America's sheriff: White House strips immigration policing powers from Arizona sheriff

UK Guardian "A controversial (they say) Arizona sheriff known for taking a hard line against illegal immigrants has been stripped of some of his powers in what he described as a political move by the Obama administration."

Nobelitics/ What will a peace prize do for the soldier on the battlefield?

by Victor Davis Hanson "But can Noble(sic) Peace laureates still escalate in the short term to win a war, save thousands of Afghan lives from a Taliban takeover and ensure that “evil-doers” do not plan another 9/11 from safe havens? Will you — or tiny Norway — determine U.S. foreign policy? Is the medal around your neck a shiny medallion of honor or an albatross sent from a wily bestower?" What Price for Obama’s Nobel Prize? "Who are these folks issuing Obama a prize on credit to steer America along their preferred course?"

The Nobel quest for mediocrity

By Patricia Swicicki "It appears that the Nobel Peace Prize, once a prestigious award, and the office of the Presidency have become one of mediocrity both in their goals and standards."

Administration's war on Fox News a ratings boon for network

By Rick Moran "Frankly, I can't figure what the fuss is all about. With about 90% of the media slavishly devoting themselves to promoting Obama and his agenda, this relatively small corner of opposition (at least from prime time hosts and Glenn Beck - not from the straight news division) would seem a gnat to be brushed aside not the target of a White House nuclear assault. Perhaps Chris Wallace's observation that they are crybabies rings truer than anyone in the administration will admit."

Time for Decisiveness on Afghanistan

The Atlantic "...the public agony over his deliberations may already have done incalculable damage. The Afghan people have survived three decades of war by hedging their bets. Now, watching a young and inexperienced American president appear to waiver on his commitment to their country, they are deciding, at the level of both the individual and the mass, whether to make their peace with the Taliban—even as the Taliban itself can only take solace and encouragement from Obama's public agonizing."...."Obama must capture the toughness and competence that Bush displayed as a war leader at the end of his term. Otherwise, in the coming months, the Democrats may be seen as having lost a war. And if that happens, not even the Nobel Peace Prize will rescue Obama's reputation."

A Vain President, or a Weak One? Americans don't like pushovers--especially pushover presidents.

By Fred Barnes "A weak president is vulnerable, politically and otherwise. In Jimmy Carter's case, being seen as weak in dealing with Iran and the Soviets was a major factor in his defeat by Ronald Reagan in 1980. Americans don't like pushovers, especially pushover presidents. Obama is at risk of becoming a pushover. Afghanistan is his test."

Meet the People Who Were Passed Over for Obama

Weekly Standard Here is just one: "Sima Samar, women's rights activist in Afghanistan: "With dogged persistence and at great personal risk, she kept her schools and clinics open in Afghanistan even during the most repressive days of the Taliban regime, whose laws prohibited the education of girls past the age of eight. When the Taliban fell, Samar returned to Kabul and accepted the post of Minister for Women's Affairs.""

The Power & Danger of Iconography

"Iconography ? What's that? Well ... you really need to click here to figure it out. Seriously ... watch this before you do anything else today. It is very very good. Now ... where do I get one of those LOL bumper stickers? (You gotta watch the whole thing). Well ... I did the research for you. You get it right here." (Neal Boortz)

HOW TO ARGUE WITH A GLOBAL WARMER

Boortz "Every ounce of power, pride, respect and credibility Gore has is tied up in his endeavors surrounding global warming ... or, as we call it since the Earth started to cool down ... climate change. When someone picks up a microphone and starts to challenge The Great and Powerful Gore on his home turf that person has to be shut down --- or turned off."

THE FALLOUT FROM THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

Boortz "Europe likes your style. .... You're weakening the United States; for us, the key to peace. Oh ... and don't forget the slap in the face for George Bush. Bush is in office for eight years. He responds strongly to the attacks from terrorist Muslims. He frees Iraq from a ruthless dictator and his rapist sons. He projects American strength .. and Europe hates him for it. So ... the Nobel committee comes along and delivers a slapdown. "

What happened to global warming?

BBC "This headline may come as a bit of a surprise, so too might that fact that the warmest year recorded globally was not in 2008 or 2007, but in 1998. But it is true. For the last 11 years we have not observed any increase in global temperatures."

Air of unease across Rust Belt from climate plan

Yahoo News "...Bill Belden's 124-year-old family owned brick company has thrived on the region's rich red clay and shale, and cheap energy from abundant coal. Which he's convinced that a climate bill being considered in Congress will end. A cap-and-trade system forcing businesses away from fossil fuels, especially coal, will mean higher electricity and natural gas costs, he says. And layoffs at the Belden Brick Co." h/t to Lucianne.