Berto Jongman: From the Daily Star, Perspective on the Arab Spring and USA

Being read in Europe. The counter-revolution is in full swing By Rami G. Khouri The Daily Star Lebanon, 11 April 2012 It is common for analysts in the Middle East and abroad to view most of the conflicts and tensions in our region through the lens of (take your pick) the Iranian-Saudi Arabian regional cold …

2012 Reality Sandwich: The Battle for the Soul of the Republic

The Battle for the Soul of the Republic Reality Sandwich, 10 April 2012 Robert David Steele Vivas The National Security Agency (NSA) mega-data center, combined with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) special relationship with Google, and the federalization of local police using Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds to pay for monitoring both the locations …

Marcus Aurelius: Department of State Broken – With No Prospect of Being Fixed

Diplomacy is one of those jobs where you actually have to be present on scene to do it.  One key point that Ms. Schake does not mention is that a principal reason military is playing a dominant role right now is that Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) are not volunteering for the hardship — such as Baghdad …

Marcus Aurelius: Defense Spending Contradictions – Panetta’s Week-Ends versus TRICARE Cuts

So, proposed TRICARE fee increases are intended to cover costs of SECDEF’s weekend trips home?  Would not be surprised. CNN April 6, 2012 A $32,000 Trip Every Weekend The Situation Room (CNN), 5:00 P.M. JOE JOHNS: Imagine working in Washington Monday through Friday then flying home almost every weekend to California. That’s a weekly ritual …

Chuck Spinney: The Afghanistan Disaster Part II – The Long Hard Costly Exit

Given Nato’s political problems with Pakistan, the Brits have elected to leave Afghanistan along the so-called Northern route to the Baltic Sea (see my 27 November posting, Afghan Dunkirk for discussion of the selection).  Now, as Bryan Brady and Jonathan Owen report in the Independent, the entirely predictable baksheesh game has begun. Think of what the far larger, more logistics-intensive US …

#OWS Rolling Update + US Revolution RECAP

CORRUPTION is the common enemy, both in government and in the private sector.  ELECTORAL REFORM is the singular demand.  COALITION CABINET is the method.  INTEGRITY is the core value.  COMMONWEALTH RESTORED is the outcome. Occupy Revolution OccupyWallStreet (Home Site) Original Electoral Reform Documents (Updated) We the People Reform Coalition   25 March 2012 Penn Badgley …