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The Moderate Voice

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Bernie Mac, Comedian Dies at Age 50

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Bernie Mac has died way too early. He had Sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disorder that can scar the lungs. The coroner's office noted his death was 'natural,' which seems like such a wrong word for death in one so young. He'd been hospitalized for pneumonia on August 1, 2008. Mr. Mac grew up on the South Side of Chicago. From having lived there in the 60's, I can tell you South … [Read more...] about Bernie Mac, Comedian Dies at Age 50

Gays in the Military: Views From Those Who Are or Have Been “On the Ground”

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I have posted a couple of columns on the subject of gays serving in the military and, in particular, about the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that has been in effect for 15 years and is now being reviewed by Congress--a policy that is also being vigorously discussed in the media and in the blogs. I have made my personal views on this issue quite clear. In one of my posts, I … [Read more...] about Gays in the Military: Views From Those Who Are or Have Been “On the Ground”

What are Your Daily Reads?

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I always find it interesting, the sources on which people rely for information about the world around them. Here's my current list of Monday through Friday regulars. Five Thirty Eight * The Moderate Voice (surprise!) Real Clear Politics ** (including The Scorecard blog, a joint project with Politico) Politico (including Ben Smith's and Jonathan Martin's … [Read more...] about What are Your Daily Reads?

Analysis: Obama, McCain and The Russian Conundrum

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As we enter the second day of hostilities between Russia and Georgia, I see that the two major party candidates have already weighed in on the subject. (Has anyone even bothered asking the President, I wonder?) In a previous column, I posed the question, "do we even have a dog in this fight?" Some readers were quick in displaying the intellectual honesty to eschew any dithering … [Read more...] about Analysis: Obama, McCain and The Russian Conundrum

10 Thoughts On The John Edwards Affair

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(1.) The mainstream media let us down yet again by failing to take seriously first rumors and then credible accounts of the John Edwards-Rielle Hunter affair until there was so much smoke that it's a wonder that all of those notably uncurious political reporters weren't barfing into their arugula salads. (2.) The New York Times deserves special scorn after running an … [Read more...] about 10 Thoughts On The John Edwards Affair

The Clintons’ Convention

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To the untrained eye, they seem to be overspreading the Democratic Convention like those kudzu vines that grow a foot every day to eventually blot out everything in sight, but the Clintons insist they are doing it all for Barack Obama. Hillary will speak one night and Bill will hold forth the next, after, if all goes according to their plan, Clinton supporters get … [Read more...] about The Clintons’ Convention

Pakistan’s Musharraf: “I Will Fight To The End”

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Well, fight whom? The terrorists or the Pakistani people's mandate? President Pervez Musharraf, who became a military dictator in a coup in 1999, has become a pathetic figure begging his former generals to come to his rescue to remain in the presidential chair. Obviously, Musharraf has realized that the US might not be able to bail him out this time if the democratically … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s Musharraf: “I Will Fight To The End”

Elizabeth Edwards’ Statement On John Edwards’ Affair

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Elizabeth Edwards has written a diary on Daily Kos in which she addresses the political bombshell news that her husband John Edwards has now admitted to lying about an affair when he was running for the Democratic Presidential nomination in the primaries. It begins this way: Our family has been through a lot. Some caused by nature, some caused by human weakness, and … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Edwards’ Statement On John Edwards’ Affair

Why John Edwards Political Career Is Now Burnt Toast

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The news that former Senator and 2008 Democratic Presidential wannabe John Edwards has now admitted that he lied about an affair means one of the few certainties you can now state in politics is this: Edwards' career as a possible future Presidential candidate and major player on the national stage is now over. Some pundits may finesse it and point to Ted Kennedy and Bill … [Read more...] about Why John Edwards Political Career Is Now Burnt Toast

Further Note To TMV Readers

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I am hoping that as of Sunday night I will be able to resume my posts on TMV. There are a ton of stories breaking that I would normally weigh in on, but in addition to there being no wireless dial up at the hotel in this small city in Wyoming is almost unusable. Usually if wireless isn't available I can post on slow dial up. The only way I can here is by doing posts with very … [Read more...] about Further Note To TMV Readers

Edwards’ Statement

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Shaun shared news of the confession, earlier today. Ben Smith reprints Edwards' complete statement. After reading the latter, reactions to two passages from the statement: " ... being 99% honest is no longer enough." I'm not sure it ever was, Mr. Edwards. It is inadequate to say to the people who believed in me that I am sorry, as it is inadequate to say to the … [Read more...] about Edwards’ Statement

‘We Didn’t Change China, But Protests Were Worth It’: From the Gazeta Wyborcza

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Now that the 2008 Beijing Olympics have begun and President Bush along with about 80 other heads of state are in attendance, can it be said that all the demonstrating by Western human rights activists was for naught? Having been imprisoned behind the iron curtain for decades, the people of Poland are particularly sensitive to this question, which is why the author of this … [Read more...] about ‘We Didn’t Change China, But Protests Were Worth It’: From the Gazeta Wyborcza

John Edwards (Finally) Admits To Affair

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John Edwards repeatedly lied during his presidential campaign and since then about an extramarital affair Rielle Hunter, the former senator admitted to ABC News today. In an interview for broadcast tonight on "Nightline," Edwards admitted that he did have an affair with the 44-year woman, but said that he did not love her. Edwards also denied he was the father of Hunter's … [Read more...] about John Edwards (Finally) Admits To Affair

The War on Drugs is Out of Control

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I first learned yesterday of a police raid gone wrong. Busting down the door when the warrant doesn't specify no-knock? Bad. Shooting the dogs as they ran away, then leaving them to bleed to death while you interrogate the homeowner? Worse. Refusing to believe that the homeowner is in fact the Mayor as you force him to kneel on the floor handcuffed in his boxer … [Read more...] about The War on Drugs is Out of Control

Political Quote of The Day: Silent Majority, Obama-Dewey, McCain-Truman?

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The Political Quote of the Day comes from Peggy, who in a Wall Street Journal column (that should be read in full) wonders whether what's shaping up for Presidential election 2008 is Democratic Senator Barack Obama as losing 1948 overconfident Republican Presidential candidate Thomas E. Dewey, Republican Senator John McCain as underdog-winner Democratic Senator and the bulk of … [Read more...] about Political Quote of The Day: Silent Majority, Obama-Dewey, McCain-Truman?