Links are from sites with varying viewpoints. Opinions expressed do not necessarily express the views of TMV or its co-bloggers.
SO THE SENATE PASSED AN ANTI-LYNCHING RESOLUTION but some Senators didn’t sign it. Some were apparently late in getting back to Washington but it’s also believed some may have not signed for political reasons. You can decide (and contact those that didn’t sign) by reading this list and roundup here.
OUR VIEW: Most likely some couldn’t sign for logistical reasons, but there were most certainly some who held their fingers up to test the political winds — basically giving the finger to the rule of law…even when it came to putting their names on a largely symbolic resolution. Those who didn’t sign because they felt it might hurt them at home politically know who they are and they deserve nothing but the absolute contempt of their voters…and history.
So Why Didn’t The Anti-Lynching Resolution Come To A Rollcall Vote? Americablog’s John Aravosis gives a link to a news story that claims Majority Leader Bill Frist prevented a roll call vote. And he does not mince words:
Was the Republican leader of the Senate afraid that all 100 Senators would support a resolution opposing lynching, and that would be a BAD thing? God forbid America speak with one voice against lynching black people.
Or did Frist fear/know that far too many of his own party – 15 in fact – refused to endorse the resolution and may have voted against it if forced to actually vote on the record? Either way, this stinks. Bill First, the Republican leader of the United States Senate, vetoed having a roll call vote on a resolution apologizing to victims of lynchings. He tried to hide the resolution in the middle of the night so no one would no about it.
Is Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger Deluded? Oxblog’s David Adesnik makes the case quite well that he is — pointing to HK’s op-ed piece in the Washington Post that argues the U.S. just MUST get closer to China. He starts out with this:”If you’re looking for new ideas instead of shopworn cliches, don’t bother with Kissinger’s prose. But if you want to see all of the flaws of realism as an ideology presented in the space of single op-ed, this essay can’t be beat.”
This MUST be read in full because of the way Adesnik systematically dissects Kissinger’s view that the U.S. must put aside the values of democracy to cozy up to China. Here is one small quote out of it (read the rest yahself!):
As a committed realist, Kissinger desperately wants to believe that American foreign policy can be made without reference to the deeply-rooted ideals of democracy and human rights. And he’s right; it can. From 1969 until 1976, the United States displayed almost no concern for democracy or human rights. Coincidentally, Kissinger served as National Security Adviser and Secretary of State from 1969 until 1969. (And the first president Kissinger worked for didn’t even seem to be too concerned about subverting democracy within the United States.)
In its longer items and shorter items, Oxblog is always a class act. If you haven’t visited it, check it out.
A TON OF GREAT LINKS can be found at the Watcher of Weasels Council here. The Council members vote on the posts, which have quite a few conservative blogs represented, but do include links from many different viewpoints. Great reading.
BLOGGER NO LONGER SUPPORTS WAR: Michael Reynolds writes that he had his doubts about the war in Iraq, but supported it. He writes a mea culpa here in expression of regret of his previous position and expands on his position here.
LINKS TO POSTS BY IRAQI AND AFGHANISTANI BLOGGERS can be found at the Carnival of the Liberated.
We Get Bogged Down In Politics But Other Things Matter like wonderful music….like this.
Another Great Installment Of A Blogger’s ORIGINAL Interview With Former Speaker Of The House Newt Gingrich is HERE. (This includes two questions submitted by Glenn Reynolds, aka InstaPundit).
Tough Love For The Libertarian Party: A fascinating post by the blog Third Party Watch, which has become one of our advertisers. We explored it and loved it so we’re offering this link (and also blogrolling the site under OTHER VOICES).
Democrats Will Ignore Rural Voters At Their Peril is the message of Bull Moose’s latest post. Read it in full. A small taste 4 U:
If Democrats are to become a majority party again, they cannot discount the south or rural parts of America. The most significant shifts in congressional seats since 1994 has been in rural areas. And clearly, it is cultural issues that have precipitated the erosion of Democratic support…..
Ultimately, a Democratic Presidential candidate either needs to be from that part of the country or at least understand southern and rural sensibilities. No one expects that Democrats will win any where near a majority of this region’s voters. But, we cannot cede this part of the country and give the Republicans the luxury of intruding into Democratic turf. Republicans are now making Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Minnesota competitive. Can Democrats make the GOP fight for Louisiana, Arkansas, Virginia and North Carolina?
Our View: It’s going to be a LOT more difficult with Howard Dean if he continues the kind of comments he has been making.
Democrats are WAY Ahead For Governor And Senator In A New York State Poll that Daily Kos has here. It certain seems as if Hillary Clinton has scrupulously observed the rule “all politics is local” (which is what we hear from many people, including some Republicans). Unless something happens (and we doubt you-know-who posting the SCREAMING HEADLINE POST about her alleged rape will be it) you can assume she will win re-election…and (again assuming) there will the The Hillary Factor in 2008 (and it ain’t gonna be a cable show).
The GOP Is Divided Over Immigration Reform but are liberals totally blowing it? Blogs for Bush’s Mark Noonan thinks so.
BURP!!! Read Vladmir Putin go non-PC here.
HICCUP! A Colorado brewery plans a beer to memorialize the late death-by-suicide journalist Hunter Thompson.
Contradictions In The News Media are detailed by Young Pundit.
One-Sided Reporting By A Seattle Columnist About A Youth And A Marine Recruiter: The verrrrrrrrrry interesting details at Uncoorelated. (It certainly sounds like a clear anti-military biase in this column…but remember columnists — just like bloggers — are not usually subject to the same degree of editor checking/second-guessing than mere mortal reporters are..)
A REMINDER TO ALL READERS: Make sure you’ve read this guest post on our site.
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.