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
The Best Offense is Complete Craziness
One reason for the out-of-balance economic, financial, trade, and jobs situation between China and the U.S. can be traced to the Chinese policy of artificially pegging the value of its currency, the Renminbi or Yuan, to the U.S. dollar. No matter what the U.S. does to increase domestic productivity, reduce costs, or innovate, the Chinese can always do it cheaper because they … [Read more...] about The Best Offense is Complete Craziness
Opening Your Day With Show Biz Pizazz
Some years ago I did a post on The Moderate Voice about show biz pizazz and likability, which got great response. And, recently, the topic came up with some young aspiring entertainers and I told them to You Tube and look for...the Color Honeymooners. The legendary comedian Jackie Gleason -- Hanna Barbera used him as the inspiration for Fred Flintstone -- did his famous … [Read more...] about Opening Your Day With Show Biz Pizazz
Sometimes, the Apple Falls VERY Far From the Tree
James Fallows writes that the differences between Evan Bayh and his more liberal dad are as much about character as they are about political philosophy: … [Read more...] about Sometimes, the Apple Falls VERY Far From the Tree
FCC to Propose 100MB Broadband Access
Funny. When Google said last week that it was going to think big by offering experimental ultra high-speed Internet access to a small number of trial locations in the U.S. -- "100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections" -- the company explained that it had urged the FCC to do it through the National … [Read more...] about FCC to Propose 100MB Broadband Access
Why Digital Editions (iPad, Kindle) Need Subscription Fees
I've been thinking about business models for online content (text and images), given Apple's introduction of the iPad and Amazon's infamous battle with Macmillan. I've argued that digital subscriptions should be less than their analog counterparts, basing my argument in large part on the fact that traditional print is vastly more expensive than digital distribution. I've … [Read more...] about Why Digital Editions (iPad, Kindle) Need Subscription Fees
Romanians Must Reject Opponents of American Anti-Missile Shield: Romania Liberia, Romania
On February 4, Romanian President Traian Basescu announced, at some political risk to himself, that his country would accept elements of America's new and improved missile shield. Illustrating how the forces of anti-Americanism and corruption in Romania are opposing this and other pro-Western initiatives is this article by Sabina Fati, deputy editor in chief the Romania … [Read more...] about Romanians Must Reject Opponents of American Anti-Missile Shield: Romania Liberia, Romania
An “Intelligence Bonanza” — With Caveat
Neptunus Lex justifiably praises the joint Pakistani-U.S. intelligence operation that snagged the Taliban's top military commander last week: … [Read more...] about An “Intelligence Bonanza” — With Caveat
911 Operator Saves Sons Life
This is an amazingly cool story ! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/16/chris-scott-911-operator_n_463725.html Semper Fi ! … [Read more...] about 911 Operator Saves Sons Life
What Was Rachael Thinking
On Sunday, ABC-TV reporter Jonathon Karl nailed former Vice President Dick Cheney. Karl asked Cheney to explain why he scolds the Obama administration for trying terrorists in federal courts while the Bush administration did the very same thing with shoe bomber Richard Reid and at least 112 other convicted terrorists. CHENEY: Well, we didn‘t all agree with that. We … [Read more...] about What Was Rachael Thinking
Mitt Romney Gets Feedback
Voters do have differing inclinations -- and on an airplane Mitt Romney got strong feedback from a real swinger. FOOTNOTE: Over the past few weeks I was asked to be part of a CNN panel on independent voters. Techs and drivers in San Diego, CA (where I live) and Naples, Florida (I was in that state on a business trip in my other incarnation) had wonderful things to say about … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney Gets Feedback