Robert X. Cingely says in the NYTimes today that the Microsoft/Google competition will come to naught: Yes, Google would love to get a toehold in the netbook and smart-phone markets, especially at Microsoft’s expense. The Chrome OS and Android are both ideal for pushing Google’s net-centric view of computing. But the company worries far more about protecting its current cash … [Read more...] about Of Google, Microsoft & Office
How Both Sides Should Handle Sotomayor Hearings
Today marks the beginning of the hearings into the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Based on past history we can expect today to be more style than substance, with both the nominee and the members of the committee offering introductory statements and setting the ground for the rest of the hearings. As the hearings proceed I think it is proper for both … [Read more...] about How Both Sides Should Handle Sotomayor Hearings
No Medals for Robert ‘Strange’ McNamara, Engineer of Charlie Company’s 93% Casualties: Half Dead, Half Maimed for Life
Reading all the apologists and forgetters this past week re death of Robert Strange McNamara, calling him ‘an honorable man,’ and other cosmetic paint that chips off as fast as it is slung over the man who made it so mothers, fathers, wives, children, brothers, sisters, old men and old women... had to dig graves deep year after year after year to bury their young. On both sides … [Read more...] about No Medals for Robert ‘Strange’ McNamara, Engineer of Charlie Company’s 93% Casualties: Half Dead, Half Maimed for Life
Conservative Website At Center Of Growing Furor Over Attacks On Obama’s Underage Daughter
It was just one month ago that many conservative writers and pundits were on the warpath against CBS late night comedian David Letterman for Letterman's inappropriate remarks about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter. New and old media pundits raged about how rotten and hateful it was for Letterman to use jokes to drag Palin's daughter into the political mud. There were demands … [Read more...] about Conservative Website At Center Of Growing Furor Over Attacks On Obama’s Underage Daughter
A Song Of Two Parties?
The tone between the Democrats and Republicans in Washington has increasingly come to resemble the attitude in this song: Of course, I'm not the only one who saw the connection between this song and our political "debate." Snide TV.com saw it in the Clinton/Obama 2008 Presidential primary battle and offered this: … [Read more...] about A Song Of Two Parties?
Selected Headlines from Ghana on President Obama’s Visit
As all Moderate Voice readers are no doubt fully aware, this weekend, President Obama made his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa since becoming President of the United States. Below are a few of the best articles we found from the Ghanaian press about the trip. In an article from Ghana Web, headlined Mr. Obama: It's Time for America to Give Back to Africa, columnist … [Read more...] about Selected Headlines from Ghana on President Obama’s Visit
Will Rumsfeld Apologize For The War In Iraq?
McNamara eventually apologized for Vietnam. It took him 28 years. How long before we hear from Rumsfeld? That's the question posed by Bradley Graham, author of a new book about the previous SecDef. It's actually a pretty one-sided question, which could easily be met with one-sided answers such "Rumsfeld will apologize right after Obama apologizes for opposing the surge" … [Read more...] about Will Rumsfeld Apologize For The War In Iraq?
Obama in Africa! (Something about Bush)
The Sunday Times ran a front-page story with the headline Obama Delivers A Call For Change To A Rapt Africa. The lengthy article describes how Obama "symbolize[s] a new political era." But perhaps Africa wants continuity more than it does change? If you read all the way to the end of the NYT story, this is what you'll learn: [Mr. Obama's] approach follows that of Mr. Bush, … [Read more...] about Obama in Africa! (Something about Bush)
North Korea’s Kim Jong II Diagnosed With Pancreatic Cancer
LATER -- Reuters on scenarios for how events might unfold; Smooth, messy or military takeover. And the BBC on S Korea and China discuss North amid the unconfirmed reports of Kim Jong-il's cancer. ++++++++++++++ Reuters: North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has pancreatic cancer and the illness is life-threatening, South Korean broadcaster YTN said on Monday based on … [Read more...] about North Korea’s Kim Jong II Diagnosed With Pancreatic Cancer
Kick
Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Kick
NYT vs WaPo: The Cheney Angle
Like Dorian and Kathy, I'm fascinated by the story of a secret counterror program hidden from Congress by the CIA. When the NYT first reported the story, a big part of the splash was the suggestion that Dick Cheney gave "direct orders" to hide the program from Congress. Yet the WaPo has clearly chosen to downplay that aspect of the story. The article in the Post doesn't … [Read more...] about NYT vs WaPo: The Cheney Angle
On the Eve of Sotomayor’s Confirmation Hearings: Preparation, Strategy and Expectations
On the eve of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings, there have been several reports in the major newspapers on her preparations for the hearings; on strategies by both parties; and on how the hearings are expected to proceed and conclude. For example, on the preparations: The Washington Post: Slated to become the country's first Hispanic … [Read more...] about On the Eve of Sotomayor’s Confirmation Hearings: Preparation, Strategy and Expectations
Can we divide the Taliban?
The experts' views are diametrically opposed. As far as I can tell, there is no partisan element to this disagreement. In Foreign Affairs [subscription only], Fotini Christia and Michael Semple write: The idea that large groups of armed men bent on killing Americans and other Westerners can be persuaded to change sides may seem fanciful at first. But it is not -- at least not … [Read more...] about Can we divide the Taliban?
Obama: Have Patience, My Friends
Americans are an impatient lot. They demand instant gratification. That is why sodium-saturated frozen meals are microwaved in minutes and cholesterol-rich fast food restaurants so popular. When Americans apply this mentally imbalanced approach to solving our nation's economic ills, they demonstrate a side of themselves that is at best naive and worst ignorant. So it comes … [Read more...] about Obama: Have Patience, My Friends
The Secrecy of Dick Cheney
Obviously, Scott Shane's piece in yesterday's New York Times reporting former vice-president Dick Cheney's direct involvement in keeping the existence of a secret counterterrorism program (the nature of which is still unknown) hidden from Congress for eight years raises all kinds of serious concerns. … [Read more...] about The Secrecy of Dick Cheney
Fatwa 1…THEN: The Late Ayatollah Khomeni’s Fatwa Against Salman Rushdie
Let us understand: It was 1988 when an old man who worked his way up to being supreme leader of Islam in Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa against the British born, ethnic Indian author Salman Rushdie, saying the writer should be murdered, and a bounty offered to the killer. Rushdie had published The Satanic Verses and the Ayotollah RK and his followers held … [Read more...] about Fatwa 1…THEN: The Late Ayatollah Khomeni’s Fatwa Against Salman Rushdie
Fatwa 2… NOW: Iranian Ayatollah Montazeri Issues Fatwa Against Ahmadinajad and Regime
from Memri... I have emboldened phrases below to highlight the difference in tone between the fatwa the old Ayatollah laid on Rushdie, and the fatwa that this particular Ayatollah has laid on Ahmadinejad (newly 'elected' leader of Iran) and his regime, army, appointees and cronies. See below, how the wording of this fatwa uses language very different for Ahmadinejad, than … [Read more...] about Fatwa 2… NOW: Iranian Ayatollah Montazeri Issues Fatwa Against Ahmadinajad and Regime
Neuroeconomics: The Science of Trust
A fan of Behavioral Economics, I'm also interested in Neuroeconomics. Krista Tippett's guest this week on Speaking of Faith was Paul Zak, one of the founders of the field: Mr. Paul Zak: Markets are human creations, and they reflect our own human nature. In the kind of decentralized economies we live in, it is based on trust and faith and belief, and that's a good thing. I … [Read more...] about Neuroeconomics: The Science of Trust
Palin Hints At Third Party To Save Republican Party From — Liberal Control (?)
Radio talk show host/blogger Tammy Bruce reports that Sarah Palin is hinting at a third party movement to save the Republican party from liberal control. Here's the quote: In an interview with the Washington Times, Palin makes her most direct comments yet about Conservatism versus the Republican Party....Enter now Sarah Palin with very encouraging comments that lead one to … [Read more...] about Palin Hints At Third Party To Save Republican Party From — Liberal Control (?)
Journalism 101: Whoring in Hard Times
"The Washington Post's ill-fated plan to sell sponsorships of off-the-record 'salons' was an ethical lapse of monumental proportions." So says the paper's ombudsman, Andrew Alexander, in a long mea culpa this weekend, underscoring how economic pressures can bedevil even those whose main business asset is a reputation for probity. The lowliest staff member could have told … [Read more...] about Journalism 101: Whoring in Hard Times