The Blame Game

post from jobsanger on 23 March 2009 01:01:00 AM. © jobsanger

Political Cartoon is by Nate Beeler in The Washington Examiner.

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Late Late Nite FDL: My People

post from Firedoglake on 23 March 2009 01:00:52 AM. © Firedoglake

Fan made video set to 'My People' by Raheem DeVaughn.[...]

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Karzai era coming to an end

post from AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth on 23 March 2009 12:59:00 AM. © AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth

We always knew that Bush would never do this so it's good to see Obama together with Europe isn't wasting much time. It's also encouraging to see that Obama knows how to ditch the wrong people. The Guardian:

The US and its European allies are preparing to plant a high-profile figure in the heart of the Kabul government in a direct challenge to the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, the Guardian has learned.

The creation of a new chief executive or prime ministerial role is aimed at bypassing Karzai. In a further dilution of his power, it is proposed that money be diverted from the Kabul government to the provinces. Many US and European officials have become disillusioned with the extent of the corruption and incompetence in the Karzai government, but most now believe there are no credible alternatives, and predict the Afghan president will win re-election in August.

A revised role for Karzai has emerged from the White House review of Afghanistan and Pakistan ordered by Barack Obama when he became president. It isto be unveiled at a special conference on Afghanistan at The Hague on March 31.

As well as watering down Karzai's personal authority by installing a senior official at the president's side capable of playing a more efficient executive role, the US and Europeans are seeking to channel resources to the provinces rather than to central government in Kabul.

A diplomat with knowledge of the review said: "Karzai is not delivering. If we are going to support his government, it has to be run properly to ensure the levels of corruption decrease, not increase. The levels of corruption are frightening."

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Open Thread and Diary Rescue

post from Daily Kos on 23 March 2009 12:34:05 AM. © Daily Kos

Tonight's Rescue Rangers are ybruti, YatPundit, HansScholl, sunspark says, jlms qkw, claude, and dadanation with vcmvo2 editing.

~For in the final analysis, our most basic common link, is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children's futures, and we are all mortal ~ John F. Kennedy~

Our Children's Future

teacherken recalls a sixties hero who convinced the Supreme Court that the Constitution also protects public school students in Student rights - free speech: a visit from Mary Beth Tinker. (HansScholl)

leftyparent sees the possibilities that public education misses in Off to See the Wizard (Again). (sunspark says)

This Small Planet

bob zimway examines the intersection of corporate ethics (or lack thereof) and public organizations' fundraising in Can Oregon Public Broadcasting get real about Chevron? (jlms qkw)

Haole in Hawaii shares the beauty in his condo complex and on his island in Hawaiian Birds and a Sunset - Another Photo Diary. (jlms qkw)

In Gardening, Organic Fertilizer and Heavy Metals, epjmcginley looks at the yakkings about the First Lady's gardening efforts and reminds us that all dirt contains some trace of dangerous stuff. (HansScholl)

Our Common Link

Henry Porter aka 8ackgr0und n015e has a suggestion for the Vice-President in Hey Joe, how 'bout a hand here, Sport? (sunspark says)

Eternal Hope fisks the subject of his diary today using those pesky little things that so many are so fond of disregarding (facts) and concludes that Charles Murray stokes the fires of class warfare in The Post. (dadanation)

I'll have to tell him tomorrow, says Cartoon Peril to his wife, discussing their last employee and their vanishing business. (claude)

FarEasterner takes us on a fabulous tour in Fabulous Thailand. (jlms qkw)

The Final Analysis

Eternal Hope picks up the theme of a front-page article to debunk GOP commenters in Opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act. (YatPundit)

Kenevan McConnon says we're 29 years into the battle in We have been at war since 1980. (jlms qkw)

After eight years of a very different kind of President, shirah points out that (despite the whining of right wing pundits) we now have one capable of multi-tasking: On walking AND chewing gum and the economy. (sunspark says)

jotter has this Week's High Impact Diaries: March 14-20, 2009, and yesterday's High Impact Diaries: March 21, 2009.

Light Emitting Pickle brings Top Comments 3/22 - Paddling in Gwaii Haanas.

Enjoy and please promote your own favorite diaries in this Open Thread.

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-Rescue

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Sunday Night Open Thread

post from TalkLeft on 23 March 2009 12:21:00 AM. © TalkLeft

Denver's 75 degree weather the past few days is coming to an end. Snow is forecast for tomorrow. I just turned off the air-conditioning.

After a day spent shopping for a new bicycle, I picked an Electra Townie with "flat foot technology," perfect for people who haven't been on a bike in years and want to be able to place their feet on the ground while stopped but also have their legs fully extended when pedaling.

Next project: Mattresses: Is latex really better and worth the extra money? Now I have to watch Brothers and Sisters ... Tommy's on the lam in Mexico.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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Wow, I Needed That

As part of their efforts to make the scale and scope of Bernie Madoff's crimes clear to Judge Denny Chin in deciding the terms of his plea, confinement and eventual sentencing, the folks at the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York[...]

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