Recent News
Troubles in U.S.-Russian land
Mar 10, 2010
Good New York Times article today about the difficulties in the “reset” in U.S.-Russian relations.
People may have thought it just like getting back on a bicycle, but it isn’t.
There are too many grievances over the last 20 years – or is it 80 years – between the U.S. and Russia to make buddy-buddy easily again.
Most experts thought that the New START nuclear reductions treaty negotiations would go rapidly and smoothly.
Unfortunately, not so.
The most important deadline was the December 5, 2009 expiration of the START I agreement, and the two countries breezed past that three-month-old deadline.
The U.S. nurses grievances over Russian trade with Iran and Moscow’s harsh response in last year’s Russia vs. Georgia conflict. And their crackdown on dissidents.
The Russians nurse grievances about how we treated the former Soviet Union when it was down (before petro-dollars shot up) and our persistence in placing missile defense in former Soviet dependencies. And our tendency to tell them how to run their country.
Both countries could probably extend their list of grievances as long as their arms (either connected to their bodies or their weapons).
We have heard predictions that the New START agreement is 95% done and will be concluded in a matter of weeks.
But we have heard those predictions before.
The new treaty will be worth the wait and will be positive for American national security and yes, even for improved U.S.-Russian relations, but it has been a wait.
The Times article suggests: “The American officials said the answer might be persistence and patience,” and they are correct.
Persistence. Patience. Say in over and over again.
Feingold Statement on START
Mar 09, 2010
Sen. Feingold (D-WI) issued a statement in support of START today--Highlights below. Full text after the jump.
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The United States and Russia maintain over ninety percent of the world’s approximately 23,000 nuclear weapons. Each of these weapons has the capacity to destroy an entire city; collectively, they can destroy the world. The mere existence of these weapons creates the risk of a nuclear accident, unauthorized use, and theft by a terrorist group. The size and structure of the American and Russian nuclear arsenals reflect an antiquated Cold War mindset that we must move beyond.
It is in the national security interest of the United States to reach an agreement with Russia to reduce the number of nuclear weapons and ensure that strong verification and transparency measures remain in effect. This is the core purpose and focus of the START follow-on agreement.
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Nor is there any reason to continue to develop new nuclear weapon technologies or warheads. Our brightest experts have concluded that we no longer need new nuclear weapons in order to maintain a credible deterrent. A recent report from the independent JASON Defense Advisory Group concluded that, as a result of our nuclear laboratories’ successful life-extension programs, the lifetimes of our nuclear warheads can be extended for decades.
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I want to commend the administration for its efforts to reinvigorate the nonproliferation regime by negotiating a follow-on to the START treaty. We must act now to address the spread of nuclear weapons and materials, which is one of the gravest dangers facing the United States.
Hat Tip to Utah CTBT Organizers!
Mar 08, 2010
Utah Sens. Hatch and Bennett will be key in approval of CTBT
Congrats to all those working for CTBT ratification in Utah, as the Utah state House just unanimously passed a resolution (HR-4) urging the U.S. Senate to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
From the resolution:
"United States ratification of the CTBT would be a significant step towards preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, reducing nuclear weapons arsenals worldwide, and building confidence among nations that abolition of nuclear weapons can someday be achieved,
…further nuclear weapons testing is not necessary to maintain the integrity, effectiveness, and deterrence value of the existing United States nuclear weapons stockpile,
…as part of its recognition of the 50th anniversary of nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site, in the 2001 General Session, the 54th Legislature of the state of Utah expressed, 'the fervent desire and commitment to assure that such a legacy will never be repeated,'
…the House of Representatives of the state of Utah strongly urges the United States Senate to promptly give its advice and consent for ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty."
As experts have identified, support from Utah’s two Republican Senators – Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennet – will be key in new efforts for Senate ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Both Hatch and Bennett voted against the agreement when it was first brought to the Senate in 1999. Though the primary concerns that led to that first failed vote no longer hold water, the Senators will be under significant pressure from Republican leadership not to break ranks with the party conservatives who will oppose the agreement.
Today’s unanimous vote is a giant leap in the right direction for both Utah and the country, and it demonstrates the truly bipartisan consensus that exists for a smarter nuclear weapons policy that addresses today's national security challenges.
From the Salt Lake City Tribune:
Academy Awards Best Picture (Washington, DC version) for 2010
Mar 06, 2010
Avatar- Acting Ways and Means Chairman Sander Levin
The Blind Side – Republicans in Congress
District 9 – Washington, DC Council Member Marion Barry
An Education - Nuclear Posture Review
The Hurt Locker – Democrats in Congress
Inglourious Basterds - Sen. Jim Bunning and friends
Precious - Bi-partisanship
A Serious Man – Sen. Jon Kyl
Up – Federal budget deficit
Up in the Air - New START nuclear reductions treaty
AND THE WINNER IS -- CHECK BACK ON ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 2010
In the House - House Election News - Georgia On My Mind
Mar 04, 2010
The Peach State
UPDATE - Rep. Massa (D - NY) Quitting on March 8
BREAKING – Rep. Massa (D - NY) Retiring
In a move that took political junkies by surprise, upstate New York Democratic Rep. Eric Massa announced yesterday that he will not run for reelection. Massa won a narrow victory over Republican incumbent Randy Kuhl in 2008, after losing narrowly in 2006. Before Kuhl, the seat had been held for decades by the Republican Amo Houghton. Massa was facing a tough reelection fight already, but now that he is out, this race, which nobody saw coming, immediately jumps into the “toss-up” category and will likely be a top priority for both parties.
The reason for Massa’s sudden retirement is unclear. Initial reports cited a health issue, Massa survived a bout with cancer before running for Congress, so that is certainly plausible. The inside-the-beltway Politico newspaper has quite a different story. They claim, based on unnamed sources, that Massa, who is married with two children, was about to be accused of sexually harassing a male staffer. At a press conference this afternoon, Massa acknowledged the allegations and admitted to using “salty” language, but called them “unsubstantiated” and reiterated that he was motivated by his health.
Whatever Massa’s reasons for retiring, Republicans now see New York’s 29th congressional district as a top pick–up opportunity.
Capturing Memory: Herbert York and John Silard, Champions of a Nuclear Free World
Mar 02, 2010
2009 saw the passing of Herbert York and John Silard who each played important roles in the efforts to bring about the nuclear free world that President Obama has called for.
Herbert York helped lead and organize the scientific community against the ABM Missile.
He played a lead role in educating Senators Cooper (R-Ky) and Hart (D-Mich) to oppose the ABM. That was the first time the Senate went to great lengths to question a weapons system. Senate staffers organized science briefings for Senators and their staffs. The breakthrough education took place in small groups as Senators learned why the ABM was a reckless weapon. I lobbied against the ABM and my Senate staff friends told me how attentive Senators were to York and his colleagues tutorials.
York's role made a significant difference in the Senate rising out of its then somnolence by seriously challenging a weapons system. So effective was the work of York and his allies that though the Senate failed to kill the weapon, it was by a 50-50 vote. That legitimized a more active Senate role on these matters. That is part of Herb York's legacy.
John Silard's obituaries recognized his pioneering civil rights legal advocacy. What the obits omitted was John's constant policy initiatives on nuclear weapons control and non-proliferation. His memos were filled with ideas and in the late 70s and early 80s I had a chance to work with him as we interested Senators in promoting resolutons that debated the issue and tried to prod reluctant Executive Branch officials. John used his skills to draft resolutions to less hostile Committees. John knew that the Senate can be a place where ideas form, policy initiatives develop on issues such as nuclear non-proliferation that others want to ignore.
York's and Silard's contributions for today go directly to the Obama initiatives for a nuclear free world. As we work for that world we need the New Start treaty, efforts to control nuclear proliferation and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. York's and Silard's legacy asks us to use our intelligence and imagination to persuade Senators to pay attention to what the stakes are in not acting. I know it is hard to open up the auditory channels of those Senators who love to talk. Our challenge is to find the ways that they will listen and be persuaded.
America's Soft Power
Mar 01, 2010
The United States cannot solve the problems of the world on its own, and the world cannot solve them without the United States.
As the world’s only remaining superpower, America has the ability to affect the behavior of other nations through coercion, economic strength and the power of attraction. Hard power relies on coercion and raw economic power. Soft power influences others through public diplomacy, broadcasting, exchange programs, development assistance, disaster relief, exchange of ideas and culture - everything from Hollywood to Shakespeare to orchestras.
In his inaugural address, President Barack Obama informed all countries, friendly and unfriendly, that there was a new attitude in the White House. He advised those countries “on the wrong side of history” that the United States “will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
Frank Gaffney goes ballistic -- again
Feb 26, 2010
Frank Gaffney, one of the right wings most extreme figures, goes off the deep end once again.
A long-time lover of missile defense, he finds conspiracies where there are none to prove that President Obama is selling missile defense down the river to Islam.
The Washington Post Al Kamen on Feb. 26 captured Gaffney's loony logic: "The missle defense logo that bombed."
Gaffney sees the Obama campaign logo being combined with an Islamic symbol to undermine the Missile Defense Agency-- only to find that the logo is three years ago adopted -- gasp -- during the Geoge W. Bush years.
See below.
In the House - House Election News - Nomination Shake 'N' Bake
Feb 26, 2010
Nomnination Madness
Jockeying for the Democratic Nod in Pennsylvania
After a hectic few weeks, the crowded field for the Democratic nomination to succeed the recently deceased Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) seems to be narrowing down. Democratic party leaders will choose a nominee on March 6th.
There was initial speculation that Murtha’s widow, Joyce Murtha, might receive the nomination. However, she indicated earlier this week that she was not interested in filling the position and endorsed Murtha district director Mark Critz. Another potential candidate, former Lt. Governor Mark Singel, dropped out yesterday and also endorsed Critz. That leaves Critz and former state Treasurer Barbara Hafer as the leading candidates, although there are a few dark horse candidates remaining as well. With the high profile endorsements of Singel and Joyce Murtha, Critz may be the favorite.
On the Republican side, party officials have failed to recruit any marquee names. They are left to select between the ’08 nominee, William Russell, and local businessman and first-time candidate Tim Burns. Party officials are rumored to be leaning toward Burns, but Russell has indicated a willingness to run as an Independent spoiler if he does not get the Republican nomination. If Russell follows through on those threats, whoever the Democratic nominee is would be heavily favored to win.
Palin-tology: reckless and dangerous
Feb 26, 2010
Former Alaska Governor has said some crazy things over the years, but perhaps none so whacko as her recent comments on Fox about war with Iran .
"Say he [Obama] decided to declare war on Iran," she said on Fox News last week. "I think people would perhaps shift their thinking a little bit and decide, well, maybe he's tougher than we think he is today."
Great. All the President needs to do is launch another war -- a third conflict for American military forces, and maybe his popularity goes up a few points.
Palin seems to fail to understand the lesson of George W. Bush. It took a few years, but Americans became fed up with both the Iraq War and the Bush cowboy policies.
Perhaps Palin is looking for ways to prove her manhood, err, womanhood.
