shimajiro said...

shimajiro at 01:15 PM JST - 12th June

Esther Brimmer, director of research at John Hopkins University’s Center for Transatlantic Relations, noted that after the September 11, 2001, European nations were keen to help the United States, including in Afghanistan. But their support was “deeply impacted by the invasion of Iraq,” and cooler relations contributed to Washington’s failure…

Posted in Anti-Americanism at record levels worldwide, report shows at 01:15 PM JST - 12th June
shimajiro at 12:59 PM JST - 12th June

yabits quoting Chait:

But the history of the Middle East suggests that Iraqis are never going to accept a long-term American military presence.

If they can't, then they won't, regarless of who's president. Were the democratically-elected government of Iraq to request that the U.S. leave, the American president would find…

Posted in McCain says setting Iraq withdrawal date 'not that important' at 12:59 PM JST - 12th June
shimajiro at 01:17 PM JST - 11th June

As with Japan, protectionist sentiment plays a role in this. The concentrated domestic producer interest will almost always trump the diffuse domestic consumer interest in the political realm.

It's tempting to say "screw 'em" and adopt a beggar-they-neighbor trade policy wherein their exports are prohibited on trumped up safety grounds…

Posted in 80,000 rally against U.S. beef in South Korea at 01:17 PM JST - 11th June
shimajiro at 01:07 PM JST - 11th June

Hey, Taka! Thanks.

Posted in McCain, Obama trade jabs on economy, taxes at 01:07 PM JST - 11th June
shimajiro at 09:50 AM JST - 11th June

Obama wants to eliminate the secret ballot for union votes..

This position would seem to be indefensible. Unions want to be rid of the secret ballot so that their organizers can either use strong-arm tactics to coerce votes out of employees or offer inducements in exchange for votes.

[Obama] even…

Posted in McCain, Obama trade jabs on economy, taxes at 09:50 AM JST - 11th June
shimajiro at 02:02 PM JST - 10th June

Betzee:

...be it bringing freedom to the long-suffering Iraqis or providing the world's downtrodden with the opportunity to better themselves by coming to the USA, these choices cost and that has to be acknowledged by their respective proponents.

Agreed. Costs as well as benefits should be tallied. On balance I…

Posted in Obama slams McCain, Bush on economy, gasoline prices at 02:02 PM JST - 10th June
shimajiro at 12:18 PM JST - 10th June

Obama's RX for the economy comes with a big dose of populism. Targetted redistribution can alleviate suffering but the broad brush soak-the-rich sort is not going to grow the economy and may well hurt. Furthermore his support for protectionism, unionization, regulation, unfunded mandates on employers, taxes on "windfall" corporate profits…

Posted in Obama slams McCain, Bush on economy, gasoline prices at 12:18 PM JST - 10th June
shimajiro at 02:50 PM JST - 9th June

To the extent that they reflect underlying supply and demand, high relative prices for oil is a good thing. It will spur exploration and exploitation of previously marginal fields and provide an incentive for consumers to economize and spur R&D into energy subsitutes. A side benefit of higher prices is…

Posted in In U.S. Congress, gas prices trump global warming at 02:50 PM JST - 9th June
shimajiro at 02:42 PM JST - 9th June

To talk or not to talk to one's is too stark a dichotomy. The US and Iran already "talk" today - through intermediaries and low- and intermediate-level diplomats. IMO, direct talks between the heads of state should not be ruled out but neither should they be unilaterally granted. That's where…

Posted in McCain, Obama both say Iran is other's weakness at 02:42 PM JST - 9th June
shimajiro at 02:21 PM JST - 9th June

Most of Sen. Clinton's supporters will "come home" to the Democratic nominee come November - McCain's support for a continued presence in Iraq and free trade and his opposition to abortion will see to that. But McCain may be able to peel away a significant minority of the disaffected, or…

Posted in Clinton ends campaign, urges supporters to work to elect Obama at 02:21 PM JST - 9th June