RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Bayh Bye
McChrystal and civilian casualties
The NY Times reports on the aggressive measures American forces are taking to show their concern for civilian casualties during the battle for Marja: MARJA, Afghanistan — Twelve bodies — five children, five women and two men — were wrapped head to toe in woolen blankets, lying in a neat row on the floor of the only room remaining in a house that had been blasted to mud-brick … [Read more...] about McChrystal and civilian casualties
The Dalai Lama, democracy promoter
Carl Gershman, president of the National Endowment for Democracy, writes,Now that the White House has announced that President Obama will receive the Dalai Lama, it is important that he be welcomed not only as a moral and religious leader respected throughout the world but also as a fellow democrat who shares America's deepest values. This is not an aspect of the Dalai Lama … [Read more...] about The Dalai Lama, democracy promoter
Pitfalls of the Marja offensive
Afghanistan’s Hamid Karzai has bent to strong American pressure to join the Marja city and Helmand Province offensives but his goal may be to keep the US and coalition forces in Afghanistan for a long time. From the US viewpoint, the Marja offensive is the only course with a reasonable chance of creating the conditions for a Karzai administration take over, allowing the … [Read more...] about Pitfalls of the Marja offensive
JFK Grave-Robbing and Other Free Speech
In the brouhaha over a forthcoming movie by a conservative filmmaker, we are once again on the dark side of free speech, which the Supreme Court visited last month in its decision that validated "Hillary: the Movie," an election-year smear of Mrs. Clinton A dramatization of John F. Kennedy's flaws for the History Channel is evoking high emotion even before it has been filmed … [Read more...] about JFK Grave-Robbing and Other Free Speech
Headline of the Day on Hot Air Being Sold
Our headline of the day is this from Mediaite on a hugely popular conservative website being sold: Exclusive: Hot Air Acquired By Salem Communications I read the headline and thought: "Someone bought Congress??" The post, which needs to be read in full (some interesting details about owner Michelle Malkin and two of the sites most talented writers, Ed Morrisey and … [Read more...] about Headline of the Day on Hot Air Being Sold
Bashing Pelosi at CPAC – Literally
Oh those wild and crazy conservatives: Attendees at a conservative conference in town [D.C.] this week will have the opportunity to whack a pinata of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Conservative Political Action Conference “CPAC” begins Thursday here in D.C. and will feature a party Friday evening where guests will have the opportunity to whack a Speaker Nancy Pelosi … [Read more...] about Bashing Pelosi at CPAC – Literally
Has Pakistan turned against the Taliban?
Dan Twining, who studied Pakistan closely during his time at the State Department, takes a closer look at why Pakistan might have cooperated in the capture of Taliban #2, Mullah Baradar. The optimistic interpretation is that Pakistani intelligence has finally recognized that the Taliban are as much of a threat to Pakistan as they are to Afghanistan. Alternately, In return for … [Read more...] about Has Pakistan turned against the Taliban?
Former Bush Speechwriter — Obama Too Tough on Terrorism?
Guest post by Peter Henne Peter S. Henne is a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project and a doctoral candidate at Georgetown University. Of all the critiques that a Republican might level at President Obama, one would think that "you're killing too many terrorists" would not be one of them. But it is. Marc Thiessen, a former speechwriter for President … [Read more...] about Former Bush Speechwriter — Obama Too Tough on Terrorism?
Corporate Millions for Black Caucus
In a recent front-page story, the NY Times exposed how corporations have worked around campaign finance laws to send tens of millions of dollars to influential Democrats on the Hill: WASHINGTON — When the Congressional Black Caucus wanted to pay off the mortgage on its foundation’s stately 1930s redbrick headquarters on Embassy Row, it turned to a familiar roster of friends: … [Read more...] about Corporate Millions for Black Caucus
Elitism Versus Populism
There was an interesting article in The New York Times the other day about the euro. It noted that most people in rich West European countries like Germany opposed it, but their leadership, disdaining popular views on the matter, rammed it through anyway. The elitists believed they knew better when it came to a single currency. Except maybe they didn't. A united Europe isn't … [Read more...] about Elitism Versus Populism
Palin Nixes Third Party Idea
OOPS! There goes another conventional wisdom sentence. Some analyses about Sarah Palin have suggested that there is a possibility that if she was unhappy with the GOP that she'd take her Tea Party movement and other followers and possibly run as a third party candidate in 2012. But that does not seem to be the case now. In an interview she says: Now the smart thing … [Read more...] about Palin Nixes Third Party Idea
Haiti: Our “Tenderhearted Legions”
As news about the Haiti earthquake tragedy is relegated to the inside pages of our newspapers, the suffering continues. But so do the humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. Our troops who were among the first to reach the victims and to provide search and rescue---then, recovery---are still there, albeit in fewer numbers. As the number of U.S. military in and around … [Read more...] about Haiti: Our “Tenderhearted Legions”
Too Obvious to Report
Andrew Sullivan posts a chart of the day illustrating that Americans' trust in their government rises in direct correlation to the health of the economy, specifically, to positive changes in real disposable income. He then posits two theories (one of them his own) on why such a correlation is "under-reported." Here's my theory: Because it's too flippin' obvious. It's a … [Read more...] about Too Obvious to Report
Should Judge Baltasar Garzon Be Removed In Spain?
A major controversy is swirling in Spain where Baltasar Garzon, a judge who has been involved in some high profile and controversial cases and who has gotten a lot of international attention, is accused of basically ignoring a 1977 amnesty law. Radio Netherlands gives the best summary of the issue: The authorities in Spain have begun the process to suspend the well-known … [Read more...] about Should Judge Baltasar Garzon Be Removed In Spain?
GOP Comeback in New England?
They times they are a' changing, my friends, and nowhere does that seem to be more true than in the generally deep blue states of New England. I've got a full roundup of the latest standings, box-scores and media catnip on the 2010 races up that way over at Pajamas Media today. Let us know if you have any inside dirt on any other elections in that area. … [Read more...] about GOP Comeback in New England?
Secession: Settled Law?
I hadn't given the secession scenario much thought since Texas Gov. Perry raised the issue nearly a year ago. Now, we have this intriguing little story about a New York personal injury lawyer, his screenwriter brother, and Supreme Court Justice Scalia. … [Read more...] about Secession: Settled Law?
Moderates Abandon Obama
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Moderates Abandon Obama
The Original Palm Pilot (Guest Voice)
The Original Palm Pilot Raging Moderate, by Will Durst A few words of advice for all you anti-Obama conservatives out there. Quit it with the whole teleprompter fixation, would ya? Okay, okay, we get it, you don’t like the president. And you’ll throw the kitchen sink to attack him on everything under the sun; from being responsible for the recent rash of substandard … [Read more...] about The Original Palm Pilot (Guest Voice)
Australia: Pauline Hanson Vs Multiculturalism
Now you would understand why I love the Brits... It seems they haven't lost their legendary sense of wit and humour. Try this recent story in The Times of London: "Far right Australian politician Pauline Hanson moving to Britain." I specially enjoyed the comments that followed this article. Here are three sample comments: "Coming to England to avoid Asians is a bit like … [Read more...] about Australia: Pauline Hanson Vs Multiculturalism