The Current Discussion: Rate Obama's first performance on the international stage on a scale of 1-10, and tell us why you think so.

Let's talk a bit about the G-20 meeting (London, England), where, seemingly, President Obama has been the protagonist. The best I can tell about the meeting is that although the Bobbies arrested 111 protesters, none of them was seriously hurt.

Similarly, the best news on the noted meeting is that it appears it won't harm the world economy. Probably the leader and administration (or government) of each participating country would take the same action to resuscitate the economy and financial institutions that they would have without any meeting at all.

As to President Obama, he's a fluid, gifted speaker and tells his fellow Presidents and Prime Ministers whatever they would like to hear. That is why he seems to be successful on the international stage so far. So far, so good. Eight points. Or even nine.

Let's ask the question again in about six months and see how the answers change.

The Current Discussion: The U.S. will lift travel restrictions on Cuba, but leave the larger trade embargo in place. Is that a smart move? Does it go far enough? Too far?

ALL trade restrictions and embargoes are ridiculous, as is the belief that they can weaken a state or a country. Such actions add further misery to the lives of Cubans (and other poor people in question in the world), but won't hurt their governments and politicians. Embargoes are simply good pretexts for a country's leaders to increase military spending.

If the U.S. is really interested in establishing democratic institutions in Cuba and elsewhere, forget the restrictions and the embargoes right away. And, let the people - any people - visit their relatives and come and go as they like.