Communism failed and capitalism seems to be on the brink of collapse. So the question arises: Is it possible that human beings can come up with something better? It's a fascinating question - especially considering that it was the subject of this op-ed from the Russian newspaper Gazeta. Here are some excerpts from Boris Tumanov's wide-ranging article, which touches upon … [Read more...] about Beyond Capitalism and Communism: Gazeta of Russia
Afghanistan, The Netherlands…and Viagra.
The day after Christmas, the Washington Post reported on a controversial tactic by the CIA to win the hearts, minds and perhaps other parts of some of the Afghan people. According to the Post: In their efforts to win over notoriously fickle warlords and chieftains, the [CIA] officials say, the agency's operatives have used a variety of personal services. These include … [Read more...] about Afghanistan, The Netherlands…and Viagra.
Holiday Traffic Peaks for YouTube, Facebook
Who ever would have thought that so many of us spend our Christmas Eve on the web? Back in the day we waited until we were back at work or school to go online (CyberMonday was premised on that fact). Those days have long since gone. Hitwise on Facebook: On Christmas Day 2007 Facebook reached a peak in traffic that wasn’t surpassed until July 2008. Traffic reached a new high … [Read more...] about Holiday Traffic Peaks for YouTube, Facebook
No Space for Apostates
I read this article by Jeffrey Goldberg, about the most extreme, fanatical wing of the Israeli settler population. Though published in 2004, I have no doubt many of these people are still alive today and have not moderated their views in the slightest. As I read it, I found myself disturbed, quite a bit more so than I expected, and I tried to put my finger on why that … [Read more...] about No Space for Apostates
Iran Should Return To Its Global Position Again (Guest Voice)
Iran remains a big topic as the U.S. heads into 2009. TMV has run several Guest Voice posts by Iranian freelance writer and blogger Kourosh Ziabari who has long contended that Iran's image in the media is misleading. In this Guest Voice interview, he talks to Harvard University's Professor James Russell for some perspective on Iran. TMV runs Guest Voice posts of various … [Read more...] about Iran Should Return To Its Global Position Again (Guest Voice)
Gaza and Israel: Reflections and Resources
In writing about the conflict, I could be a good lefty and give you my bleeding heart liberal chat about absolute disgust for the death tolls and devastation, for the cultural hardening on both sides that these conflicts incur and how that is the real damage, and why, regardless of the long-term uselessness of an immediate ceasefire with little else achieved, we nonetheless … [Read more...] about Gaza and Israel: Reflections and Resources
Burris: He Are Deluding Himself
Uh, oh...it's never a good sign when a politician talks like this: Roland Burris, being Roland Burris, put it to me this way Friday when we talked: "We are the senator." And we, that is he, the former Illinois attorney general, told me that he will try to avoid making a scene when he comes to the Capitol on Tuesday to claim the seat vacated by President-elect Barack … [Read more...] about Burris: He Are Deluding Himself
IDF Ground Offensive in Gaza Has Begun
It has become necessary for the IDF to temporarily enter Gaza. Keep in mind that the IDF includes Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze soldiers, both male and female, working together to protect the citizens of the State of Israel. My hope is that Hamas is destroyed and Gilad Shalit is rescued. Jerusalem Post: Soldiers exchange fire with Hamas gunmen inside Strip For the … [Read more...] about IDF Ground Offensive in Gaza Has Begun
Obama’s Radio YouTube Address: Congress Should Act Swiftly To Pass Stimulus Plan
Should this be considered a preemptive political strike? Two days away from a meeting with Congressional leaders and amid increasing indications that Congressional Republicans are likely to try to put a brake on any initial administration proposal for a stimulus plan, President Elect Barack Obama used his weekly radio/You Tube address to urge Congress to pass a plan that he … [Read more...] about Obama’s Radio YouTube Address: Congress Should Act Swiftly To Pass Stimulus Plan
The Gamble in Gaza — Interview With Aaron David Miller (Guest Voice)
What's going on with Israel, Hamas and the Gaza Strip? In this Guest Voice, columnist Bill Steigerwald interviews Aaron David Miller, a top Middle East adviser to six secretaries of state (Shultz to Powell) and Woodrow Wilson International Center scholar, and gets some answers. The Gamble in Gaza -- Interview With Aaron David Miller by Bill Steigerwald If anyone can … [Read more...] about The Gamble in Gaza — Interview With Aaron David Miller (Guest Voice)
House Rules Changes: Be Careful What You Wish For
We shall file this one under the already crowded, "Careful what you wish for" category. CQ Politics reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pondering some rule changes designed to make it harder for the Republican minority to slow down the Democratic majority's efforts to push through new legislation. An early partisan skirmish is likely in the House next week, when … [Read more...] about House Rules Changes: Be Careful What You Wish For
Zarganar, Hold on, We Know You Are Alive: Comedian of Burma Jailed for 45 Years
Writing today about Kathy Griffin and other comedians in the USA, I thought for the millionth time about dear Zarganar; the great comedic heart of Burma who just two months ago was insanely punished by the bloated multi-millionaire dictator of Burma, Than Shwe... Than Shwe, surely the lost twin brother of Mugabe in Zimbabwe... Than Shwe, the walking talking roasted pig with … [Read more...] about Zarganar, Hold on, We Know You Are Alive: Comedian of Burma Jailed for 45 Years
A Blogger Gets Terrible News
The worst....but the person has a message to all: don't cry for me... … [Read more...] about A Blogger Gets Terrible News
Clueless in Gaza
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Clueless in Gaza
Blagojevich’s Evil Genius
Like many of my fellow bloggers, I don't have the credentials to argue the legal issues. I'm inclined to believe no matter what the constitution or case law says, if the Senate wants to keep Burris out, it can find the legal way to do it. Politically, on the other hand, I'm betting Burris gets sworn in. And Blagojevich -- after providing plenty more fodder for the late night … [Read more...] about Blagojevich’s Evil Genius
Stewart-Huckabee Marriage Interview a ‘Top Gay Video of 2008’
Here's #4 in 365gay's Top 8 gay videos of 2008... Separately, and significantly, David Bianculli named the Daily Show #1 in his Top 10 TV List of 2008. And when Terry Gross asked on Fresh Air recently if he could give an example of how the comedy shows have demonstrated a new model for the political interview, Bianculli said the Huckabee interview was a great … [Read more...] about Stewart-Huckabee Marriage Interview a ‘Top Gay Video of 2008’
Kathy Griffin X-Rated? In Defense of Trickster Comedians
Kathy Griffin and the lower-case 'd-word' Joe Gandelman, our editor-in-chief, put up the video clip of Kathy Griffin fire-bombing back at a verbal sniper on the streets of Times Square during New Year's Eve broadcast with Anderson Cooper. I had to listen to the video to learn what the 'd' word was that the MSM news have been carrying on like a bunch of chickens in a … [Read more...] about Kathy Griffin X-Rated? In Defense of Trickster Comedians
Better Broadband Through Better Regulation
Siva Vaidhyanathan has a book in progress, The Googlization of Everything. There he posted today an August interview he did with Vint Cerf, Google's Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist. Siva calls it a brief but rich exchange. When Cerf says Google is committed to keeping the Internet open, Siva follows up: SV: Let's talk about that. There is all this dueling lobbying … [Read more...] about Better Broadband Through Better Regulation
Are Pro-Forma Senate Sessions the Wave of the Future?
The Washington Post reports today that Jeff Bingaman opened and closed the last of the pro-forma sessions for the chamber in the now-ending 110th Congress. In less than 30 seconds this morning, Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) gaveled to a close a 14-month standoff between Senate Democrats and President Bush, effectively ending the contentious 110th Congress and also blocking any … [Read more...] about Are Pro-Forma Senate Sessions the Wave of the Future?
Welcome Senators Kennedy And Bennet!
According to news reports the Governors of Colorado and New York have chosen candidates to fill the pending Senate vacancies in their respective states. In New York, Governor Paterson will reportedly tap Caroline Kennedy to fill the Clinton seat though it remains unclear as to whether she would be a caretaker Senator or would run for the seat in 2010. Clinton was last … [Read more...] about Welcome Senators Kennedy And Bennet!