So, here we are, after a week of the Republican National Convention and I didn't cover all of it. Sadly, after watching a night or two, I knew each night wouldn't be quite enough to make in and of itself without getting nitpicky, so we go with the overall. And I'm glad I waited. Clint Eastwood provided what can only be called the touchstone moment ( Read more... )

In a move that surprised no political pundits who had been paying attention, Mitt Romney picked Rep. Paul Ryan to be his running mate in the upcoming election. Ryan, currently representing Wisconsin's First district, has been serving since 1999 and has long been a leader on fiscal responsibility and budgetary issues. Paul Ryan, long seen as a ( Read more... )

To say that tensions in Syria have been rough over the past 16 months is an understatement. Relations between Syria and Turkey have strained as well, since Turkey has declared itself on the side of the "Syrian people" rather than the Syrian government. 30,000 refugees have come into Turkey, including high ranking military officials defecting to ( Read more... )

Over a year ago, the citizens of Egypt stood up for themselves and their rights, took to the streets and managed to depose a regime that had been in place for decades. It was a tremendous feat for revolution and it gave full legitimacy to the notion of Arab Spring. It was, by all accounts, relatively bloodless and did not sink to the depths of ( Read more... )

Yet another in the reactions to the death of bin Laden series, but this time not from the Americas. What's most fascinating right now is the reaction from the Middle East. You can always tell good news from bad news by who is cheering about it all. Most notably, there have been no reports of mourners rending garments in the streets of Amman (Jordan ( Read more... )

As promised last night, another in the reaction series to the death of bin Laden. Last night focused on what a coup this was for American special forces. It was just the public and perfect operation they needed to really prove to average Americans who well they can work. The best way you can tell it went well? No one is complaining about wasted ( Read more... )

This was touched on briefly before I went on sick call, and it's nice to have taken the time to see things develop so completely. Egypt is in the throws of almost full on revolution and that's not a word to be tossed around lightly. After eight days of protests, mild calamities and the government losing its mind, things are starting to change. ( Read more... )

Jasmine, as both the name of the flower and the woman's name, comes from Arabic (and the original Persian) mean "gift of God". In this case, it has been the name the media have come up with for the revolution in Tunisia. Since January 14th when President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali fled the country after some violent protests. He is still trying to ( Read more... )

A little less than a week ago, the government of Tunisia fell apart to the tune of the president feeling the country and the prime minister stepping forward to say there will be new elections in 60 days. The interim president said that he planned a clean break from the past and wanted a revolution based on "dignity and equality" for all. Some have ( Read more... )

Sorry for lack of rants, managed to pull a couple of muscles ranting. I'm just that good. But, tonight, we marked the sad anniversary and grim milestones that 5 years of American war in Iraq and 4000 American soldiers killed in Iraq. That doesn't count other coalition deaths, Iraqi civilian deaths, nor does it include exactly how many terrorists we ( Read more... )