So who is telling the truth? … [Read more...] about The Real Story Behind Ralph Reed Raising Funds For John McCain
Contrast and Compare: NASA
Since we haven't done one of these for a while and both of the major party candidates have popped up on the subject recently, let's take a look at how the candidates stack up on the future of NASA. One of the more recent entries is a bit of tit-for-tat between Obama and McCain in the Florida press. Sen. Barack Obama has detailed a comprehensive space plan that includes $2 … [Read more...] about Contrast and Compare: NASA
John Edwards: Shameless Sonofabitch
I promised myself that I would not blog on the Jennifer Aniston-John Mayer smash-up, and it's been like only 72 hours since I last wrote anything about the John & Rielle Show, which actually had more to do with electrocuting horses than short-circuiting political careers. But a newly-published account concerning Edwards shamelessly using his wife's cancer to try to … [Read more...] about John Edwards: Shameless Sonofabitch
Ricky, Get Yer Gun
The fight over second amendment rights in the District of Columbia is far from over, as local lawmakers continue scrambling to try to re-write laws to "honor" the Heller decision while still making it virtually impossible to obtain a permit. However, while that process drags on, one of the principals in the case has achieved at least a temporary and symbolic victory. Dick … [Read more...] about Ricky, Get Yer Gun
‘It’s Time Iraqis Stopped Laughing!’: From Iraq’s Azzaman
According to Fateh Abdusalam of Iraq's Azzaman newspaper, that nation's so-called democracy would be funny of it wasn't so tragic. Abdusalam writes sarcastically: "For a long while as they ranted about democracy, Iraqi politicians were also laughing to themselves. And they have been backed up by the greatest laughers of them all, the Americans - and the might of the U.S. … [Read more...] about ‘It’s Time Iraqis Stopped Laughing!’: From Iraq’s Azzaman
Olympic Gold Medal and Iraq Come Together
One of the big stories to come out of the Olympics last night was the gold medal victory by 28-year-old Stephanie Brown Trafton in the women's discus throw. She became the first US woman to win a gold medal since 1932 and the first one to win ANY medal since 1984. Obviously her story is very inspiring, how she first dreamed of going to the Olympics as a four year old … [Read more...] about Olympic Gold Medal and Iraq Come Together
The Americans Finally Launch ‘Operation Saakashvili’s Salvation’: From Russia’s Novosti
For those interested in some Russian commentary on the Georgia crisis, this article by Andrei Fedyashin of Russia's Novosti news service will prove suitable. Fedyashin reflects the Kremlin's disdain for the Georgia president, and highlights the machinations that Russians believe are behind Georgia's attempt to regain control of South Ossetia - particularly during the Olympic … [Read more...] about The Americans Finally Launch ‘Operation Saakashvili’s Salvation’: From Russia’s Novosti
US First: Take Guns To School & Church
A blog in Wall Street Journal has interesting subheadings: "Take your gun to school" and “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!” It reports that the trustees of the Harrold Independent School District, a tiny Texas school district, may be the first in the US to allow teachers and staff to pack guns for protection. More here... Some inspiring lessons and trainings for … [Read more...] about US First: Take Guns To School & Church
Kristol Revises his “Saddleback Showdown”
In this morning's "Bill Kristol's Cone of Silence," I quoted Kristol from the online version of his New York Times column "Showdown at Saddleback." In it, Kristol wrote, as I quoted: NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reported on “Meet the Press” that “the Obama people must feel that he didn’t do quite as well as they might have wanted to in that context. … What they’re putting out … [Read more...] about Kristol Revises his “Saddleback Showdown”
What About Biden?
Speculation that Senator Joe Biden of Delaware will be Senator Barack Obama's choice for vice presidential running mate is heating up. For several reasons, Biden is a sensible choice. He fills several of the bottom-line needs Obama has from his number two. Maybe. First, Biden is a mature, experienced office holder. He can play Lyndon Johnson to Obama's JFK. Second, … [Read more...] about What About Biden?
Pakistan’s Failed Dictator: “West’s Imaginary Friend”
The Australian describes Pervez Musharraf as "West's most disappointing ally in the war on terror. Let's be clear about this: Musharraf was a catastrophic failure for Pakistan. "He claimed to have turned the country around and to have turned it against the Taliban terrorists it had created and succoured in Afghanistan. In fact, he did nothing of the kind. Or rather, at the … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s Failed Dictator: “West’s Imaginary Friend”
Secretary of State Sweepstakes
As the talk escalates about VPs for both tickets, political junkies start the next round of speculation--about the best newSecretary of State to help the US repair its relations with the rest of the world. In the Christian Science Monitor, its former editor John Hughes, who served as an Assistant Secretary under Reagan, gets the ball rolling with a rundown of possible … [Read more...] about Secretary of State Sweepstakes
The Quota Dodge
So one of the predominant misconceptions out there today about affirmative action is that it's a quota system. This is false, as I have gently reminded CNN, but it still seems to hold a lot of sway over the electorate when debating plans to abolish equal opportunity programs like affirmative action. But now, civil rights groups fighting to defend affirmative action are … [Read more...] about The Quota Dodge
Left Out of Being Left Out
I'm not sure if I'm sad, happy, bored or angry. (What a country!) Our old friends at the Catholic League have hammered a new list of demands to the cathedral door and called on the Democrats to revoke the credentials of some bloggers attending the convention in Denver this year. Over 120 blogs have been credentialed as members of the media for the Democratic National … [Read more...] about Left Out of Being Left Out
A God-Botherer’s Thoughts on the Saddleback “Holier than Thou” Forum
First, a question: Why did the representative of a church---and one specific sort of Christian church at that---moderate a debate between political candidates for the highest office in the land? What on earth is the underlying message of holding such a forum, if not to establish that the American people hold in common a particular set of religious/ethical beliefs which ought … [Read more...] about A God-Botherer’s Thoughts on the Saddleback “Holier than Thou” Forum
Is it America’s Fate to Remain a European Power?
Wess Mitchell, director of research at The Center for European Policy Analysis, writes that the EU's largest states are more interested in avoiding a rupture with Moscow than in protecting the vital interests of the Unions eastern members. Therefore, the United States should announce its intention to transfer the entire Europe-based American military establishment to new … [Read more...] about Is it America’s Fate to Remain a European Power?
Punishing Russia, the Cold War and the costs of Iraq and Afghanistan
By whatever name, the Cold War has already begun because the NATO allies meet in Brussels tomorrow to find ways of punishing Russia for its invasion of Georgia. The premise of this search is hostility, not friendship. At the same time, the invasion and Russia’s victory have revealed the true cost to America and Europe of the wars in Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Whatever … [Read more...] about Punishing Russia, the Cold War and the costs of Iraq and Afghanistan
New York Times: Is Jon Stewart The Most Trusted Man in America?
The answer may well be "yes." (NYT) When Americans were asked in a 2007 poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press to name the journalist they most admired, Mr. Stewart, the fake news anchor, came in at No. 4, tied with the real news anchors Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw of NBC, Dan Rather of CBS and Anderson Cooper of CNN. And a study this year from the … [Read more...] about New York Times: Is Jon Stewart The Most Trusted Man in America?
Russia Treats South Ossetia as Non-Georgian Territory; NATO Membership for Georgia; the Ukraine Worries (Not Without Cause); W Takes a Vacation
Here's The New York Times: Even as Russia pledged to begin withdrawing its forces from neighboring Georgia on Monday, American officials said the Russian military had been moving launchers for short-range ballistic missiles into South Ossetia, a step that appeared intended to tighten its hold on the breakaway territory. The Russian military deployed several SS-21 missile … [Read more...] about Russia Treats South Ossetia as Non-Georgian Territory; NATO Membership for Georgia; the Ukraine Worries (Not Without Cause); W Takes a Vacation
Kristol’s Cone of Silence
Surprise, Surprise! In his much awaited Monday column in the New York Times, "Showdown at Saddleback," Bill Kristol declares John McCain the winner at Saddleback's Cone of Silence event. In addition to his unbiased verdict on the Saddleback Church "debate," made scrupulously fair because Obama went first and McCain second after having been "safely placed in a cone of … [Read more...] about Kristol’s Cone of Silence