Marcus Aurelius: Defense “Strategy” & “Budget” — Ignorant Duplicitous Theater + META-RECAP

Various media pieces on defense. Gutting defense Obama to shrink armed forces The President’s Risky Defense Strategy President Obama’s defense strategy rests on shaky assumptions Obama military strategy: Is it bipartisan enough? U.S. right to focus on Asia The battle for the Pacific will reshape the world Military fighting force strategy set, but what will …

Marcus Aurelius: Defense “Strategy” & “Budget” — Ignorant Duplicitous Theater + META-RECAP

Various media pieces on defense. Gutting defense Obama to shrink armed forces The President’s Risky Defense Strategy President Obama’s defense strategy rests on shaky assumptions Obama military strategy: Is it bipartisan enough? U.S. right to focus on Asia The battle for the Pacific will reshape the world Military fighting force strategy set, but what will …

John Steiner: Matt Taibbi with Xmas Message from the Rich

A Christmas Message From America’s Rich Matt Taibbi Rolling Stone, 22 December 2011 It seems America’s bankers are tired of all the abuse. They’ve decided to speak out. True, they’re doing it from behind the ropeline, in front of friendly crowds at industry conferences and country clubs, meaning they don’t have to look the rest …

John Steiner: Occupy Hearts – Compassion New Currency

Compassion Is Our New Currency : Notes on 2011’s Preoccupied Hearts and Minds Rebecca Solnit TomDispatch.com, December 22, 2011. Usually at year’s end, we’re supposed to look back at events just passed — and forward, in prediction mode, to the year to come. But just look around you! This moment is so extraordinary that it …

Mini-Me: Hillary to Challenge Obama in 2012 — As Long Planned

HILLARY CLINTON WILL CHALLENGE OBAMA IN 2012! Frank Lake Weekly World News, December 21st, 2011 WASHINGTON, DC –  Sources close to Hillary Clinton say  she will announce her run for President in 2012. Hillary Clinton came to WWN Headquarters and told editors that she is livid about the downgrade of the U.S. Credit Rating.  “I’ve stood …

Chuck Spinney: War Drums Beat within Versailles on the Potomac — War with Iran Promoted — More Lies and Miscalculation

On 12 December, I described a concatenation of warmongering pressures that were shaping the popular psyche in favor of bombing Iran.  Now, in a 21 December essay [also attached below], Steven Walt describes a further escalation of these pressures — in this case, via the profoundly flawed pro-bombing analysis, Time to Attack Iran: Why a Strike is the Least …