Free Republic

Just when you think that the Obama administration hasn’t annoyed the American Jewish community quite enough or publicly insulted our democratic ally Israel sufficiently, along comes an administration figure willing to stick his finger in the eye of the Jewish state. On Friday, that task fell to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Speaking at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institute, Panetta mouthed some nice words about the two countries’ relationship. Platitudes were not in short supply: “[I]n this time of understandable anxiety, I would like to underscore one thing that has stayed constant over the past...

WATCH: Heartbreaking Video Of Italian Minister Bursting Into Tears While Announcing Pension Reforms Joe Weisenthal Dec. 4, 2011, 5:05 PM We're not sure exactly what Welfare Minister Elsa Fornero saying, but obviously announcing reforms to pension systems is an emotional subject, as it means more pain for seniors on fixed incomes. (via Hugo Dixon). A commenter translates part of her statement: "I'm sorry. The people who work have no more money to give you. As a result, the pension age will go to 62 years old for woman, and 65 years old for man. No longer can we afford to...