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
Quote of the Day: Obama’s history defying decision to ask Congress for a vote on Syria
Our political Quote of the Day is from pundit Walter Shapiro, one of the most thoughtful centrist pundits around. He calls President Barack Obama's decision --- a decision Obama reached despite the preferences of his advisers -- to seek Congressional approval on Syria history-defying. Shapiro writes: President Barack Obama, according to background briefings by his aides, … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Obama’s history defying decision to ask Congress for a vote on Syria
Gripping Time-Lapse of Destructive Yosemite Wildfire
Gripping Time-Lapse of Destructive Yosemite Wildfire (via Climate Central) By Andrew Freedman Follow @afreedma The Rim Fire burning near Yosemite National Park in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains ranks among the state's top ten largest wildfires on record, closing in on the 200,000 acre mark as of Thursday — an area… … [Read more...] about Gripping Time-Lapse of Destructive Yosemite Wildfire
Sarin gas used in Damascus attack: Kerry
Sarin gas used in Damascus attack: Kerry (via AFP) The United States has proof sarin gas was used in a Damascus attack, Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday, as he urged Congress to vote for military action against the Syrian regime. Hair and blood samples given to the United States from emergency… … [Read more...] about Sarin gas used in Damascus attack: Kerry
“World’s Hairiest Cat” sets Guiness World Record
And you thought YOUR cat shed a lot? As MSNBC's Chris Matthews would say: "HA!" Meet Colonel Meow who has set a new Guiness World record as the world's hairiest cat: Normally this could be cat-astophic or hair-raising in a pet -- but in this case the owner can just brush that off since as Daffy Duck could say, "Hair raising hair shmazing, he set a world record!" And there … [Read more...] about “World’s Hairiest Cat” sets Guiness World Record
Sarah Palin On Syria
Am I getting old or did Sarah Palin just manage to say something that makes sense? Shortly before President Obama decided to seek congressional approval for the use of force in Syria, the former half term Alaskan Governor let her views be known. And most of it made sense. Not all of course. This is Sarah Palin we’re talking about, so she had to go over the top at the … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin On Syria
Farewell to Football: Human Price is Too High
What price entertainment? Violent movies carry a disclaimer that “No animals were hurt in the making,” but now pro football admits to human brain damage and agrees to pay $765 million as an oops to 4500 wrecked plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the NFL. Sports, we are told, helps society sublimate innate savagery, but few lives are destroyed by baseball, basketball, tennis, … [Read more...] about Farewell to Football: Human Price is Too High
The Corporate States of America
As war drums beat in Washington, DC (and at many US newspapers), it's useful to understand how the federal government spends our tax dollars and borrowed money. There's an image floating around Facebook that compares military, health, housing and education spending. It's undated, but it's from 2009. And the numbers in the supporting article are, well, squishy. For … [Read more...] about The Corporate States of America
Is India’s Economy Collapsing?
India’s economy is collapsing. How bad will it get? (Updated) (via GlobalPost) Enlarge NEW DELHI, India — How bad can things get in India? Experts say a full-blown financial crisis like the one that devastated the so-called “Asian tigers” in 1997 is unlikely. But some of India Inc's marquee names are in big trouble. “You… … [Read more...] about Is India’s Economy Collapsing?