Obama's Asian pivot

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Sunday November 18, 2012 · 5:08 PM PST

2012/11/18 · 17:08

Thailand, Myanmar, and Combodia, places that most Americans may be hard pressed to locate on the world map, are getting a visit from Obama. These visits are (hopefully) planned well in advance, even so, important domestic fiscal cliff negotiations are being deliberated, and internationally another Israeli conflict ("Israel has the right to defend itself"...but what about the fenced Palestnian's rights) commands the headlines, and under this cloud this Presidential visit has special gravitas.

Myanmar has a long recent history of ruthless military dictatorship oppressing it's people and imprisoning it's protesting patriots. The current mood of the generals has changed and the first steps to an open, democratic society are evident. In this new vacuum the world's most militaristically powerful nation wants to step in to make a bridgehead for democracy while lessing the influence of expansionist China in that region.

Obama is leading that charge, not only to counter China's influence, but for American businesses to set up shop in that minerals and energy (natural gas) rich region, ripe for development of the resources to uplift its impoverished population.

If Obama can influence Myanmar's government, which holds hundreds of political prisoners and continues to struggle to contain ethnic violence, to take a more sharper turn towards progressive ideals, it will further his resume be being a statesman of his generation.

Here's hoping Obama can seize the opportunity.

Progressives beware the "Grand Bargain"

insyyte

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Tuesday October 30, 2012 · 11:29 AM PDT

2012/10/30 · 11:29

It is strange, is it not, that the national polls still have Obama and Romney tied. Why so? Romney's ideas have alienated women voters, scared the seniors, have little traction with the youth, and yet the national polls are tied.

As Robert Kuttner at Huffington Post points out

Mitt Romney can have a dismal convention, a series of gaffes, the contempt of much of his own party's base, as well as the highest disapproval rating of any recent major party nominee....and yet tie Obama in national polls.

Nate Silver's probability win numbers keep me sane, but still, what gives with the tied national polls"?

More below the tango knot.

insyyte

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Tuesday October 18, 2011 · 7:59 AM PDT

2011/10/18 · 07:59

A Letter from Goldman Sachs
Concerning Occupy Wall Street

Cross-posted from The Borowitz Report

NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)– The following is a letter released today by Lloyd Blankfein, the chairman of banking giant Goldman Sachs:

Dear Investor:

Up until now, Goldman Sachs has been silent on the subject of the protest movement known as Occupy Wall Street. That does not mean, however, that it has not been very much on our minds. As thousands have gathered in Lower Manhattan, passionately expressing their deep discontent with the status quo, we have taken note of these protests. And we have asked ourselves this question:

How can we make money off them?

insyyte

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Monday October 17, 2011 · 5:53 AM PDT

2011/10/17 · 05:53

A great article from one of the finest minds in financial markets today.

Occupy Wall Street Must Occupy Congress, AG offices
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By Barry Ritholtz - October 17th, 2011, 7:00AM

There is an unfocused financial rage in the United States.

It was born in the late 1990s on an unholy trinity of accounting swindles, the dotcom collapse and analyst scandals. It grew on a housing boom and bust that created 5 million (and counting) foreclosures, leaving more than a quarter of bank financed homes worth less than their mortgages. It matured on a growing wealth disparity that eviscerated the middle class, and brought back the plutocracy of the 1920s. It reached its peak with the bailout of reckless bankers, who were rewarded for their irresponsibility with the greatest wealth transfer in human history.

insyyte

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Sunday October 16, 2011 · 4:59 PM PDT

2011/10/16 · 16:59

Dylan Ratigan has been forcefully talking about our corrupt political system as a TV anchor for the past three years now. This is believe is his most forceful rant on our bought congress. But the part I like most is a solution he presents that Pres. Obama can follow as early as tomorrow, if he has the courage.

http://www.youtube.com/...

American Youth Rock

insyyte

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Thursday November 06, 2008 · 9:32 AM PST

2008/11/06 · 09:32

In Dec 05, I read "Audacity of Hope" by Obama and was moved. So when an opportunity came for me (mid 50's) to volunteer and campaign for Barack, I grabbed it with both hands. In Jan 06 I started distributing leaflets, chatting talking points with passerby's, and meeting other volunteers on the Main Street in Newark, close to University of Delaware. To state politely, the youth in this city was disillusioned about where the country was headed. And they were already familiar with Barack, and his message of hope, even at that time. So I didn't have to sell them...they already knew Barack's politics of inclusiveness. At that time I recognized if he is to win the election it will be on the back of this youthful group, this hip-hop generation.

insyyte

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Sunday October 12, 2008 · 7:08 PM PDT

2008/10/12 · 19:08

Sometimes I canvass over the weekend for Obama in Aston, PA. Mostly republican township. I feel uneasy walking this territory. Especially in the past couple of weeks when the other party's rhetoric verges on the edge of racism that incites the rabid amongst the gathered.

insyyte

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Monday September 08, 2008 · 1:47 PM PDT

2008/09/08 · 13:47

In the past I have voted both for Republicans and Democrats. Last weekend, I signed up to volunteer for Obama. This election has become too important for me. For the first time in my life, in mid 50's now, I feel scared enough about the American Taliban (fanatical right) getting in power again. It motivated me to volunteer for a political organization. I need to do all I can at my personal level to prevent my beloved country to be yoked to the dehumanizing beliefs of the fanatical right. However, over the weekend, the response of the Obama/Biden team has been tepid at best to the ticker parade of lies, misinformation and deceit coming from the MaCain/Palin camp. And I am hoping Obama/Biden team will sharpen their message in the coming weeks if we are to win this election.

insyyte

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Thursday September 04, 2008 · 9:33 AM PDT

2008/09/04 · 09:33

JIM KUHNHENN, AP Writer, is doing a job all press should be doing...checking the facts against rhetoric. Here are a few snippets as he takes Palin's speech apart.

Please read the entire article here.http://news.yahoo.com/...

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Obama's Asian pivot

Progressives beware the "Grand Bargain"

A letter from Goldman Sachs

Occupy Wall Street Must Occupy Congress, AG offices

At least one man gets it

American Youth Rock

Hope or Hate...we decide

Obama/Biden: Sharpen the message, please.

AP: Taking Palin's speech apart