Posts under ‘Uncategorized’

The news business is going through difficult times. Advertising revenues are way down, with little clear understanding of the relationship between blogs and the internet to paper media.
For the moment, print is the big loser. But, whatever your media preference – I do assume people are still interested in getting the news, especially readers who […]

After 18 months in office, people are still trying to figure out who is Barack Obama. While he seems terribly comfortable with himself, the majority of Americans do not seem to be comfortable with him.
White Kansas-born mother, black Kenyan father, raised here and there, Hawaii and Indonesia, educated here and there, California, New York and […]

The United States Senate has just passed the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010, touted as the biggest reform of Wall Street since the 1930s. The bill was approved by 60 senators, including 3 Republicans and 2 independents, with one Democrat opposing. It should be ready for the President’s signature very shortly.
With the signing […]

A recent decision by the United States Supreme Court has thrown the humanitarian/human rights communities in Geneva and Switzerland as well as throughout the world into a tizzy, raising difficult questions for those working to prevent violent conflicts or at least reduce their impact on civilians.
By 6-3, the Court barred material support to U.S designated […]

General David Petraeus has replaced General Stanley McChrystal as commander of the armed forces in Afghanistan after the latter and his aides made inappropriate remarks against civilian authorities, including the President, published in Rolling Stone magazine. McChrystal was forced to resign; Petraeus was unanimously approved by the United States Senate.
When President Obama announced the change […]

All countries like to think they are special. Each country believes it is exceptional in one way or another; national pride is more than merely comparative advantage. With the flags waving high and emotions running deep during the World Cup, we are easily reminded that the nation-state is not withering away, although it is certainly […]

While most of the sporting world has been focused on the World Cup, the majority of Americans were engrossed in the finals of the National Basketball Association playoffs. While most of the sporting world acknowledged improved play of the U.S in draws with England and Slovenia, the majority of Americans were watching Kobe Bryant and […]

During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama was praised for his calm, detached manner. As opposed to George Bush’s impulses and Bill Clinton’s emotions, Obama was seen as properly distant and disciplined. “This is a man who will remain in control when a crisis arrives,” was the positive comment on his demeanor.
Now, after seventeen […]

When Barack Obama was elected President of the United States, many people rejoiced for many reasons. There was the obvious end of the Bush era, the election of the first African-American leader as well as a hopeful shift in America’s foreign policies. The United States, it was thought, was re-engaging with the world from its […]

International lawyers speak of the international community as a society of states that follows accepted norms. When they refer to the international community, they are also referring to those institutions, including civil society, which accept certain procedures. All of this implies mutual cooperation and understanding of the rules of the game.
What to do with a […]