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The Moderate Voice

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Let’s Make a Deal: Beltway Edition (Guest Voice)

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Let's Make a Deal: Beltway Edition by Michael Winship If you ever needed proof that Washington is governed by the Golden Rule - the one that says, he who has the gold, rules - you only have to look at the wagonloads of cash being dumped by big business into crushing President Obama's domestic agenda. Good gosh, how the money rolls in. And I'm not only talking about the … [Read more...] about Let’s Make a Deal: Beltway Edition (Guest Voice)

Micheal Pollan Predicts Big Food Will Be Brought To Account By Big Insurance

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If you, like me, missed Micheal Pollan's OpEd in the NYTimes last week, it's worth a read: No one disputes that the $2.3 trillion we devote to the health care industry is often spent unwisely, but the fact that the United States spends twice as much per person as most European countries on health care can be substantially explained, as a study released last month says, by our … [Read more...] about Micheal Pollan Predicts Big Food Will Be Brought To Account By Big Insurance

Health Care Debate Makes Life Hard for Black ‘Blue Dogs’ in Georgia

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Georgia congressmen Sanford Bishop and David Scott are both ‘Blue Dog’ Democrats. And both are being put to the test by the raging health care debate. McClatchy Newspapers: While both men say they're comfortable balancing the fiscal conservatism and strong support for the military that the Blue Dog Coalition advocates with the black caucus's socially progressive platform — … [Read more...] about Health Care Debate Makes Life Hard for Black ‘Blue Dogs’ in Georgia

The Netherlands: Land of Windmills, Tulips…and Camels?

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I lived in the Netherlands for many years and I fondly remember its windmills, its gorgeous fields of tulips, and of course its delicious cheese---made from that great Dutch koe melk (cow milk). I don't remember, however, seeing any camels grazing in the luscious Dutch pastures. That's why the headline in this morning's news.scotsman.com got my attention. … [Read more...] about The Netherlands: Land of Windmills, Tulips…and Camels?

Stream of Consciousness Saturday (Guest Voice)

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday by Rick Moran A lot of things have happened this week that have entered the airy cavity sitting atop my neck and floated around waiting to be recognized as conscious thought. I can imagine all these little snippets of inner dialogue waiting patiently in line, bitching about how slow a goose I am at moving them from the dark of my … [Read more...] about Stream of Consciousness Saturday (Guest Voice)

The Executioner’s Tale

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On Tuesday evening this week, in Ohio, Rommel Broom was led to the lethal injection chamber for the 1984 abduction, rape, torture and murder of a 14 year old girl. Two hours later, Broom walked out under his own power after technicians were unable to insert an I.V. properly into a vein. This is stirring up another controversy over whether or not the state can attempt to put … [Read more...] about The Executioner’s Tale

CNN’s Sanchez, ABC’s Trapper and CBS to FOX News: You Lie

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Anyone who has worked in the media knows about a "fatal" in a story: it's an error so big that if it isn't corrected fast and prominently, it can discredit the info-outlet that carries it. This is the kind of error newspapers correct on the front page (versus some of the bigger ones buried inside). Fox News -- the network that says it provides fair and accurate reporting -- is … [Read more...] about CNN’s Sanchez, ABC’s Trapper and CBS to FOX News: You Lie

Any Man’s Death Diminishes Me

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I want to say something about Irving Kristol's passing at the age of 89. The neoconservative movement, which Kristol founded and which, at least for now, is being led by his son, William Kristol, has had, in my view, a very pernicious effect on U.S. foreign and domestic policy. I did not admire Irving Kristol, and I cannot feel grief or sadness at his death. But neither can I … [Read more...] about Any Man’s Death Diminishes Me

The Medal of Honor: Too Few and Too Late?

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I have always been in awe of the incredible acts of valor and selfless sacrifice our military are capable of. More recently, I have been puzzled---and have questioned---why there have been so few Medals of Honor awarded to our heroes who have continued to “distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call … [Read more...] about The Medal of Honor: Too Few and Too Late?

Asus Jumping Head First Into The “Cool eBook” Race

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Amazon and Sony have their eBook readers. Now Asus wants a piece of the action with their cool looking device (from the Times Online - UK): Tech news: For the smarter kind of bookworm Asus, inventors of the netbook, is about to shake up the ebook world with the arrival of the world's cheapest digital reader By ALEX PELL The world of ebooks is about to start a new … [Read more...] about Asus Jumping Head First Into The “Cool eBook” Race

An Economist Speaks

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For a long time I've been confused about what passes for economic reporting these days. The reports of late have all been saying the recession has ended. Yet they all invariably add that most Americans (sometimes referred to collectively as "Main Street") will not see any personal improvement for many months or even years. Indeed, it seems to most on Main Street that things are … [Read more...] about An Economist Speaks

Grassley Blames Democrats for Baucus Bill

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Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), responding to bipartisan dissatisfaction with the bill unveiled by Max Baucus (D-MT), blamed the Democrats. They could have come up with a better bill that everyone would have liked if they had just had more time, he complained. All they needed was two more weeks and they could have produced a truly bipartisan bill. They weren't given enough time; … [Read more...] about Grassley Blames Democrats for Baucus Bill

A Collection of Kisses

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Happy Friday! A collection of kisses from the Boston Globe: A kiss - a simple act that can convey a diverse array of meanings. A kiss can be intimate and private, or meant for public display, it can convey love and affection, or simply provide comfort. Its use as a greeting is under fire in our current climate of H1N1 fear, as the French government has begun encouraging … [Read more...] about A Collection of Kisses

The Militarization of Latin America: Obama Already ‘Ahead of Bush’: La Jornada, Mexico

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One of the many under-reported stories in our nation's media are U.S. plans to build a number of new military bases in Colombia and expand others around the region. This article by Angel Guerra Cabrera from Mexico's La Jornada reflects the views of a huge swath of Latin American opinion - and it's anything but music to U.S. ears. For La Jornada, Angel Guerra Cabrera … [Read more...] about The Militarization of Latin America: Obama Already ‘Ahead of Bush’: La Jornada, Mexico

America’s Sweet Tooth Tax Debate

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Congratulations to Americans Against Food Taxes for producing a political issues ad that is accurate. The group opposes a one-cent per-ounce tax on sugary soft drinks that Congress is eyeballing to generate more revenue. The ads claim the regressive tax would hit those who least can afford it the most. On the flip side, sugar tax advocates say the products they are targeting … [Read more...] about America’s Sweet Tooth Tax Debate

Another Democratic Stumble

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If your foes insist there's an elephant in the room and it isn't the elephant that symbolizes their party, how does it help you to keep raising the issue of the supposed elephant in the room? This was an issue big in the beltway on talk radio. Average Americans aren't heatedly discussing it at the cooler (if those still exist) or Starbucks (if they can still find one). … [Read more...] about Another Democratic Stumble