Barack Obama is one of the greatest politicians in American history.

The thing is, Obama is right that it would be a calamity for the government to default on its debt by not meeting its obligations. Such a thing has never happened and can't be allowed to happen.

I think making a pretense of civility toward Eric Alterman is like making a pretense of civility to a scorpion.

Let us now praise Barack Obama.

Imagine his delight after it 'leaked' that he will propose raising taxes on the wealthy by $320 billion over the next 10 years, including increases to the capital gains and inheritance taxes.

Unquestionably, American political rhetoric can be repugnant, and the Right can certainly be as guilty as the Left.

You want a culture where citizens are free to express themselves and so live in the openness necessary to the functioning of a successful economy? Israel has a free press, much of it openly hostile to the parties in power.