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
Republicans React to Cheney’s Role in the C.I.A.’s Admitted Concealment
In "Update: Did the C.I.A. Lie to Congress?" yesterday (Saturday) afternoon, I quoted the New York Times' breaking news story, “Cheney Is Linked to Concealment of C.I.A. Project." Typical of what happens after a "weekend dump," the New York Times did not have much to add this morning. Neither did the Washington Post, which gave credit to The Times for breaking the story, … [Read more...] about Republicans React to Cheney’s Role in the C.I.A.’s Admitted Concealment
Auto-Tune the News
#6 - Michael Jackson. drugs. Palin. What's that? A 24-year-old Brooklyn musician named Michael Gregory has combined a number of evening news broadcast clips and turned them into a vaguely acceptable faux R&B series called Auto-Tune the News.... For those unaware, Auto-Tune is a software program that alters singers' voices to achieve perfect pitch. Used too much — or … [Read more...] about Auto-Tune the News
A Simple And Obvious Economic Booster
Sometimes you get the feeling that the government officials in charge of reanimating our economy don't understand how this economy actually works. Last week provided a depressing example. It was announced at week's end that the government plans to focus more on bailing out the country's small business sector. Which raises the troubling question: how could they not have been … [Read more...] about A Simple And Obvious Economic Booster
Around The Sphere Blog Roundup
Our linkfest taking you to weblogs of varying opinions where diverse writers give you their best takes on issues and events. If You Think Sarah Palin Is Considering Leaving Politics then think again. For more on the "mystery of Sarah Palin" go HERE. Meanwhile, some GOPers don't want her help in their campaigns. Some suggest she might be trying to build an independent … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere Blog Roundup
Texting Your Way to the Pits
I suppose I really have become a bit of a cold-hearted old curmudgeon in my golden years, because I know I should have a lot more sympathy for this poor girl. And yet, I still laughed. Teen Girl Falls In Open Manhole While Texting NEW YORK (CBS) ?It was an accident waiting to happen -- an open sewer and a 15-year-old girl who was texting while she walked. Alexa … [Read more...] about Texting Your Way to the Pits
At the Sotomayor Confirmation Hearings
Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about At the Sotomayor Confirmation Hearings
Former CIGNA Exec On Secret Plan to Discredit Sicko, Universal Healthcare
I don't think it is news that the health care industry had a plan to discredit Michael Moore's documentary film, Sicko. Or that they seek to demonize "government run" health care. That's simply and self-evidently true. But it is news when an industry executive who was charged with that demonization as head of corporate communications for CIGNA goes On Bill Moyers Journal to … [Read more...] about Former CIGNA Exec On Secret Plan to Discredit Sicko, Universal Healthcare
Shame On Nestle
Recently the Nestle company had to recall a huge amount of cookie dough because of E Coli contamination. This recall probably cost them millions and it now seems they may have arrived at this point by trying to cut corners on food safety issues. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Nestle has repeatedly refused to cooperate with FDA requests to provide information during … [Read more...] about Shame On Nestle
Human Sperm Created: Are Men Doomed?
In recent times, there have been clear indications that male of the human species is on a suicidal path. Are we witnessing the beginning of the end of the macho rule of men? Here I am not talking about the mess created by myopic/desperate men (and not just in Iraq and Afghanistan), but the British scientists' recent claim that they have created human sperm in the lab. If … [Read more...] about Human Sperm Created: Are Men Doomed?
Obama Visits Slave Fort: Symbolic But Significant
As part of his visit to Ghana, President Obama took time to visit a former slave fort located on the African coast. To be sure there was more style than substance in this event but there was a pretty significant and moving nature to the event. Even for those of us who don't support everything the President does there has always been a bit of pride in the fact that a nation … [Read more...] about Obama Visits Slave Fort: Symbolic But Significant
Rolling on the River
This week has seen a lot of forward movement on health care reform -- from rumors that Pres. Obama was about to take the public option off the table, to yesterday's reports that House Democrats have come together on a plan to impose a surtax on wealthy Americans to help pay for health care. … [Read more...] about Rolling on the River