The Republicans are licking their wounds after the election, which is popularly perceived as a loss for them, since Romney lost in what was an electoral landslide. They also lost ground on both the House and the Senate, and so the perception, at least, is that they lost overall. So, they are tying to distance themselves a bit from Romney (see the link below), and some of the traditionally more hardline positions that they have taken, which have proven to have scared off possible voters - particularly minority voters. The minority voters were really the weak link among Republican candidates, and Romney's finger pointing last week did not help at all.
Upon further reflection, many Republicans are beginning to see that their would be limited success at best by remaining hardline with certain positions, especially regarding immigration, since Hispanics seem to be growing into a real force as a voting contingent nationally. So, they are looking for the party to take a softer stance, and not at least appear as intolerant as they at times seemed during the course of this past election.
In the meantime, Republicans in Congress seem slightly more conciliatory, and at least appear to be more willing to work with President Obama in hammering out a deal to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff" that is looming for early next year.
Here is the link to an article by The Week's Editorial Staff of "The Week" titled "Why Republicans Want Mitt Romney To Take A Hike":
http://news.yahoo.com/why-republicans-want-mitt-romney-hike-064500727.html
Here is a link to another interesting article about the present predicament that the GOP finds itself in, titled "Republicans: GOP needs to get with the times", by Kasie Hunt of the Associated press
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2012/11/18/republicans-gop-needs-get-with-the-times/svir1zqVuTQjzy0HBTSdJI/story.html
Around the World
Middle East
Israel - The big news that seems to be dominating the world lately is the emerging war between Israel and the Palestinians. Some are saying that this is, in effect, Israel's warm up to Iran, but let's see what happens. Remember that in the 2006 war, Israel was expected to walk all over Lebanon. Instead, they seemed to expose their vulnerabilities and limitations, much like the United States did in showing off their strengths in Iraq. Egypt is trying to get a truce between the warring factions, but the violence continues, of course. For now, both sides seem intent on flexing their muscles and showing off their capabilities.
Israel - The 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, has called for an immediate end to strikes following the death of 18 Palestinian civilians after Israel launched an attack.
Syria - The rebels fighting the government of President Assad have now got embassies in France.
Europe
France - In fairness, since I have put my neck out in favor of healthcare reforms in this country, as well as even outright socialized medicine, as they have in western Europe, here is evidence that not everybody in those nations is entirely thrilled with the system. In France, doctors went on strike in Paris, to protest government attempts to rein in their pay. No system works perfectly, obviously. However, I still maintain that the countries that do not leave tens of millions of people uninsured, and which has costs so high that many people cannot afford basic medical care that they in fact need, seems better and fairer than what we have here in the United States.
http://news.yahoo.com/french-doctors-protest-over-cost-control-efforts-200617095--finance.html
France - The popularity of new President Hollande continues to decline for a sixth consecutive month. The issues that he is facing, and that obviously much of France feels he is not handling too well, are high unemployment and a sagging economy, much like the rest of the world, including the United States, seems to be dealing with as well.
Croatia - Two Croatian generals accused of war crimes against Serbians during the 1990's, Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac, were released. Their is celbration and jubiliation, and red carpet was laid out for them as their plane returned back to Croatia from the Human Rights court in the Hague, Netherlands.
United Kingdom - Labour leader Ed Miliband claimed that Britain is "sleepwalking" into an exit out of the European Union.
Latin America & Caribbean
Uruguay - A proposed law regarding marijuana is being presented before the Congress that would legalize marijuana in that country. It would create a National Cannabis Institute to regulate the production and distribution of marijuana. Adults would be allowed to possess up to 40 grams, and could own up to six plants on their own. Individuals could join together with up to fifteen other people to own up to 90 plants at a time. The market for marijuana would remain run by the state, for the most part.
http://news.yahoo.com/marijuana-law-introduced-uruguay-congress-210440802.html
http://news.yahoo.com/uruguays-marijuana-proposal-compared-us-states-221547106.html
Jamaica - The nation is preparing to abolish a flogging law dating back to the days of slavery, allowing flogging and whipping, although the punishment has not been administered since 2004.
http://news.yahoo.com/jamaica-abolish-slavery-era-flogging-law-000438949.html
Venezuela - A suspected drug lord was turned over to neighboring Columbia, where he is wanted.
Cuba - Power has finally returned to Santiago, on the eastern end of Cuba, three weeks after Hurricane Sandy did so much damage to the city.
Cuba - Once again, the United Nations voted overwhelmingly to condemn the longstanding US commercial and economic embargo of the Communist nation.
Mexico - The former mayor of a Mexican town, Maria Santos Gorrostieta, was found beaten to death, days after being reported missing.
Mexico - A group of Latin American leaders declared that the decriminalization of marijuana in two US states will have important ramifications on the "war on drugs". Many Latin American nations have been frustrated with the American support of the "war on drugs". The four leaders (Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Costa Rica) called for a study to determine the likely impact. Guatemala's President has called for the worldwide legalization of drugs.
"LatAm leaders call for review of US legal pot vote" by E. Eduardo Castillo and Michael Weissenstein of the Associated Press:
http://news.yahoo.com/latam-leaders-call-review-us-legal-pot-vote-175137504--politics.html
Panama - A recent boom in development has put considerable strain on the efforts to protect wetlands inside Panama.
http://news.yahoo.com/development-boom-puts-pressure-panama-wetlands-141847580--finance.html
Asia
Southeast Asia - Leaders of several Southeast Asian nations met n Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and have come to an agreement to launch a declaration of human rights. Their are critics, including the United States, which claims that the declaration leaves huge, gaping loopholes that will, in effect, not close out the possibility of human rights abuses.
Malaysia/Burma - President Obama, fresh from his election victory earlier this month, has taken a trip to this nation that finds itself in the midst of transition from military dictatorship to greater freedom. Critics, however, suggested that Obama's visit came too soon, before further concessions from the military governors to loosen the reins a bit more. But already, companies that have long stayed far away are now seeping into the country, and critics are mad. It reminds me, actually, of the situation in South Africa in the early nineties, when President FW DeKlerk conceded that apartheid had failed, then legalized the ANC and other political opposition groups long banned in the country, then freed Nelson Mandela and commenced negotiations for a new distribution of power. The long economic sanctions were dropped by the Bush administration in office at the time, although critics inside and outside of South Africa wanted more concessions from the white minority government before allowing more companies in the country. Obama rejected the notion that his visit showed support of the regime or was tantamount to a premature gift and would allow the military dictatorship to slow the progress, and the President will allegedly push for further human rights in the country, members of his team claimed. But he wanted to extend "the hand of friendship" to the traditionally isolated nation.
Japan - The opposition Liberal Democratic Party continues to hold a lead over the ruling party, as December elections loom.
Africa
Nigeria - An oil spill by an Exxon tanker has spread for about 20 miles from it's point of origin, along the Nigerian Delta.
Sierra Leone - There was an election here on Saturday, and the results seem to have been peaceful. Given the recent warring in this nation, the success of these elections were hailed as a model by some for the rest of Africa.
Zimbabwe - President Robert Mugabe, who has been in power since the end of the bloody civil war ending white minority rule in the country (then named Rhodesia), and long since having turned to a dictator himself, now wants to the capital city of the country to no longer be Harare, but Zvimba, which happens to be President Mogabe's home district. The new capital city will evidently be modeled on the affluent part of Johannesburg in neighboring South Africa called Sandton. Zvimba, wghich receives considerable govenrment funding, already can boast some of the most modernized infrastructure in the nation, with some of the best paved roads, and homes that have electricity.
http://www.africareview.com/News/Zimbabwe-to-relocate-capital-city-to-Mugabes-home-town/-/979180/1622496/-/w61na5z/-/index.html
Democratic Republic of the Congo - Rebels in the eastern portion of the nation have advanced to within a few kilometers of Goma, a provincial capital. The rebels, called the M23, claim they have no plans to take the city, although civilians remain fearful of their presence so close by.
Kenya - Six people died after a crowded minibus was hit by a grenade in Nairobi, the nation's capital, one of a series of attacks blamed on Somali militants.
North Africa - A plan to provide 15% of Europe's power needs has run into complications and difficulties, as two big backers have backed out. Also, Spain has expressed some reservations about some of the power plants being located in Morocco, a traditional enemy.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20357167
Sports
NFL
The early games today included some wild ones, including three games that went into overtime. In each of the three, the team that was favored had to come from far behind to win it. The Dallas Cowboys got off to a very sluggish start in the first half of their home game against the Cleveland Browns, spotting them a 13-0 lead. But they fought back and took a lead briefly in the 4th quarter, only to see the Browns score late to reclaim the lead. But the Cowboys managed to get in field goal position, and tied the game with 3 seconds left, forcing overtime. In OT, Dallas managed to win with another field goal, as both teams had gotten possession of the ball. Dallas won, 23-20.
The Houston Texans boasted the NFL's best record going into this weekend, along with the Atlanta Falcons, at 8-1. In the meantime, their opponents, the Jacksonville Jaguars, entered this weekend with the worst record in the league, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs at 1-8. So, you think it might be a blowout, right? Wrong. The Jaguars gave the Texans all that they could handle, and seemed to have the game in hand in the fourth quarter, up by double digits. But the Texans fought back, and managed to force overtime. They scored a field goal on a long drive to open up the overtime, but the Jaguars drove for a field goal in response, extending the game. But then, the Texans were able to score a touchdown off of a screen pass from Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson, who had a career day, catching 14 passes for 273 yards. Schaub, in the meantime, had an unbelievable game as well, tossing five touchdown passes, and completing 43 passes, both personal and team records. His total was 527 yards total passing, tying him with Warren Moon in 1990 when he played for the "other" Houston team of the time, the Oilers, against Kansas City for second most in NFL history. Former Rams quarterback Norm Van Brocklin holds the all-time record with 554 yards in a single game in 1951. Houston is now 9-1 with the win.
The other overtime game featured one hot team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, against one of the coldest teams in the league, their division rival Carolina Panthers. The Panthers seemed to have Tampa Bay on the ropes, but for the fourth time this season, they blew a fourth quarter lead (they held an eight point lead deep in the fourth, to the final seconds). But Tampa forced overtime, where Josh Freeman threw a game clinching touchdown pass of 15 yards to Dallas Clark, securing their fifth consecutive win.
The Atlanta Falcons tried to bounce back from their first loss of the season, as they hosted the Arizona Cardinals yesterday. But the Cardinals came to play, and were dominating Atlanta at some point, holding a 13-0 advantage. But the Falcons came back to edge them out, 23-19, to keep pace with the Houston Texans for the best record in the league, at 9-1. Another hot NFC South team, the New Orleans Saints, beat up on the Raiders in Oakland, jumping out ahead early, and going on to win convincingly, 38-17. They have now reached .500, after an 0-4 start to the season.
Green Bay were losing to the Lions for much of the game, but they managed to pull off the win inside of the final two minutes, with Rodgers hitting Cobb for what proved to be the game winner, keeping their winning streak intact. Otherwise, the Jets finally broke their streak by soundly defeating the Rams in St. Louis, while the Bengals trounced the Chiefs in Kansas City. The Washington Redskins made sure the Eagles still have plenty of headaches, absolutely ripping them apart, 31-6. New England tied a record for most points in franchise history, dismantling the Colts, 59-24. Denver held off the Chargers, 30-23, and strengthened their hand for the playoffs. In the night game, the Ravens outlasted the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road, winning a defensive slug fest, 13-10 (not surprising when it comes to these two teams), and extending their division lead now to two games. These two teams play again in two weeks, this time in Baltimore. The Ravens have won three in a row against Pittsburgh.
It seems that quite a few teams seem to have complete control in their division, with four current division leaders holding advantages of at least three games. All but one are in the AFC, as Denver, Houston, and New England all enjoy comfortable margins. The Falcons in the NFC also enjoy a sizable lead. The Ravens may be on their way to a comfortable division win, especially if they defeat Pittsburgh again in two weeks. They hold a two game lead. All the other divisions seem closer, although San Fransisco can gain ground on Seattle if they pull out the victory against the Chicago Bears tonight.
MLS
The Galaxy lost yesterday to Seattle, 2-1 but still managed to defeat them in the series by virtue of having won the first game, 3-0, in order to advance to the final, where they will meet the Houston Dynamo. Houston tied DC United on Sunday, but advanced since they won the first game, 3-1. The Galaxy will be looking to repeat as league champions, as they hope to successfully defend their crown.
Tennis
The Czech Republic pulled off a rare feat, as the men won the Davis Cup, as they defeated Spain, 3-2, just after the Czech women had won their Davis Cup championship.
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