Many reasons have been offered for the near-paralysis among the U.S. and its allies in fashioning a response to the thuggery of the Assad regime in Syria. Does anyone really believe that relieving the strongman of a few canisters of nerve gas will make a difference? But the perhaps least discussed reason is by far the biggest: The Bush Legacy, a toxic gift that keeps on … [Read more...] about The Crisis In Syria & The Bush Legacy: A Toxic Gift That Keeps On Poisoning
President Rousseff: Snowden Documents Show U.S. Economic Espionage (Epoca, Brazil)
Brazil President Dilma Rouseff, after revelations emerged last week that the NSA had been spying on her and her senior aides, has now learned that in all likelihood, the agency has also been spying on Petrobras, the largest company in the Southern Hemisphere by market capitalization and powerhouse of the Brazilian corporate world. According to Brazil's Epoca, the charges, made … [Read more...] about President Rousseff: Snowden Documents Show U.S. Economic Espionage (Epoca, Brazil)
I Miss 9/12
(Originally posted at The Kudzu Files 9/11/2009) I miss 9/12/2001. Obviously, not the pain and suffering of that next day. But I miss the feeling that, in the midst of such fear and loss, we were united as Americans. All across this country, people instinctively reached out to help not just the people of New York City and Washington, but each other. We awoke … [Read more...] about I Miss 9/12
‘Memory’s Requiem: 12 Years after 9/11’ (UPDATED)
UPDATE: American Forces Press Service is marking the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States in a special report available here. Visit the site for stories and photos about how the nation and the world are observing the anniversary. == Original Post: Memory can be a curious thing. It can break a man down to the point where … [Read more...] about ‘Memory’s Requiem: 12 Years after 9/11’ (UPDATED)
Headline of the Day (New York Daily News)
Remember
Remember... … [Read more...] about Remember
India: From breakout to breakdown nation. What went wrong? (Guest Voice)
India: From breakout to breakdown nation. What went wrong? (via GlobalPost) Enlarge NEW DELHI, India — As recently as 2010, India's economic rise was thought to be inevitable. Poverty? Call it a “low base.” Unemployed millions? Call that the “demographic dividend.” A runaway deficit? That's “inclusive growth.”… … [Read more...] about India: From breakout to breakdown nation. What went wrong? (Guest Voice)
Jimmy Kimmel reveals viral twerking video fake
US comic reveals viral twerking video fake (via AFP) US late-night comedy host Jimmy Kimmel triggered a wave of online debate Tuesday after revealing that a "Twerk Fail" video which went massively viral was actually a fake stunt for his show. The Hollywood Reporter posted a tongue-in-cheek opinion piece… … [Read more...] about Jimmy Kimmel reveals viral twerking video fake
De Blasio wins New York mayoral primary for Democrats
De Blasio wins New York mayoral primary for Democrats (via AFP) New York's public advocate Bill De Blasio has won the Democratic mayoral primary, unofficial results showed, a springboard to becoming the next mayor of the city. With 97 percent of ballots counted across the Big Apple, the 52-year-old stood at 40.2… … [Read more...] about De Blasio wins New York mayoral primary for Democrats
Weiner withers, Spitzer sputters in NYC Elections
First one of the Three Stooges of American political sex scandals -- San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, was out. He resigned after being accused of being a serial sex harrasser. And now the other two of the scandal team, former Rep. Anthony Weiner, and former New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer are out as well. Voters didn't seem too forgiving this year. Spitzer sputtered at the … [Read more...] about Weiner withers, Spitzer sputters in NYC Elections
Obama “scare”—madness is the only train wreck (Guest Voice)
Obama “scare”—madness is the only train wreck by Peter W. Johnson Hopefully most of us are aware by now that the propaganda designed to cast doubts on almost every aspect of the new ACA Health Care Bill, is almost completely manufactured. Yes, some of its foes point out believable exaggerations about the bill’s supposed flaws, but these are usually created by using a few … [Read more...] about Obama “scare”—madness is the only train wreck (Guest Voice)
Syria: Kerry on the Response to his ‘Rhetorical’
In an interview today at the “Google+ Hangout,” Secretary Kerry answered questions on the response to his so-called “rhetorical" remarks on Syria turning over “every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week – turn it over, all of it without delay and allow the full and total accounting (of it)…” Co-hosting the interview with Lara … [Read more...] about Syria: Kerry on the Response to his ‘Rhetorical’
CNN Instant Poll: 6 in 10 speech-watchers back Obama on Syria
A new CNN poll conducted right after President Barack Obama's speech tonight suggests two things (1)the speech was not a flop and (2) the speech was hardly a game-changer: A majority of Americans who watched President Barack Obama's prime time address to the nation said they favor the approach to Syria that the president spelled out in his speech, according to an instant … [Read more...] about CNN Instant Poll: 6 in 10 speech-watchers back Obama on Syria
Live blogging and news/blog roundup: President Barack Obama’s Speech on Syria (UPDATED with VIDEO)
This is live blogging of President Barack Obama's speech on Syria from the viewpoint of an independent voter. These are quick reactions. Once the speech is over an extensive roundup of news, blog and Twitter reaction will be included. TMV is also offering live streaming video (below this post). All times are EST. UPDATE: CNN poll did President make his case: 47% said yes, … [Read more...] about Live blogging and news/blog roundup: President Barack Obama’s Speech on Syria (UPDATED with VIDEO)
TMV “live blogging” and streaming video on Obama’s speech on Syria 9 pm EST
The moderate Voice will be doing "live blogging" and live streaming video on President Barack Obama's speech on Syria tonight at 9 p.m. EST. This will feature a live video stream of his speech in one post. The live blogging will continue until after his speech, and then a roundup will appear on that same post with quotes from news outlets, Twitter and weblogs of various … [Read more...] about TMV “live blogging” and streaming video on Obama’s speech on Syria 9 pm EST
LIVE STREAMING VIDEO: President Barack Obama’s Speech on Syria
You can watch President Barack Obama's speech here live on TMV, unfiltered without any analysis. The video below will go live at 9:00 EST: JOIN THE LIVE CHAT VISIT WHITEHOUSE.GOV … [Read more...] about LIVE STREAMING VIDEO: President Barack Obama’s Speech on Syria
Syria: The President’s Challenges, Uncertainties and Opportunities Tonight
Whether it is as the Washington Post puts it: Fast-moving events have altered the script for President Obama’s nationally televised speech about Syria. Obama is now in a position of having to argue for both war and diplomacy in the same address. Tuesday night’s speech now becomes one more event in a haphazard and unpredictable process that has shifted repeatedly over … [Read more...] about Syria: The President’s Challenges, Uncertainties and Opportunities Tonight
A case is still not made
Editor's Note: This column was written before Syria agreed to Russia's proposal that it turn its chemical weapons over to international control. WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration keeps undermining its own case for a punitive strike in Syria. If the president wants permission from Congress and support from the American people, he and his aides had better get … [Read more...] about A case is still not made
A Very Syrious Question of Moral and Intellectual Integrity
I approach the politics of life-and-death questions, such as intervention in Syria, with a thought experiment: I imagine looking in the eyes of the mother of a person who would die if my preferred course of action be carried through, but who would live if an opposing course of action were carried through. I imagine trying to justify to that mother why her son should die for the … [Read more...] about A Very Syrious Question of Moral and Intellectual Integrity
A Special Dog on a Special Mission
The subject of Military Working Dogs (MWD) has always been a favorite with me and -- judging from feedback -- it appears to be a much-liked topic with readers everywhere. While such intelligent, brave and loyal animals are usually associated with combat roles such as the live-saving work of protecting our troops during patrol and detecting the deadly Improvised Explosive … [Read more...] about A Special Dog on a Special Mission