Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about West Reacts to Georgia Fighting
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/15/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news The family of a gay California teenager who was slain by a classmate is suing the school, saying that it endangered their son by allowing him to wear feminine clothing and makeup. Solid move by Tim Kaine: He issued a pardon to a local woman who had lived in the US since she was 7, who was facing deportation for a minor … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/15/08
McCain: The party could “exclude people” for being “pro-gay rights“
In a Daily Standard exclusive interview, John McCain explains that he could choose a pro-choice running mate but not one who is pro-gay: "I think it's a fundamental tenet of our party to be pro-life but that does not mean we exclude people from our party that are pro-choice. We just have a--albeit strong--but just it's a disagreement. And I think [Tom] Ridge is a great example … [Read more...] about McCain: The party could “exclude people” for being “pro-gay rights“
Elizabeth Edwards & Hillary Clinton: A Cautionary Tale Of The Lure Of Power
As uncomfortable as the subject may be for people for whom the protection of privacy is more important than the corrosive effects of lying and hypocrisy on politics, the more that I learn about John Edwards' romp with Rielle Hunter, the more Elizabeth Edwards reminds me of Hillary Clinton. Minus the cancer, of course. In fact, the parallels are rather stunning. Both women … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Edwards & Hillary Clinton: A Cautionary Tale Of The Lure Of Power
GPS: illegal search or just cheaper tracking?
Police have a new secret weapon: Across the country, police are using GPS devices to snare thieves, drug dealers, sexual predators and killers, often without a warrant or court order. Privacy advocates said tracking suspects electronically constitutes illegal search and seizure, violating Fourth Amendment rights of protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and is … [Read more...] about GPS: illegal search or just cheaper tracking?
Georgia: Vladimir Putin’s Victory Over West
The Economist magazine describes the Russian operation in Georgia as a major triumph for Vladimir Putin. "Just five days later, after pulverising the Georgian armed forces, Russia announced that it was ending its operations. This brutal and efficient move was a victory for Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president-turned-prime-minister, not just over Georgia but also over the … [Read more...] about Georgia: Vladimir Putin’s Victory Over West
Update on the cyberattacks on Georgia
Yesterday afternoon Ars Technica's Joel Hruska reported: ...several security experts have spoken up, and raised the question of whether or not the Russian government is actually involved. According to Gadi Evron, former Chief information security officer (CISO) for the Israeli government's ISP, there's compelling historical evidence to suggest that the Russian military is not … [Read more...] about Update on the cyberattacks on Georgia
NBC Olympics Coverage Deserves No Medal
I must admit to only being a modest fan of the Olympics but I do enjoy seeing some of the more exciting events like swimming and gymnastics. What has bothered me in trying to watch this is the seemingly idiotic coverage by NBC where these important events don't start until 10 or 11 at night while 'prime time' is filled with things like beach volleyball. Now of course time … [Read more...] about NBC Olympics Coverage Deserves No Medal
Exploring Obama’s Boomer Strength
Happenstance has it that as the WaPo's Alec MacGillis explores Obama's "age problem" he's out visiting places I'm intimately familiar with. On Monday he reported from Lancaster, PA., my childhood stomping ground, to illustrate the "resistance from voters over 65." Those born between 1930 and 1945 are squarely "in McCain's age cohort." Obama's having no luck with them. The … [Read more...] about Exploring Obama’s Boomer Strength
How Partisan Should a Partisan Be?
Two Cuyahoga County mayors have been suspended from the Democratic Party executive committee there because they've joined other mayors in endorsing a Republican candidate for county commissioner. Is that right? The first two US presidents--George Washington and John Adams--fiercely resisted and condemned party spirit, something they saw as contrary to patriotism, loyalty … [Read more...] about How Partisan Should a Partisan Be?
10 Things I Learned From Tony Bourdain
Whether you read his blog, watch his show on the Travel Channel or read his books, you can learn a lot from Anthony Bourdain no matter your political persuasion. Some things I've picked up. 1. There is no part of a pig you can't love when handled skillfully. 2. Vegans should not be sent to concentration camps. Under the right circumstances, however, they could be forced … [Read more...] about 10 Things I Learned From Tony Bourdain
Obama Jet Incident Worse Than Thought
It looks like the incident involving Barack Obama's jet was worse than originally revealed, or so the media tells us. At the time of the event last month reports from the FAA stated that no emergency was declared but ABC has obtained tapes which would seem to show this was otherwise. According to those tapes an emergency was declared and they requested that emergency equipment … [Read more...] about Obama Jet Incident Worse Than Thought
McCain Reportedly Considers One Term Presidency Pledge
Republican presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain is reportedly pondering whether to pledge to only serve for one term as President, Times Online reports: John McCain is considering making a pledge that he would serve only one term in the White House when he accepts the Republican nomination at his party's convention next month. A promise not to seek re-election after … [Read more...] about McCain Reportedly Considers One Term Presidency Pledge
The Bush Administration’s Trouble with Dates and Places
In her "A Turning Point in the Georgia Conflict? (A News & TMV Blog Post Round-Up)," Damozel gives a great summary of the Russia-Georgia conflict and lists several other good posts at TMV reporting, commenting on, and analyzing the issue. There have been several other articles on the roots, history, and possible ramifications of the conflict. Let us set aside for the … [Read more...] about The Bush Administration’s Trouble with Dates and Places
‘The Russian President Dictates His Peace to Hapless Europe:’ From France’s Liberation
Perhaps better than anything we've seen so far, this French news item, which discusses the peace plan negotiated by Nicolas Sarkozy with the Russians, sums up the impotence of the West in confronting Russia's shock onslaught against Georgia. In outlining the exasperation of French leaders - both over the hand they've been dealt as holders of the E.U. presidency, Lorraine … [Read more...] about ‘The Russian President Dictates His Peace to Hapless Europe:’ From France’s Liberation
Conflict Over Separatist Enclaves Continues Amid Claims of Atrocities Against Ethnic Georgians
Last week, Georgia's President Saakashvili accused Russia of intending to destroy Georgia, and take control of energy routes to Europe. (BBC Aug. 9) And last week, Steven Eke, the BBC News Russian Affairs analyst, pointed out that Putin---enraged by Western support for Kosovo's independence---would treat Kosovo "as a template for its own actions in the pro-Russian, … [Read more...] about Conflict Over Separatist Enclaves Continues Amid Claims of Atrocities Against Ethnic Georgians
In South Ossetia, ‘Kosovo Backfires’: From France’s Le Figaro
So how did the crisis in Georgia really come about? Many Europeans believe that the events of the past week can be traced back to the recognition of Kosovo - which was also a clear violation of international law - and which the Russians have skillfully turned to their own advatage. For France's Le Figaro newspaper, Renaud Girard writes in part: "Twenty years after being … [Read more...] about In South Ossetia, ‘Kosovo Backfires’: From France’s Le Figaro
What Obama Doesn’t Need…
...and probably doesn't want either! Superdelegate Kwame Kilpatrick! The New York Times: Judge Permits Detroit Mayor to Attend Party Convention Just when it seemed that the scandal involving Detroit’s embattled mayor, Kwame M. Kilpatrick, who is facing assault and perjury charges, could not not grow any more bizarre, it did. On Thursday morning a judge ordered that … [Read more...] about What Obama Doesn’t Need…
Clinton-Obama Compromise: Clinton’s Name To Be Placed In Nomination
Marc Ambinder reports that not only is it now likely that Senator Hillary Clinton's name will be placed in nomination at the Democratic convention but some of the conventional wisdom floating around the Internet and media has proven to be flat-out wrong: 1. In reality, reports of "strife between negotiators for Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are exaggerated and … [Read more...] about Clinton-Obama Compromise: Clinton’s Name To Be Placed In Nomination
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/14/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news The census estimates that the US will become majority-minority by 2042. My projection is that many currently non-White ethnic groups will become or will be absorbed into Whiteness to keep the numbers up. ICE has detained 42 suspected illegal immigrants working at Dulles Airport, stressing that there is no indication of … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/14/08