A round up of recent posts by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Nancy Hanks joins the ranks of those disaffected with Kos. Daniel DiRito comments on the “militant,” “repulsive” approach of so-called Christians who “treat homosexuals as second class citizens.” Dave Schuler addresses “the bottom line on health care.” Money quote: The only force that will dramatically reduce the cost of healthcare in this country is a substantial increase...

Earlier today, Jeb Koogler pointed to a post at his blog (Foreign Policy Watch) re: the imminent failure of the surge “unless there is a major shift in focus.” That post was excellent, and if you haven’t read it, you should. It certainly made me think and inspired another riff on the matter at Central Sanity.

A round up of recent posts by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Kevin Sullivan examines the implications for Iran in the wake of Ayatollah Ali Meshkini’s death. An interesting post at Eclectics Anonymous looks at how abortion opponents respond when asked about penalties for those who might violate an abortion ban. Neither Daniel DiRito nor Justin Gardner are fond of Rudy’s health plan. Writing at The Washington Note, Scott Paul reflects further on the Obama-Clinton...

A round up of recent posts by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. First Gen. Petraeus; now NYT journalist John Burns has agreed to an interview with Hugh Hewitt. McQ wonders if “the left” will also accuse Burns of being a mouth piece for BushCo. Dave Schuler questions Muslim accommodations and requests for accommodations that are not equally “accorded to non-Muslims.” Sean Aqui looks at NY Gov. Spitzer’s “unique” approach to controversy:...

A NYT op-ed piece today, by the Brookings Institution’s Michael E. O’Hanlon and Kenneth M. Pollack, puts the questions about Iraq and time front and center. Currently, neither O’Hanlon nor Pollack are apologists for this conflict, just the opposite in fact: Here is the most important thing Americans need to understand: We are finally getting somewhere in Iraq, at least in military terms. As two analysts who have harshly criticized the Bush administration’s miserable handling...

A round up of recent posts by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. At Booker Rising, Shay predicts “it may well be black folks who most undermine [Obama's] candidacy.” Dave Schuler thinks the reports of the death of the DLC (Democratic Leadership Council) are premature. McQ offers “another reason to like Petraeus.” Earlier, Joe posted on the subject of the hidden 2006 Surgeon General report. Opening with the same subject, GTL indulges in a little “told...

A round up of recent posts by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. The ‘sphere’s collective analysis of the CNN/YouTube debate may be overcooked at this point, but I still found this Jeff Jarvis vs. Kevin Marsh post (and subsequent comments) fresh enough to offer up for your consideration. Sean Aqui summarizes “a pretty informative [Scientific American] article on the current state of climate science” … and also picks up on a post about redistricting...

A round up of recent posts by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Daniel DiRito opines on the strange case of James Dobson v. Harry Potter. GTL counsels “PETA and other likeminded animal rights groups.” Kevin Sullivan channels Teddy Roosevelt in discussing how to deal with Iran. The love for the CNN/YouTube debate continues … at Mirror on America and Donklephant. In the latter, Justin Gardner stacks up the YouTube clips of his favorite questions (from those refreshing,...

A round up of recent posts by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. McQ evaluates divergent libertarian views on the war in Iraq, cued by a WSJ opinion piece from earlier this week. Andrew Sullivan zeroes in on Hilzoy’s “Ten Lessons from Iraq,” and picks the two that resonate most with him. Nancy Hanks encourages Independent voters to watch Monday’s Democratic debate and make their voices heard. Carol Gee offers an interesting round up of how the media in certain...

A round up of recent posts by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. In Chicago with my family, I picked up a copy of the Sun-Times this morning, and thoroughly enjoyed this extended essay by Steven Pinker, “In defense of dangerous ideas.” An excerpt: … Since ideas are connected to other ideas, sometimes in circuitous and unpredictable ways, choosing to believe something that may not be true, or even maintaining walls of ignorance around some topic, can corrupt all...

After a quick scroll down the line up of today’s posts, it does not appear that my colleagues have directly posted on the subject of the Interim (Iraq) Benchmark Assessment Report (as officially released vs. leaked and/or speculated), nor on the President’s related press conference earlier today. So for those of you who are hungry for the basics but have not yet had a chance to go scavenging around for the them, I thought the following set of links might be helpful … The Report The...

“It is a dire situation … I don’t think it has gotten any better. It just breaks your heart. . . . Iraqi people are dying, American soldiers are dying. So far it does not seem we have achieved any kind of security there.” -Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, a member of the Iraq Study Group, commenting on Iraq in a front-page WaPo story today by the incomparable Bob Woodward. The compassion coursing through this comment is reflective of the traits that...

A round up of recent posts by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. The impeachment thunder continues to rumble: Libby Spencer joins the chorus … with reservations. (By way of contrast, Chuck Butcher, who happens to be a die-hard Democrat, non-centrist and non-moderate, suggests there is a more productive alternative.) This Jeff Jarvis post has nothing to do with politics or anything of any substance, really, but it prompted a smirk this morning, as I thought about my own disdain...

A round up of recent posts by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Kevin Sullivan tackles “Terrorism and the Law Enforcement Fallacy.” This one is a must read, IMHO, a forceful and persuasive reminder, for all of us. The Angry Independent offers his thoughts on Michael Moore’s Sicko. While I (and two of his commenters) generally disagree with TAI’s conclusions, he does at least (like Moore) force us to wrestle with the central question: “Which functions...

A round up of recent posts by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Booker Rising’s “Quote of the Day” (yesterday) re: the flaws in Bush’s argument against funding ESC research. [In short: Bush doesn't want the federal government to fund this research because it would destroy embryos already slated for destruction.] Andrew Sullivan spotlights a very articulate reader on “Jesus vs. Christianism” (though I think the title of the post would have been...

I respect Shaun Mullen, one of my co-bloggers here at TMV. He’s an exceptionally good writer, and generally, he’s a sharp, critical thinker. That said, I disagree with his take on Christine Todd Whitman, relative to her role at the EPA in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Hence, I’m compelled to respond, but let me be clear: This is not an attack on Shaun, only a difference of opinion, an alternative view, on the matter at hand. The...

A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Mirror on America highlights an effort by African American bloggers who are “taking a stand against gangster and other forms of negative rap music.” Foreign Policy Watch examines the question of whether or not Iran is arming the Taliban. Donklephant questions if Hillary’s unpopularity among liberals will help or hurt her. Born Again Redneck Yogi links to a political quiz he found...

If you’ve indicated in the comments section of earlier posts, here or at Central Sanity, that you’d like to sign “The Letter” — as either a Republican or Independent voter — I need to confirm several things, namely … Your First and Last Name Your Email Address (or Mailing Address) Your City and State I did a check on the various comments and e-mails received, so far, and while I can identify (or recall) eight or more who have indicated at least preliminary...

A few weeks ago, a TMV reader suggested we evaluate and post on the health care reform strategies of the leading Democratic candidates. By now, those strategies are semi-old news and others having already chimed in. But I was reminded of the request after reading an analysis of the Clinton, Obama, and Edwards plans in a recent edition of The Economist. The article offers a number of useful insights and summaries for those who have not yet had an opportunity to do their own analysis of these plans...

A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Michael vdG comments on F. Thompson taking on CAIR. David Adesnik looks at “two New Yorkers’ thoughts about Bloomberg.” I love this description of the Mayor: He “exudes competence.” Sounds like the polar opposite of someone else’s administration. Dennis Sanders encourages anyone who considers his affiliations an oxymoron to “deal with it.” Andrew...

This exercise has certainly generated more interest than I originally expected, not only here, but also at Michael vdG’s place, Liberal Values, Jinchi, and elsewhere. Hopefully, that’s a good sign. I know several commenters have expressed an interest in signing the final letter. Here’s how, if you remain interested. (Please read the various qualifiers and the note at the end of the linked post.)

A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. While I’m more of a football than baseball fan, even I have to admit baseball is America: the sport’s history parallels the larger history that has defined us as a nation. So what does it say about us when we see our cultural reflection in Barry Bonds? Rick Moran offers his take. Spoiler Alert: The last paragraph is pure money. TMV contributor Shaun Mullen turned us on to Moran’s...

Last Saturday, I asked for inputs on a draft letter to Republican leaders. While the feedback was certainly diverse, it generally sorted out into a handful of common themes: Why bother? What’s the desired action by the recipients? It’s too general; get more specific. Make it apply to both parties, not just Republicans. What’s the larger plan; the related “organizing activity”? (Or, as one reader put it, the implied effort is “a daunting challenge. You won’t...

A round up of recent reporting and commentary by a few centrist, moderate, and independent bloggers. Nancy Hanks offers a round up of “Conversations on Independence.” Justin Gardner thinks Newt may be forecasting a Ron Paul nomination. Michael Stickings gets “up-close-and-personal” on environmental and energy concerns, while McQ suggests that the best option may be to “do nothing.” Libby Spencer doesn’t think the ’08 candidates will be able to get...

I recognize that many TMV readers are centrist or left-of-center, Independent or middle-leaning Democrats, but I think I’ve demonstrated that I still value your opinions (even those with which I disagree) — and for that reason, I’d greatly appreciate any contribution you’re inclined to offer to this exercise, even if it’s to remind me that I’m mildly insane and perhaps misguided.