Around The ‘Sphere

Our occasional collection of links from all over Blogtopia. Links are NOT selected due to political position and posts listed here do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice.

RALPH REED IS APPARENTLY DREAMING OF A WHITE…HOUSE…SEAT IN THE OVAL OFFICE: And Bull Moose wonders about a ticket of Reed and someone with the initials K.R….and even offers a proposed slogan.

IT LOOKS LIKE DISSENT IS FLOWERING IN NORTH KOREA: A poster of North Korea’s dicator has been defaced.

FREELANCERS GETTING FREE STUFF FOR COVERAGE? Greg Piper looks at a L.A. Times article on this and he asks:

The piece singles out freelancers as particularly prone to taking swag – I’d be curious to hear from former freelancer Joe Gandelman what he encountered in his career, anecdotally if not personally. It’s a longish piece but worth the read. It reminds me of an incident at my former think tank- we were having an open house at our new office, and a producer I knew from the local NPR affiliate came by to wish us well. It was just after the Christmas season and we had several bottles of wine and beer, but also apple cider for the nondrinkers. This producer politely turned down the wine and went for the cider, although I’m positive this person was a drinker. Didn’t want to create the appearance of impropriety, I suspect. As the designated bottle-finisher, I had a great time!

MY ANSWER TO GREG: In all of my time freelancing overseas (nearly 8 years in India, Spain and Bangladesh) I didn’t know of a freelancer overseas who took free stuff from anyone for good coverage. Governments had their ways to try to snuggle up to the press: nice, ornate lunches, multi-course dinners, etc.. U.S. Ambassdor to India Daniel Patrick Moynihan used to love to invite reporters in for a "news briefing" which basically was sitting around his office while he gave everyone — and himself — drinks. I know of one freelancer who borrowed a lot of money from a rich Indian businessman and never paid it back. But I never witnessed the kind of thing the Times writes about. I do know that there has been a debate over freebies given to people who review movies.

A SHORT LETTER TO DAN RATHER from Jay Rosen.

ANOTHER RAMBO FILM WITH 58-YEAR-OLD SYLVESTER STALLONE IS IN THE WORKS reports Outside the Beltway. What’ll they title it? Rambo: Vietnam to Viagra?

A LIBERAL’S TAKE ON ANN COULTER: Newshog notes that he read her book (oftentimes people on the right or left lambast someone and they haven’t even seen or read the person’s work). And this is his verdict after a mega-dose of Ann.

A TEENAGE BLOGGER SAYS HIS AGE SHOULD MAKE NO DIFFERENCE BUT HIS IDEAS SHOULD… and he  makes his case here. Indeed, whenever you see us link to Andrew Quinn we do so ONLY because of his IDEAS and how he expresses them.  We don’t KNOW the age of most people we link to (The Moderate Voice who looks so young, vibrant and who we know reminds you of Brad Pitt will never reveal his age. He promised Teddy Roosevelt he wouldn’t.) In fact, on the Internet you don’t even know if a person who says they’re writing a blog is the real person (and I MEAN that or my name isn’t Karl Rove).

SPAMMERS THAT CLUTTER UP BLOGS’ COMMENTS SECTIONS are now being penalized by Google search engines. There is a God in Heaven.

SHOULD HOWARD DEAN LEAD THE DNC? That Colored Fellas Weblog makes the case why he should. Here’s part of it:

Every Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C., envoys from every faction that makes up the Conservative Movement (including groups representing the White House and Bloggers), meet to swap notes and plot strategy. Although, this group actually operates independently from where ‘the buck ultimately stops’ – at the White House desk of Karl Rove – their feedback, suggestions and grievances are heard, considered and acknowledged. Such discipline and value given to disparate voices of the party have been pivotal factors in gaining power.

 

As envious a template that undoubtedly is, we as Democrats will not come close to replicating its needed effectiveness, unless someone is given the power, the chance to remake this party in the image of those who have infused it with conviction and passion. Since November, I have seen the voices of compromise and capitulation being shouted down by said members of the Kerry Minority, repudiating any notions that our message was at fault. In the former category, you’ll find party leaders such as Donna Brazille and James Carville. In the latter category, you’ll only find Howard Dean.

ARE CONSERVATIVES BEING INCONSISTENT ON THE DAN RATHER CONTROVERSY? Jack O’Toole thinks they are and gives you specifics.

HOW DO YOU SPELL THUG? Apparently D-e-t-r-o-i-t  M-a-y-o-r. Go here and then watch the amazing video of a reporter being body slammed by the body guard of Detroit’s Mayor because he dared to ask His Highness Who Is Above Us Mortals why $25,000 in taxpayers funds was spent for a luxury vehicle. Listen to the mayor repeat a line over and over. Hopefully Detroit’s voters will send His Highness into retirement. The Real Dummy thanks Wizbang for the tip. Notes Wizbang’s Kevin Aylward:

So what’s all the fuss about? 

While Detroit government employees faced the choice of a layoff or 10% pay cut, and residents face reduced city services, Detroit’s mayor spent a mound of taxpayer money ($24,000 a year) to lease a brand new Lincoln Navigator for his wife.

Hey, anything for His Highness (or his bodyguards will beat you up).

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE’S ABOUT TO BE REGIME CHANGE IN THE URKRAINE: For details read Bloggledygook.

FOR A GREAT COLLECTION OF POSTS just look at this list at Watcher of Weasels (TMV has a post on this list — a highly personal one).