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The Moderate Voice

An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right


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Sullivan on Russia/Ukraine

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Andrew Sullivan offers a measured take on the Russia/Ukraine crisis on The Daily Dish. How to deal with an authoritarian leader, increasingly paranoid about the West, his greater regional aspirations turned to dust, who is now wielding military power in a manner more reminiscent of the Cold War than of anything since? One obvious response is counter-provocation, of the kind … [Read more...] about Sullivan on Russia/Ukraine

Putin’s clampdown: power play victory or Waterloo? (News and video roundup)

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And so two truths are now self-evident: Russian President Vladimir Putin won't win a peace prize -- and he's giving "half a peace sign" to the world. Another truth: partisanship and ideological preferences are now coming into play. By looking at the name of a political figure, writer, blogger or talk show host you almost know how they will frame the issue. But not always: … [Read more...] about Putin’s clampdown: power play victory or Waterloo? (News and video roundup)

The Toxic Perniciousness Of Intimidating Public Employees To Not Do Their Jobs

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Worker intimidation -- as in My Way or the Highway -- is nothing new in American business, but is now spreading to include government employees with a toxic perniciousness as two ongoing scandals show. They are the massive Duke Energy coal ash spill in North Carolina, where Governor Pat McCrory, a former longtime Duke Energy executive, threatened employees of the state … [Read more...] about The Toxic Perniciousness Of Intimidating Public Employees To Not Do Their Jobs

Passing of a Man with a Big Heart

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He lived for almost 59 years with his first heart, for nine years with the second one and for a full 15 years with his third heart. But with each heart, Richard (“Dick”) A. Harbourt lived life to the fullest and, through his personal and public charitable and community work, he made sure that many others were able to do the same. You see, Dick Harbourt suffered a heart … [Read more...] about Passing of a Man with a Big Heart

Russia gives Ukraine forces ultimatum to surrender in Crimea: ministry

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Russia gives Ukraine forces ultimatum to surrender in Crimea: ministry (via AFP) Russian forces have given Ukrainian soldiers an ultimatum to surrender their positions in Crimea or face an assault, a Ukrainian defence ministry spokesman told AFP. "The ultimatum is to recognise the new Crimean authorities, lay down our weapons and… … [Read more...] about Russia gives Ukraine forces ultimatum to surrender in Crimea: ministry

For endangered wildlife, the Surabaya Zoo can be akin to a death sentence

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For endangered wildlife, the Surabaya Zoo can be akin to a death sentence (via GlobalPost) JAKARTA, Indonesia — Surabaya Zoo is famous across the world. Not for being the oldest and biggest zoo in Indonesia, nor because of its large and diverse collection of rare species. No, the reason Surabaya Zoo has been making international headlines… … [Read more...] about For endangered wildlife, the Surabaya Zoo can be akin to a death sentence

It’s Not The Hate, It’s The Stupidity (Guest Voice)

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It's Not The Hate, It's The Stupidity Raging Moderate by Will Durst Alright. Woo-hoo. We're partying now. With the kind of enthusiasm normally reserved for sorting Phillips head screws from flat head screws, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer publicly vetoed SB 1062, legislation that would provide legal cover to businesses denying services based on the operator's religious … [Read more...] about It’s Not The Hate, It’s The Stupidity (Guest Voice)

The Lego Movie: Not so Awsome

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In first world terms, I've had one of the most stressful months in my recent history. Let me put it this way – this past weekend I’ve had to move into a new flat after I scorched every bridge with our previous landlord (burst pipes, mould and a 15 month baby girl isn’t a great combination). On top of that, I am getting married in just under 2 weeks. So what better way to … [Read more...] about The Lego Movie: Not so Awsome

Feeling Slighted By Obama, Tokyo Pins Hopes on Republican Win in 2016 (47 News, Japan)

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It would appear that Japanese officials have a lot in common with U.S. Republicans: they both find President Obama stiff, unemotional and hard to get to know. This editorial from Japan's 47 News details some of the unusually-open criticism of Barack Obama by Prime Minister Abe and members of his cabinet, both over the president's personal style, and a sense that the White … [Read more...] about Feeling Slighted By Obama, Tokyo Pins Hopes on Republican Win in 2016 (47 News, Japan)

Confessions of a Former White Guy

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It came to my attention recently that I’m no longer white. Don’t get me wrong: I’m still a certifiable Caucasian. My ancient Armenian ancestors hailed from the high plateau below the mountain range that lent its name to the so-called white race. I’m more a child of the Caucasus than your average Dane or Irishman. But it seems that history and politics have exiled me from the … [Read more...] about Confessions of a Former White Guy

The NFL and the N Word (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)

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The NFL and the N Word by Mike Peters OF RELATED INTEREST: --Ron Cook: NFL wants to stop use of offensive word in locker room, sports culture --Time to silence the N-word forever --Rev. Al Sharpton Praises NFL’s N-Word Penalty But Urges League to ‘Go Further’ --Greeson: NFL's N-word concern pure or PC PR? Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most … [Read more...] about The NFL and the N Word (Guest Cartoonist Cartoon)

Closing the D.C. Reality Gap

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WASHINGTON -- To understand the country's frustration with politics, we shouldn't focus primarily on "gridlock" and "polarization." The larger problem is a disconnect between what the nation's capital is talking about and what most citizens are worried about. The issues discussed at kitchen tables and over back fences relate to getting and keeping good jobs, better … [Read more...] about Closing the D.C. Reality Gap

SciFi Weekend: Hannibal; The Americans; Arrow; Revolution; Orphan Black; Heroes; Farscape; Firefly; Better Call Saul; Doctor Who; Sherlock; The Crazy Ones; Mixology

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With the Olympics over many weekly series have returned and two of the best shows from last season which aired in the spring or winter have started their second seasons. Hannibal and The Americans both began their second seasons. Hannibal began with an extended fight scene between Hannibal and Jack Crawford which foreshadows what we know must eventually occur before moving … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Hannibal; The Americans; Arrow; Revolution; Orphan Black; Heroes; Farscape; Firefly; Better Call Saul; Doctor Who; Sherlock; The Crazy Ones; Mixology

Republican governor sees the light

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Jan Brewer's speech about her decision to veto of the knuckledragging attempt of the Arizona legislature (the epitome of a corrupt, ALEC-driven state legislature) to push their state deeper in the dark ages with a bible-driven condemnation of gay marriage) turned out to be graceful and "ungrudging," as Hendrik Hertzberg writes in the New Yorker. Okay, she was under … [Read more...] about Republican governor sees the light