I.Heart.Krauthammer's blog

Obama. Chris Christie. Iran 2009. Egypt 2011.

What do these four very different, very influential and widely followed political and international phenomena have in common?

Exceptional execution of new media as a tool for mass political outreach, exposure and resolve.

To the savviest of journos and politicos, the rise and importance of new media options such as Facebook and Twitter is yesterday's news, and its influence is on the rise.

But, there are still many skeptical and discouraged by its role in society.

Whether or not it is used for egregious personal self-indulgence/narcisicissm the fact of the matter is that new media plays a vitally positive role in political outreach, accountability and oversight by the public. 

It is tremendously important to make this distinction, capitalize on the positives, and ignore/hope the negatives fall to the wayside.

Former Congressman Joe Scarborough recently wrote a very thoughtful piece for Politico that recognizes a serious drawback that this new media generation brings into play.  And I agree.

At the same time.....

For those unable to traverse all the way to District or Washington offices, they can connect to their representatives through Facebook and Twitter.

Internationally, movements in Iran and Egypt gained tremendous and important international oversight and attention by those movements' abilities to utilize new media. 

Actually, in the case of Egypt, the serious drawback was that Facebook was not taken seriously enough.  One of the questions asked during this latest democracy appeal was why the U.S. did not see it coming, to some the signs were right there on Facebook....

It's important to distinguish Facebook and other new media engines as tools to supplement the traditional flow of information, but it's also important to take advantage of the links and opportunities it can create.

Not quite, but perhaps.....

Google recently commended one of its employees for his role in the recent Egyptian movement. 

"Mr. Ghonim, Google's head of marketing in the Middle East, tapped Facebook to organize protests in Cairo, an effort that landed him in secret detention for more than a week.
"

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704409004576146420160584418.html#ixzz1E7q2yH

But the real story here is the role that not only Google, but other web engines and social media networks will, and have been playing in democracy movements, and the development of democratic demonstrations worldwide.

The Tehran uprising just two years ago employed Twitter as a vehicle for its movement, and again Facebook was used to organize protests.....

For those who find Facebook and other social networks as silly means for self-indulgence, it'll be interesting to see how great their role can really reach.

Just read this morning that Google and Facebook are in talks with Twitter.

Ultimate tech-y empire, anyone?

As if Facebook and Twitter weren't already connected to just about every major site Google has to offer anyway, now there's a chance we could have some super duper high tech social media connectivity?

Keep your eye out for this one.

You can read specifics here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/10/us-twitter-idUSTRE7187MW20110210.

Word on the street is there's a serious feud brewing in the tech world. 

Google is claiming there's scheming going on to bring down its monopoly dominance over the industry.

In truth, its rivals ARE pursuing anti-trust suits against the tech mogul, and you can keep up to date with the cases here Googleopoly.net and Googlemonitor.com.

Stay Tuned......

I receive from 'Foreign Policy Initiative,' and this morning I came across a particularly interesting one....

The soldier accused of downloading a huge trove of secret data from military computers in Iraq appears to have exploited a loophole in Defense Department security to copy thousands of files onto compact discs over a six-month period. In at least one instance, according to those familiar with the inquiry, the soldier smuggled highly classified data out of his intelligence unit on a disc disguised as a music CD by Lady Gaga. – New York Times

Apparently Gaga transcends even her musical talents.

What do you get when you mix a law degree, common sense solutions and hard work?

VA Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.

Among the many lawsuits filed against the recently signed health care bill, the most notable has been the case filed by the AG of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Although many of the lawsuits filed have been dismissed by analysts, pundits, and political leaders as weightless, there is one state recognized as having a fighting chance.  That is the case brought up by the State of Virginia.

Fox News reported Virginia's filing of a separate action from the 12 other state attorneys general because the federal legislation directly conflicts with the recently passed Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act.  Virginia's law, which would take effect in July, says no resident can be compelled to carry health insurance, nor can they be forced to pay a fine or penalty for refusing such coverage.

Now, thanks to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, that bill has a legitimate chance of standing between the individual mandate in ObamaCare from being forced upon VA residents.

He asserts "that the bill’s mandate for individuals to buy insurance isn’t covered by the Constitution’s Commerce Clause. Just being alive is not interstate commerce.  If it were, there would be no limit to the U.S. Constitution's commerce clause and to Congress's authority to regulate everything we do,” he added. “There has never been a point in our history where the federal government has been given the authority to require citizens to buy goods or services." (Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34970.html#ixzz0jyZXgLnH) 

With his understanding of the law, and commitment to upholding our constitutional rights, I've got great trust and confidence that Ken is going to do great things for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Mitch Daniels makes some excellent points and suggestions for health care reform....

Congress could have done what Republicans should suggest now: Shift to a system that allows individuals—not businesses—to buy health insurance tax free. They could also create tax credits for buying health insurance based on income and health status to guarantee everyone coverage and encourage medical care and insurance competition. Republicans should push to lower barriers for buying insurance across state lines, create incentives for states to repeal mandates, and limit frivolous lawsuits that increase the price of insurance.

I like it.  All politics aside, the problem is that this bill serves the notion that insurers are to blame for high costs, and therefore are the ones to blame for being unaffordable for the 32 million without health insurance.  In reality, health insurance costs are a result of high medical costs.  Consumers buy insurance to protect themselves in case something happens to them.  If the original costs of medical services weren't so expensive to begin with, perhaps insurance costs wouldn't be so high.

This bill doesn't cut medical costs, it just penalizes health insurance companies.  With that in mind, I have a hard time believing that this will do anything but have an adverse effect on our economy and our health care industry.

I guess time will tell.

"North Carolina Rep. Mike McIntyre issued a statement saying, “Health care reform is needed, but the bill before us is too expensive, does not adequately address rising medical costs and skyrocketing insurance premiums and tries to do too much too soon. We simply cannot afford to create a new federal bureaucracy that costs nearly $1 trillion $2.5 trillion when our national debt is $12 trillion and there is no plan in place to address it. I will not vote for it.”

Read more:http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34455_Page3.html#ixzz0iIWH3OsK 

My thoughts exactly. 

Instead of persuading people to support an unpopular bill, why don't you just create a bill that actually works, and then you don't have to scheme and connive to get it passed?

Sheesh, maybe GWB went against the int'l communities wishes by invading Iraq, Obama and the Dems are doing what they want regardless of Americans wishes....

......not to vote for ObamaCare......2.5 trillion dollars in NEW TAXES....

In case you didn't already know, FREE isn't so FREE, and AFFORDABLE isn't so AFFORDABLE....the costs are just being forced upon those who won't feel the hit as hard.

This is my biggest woe with the health care bill, in addition to the fact that although Obama likes to champion that we can all "keep our current health care plans," those of you who choose to do so will be taxed.....