They are 'militants' or 'freedom-fighters' when they create carnage among strangers far away. They are 'terrorists' when they create carnage among those you know and love at home. In other words, there is no difference except hypocrisy and self-delusion. … [Read more...] about ‘Militants’ VS ‘Terrorists’
Mumbai Terror: Jewish Rabbi Held Hostage…Child Freed
Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holzberg is reportedly being held as a hostage at the terror-hit Mumbai's Jewish center, the base for the American Jewish outreach group Chabad Lubavitch. The centre for prayer and study attracts many Jewish and Israeli visitors every year. (Photo above of the Mumbai Jewish Center) According to the BBC, reports say his wife and son have been freed. "The … [Read more...] about Mumbai Terror: Jewish Rabbi Held Hostage…Child Freed
A Humane Way to Produce Foie Gras
At the Taste3 conference, chef Dan Barber tells the story of a small farm in Spain that has found a humane way to produce foie gras. Raising his geese in a natural environment, farmer Eduardo Sousa embodies the kind of food production Barber believes in: The most ecological choice for food is also the most ethical choice for food whether we're talking about brussel sprouts … [Read more...] about A Humane Way to Produce Foie Gras
Mumbai Terror Strike: It Is Not India’s 9/11
New Delhi: India has lived through several major terror strikes during the past two decades in different parts of the country, including a major attack on Indian Parliament to kill important leaders. Ordinary people continue to suffer pain and anguish non-stop on this account. (Photo above courtesy Associated Press: Foreign tourist saved from an attacked Mumbai … [Read more...] about Mumbai Terror Strike: It Is Not India’s 9/11
India’s Mainstream And New Media Tell Story Of Mumbai Terror Attacks
The shocking and brutal terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India's financial capital city formerly known as Bombay, have pitchforked into the world's consciousness yet another fact about the world's largest democracy: India has a first class news media and an impressive up and coming "new media." Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN have all turned to using extensive video and audio feeds … [Read more...] about India’s Mainstream And New Media Tell Story Of Mumbai Terror Attacks
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to all of TMV's many readers and writers all over the world. Even in the face of worldwide crisis (the international financial crisis, the terrorist attacks in India detailed in our posts below) we all have a lot for which to be thankful. … [Read more...] about Happy Thanksgiving
With Security Deal, U.S. Distracts Attention from Oil Agreement: Iraqi News Agency
As we have been documenting on WORLDMEETS.US for the past few weeks, the controversy over the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement [SOFA] has been well represented in that nation's newspapers. The agreement, now in the hands of the Iraqi National Assembly, was due to be voted on today, but the vote has been postponed at least until tomorrow. This editorial from the … [Read more...] about With Security Deal, U.S. Distracts Attention from Oil Agreement: Iraqi News Agency
Big Terror Strike in India: Mumbai Under Siege
Mumbai, or Bombay, India's business hub, is under siege. NDTV, India's leading television channel, reports that more than 100 people have been killed and hundreds injured in a series of well-coordinated major terrorist attacks at 10 places. (Photo above: India's famous Taj Hotel under attack: Courtesy Times of India. "Gunmen wanted anyone with British or American passport," … [Read more...] about Big Terror Strike in India: Mumbai Under Siege
UPDATED & MOVED UP: Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai, India
Let me make a guess that al-Qaeda or an affiliated Islamist group is involved... UPDATE 11:00 PM EST: We have an informative comment on this post from Wil Robinson in Mumbai. Jerusalem Post: 'Indian report says three dead in Chabad House'According to CNN/IBN, three people were killed after shots were heard in the area of Chabad House in Mumbai, Israel Radio … [Read more...] about UPDATED & MOVED UP: Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai, India
The True Spirit Of Thanksgiving
Most of us will eventually confront the fact that someday we are going to die. But few of us have to do so at such a young age and even fewer will do so with the dignity and grace of 11 year old Brenden Foster. When he was eight years old Brenden was diagnosed with leukemia and was told his prognosis for long term survival was not good. Earlier this year he was told that the … [Read more...] about The True Spirit Of Thanksgiving
Bailout Turkey
Fire Departments: Deep Fried Turkey Could Pose Serious Fire Hazard
WARNING: Deep fried turkey could be hazardous to your health and draining on your insurance policies, since sometimes when people deep fry turkey, the poultry turkey isn't the only turkey that gets fried. The word is getting out across the United States and even beyond: Fire Departments across the United States are warning that deep fried turkey is a fire … [Read more...] about Fire Departments: Deep Fried Turkey Could Pose Serious Fire Hazard
Really Cool Science: Vol. 1
I've decided to start what will hopefully be a long running series highlighting both basic and applicative scientific breakthroughs that have the possibility of drastically changing our lives in the next 20-50 years. If you see anything you want to add, send it over. For my first entry, I want to talk about two breakthroughs that might be used to make next generation … [Read more...] about Really Cool Science: Vol. 1
Gates at the Pentagon (and What It Says About Obama)
As you've surely heard by now, it looks as though Obama will ask Defense Secretary Robert Gates to remain at the Pentagon for at least a year, if not longer. We'll see if the anonymous sources are right. I suspect they are. This has been rumoured for some time, after all, and, as far as I know, no other names (e.g., Nunn) have been leaked or floated. As I put it a couple of … [Read more...] about Gates at the Pentagon (and What It Says About Obama)
Do It Yourself Thanksgiving Cartoon
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Do It Yourself Thanksgiving Cartoon
Klein: Bush Legacy Marred by ‘Intellectual Laziness’
Earlier today, a colleague forwarded a link to Joe Klein's latest: a slightly premature post mortem on the Bush Presidency, in which Klein forces himself to acknowledge the good points of those eight years. His position on immigration was admirable and courageous; he was right about the Dubai Ports deal and about free trade in general. He spoke well, in the abstract, about … [Read more...] about Klein: Bush Legacy Marred by ‘Intellectual Laziness’
Gates Reax: The Thoughtless and The Thoughtful
Reading Ben Smith's blog late yesterday afternoon, I was struck by the empty-headed hysteria of one commenter's response to the news that President-elect Obama would retain Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense: We'll never get out of Iraq and Afghanistan with that war mongerer hanging on. It's time for real change not more of the same from Bush's lackey That comment … [Read more...] about Gates Reax: The Thoughtless and The Thoughtful
Obama View
In the face of change, the timeless Barbara Walters scores another "get" with an exclusive interview with the Obamas, in which the new President talks about moral responsibility and the First Lady reveals that her daughters will be making their own beds in the White House. Detroit automakers, Barack Obama tells her, are "a little tone deaf to what's happening in America … [Read more...] about Obama View
After Dalai Lama Who?
With the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama 'Tenzin Gyatso', 73, not keeping good health in recent times, there is speculation that a "regent" may be appointed for the interim period after the passing away of the present Dalai Lama. The Times of London reports that the Tibetan exiles are keen to prevent China from hijacking his reincarnation, as it has tried to do with … [Read more...] about After Dalai Lama Who?
The Debate Within The GOP
Which comes first -- the idea or the message? … [Read more...] about The Debate Within The GOP