Says Congress needs to ‘stop this middle-class tax hike.’

Go here to see the original:
Obama: Pass Payroll Tax Cut

BEIRUT — Fears of an as-yet-undefined Middle Eastern war are darkening the horizons of a Middle East that only a year ago was celebrating the fall of dictators, the ascent of people power and the promise of a new era of democracy. Read full article > >

Read the original:
Threats of war cloud hopes for Middle East

A rising sense of panic has emerged among the middle class, which is bearing the economic burden as the West ratchets up pressure on the Iranian regime.

Read the original post:
In Iran, Rising International Tensions Take a Toll

When did the middle finger become offensive?

The rest is here:
When did the middle finger become offensive?

JERUSALEM — Israeli leaders on Thursday delivered one of the bluntest warnings to date of possible airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites, adding to the anxiety in Western capitals that a surprise attack by Israel could spark a broader military conflict in the Middle East. Read full article > >

Here is the original post:
U.S. officials concerned by Israel statements on Iran threat, possible strike

In an interview with CNN Wednesday morning that should have been a Florida victory lap , former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney made a fumble that could give rivals an attack ad sound bite. Asked about his economic plan, Romney said repeatedly that he was not concerned with very poor Americans, but was focused instead on helping the middle class. Read full article > >

Go here to see the original:
Romney, citing safety net, says he’s ‘not concerned about the very poor’

To the Middle East.

Read more:
Pentagon Sends Floating Base

Threaten to block main Middle East oil shipping route.

See the original post:
Iran Warns Arabs On Sanctions

TUCSON, Ariz. — It’s been a year since that bloody Tucson morning — a year of reflecting on lives shattered, of struggling with flashbacks and nightmares, of replaying the what-ifs before the deadly rampage that shocked a nation. And in the middle of it: one woman, Gabrielle Giffords, forging one of the most grueling journeys back of all. Read full article > >

Follow this link:
Giffords, Tucson mark anniversary of deadly shooting rampage that shocked nation

Will shrink troops, make them more agile in Asia and Middle East.

Read this article:
Obama Unveils ‘Leaner’ Military Plan

The nation's exploding economic inequality threatens the middle class. It's time for a new social contract, says Paul Osterman.

Read the original post:
Opinion: How to save the middle class

The belligerent tone between the U.S. and Iran escalated over an Iranian vow to close a vital Middle East waterway for oil tanker traffic, if Western powers attempt to stifle Iran’s petroleum exports.

Continued here:
Noise Level Rises Over Iran Threat to Close Strait of Hormuz

Chen Wei is among scores of advocates who were detained, arrested or disappeared in a crackdown that followed calls for a “jasmine revolution” modeled on uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa.

See the article here:
China Jails Rights Activist Chen Wei for 9 Years

The scent inside this squat federal building is not fir or cinnamon, but it does have its own particular holiday aroma: Spiced cardboard Priority Mail Envelopes. Mulled packing tape. Christmas at the post office. Possibly the one time of year when everybody still makes a pilgrimage here. Over a lunch hour at this Bethesda location, the people in line at the post office stand as if they have forgotten how to be in line at the post office, as if 364 days of e-cards have left them incapable of operating ballpoint pens or responding to the orders of the middle-aged ladies who preside over their stations with an attitude best described as Stop-Your-Foolishness. Next. Next. Next? Read full article > >

Here is the original post:
In a post-postal world, Christmas still delivers

Peter Jackson returns to Middle Earth.

Link:
‘The Hobbit’ Trailer Released