http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/forum/politics Common Ground, Uncommon Debate en-US Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:51:57 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.1 q http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/search.php http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/us-defense-spending-is-it-too-much#post-1496 Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:02:27 +0000 deardorff 1496@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>As long as we maintain a military presence and bases in countries that have their own military we are wasting time, money and soldiers. NATO has no need of US troops or bases, it has long outlived any need for US involvement 'on the ground'.<br /> Pull back from most foreign bases and save a fortune to be used at home. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/us-defense-spending-is-it-too-much#post-1438 Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:00:51 +0000 admin 1438@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>This is where the debate between Christopher Preble and Jamie Fly on U.S. defense spending continues. All registered members of PublicSquare.net are invited to participate. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/repeal-%e2%80%9cdon%e2%80%99t-ask-don%e2%80%99t-tell%e2%80%9d#post-417 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:47:07 +0000 admin 417@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>This is where the debate on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" between Lawrence J. Korb, Ph.D., and Elaine Donnelly continues. All registered members of PublicSquare.net are invited to participate. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/is-social-security-in-crisis#post-367 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:11:51 +0000 s.a.m. 367@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Yesterday, I took $2 from my friend's piggy bank to buy a soda and I replaced it with a note promising that I would return the $2 - plus interest - at the end of the week. I didn't really buy a soda, though. I made an interest payment on a pair of shoes I bought on credit. I have an excellent credit score. That's why I wasn't worried today when I took another $2 from a second friend. I still wanted that soda - but I bought a bottle of wine instead (I'm entertaining tonight). Now I just need to come up with $6 to pay my first two friends back. I'm sure my third friend will understand, even though it's not up to him. I should start making more friends, because I STILL want that soda. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/national-education-standards#post-343 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:46:59 +0000 admin 343@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>This is where the debate on the Common Core education standards between Neal McCluskey and Michael Petrilli continues. All registered members of PublicSquare.net are invited to participate. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/is-social-security-in-crisis#post-338 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:41:48 +0000 admin 338@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>This is where the debate on Social Security between Robert P. Murphy and David Rosnick continues. All registered members of PublicSquare.net are invited to join in. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/negotiate-with-the-taliban#post-309 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:11:51 +0000 dougnoll 309@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>First, here has to be a discussion of which Taliban we might debate with. Is it Mullah Omar and his salafists, which constitute a very small group or is it the wider Pashtun tribal structure, seeking autonomy by the creation of Pashtunistan? Is it the Pakistani Intelligence Service that supports Mullah Omar or the Pashtun warlords in Afghanistan? Second, what is to be negotiated? My guess would be the confederation of Afghanistan into a northern Tajik-controlled region, a central Hazzara-controlled region, and a southern to eastern Pashtun-controlled region. The negotiation would have to align with the principles of the Pashtunwali, the honor code of the Pashtuns. Finally, for the sake of brevity, peace will only come to the region when India and Pakistan can negotiate out their conflict. Thus, the question of whether to negotiate with the Taliban begs many other questions that must be considered before anyone can come to an informed opinion. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/is-afghanistan-in-the-us-national-interest#post-280 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:03:32 +0000 admin 280@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>This is where the debate between Andrew Bacevich and Richard Weitz continues. All registered members of PublicSquare.net are invited to participate. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/does-the-banning-of-the-veil-represent-the-liberation-of-women#post-233 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:20:11 +0000 wreynolds 233@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>The lower house of the French parliament recently voted to approve a ban on wearing burqa-style veils. Justifications for the ban include, in addition to the French value of secularity in public life, the idea that the veil represents the subjugation of women to men. Opponents of the ban have expressed fears that the law will in fact decrease the freedom of women who already experience cultural pressure to wear traditional clothing, in that these women will be made to feel uncomfortable appearing in public. Furthermore, women who may feel comfortable wearing the veil will be restricted in their choice to do so. Is banning the veil an appropriate and effective means of liberating women from subjugation? </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/crisis-economics-by-nouriel-roubini#post-193 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:40:26 +0000 Pamela.Kopsky 193@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Here is where the review of Nouriel Roubini's book "Crisis Economics: A Crash Course in the Future of Finance" continues. All registered members of PublicSquare.net are invited to participate. </p> <p><a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=43c0eccf-73be-4a0b-8b04-dc8f16d77ade" rel="nofollow">http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=43c0eccf-73be-4a0b-8b04-dc8f16d77ade</a> </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/liberty-and-tyranny-a-conservative-manifesto-by-mark-levin#post-192 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:35:42 +0000 admin 192@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Here is where the discussion of Mark Levin's book "Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto" continues. All registered members of PublicSquare.net are invited to participate. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/the-end-of-the-free-market-by-ian-bremmer#post-191 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:32:19 +0000 Pamela.Kopsky 191@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Here is where the review of Ian Bremmer's book "The End of the Free Market: Who Wins the War Between States and Corporations?" continues. All registered members of PublicSquare.net are invited to participate. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/japanese-whaling-and-international-agreements#post-171 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:11:55 +0000 wreynolds 171@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Despite a moratorium on commercial whaling imposed by the International Whaling Commission, of which Japan is a member, Japanese ships continue to kill hundreds of whales every year for the stated purpose of government-sanctioned scientific research, while the resulting whale products are sold commercially. The killing of whales for scientific research is permitted under IWC rules. The Australian government initiated a legal challenge last week against Japanese scientific whaling in the International Court of Justice in the Hague.</p> <p>Question: Does the international community have an obligation to curb the Japanese practice of large scale whaling? </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/anti-american-sentiment#post-145 Thu, 06 May 2010 09:25:03 +0000 bjan 145@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Interesting update:</p> <p><a href="http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/05/05/dennis_ross_links_middle_east_peace_to_iran" rel="nofollow">http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/05/05/dennis_ross_links_middle_east_peace_to_iran</a> </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/anti-american-sentiment#post-142 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:08:07 +0000 bjan 142@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>The Anti-Defamation League recently criticised General Petraeus (linked below) for his comments on the situation in Israel-Palestine. In a Senate testimony, Petraeus referred to the ongoing conflict as problematic, interfering with U.S. goals in the Arab world and encouraging “anti-American sentiment.” According to the ADL, this sentiment is not only wrong, but “dangerous and counterproductive.”</p> <p>Is lack of progress on the Israel-Palestine issue an impediment to U.S. goals in the Middle East?</p> <p><a href="http://www.adl.org/PresRele/IslME_62/5721_62.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.adl.org/PresRele/IslME_62/5721_62.htm</a> </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/negotiate-with-the-taliban#post-141 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:16:44 +0000 gmartin 141@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Some further food for thought in regards to the debate on whether or not the US should negotiate with the Taliban:<br /> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/26/AR2010042603020.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/26/AR2010042603020.html</a> </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/negotiate-with-the-taliban#post-139 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:34:59 +0000 admin 139@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>This is where the debate between Ann Marlowe and Michael Semple on negotiating with the Taliban continues. All registered members of PublicSquare.net are invited to join in. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/review-of-the-conscience-of-a-liberal#post-106 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:33:36 +0000 admin 106@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>This is where members of PublicSquare.net can discuss David M. Kennedy's review of Paul Krugman's book "The Conscience of a Liberal." </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/victory-in-iraq#post-104 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:05:44 +0000 gmartin 104@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>The cover of Newsweek, dated 8 March 2010, proclaimed 'Victory at Last: The Emergence of a Democratic Iraq', with a photo of the famous/infamous 'mission accomplished' speech given by George W Bush in May 2003. The magazine went on to argue that while the situation in Iraq is still fragile, the recent parliamentary elections suggest that something resembling democracy might be emerging in the country.</p> <p>So although the war will soon enter its eight year, and despite the huge costs (human and financial), can we consider the war a success? </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/afghanistan-is-the-july-2011-deadline-smart-policy#post-103 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:45:42 +0000 admin 103@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>This is where the debate between Stephen Schlesinger and Michael Rubin on the July 2011 deadline for withdrawal from Afghanistan continues. All registered members of PublicSquare.net are encouraged to participate. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/are-extrajudicial-killings-an-appropriate-tool-for-states#post-78 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:45:07 +0000 gmartin 78@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Recently, with the use of fraudulent EU passports, a task force assassinated Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubain. Hamas was quick to accuse Israel of being behind the killing, and Israel in line with its usual policy neither confirmed nor denied the accusation.</p> <p>Question: Are extrajudicial killings an appropriate tool for states to guarantee their security? </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/sonic-boom-globalization-at-mach-speed#post-47 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:26:01 +0000 katie.mo.vogel 47@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Here is where the review of Gregg Easterbrook's book "Sonic Boom: Globalization at Mach Speed" continues. All registered members of PublicSquare.net are invited to participate.</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/books/review/Drezner-t.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/books/review/Drezner-t.html</a> </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/obama-and-the-dalai-lama#post-46 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:43:17 +0000 gmartin 46@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Today, President Obama met the Dalai Lama at the White House, a move that was predictably condemned by the Chinese government. Considering the recent rise in Sino-American tensions over trade disputes, Iran, google and the arms sale to Taiwan, was this a shrewd move?</p> <p>Question: Should Obama have met the Dalai Lama in this current context of Sino-American disputes? </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/us-taiwan-arms-deal-and-china#post-42 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:20:12 +0000 gmartin 42@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>The United States and Taiwan recently agreed on a $6.4 billion arms package, the latest arms deal between both nations and the first under the Obama administration. China's reaction was, unsurprisingly, very negative. Considering that China tops the US government foreign creditor list, was the arms sale a mistake?</p> <p>Question: Is the US-Taiwan arms deal a threat to Sino-American relations? </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/is-the-obama-administration-losing-interest-in-europe#post-41 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:09:36 +0000 gmartin 41@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>After the tumultuous period of the Bush Administration, and the major split over the Iraq War, Europe welcomed with great enthusiasm the election of Barack Obama. One year on, although Obama remains popular with the European public at large, his administration does not seem particularly focused on its partnership with Europe - the recent decision of Obama to snub a EU-US summit scheduled in May being a perfect example.</p> <p>Question: Is the Obama administration losing interest in Europe? </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/negotiating-with-the-taliban#post-40 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:55:44 +0000 gmartin 40@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>President Obama's speech at West Point on 1 December 2009 outlined his administration's military strategy for the War in Afghanistan, including a temporary surge of 30,000 troops and a deadline of July 2011 for the first withdrawal of troops. The political dimension of the strategy, however, remains more elusive. The Obama administration is divided over the issue of negotiating with the Taliban.</p> <p>Question: Should the US government, and its partners in Afghanistan, negotiate with the Taliban? </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/has-obama-had-a-successful-first-year-in-office#post-39 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:42:30 +0000 blinden 39@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Conservatives say he's ruining the country, progressives say he's not getting anything done, and some say he just needs more time, pointing to the early failures and low approval ratings of the Clinton and second Bush administrations as proof that the first year in office is always a difficult time for a president. </p> <p>So, relative to other recent administrations, has Obama had a successful first year in office? </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/should-google-pull-out-of-china#post-38 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:46:18 +0000 mglover 38@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Google recently announced it is considering pulling out of China following a cyber attack. The attack was very sophisticated and intended to spy on human rights activists. The Chinese government is unlikely to change their stance regarding intellectual property and the internet. Should Google pull out of China? </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/chinas-economic-rise-threat-or-opportunity#post-37 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:42:14 +0000 gmartin 37@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>China is likely to overtake Japan in terms of gross domestic product to become the second largest economy in the world. </p> <p>Question: in this context of economic, is China's continued economic rise a threat or an opportunity for the US? </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/aid-to-haiti-is-it-key-for-countries-prestige-in-western-hemisphere#post-36 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:10:45 +0000 gmartin 36@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>The recent earthquake that devastated Haiti has led a number of states to send aid, including the US, China, Brazil, France, Germany, Cuba, Venezuela, or Iceland.</p> <p>While compassion is undoubtedly the primary reason behind countries sending aid, self interest may also play a certain role. Rivals like the US and Cuba and Venezuela may view sending aid as a way to improve their standing the Western hemisphere.</p> <p>Question: Aside from the key humanitarian concerns, are the US, Cuba and Venezuela using aid to Haiti in order to improve their standings in the western hemisphere, and compete for the hearts and minds of the people?</p> <p>Question: </p>