With the Senate moving toward a tenuous compromise on the White House's economic stimulus plan, President Barack Obama hammered at the urgent need to pass a bill that will jump-start the struggling economy and put people back to work. (Feb. 7)
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Biden: no “sphere of influence” for Russia
Speaking at the 45th Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden has rejected the notion of a “sphere of influence” for Russia. In addition, he announced no review of the European missile defence plan, stating that the U.S. will continue to pursue the defence system, provided it is not too costly and can be shown to be effective against the threat from Iran. Furthermore, the IHT reports Biden as saying that the U.S. will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent:
“…We will not recognize a sphere of influence. It will remain our view that sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances.”
The report notes that
…any chance for a rapprochement between Washington and Russia at this conference all but evaporated, foreign policy experts said, after officials of the Obama administration concluded that Russia had pressed Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic, to close the U.S. military base in that country. The base is crucial to the U.S.-led fight in Afghanistan that Obama has identified as his central national security objective. Obama plans to deploy as many as 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan over the next two years; shaky overland supply routes through Pakistan would make it difficult for the United States to adjust to the loss of the base, in Manas, Kyrgyzstan.
“…We will not recognize a sphere of influence. It will remain our view that sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances.”
The report notes that
…any chance for a rapprochement between Washington and Russia at this conference all but evaporated, foreign policy experts said, after officials of the Obama administration concluded that Russia had pressed Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic, to close the U.S. military base in that country. The base is crucial to the U.S.-led fight in Afghanistan that Obama has identified as his central national security objective. Obama plans to deploy as many as 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan over the next two years; shaky overland supply routes through Pakistan would make it difficult for the United States to adjust to the loss of the base, in Manas, Kyrgyzstan.
Biden: no “sphere of influence” for Russia
Speaking at the 45th Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden has rejected the notion of a “sphere of influence” for Russia. In addition, he announced no review of the European missile defence plan, stating that the U.S. will continue to pursue the defence system, provided it is not too costly and can be shown to be effective against the threat from Iran. Furthermore, the IHT reports Biden as saying that the U.S. will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent:
“…We will not recognize a sphere of influence. It will remain our view that sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances.”
The report notes that
…any chance for a rapprochement between Washington and Russia at this conference all but evaporated, foreign policy experts said, after officials of the Obama administration concluded that Russia had pressed Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic, to close the U.S. military base in that country. The base is crucial to the U.S.-led fight in Afghanistan that Obama has identified as his central national security objective. Obama plans to deploy as many as 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan over the next two years; shaky overland supply routes through Pakistan would make it difficult for the United States to adjust to the loss of the base, in Manas, Kyrgyzstan.
“…We will not recognize a sphere of influence. It will remain our view that sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances.”
The report notes that
…any chance for a rapprochement between Washington and Russia at this conference all but evaporated, foreign policy experts said, after officials of the Obama administration concluded that Russia had pressed Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic, to close the U.S. military base in that country. The base is crucial to the U.S.-led fight in Afghanistan that Obama has identified as his central national security objective. Obama plans to deploy as many as 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan over the next two years; shaky overland supply routes through Pakistan would make it difficult for the United States to adjust to the loss of the base, in Manas, Kyrgyzstan.
Biden: no “sphere of influence” for Russia
Speaking at the 45th Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden has rejected the notion of a “sphere of influence” for Russia. In addition, he announced no review of the European missile defence plan, stating that the U.S. will continue to pursue the defence system, provided it is not too costly and can be shown to be effective against the threat from Iran. Furthermore, the IHT reports Biden as saying that the U.S. will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent:
“…We will not recognize a sphere of influence. It will remain our view that sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances.”
The report notes that
…any chance for a rapprochement between Washington and Russia at this conference all but evaporated, foreign policy experts said, after officials of the Obama administration concluded that Russia had pressed Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic, to close the U.S. military base in that country. The base is crucial to the U.S.-led fight in Afghanistan that Obama has identified as his central national security objective. Obama plans to deploy as many as 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan over the next two years; shaky overland supply routes through Pakistan would make it difficult for the United States to adjust to the loss of the base, in Manas, Kyrgyzstan.
“…We will not recognize a sphere of influence. It will remain our view that sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances.”
The report notes that
…any chance for a rapprochement between Washington and Russia at this conference all but evaporated, foreign policy experts said, after officials of the Obama administration concluded that Russia had pressed Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet Republic, to close the U.S. military base in that country. The base is crucial to the U.S.-led fight in Afghanistan that Obama has identified as his central national security objective. Obama plans to deploy as many as 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan over the next two years; shaky overland supply routes through Pakistan would make it difficult for the United States to adjust to the loss of the base, in Manas, Kyrgyzstan.
Feds Look into RNC Chairman Steele: Report
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele's 2006 Senate campaign is under investigation for improperly using campaign funds, the Washington Post reported Saturday.
Federal investigators contacted Steele's sister after the campaign's former finance director alleged that campaign funds were paid to a shell company owned by the sister, only for services that were never rendered.
The former finance director, Alan B. Fabian, made the allegations as part of a plea deal in an unrelated fraud investigation, the Post reported.
The allegations should prove to be a headache for the new RNC chairman, surficing only a little over a week after taking the helm at the Republican Party.
The Post said it is difficult to determine the extent of the inquiry
Federal investigators contacted Steele's sister after the campaign's former finance director alleged that campaign funds were paid to a shell company owned by the sister, only for services that were never rendered.
The former finance director, Alan B. Fabian, made the allegations as part of a plea deal in an unrelated fraud investigation, the Post reported.
The allegations should prove to be a headache for the new RNC chairman, surficing only a little over a week after taking the helm at the Republican Party.
The Post said it is difficult to determine the extent of the inquiry
Obama 'Hope' artist Shepard Fairey arrested
Shepard Fairey who designed the "Hope" poster of president Obama, has been arrested in Boston on warrants that accuse him of tagging property with graffiti.
Fairey was in Boston for his first solo exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art.
Apparently the cops determined that property had been tagged in two locations with graffiti based on the Andre the Giant street campaign from earlier in Fairey's career.
Fairey will be arraigned on a misdemeanor charge Monday. A spokesperson for the Suffolk DA said Fairey would also be arraigned on a separate graffiti case in the Roxbury section of Boston.
This is the latest hassle facing the artist who is involved in a copyright dispute with AP over the Mannie Garcia photo - part of the inspiration for the Obama "Hope" poster. Fairey argues that his use of the photo is based on "fair use," which allows some exceptions to copyright law, among other factors - how much of the original is used, what the new work is used for and how the original is affected by the new work.
Aren't there any serious crimes going on in Boston that the cops could be chasing up?
Tags: Fairey Arrested, Fairey Arrested Boston, Obama Hope Poster, Shepard Fairey, Shepard Fairey Arrest, Shepard Fairey Arrested, Shepard Fairey Arrested Boston, Shepard Fairey Arrested In Boston, Shepard Fairey Obama Artist, AP, Mannie Garcia
Fairey was in Boston for his first solo exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art.
Apparently the cops determined that property had been tagged in two locations with graffiti based on the Andre the Giant street campaign from earlier in Fairey's career.
Fairey will be arraigned on a misdemeanor charge Monday. A spokesperson for the Suffolk DA said Fairey would also be arraigned on a separate graffiti case in the Roxbury section of Boston.
This is the latest hassle facing the artist who is involved in a copyright dispute with AP over the Mannie Garcia photo - part of the inspiration for the Obama "Hope" poster. Fairey argues that his use of the photo is based on "fair use," which allows some exceptions to copyright law, among other factors - how much of the original is used, what the new work is used for and how the original is affected by the new work.
Aren't there any serious crimes going on in Boston that the cops could be chasing up?
Tags: Fairey Arrested, Fairey Arrested Boston, Obama Hope Poster, Shepard Fairey, Shepard Fairey Arrest, Shepard Fairey Arrested, Shepard Fairey Arrested Boston, Shepard Fairey Arrested In Boston, Shepard Fairey Obama Artist, AP, Mannie Garcia
Add Alex Rodriguez To The List* Of Players Who Wanted It Too Badly
Some might revel in the knowledge that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids during his MVP run in 2003. Some might use it as another chance to bash him, whether by calling him A-Fraud, like his Yankee teammates, or attempt to discredit all of his accomplishments.However, much like the Bonds test results, has it gotten to the point where many people simply don't care anymore. Every new revelation of steroid use is hardly even news anymore. It has gotten to the point where people aren't shocked by the news, but instead feel like they knew this was coming eventually.
For me, it's disappointing. As much as I love to rip the Yankees, this is the exact opposite of what I was hoping for. When Barry Bonds broke the all time home run record, everyone outside of San Francisco knew he was juicing. It was a sad day in sports when one of the most hallowed records in sports fell to someone who cheated to get it. The one saving grace, however, was that Alex Rodriguez had a chance to break it cleanly. So much for that.
The other issue that comes to mind is Jose Canseco. He claimed that Rodriguez took steroids years ago. Everyone laughed it off, but at this point, Canseco has been right. Every time, it seems. When should he start being regarded as a credible source? His claims have been as accurate as any drug test out there, and he appears to be more than willing to take anyone down anyone. Is it time to start taking Canseco seriously, and stop thinking of him as a desperate B-lister who's just desperate to keep his name relevant? He might be that, but his track record on this has been rather impressive so far.
With the revelation that A-Rod tested positive, there is no doubt whatsoever that this era will forever be marked with an asterisk, at least in the eyes of the public. From 2000-2007, there were 16 MVP awards given out between the AL and NL. 9 of them went to a player that was eventually linked to steroids. Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Alex Rodriguez (3 times) and Barry Bonds (4 times). There's also 1996 and 1998 when Ken Caminiti and Sammy Sosa won MVP's. There are also, of course, Roger Clemens' 4 Cy Young awards since 1997. Whether or not steroid use is ever proven to have a positive influence on a player's performance, the circumstances appear to hint that it's true. With so many awards going to players who were juicing, it appears to be undeniable that it DOES affect performance, and does indeed enhance it.
In 6-7 more years, Alex Rodriguez might break Barry Bonds' all time record for home runs. Unfortunately, it won't mean anything once again. Instead of being a symbol of clean athletes being able to overcome the efforts of those who cheated to boost their accomplishments, it will simply be one cheater beating out another.
This should be a fun year for Rodriguez. As if there weren't enough things for opposing fans (and even Yankees fans) to harass him about, here's one more thing that they can put in their repertoire. Madonna, A-Fraud, steroids... this will be a wonderful year for A-Rod haters.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)