In a much noticed article today, the NYTimes notes that, weeks before the gunfire, cyberattacks hit Georgia: Jose Nazario of Arbor Networks in Lexington noticed a stream of data directed at Georgian government sites containing the message: “win+love+in+Rusia.” Other Internet experts in the United States said the attacks against Georgia’s Internet infrastructure began as … [Read more...] about Georgia cyberwar garnering attention
America’s Other Olympic Medal Winners
John Edwards has a problem. Michael Mukasey has a solution. There is the possibility that funds from the campaign of the presidential wannabe pretty boy went to Rielle Hunter, the object of his affections in a long suspected and now-admitted affair. This would be a violation of federal law. But Edwards need not worry. Just yesterday the attorney general said that … [Read more...] about America’s Other Olympic Medal Winners
Tales Of Two Jews: American & British
Among the joys of living in a laid-back and quaint place like Adelaide in South Australia, with its well-stocked council libraries, is the pleasure of reading books. In the past three months, apart from delivering guest lectures at the two universities here, I have been able to go through six books...accompanied with good beer and wine!!! Here I wish to write about two … [Read more...] about Tales Of Two Jews: American & British
California Budget Mess Goes On
Here in California we continue to experience the car wreck that is the annual budget process. Normally we will see a few idiots screwing things up while the rest simply sit around and watch but this year there seems to be some competition for who can do the stupidest or most irresponsible thing. For those who don't know the full story, California is supposed to have a budget … [Read more...] about California Budget Mess Goes On
Bleak Broadband Growth
CNet headlines a Leichtman Research Group report, Broadband growth plummets in Q2: Cable operators and phone companies signed up about half the number of subscribers in the second quarter of 2008 that they signed up during the same quarter in 2007. Phone companies are hardest hit. Om Malik says its easily explained: Cable companies added phone service and offered triple-play … [Read more...] about Bleak Broadband Growth
What’s Their Real Problem with Gay Marriage (It’s the Gay Part)
Karin Klein takes us behind the scenes at the LATimes editorial board meetings they had with opponents and supporters (separately) of Proposition 8 as they came up with last week's editorial. She tells us supporters were "careful to avoid appearing anti-gay." Still: At one point, the conversation turned to the "activist judges" whose May ruling opened the door to same-sex … [Read more...] about What’s Their Real Problem with Gay Marriage (It’s the Gay Part)
An American’s Generosity: Sanskrit Classics Made Easy
I look back with regret that I could not study Greek, Latin and Sanskrit languages. It is easier to get good translations of the Greek and Latin classics than the Sanskrit literature. The ancient Sanskrit literature remains unparalleled in its metaphysical as well as erotic flight. I thank our co-blogger Hollyrob for sending me a write-up by David Shulman, Professor of … [Read more...] about An American’s Generosity: Sanskrit Classics Made Easy
Mythical Obamicans ?
Newsweek has an interesting feature on whether or not there are really a group of Obamicans out there. Considering the relative liberalism of the magazine and the writer it surprisingly down on the idea. … [Read more...] about Mythical Obamicans ?
‘Some Reasons for Obama’s Popularity – McCain’s Only Chance’: From Le Figaro
Hot on the heels of his staunch defense of the legacy of President George W. Bush, Alexandre Adler, historian and France's foremost neocon, examines the underlying causes of Obama's wild popularity and what Adler sees as McCain's only chance for victory. On the reasons for Obama's strength, Adler discusses in part: -- 'his campaign's lack of any tangible racially-based … [Read more...] about ‘Some Reasons for Obama’s Popularity – McCain’s Only Chance’: From Le Figaro
Georgia’s Ethnic Cleansing Lawsuit Against Russia & Troubling Questions About Georgia’s Attack on the South Ossetians
[Updated here, with further clarification] We're Americans. We like to divide up opponents in any conflict into Good Guys and Bad Guys. Since reality tends to be more complicated than that, we can easily be misled by politicians and media pundits whose personal agendas are served by telling us which are the Good Guys and which the Bad Guys. Russia has agreed to "stand … [Read more...] about Georgia’s Ethnic Cleansing Lawsuit Against Russia & Troubling Questions About Georgia’s Attack on the South Ossetians
Lieberman Jumps Shark: Says Obama Doesn’t Put Country First
As a former Connecticut resident, it's truly sad to see the utter transformation of Senator Joe Lieberman -- and not in terms of party loyalty. It's hard to imagine the 2000 Joe Lieberman accusing a political opponent of not putting his country first --which he has now done as he has totally jumped the shark: One of the McCain campaign’s new themes, that Senator John … [Read more...] about Lieberman Jumps Shark: Says Obama Doesn’t Put Country First
‘Opus’ of Truth
From one of my favorite cartoonists and favorite cartoon characters ... enjoy. H/t Daily Dish. … [Read more...] about ‘Opus’ of Truth
Will Bob Barr Have an Impact on the Presidential Race?
Check out my new column on this subject. … [Read more...] about Will Bob Barr Have an Impact on the Presidential Race?
A Real “What If” to Whine About
In the wake of all the ludicrous "What If" questions and commentaries concerning the John Edwards' extramarital affair, fellow blogger Shaun Mullen asks, "What If Russia Had Invaded Fricking Denver?" in a good attempt to illustrate the "whining," wishful thinking nature of all this "what-iffing" by Clinton supporters. Interestingly, it is not only Clinton supporters who … [Read more...] about A Real “What If” to Whine About
Ponder This: McCain on the Conflict between Georgia and Russia
He...accused Putin of wanting to restore Russia to the days of czardom, when a monarchy exerted broad control over parts of Asia and eastern Europe. “I think it’s very clear that Russian ambitions are to restore the old Russian Empire. Not the Soviet Union, but the Russian Empire.” (CNN) Cf. John McCain is your new jalopy … [Read more...] about Ponder This: McCain on the Conflict between Georgia and Russia
Will McCain Play the Gender Card?
With disaffected Clinton supporters still vowing to stay home or vote for him, John McCain must be tempted to give them another reason to come aboard by picking Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate. From a look at her political history, the 44-year-old "Northern Exposure" chief executive would bring more than token womanhood to the ticket. With approval ratings in … [Read more...] about Will McCain Play the Gender Card?
Quote Of The Day: On Obama’s McCain As Celebrity Campaign Ad
The quote of the day comes from Dick Polman, who takes a look at Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's recent campaign ad nothing that Republican Sen. John McCain is a celebrity, too. First, Polman notes that McCain is actually more of a celebrity if you use one measure: Anyway, the Obama people have finally retaliated by showing quick excerpts of McCain's longtime love of … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: On Obama’s McCain As Celebrity Campaign Ad
The Georgia-Russia Show. The Replay
We had a great panel discussion today on the subject of Russia and Georgia with myself, Ron Beasely of Newshoggers, our own Shaun Mullen, our Editor Joe Gandelman, and Cindy of Ladies Logic, along with our resident expert on Armenian history who put some perspective on how Georgia arrived where it is today. In case you missed it, you can catch a full replay of the show here at … [Read more...] about The Georgia-Russia Show. The Replay
Russia Bears Its Soul
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Russia Bears Its Soul
Edwards 2006 Presidential Announcement Tour Companion: His Mistress
Former Democratic presidential nomination wannabe John Edwards' political coffin now not only has a dozen nails sealing it up but also steel bands melted around it to keep him from getting out of it with this new news: when Edwards went on his 2006 Presidential announcement tour, painting himself as a high-minded family man, he brought his mistress with him. Well, you … [Read more...] about Edwards 2006 Presidential Announcement Tour Companion: His Mistress