Outside the Beltway

While American politics concerns itself with trivial issues, Pakistan finds itself dealing with a devastating natural disaster that could have real geo-political implications.

The Obama’s are vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard again this year so, of course, it’s time for people to say stupid things about Presidential leisure activities again.

America’s mission in Iraq is shifting from an active combat role to a smaller security presence. But the war that gripped our attention for years is now off the radar screen.

Some of our politicians and commentators are looking to odd places for guidance over the application of fundamental American values.

Park51 opponents are trying to depict Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf as an anti-American radical. Read his speech at Daniel Pearl’s memorial service and judge for yourself.

Rand Paul is apparently taking heat from some of his more socially conservative supporters after FEC reports indicate he received a donation from the owner of an Adult web site. People need to get a life.

America’s obsession over the fate of the Burlington Coat Factory in Lower Manhattan, and a general rise in anti-Islamic rhetoric, plays right into the hands of the people that are actually our enemies.

A quick flip-flop from Swedish authorities on a very serious charge.

Sarah Palin’s decision to jump to the defense of “Doctor” Laura Schlessinger has many Republicans confused as to what her plans for the future are.

Once again, an American President is stepping into the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and, once again, he has no idea how to accomplish the goals he’s established.

Steve Emerson has reportedly found 13 hours of tape of Cordoba Initiative chairman Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and found him to be a “radical extremist cleric who cloaks himself in sheep’s clothing.” Does it matter?

Glenn Greenwald asks, “Why won’t the Pentagon help WikiLeaks redact documents?” For the same reason we don’t negotiate with terrorists.

The United States has promised $150 million in aid to flood-ravaged Pakistan. Should we have?

Why are people’s views about Islam so screwed up ? Mostly because the only things they know about it tend to be the worst possible aspects of all.

A small slice of what people at the epicenter of the Park51 controversy have to say.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is superbly qualified for the presidency. But our system virtually assures that he won’t be a serious contender for the job.

The New York Times is reporting that the Obama Administration has convinced Israel that Iran is much further away from developing nuclear weapons than Tel Aviv fears, but there seems to be something else going on here.

Barely half of Americans think Muslims have a Constitutional right to build a mosque near the World Trade Center and 18% think mosques shouldn’t be allowed anywhere. That’s why we have a 1st Amendment.

It’s beginning to look like initial reports that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill had been “cleaned up” may not be true after all.

Take a good look at that dollar coin, because you’re unlikely to see it circulation any time soon.

The webmaster of a local Republican chapter linked a YouTube video that implies Democratic women are ugly.

The Soft Serve Dip Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

The Associated Press tells its reports to stop using the phrase “Ground Zero Mosque.” That’s a good thing.

Roger Clemens is probably regretting today the decision to testify before a Congressional committee about steroids back in 2008.

Christopher Walken does a dramatic reading of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” recycles a Steve Allen bit from before I was born. But it’s still hilarious.

The Daily Mash combines two topics that have taken up entirely too many pixels at OTB and elsewhere of late with their parody article “OUTRAGE OVER PLANS TO BUILD LIBRARY NEXT TO SARAH PALIN.”

The competition for 25 Greatest Americans was steep. Only 3/4 of Mount Rushmore made the cut.

Sarah Palin decided to get involved in the “Doctor Laura” Schlessinger controversy, and in the process displayed a blatant misunderstanding of the First Amendment.

Twenty percent of Americans still believe that Barack Obama is Muslim. Not only is it wrong, it says something rather disturbing about our country.

If the response to Cordoba House isn’t basically being anti-Muslim, what is it?

Manned flight is more than a century old. Why are the airlines still so clueless?

Should universities be able to force students to buy meal plans for the cafeteria? Alabama students are suing to end the practice.