‘Sentence First, Verdict Afterwards’: The ‘Alice in Wonderland’ World of Secret Trade Agreements
Jun 24, 2015 The terms of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Trade in Services Agreement are so secret that drafts of the negotiations are to remain classified for four years and five years after the deals become law. How can laws be enforced against people and governments who are not allowed to know what was negotiated?
Switzerland Votes to Narrow Immigration Pipeline From EU Countries
Feb 10, 2014 That old saw about Swiss independence could in part explain Switzerland's vote, held Sunday, in favor of tightening restrictions on immigration into the country from European Union member nations.
Lost
May 28, 2012
The Russians Are Coming (or Not)
Aug 30, 2011 Correction: Back in 2007, a Russian official announced a scheme to build an underwater rail system linking Siberia to Alaska. Such a railway would require the longest tunnel ever built and expenditures of about $94 billion (by one estimate). More than four years later, the transcontinental railway was in the news again. (more)
The Pirates Might Prefer Fish to Guns
Apr 15, 2009 Obama's promise that the U.S. and its allies will put an end to Indian Ocean piracy had the forceful ring to it that good American citizens like to hear, but half the NATO navies aren't going to change the desperate circumstances that turned Somalia's fisherman into pirates.
Obama Takes Another Crack at Commerce
Feb 24, 2009 Fourth time's the charm? Barack Obama's two official picks to serve as commerce secretary both had to drop out. Another candidate withdrew her name before it was ever announced. Now the president is reported to have offered the job to former Washington Gov. Gary Locke. So who is he?
Another Nominee Bites the Dust
Feb 13, 2009 Apparently nobody wants to be President Obama's commerce secretary. The second candidate for the post, Sen. Judd Gregg, has dropped out. The Republican senator cited "irresolvable conflicts," including the stimulus package and the census. That's what you get for trying to make nice with those fussy Republicans.
And Commerce Secretary Goes to …
Dec 3, 2008 Bearded political renaissance man and current governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson was picked Wednesday morning to be Barack Obama's secretary of commerce. The unsurprising move makes Richardson the latest politician drafted by Team Obama, who point to Richardson's experience at the U.N., as governor, and as energy secretary.Obama Settles on 3 More Cabinet Picks, Sources Say
Nov 20, 2008 Those famous "multiple Democratic sources close to the transition" have revealed three more members of Barack Obama's Cabinet: Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle as secretary of health and human services, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as chief of homeland security and Obama's billionaire buddy and top fundraiser Penny Pritzker to head the Commerce Department. Update: Pritzker is out.
