Ghost of a Chance

Personalities
Andrei A. Piontovsky, a political analyst, said the cancellation underscored a visceral personal enmity between the two leaders. “Putin openly despises your president, forgive my bluntness,” he said.

He added that Russia sensed weakness in Mr. Obama that could lead to more dangerous confrontations. (NYT, 8/7/2013)

Liberals were forever bemoaning the way Republican presidents like Reagan and Bush (41/43) conducted foreign policy. Cowboys, they were said to be and not in any good way. Well cowboys or not, at least they were respected and even feared a bit by America's enemies and rivals. And that is much better (and safer) for America then to be perceived as weak.


Granted
Colonel Lind reduced the maximum sentence facing Private Manning to 90 years from 136 years on Tuesday, granting part of a request from the defense team and acknowledging the similarities between some of Private Manning’s charges. (NYT, 8/8/2013)

More proof that the military has gone soft.


Thought Process
"No, I don't think Mr. Snowden was a patriot," Obama said. (Huffington Post, 8/9/2013)

Well thank God for that. The bigger tragedy, of course, is that any American would ever even consider Snowden anything other than a traitor. 


Hard Rein
Warning of the fiscal danger if New York City fails to rein in its spiraling pension and health care costs, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on Tuesday challenged his would-be successors to take a tough line in negotiations with the city’s unions, while worrying aloud that whoever is elected will be too beholden to labor. 
....
Over the course of Mr. Bloomberg’s three terms in office, the city’s annual pension costs have increased from $1.4 billion to more than $8 billion as a result of raises, pension sweeteners and a growing number of retirees, while health care spending has swelled to $6.3 billion. The city also has $85 billion in unfunded liabilities for future retiree health care benefits. (NYT, 8/6/2013)

On the way out the door, Bloomberg cautions about New York City becoming the next Detroit. Which begs the question why he was not more effective during his three terms. Prediction: NYC's next mayor will cave to the unions.