The Political Dogfight

Obama's Historic Arab Network TV Interview (video)

[Cross Posted from Polcampaign at stuartoneill.com]

[Personal comment: There was a diary of this event at DK and a good portion of the response was semi-negative since he choose a network other than AljazerraEnglish. I do not, as an experienced politico,understand why anyone with a brain doesn't understand this is a positive historic event that needs recognition and support.

The most important part of the event is that fact that for the first time the Arab, Muslim and Persian worlds can hear an American President articulate his vision on one of THEIR networks. It is a significant step forward to those groups. I frankly do not understand why so many in the 'progressive left' (a term I think is being misapplied these days) have such politically tin ears. An American President on Arab TV gives that President a forum to reach everyone! It is,in fact, historic and huge diplomatic step forward.]

On 1.27.09 President Obama took the historic step of being interviewed by the Al Arabiya Television network. It is the first time any high ranking official has ever granted an interview to Arab or Muslim TV networks. Seen widely in the Arab and Muslim world it is an affirmation of Obama's campaign promise to reach out to that world.

At points in the formal interview Obama says

"Now, my job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world, that the language we use has to be a language of respect.

RNC Chair Race, Rachel Maddow and Anna Marie Cox...great combo. (Video)

Anytime you get a chance to watch the Republican Party make an attempt at transparency and watch the resulting disaster it's fun. Sorry, but it really is fun.

Rachel Maddow has a fine report, appropriately funny, on the RNC conference and is joined by Anna Marie Cox, the original and infamous Wonkette. She is also funny and both are insightful.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The Reality and Impact of The Attacks Inside Gaza [ WaPo 3 hours ago]

JERUSALEM - [Washington Post]
As Israeli forces attacked Gaza by land, sea and air, residents living in the congested coastal strip faced a fateful question: Flee the shelling and shooting, or hole up inside their homes and hope for the best?

The five-member al-Jarou family decided to make a break for it around midday Sunday. They abandoned their home in the Shaaf neighborhood east of Gaza City and dashed by car to a relative's house a mile and a half away, thinking it would be safer, according to interviews with family members and neighbors.

For a little while, it was. Then came a series of explosions. Concrete and debris hammered through the air. Hassan al-Jarou, 10, was struck in the head. "I was in the house, with my uncles, my dad and my grandfather, and I saw stones flying," he said as nurses attended to his injuries at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. "I don't know what happened after that." (WaPo story continured here)

Israel Now Surrounds Gaza City. 500+ Dead (Video)

Per this report and many others, 10,000 Israeli troops and tanks have effectively cut off Gaza city. The Gaza death toll is estimated as 500+. The Israeli's claim that Hamas, their sworn enemy to the death, is hiding in homes, offices and even hospitals. All of these have been destroyed.

One of the Israeli leader said that this will continue until 'peace and tranquility have been restored to the cities in Southern Israel.'

I have a question: When has peace and tranquility ever been the normal state of affairs in Southern Israel? No one has answered that obvious question.

The world needs a yardstick to judge when it can reasonably expect this war that has cost over 500+ Gaza dead, many children, and 1 Israeli soldier and 4 Israeli civilian prior to the invasion will end.

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Zgbig Puts Morning Joe In His Place

A Full Hat Tip to Taylor Marsh where I found this video and story. Amazing.

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"You know, you have such a stunningly superficial knowledge of what went on that it's almost embarrassing to listen to you." - Former U.S. National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski

For Those Thinking That TheAuto Industry Doesn't Give A Damn

This isn't a promo video from Ford or any of the automakers. This is from The Movement Design Bureau, a think tank literally about the future design of movement. In this video the Movement Design Bureau interviews actual designers at are working on the use of agricultural bi-products. It's a great look at the actual design process.

Bill Ford Talks About The Future Of Ford Motor Company (Video)

This video was posted on December 8, 2008. It is the newest video communication I can find that is directly from Bill Ford. There are many statistics could flesh out this mini-interview. I think, however, this at least gives a glimplse of Ford as it is today and where it's headed in the future.

Remember Ford didn't need a dime of the investment from Congress. They must be doing something right. I will try and find a video of the "One Ford' concept mentioned early in the video.