AMERICA ABSCONDS By AMIR TAHERI

http://www.nypost.com/php/pfriendly/print.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nypost.com%2Fseven%2F08082009%2Fpostopinion%2Fopedcolumnists%2Famerica_absconds_183474.htm ""Why are the Americans throwing away our common victory?" asks Iraqi journalist Maad Fayad. "It is absurd for [the Obama administration] to base its policy on Iraq on a weird desire to prove that Bush was wrong.""

Afghanistan Needs New Leadership : By ASHRAF GHANI

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204908604574334652292612012.html "Simultaneously, we must overcome the divisions and factions that have brought death and destruction. We appreciate the assistance of our international partners but never forget that we are responsible for our future. This election is our chance to chart that future. " "Mr. Ghani is a presidential candidate in Afghanistan."

A Town-Hall Protest in Maryland

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204908604574334310398020486.html "The first-term Democratic congressman had been told by aides that maybe two or three dozen residents would attend the “Congress in Your Corner” town-hall event in this Eastern Shore town of about 360 people. Instead, more than 250 people showed up. "

SEIU OBAMA-SUPPORTER SMASHES WOMAN TEA PARTY PROTESTER IN FACE (Video)

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/08/seiu-obama-supporter-smashes-woman-tea.html "Outside the Russ Carnahan town hall meeting on Thursday August 6, 2009, a SEIU Carnahan supporter smashed a woman tea party protester in the face with her camera. The woman was filming the assault by SEIU members on black conservative Kenneth Gladney.Warning on violence:"

Criminal investigation into CIA treatment of detainees expected

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-cia-interrogate9-2009aug09,0,34626.story "But if they appoint a special prosecutor, it would ultimately be unsuccessful, and it would go on forever and cause enormous collateral damage on the way to getting that unsuccessful result."

Smile, You’re on Government Camera!

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/smile-youre-on-government-camera/ "During the Bush years, the left assured us it was a citizen’s duty to take to the streets to protest American militarism, imperialism, jingoism, and intrusion into one’s private life via the Patriot Act. Left-wing activists attended war protests — many taking buses chartered by far left-wing groups — and others impressed us with their unique fashion sense. They even shut down cargo operations on the West coast."...."Where are the liberals who protested about the “civil rights violations” of the Patriot Act when it comes to the White House encouraging American citizens to “inform” them of “fishy” information? And aren’t libs at all worried about the provisions in the health care bill that would give government direct, real-time access to personal bank accounts and medical records?"

Maintaining America's Safety to Build Our Prosperity and Freedom

A Speech by Newt Gingrich http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/hl1128.cfm "By the time [our elected officials] got around to dealing with the Cold War, they were tougher, mentally prepared, and massively experienced. We do not have that kind of elected leadership today in either party. It is hard business to learn how to defend a nation. If we don't invest in that among our elected officials, they will not be able to make sophisticated decisions; and if they don't, we will pay for it."

Intolerance of Tolerance: Cornell University, A Model of Illiberalism

http://www.thefire.org/article/10936.html "...what rights are those? The right to lead a group whose purpose and beliefs you reject? Does a registered Republican have the right to serve on the leadership board of the Cornell Democrats? Does an ardently pro-life student have the right to make policy for a pro-choice group? I certainly hope not; otherwise, the ability of students to freely associate is nonexistent. Yet, that is precisely the position that members of the [Student Assembly] took."

The Community is Organizing Against Obama Socialized Medicine

From Canada: http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/13487 "Leftist Democrats are accusing average American citizens of “lying” about his health care plan. They have labeled all honest dissenting Americans “right-wing crackpots” who are engaged in “spreading lies” about Obamanations nationalization of America. And he has ordered his citizen troops to “go out and get in their faces...” "

Obama and Public Debate

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/08/obama_and_public_debate.html "...And what I've said is, I'm going to have all the negotiations around a big table. We'll have doctors and nurses and hospital administrators. Insurance companies, drug companies — they'll get a seat at the table, they just won't be able to buy every chair. But what we will do is, we'll have the negotiations televised on C-SPAN, so that people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents, and who are making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies..."

Will Obama Condemn Racist Union Thugs?

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/08/will_obama_condemn_racist_unio.html "Let’s see. Two union members yell racial slurs at a black man and then punch him in the face, and so far neither President Obama, nor Rep. Carnahan or the SEIU has condemned the union thugs for “acting stupidly.” "

Soft Power; the administration's answer for counter-terror

From BLACKFIVE: http://www.blackfive.net/main/2009/08/soft-power-the-way-for-counterterror-policies.html "[Obama] references the attacks of 9/11 but the 19 men who carried them out came from middle class backgrounds and were almost all educated, employed and connected to the modern world. That was the problem, they abhor what the modern world is all about and wish to shackle the rest of the world to their Islamic paradise."