It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....

Ever wonder where Barack Obama got his crazy economic policies from? Many people think they came from progressive politicians and unions, but according to this scoop from Newsbusted Anchor Jodi Miller, Obama has modeled many of his economic policies after the classic author, Charles Dickens. It kind of makes sense, our economy after three years of Obama seems like something out of "A Tale of Two Cities."

Other stories covered in today's Newsbusted the twice-weekly faux-news program from Newsbusters.org include what members of congress are going to do for extra income if the congressional insider trading bill becomes law, Chris Matthews and Obama's Smile, the LA County ban on tossing a football on public beaches and much, much, more.

Please make sure to click the viewer below and watch the video. On Tuesday a reader  forgot to press play and Pat Buchanan appeared at his house to give a 3-hour dissertation about why he hates Blacks....and Jews.

So you better press play or the Fired MSNBC political analyst will show up at your house. Oh and if you cannot see the video below click here.

By Barry Rubin

The transition to democracy and capitalism has not been kind to Russia. It sank from superpower to sideshow internationally. The country is hurting and stagnant; it has no sense of purpose or goals; and Russia is in the hands of a ruthless dictator who knows how to use nationalism and demagoguery to ensure his power.

Of course, Russia’s rulers are weaker, less ambitious, far less well armed, and less anti-American than the old Soviet Union. Still, though, the Russian government has a chip on its shoulder. It believes that the West betrayed it, tricked it into dropping Communism but then didn’t deliver prosperity. So the old traditional rivalry with the West and the United States has lost its Marxist element but gained a new factor.

Another new element is the search for money. Russia has two main assets: oil and the ability to export arms along with nuclear facilities that might be turned into weapons. Since the West, with a head start and superior products, has a head start, Russia has to seek riskier, more marginal clients which mean the more radical ones that the United States won’t accept. In short, Russia needs allies that don’t have the option of enjoying Western allies and suppliers.

What is most notable about Russian Middle East policy is that it tends to side with the extremist forces. These friends include primarily Iran, Syria, Hizballah, and Hamas. Russia makes money by selling arms to Syria that Iran pays for, knowing that some of them will be transferred to Hizballah, and nuclear equipment to Iran. An alliance with Tehran also ensures that Iran doesn’t back Islamists within Russia. Since there is no cost to Russia for engaging in this pro-radical policy it is most attractive.

In the UN, Russia has protected Iran from stronger sanctions and the Syrian regime from tougher action to back the revolutionary forces there.

Meanwhile, Russia’s regime is involved in a far less visible strategy of rebuilding its influence in Central Asia, the south Caucasus, and Central Europe. Russian enterprises, often strongly backed by the government, are buying up assets in these places, undermining the independence of former Soviet republics and some of the ex-satellites. The countries so menaced get virtually no support from the Obama Administration. Again, Russian policy is all gain, no cost.

Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. His book, Israel: An Introduction, has just been published by Yale University Press in January. Latest books include The Israel-Arab Reader (seventh edition), The Long War for Freedom: The Arab Struggle for Democracy in the Middle East (Wiley), and The Truth About Syria (Palgrave-Macmillan). The website of the GLORIA Center is at http://www.gloria-center.org and of his blog, Rubin Reports, http://www.rubinreports.blogspot.com 

The NY Mets didn't always suck, back in 1986 they won 108 games in the regular season and had the best team in baseball. They could have been one of the greatest teams in baseball history, if some of their superstars such as Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry choose drugs over their baseball careers.

At the heart of that team (and its only consistent star) was "The Kid" Catcher Gary Carter. Carter was a "throw back," a player who always seemed to give it his all. And a crowd favorite.

I remember how sports reporters always said that 1986 first baseman Keith Hernandez was "like a manager on the field," and at times he was--telling players where they should be standing, reminding them what to do in certain situations,etc.

Gary Carter was the on field motivational coach, picking up players when they screwed up, urging them to push themselves to the limit and even telling them off when they needed it. But Carter never pushed players to do more than he was doing himself.

The phrase "giving 110%" has become trite in the sports world, a player who shows up despite a hangnail or when their agent has the flu is sometimes described by broadcasters of giving the extra effort.  But Gary Carter was the kind of player who showed up to play his hardest every day despite injuries (and being a catcher there were many).

Gary Carter died yesterday after a long battle with brain cancer. I will always remember him for the four years of joy he gave me as the Catcher for the NY Mets.

 May he rest in peace and my his family be comforted by the memory of a decent man, who fought hard to be good on the field and in life.