Karl Rove – political spinmaster and Bush’s most important advisor – will resign at the end of August. Shaun Mullen sent me an e-mail about the news, writing, “this story is a biggie and as far as I’m concerned, we can’t do enough on it.” I agree completely with him – if other authors have something to say about Rove’s resignation, they should write about it as well – this is an important development. Rove’s explanation: “I just...

This year, elections were held early in Turkey because the AK Parti wanted to make Abdullah Gül president. Certain secular parties, especially the CHP (founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk), opposed this idea very strongly – they do not want an Islamist to be president, and especially not one whose wife wears a headscarf. As some of you might know, it is forbidden to wear a headscarf in public buildings in Turkey. If, however, Abdullah Gül becomes president, there will – for the...

This will not make the Liberal base very happy: Even as they call for an end to the war and pledge to bring the troops home, the Democratic presidential candidates are setting out positions that could leave the United States engaged in Iraq for years. For instance: John Edwards, the former North Carolina senator, would keep troops in the region to intervene in an Iraqi genocide and be prepared for military action if violence spills into other countries. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York...

Yahoo! News reports that Governor Mitt Romney won the Iowa straw poll as expected. As I wrote yesterday, a mere victory would not be enough for Romney: he would have to win bigtime. And he did. All in all, he got (almost) 32% of the votes, which is almost twice as much as the runner-up. The runner-up is Governor Mike Huckabee. He surprised – he won, in total, 18% of the votes, which is not bad for him – to say the least. In fact, it is a great result for the former Governor of Arkansas....

Before I spend attention to the poll itself, I would like to say that my thoughts are with Congressman Ron Paul and especially his wife. Earlier today, Mrs. Paul was hospitalized. The reason is unknown – at this moment. The campaign only said that she “became ill this morning and was taken to an area hospital. She appears to have stabilized and is awaiting treatment. Dr. Paul is with her and will arrive at the Straw Poll when the situation permits.” My thoughts are with the both...

As you all know, I am all in favor of the freedom of speech (and of religious freedom as long as one does not force others to live like oneself does / wants) and I am quite critical of many Dutch immigrants and multiculturalism. In short, we have allowed Muslims to live here, without integrating. This has created major problems. Something should be done about this – immigrants should be forced to integrate and immigration should be limited (for a certain period at least). I am also all in favor...

Although being back in the Netherlands means that I have to miss my girlfriend, there is (/was) a good side about coming back: there were quite some books waiting for me. Thanks to those who ordered them for me and to the think tanks. The list: - School Choice: The Findings by Herbert J. Walberg (American Enterprise Institute) - The Conservative Mind – From Burke to Eliot by Russell Kirk (7th revised edition) - The Associated Press Stylebook – a great companion for every blogger, journalist...

Nice: President Bush tries to set an example for Americans whenever he can, in terms of physical fitness, faith, optimism and a certain overall moral rectitude. He also sets an excellent example on taking vacation. On Thursday, Bush left for a weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine, and his family’s summer compound, Walker’s Point. On Monday, he heads to his Crawford retreat, where he has spent all or part of 418 days of his presidency, according to Mark Knoller, a CBS News White House correspondent...

As you all know, I spent almost four weeks in Turkey this summer. Today, after 26 great days in Turkey, I landed in Amsterdam. Today, you ask, I thought yesterday? Well, I would have arrived yesterday, except for one thing? the airliner, corendon, changed the time. The original plan was 9 August, back at 12 PM Dutch time, they changed it into 4.10 on August the 10th. I only found out 9 hours before I thought I had to fly. Of course, this meant that I had an extra day in Turkey which was terrific....

Barack Obama believes that NAFTA should be amended. If he were president, he said, he would call the president of Mexico and the president of Canada, “to try to amend NAFTA, because I think that we can get labor agreements in that agreement right now.” The only problem? Canada does not have a president. As David Frum points out, this is “the kind of misstep that would cost a Republican candidate for president dearly.” When, however, this misstep is made by a Democratic candidate...

As you all have learned by now, I try to keep track of the blogosphere and try to find (discover) new blogs just about every single day. Many blogs are created every day, the far majority of those blogs are useless, but some really add something to the blogosphere and deserve a bigger audience. That is why, when I find such a blog, I do not just add it to my blogroll (or befriended blogs depended on my relationship with the owner) but also spend a post to it. Today I would like to point out 2 blogs: -...

Imagine the following: you are greatly in love with a young woman who is 20 years old (you are 23). You love each other to death and know that the only thing you want to do with the rest of your life… is to spend it together. Imagine that you both believe that the two of you were made for each other. Imagine that the girl is Turkish and you are Dutch. Imagine that the love you feel for each other makes it possible to have a relationship while the two of you live thousands kilometers away from...

Paul Krugman writes: Two presidential elections ago, the conventional wisdom said that George W. Bush was a likable, honest fellow. But those of us who actually analyzed what he was saying about policy came to a different conclusion — namely, that he was irresponsible and deeply dishonest. His numbers didn’t add up, and in his speeches he simply lied about the content of his own proposals. In the fifth year of the disastrous war Mr. Bush started on false pretenses, it’s clear...

I am aware that Joe already posted about this news, but I thought it might be of interest to offer a somewhat different perspective. It is news like this that gives me a severe headache: The Pentagon has lost track of about 190,000 AK-47 assault rifles and pistols given to Iraqi security forces in 2004 and 2005, according to a new government report, raising fears that some of those weapons have fallen into the hands of insurgents fighting U.S. forces in Iraq. The author of the report from the Government...

Robert Charest wrote a book on relationships. As some of you will know, it is incredibly difficult to get your book (once you have finished the task of writing it) published and to get it sold in stores. That is why Robert has decided to offer his book (for sale) online first. The description: “This book is a guide to provide help with relationships. It provides a simple way to see the hidden potential and present state of your relationships with lovers, friends etc.” Why do I spend...

Izmir: clock tower. Again: I made photographs of Izmir myself, but not on a digital camera. On July 14 I arrived – for the second time – in Turkey. Turkey has become somewhat of a second fatherland for me. I feel right at home, comfortable and at ease. In fact, when I visited Turkey for the first time back in April I fell in love with the country immediately. The city I visited back then: Izmir. Izmir is in my opinion one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Not only does Izmir...

During my stay in Turkey, I have visited several mosques. Last week Friday and today I did not just visit mosques: I went there with a Muslim and joined the men in prayer. Some of my Christian brethren might be shocked by this, but I did not have a big problem with praying with Muslims and praying like they do. In fact, I found the praying to be… comforting. I obviously prayed to God as in the Christian God, and I did not silently pray the same prayer the Muslims prayed: I prayed to the Christian...

Barack Obama has decided to adopt an aggressive approach towards Pakistan: U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama warned Pakistan that he would use military force if necessary to root out terrorists, the second time in two weeks that he has staked out a dramatically different road for U.S. foreign policy. The senator’s tough talk against Pakistan comes after he pledged to meet with leaders of rogue nations who have been rebuffed by President George W. Bush. “Let me make this...

To read about the elections in Turkey, click here. These elections are incredibly important. A couple of weeks and months ago, secularists took the streets in several Turkish cities to protest in favor of Turkey’s secular system and against the AK Parti which wanted to make Abdullah Gül President of the Turkish Republic. Secularists opposed (and continue to oppose) Gül because he is an Islamist (obviously) and because his wife wears a headscarf. Many Turks believe that today’s elections...

Just letting you all know as well: I am on vacation. Yesterday I completed the first stage of my trip, today I hope to complete the second stage, and tomorrow the final stage before I arrive at my (final) destination. I will be gone for four weeks. In those four weeks I will barely post, if I post at all. To the two or three of you who will actually miss my posts: I’ll be back August 10. My own blog will – luckily – be updated regularly by Jason Steck, Rich Horton and Pamela Leavey....

Earlier today, I published a post called “Reality Check” here at TMV (and at my own blog). Several people already responded. I would like to point out two – especially two – comments which basically prove my point. The first is a comment left by JLedell (an American): The world thinks America’s invasion of Iraq was a mistake. I think you and most Americans now agree with that assessment. Our diminished image in the world is a direct result of that MISTAKE. Most Americans...

Jules Crittenden has a good post up, in which he wonders why the different media are not offering “an actual, meaningful, in-depth look at the execution of the counter-insurgency strategy in Iraq by someone who has taken the time to understand what its goals and methods are, and isn’t just interested in kicking the crap out of it from a distance.” Jules looked at the AP, at the NYT, at the WaPo, at other major newspapers / organizations who have made quite some ‘in-depth...

Yesterday, I published a post in which I criticize Thomas Friedman’s latest column in the New York Times. In it, Friedman argues that there are only two options remaining: all in or all out. He ignores the fact that the world will blame the US for what happens. He ignores the fact that the US will appear weak. He ignores the fact that no country will fear American power as much as it once did. So – I criticized Friedman for not taking the blowback into account. When I did, American readers...

Thomas Friedman writes: When it comes to Iraq, September will be coming early this year — like now. Democrats, and a growing number of Republicans, are determined not to wait until September for the president to report on whether the surge is working. The American people have had enough. They want out. As we move into the endgame, though, the public needs to understand that neither Republicans nor Democrats are presenting them with a realistic strategy. Obviously, President Bush’s stay-the-course...

That’s what most Turkish political parties offer the voters. Considered the most likely party to be in power after the election, the AKP prefers to be deliberate in its promises and just gives a basic outline of its economic policies. Lessening the tax burden and preparing the youth for life with the help of resources that will be gained from the Unemployment Insurance Fund are among the most noteworthy promises of the AKP. The CHP, MHP and DP, on the other hand, have assertive promises directly...