Soccer Dad

Submitted 01/15/09

This week's Watcher's Council submissions are UP!

Wealth - The Glittering Eye is looking for factors that lead to riches in our world. Inheritance is generally not one of the ways. Still his post reminded me of this extract from Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers" from the Guardian.
ABC's 'Ugly Americans': Obnoxious George Bush Supporters - The Colossus of Rhodey demolishes a "reality" show that resorts to an offensive and inaccurate stereotype to make its point.
Media Outlets Can't Get Over The Tactical Brilliance Of Hamas's Use Of Human Shields - Ever get the idea that the media is cheering on Hamas? Mere Rhetoric shows why you feel that way.
Some Perspective on the Great Loan Modification Scam - The Provocateur argues that loan modification has, in the past, been a way of recouping losses and avoiding criminal responsibility. Now we're about to try it on a national level.
Looking for Insults - Bookworm Room isn't much impressed by Prince Harry. She's even less impressed with those who make a big deal out of his ill-considered remarks about a fellow soldier.
America Said NO - Right Truth assesses the possible consequences of America's refusal to allow Israel to attack Iran's nuclear sites.
Representation By The Numbers - Rhymes With Right assesses the factors behind the lack of Hispanics on Houston's City Council. It doesn't prove racism or that Hispanic interests won't be represented.
As BHO Channels FDR, Worries Grow - Cheat-Seeking Missiles looks at the President-elect's efforts to appropriate the words and attitudes of the past and the possible consequences of those actions.
Three Shocks For New Doctors - The Razor writes about the challenges facing a new doctor after she's decided to dedicate her life to helping others. After a grueling decade of education and internship, she then starts off with massive financial liabilities as a reward for her initiative.
The Hidden Story On Gaza - Joshuapundit looks at aspects of the Israel/Hamas war that are generally ignored. He makes an important point that is missed by most analysts: Fatah's unpopularity stems from the fact that it lost in Operation Defensive Shield. Usually Fatah's unpopularity is attributed to its corruption. But Fatah was shown to be impotent in the face of an Israel assault; Hamas was still perpetrating terror. That's why Hamas won the election. Elder of Ziyon makes a parallel point about Hamas. Hamas won't be defeated unless it's viewed as being defeated by its constituents. The fact that their leaders are hiding, will not help them when they try to declare victory if they survive the Israel's assault.
Both sides now - My own post critiques Clark Hoyt's effort to defend the NYT's coverage of Israel's war against Hamas.

My non-council submission of the week was Meryl's There's a kind of hate all other the world that shows an ugliness that runs through the demonstrations held in support of Gaza. They'er not just anti-Israel.

Read. Enjoy. Be informed.

watcher's council.