A Shout for Democracy By Martha Randolph Carr Sometimes other countries look at America and mistake how we practice capitalism with the ideal of democracy. They call for our demise based on the former, which is a business model, even while they’re lunging toward the latter, which is a much bigger dream. Take Iran, for example, which recently had presidential elections … [Read more...] about A Shout for Democracy (Guest Voice)
Ayatollah Prayer Rug
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Ayatollah Prayer Rug
Sotomayor Shaping Up As Major Liability — For Republicans
Have we ever seen a case in recent history of a party taking such careful aim and shooting itself in the foot? This one perhaps is one for the political ages: New poll numbers really seem to bear out the fears of some Republicans: The GOP’s quasi-opposition to Sotomayor seems to be hurting the party among Latinos in a big way. The latest numbers from the nonpartisan … [Read more...] about Sotomayor Shaping Up As Major Liability — For Republicans
Canadian ‘Health-Care Socialism’: When Will Americans Learn?
My two friends (surely they can't be described as "socialists" by any stretch of imagination) have come out in full support of the US government's SINGLE PAYER HEALTH INSURANCE scheme. However, they are amazed at the misinformation that is being spread regarding the scheme in the US media and the ads. Shyamal Bagchee, PhD, FRSA, Professor of English and Film Studies, … [Read more...] about Canadian ‘Health-Care Socialism’: When Will Americans Learn?
Iran: Protesters Chase Riot Police, Riot Police Run Away
I've never seen anything quite like it ... and have more than a few shares of 'protest/march/show up and be heard' street creds. Here is a must-see film clip from Iran, mounted on the BBC Middle East site Half way through the film clip the most amazing thing occurs.... as the Iranian riot police in tan uniforms start hurling tear gas canisters into the crowd of protesters … [Read more...] about Iran: Protesters Chase Riot Police, Riot Police Run Away
Iran Freedom
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Iran Freedom
What Abortionist Killers Believe
What are the beliefs that motivate extreme anti-abortion activists to murder the doctors that perform abortions? My friend and colleague Jon Shields provides careful answers to a question that usually provokes little more than partisan rhetoric. Jon, now a professor at Claremont McKenna, recounts the influence on the extremist movement of violent activist Michael … [Read more...] about What Abortionist Killers Believe
Don’t Get Too Optimistic About Iran
CNN talks to Fareed Zakaria: Fareed Zakaria: One of the first things that strikes me is we are watching the fall of Islamic theocracy. CNN: Do you mean you think the regime will fall? Zakaria: No, I don't mean the Iranian regime will fall soon. It may -- I certainly hope it will -- but repressive regimes can stick around for a long time. I mean that this is the end of … [Read more...] about Don’t Get Too Optimistic About Iran
Kentucky Fried BEEF?
KFC's new grilled chicken is made with rendered beef fat and plenty of MSG (monosodium glutamate). There are two ways you can find this out. First, you can read the 37-page long list of ingredients in all of KFC's products. Or you can read this post by Laura McClure on Kevin Drum's blog. Thanks for nothing, guys. Now I can't tell my wife I'm being healthy when I get … [Read more...] about Kentucky Fried BEEF?
Too Funny
God exists, and she has a wicked sense of humor: … [Read more...] about Too Funny
Should Western Firms Sell Spyware To Iran?
SHOULD WESTERN FIRMS SELL SPYWARE TO IRAN? Unquestionably, it's pretty shameful for Nokia and Siemens to help the Iranian government monitor dissidents online. It's one of those rare cases where private firms really should forego profits in the name of the public good. On the other hand, the sale of monitoring capabilities may have lulled Tehran into believing it had the … [Read more...] about Should Western Firms Sell Spyware To Iran?
About That New Republican Majority
I don't link to ThinkProgress all that often, but here is one story that's unfortunately worth a look. It centers on MSNBC regular Pat Buchanan. Please go read the article, but it features Pat hosting an event where they would discuss the best way for Republicans to regain their majority status. One avenue under discussion was to fight for English only initiatives. (For the … [Read more...] about About That New Republican Majority
Gov. Mark Sanford, Missing for Four Days, Has Been Found
If this is not an example of the explanation being even weirder than the thing being explained, I'm stumped for what would be (emphasis mine): … [Read more...] about Gov. Mark Sanford, Missing for Four Days, Has Been Found
Lawyer for Scientology Attacks Position of France: Le Figaro, France
The ongoing battle in the streets of Iran isn't the only political-religious clash going on. For Scientologists, perhaps the most pressing current conflict has been taking place in a Paris court. Seven French members of the group, the organization itself and its bookstore have been charged with organized group fraud and illegal use of pharmaceuticals. Scientology frames the … [Read more...] about Lawyer for Scientology Attacks Position of France: Le Figaro, France
Fooled Ya!
The Dow dropped 3 percent last week. Today it is also sinking on reports from the World Bank and others that a supposed recovery later this year may be delayed for quite awhile longer. Could this be the end of the bull run that began in March and has featured the biggest percentage market jump in more than 70 years? One sure sign that this may be the case is a story on … [Read more...] about Fooled Ya!
For Diabetics, These Dogs Save Lives
For diabetics who own pets it comes as little surprise that dogs are being trained to warn diabetic owners when their blood glucose levels fall dangerously low. For diabetics who live alone and for young children, this is a big deal. This phenomenon has been discussed in anecdotal incidences by diabetics in published letters to the American Diabetes Association monthly … [Read more...] about For Diabetics, These Dogs Save Lives
‘Let Ahmadinejad and the Supreme Leader Continue’: Dar al-Hayat, Saudi Arabia
Women assail government-funded militia as they beat a protester on the streets of Tehran, Saturday, June 20. While there is widespread global support for those battling for reform in Iran, it should surprise no one that even in the Arab/Sunni world, there is support for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his young apprentice, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. For Saudi Arabia's Dar … [Read more...] about ‘Let Ahmadinejad and the Supreme Leader Continue’: Dar al-Hayat, Saudi Arabia
Neda Agha-Soltan, Young Woman Murdered in Iran: She is Voice of Freedom
It is said, in Persian, her name, Neda, means 'the voice.' And by ordering this young voice to be killed in the streets, the "supreme leader" Ayatolla has made sure by murdering someone idealistic and good... her voice will now live forever, rather than ever die away. According to reports, the pre-meditated murder of Neda was carried out by a member of the Basij, a … [Read more...] about Neda Agha-Soltan, Young Woman Murdered in Iran: She is Voice of Freedom
A Few Critical Questions on Iran (Now with Bob Barr Response)
Up until now I've remained largely silent on the recent goings on in Iran, partly because I, sitting in my living room watching the news on CNN and Fox, am hardly any sort of expert on that nation. (Unlike so many other self-styled pundits across the sphere, sitting in their living rooms watching this on CNN and Fox, who apparently are experts on Iran.) Iran is one of those … [Read more...] about A Few Critical Questions on Iran (Now with Bob Barr Response)
Iran: The Power of Citizen Journalism
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Iran: The Power of Citizen Journalism