There is immense commentary on Obama's speech - I provide a couple which may reflect some of your concerns.
It's Obama's war now - Joan Walsh's take on the speech - mostly negative - only positive factor - Obama isn't Cheney - small comfort ---
...
*But the greatest damage as many of you know too well - militarization of humanitarian aid - CARE in Afghanistan - I think using humanitarian aid as a counterinsurgency tactic is immoral ---
...
Tom Englehardt (TomDispatch) - Obama surrendered to the military - nothing good can result ---
...
Once again the 'leading' newspapers advocate overwhelmingly for the war - OpEds in WashPost are 10:1 in favor of the war - the other side doesn't even exist - shades of the runup to the Iraq war ---
...
I thought this rather interesting - Hansen - climate change - Copenhagen failure is good? - where is the leadership? - out-to-lunch ---
...
Are pigs flying? - has Hell frozen over? - Wall Street J? - absurdity of executive bonuses? - I liked this secondary take on the article - there are also more good links to the subject in the blog ---
...
Big 'fat' lie - illustration of the viral nature of 'exotic' news stories - whether true or not - but the damage is done regardless - illustrative of the 'news' in the US regarding healthcare - Peru - human killings for fat ---
...
Do what's right - healthcare - Christmas - Garrison Keillor ---
...
What is living? - what is dead? - Social Democracy - an interesting article trying to understand why the US is alone among Western countries with its almost complete agreement on individualism with little regard for society - fairly long but worthwhile - thanks P... ---
^^^^
My response to a reader's question about the Salishis and my take to her on Obama's speech.
I think that the whole thing is a little over done - the stories are getting a little nauseous for me - Redskins cheerleader and on and on. Admittedly they have more Chutzpah than imaginable and it worked as they got more publicity than even they bargained for. What should happen to them, I don't know. If they lied at the gate that could probably be made into some sort of legal offense. I would like to see them held responsible, particularly, unable to benefit financially from the exposure but don't know how you would do that. Although I think there may be something about using the current President's photo for personal financial gain.
I agree the security question is important but also think that there were additional screenings that would have prevented danger. I agree that it is probably good that it happened this way in that it will really make the Secret Service sit up and take notice. I suspect that someone has already paid for the lapse. I think that Congressional hearings are a little over the top and may result in more problems rather than fewer. The Secret Service has done well and this may just be the wake-up call they need to strengthen their procedures and I don't think Congress will improve their procedures.
Did you watch Obama's address? What do you think? I didn't like it but don't know what else he could do - he can't even depend on his own party for solid support regardless of what he would do - the Democrats just don't have the discipline that the Republicans do. I think it is good in one sense that it means they're less partisan and more interested in the issue but it presents problems. But what can they do if they can't depend on their own for 60 votes.
zzzzzz
30s/40s - snow? - is it winter already? - enjoy the weekend
