That is the question Matthew Yglesias poses, now that advocates for torture are promoting its use for routine intelligence-gathering as opposed to the original rationale that torture should be limited to the mythical "ticking time bomb" scenario (emphasis is mine): … [Read more...] about Why Use Torture Only on Terrorists?
Dick World – Terrorism and Republicans
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Dick World – Terrorism and Republicans
Climate change is drowning in populist politics
Dealing with climate change may be the most important issue for human progress but 2010 is likely to see it move to the backburner because creating jobs is better politics in the US, Europe and elsewhere. President Barack Obama’s presence surrounded by 5 cabinet members, many senators and tens of top journalists at the recent Copenhagen conference failed to persuade major … [Read more...] about Climate change is drowning in populist politics
Good Guys, Bad Guys, and Comfort Zones
NBC News reports that the suicide bomber responsible for killing seven C.I.A. agents in Afghanistan was a double agent working for Al Qaeda: … [Read more...] about Good Guys, Bad Guys, and Comfort Zones
Capital Justice System in U.S. Irretrievably Broken
In his column today Adam Liptak looks at the American Law Institute, which created the intellectual framework for the modern capital justice system almost 50 years ago. And then pronounced its project a failure and walked away from it: A study commissioned by the institute said that decades of experience have proved that the system cannot reconcile the twin goals of … [Read more...] about Capital Justice System in U.S. Irretrievably Broken
Interview With A Vegan, Part Two
Hello, Dr. E. here. What follows below is Part Two of an earlier Guest Voice interview on Veganism, conducted by Mr. Elijah Sweete. In the follow-up interview, Mr. Sweete took previous commenters’ thoughts posted to the earlier interview ....back to the interviewee to gather additional commentary... Modern discourse about animals and humans and their relationships with each … [Read more...] about Interview With A Vegan, Part Two
Did Brit Hume “Evangelize” Tiger Woods?
Blogger Ann Althouse says that Brit Hume "evangelized" golfer Tiger Woods in this clip from Fox News. Many of Althouse's commenters seemed to agree and they didn't like it. I have a slightly different take on the matter from that of Althouse or some of her readers. The term "evangelize" is rooted in the New Testament word euangelion, meaning good news. (The New … [Read more...] about Did Brit Hume “Evangelize” Tiger Woods?
ObamaCare to Skip Conference Committee?
In the history of pointless ideas in politics, this one should not come as any surprise, except in terms of how pointless it seems. MSNBC is reporting that Congressional Democrats will seek to skip the normal conference committee process to combine the House and Senate versions of the health care bill and try to get one identical bill passed in each chamber which both can agree … [Read more...] about ObamaCare to Skip Conference Committee?
Homosexuals Can Forget About Human Rights
I always wonder what those who hold the view that homosexuality is wrong, a crime against God and nature, want. If it's really that bad shouldn't it be punished? It seems to me a binary choice, accept it and hold it to all the rights and obligations of society, or... The title of this post is from Uganda’s minister of ethics and integrity, as quoted in this important … [Read more...] about Homosexuals Can Forget About Human Rights
Nothing Wrong With Rush
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Nothing Wrong With Rush
In the Category of Things You Don’t See Every Day
Rep. Parker Griffith (Ala.) announced last month his intention to switch parties, from Democrat to Republican. Now we learn that his "staff has resigned en masse." Details at The Hill's Blog Briefing Room. UPDATE: Rep. Griffith's departed staff might want to be a little more robust in their fact-checking when they list examples of "great Democratic conservative … [Read more...] about In the Category of Things You Don’t See Every Day
Must 2010 Be 1994? (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- As they enter this difficult election year, Democrats seem ready to engage yet again in a debate they never seem to tire of: whether winning demands "moving to the center" or "mobilizing the base." If they get stuck on this one, they're in for a very bad time. The simple truth is that in midterm elections, no party can win without its base because … [Read more...] about Must 2010 Be 1994? (Guest Voice)
Good and Evil in a Troubled World (Guest Voice)
Good and Evil in a Troubled World by Craig Barnes Nobody seems happy. Not the democrats who want to get out of Afghanistan; not the Republicans who want to bomb devils and wipe out evil. Not the prophets of non-violence and not the advocates of strength. Obama’s autumn strategy is a collage of contradictions. On the one hand, he is for peace; on the other hand he is … [Read more...] about Good and Evil in a Troubled World (Guest Voice)
The Nigerian: Yet Another Case of ‘Terrorism on Demand’ – Sotal Iraq, Iraq
'THE TRAVELS OF THE MAGI' A little over a week after the alleged terrorist attack aboard an American aircraft, a pattern is emerging. While European writers tend to think new U.S. rules for passengers are ineffective if not absurd, many Arab columnists believe that the suspicious aspects of the case suggest that some kind of plot to demonize Muslims and extend the war on … [Read more...] about The Nigerian: Yet Another Case of ‘Terrorism on Demand’ – Sotal Iraq, Iraq
They Made the Bed; We Sleep In It
Digby flags a post over at Daily Kos written by Devilstower. It's about the decade that just ended, why everybody wants to keep their eyes averted from the rear view mirror, and why we shouldn't. Digby quotes a passage toward the end of the piece; I will quote the section that comes just before that (emphasis is in original): … [Read more...] about They Made the Bed; We Sleep In It
“Never Doubt That A Small Group of Thoughtful, Committed Citizens Can Change the World…
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." … [Read more...] about “Never Doubt That A Small Group of Thoughtful, Committed Citizens Can Change the World…
Drink Before the War
I hadn't listened to this song in years, and it's just as electrifying as it was the first time I heard it. When I hear the anger and utter frustration in her voice, at the impossibility of reaching hearts that have been deadened and stripped of all humanity, it just feels so good to know I'm not the only one. … [Read more...] about Drink Before the War
Obama and Iran: the peril is rising by the day
For West Asia, 2010 has not begun well. The mess in Iran is increasing by the day and holds peril unprecedented for the entire region. If the government, however reprehensible, falls into disarray the real possibility arises of a huge arc of violent political and civil instability stretching through Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Palestine to Israel. The possibility of a … [Read more...] about Obama and Iran: the peril is rising by the day
Brit Hume’s Solution To How Tiger Woods Can Be Forgiven
Fox News' Brit Hume has a solution for how Tiger Woods can be forgiven for his sins: become a Christian: FOOTNOTE: I know rabbi who is having problems. I'll be sure to pass it on to him. How nice it is to know that we now have someone we watch who can give us the news, impart to viewers how he really feels about issues and politicians he covers, and give us the answer to … [Read more...] about Brit Hume’s Solution To How Tiger Woods Can Be Forgiven
2010
Cartoon by Michael Kountouris, Greece This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about 2010