" />

The Moderate Voice

An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right


You are here: Home / Home

Terrorist in Failed Plane Bomb Attack Wore Suicide Underwear

by 4 Comments

Has it come to this? In the future will TSA inspectors at airports ask you "Boxers or briefs or explosives?" and then check to see whether your underwear was made by Fruit of the Loom or Al Qaeda? Perhaps: ABC News reports that Al Qaeda bigwigs may now be clothes horses since they've created a new wardbobe item for the best dressed murder-to-be terrorist: suicide underwear -- … [Read more...] about Terrorist in Failed Plane Bomb Attack Wore Suicide Underwear

Acting Dutch Prime Minister Thanks Hero of Northwest Flight 253

by 5 Comments

According to the Dutch newspaper, NRC Handelsblad, the Acting Dutch Prime Minister Wouter Bos today thanked Dutch video director and producer from Amsterdam, Jasper Schuringa, for his actions aboard the Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Bos thanked Schuringa on behalf of the Dutch Cabinet for the role he played in subduing the alleged terrorist, Umar … [Read more...] about Acting Dutch Prime Minister Thanks Hero of Northwest Flight 253

Is the Middle Ground Lost?

by 23 Comments

This Politico report from yesterday suggests it might be ... After nearly a year, this is what’s become of the health care debate: Democrats hunkered behind closed doors on a bill struggling to gain public support, Republicans lobbing one partisan grenade after the next. In the wake of this grinding fight, Obama’s campaign pledge [of bipartisanship] now seems hollow, … [Read more...] about Is the Middle Ground Lost?

James Cameron and the Hubris of Celebrity

by 6 Comments

Avatar and Titanic director James Cameron is rightfully hailed for his incredible vision, directing, and his determination which has not just generated huge movie grosses but raised the bar on cinematic art by putting on the screen ever drop of creativity that bubbled in his mind. But, as is not unusual in the celebrity world, he is not-so-blessed with some hubris -- the hubris … [Read more...] about James Cameron and the Hubris of Celebrity

Travel Restrictions On Last Hour of All Flights

by 10 Comments

How will this go over with air travelers? New rules imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration also limit on-board activities by customers and crew in U.S. airspace that may adversely impact on-board service. Among other things, during the final hour of flight customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal … [Read more...] about Travel Restrictions On Last Hour of All Flights

Osama bin Laden: The Decade’s ‘Sinister Victor’ – Nachrichten, Switzerland

by 1 Comment

When one looks back at the stated goals of Osama bin Laden, one might conclude that much of what he sought has come to pass. As bin Laden is reported to have said in 2004, "We are continuing this policy of bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy. Allah willing, and nothing is too great for Allah." According to Patrik Etschmayer of Switzerland's Nachrichten newspaper, in … [Read more...] about Osama bin Laden: The Decade’s ‘Sinister Victor’ – Nachrichten, Switzerland

Did Failed Terrorist Plan Attack Signal New Threat — and New Terrorist Technique?

by 22 Comments

As federal officials scrambled to find out more about yesterdays failed terrorist attack on an airplane, and to tighten airport security -- and as one Republican reacted immediately by trying to politicize it before he reportedly even was briefed on the facts -- experts are now pondering a serious new question: Did the failed attack on a trans-Atlantic Northwest Airlines … [Read more...] about Did Failed Terrorist Plan Attack Signal New Threat — and New Terrorist Technique?

The New Way To Rake It In On Wall Street

by 1 Comment

Planning to make a career on Wall Street? Harken to this advice. Don't do a good job. Don't do a poor job. Do a really terrible job, but do it in a way that makes it seem that only you can salvage a bit of the ruins you helped to generate. That's not only the lesson we see on view at firms that tanked in 2008, needed government bailouts to survive, have since managed to pay … [Read more...] about The New Way To Rake It In On Wall Street

Scientific Discovery of 2009 Explains the Economic Crash: Nachrichten of Switzerland

by 1 Comment

Ardipithecus ramidus What does the economic crisis have to do with Ardipithecus ramidus, the so-called missing link discovered in 2009? According to Patrik Etschmayer of the Swiss newspaper Nachrichten, everything. For Nachrichten, Patrik Etschmayer writes in part: If you find yourself asking again, why the damned economy has collapsed and who you should blame for … [Read more...] about Scientific Discovery of 2009 Explains the Economic Crash: Nachrichten of Switzerland

Officials: Failed Plane Attack Was Attempted Terrorism With Possible Al Qaeda Connection

by 19 Comments

Federal officials are now saying that a failed attempt by a Nigerian national to light an incendiary device on a Northwest Airlines flight was an attempted terrorist act -- with possible Al Qaeda connections. New details are emerging in a story where when passengers realized the passenger was up to no good, they tackled him. The Washington Post reports: A Nigerian … [Read more...] about Officials: Failed Plane Attack Was Attempted Terrorism With Possible Al Qaeda Connection

A Stunning Achievement

by 22 Comments

Who knew that Harry Reid had the kind of steel in his spine that it took to get health care reform through the Senate? If anyone had told me a year ago that he would have the fortitude, perseverance, toughness, and sheer guts that it took to pass this legislation against the implacable, uncompromising opposition and nihilistic obstructionism of Senate Republicans, I would have … [Read more...] about A Stunning Achievement

Will Dur$t’$ 2009 Xma$ Gift Wi$h Li$t

by 1 Comment

Will Dur$t’$ 2009 Xma$ Gift Wi$h Li$t Raging Moderate, by Will Durst It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Just ask anybody. Oh, they’ll tell you. Over and over and over again. On the radio, they’ve been pounding it into our heads ever since November 1. That’s when a lot of stations went 24/7 Christmas. And every single one of them went 24/7 Christmas ad nauseam. A … [Read more...] about Will Dur$t’$ 2009 Xma$ Gift Wi$h Li$t

Christmas Day Comedy Classic (Attention Aspiring Comedians and Animated Cartoon Fans) Jack Benny’s Christmas Shopping

by 1 Comment

Here's a full comedy classic TV episode that is MUST Christmas viewing for the holidays, for famlies, aspiring comedians, cartoon fans, comedians, and for older folks hooked on nostalgia -- but it's value goes far BEYOND nostalgia. The great comedian Jack Benny often did a version of his Christmas shopping show on radio and on TV where he would frustrate clerks in a store with … [Read more...] about Christmas Day Comedy Classic (Attention Aspiring Comedians and Animated Cartoon Fans) Jack Benny’s Christmas Shopping

A Christmas Medical Tip

by 3 Comments

"Hiccups," says the Mayo Clinic, "may result from a large meal, alcoholic beverages or sudden excitement," which makes this the perfect-storm day for being afflicted. Fortunately, there is a sure-fire cure, passed on to me by (brace yourself for major name-drop) John F. Kennedy's White House doctor, Janet Travell, an expert on muscle spasms who put him in a rocking chair and … [Read more...] about A Christmas Medical Tip

from A Christmas Carol: The Children Who Belong to Us

by 17 Comments

Not in remonstrance, but just to ask we not forget... and to do what we can to help... within our reach... in your own way... to go beyond your reach also by helping those who are already helping... From Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens The chimes were ringing the three quarters past eleven at that moment. “Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask,” said … [Read more...] about from A Christmas Carol: The Children Who Belong to Us

For Arabs, Year of Obama One of Disappointment: Dar al-Hayat, Saudi Arabia

by 3 Comments

'OBAMA: 'I PROMISE THINGS AND THEN FIND MYSELF DOING THE OPPOSITE.' From the worldwide team at WORLDMEETS.US., we wish all the readers and posters at the Moderate Voice a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday. In the spirit of the season, it's time for media outlets large and small to begin their reckonings of 2009. This article by columnist Elias Harfoush of Saudi … [Read more...] about For Arabs, Year of Obama One of Disappointment: Dar al-Hayat, Saudi Arabia