Washington Watch Articles From 2010
Before It’s Too Late
The arrests of nine members of an armed militia group in Michigan, hell bent on fomenting violence, should serve as a wake up call to those in political leadership roles who are inciting rage against the government.
New Poll on American Attitudes Toward the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
A new poll out this week shows that while Israelis retain strong US public support, Americans are deeply concerned that the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict puts US interests at risk across the Middle East and the public, therefore, supports President Obama’s stand against Israel’s settlement plans.
The Week that Was, and the Week Yet to Come: Testing Obama’s Mettle
This coming week will tell us a great deal about the ability of President Obama to be a strong leader and an honest broker in Middle East peacemaking.
Degrading Citizenship
There is one largely unreported aspect of the recently completed Iraqi elections that I find deeply troubling, and that is the fact that polling places were set up across the U.S. providing Iraqi-Americans the opportunity to vote.
A Game Changing Act to Promote Peace
Proximity talks between Palestinians, Israelis and U.S. negotiators will begin next week, but I'm not hopeful, in large measure because the parties have never been further apart and confidence in the U.S. has been diminished. The Israelis have been up to no good: making provocative statements about keeping the Jordan Valley, staking their claim to sites in Hebron and Bethlehem, and tightening the noose around Jerusalem.
Abuse of Language ThreatensAmerican Freedoms
The last Administration displayed a rather perverse and dangerous penchant for dressing up their behavior, providing it with religious or patriotic intent. President Bush packaged the Iraq war, for example, as America's mission - having been charged by God to bring the gift of freedom to the world.
Unfulfilled Promises:Guantanamo and Torture, Difficulties in Burying Sins of the Past
Last April we polled across the Arab World asking what Arabs thought was the most positive early action President Obama had taken to improve U.S.-Arab relations. High up on the list (barely topped by the decision to leave Iraq) was the President's pledge to close Guantanamo and ban torture.
The Tea Party MovementFrightens Me
Last weekend, when Washington was being hit by its worst-ever snow storm, the Tea Party Movement was holding its first national meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. With nothing else to do, and unable to travel, I watched parts of their convention on television and became quite concerned by what I saw and heard. After reviewing two sets of national polls, released this Friday, my concern was heightened.
T. Boone Pickens: Spoiling a Big Idea
T. Boone Pickens has a big idea. It may even be a good one. But when Pickens stoops to using fear and bigotry to sell this idea, it becomes small and unsavory.
Putting Middle East Peace Back On the Agenda
As we mark one year into the Obama era, several realities have become painfully clear.
After Massachusetts: The Road Ahead
Losing a senate seat in Massachusetts to a Republican was not the way Barack Obama wanted to celebrate his one year anniversary in the White House. The loss was a blow, for several reasons.
Another Robertson Outrage: Time for Accountability
On Jan 13th, television evangelist Pat Robertson pontificated on the horrific earthquake that had struck the country of Haiti.
Profiling is Back!
Airport profiling is back, with a vengeance. In the aftermath of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s December 25th, failed effort to bring down Northwest Flight 253, the White House swung into action.
Aftermath of Flight 253: A Familiar Pattern
In the days after Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's failed attempt to kill himself and bring down Northwest Flight 253, the story followed a familiar pattern.