This week's nominations for the Watcher's Council are now up.

There's a relatively central argument in political philosophy about how the democratic process is designed to channel - and then harmlessly vent - social and economic tensions. Take away or subvert the legitimacy of popular democracy - either through judicial activism or via corrupt policymaking - and tensions explode into something very close to violence. So yes Prop 8 triggered a heated electoral battle but now both sides should be cooling off before gearing up for the next election. Instead pro-gay marriage activists are turning to the judiciary and keeping the controversy red-hot - and in the streets the unhinged left is indeed becoming quite unhinged. Tensions over social policy might seem almost quaint, though, if renewed class warfare - a misguided populist backlash to decades of Fannie/Freddie/DNC corruption and the subsequent rush to punish successful companies - becomes the norm.

This week's geopolitical posts deal with Iraq - a war we've won by rejecting Obama's strategy - and Afghanistan - a war we'll lose if we follow Obama's strategy - and Russia - a place where Obama is not exactly following in JFK's footsteps. That last part is really too bad because Europe seems like kind of a fun place.

Also it turns out that the Arab and Muslim world seems very quick to take offense - as in the Rahm Emanuel tempest in a teacup - but not so quick to reflect on the seething resentment and hatred that dominates so much of the Middle East. Maybe they're missing the nuances of Obama's Hope and Change message.

References:
* Exposure: When Democracy Does Not Count [Watcher Of Weasels]
* Intolerant Gays Attacking Religion [Rhymes With Right]
* The Coming Mortgage Class War [The Provocateur]
* Winners and Losers
* COIN of the Realm [The Razor]
* The Afghanistan Blues [JoshuaPundit]
* Detente In Our Time - Obama Prepares To Sell Out Poland In The Face Of Russian Aggression. Again. (Plus: By The Way, Missile Defense Works) [MR]
* Oh, the musical memories ... [The Colossus of Rhodey]
* Names will never hurt me - the double standard [Soccer Dad]
* Perpetually selfish anger and victimhood *UPDATED* [Bookworm Room]

Previously:
* Watcher's Council Results: So, About This Democracy Thing
* MR Joins The Watcher's Council
* Social Science, Basic Reasoning: Anti-Palin McCain Staffers And Journalists Are Sexist Morons (Plus: Bloggers Launch Operation Leper To Make Them Famous)