What would the ultimate aim of a strike on Syria be? For Mexico's La Jornada, columnist Guillermo Almeyra warns that standing behind the attack is Western capitalism doing what it always does: launching a major war in order to restore itself after a disastrous economic crisis, this time at the expense of the Arab people. For La Jornada, Guillermo Almeyra, laying out a … [Read more...] about ‘Not a Single Soldier, Not a Single Peso’ for Syrian Misadventure! (La Jornada, Mexico)
(UPDATES) Syria: Don’t Look a Gift ‘Rhetorical’ in the Mouth
And here we go… The BBC: A Russian plan for Syria's chemical weapons to be put under international control has sparked immediate disputes over resolutions at the United Nations. The UK, US and France want a timetable and consequences of failure spelt out, and Washington has warned it will "not fall for stalling tactics". Russia said any draft putting the blame … [Read more...] about (UPDATES) Syria: Don’t Look a Gift ‘Rhetorical’ in the Mouth
Syria ‘agrees’ to Russian plan for chemical weapons
Syria 'agrees' to Russian plan for chemical weapons (via AFP) Syria on Tuesday said it had accepted a Russian proposal to hand over its chemical weapons to avert military strikes, as France kept up the pressure with a UN resolution threatening force if the regime failed to comply. The surprise initiative from… … [Read more...] about Syria ‘agrees’ to Russian plan for chemical weapons
After NSA Scandal, Brazil Seeks Reduced U.S. Control Over Worldwide Web (Epoca, Brazil)
The ramifications of the NSA's now-exposed global surveillance programs are far from over. Much to the disappointment of official Washington, Brasilia has yet to calm down after discovering that almost nothing that is said or communicated electronically in Brazil is exempt from the NSA's gigantic prying ears. Brazil's Epoca newspaper, after new revelations aired on Fantastico, … [Read more...] about After NSA Scandal, Brazil Seeks Reduced U.S. Control Over Worldwide Web (Epoca, Brazil)
NEW Twitter feed for The Moderate Voice
(This post will stay on top through September). Do you want to follow TMV on Twitter? The old account stopped working so as of yesterday Site Administrator Tyrone Steels has set up a NEW Twitter account that will help you follow and retweet TMV blog posts. Just click on the Twitter icon on the top left of TMV or go HERE for the new TMV twitter account -- and we'd love to … [Read more...] about NEW Twitter feed for The Moderate Voice
Did the Russians Blink or Just Switch Tactics?
History may see this as the moment when Obama and Putin went eyeball to eyeball and the other guy blinked. Maybe so but, as the President unleashes weapons of mass persuasion with wall-to-wall TV interviews and key Democrats back him, he should recognize what any good basketball player knows is a strategic flop, suddenly stepping away from an aggressive adversary to have him … [Read more...] about Did the Russians Blink or Just Switch Tactics?
What I Want To Hear From The President
President Obama will address the nation today about possible action in Syria. While I hardly expect him to direct his words at me specifically I would still like to suggest what I (and I think others) would like to hear. You do not need to convince me that Assad is a brutal dictator or a cruel man, I am already convinced of that. You also do not need to show me images of … [Read more...] about What I Want To Hear From The President
Assad Tells PBS’ Charlie Rose Syria Prepared to Retaliate if Hit (Guest Voice)
Assad Tells PBS' Charlie Rose Syria Prepared to Retaliate if Hit (via PBS News Hour) By: Hari Sreenivasan PBS talk show host Charlie Rose, right, interviewed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Sunday in Damascus. His interview aired on PBS at 9 p.m. EDT Monday. PBS NewsHour Weekend's Hari Sreenivasan spoke to Rose Sunday. Listen to… … [Read more...] about Assad Tells PBS’ Charlie Rose Syria Prepared to Retaliate if Hit (Guest Voice)
Syria: coup de grace
Moscow is deftly pulling the rug from under President Barack Obama with today’s proposal to confiscate and destroy Syrian Bashar al Assad’s chemical weapons but Paris may be the one to deliver the coup de grace. The Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov’s sudden diplomatic initiative gave the beleaguered French President Francois Hollande an opportunity to start backing … [Read more...] about Syria: coup de grace
Obama’s Call To Congress An Unnecessary Precedent With Consequences For The Office
Mo Udall once said, "Everything that needs to be said has been said. But not everyone has said it." So please allow me the opportunity to add my two cents on the Syrian debate. After weeks of pondering, President Obama has decided that it's his intention to authorize air-strikes in Syria. But there is one major caveat: Congress must give him it's blessing to do so first. And … [Read more...] about Obama’s Call To Congress An Unnecessary Precedent With Consequences For The Office
Leaked Iranian letter warned US that Syrian rebels have chemical weapons (Guest Voice)
Leaked Iranian letter warned US that Syrian rebels have chemical weapons (via The Christian Science Monitor) A Syrian military solider fires a heavy machine gun during clashes with rebels in Maaloula village, northeast of the capital Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Sept. 7. Syrian troops launched an attack Monday, Sept. 9, on suspected rebel-held positions on hills… … [Read more...] about Leaked Iranian letter warned US that Syrian rebels have chemical weapons (Guest Voice)
Obama: Russian Syria Chemical Weapons Proposal Could be a Breakththrough
On a day when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid delayed a slated Wednesday test vote on Congressional authorization for the United States to use military force in Syria, President Barack Obama said one of six interviews he's giving to news networks that a Russian proposal to place Syria's chemical weapons under international control could be a breakthrough. President Obama … [Read more...] about Obama: Russian Syria Chemical Weapons Proposal Could be a Breakththrough
Do big balls make for bad dads?
Do big balls make for bad dads? (via AFP) A US study Monday measuring fathering habits and testicle size suggested that bigger may not be better when it comes to the day-to-day raising of small children. The research involved 70 US men of varying ethnicities -- most were Caucasian, five were… … [Read more...] about Do big balls make for bad dads?
Zimmerman had gun and blames wife for domestic altercation (Audio of 911 call)
There really is a heaping helping of deja vu now that details are coming out about Trayvon Martin killer George Zimmerman's being detained briefly after a domestic disturbance: George Zimmerman was questioned Monday in Central Florida after his estranged wife called police saying he threatened her with a gun, but has not been charged. ake Mary police say they were … [Read more...] about Zimmerman had gun and blames wife for domestic altercation (Audio of 911 call)
Zimmerman in custody after domestic incident with his wife
Good thing she wasn't wearing a hoodie: George Zimmerman was taken into custody Monday after an apparent domestic altercation with his wife and her father at a home in Lake Mary, Florida, police said. "As of right now, (George Zimmerman) has been placed in investigative detention," Lake Mary police spokesman Zach Hudson said. The incident comes two months after … [Read more...] about Zimmerman in custody after domestic incident with his wife
Russia pushes plan to secure Syria chem arms, US wary
Russia pushes plan to secure Syria chem arms, US wary (via AFP) Russia seized the diplomatic initiative Monday with a plan to head off the threat of US military strikes on Syria by putting its chemical weapons under international control. Washington gave a cautious response, warning that, while it would like to… … [Read more...] about Russia pushes plan to secure Syria chem arms, US wary
Getting Out Of Syria Through Russia
With Congress and the American people balking at the idea of Use of Force Resolutions and air strikes against Syria. As international support is proving barely luke warm. President Obama may have found a friend in the unlikeliest of places. Russia. OK, I’m apologizing in advance, but I’m going to take credit for this.* On Saturday, I was asked, given my opposition to air … [Read more...] about Getting Out Of Syria Through Russia
Why is Obama having trouble rallying public support on Syria?
A question raging now -- and one that historians will most assuredly analyze in future years -- is precisely why President Barack Obama is having so much trouble raising public support on Syria. Even with an unpopular military proposal that could elicit a "oh, not again" response from the public, exactly why are polls looking worse and worse for Obama? Are other factors … [Read more...] about Why is Obama having trouble rallying public support on Syria?
Don’t Bomb Syria (Cartoon)
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Don’t Bomb Syria (Cartoon)
(Video) What moderates say about Syria
The left and right, Democrats and Republicans, are now weighing in on Syria which in many ways isn't a partisan issue -- but in other ways is becoming moreso with each passing day. Here's a segment on Don Lemon's CNN show which gets the viewpoint of one moderate -- yours truly. And I'm sure many will disgree. Which they have already in emails and Tweets -- which in their tone … [Read more...] about (Video) What moderates say about Syria