The Reaction in review (Feb. 27, 2009)

A week's Reactions that deserve a second look:


Creature Feature - Sounding out the stats regarding: GDP "6.2%" Obama watchers "52.4 million" Liked speech "68%" Obama job approval "63%"


Friday

By Frankie Sturm (Welcome to our guest writer from the Truman National Security Project): "Containing Iran -- The crybaby approach" -- Frankie's post tackles the tough question about why the Obama administration's emphasis on clear-eyed diplomacy with Iran is the correct choice.

By Michael J.W. Stickings: "Burris & Son: Partners in corruption, with a load of Blago thrown in for good measure" -- For the clever title alone, this post on the latest element in the Ronald Burris scandal gets an honorable mention.


Thursday

By Libby Spencer: "Towards a sane marijuana policy" -- Libby post applauds the Justice Department's decision to end raids on legal medical marijuana clubs and concludes, ". . . our legislators would do well to listen to public opinion -- a majority of Americans support full legalization -- and consider ending the war on marijuana altogether."

By Edward Copeland: "My Howard Beale moment" -- Edward's good at letting off steam for all of us about the silly rhetoric and greedy behavior associated with bailing out bankers and the rich.

By Carl: "Greed is God" -- Fourth great post this week in a fabulous analytical series on the current economic crisis; see also "On the clock" "Guns v. butter" "A spoonful of sugar"


Wednesday

By Michael J.W. Stickings: "Shut up, all ye faithful" -- Michael's link-rich post digests Governor Bobby Jindal's Republican response to President Obama's Tuesday address to the joint session of Congress.


Tuesday

By LindaBeth: "Amy Goodman interviews author Mark Schapiro" -- A very insightful post on some of the points in the author's book, "Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What's at Stake for American Power."

By Carol Gee: "Talk, talk, talk" -- This post is about talking, for both good and ill; all the way from Obama to Twitter, it made lots of news this week.

By J. Thomas Duffy: "Leaving Bush Behind" -- Duffy's clever and very informative post begins,"It will take a few years, maybe longer, to truly root out, shower, and scrub our education system from the abuse it received from the Bush Grindhouse . . remember 'No Child Left Behind.' "


Monday

By Michael J.W. Stickings: "It's the GOP vs.Obama (and the American people)" -- Good little post following up on Creature's poll post, included because of its very lively comment thread.

By Capt. Fogg: "Bigger, more intrusive government" -- The good Captain exposes Senator John Cornyn's proposed bill, 'Internet Stopping Adults Facilitating the Exploitation of Today's Youth Act,' as a ruse to invade Internet privacy in a massive manner.

By Mustang Bobby: "Nothing less" -- Bobby's thoughtful and beautifully written post on gay marriage, gay rights, the religious right and the U.S. Constitution should be recommended for widespread reading.

By Michael J.W. Stickings: "Craziest Conservative of the Day: George F. Will (or, in support of Russ Feingold's effort to amend the 17th Amendment" and "Craziest Republican of the Day: Jim Bunning" -- Michael takes aim at a craziness craze over on the other side.


Special Bonus Series on Canadian politics by Michael J.W. Stickings: "The rise of Michael Ignatieff" (plus interesting comments) and "MJWS on the radio, talking Ignatieff" (6 comments).