I have been striving for several days to put together a post that encompasses a number of different, seemingly disparate topics into one whole than points to a fundamental principal upon which our Constitution is based. I have failed. I have been so busy trying to establish myself in the US again after moving back from France that I have not had the time to compose the words upon a topic that I feel is vitally important. What kind of nation are we that we feel the need to actually have a debate between...

I posted below and at my own weblog Random Fate on a case of abuse of eminent domain in Florida, and I commented on how the governmental system in the United States is beginning to resemble that of China when it comes to property rights. From CNN.com, here is an illustration of the state of affairs in that country: Government banners hung at the village entrance said, “Following the law is the responsibility and obligation of the people” and “Don’t listen to rumors, don’t...

Via Boudicca’s Voice comes a reference to how the system of government in the United States is beginning to resemble that of China in terms of ignoring property rights in favor of what is “best for the community.” From Ogre’s Politics & Views: What a damn nightmare. As many as 6,000 people may become homeless, directly because of direct government action. Why? So some politicians can line their pockets with cash — I kid you not. The situation, if you’re not...

At my weblog, Random Fate, I have been writing a series called “The perils of our current path” in an attempt to point out some of the dangers that arise from the decisions that we as a nation have endorsed through those we have chosen to serve as our elected officials. The third in the series was inspired by a simple, small plaque on the side of a building in Grenoble, France. We need to remember that actions speak louder than words when the fundamental nature of a society is in question.

I haven’t posted much here at The Moderate Voice in the past two weeks because I have been in the process of moving from France to the United States, cutting short my expatriate assignment due to family reasons. During one of my final days in Grenoble, I had dinner with colleagues who had become friends, and afterwards I walked around town at midnight taking a large number of photos. I posted those photos at my weblog Random Fate on a time delay so they would appear during the period when...

Since we have posted on the OSM/Pajamas Media story here at The Moderate Voice before, we now note that the name is being changed back from OSM to Pajamas Media, with the two principles involved admitting they were “caught with our pajamas down”. (NOTE: Open Source Media was claimed to never be the name of the venture but instead merely a slogan in one vanished post at the OSM site during the imbroglio, OSM was the actual name) The rationale behind the original change to OSM is being...

…has confused many, but perhaps the secret underlying it has been discovered.

…the dog must have eaten the homework.

What is written at Marginal Revolution encapsulates my view as to why the position of the administration on making “exceptions on torture for extraordinary circumstances” is dead wrong: But it does not follow from the “ticking time bomb” argument that torture should be legal. The problem with making torture legal is that the government will abuse its powers. I do not trust the government, any government, to use this power responsibly. Leviathan must be heavily restrained,...

The assertion that some parties are “rewriting history” merits closer examination. Please make that examination rather than regurgitating the “talking points” which is the easy excuse to avoid the hard work of thinking.

John Cole of Balloon Juice, someone who leans to the right but thinks instead of mindlessly repeating talking points, is discovering that opposition to torture is apparently an attribute of “the left” according to some of his readers.

NOTE TO READERS: Due to the timeliness of this post, the fact that Jack Grant lives in France, and its in depth nature, we’re going to keep this at the top of this site for much of the day. Please SCROLL DOWN to see other, more recent breaking news. As an expatriate in France, I have the dubious privilege of being able to view (from inside the country) the violence while it becomes more widespread. As is typical with most events, there is a complexity underlying the immediate but facile reactions. It...

Despite being distracted by personal issues, I do have a perspective on the riots in France that is in some respects first hand. We need to remember that those presenting the news of the unrest have an agenda, and it is up to us as voters to delve into the fundamentals before we react.

I have a relatively unique viewpoint, watching the riots in France from the inside yet with a non-native perspective. However, I have had some family issues that have delayed any writing I may have had about the news. Despite that distraction, I have finally been able to post some commentary about the riots in France and their origins, despite how unsatisfying they may be to those who have political points they wish to prove.

Due to some personal concerns, I have not been able to write as much as usual, including on the topic of the riots in France, which have not yet spread to the town where I live in the western region, but which are indeed a matter of concern. I have finally posted something that has been gestating for over a week on something that is more fundamental, something that underlies both the riots and the reactions to them. Something I hope provokes at least some thought.

Some of the email messages sent by former FEMA director Michael Brown have been released. They do not make Brown, who is currently acting as a “consultant” and still receiving money from FEMA equivalent to his salary as chief of the agency, look as if he had a sense of the scope or urgency of the disaster in the wake of hurricane Katrina, nor does Brown come across as the “strong leader” he presented himself to be in the Congressional hearings after the disaster. While political...

…formerly reserved to strictly secular organizations, the question arises: Is it important to consider the source when giving disaster aid? One faith-based organization apparently felt it was, and acted accordingly.

Cross-posted to Random Fate. — I have a post in the works on the entire “Pajamas Media” story, but at the moment, this email I received today encapsulates the hypocrisy: Subject: NY Launch Invite For New “Citizen Journalism” News Service – Pajamas Media Hi Jack, On November 16th, 2005 Pajamas Media will launch a new publishing medium that brings together some of the top online influencers and personalities, under one banner, to help evolve and expand journalism....

From MSNBC.com: WASHINGTON – President Bush is nominating Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, The Associated Press has learned, choosing a long-time federal judge embraced by judicial conservatives to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Bush plans to announce the nomination at 8 a.m. EST, officials said. The story continues with an observation that this choice may mend fences within the Republican Party after the nomination of Harriet Miers, who apparently was chosen because...

A short, personal take on the reactions to the outcome of the investigation by Patrick Fitzgerald can be found at my personal weblog Random Fate. Perhaps my photo-walk in a graveyard today was unintentionally appropriate.

…interim definitions have to take the place of the more complete treatise that one would prefer.

While I try to assemble thoughts on the withdrawal of the Harriet Miers nomination to the US Supreme Court, instead of saying something incoherent in an attempt of an immediate reaction that is typical of blogworld I offer two observations that seem particularly apropos of the moment at my personal weblog, Random Fate.

Harriet Miers has withdrawn her nomination to the US Supreme Court. According to CNN.com: President Bush on Thursday accepted the withdrawal of Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, according to a statement from the White House. In her letter to the president, Miers said she was “concerned that the confirmation process presents a burden for the White House and its staff and it is not in the best interest of the country.” “It is clear that senators would not be satisfied until they...

…in any indictments that may occur this week. For my personal take on “fitzmas,” you can see my weblog, Random Fate.

…regarding what may or may not happen this week in political matters, you can turn to my weblog, Random Fate, where I have posted some photos from Grenoble, France, and I have some ruminations on the technology of the cassette tape.