Plutarch, writing almost 2,000 years ago, told us that “an imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.” Below is a chart that shows the course of income imbalance over the last 93 years in the U.S. If it showed the course of net worth imbalance, it would […]
‘Burn the Qur’an Day’ Endangers US Troops: Petraeus
Every day for the past few days there have been demonstrations in Afghanistan against the scheme of the Christian fundamentalist Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, to burn copies of the Qur’an on September 11. This sort of grandstanding by a tiny congregation with global ramifications reminds us that in the contemporary world, technology […]
Jordanian Responses to President Obama’s Iraq Speech
The USG Open Source Center summarizes Jordanian editorials on the end of US major combat in Iraq and the future of that country, as well as American-Arab relations: Jordanian Writers View US Troop Withdrawal From Iraq, Future Possibilities Jordan — OSC Summary Monday, September 6, 2010 Jordanian writers on 1 September express different views on […]
Iraqi Military Acts Swiftly to Avert Minibus Bombing at Rusafa HQ
Five suicide bombers set off a minibus bomb outside the military facility at the old Defense Ministry building in Baghdad around 10 am on Sunday, killing 12 persons and wounding at least 36. According to WaPo, two of the assailants then got inside the building, where they were targeted by US soldiers, in the course […]
Toll in Quetta Bombing Rises to 65
The death toll rose to 65 in Friday’s deadly suicide bombing of a Shiite rally in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province in Pakistan. The Shiites had been commemorating Jerusalem Day, in solidarity with the Palestinians. The city was paralyzed by a general strike called to protest poor security, and all schools were closed. Most […]
Shiites Choose Adel Abdul Mahdi as PM Candidate
Al-Hayat writing in Arabic reports that the Shiite fundamentalist coalition, the National Iraqi Alliance, has conducted a vote and selected Adel Abdul Mahdi as the list’s candidate for the post of prime minister. Abdul Mahdi is the outgoing vice president of Iraq and is from the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI). Four major parties […]
Collapse of Kabul Bank Points to Fatal Corruption of Karzai Government
I write in anger. Not blind rage, mind you. A cool, searing, steady anger. I think it is a righteous anger. It is not consequential, but it is my reality. I am angry about the 1,172 US troops dead in the Afghanistan War, and all the other brave NATO and Afghan soldiers who gave their […]
Dems Reluctant to Allow Taxes on Rich to Rise
AP says more Democrats are reluctant to allow taxes to rise on the rich. It is a matter of despair to me that the constituents of these Democrats don’t put their feet down on this issue. Allowing tax rates on the rich to go back to Reagan-era levels will not derail the economic recovery. What, […]
Jolie Appeals for Pakistan Aid as Flood Refugees Return
Angelina Jolie makes a plea for aid for flood-stricken Pakistan: Reuters reports on what returnees to flooded areas are finding when they arrive:
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