Featured Articles — April 30, 2009

April 30, 2009 by Jonathan Movroydis | Filed Under Featured Articles 

Interesting Takes From Home And Abroad:

The Real Culture War Is Over Capitalism By Arthur Brooks, The Wall Street Journal
There is a major cultural schism developing in America. But it’s not over abortion, same-sex marriage or home schooling, as important as these issues are. The new divide centers on free enterprise — the principle at the core of American culture.

How to rebuild the GOP By David Frum, This Week
It’s not pointless to lock the barn door after the horse has gone—if, that is, you still happen to have some horses remaining in the barn.

On national security, Obama’s task will get even tougher. By Michael Isikoff, Newsweek
President Obama’s advisers have called his recent decision to authorize the release of Justice Department interrogation memos one of the toughest of his first 100 days. But the truth is, that was nothing compared with the decisions he will have to make on a host of related national-security and legal issues in coming months.

The Rise of Kim Jong-Un By Ken E. Gause, Foreign Policy
In January 2009, the South Korean news agency, Yonhap, reported that Kim Jong Il’s third and youngest son, Kim Jong-un, had been nominated to succeed his father “around” Jan. 8, the younger Kim’s birthday.

Obama’s National Security Facilitator By David Ignatius, The Washington Post
One of the puzzles of the Obama administration’s first few months was how the National Security Council would work under Gen. James Jones. He had the tricky challenge of managing an all-star “team of rivals” and working with a young president who was just 6 when Jones went off to Vietnam in 1967 as a Marine Corps second lieutenant.

Farewell to the American Century By Andrew Bacevich, Salon
Americans have perpetuated a mythic version of the past that never even approximated reality and today has become downright malignant.

How to Prevent a Pandemic By Nathan Wolfe, The New York Times
THE swine flu outbreak seems to have emerged without warning. Within a few days of being noticed, the flu had already spread to the point where containment was not possible.

Pakistan must be saved from collapse By Greg Sheridan, The Australian
KEVIN Rudd rightly linked Australia’s increased troop commitment to Afghanistan with a desire to ensure the viability of the Pakistani state. He identified this as a vital interest for Australia. Like US President Barack Obama, Rudd has appointed a special envoy — in this case former Defence Department head Ric Smith — for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Europe’s future depends on voters. But not on the European elections By Timothy Garton Ash, The Guardian
The EU is not a single democracy. The parties are shaping up for a big scrap in June, but the issues will be domestic.

Reconciliation’s Slippery Path By George Will, The Washington Post
But under Senate rules, “reconciliation” can be a means for coping with disharmony by deepening it. The tactic truncates Senate debate and curtails minority rights. The threat to use it to speed enactment of health care reform has coincided with talk about possible prosecutions relating to the previous administration’s interrogation policies. Harmony is becoming more elusive.

Obama Outsources His Presidency By Karl Rove, The Wall Street Journal
While officials in the Obama White House dismissed yesterday’s “100 Days” anniversary as a “Hallmark Holiday,” they understood it was what sociologist Daniel J. Boorstin called a “pseudo-event.” By that, Boorstin meant an occasion that is not spontaneous but planned for the purpose of being reported — an event that is important because someone says so, not because it is.

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