In Brief - December 27th, 2007
Here is today's quick news digest:
In the Pacific Northwest
The major story from abroad today is the tragic death of former Pakistani prime minister and People's Party leader Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in an attack at a political rally by gunfire and a suicide bombing. At least 21 others were also slain at the Liaquat National Bagh in Rawalpindi. The BBC has more:
Now that the Bush administration's scheme to stabilize Pakistan has been shattered, a new plan is needed, and it should be put together at the United Nations. Given that Pakistan is a nuclear power, ensuring its government is in the hands of responsible leaders ought to be of paramount concern to the entire world.
In the Pacific Northwest
- We're starting to learn more about the horrific killings of a family in Carnation, Washington, on Christmas Eve. Police now believe the slayings resulted from an intra-family dispute over money. King County sheriff's deputies have arrested two suspects - the daughter and boyfriend of Judy and Wayne Anderson, who along with their son, daughter in law, and two grandchildren were found dead yesterday morning.
- In a preview of next year's elections, Seattle Times reporter Andrew Garber takes a look this morning at the state GOP's gloomy legislative prospects for 2008. As Garber documents, the House Republican caucus has been plagued by scandal, defection and retirements, while Democrats are more organized than ever, and enjoy support from independents.
Across the United States
- An increasing number of bloggers are figuring out how to monetize the Web, according to an article by the Associated Press, which concludes that "with the right mix of compelling content and exposure, a blog can draw a dedicated following, making advertising a low-hanging fruit."
- This week's issue of Newsweek features a piece written by Evan Thomas lamenting partisanship and the "closing of the American mind". The main thesis of the article is that partisanship is irritating biconceptuals (or independents) and thus responsible for declining voter turnout. But the premise flies in the face of the facts. As Markos observes, partisanship - and a more partisan media - has actually increased voter turnout.
- Some of Ron Paul's supporters, unwilling to believe their hero has a bad side, are scrambling to come up with excuses to explain away Paul's racism.
- Recent voter identification laws designed by Republicans in several U.S. states to suppress the vote will be evaluated by the U.S. Supreme Court in the coming months. PERRspectives has more on the GOP's strategy of "divide, suppress and conquer".
The major story from abroad today is the tragic death of former Pakistani prime minister and People's Party leader Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in an attack at a political rally by gunfire and a suicide bombing. At least 21 others were also slain at the Liaquat National Bagh in Rawalpindi. The BBC has more:
President Pervez Musharraf has urged people to remain calm but angry protests have gripped some cities, with at least 11 deaths reported.While this is a devastating development and a blow for democracy in Pakistan, it does not necessarily mean the region's future is grim.
Security forces have been placed on a state of "red alert" nationwide.
There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack. Analysts believe Islamist militants to be the most likely group behind it.
Ms Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), had served as prime minister from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996, and had been campaigning ahead of elections due on 8 January.
Now that the Bush administration's scheme to stabilize Pakistan has been shattered, a new plan is needed, and it should be put together at the United Nations. Given that Pakistan is a nuclear power, ensuring its government is in the hands of responsible leaders ought to be of paramount concern to the entire world.
# Posted by Andrew : 10:23 AM
Comments:
you've been mislead on Paul. The news story connecting ron paul to white nationalist groups has been declared untrue by the new york times. As a matter of fact, the article is essentially libel.
Um, what are you talking about, Riccard? Please provide links to back up your assertions. Which "news story" are you talking about?
The link above concerns Paul's racist speech. It doesn't claim that Paul meets regularly with white supremacist group leaders.
I did some research on the web and found newspaper reports confirming Paul's racist beliefs. Here's the Houston Chronicle:
Less known to Paul's many Internet-driven supporters are earlier writings and speeches by the Lake Jackson Republican in which he made incendiary comments about African-Americans, immigration, AIDS patients and alleged victims of sexual harassment.
"Why don't they quit once the so-called harassment starts?" Paul wrote in a 1988 book, Freedom Under Siege.
The New York Times is not a judge, it's a newspaper. If the NY Times did indeed publish an article about this, provide the link, Riccard, so we can see the context.
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