Nico Pitney over at Huffington Post passes along this bit of interesting detail on how the Iranian government is using Western media to further their own propaganda, in this case that the West has the goal of destabilizing Iran for their own benefit. The Iranians didn't have to look very far for a ready ally in Fox News, the most irresponsible of television networks.

Since the launch of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. military has struggled to recruit and reenlist troops. As the conflicts have dragged on, the military has loosened regulations, issuing "moral waivers" in many cases, allowing even those with criminal records to join up. The lax regulations have also opened the military's doors to neo-Nazis, white supremacists and gang members -- with drastic consequences.

Last week there was considerable media attention to China's stockpiling of commodities, as traders look to determine reasons for recent price increases, and also discern the impact on future price trends. Many commentators assert that the Chinese commodities buildup is unsustainable, which is probably true. But looking underneath the surface, we should ask whether China is merely taking advantage of a perceived advantageous price environment, or whether something else is at play.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to unveil his agenda for revamping financial regulation later this week. As the economy struggles though a recession created by the banking industry, it's crucial that Obama and his advisers craft a set of rules ensuring that the financial sector strengthens our economy instead of destroying it

The Supreme Court's refusal to hear arguments that the waiving of all state, local, and federal laws to build the border wall is unconstitutional is a tremendous blow for border residents and the principle of the rule of law. We had hoped that the court would honor its obligation to examine the constitutionality of section 102 of the Real ID Act, which is an unprecedented power grab by the Executive branch, and which creates unequal legal protections for U.S. citizens that are solely dependent upon what part of the country one lives in.

This past year, I traveled from Michigan to Texas to interview American Muslims about how terrorism finance laws interfere with their rights to practice their religion. American Muslim donors told me how the closure of some of the largest American Muslim charities in the country, widespread law enforcement interviews of Muslim donors about their donations, and surveillance of donations at mosques without suspicion, is creating a climate of fear that prevents them from making charitable donations.

Too few people focus on local politics. That allows corporate interests and corrupt machines to dominate. My wife and I have been involved in our local political scene since 2004. And each year we have walked our neighborhood in Brooklyn carrying petitions and working to get candidates elected. A few hundred votes can mean the difference between a corrupt judge and an honest one or someone who favors developers vs. someone who favors communities.

The prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman is perhaps the best known example of a criminal case that was infected with apparent judicial bias. But two recent news reports, originating from West Virginia and Georgia, shine an unusually bright spotlight on the problem of compromised judges.

Voters don't appreciate legislators kowtowing to special interests. I wonder how voters view the health insurance lobby? A new Public Policy poll shows Democratic legislators voting against the wishes of the majority because of presumed clout, thus strangling important legislation.

Between 65 and 80 percent of the American public backs a public option. You wouldn't know that from talking to beltway insiders, as they're convinced this is still 1994 and that arguments that worked to kill health care reform will work again. As always, beltway insiders are behind the times and out of touch with the struggles of Main Street. Beltway insiders call up their doctor, are seen that afternoon, and don't have to worry about the bill that comes three weeks later. Average Americans have to wait weeks for urgent medical appointments. We have to pay our copays up front to even see the doctor. And the prescriptions we're given to treat our ailments can bankrupt us.

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