Obama Must Listen

UK Guardian. h/t to Watching America "Ultimately, Obama's decision will shape not only the outcome of the conflict in Afghanistan, but also the moral character and strategic position of the United States, Britain and Nato. For these reasons, it is critical that Obama chooses the counter-insurgency option."

Hollywood Comrades / Why the Soviets were such lovable movie villains.

Reason.com "Recently, MGM reopened the question by announcing its intention to remake the one film everybody agrees depicted the Russians as thoroughly bad guys: John Milius’ Red Dawn (1984), in which Soviet and Latin American communists conquer the United States through force of arms."...."But against this record are countless screen depictions of the Russians as OK folks who are just stuck in a bad system. Sometimes they were lovable lugs..."

Three Envelopes/ Afghanistan is Obama’s problem.

By Charles Krauthammer "It’s as if Obama’s presidency hasn’t really started. He’s still taking inventory of the Bush years. Just this Monday, he referred to “long years of drift” in Afghanistan in order to, I suppose, explain away his own, well, year-long drift on Afghanistan."

Reid’s bait-and-switch tactics

By Dick Morris "Will this tactic work? It all depends on the political environment outside Washington. If the bill is only marginally unpopular (the current 40-55), it will probably pass. But if public opinion moves another five or so points (to, say, 35-60 against), then the moderates will probably refuse to cave in."

J Street and Judge Goldstone: the plot thickens

Thomas Lifson, AT "It is a letter purportedly written by Judge Richard Goldstone, of the notorious UN Goldstone Report, condemning Israel but not its opponents in Operation Cast Lead. "

UN Update: The Truth About Defamation of Religions Resolution

Jay Sekulow, ACLJ "I want to bring you an update on our efforts underway at the United Nations to oppose a dangerous resolution that will be introduced soon by the Organization of the Islamic Conference that targets Christianity and makes it a crime to speak out against Islam." Related: EDITORIAL: Restricting speech: "Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday criticized an attempt by Islamic countries to prohibit defamation of religions, saying such policies would restrict free speech." Related: Obama ditching the First Amendment to curry Moslem favor

Three things to know about the 'Affordable Health Care for America Act'

American Thinker "Although Nancy Pelosi’s health care bill is over 1,900 pages long, there are only three things Members of Congress need to understand before they vote on it:"

Top political contributers by industries

OpenSecrets.org ...and their political leanings. Few surprises here.

The Scooter Standard/ Libby was hounded, Villafuerte is to be promoted — but why?

By Andrew C. McCarthy    "On the current record, it would be irresponsible to confirm Stephanie Villafuerte as U.S. attorney for Colorado. An agent’s career has been ruined, the administration of justice in Denver has been politicized, and the FBI has been toyed with."

A Self-Sacrificing Soldier, a Self-Interested President

Pajamas Media The Audacity of Image: Obama at Dover "Honoring the fallen is his sacred duty as Commander in Chief, a job for which Obama is so monumentally unqualified it pains me to write it. On this issue however I was tempted to give him some credit, but then I realized while looking at a picture of him saluting a passing casket, there were for the first time in my memory, cameras at that solemn transfer."

Levi Johnston Is Trash, Plain and Simple

Pajamas Media "If Sarah Palin had been a Democrat, no show more credible than Jerry Springer’s would be giving Levi Johnston a chance to spread scurrilous gossip about her."

Zelaya returns

PowerLine "...thanks to American diplomatic pressure. It is perfectly fitting that the signal diplomatic triumph of President Obama's first year in office is the restoration to power of the lawfully deposed Honduran thug and friend of Fidel Castro, Daniel Ortega and Hugh Chavez. " Related: US crams Honduras agreement on return of Zelaya down government's throat "The Honduran Constitution no longer rules that country. It has been replaced by US bullying, and our backing of someone who has openly sought to emulate the regime of Hugo Chavez in Venezu[e]la."