Our linkfest giving pointing you to interesting reading reflecting DIFFERENT views. Linked posts do not necessarily represent the opinion of The Moderate Voice.
The Connection Between The War On Drugs And The War On Terror: Gary Farber writes:” It’s rarely made, and when it’s made, it’s not what they say it is.” A must read post…that must be read in full (so we won’t take any more quotes out of context).
A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE WAR ON TERRORISM: Oxblog’s Patrick Porter has a detailed analysis of James Fallow’s piece that tries to analyze precisely where we are in the war on terrorism. Read Porter’s post IN FULL. A small excerpt:
Maybe its time to assume that the general public is actually capable of participating in a debate not just about the moral case for war, but a debate about the general strategic approach. The jihadist rhetoric itself is preoccupied with absolutist, apocalyptic claims and calls to arms: maybe ours should be about remaining calm, solving problems and engaging the public.
In other words, less preaching, more policy. How should resources be allocated? How can we help to promote the distinction between radical and moderate Islam? What should we be teaching at schools – are there ways in primary education not only of raising awareness not only about extremism, but about the many conflicts and layers within the Islamic world?
This is something that opposition groups also need to contribute to – a constructive debate about policy substance, not just recriminations about who is more patriotic than who. I’m not optimistic.
We have consistently maintained that on this site: The debate needs to be about substance and not about who is more patriotic or who by not agreeing 100 percent with X person or persons is in effect a fellow traveler with terrorists. Porter is suggesting treating the American public as if they are thinking adults who can debate policy, rather than as bundles of emotion that can only be motivated by hot-button labels.
A Debate Over Political Populism, Obama And The Middle is raging and you can read part of it here.
PERSONAL NOTE: I continue to be struck at how downright angry some folks on the left and right are that anyone dare consider themselves a centrist or moderate. This week, in my nearly 900 miles of driving, I heard a progressive talk show host say “I hate moderates” because he said moderates are wishy washy and should know that “unless they’re on the side of truth” (agreeing with everything he believes, exactly the way he believes it) they’re automatically on the side of George Bush. So there is demand for accepting all of an agenda — not just on the right but on the left (you can see this in blog comments at times, too). If you don’t accept all of an agenda then you MUST be The Enemy. Perhaps the time has come to accept the fact that there are admirable and good-intentioned people on the right AND on the left AND in the center (and if I expect that to be accepted, then I can also expect a nice, furry bunny will hide eggs in my condo this Easter).
The Mystery of the Iraqi Army Ceremony: What ever happened to it?
Is Lebanon’s Unity Dissolving? Ed Morrissey is not optimistic about what he sees.
Did You Know That Pennyslvania Senator Rick Santorum Is Also A Psychic? Why, apparently he is…
A Conference On The Holocaust is planned — and what better country to host it than Iran?
How Can Rudy Giuliani Overcome Lingering Reservations Conservatives Have About Him? Dean Esmay has some ideas.
Karl Rove Is Involved In A P.R. Brainstorming Session In Texas: You can read details HERE.
The Word “Incompetent” Is Being Used About The Bush Administration and we may have used it here on some posts. But if you mention the word “incompetent” TMV usually thinks of this guy. A classic example of someone who ran a winning campaign but was out of his league when he got in office.
A Bold Plan To Set Black Boys Up For Success: Details at Booker Rising.
Religion And Politics In America: Some thoughts from Swamppundit.
For A While There Was A Big Movement Towards Smaller Schools but has it slowed down?
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.