Around The Sphere April 25, 2007

Our linkfest offering readers a road map to interesting blog posts of varying viewpoints. Links do not necessarily represent views of The Moderate Voice or its writers.

TUESDAY CONTRASTED GEORGE BUSH AND DICK CHENEY WITH BARACK OBAMA and Bush and Cheney didn’t look good. There were GWB and Cheney hitting all of the red meat partisan-base buttons, suggesting Democrats (and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in particular) were really only giving them trouble on the war because it would help Democrats win seats. (Do these guys ever read opinion POLLS that show the war does not have widespread support?). Andrew Sullivan has a MUST READ on Obama which perfectly captures Obama’s increasing appeal to those who are weary of the slash-and-burn politics practiced by this administration — a style that comes a micro-hair short of saying those who raise tough questions and seek major policy changes are traitors. This polarization has caused a major flight of independent voters from the GOP which in the long run can decimate Bush’s party. Sullivan:

But this much we can already say: Obama brings something no one else does to this moment. By replacing one of the most globally despised and domestically divisive presidents in American history with a young leader half-Kansan and half-Kenyan, America would be saying something to the world: Bush-Cheney is not who we are. America is not what it has come to appear to be. This country is among the most culturally and racially and religiously diverse on the planet. America has long been a powerful and vital beacon for human rights – not, as recently, the avatar of torture, rendition and executive tyranny. The simple existence of Obama as a new president in a new century would in itself enhance America’s soft power immeasurably, just as a clear decision to leave Iraq would provide much greater leverage for diplomacy and military force in a whole variety of new ways. Obama would mean the rebranding of America, after a disastrous eight years. His international heritage, his racial journey, his middle name: these are assets for this country, not liabilities.

This is the reason for his ascendancy. This is what the American people sense and the world awaits. This is what the Islamists fear. That last alone is reason to feel hope.

Read it all.

Did You Know That The 2006 Mid-Term Election Was REALLY A Mandate For The Troop Surge In Iraq? Get educated now.

Is Poor Immigration Law Enforcement Causing Americans To Die Behind The Wheels Of Their Cars? John Hawkins says yes.

Did Karl Rove Get A Bum Media Rap After His Confrontation With Laurie David And Toilet Paper Nemesis Sheryl Crow? People are still debating it, but here IS a rap.

MAJOR NEWS ON A TERRORISM RING IN LONDON: Details are at the enterprising Jawa Report. The Jawa Report does a lot of original reporting on terrorism related issues and offers a ton of links. It’s not just a copy and comment weblog.

Katie Couric Is On The Ropes..OR IS SHE? Is reporting about her being essentially on borrowed time true, or does it come from people from within CBS? Matthew Sheffield looks at the issue.

We’ve Had Fun In Our Posts And Cartoons With World Bank President Paul Wolf…I MEAN Paul WOLFOWITZ. But has he gotten unfairly treated? Oxblog ponders the issue.

NEWS FLASH! Was someone sent into dangerous territory without protection? JUST READ THIS.

Perhaps The Most Bitter War Isn’t In Iraq But Between President George Bush And Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and The All Spin Zone says NPR has been biased (in guess whose direction…)

Movie Critic Roger Ebert Has Had A Major Cancer Operation With Visible Complications but it’s “thumbs up” as The Glittering Eye notes. PERSONAL NOTE: Ebert lectured my 1973 graduate school class at the Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. A thoughtful individual, a provocative teacher, a great journalist, a world-class reviewer and a wonderful person. Our prayers are with him. He deserves thanks for always giving us the best — in person, in print and on the tube.