By: David Anderson Columnist In this column I write about what I think is the most successful country in Africa, Somaliland. On Wednesday I got to meet some more Somalilanders at "UN Week" and what a day it was! Understand this is not "Somalia", a failed state of "Black Hawk Down" fame, "Al Shabab" terrorists, famine, khat and misery. Somalia is a superlative in failed … [Read more...] about A Big Day for Somalilanders (and a friend) at the U.N.
TRUMP VANCE BAR FATTIES BEARDOS WEIRDOS
Cornell 7 case puts a spotlight on fraternity misconduct — and the limits of universities’ power to stop it
A case alleging that a Cornell sophomore was sexually assaulted by seven fraternity members is drawing national attention. Spencer Platt/Getty Images Pietro A. Sasso, Old Dominion University Universities have been trying for years to cut back on the abuses among fraternities, with limited resources and limited success. A new lawsuit, … [Read more...] about Cornell 7 case puts a spotlight on fraternity misconduct — and the limits of universities’ power to stop it
A great pretender betrayed her Jewish roots
Hannah Gann, a teacher (at least for now), in Philadelphia’s public school system, was recently outed for having lied about her race and ethnicity. Gann is a Jew with roots in Baltimore, but pretended to be, alternately, Black, Tunisian and Palestinian, cosmetically altering her appearance and adopting a certain way of speaking that led people to believe she was “one of … [Read more...] about A great pretender betrayed her Jewish roots
Dozens of men failed to stop an alleged gang rape at Cornell — here’s the misperception that keeps bystanders from intervening and how to short-circuit it
People may quash their own beliefs to fit in with what they think the group believes. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis News via Getty Images Catherine A. Sanderson, Amherst College As an undergrad student decades ago, I attended a dorm presentation describing the importance of giving and receiving sexual consent. The workshop leaders explained … [Read more...] about Dozens of men failed to stop an alleged gang rape at Cornell — here’s the misperception that keeps bystanders from intervening and how to short-circuit it
Show me you’re nuts.
"Show me your nuts." That double entendre is spoken by Lenka Novak in The Kentucky Fried Movie, at which time singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop replies by demonstrating that he is nuts. We are all nuts at one time or another. So, just for fun, let us all reveal an example or two of our own nuttiness. In the comments section below, please provide an example of your own … [Read more...] about Show me you’re nuts.
The long way home: My journey back to Judaism
I recently wrote this personal essay for San Diego Jewish World about an unexpected change in my life. I'm sharing it here with TMV readers as well. And there I was on Yom Kippur 2026 at Chabad of Rancho Penasquitos , as Rabbi Yechiel Cagen led the service. I was fasting. It was the manifestation of a series of events that had transformed a non-observant Reform Jew into … [Read more...] about The long way home: My journey back to Judaism
Swinging for the Midterms
Ken Paxton privately says that Trump's midterm convention hurt him For the first time in his life, Ken Paxton may have said something true. No, not his wedding vows. No, not the oath of office he took to represent Texas. No, not when he claimed to believe that Donald Trump won the 2020 election. And no, not when he was defending himself from accusations of massive heaps upon … [Read more...] about Swinging for the Midterms
Ron DeSantis’ 2 terms in office fundamentally altered Florida’s political landscape, cementing conservative policies through strategic control of state institutions
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ most lasting legacy may be the way he expanded the powers of his office. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Liv Coleman, University of Tampa When Ron DeSantis was first elected governor of Florida in November 2018, he won with a margin of just over 30,000 votes – less than four-tenths of 1% of all the votes cast in the election. … [Read more...] about Ron DeSantis’ 2 terms in office fundamentally altered Florida’s political landscape, cementing conservative policies through strategic control of state institutions
CORNELL GAGGED FIGURE HOLDS JUSTICE SCALES
Ralph Nader is still a pariah. He deserves to be.
To quote Obi-Wan Kenobi’s description of a seedy bar in Star Wars, I often ask myself how and why America has become such a “wretched hive of scum and villainy.” What or who caused this to happen? Certainly the 77 million voters who re-hired a fascist grifter deserve some of the blame. I’d also pin some on Newt Gingrich, the right-wing hyper-partisan who propelled the … [Read more...] about Ralph Nader is still a pariah. He deserves to be.
The A.I. Peril: Just ‘Pulling the Plug’ Won’t Do It.
UPDATE: Add Pope Leo XIV to the growing number of influential persons and organizations calling for taking A.I. warnings seriously. "We need to continue to invite political leaders, the leaders of A.I., social organizations, associations to come together and look at what is happening already and what could be down the road," the Pope said. This is in stark contrast to … [Read more...] about The A.I. Peril: Just ‘Pulling the Plug’ Won’t Do It.
Is this the end for Susan Collins?
Will this Election Day be the end for Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins? In case you’ve been on Mars, Collins inspired a cottage industry on social media where critics sarcastically report she is “concerned,” “troubled,” or has once again furrowed her brow over the latest Republican outrage. She is ostensibly a moderate. But during the Trump era there is often a curious … [Read more...] about Is this the end for Susan Collins?
PLEASE DONATE TO THE MODERATE VOICE (UPDATED)
UPDATE: $100 received as of 9/24/26. We're hoping to raise at least $500 hundred dollars in this fundraiser. Hopefully more. The Moderate Voice needs your help. The first version of this blog actually appeared in 2003. It won various awards during the golden age of blogging for being the best independent blog and best centrist blog. Google News now carries most of our … [Read more...] about PLEASE DONATE TO THE MODERATE VOICE (UPDATED)
2 midterm elections that brought on new eras in US politics
President Grover Cleveland, right, looks down during William McKinley’s presidential inauguration in 1897. Two years earlier, Cleveland’s political party suffered the biggest defeat in U.S. history during the 1894 midterms. Library of Congress via AP Robert A. Strong, University of Virginia The conventional wisdom is that the Democratic … [Read more...] about 2 midterm elections that brought on new eras in US politics
TRUMP’S BAD POLLS ARE GETTING WORSE
Donald Trump's polls have been catastrophic for a president whose party is headed into mid-terms. And they keep getting worse. From Fifty Pls One on Substack: Two weeks ago, President Donald Trump stood in front of a crowd of supporters at a first-of-its-kind midterms convention and beseeched the American people to “pretend I’m on the ballot.” Updated polling averages … [Read more...] about TRUMP’S BAD POLLS ARE GETTING WORSE
Susan Collins Dismissed Our Reporting as Old News. Some of Her Claims Aren’t True.
Susan Collins Dismissed Our Reporting as Old News. Some of Her Claims Aren’t True. As the scandal over Susan Collins’ relationship with Hawaii defense contractor Navatek became the central issue in her hotly contested senate campaign, she and her top aides mustered a defense with a series of incorrect and misleading claims. On Tuesday, ProPublica published an investigation … [Read more...] about Susan Collins Dismissed Our Reporting as Old News. Some of Her Claims Aren’t True.
How ‘To Catch a Predator’ indulged America’s appetite for humiliation and punishment
Robert Pattinson plays former ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen in ‘Showtime.’ A24 Daniel LaChance, Emory University and Paul Kaplan, San Diego State University For a television show that was canceled nearly two decades ago, “To Catch a Predator” has been having quite a moment. For years, the show entertained Americans by finding … [Read more...] about How ‘To Catch a Predator’ indulged America’s appetite for humiliation and punishment
IS TEAM TRUMP PLANNING TO PUT TRUMP’S NAME ON FORD’S THEATER?
The race is ON. The race to put Donald Trump's name on more and more government buildings. And now Team Trump is considering putting Donald Trump's name on Ford's Theater, the theater where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 15, 1865. Once this report surfaced and sparked outrage and dismay the White House and Interior Department denied that Ford's Theater is being … [Read more...] about IS TEAM TRUMP PLANNING TO PUT TRUMP’S NAME ON FORD’S THEATER?
Fake News and Extra Small Fries
On Friday, Trump announced a ban on three news outlets, saying he was fed up with what he described as “purposely negative stories.” Journalists from CNN, MS Now, and Politico had their badges confiscated when they arrived at the White House complex on Saturday. The three news outlets said in a joint statement on Monday that they would sue the Trump regime for barring them … [Read more...] about Fake News and Extra Small Fries