An Army Times poll of soldiers finds some skepticism about Obama. I am not at all surprised, as the Army is a conservative institution, still dominated by Southerners, Westerners and rural white folks in general (the poll found a large majority of African-American soldiers have confidence in Obama which, again, is not surprising). Still, even as a Democrat and an African-American, if Obama had military experience he would probably get better numbers in an initial poll like this one. What is important, though, is how a similar poll turns out in six months or a year. If Obama acquits himself well as a leader, and as Commander-in-Chief, I'm sure he'll gain the respect of most soldiers. In any event, they will obey his commands, as civilian leadership of the military is the first principle of American soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.


Cathy Young says there is a brewing storm in Russia.


Could a meteor, or meteors, have caused the extinction of the Woolly Mammoth and the Sabre-Tooth Tiger? Some new evidence points in that direction.


A Progressive call for a trillion-dollar stimulus plan. I am still skeptical that any transfer of wealth on such a scale will really improve the economy, but I think we are going to see the experiment tried.


Is rocket fire from Gaza endangering an Israeli nuclear plant?


Will Obama get tough on Israel? Gerard Baker says no.


As Israel launches a fresh round of air strikes in Gaza, and prepares for a possible ground assault, Charles Krauthammer says this latest fighting has a high degree of moral clarity. If the Israelis don't launch a ground invasion with the aim of destroying Hamas in Gaza, then the war will be lost.