Tag Archives: peter orszag

Time Managing Editor Rick Stengel ‘Sad’ Israel-West Bank Wall ‘Has Actually Worked’

In Time Magazine Managing Editor Rick Stengel’s mind, it’s really “sad” that the wall between Israel and the West Bank – intended to keep murderous terrorists in the Palestinian territory – has been a success. Stengel apparently considers Isreali deaths worthwhile if they lead to more productive peace talks. In a “Morning Joe” segment yesterday titled “Why Israel doesn’t care about peace” – after the upcoming Time cover story – Stengel posited that the lack of violence in Isreal is responsible for that country’s supposed reluctance to reach a peace deal. Stengel stated (video below the fold – h/t Jim Hoft ): They haven’t had a car bombing in two and a half years. And the sad truth really is that the wall with the West Bank has actually worked . I mean, most Israelis in the course of their lives don’t come into contact with any Palestinians at all. The wall is functioning. And the Gaza strip is so small and so isolated they feel that those folks, the Hamas folks are not that big of a threat… I mean, the Israelis feel like, you know what? The status quo isn’t so bad and we don’t mind is there is no peace at all. So the truth is sad, presumably, because the deaths of innocent Israelis would be a worthwhile price to pay for the progression of Middle East peace talks, by Stengel’s account. That is what Stengel is saying: the wall has succeeded, but at the price of impeding the peace talks. He says that fact is sad, meaning no wall, or a less effective wall would be preferable. More Israelis would die from car bombings, but at least the peace talks would move forward. Stengel believes it would be preferable for more Israelis to be killed by Palestinain terrorists, if it meant that those murderers would get Israeli leaders to the negotiating table. Good to know. This is not a commentator saying this, mind you. This is the managing editor of Time magazine opining that more Israeli deaths would be preferable to the status quo. If this does not convince you that the mainstream media is decidedly anti-Israel, nothing will. The contention that Israel is less interested in peace talks because it does not have much to fear from the belligerent territory to its west is a valid concern, and does not require one to weigh in on the Israeli/Palestinian issue. But Stengel made a value judgment on that statement, claiming that more Israeli deaths (how many more he didn’t specify) are an acceptable sacrifice. That speaks volumes about Time’s ability to weigh in objectively on the issue.

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Time Managing Editor Rick Stengel ‘Sad’ Israel-West Bank Wall ‘Has Actually Worked’

Revolving Door Spins as Peter Orszag Takes NYT Columnist Gig

The massive revolving door between the mainstream media and the Obama administration has spun once again, this time as former White House budget director Peter Orszag signs on as a New York Times op/ed columnist. Orszag is the eighteenth individual ( that we know of ) to transition between the White House and the mainstream press. He will surely not be the last. That amazingly high number again underscores the ideological similarities between members of the Obama administration and members of the press. The New York Times Co. broke the news in a press release today: “We welcome Peter Orszag’s expertise and insight to our Op-Ed lineup,” said Andrew Rosenthal, editorial page editor of The New York Times. “As a Washington insider and one of the most recognizable names in economics, his writing will provide a unique perspective on the national landscape.” Mr. Orszag is a distinguished visiting fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. As President Barack Obama’s first budget director, he worked on the 2009 stimulus package and helped craft the health care legislation passed in 2010. He was an outspoken proponent of the idea that reducing health care costs would be key to maintaining the federal budget and preparing for the country’s economic future. Presumably, the Times feels that Orszag can be a fair judge of economics – a field in which he is certainly proficient. Orszag’s partisan affiliations don’t seem to bother the Gray Lady. That was a benefit of the doubt the paper would not afford to some Republican pols-turned-pundits. Take Karl Rove, for instance. After he took a gig with Fox News, the Times stated in a headline, ” Rove as a pundit raises suspicions “. “Rove’s new role as a media star marks another step in the evolution of mainstream journalism,” wrote Times reporters Jim Rutenberg and Jacques Steinberg, “where opinion, ‘straight news’ reporting and unmistakable spin increasingly mingle, especially on television.” The Times has either adapted to this new reality, or was really only terribly concerned when Republicans spun the revolving door. We’ll leave that for you to decide.

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Revolving Door Spins as Peter Orszag Takes NYT Columnist Gig

Awkward: ABC Skips Report That Bianna Golodryga’s Fiancee Is Leaving the White House

Good Morning America on Tuesday skipped the news that Peter Orszag, Barack Obama’s budget director, is resigning from the White House. Perhaps not coincidentally, Orszag is also the fiancee of GMA’s weekend anchor Bianna Golodryga. CBS’s Early Show and NBC’s Today both covered the subject. Today reporter Savannah Guthrie explained, “It’s a mix of the personal and the political. Most budget directors stay about 18 months. If he had stayed much longer, he’d probably have to get into the next budget cycle and be in for the long haul. He’s also getting married this fall .” The Early Show’s Betty Nguyen pointed out, “Orszag would be the first high profile member of the Obama administration to leave.” GMA has a history of ignoring awkward details for Golodryga. In January, the show skipped the fact that Orszag had a love child with his previous girlfriend (after divorcing his first wife). NBC covered it. On May 17, 2010, Orszag actually appeared on GMA to congratulate his fiancee for being named the new weekend anchor. With former Democratic aide turned host George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America, doesn’t the program have enough conflicts of interest? Brief transcripts from The Early Show and Today can be found below: The Early Show 06/22/10 BETTY NGUYEN: It’s reported that President Obama’s budget director is calling it quits. A Democratic official tells the Associated Press that Peter Orszag is expected to resign in the coming months. Orszag would be the first high profile member of the Obama administration to leave. Today 6/22/10 MORALES: All right. Meantime, Savannah, there’s also some news this morning about the budget director, Peter Orszag? GURTHRIE: That’s right. As long expected, Peter Orszag is actually leaving the administration, probably some time this summer. Why? It’s a mix of the personal and the political. Most budget directors stay about 18 months. If he had stayed much longer, he’d probably have to get into the next budget cycle and be in for the long haul. He’s also getting married this fall. MORALES: All right. Savannah Guthrie with a lot there going on at the White House- thanks so much.

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Awkward: ABC Skips Report That Bianna Golodryga’s Fiancee Is Leaving the White House

Budget Chief Peter Orszag leaving

Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag at the Center for American Progress June 8, 2010 in Washington, DC. Orszag is leaving the administration, the Washington Post reported citing a Democrat familiar with his plans, marking the first departure from President Barack Obama#39;s cabinet. White House budget director Peter Orszag is leaving the administration, the Washington Post reported late Monday citing a Democrat familiar with his plans, marking the first departure from Presiden

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Budget Chief Peter Orszag leaving

Investigation: Is Peter Orszag’s Hair Really a Toupée?

Peter Orszag was not always the Orszagasm-inducing double-timing nerd Casanova we know, envy, and lust for. As recently as his appointment to Obama’s cabinet, Orszag was wearing a hideous toupée— or was he? If you’d prefer to see these photos all on one page, you can click here

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Investigation: Is Peter Orszag’s Hair Really a Toupée?

Investigation: Is Nerd Casanova Peter Orszag’s Hair Really a Toupée?

Peter Orszag was not always the Orszagasm-inducing double-timing hotshot we know, envy, and lust for now. As recently as his appointment to the Office of Management and Budget , Orszag was wearing a hideous toupée— or was he

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Investigation: Is Nerd Casanova Peter Orszag’s Hair Really a Toupée?