-faced Bush seated to his right, consistently went for the jugular with offerings like:
"I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq."
and
"Let's review the rules. Here's how it works. The president makes decisions, he’s the decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Put them through a spell check and go home. Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know -- fiction."
The awkward and painfully uncomfortable audience reaction is a good indication of where the mainstream media stands on the high crimes of this administration.
Stephen Colbert, with a stone-faced Bush seated to his right, consistently went for the jugular with offerings like:
"I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq."
and
"Let's review the rules. Here's how it works. The president makes decisions, he’s the decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Put them through a spell check and go home. Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know -- fiction."
The awkward and painfully uncomfortable audience reaction is a good indication of where the mainstream media stands on the high crimes of this administration.
themassesareasses© on blogger Wednesday, May 03, 2006
