A not very dangerous precedent (via The Economist) LIKE Jonathan Bernstein, I think John McCain is wrong when he says that it would set a "catastrophic" precedent for congress to vote down Barack Obama's request for authorisation of the use of military force in Syria. As Mr Bernstein says, "Congress… … [Read more...] about A not very dangerous precedent (Guest Voice)
White House Presses Congress on Syria Authorization Vote
The White House has begun a full-court press on Congress to get approval for limited military action against Syria -- amid signs that the issue is accentuating fissures in both political parties. Over the next week divisions that were in a kind of political suspended animation between the Democrats and Republicans will be on full display. Before the meeting, Obama underscored … [Read more...] about White House Presses Congress on Syria Authorization Vote
The Last Train to Auschwitz (Revisited)
As Rosh Hashanah -- sometimes referred to as the "day of judgment" -- starts tomorrow evening and as we continue to debate the atrocious gassing of the innocent in Syria, events of seven decades ago ghastly come to my mind. In particular, the departure of a train out of the Nazi transit camp of Westerbork in the Netherlands exactly 69 years ago to the day. It would be the … [Read more...] about The Last Train to Auschwitz (Revisited)
Not in the national interest
WASHINGTON -- Are we really going to do this? Are we going to wade into a struggle we don't really want to fight? Are we going to mire ourselves in a senseless, grinding conflict whose possible outcomes range from bad to worse? I'm talking about the upcoming budget battles in Washington, of course. (What, you thought I meant something else?) Incredibly, Congress … [Read more...] about Not in the national interest
Could Tim Tebow cut it in Canada or the Arena league?
Could Tim Tebow cut it in Canada or the Arena league? (+video) (via The Christian Science Monitor) New England Patriots quarterback Tim Tebow throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of their NFL preseason football game in Philadelphia last month. The Patriots cut Tebow Saturday. (Tim Shaffer/Reuters/File) Tim Tebow… … [Read more...] about Could Tim Tebow cut it in Canada or the Arena league?
Breitbart and Friends Miss the Point Again
Breitbart.com claims that the West Coast longshoreman union is leaving the AFL-CIO, which is true, but claim that Obamacare and immigration reform are important reasons which exaggerates wildly. Of course such conservative sites as Michelle Malkin cite Breitbart's article in a delirium of joy that the evil ObamaCare is being rejected by the conservative boogeyman, Big … [Read more...] about Breitbart and Friends Miss the Point Again
Russia to send delegation to US Congress for Syria talks
Russia to send delegation to US Congress for Syria talks (via AFP) Russian authorities are planning to send a parliamentary delegation to the United States for talks with the Congress over Syria, in a move publicly endorsed Monday by President Vladimir Putin. "The initiative is very timely and correct," Putin told… … [Read more...] about Russia to send delegation to US Congress for Syria talks
The image Harry Truman wouldn’t want you to see (Guest Voice)
The image Harry Truman wouldn't want you to see By Richard K. Barry The Daily Mail has an absurd headline today that reads, "The image John Kerry WON'T want you to see: U.S. Secretary of State pictured dining with Assad and his wife at Damascus restaurant before war broke out in Syria." The Mail writes that, "[t]he picture is believed to have been taken in February … [Read more...] about The image Harry Truman wouldn’t want you to see (Guest Voice)
Obama’s the only one actually taking any responsibility … so far
Maybe Congress will straighten up and fly right. Maybe. That Obama has bowed to Congress on the question of Syria should come as no surprise, however. Not only is he a former senator, so is his Secretary of State John Kerry, his Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and his Vice President Joe Biden. "I've long believed that our power is rooted not just in our military … [Read more...] about Obama’s the only one actually taking any responsibility … so far
Going to War, Right or Wrong, Gets Messy
The President finally admits he wants to attack Syria but will ask Congressional permission to do it. “I’m prepared to give that order,” he says. “But having made my decision as commander in chief based on what I am convinced is our national security interest, I’m also mindful that I’m president of the world’s oldest constitutional democracy.” In acknowledging uncertainty … [Read more...] about Going to War, Right or Wrong, Gets Messy
Sarin: lethal nerve gas that kills in minutes
Sarin: lethal nerve gas that kills in minutes (via AFP) Sarin, the deadly nerve gas which the United States says was unleashed last month by the Syrian regime in a Damascus suburb, was developed by Nazi scientists in 1938. Originally conceived as a pesticide, sarin was used by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein… … [Read more...] about Sarin: lethal nerve gas that kills in minutes
Step aside Miley Cyrus, here comes K-Porn
Step aside Miley Cyrus, here comes K-Porn (via GlobalPost) Enlarge SEOUL, South Korea — Miley Cyrus may have ticked off American parents with her salacious “twerking” dance, grabbing her crotch and grinding in a nude-colored leotard. But Americans aren’t the only ones on edge about sleazy stage tricks… … [Read more...] about Step aside Miley Cyrus, here comes K-Porn
HAPPY LABOR DAY
All of us here at The Moderate Voice and all of those who contribute to The Moderate Voice want to wish you and yours a happy Labor Day. It's a day to be with friends or family, or to just kick back and enjoy the national holiday Americans have enjoyed since 1887. Graphic via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about HAPPY LABOR DAY
The Least Laboring of Days (Guest Voice)
The Least Laboring of Days Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Hey, it's Labor Day, everybody. Woo-hoo. Okay, we're partying now. Throw your arms in the air and wave them like you just don't care. Blow up some balloons. Tap a keg. Rip open a bag of chips. Because this isn't a champagne and caviar kind of thing. This is the very definition of blue collar. If collars be worn at … [Read more...] about The Least Laboring of Days (Guest Voice)
Memento Mori and Mori
Happy ninth month called "seven." Next month, the tenth, will be called "eight." One of the fascinating things I note about my movement towards the grave is that no one bothered to prepare us for aging and dying, obsessing purely on youth and perfection for as long as I can remember. A cover of Look Magazine in the mid-fifties -- when I was born -- was the apotheosis of … [Read more...] about Memento Mori and Mori
Another Massacre. No, not ‘There’
As we continue to debate -- pass the buck on -- the horrific massacres that are taking place in Syria, another massacre took place over the weekend right next door to Syria -- almost barely acknowledged by our nation, by the world. The Washington Post, however, does note that in an attack that started unexpectedly at 10 p.m. EDT last night (Saturday) and continued for many … [Read more...] about Another Massacre. No, not ‘There’
In Syria and Beyond, U.S. is Hostage of its Own Power (Gazeta, Russia)
Is the United States a prisoner of the power it wields and the lack of a significant military rival? For Russia's Gazeta, columnist Fyodor Lukyanov lays out precisely what is about to happen in Syria - because as he says, once a superpower commits its forces, there can be no turning back. For Gazeta, Fyodor Lukyanov, chief editor for Russia in Global Affairs writes in … [Read more...] about In Syria and Beyond, U.S. is Hostage of its Own Power (Gazeta, Russia)
Sign On President Obama’s Desk: The Buck Stops Somewhere Else
There are so many reasons why giving congress a chance to vote on whether to punish Syria for using poison gas is a stupid idea, I won't even bother running through the long list. Here's just one reason that you may not have considered — and which Mr. Obama clearly hasn't: If congress does approve (and that is questionable), it won't just give a yes or no. It will approve with … [Read more...] about Sign On President Obama’s Desk: The Buck Stops Somewhere Else
Syria: Sunday Interviews with John Kerry
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave several interviews today to explain both the Syria chemical attacks situation and the President’s decision to seek authorization for military action against Syria from Congress. Here are full transcripts of those interviews. For the sake of (a little) brevity, introductions, pleasantries and interruptions have been … [Read more...] about Syria: Sunday Interviews with John Kerry
President Obama Makes ‘Shrewd’ Decision to Punt Call on Military Action Against Syria to Congress
President Obama can't win with lawmakers, no matter how hard he tries. He punted the decision on staging military action against Syria back to Congress, but some Republicans aren't happy with that decision such as Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and presidential wannabe Rep. Peter King (R-NY). What President Obama did was put Congress in a nice little wooden box. In a two-hour … [Read more...] about President Obama Makes ‘Shrewd’ Decision to Punt Call on Military Action Against Syria to Congress