Pajamas Media

The Morning After The Debate

Sometimes a 'yes' is just enough
There were high expectations for the first big debate among eight of the Democratic candidates (full transcript HERE) So... were they met? Depends who you ask: some found it fascinating, others a non-event. A new star was born in Mike Gravel. And the private jets got attention, too . A SurveyUSA poll in South Carolina showed Obama emerging as the clear winner (Hillary 2nd and Edwards 2nd) What did the blogosphere think? Keep reading....

The Sorrow of History:

Boris Yeltsin and the Death of Hope.

Ron Rosenbaum’s thoughts on the passing of the 1st President of the Russian Federation: “Boris Yeltsin’s death has affected me more than I might have imagined. Once I thought that moment captured on CNN of Yeltsin standing on top of a tank proclaiming defiance of the sordid coup attempt by the worst of the old Soviet regime, was one of the great moments of my life. To see in real time one man stand up for liberty in a land ravaged by a mass murdering tyranny-and win-was unbelievably thrilling and beautiful… (Read the rest HERE)

Petraeus: Iran’s Behind It

As the Senate passed it’s the “Tick-Tock Out of Iraq” bill, the US commander on the ground was in DC giving a press conference and taking questions about the reality of the situation. Key points:

• 80-90% of suicide attacks are carried out carried out by foreigners via Syria.
• Secret cell networks are being “provided substantial funding, training on Iranian soil advanced explosive munitions and technologies as well as run of the mill arms and ammunition.”

Michael Ledeen posts more from General Petraeus’ press conference on the current situation in Iraq @ Faster Please.

Made In Iran: A Traitor’s Tale

Osman Ali Mustafa - former Kurdish police officer recruited by Iranian intelligence to facilitate attacks inside Iraq, 2004-2005 Is Iran behind most of the world's terrorism, including the Iraqi insurgency? The Islamic Republic tries to hide its involvement with "layers and layers of intermediaries," the head of a special Kurdish counter-terrorism service told PJM's Richard Miniter. While this might fool the CIA, the Kurds are not misled. by Richard Miniter, on assignment for Pajamas Media in Sulaimaniya, Iraq

Genn’s Candidates: Rudy Giuliani

“You never agree with any one candidate 100%. I don’t agree with myself 100%.” — Rudy Giuliani

Seventh of a series of leading Presidential candidates by illustrator Roman Genn. Copy at will but please credit Roman Genn and Pajamas Media.

Previously: Fred Thompson, John Edwards, Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Barack Obama

The Scolder of France

The battle is heating up between Royal and Sarkozy as they hustle for support for the second round of voting in the French presidential election, while centrist Bayrou is playing his hand. PJM Paris editor Nidra Poller has all the details....

Hair Ball!

The John Edwards snips but does not score. By The Manolo

Involuntary Commitment

Can dangerous behavior really be reliably predicted? If so, what should be done about people judged dangerous when they haven't yet committed a crime? What is the role of mental health professionals and involuntary commitment in balancing the need to protect society with the need to champion the liberty of the individual? Get the answers in this week's podcast by The Sanity Squad.

Healthy? Don’t Click!

Economist (and PJM columnist) Max Sawicky looks at the two trillion dollar cost of US health care and wonders if we are getting sufficient bang for our serious bucks. by Max Sawicky

Police Pay-Wagons of Iraq

US dollars and Iraqi dinars How Do Iraq's Finest Get Paid? Not exactly the way New York's finest get paid, as Richard Miniter - on assignment for PJM in Iraq - discovered. Since so few have a bank account, Iraqi cops (and other public officials) are paid in cash - just as they were under Saddam. And they like it that way. By Richard Miniter, PJM Washington editor