AlterNet Blogs

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On Proportionality, Civilian Casualties, and Why Israel Has Already Lost
Posted by DJK, Brave New Films on January 9, 2009 at 6:21 AM.

Once again, I watch in horror as the Israeli military pounds a densely populated area in "self defense," killing civilians, restricting aid, and causing a humanitarian disaster. And I wonder again why Israel, its supporters, and the Western media just don't get it.

Yes, Hamas fired rockets into Israel. Yes, Israel has the right to defend itself from such attacks. But by bombarding and invading Gaza, killing hundreds of civilians, destroying infrastructure, and blocking aid to Gaza, Israel has abandoned the moral high ground and has become worse than the Hamas terrorists they decry. And that's why Israel has already lost.

As of today, the United Nations estimates that approximately 165 Palestinian civilians have been killed, representing 25 percent of all Palestinian casualties. Since fighting began, 4 Israeli civilians have been killed by Hamas rockets.

The problem is proportionality, a word I've actually been happy to hear used commonly in this discussion. Former secretary of defense Robert McNamara talks about it in Errol Morris's excellent Oscar-winning documentary The Fog of War and how "proportionality should be a guideline in war." I agree.

Maybe it's because I'm naïve that I don’t see how you can claim the moral high ground and that you are both good guy and victim when your side is killing 41 times more innocent civilians than the “terrorists.” Maybe it's because I am not an expert on the Middle East, so I don't understand why killing 41 civilians is a proportional, appropriate, and legal way to show that killing a single civilian is wrong.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Jon Stewart Takes on Israel's Attack on Gaza
Posted by Holly, Feministe on January 9, 2009 at 4:36 AM.

He’s braver than me, that’s for sure.

The best part, in my opinion (sorry, don’t have time for a full transcript, but hopefully one will surface somewhere):

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Jon Stewart Takes on Israel's Attack on Gaza
Posted by Holly, Feministe on January 9, 2009 at 4:36 AM.

He’s braver than me, that’s for sure.

The best part, in my opinion (sorry, don’t have time for a full transcript, but hopefully one will surface somewhere):

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

In Defense of the Sanjay Gupta Appointment
Posted by Jane Hamsher, Firedoglake on January 9, 2009 at 3:44 AM.

I understand the critiques launched by Paul Krugman, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., and others against Dr. Sanjay Gupta -- he did accuse Michael Moore of "fudging the facts" in Sicko when Moore had done no such thing. But in the end he apologized and admitted he was wrong, which is a lot more than is frequently forthcoming in these situations.

I actually think Gupta is an inspired choice. This morning in Politico, they note that Tom Daschle may use Gupta in a grassroots campaign to sell the Obama health care plan to the public. Gupta is a known and trusted public personality, and this appointment gives him the official status to explain and defend the plan on the government's behalf. His familiar face will be a powerful antidote to any kind of well-funded "Harry and Louise" style campaign aimed at tanking it.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

In Defense of the Sanjay Gupta Appointment
Posted by Jane Hamsher, Firedoglake on January 9, 2009 at 3:44 AM.

I understand the critiques launched by Paul Krugman, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., and others against Dr. Sanjay Gupta -- he did accuse Michael Moore of "fudging the facts" in Sicko when Moore had done no such thing. But in the end he apologized and admitted he was wrong, which is a lot more than is frequently forthcoming in these situations.

I actually think Gupta is an inspired choice. This morning in Politico, they note that Tom Daschle may use Gupta in a grassroots campaign to sell the Obama health care plan to the public. Gupta is a known and trusted public personality, and this appointment gives him the official status to explain and defend the plan on the government's behalf. His familiar face will be a powerful antidote to any kind of well-funded "Harry and Louise" style campaign aimed at tanking it.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Report: Obama Prepared to Talk to Hamas
Posted by Faiz Shakir, Think Progress on January 8, 2009 at 7:24 PM.

Barack Obama is reportedly planning to ditch President Bush's strategy of isolating Hamas, and will instead move to open contacts with the group.

"The Guardian has spoken to three people with knowledge of the discussions in the Obama camp. There is no talk of Obama approving direct diplomatic negotiations with Hamas early on, but he is being urged by advisers to initiate low-level or clandestine approaches, and there is growing recognition in Washington that the policy of ostracizing Hamas is counterproductive."

Cheney Looks Awkward as Pelosi Interrupts Him to Applaud Obama's Victory
Posted by Amanda Terkel, Think Progress on January 8, 2009 at 4:24 PM.

Today, Vice President Cheney stood before Congress and read the official results of the 2008 presidential election. After reading the electoral totals, he declared that they "shall be entered, together with a list of the votes, in the journals of the Senate and the House of Representatives." Just as he was about to move on to other business, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) -- who was sitting next to him at the podium -- jumped up from her seat and began applauding, much to the surprise of Cheney. Within seconds, the rest of the chamber was loudly cheering, with Cheney left looking slightly uncomfortable. Watch it (Pelosi comes in around 3:00).

Obama Can Learn from Bush: 'We Tried' Ain't Enough
Posted by Paco Fabian, AmericasVoiceOnline on January 8, 2009 at 12:35 PM.

In "Bush legacy: 'At least we tried doesn't cut it," Gebe Martinez argues that there is no rainbow's end on the arc of major issues that only seemed to worsen under President George W. Bush's watch.

If there is one lesson President-elect Barack Obama can learn from his predecessor, it is that "at least we tried" is not a graceful end note to failure. It just doesn't cut it.

Especially when it comes to immigration.

The Politico column continues:

Like Bush, Obama is committed to an immigration measure that combines enforcement with earned legalization for illegal immigrants in the country. But as his predecessor proved, Obama cannot wait and turn to immigration after his political capital has run out. And he has to maintain the tone, not react to the rhetoric.

In other words, when it comes to immigration, strike while the iron is hot. Don't end up wondering what would have happened if you had had the strength to act.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Obama Can Learn from Bush: 'We Tried' Ain't Enough
Posted by Paco Fabian, AmericasVoiceOnline on January 8, 2009 at 12:35 PM.

In "Bush legacy: 'At least we tried doesn't cut it," Gebe Martinez argues that there is no rainbow's end on the arc of major issues that only seemed to worsen under President George W. Bush's watch.

If there is one lesson President-elect Barack Obama can learn from his predecessor, it is that "at least we tried" is not a graceful end note to failure. It just doesn't cut it.

Especially when it comes to immigration.

The Politico column continues:

Like Bush, Obama is committed to an immigration measure that combines enforcement with earned legalization for illegal immigrants in the country. But as his predecessor proved, Obama cannot wait and turn to immigration after his political capital has run out. And he has to maintain the tone, not react to the rhetoric.

In other words, when it comes to immigration, strike while the iron is hot. Don't end up wondering what would have happened if you had had the strength to act.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Rachel Maddow on 'Daily Show': 'Insulted,' 'Embarrassed' By Bush
Posted by Danny Shea, Huffington Post on January 8, 2009 at 10:36 AM.

Rachel Maddow appeared on "The Daily Show" Wednesday night, where she and Jon Stewart discussed the MSNBC family, President-elect Barack Obama's policy knowledge and George W. Bush's Blair House snub of the incoming first family.

Stewart opened the interview by telling Maddow hers is "a lovely voice to have out there on the air," and then he compared MSNBC anchors to the Munster family.

"Ever see 'The Munsters?' " he asked. "Here's what I think when I watch MSNBC: You're Marilyn ... " referring to the only normal member of a family of monsters. "But everyone else over there is **** nuts. I'm not gonna tell you who Herman Munster is, but I will tell you I believe Chris Matthews is the dragon who lives under the stairs."

"You know, I'm new there!" Maddow shot back.

Watch:

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Rachel Maddow on 'Daily Show': 'Insulted,' 'Embarrassed' By Bush
Posted by Danny Shea, Huffington Post on January 8, 2009 at 10:36 AM.

Rachel Maddow appeared on "The Daily Show" Wednesday night, where she and Jon Stewart discussed the MSNBC family, President-elect Barack Obama's policy knowledge and George W. Bush's Blair House snub of the incoming first family.

Stewart opened the interview by telling Maddow hers is "a lovely voice to have out there on the air," and then he compared MSNBC anchors to the Munster family.

"Ever see 'The Munsters?' " he asked. "Here's what I think when I watch MSNBC: You're Marilyn ... " referring to the only normal member of a family of monsters. "But everyone else over there is **** nuts. I'm not gonna tell you who Herman Munster is, but I will tell you I believe Chris Matthews is the dragon who lives under the stairs."

"You know, I'm new there!" Maddow shot back.

Watch:

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Rachel Maddow on 'Daily Show': 'Insulted,' 'Embarrassed' By Bush
Posted by Danny Shea, Huffington Post on January 8, 2009 at 10:36 AM.

Rachel Maddow appeared on "The Daily Show" Wednesday night, where she and Jon Stewart discussed the MSNBC family, President-elect Barack Obama's policy knowledge and George W. Bush's Blair House snub of the incoming first family.

Stewart opened the interview by telling Maddow hers is "a lovely voice to have out there on the air," and then he compared MSNBC anchors to the Munster family.

"Ever see 'The Munsters?' " he asked. "Here's what I think when I watch MSNBC: You're Marilyn ... " referring to the only normal member of a family of monsters. "But everyone else over there is **** nuts. I'm not gonna tell you who Herman Munster is, but I will tell you I believe Chris Matthews is the dragon who lives under the stairs."

"You know, I'm new there!" Maddow shot back.

Watch:

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Pay Equity: Raise Your Voice for Equal Pay for Equal Work
Posted by Christy Hardin Smith, Firedoglake on January 8, 2009 at 10:17 AM.

Democratic leadership in the House on a Thursday conference call -- including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. George Miller, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, vowed to push forward with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (HR 11) and the Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 12).

As Rep. DeLauro said: "Women who work hard and productively and carry a full range of family responsibilities should be treated fairly."

Rep. DeLauro emphasized that close to one-third of all women in this country live in poverty. And for unmarried women, especially those who are heads of household with children, things are even more grim. These women have income that is, on average, $12,000 less than unmarried male counterparts. As Wade Henderson of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights said, "this is a civil rights issue."

This needs to change. Women should earn the same pay for doing the same work. That should not even be a question.

The House is likely to re-introduce these bills late Thursday afternoon or, more likely, early on Friday. Rep. Miller, who has championed the Ledbetter Act through the last congress and today, said that the Senate will likely take up this issue next week as well -- that Democratic leadership is looking at the schedule for floor time and that this is a priority for a number of members of the Senate.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Pay Equity: Raise Your Voice for Equal Pay for Equal Work
Posted by Christy Hardin Smith, Firedoglake on January 8, 2009 at 10:17 AM.

Democratic leadership in the House on a Thursday conference call -- including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. George Miller, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, vowed to push forward with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (HR 11) and the Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 12).

As Rep. DeLauro said: "Women who work hard and productively and carry a full range of family responsibilities should be treated fairly."

Rep. DeLauro emphasized that close to one-third of all women in this country live in poverty. And for unmarried women, especially those who are heads of household with children, things are even more grim. These women have income that is, on average, $12,000 less than unmarried male counterparts. As Wade Henderson of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights said, "this is a civil rights issue."

This needs to change. Women should earn the same pay for doing the same work. That should not even be a question.

The House is likely to re-introduce these bills late Thursday afternoon or, more likely, early on Friday. Rep. Miller, who has championed the Ledbetter Act through the last congress and today, said that the Senate will likely take up this issue next week as well -- that Democratic leadership is looking at the schedule for floor time and that this is a priority for a number of members of the Senate.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »

Pay Equity: Raise Your Voice for Equal Pay for Equal Work
Posted by Christy Hardin Smith, Firedoglake on January 8, 2009 at 10:17 AM.

Democratic leadership in the House on a Thursday conference call -- including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. George Miller, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, vowed to push forward with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (HR 11) and the Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 12).

As Rep. DeLauro said: "Women who work hard and productively and carry a full range of family responsibilities should be treated fairly."

Rep. DeLauro emphasized that close to one-third of all women in this country live in poverty. And for unmarried women, especially those who are heads of household with children, things are even more grim. These women have income that is, on average, $12,000 less than unmarried male counterparts. As Wade Henderson of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights said, "this is a civil rights issue."

This needs to change. Women should earn the same pay for doing the same work. That should not even be a question.

The House is likely to re-introduce these bills late Thursday afternoon or, more likely, early on Friday. Rep. Miller, who has championed the Ledbetter Act through the last congress and today, said that the Senate will likely take up this issue next week as well -- that Democratic leadership is looking at the schedule for floor time and that this is a priority for a number of members of the Senate.

Read the rest of the post on the flip side »