Guest post by Hamid M. Khan Hamid M. Khan is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Colorado Law School and a Fellow with the Truman National Security Project. Leaders from Afghanistan and Pakistan met in Washington last week, stoking hopes that greater cooperation between the two nations would facilitate a united front against the increasingly powerful Taliban. … [Read more...] about Pakistan Faces the Abyss
Cheney, Pelosi Advance Truth Commission
Jazz Shaw bids Nancy Pelosi goodbye and (if I read between the lines correctly) good riddance. Dan Balz loosely suggests Madame Speaker's contorted outbursts might finally give us a truth commission, as Andrew Sullivan and others have recommended. Of course, Cheney's refusal to go quietly into the night has played a role, too -- as Marc Ambinder notes in his list of "Ten … [Read more...] about Cheney, Pelosi Advance Truth Commission
Is SC GOP Gov. Candidate Nikki Haley Image of Conservative Female Political Leaders?
On the heels of this post and very lengthy discussion about why there are far fewer conservative or Republican women in elected office than there are liberal or Democratic women comes yesterday's announcement by South Carolina State Representative Nikki Haley - a 37 year old third-term Republican from Lexington County - that she is entering SC's gubernatorial primary race (here … [Read more...] about Is SC GOP Gov. Candidate Nikki Haley Image of Conservative Female Political Leaders?
The Political Word De Jure: “Transparency”
What word is all the rage? "Transparency." But is it always viable? Don’t you cringe now when you hear the phrase “defining moment” (GAG), or “he tried to change the subject” (BARF) from the mainstream news media, or “he just doesn’t get it” (HEAVE). Now the latest word that is making its way into the ears — and stomachs — of people who react strongly to overused phrases … [Read more...] about The Political Word De Jure: “Transparency”
Ten Reasons Why A Torture Probe Is More Likely
Read Marc Ambinder who lists them ... and as always makes a lot of sense. … [Read more...] about Ten Reasons Why A Torture Probe Is More Likely
New Auto Rules
Larry Wright, The Detroit News This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about New Auto Rules
California Special Election: The Worst Of Both Worlds
Next Tuesday the voters of California will go to the polls in a special election which offers us one of the wonderful benefits of democracy: a choice between two absolutely horrible options. The election offers us five propositions, numbered 1A-1F and is the result of the recent budget agreement which took about 100 days to reach. The basic choice is between supporting the … [Read more...] about California Special Election: The Worst Of Both Worlds
Adios, Nancy. We Hardly Knew Ye’
Just a quick hit on this one, since I'm technically on blogging hiatus for a week or two. I've watched the Nancy Pelosi, "The CIA Lied to Me" story unfold for some time now, and one thing has become clear. The Speaker has been caught red-handed in a "pants on fire" situation and no amount of spin in the world is going to change this. Accusing the CIA of lying took what was … [Read more...] about Adios, Nancy. We Hardly Knew Ye’
Some Speculation On Proposition 8
Between now and June 1st the California Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on the legality of Proposition 8. For those who may have been living in a hole for the last few months, Proposition 8 amended the California Constitution to overturn a prior ruling and make same sex marriage illegal. Opponents to the law have challenged it on the ground that it is a revision … [Read more...] about Some Speculation On Proposition 8
Is The Torture Debate Over Bar The Shouting?
One of the Abu Ghraib photos that Obama wants to withhold. By SHAUN MULLEN GUEST VOICE I have come around to the view that partisanship, as it has been with so many things, will be the death of a genuine debate on torture and the actions that must flow from it. The ability to conduct such a debate is a hallmark of a healthy and vigorous democracy, but America's is … [Read more...] about Is The Torture Debate Over Bar The Shouting?
Quote of The Day: Richard Hass And A Tale Of Two Wars
Our Quote of the Day is actually a series of quotes of the day in a must read interview of the day: Real Clear Politics' interview with Council on Foreign Relations president Richard N. Haass who has a new book "War of Necessity, War of Choice: A Memoir of Two Iraq Wars." Here are just a FEW of the quotes: On NSA Condoleezza Rice: "Presidents need NSCs that make them … [Read more...] about Quote of The Day: Richard Hass And A Tale Of Two Wars
Kindey Now: 30 Rock
This show is just plain brilliant … [Read more...] about Kindey Now: 30 Rock
Don’t Be Fooled By Obama’s Egypt Speech: Amal Al Ummah, Egypt
Now that President Obama has announced that Egypt will be the site of his much-awaited speech to the Muslim world, Egyptians have begun to react. Reflecting the odd mixture of skepticism toward America and appreciation for President Obama's style that has gripped much of the Muslim world, this article, written by an opposition member of Egypt's parliament, warns Muslims not … [Read more...] about Don’t Be Fooled By Obama’s Egypt Speech: Amal Al Ummah, Egypt
WHY ARE AMERICANS OBSESSED WITH THE FEMALE NIPPLE?
Perhaps living and studying in Europe on a number of occasions changed my perspective, but I cannot understand the silly outrage that many Americans show when some female displays her nipples, or other parts of her anatomy that are supposed to be off-limits. Contrarily the displays of male genitalia and buttocks are more often treated as comic relief. Public or private nudity … [Read more...] about WHY ARE AMERICANS OBSESSED WITH THE FEMALE NIPPLE?
Former Powell Aide Lawrence B. Wilkerson: “The Truth About Dick Cheney”
Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff of the Department of State during the term of Secretary of State Colin Powell, has a guest post titled "The Truth About Richard Bruce Cheney" on The Washington Note that goes beyond his blunt criticism on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show, which generated a You Tube now popping up on many blogs. His criticism is searing: Wilkerson … [Read more...] about Former Powell Aide Lawrence B. Wilkerson: “The Truth About Dick Cheney”
Recession: The Fix for Illegal Immigration
For all the talk about closing the Mexican border and ramping up enforcement efforts - or even deporting illegals en masse - a greater force has reversed the tide of illegal immigration: recession. This is hardly surprising, but the Mexican government confirms that the number of emigrants from Mexico to the US has plummeted since the beginning of the recession in the US. … [Read more...] about Recession: The Fix for Illegal Immigration
Pelosi Pants on Fire
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examine This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Pelosi Pants on Fire
India’s Election Results Hold Jeopardy
The current month-long Indian elections, whose results emerge on Friday and Saturday, hold more jeopardy than almost any in the past for both domestic policies and likely impacts on India’s attitudes towards the West. First, let’s note that India and its democracy are inspirational for the world. This country of nearly 1.2 billion has over 714 million voters of whom about … [Read more...] about India’s Election Results Hold Jeopardy
Nancy Pelosi Goes on the Offensive
Good for her. It's about damn time. Here is her prepared statement (via Marcy Wheeler), which she gave before taking questions at a press conference today (emphasis is mine): … [Read more...] about Nancy Pelosi Goes on the Offensive
The Counterinsurgency Reading List
Andrew Exum (aka Abu Muqawama) has just updated his counterinsurgency reading list. It's a great resource. The list begins with three items that Andrew identifies as absolute essentials for anyone studying counterinsurgency. Two of them are relatively short (but excellent) articles. The third is David Galula's classic treatise from the 1960s, Counterinsurgency Warfare: … [Read more...] about The Counterinsurgency Reading List