Financial Markets
Wall Street crisis: this should be Barack Obama's moment (Martin, I. Telegraph, Eagle Eye, 2008 Sept. 15)
Infrastructure
Homeland Security Secretary Draws Attention to State of Infrastructure (Infrastructure Watch, 2008 Sept. 11)
New Orleans Still At Risk Post-Katrina Even as Public Concern Fades (Infrastructure Watch, 2008 Sept. 11)
John McCain
McCain playing it safe (The Presidential Election Blog 2008, 2008 Sept. 5)
Obama Campaign on the Attack
Obama Questions McCain’s ‘Honor’ (Timiraos, N., Wall Street Journal, Washington Wire, 2008 Sept. 15)
Russo-Georgian Conflict
Russia beaten by little Georgia (Bookman, J., Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2008 Sept. 15)
Russians React to Putin’s ‘08 Remark (Shirwitz, M., New York Times, The Lede, 2008 Sept. 15)
Swing States
Turnaround in Virginia? SurveyUSA finds Obama lead (On Politics, USA Today, 2008 Sept. 15)
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
Biden delivering major speech attacking McCain as “Bush 44” (You Decide 2008, 2008 Sept. 15)
Biden ramps up attack dog role in Obama campaign (Reuters, Tales from the Trail, 2008 Sept. 15)
Press Section of Biden's Plane Is 'Totally Deserted' (National Review Online, The Campaign Spot, 2008 Sept. 15)
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
Palin Outlines Four-Point Focus In McCain Administration (Conroy, S., On the Road, CBS News, 2008 Sept. 15)
Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin (AK) Full Speech at the RNC (Presidential Election 2008, 2008 Sept. 9)
2008/09/16
Putin Intelligencer 2008 September 16
Aviation Industry
Putin recently approved a plan to integrate the Uzbekistan and Ukraine aviation enterprises into the Russian United Aircraft company and called for a focus on successful lines of aircraft. Russia will continue tariffs on western aircraft, providing relief only on small models (Karnozov).
Media, Russian Aggression in Georgia and Financial Markets
Putin called to task Russian journalists over their coverage of the Russo-Georgian Conflict, particularly the editor of one of the few national radio stations that airs opposition views. The station has apparently responded by pulling at least one guest and journalist off the air for their views and reporting that were critical of the government (Pan). Russian media are apparently so nervous that even a TV psychic can’t risk offending the prime minister (Krainova).
Putin continues to blame the U.S. for stirring the pot in Georgia (Radyuhin). He also said the dip in Russian financial markets were due to a reduction of liquidity (which the Russian government will cover if needed) partly affected slumps in the U.S. market, and clearly stated that it had nothing to do with action in Georgia (Wall).
The Thug Czar
The October 2008 issue of Vanity Fair contains a profile of Putin by Masha Gessen. Get it. Read it. Clip it (not from the library’s copy). Save it.
Unusual
Putin will be giving judo lessons to French President Nicolas Sarkozy (Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo).
OI anticipates lots of unusual news about Putin. There is so little to mitigate the whims of dictators.
Sources
Gessen, M. (2008 Oct.). Dead soul. Vanity Fair, pp. 336-338, 380-386.
Karnozov, V. (2008 Sept. 9). Putin tells Russian industry to face reality. Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/09/15/315927/putin-tells-russian-industry-to-face-reality.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Krainova, N. (2008 Sept. 15). Knife, Munich, Putin on state TV. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370906.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Pan, P. (2008 Sept. 15). In wake of Georgian war, Russian media feel heat. Washington Post, p. A14. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/14/AR2008091402249.html?hpid=moreheadlines, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Radyuhin, V. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin: U.S. spurred on Georgian offensive. Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/15/stories/2008091555661400.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo. (2008 Sept. 15). Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/2963460/Vladimir-Putin-to-teach-Nicolas-Sarkozy-judo.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16
Wall, T. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin and Medvedev differ on market ills. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370909.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Putin recently approved a plan to integrate the Uzbekistan and Ukraine aviation enterprises into the Russian United Aircraft company and called for a focus on successful lines of aircraft. Russia will continue tariffs on western aircraft, providing relief only on small models (Karnozov).
Media, Russian Aggression in Georgia and Financial Markets
Putin called to task Russian journalists over their coverage of the Russo-Georgian Conflict, particularly the editor of one of the few national radio stations that airs opposition views. The station has apparently responded by pulling at least one guest and journalist off the air for their views and reporting that were critical of the government (Pan). Russian media are apparently so nervous that even a TV psychic can’t risk offending the prime minister (Krainova).
Putin continues to blame the U.S. for stirring the pot in Georgia (Radyuhin). He also said the dip in Russian financial markets were due to a reduction of liquidity (which the Russian government will cover if needed) partly affected slumps in the U.S. market, and clearly stated that it had nothing to do with action in Georgia (Wall).
The Thug Czar
The October 2008 issue of Vanity Fair contains a profile of Putin by Masha Gessen. Get it. Read it. Clip it (not from the library’s copy). Save it.
Unusual
Putin will be giving judo lessons to French President Nicolas Sarkozy (Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo).
OI anticipates lots of unusual news about Putin. There is so little to mitigate the whims of dictators.
Sources
Gessen, M. (2008 Oct.). Dead soul. Vanity Fair, pp. 336-338, 380-386.
Karnozov, V. (2008 Sept. 9). Putin tells Russian industry to face reality. Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/09/15/315927/putin-tells-russian-industry-to-face-reality.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Krainova, N. (2008 Sept. 15). Knife, Munich, Putin on state TV. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370906.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Pan, P. (2008 Sept. 15). In wake of Georgian war, Russian media feel heat. Washington Post, p. A14. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/14/AR2008091402249.html?hpid=moreheadlines, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Radyuhin, V. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin: U.S. spurred on Georgian offensive. Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/15/stories/2008091555661400.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo. (2008 Sept. 15). Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/2963460/Vladimir-Putin-to-teach-Nicolas-Sarkozy-judo.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16
Wall, T. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin and Medvedev differ on market ills. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370909.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Russia Intelligencer 2008 September 16
Chess Champ Calls for Economic Sanctions Against Russia for Aggression in Georgia, Medvedev Sees Injustices in Western Response
Garry Kasparov has called for economic sanctions to reign in Russian power, though some analysts think it is improbable given the economic links between the U.S. and Russia (US has few economic levers against Russia).
In a recent speech, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called responses of NATO and western nations to Russia’s incursion into Georgia unfair. He sticks to the line that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili had gone “nuts” (Abdullaev).
OI Comment: The Russian line has been that it is protecting its citizens in South Ossetia from Georgian aggression. Russia previously offered citizenship to South Ossetians which was widely accepted. Nationalist movements in the region have been agitating to break from Georgia, and Georgian officials say their military moves in the region—still officially part of the country—has been to quell the rebellion and reestablish stability there. Somehow the Russian leaders see no similarity between this and their actions in Chechnya.
One of Medvedevs comments was that the west should stop seeing the Russian government as the successor of the Soviet Union. This is partly true. The Communists of the Soviet era felt the need to maintain the pretense of a republic serving its people. The currently Russian government is simply a dictatorship, nearly a Putin dictatorship, and saves its pretensions for foreign affairs.
Recent posts and articles related to Russia:
Khodorkovsky's [former oil magnate] Parole Request Denied (Popova, N., Moscow Times, 2008 Aug. 28)
In Lieu of Public Debate, Opposition Disagrees Over War (Chernov, S., St. Petersburg Times, 2008 Sept. 2)
Russian hackers continue attacks on Georgian sites (Svensson, P., Associated Press, 2008 Aug. 12)
Sources
Ablullaev, N. (2008 Sept. 15). Medvedev guests take tough message home. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370908.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
US has few economic levers against Russia. (2008 Aug. 16). Economic Times. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/US_has_few_economic_levers_against_Russia/articleshow/3370126.cms, accessed 2008 Sept. 11.
Garry Kasparov has called for economic sanctions to reign in Russian power, though some analysts think it is improbable given the economic links between the U.S. and Russia (US has few economic levers against Russia).
In a recent speech, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called responses of NATO and western nations to Russia’s incursion into Georgia unfair. He sticks to the line that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili had gone “nuts” (Abdullaev).
OI Comment: The Russian line has been that it is protecting its citizens in South Ossetia from Georgian aggression. Russia previously offered citizenship to South Ossetians which was widely accepted. Nationalist movements in the region have been agitating to break from Georgia, and Georgian officials say their military moves in the region—still officially part of the country—has been to quell the rebellion and reestablish stability there. Somehow the Russian leaders see no similarity between this and their actions in Chechnya.
One of Medvedevs comments was that the west should stop seeing the Russian government as the successor of the Soviet Union. This is partly true. The Communists of the Soviet era felt the need to maintain the pretense of a republic serving its people. The currently Russian government is simply a dictatorship, nearly a Putin dictatorship, and saves its pretensions for foreign affairs.
Recent posts and articles related to Russia:
Khodorkovsky's [former oil magnate] Parole Request Denied (Popova, N., Moscow Times, 2008 Aug. 28)
In Lieu of Public Debate, Opposition Disagrees Over War (Chernov, S., St. Petersburg Times, 2008 Sept. 2)
Russian hackers continue attacks on Georgian sites (Svensson, P., Associated Press, 2008 Aug. 12)
Sources
Ablullaev, N. (2008 Sept. 15). Medvedev guests take tough message home. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370908.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
US has few economic levers against Russia. (2008 Aug. 16). Economic Times. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/US_has_few_economic_levers_against_Russia/articleshow/3370126.cms, accessed 2008 Sept. 11.
2008/09/11
September 11 Memorials (2008 September 11)
9/11 remembrance ceremonies in central New York, WSYR-TV
9/11 Remembrance Events, WLNS-TV
Dispatches from 9/11 memorials around the area, Fort Meyers News-Press
Events mark the 7th anniversary of 9/11, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Firefighters remember fallen brothers, Bangor Daily News
Flags at half-staff in Va. for 9/11 remembrance, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Motorcyclists hope to create a lasting 9/11 tribute in Troy, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Presidential candidates to join 9/11 remembrance, Associate Press on KYTX-TV
Scott County Commission plans Sept. 11 tribute, Southeast Missourian
Sept. 11 memories still fresh, Naperville Sun
Solemn remembrance: Ceremonies, prayer to mark 9/11 milestone, Laconia Citizen
Somerset County [NJ] officials and citizens gather in remembrance of 9/11
Walks slated in remembrance of 9-11, Canton Repository
9/11 Remembrance Events, WLNS-TV
Dispatches from 9/11 memorials around the area, Fort Meyers News-Press
Events mark the 7th anniversary of 9/11, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Firefighters remember fallen brothers, Bangor Daily News
Flags at half-staff in Va. for 9/11 remembrance, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Motorcyclists hope to create a lasting 9/11 tribute in Troy, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Presidential candidates to join 9/11 remembrance, Associate Press on KYTX-TV
Scott County Commission plans Sept. 11 tribute, Southeast Missourian
Sept. 11 memories still fresh, Naperville Sun
Solemn remembrance: Ceremonies, prayer to mark 9/11 milestone, Laconia Citizen
Somerset County [NJ] officials and citizens gather in remembrance of 9/11
Walks slated in remembrance of 9-11, Canton Repository
Obama Intelligencer 2008 September 11
Taxes
Obama has suggested he would delay reversing what are called the “Bush tax cuts” because it might somehow be harmful to the economy, though he has no plans to extend them beyond their scheduled expiration (Barack Obama says he would delay rescinding Bush tax cuts if economy slips into recession).
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden, Comments on Israel
Biden affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and self-governance, saying it needed no permission from the U.S. to take action against nuclear facilities in Iran. (US Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden says Israel free to attack).
Sources
Barack Obama says he would delay rescinding Bush tax cuts if economy slips into recession. (2008 Sept. 7). Associated Press in Minneapolis Star-Times. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/27970719.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUJ, accessed 2008 Sept. 11.
US Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden says Israel free to attack. (2008 Sept.6). Pakistan Daily. http://www.daily.pk/world/worldnews/7160-us-democratic-vice-presidential-candidate-joe-biden-says-israel-free-to-attack-iran.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 11.
Obama has suggested he would delay reversing what are called the “Bush tax cuts” because it might somehow be harmful to the economy, though he has no plans to extend them beyond their scheduled expiration (Barack Obama says he would delay rescinding Bush tax cuts if economy slips into recession).
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden, Comments on Israel
Biden affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and self-governance, saying it needed no permission from the U.S. to take action against nuclear facilities in Iran. (US Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden says Israel free to attack).
Sources
Barack Obama says he would delay rescinding Bush tax cuts if economy slips into recession. (2008 Sept. 7). Associated Press in Minneapolis Star-Times. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/27970719.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUJ, accessed 2008 Sept. 11.
US Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden says Israel free to attack. (2008 Sept.6). Pakistan Daily. http://www.daily.pk/world/worldnews/7160-us-democratic-vice-presidential-candidate-joe-biden-says-israel-free-to-attack-iran.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 11.
Blogspeak 2008 September 11
Back to School
Obama Takes His Daughters Back to School (Political Radar, ABC, 2008 Sept. 8)
McCain Up in Polls
New Poll Shows McCain Up; Palin To Give First Interview (Ververs, V., Horserace, CBS News, 2008 Sept. 8)
Obama’s Faith
Oops! Barack Obama says 'my Muslim faith' in interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos (Nickerson, M., Chicago Sun-Times, 2008 Sept. 8)
Palin and Feminism
Feminists Flip Out Over Palin (Newmark, B., Fox Forum, 2008 Sept. 8)
Palin’s Reception Among Republican Leaders
Rice Offers Less-Than-Hearty Palin Endorsement (Political Radar, ABC, 2008 Sept. 8)
President Bill Clinton
Barack Obama and Bill Clinton To Do Lunch Thursday (Chozik, A., Washington Wire, Wall Street Journal, 2008 Sept. 8)
Stupid Posts
Obama Military Service Claim Defies Credibility (“MCCAIN”, Right Pundits, 2008 Sept. 7)
OI Comments: Obama’s mention of signing up for Selective Service as a teenager is hardly a claim of military service. Every male American born since 1959 has been required to register upon reaching a certain age. Obama may have been stretching to find a way to connect to or communicate respect for military service, but he was hardly claiming to have served.
Incidentally, previous military service is not required to be a supporter of the military or commander-in-chief. Reagan broke the Soviets with a combination of military strength and economic pressure, but never served in the military. John Adams was not a military man, but he valued a strong military and his efforts in the Continental Congress helped keep George Washington’s little army going.
In contrast, great military officers don’t necessarily make great presidents. U.S. Grant was the great general of the civil war, but he was largely a flop as a political leader and businessman. Jimmy Carter was a successful Naval officer and in recent years made a name for himself as an author and peacemaker; his presidency might be seen as the low point in his career.
Obama Takes His Daughters Back to School (Political Radar, ABC, 2008 Sept. 8)
McCain Up in Polls
New Poll Shows McCain Up; Palin To Give First Interview (Ververs, V., Horserace, CBS News, 2008 Sept. 8)
Obama’s Faith
Oops! Barack Obama says 'my Muslim faith' in interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos (Nickerson, M., Chicago Sun-Times, 2008 Sept. 8)
Palin and Feminism
Feminists Flip Out Over Palin (Newmark, B., Fox Forum, 2008 Sept. 8)
Palin’s Reception Among Republican Leaders
Rice Offers Less-Than-Hearty Palin Endorsement (Political Radar, ABC, 2008 Sept. 8)
President Bill Clinton
Barack Obama and Bill Clinton To Do Lunch Thursday (Chozik, A., Washington Wire, Wall Street Journal, 2008 Sept. 8)
Stupid Posts
Obama Military Service Claim Defies Credibility (“MCCAIN”, Right Pundits, 2008 Sept. 7)
OI Comments: Obama’s mention of signing up for Selective Service as a teenager is hardly a claim of military service. Every male American born since 1959 has been required to register upon reaching a certain age. Obama may have been stretching to find a way to connect to or communicate respect for military service, but he was hardly claiming to have served.
Incidentally, previous military service is not required to be a supporter of the military or commander-in-chief. Reagan broke the Soviets with a combination of military strength and economic pressure, but never served in the military. John Adams was not a military man, but he valued a strong military and his efforts in the Continental Congress helped keep George Washington’s little army going.
In contrast, great military officers don’t necessarily make great presidents. U.S. Grant was the great general of the civil war, but he was largely a flop as a political leader and businessman. Jimmy Carter was a successful Naval officer and in recent years made a name for himself as an author and peacemaker; his presidency might be seen as the low point in his career.
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