One might call it the $2 trillion question: Of all of the people, parties and sources of information in Iraq, who should Obama turn to for 'accurate information' about what's really going on there? It's a question that Fateh Abdulsalam of Iraq's Azzaman newspaper endeavors to answer in this op-ed article written just before Obama's arrival there last week. Abdulsalam … [Read more...] about From Iraq’s Azzaman Newspaper: Whoever in Iraq Can Obama ‘Really’ Trust?
Obama Overseas Trip Poll Bounce? Widens Lead Over McCain To 7 Points
The latest Gallup Daily Tracking poll indicates Democratic party presumptive Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama may be enjoying a "bump" from his highly-touted -- and heavily covered -- overseas trip. He now has his highest numbers since Senator Hillary Clinton quit the Democratic presidential race: Barack Obama has stretched his lead over John McCain among national … [Read more...] about Obama Overseas Trip Poll Bounce? Widens Lead Over McCain To 7 Points
Berlin Rally
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about Berlin Rally
Le Figaro Editorial: Obama ‘Superstar’ – ‘Mission Accomplished’
Whether or not it helps him get elected, there can be no doubt that with his world tour, Barack Obama has succeeded in dramatically improving America's image abroad - particularly in Europe. In his editorial for Le Figaro, Pierre Rousselin offers us a French perspective on the trip. In regard to whether Obama has the experience to lead, Rousselin writes: "Reputed to … [Read more...] about Le Figaro Editorial: Obama ‘Superstar’ – ‘Mission Accomplished’
Imagining a more effective, and humane, prison system
Talk Left's TChris points to Julia Sudbury's utopian imaginings of a world without prisons before acknowledging our prisons will remain a necessary evil. That said, he launches into a riff on what our criminal justice system absolutely should be: Rather than devoting a larger share of our shrinking resources to incarceration, society's dollars would be better spent on crime … [Read more...] about Imagining a more effective, and humane, prison system
How Wall Street Got Drunk
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about How Wall Street Got Drunk
Truly Bold Veep Choices
Newsweek asked, I answer: For Republican Senator John McCain, why not Democratic Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin? Ever hear of McCain-Feingold in reference to campaign finance reform? If a liberal, divorced Jewish Democrat won't fly with the GOP, why not someone McCain actually likes such as Joe Lieberman or Tom Ridge? For Democratic Senator Barack Obama, the boldest … [Read more...] about Truly Bold Veep Choices
News Of The Week
In case you missed news developments this part week, here's a reprise: Obama greeted by cheering crowd of half million in Bulgaria. Mutters platitudes. Beautifully. McCain meets with Bulgarian-Americans in Duluth diner and eats cup of yogurt, promising nuclear arms for Sofia if elected. Democrats in Congress move to finish the job of bankrupting the country with … [Read more...] about News Of The Week
Krauthammer Admits, “Obama was likely to be president anyway.”
I am no fan of Charles Krauthammer. In fact, I find his commentary arrogant, extremely partisan, faulty, and, did I mention arrogant? However, his most recent column in the Washington Post, “Maliki Votes for Obama,” was a rare exception. In fact, Krauthammer was nearly one hundred percent accurate and truthful. First, he admits what many right-wingers have been loath … [Read more...] about Krauthammer Admits, “Obama was likely to be president anyway.”
The Company We Keep (Guest Voice)
In this Guest Voice post, Michael Winship, senior writer of the weekly public affairs program Bill Moyers Journal looks at torture and the truth. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice or its writers. The Company We Keep by Michael Winship At one point during the five and a half years John McCain spent as a prisoner of war in … [Read more...] about The Company We Keep (Guest Voice)
Alan Grayson: A Congressional Candidate Who Fights Against War Profiteering & Waste, For Accountability
As someone who is concerned about government accountability, I admire exceedingly Alan Grayson, now running for our 8th District here in Florida (see here and here). He's an attorney (see the Vanity Fair article about him here) who has aggressively and relentlessly pursued corrupt defense contractors/war profiteers in Iraq. Matt Stoller, who met and interviewed him, … [Read more...] about Alan Grayson: A Congressional Candidate Who Fights Against War Profiteering & Waste, For Accountability
Bloomberg Wants Independents To Organize To Increase Power
, It's like the old cliche popular in Spain in the 1970s after the death of dictator Francisco Franco when Spain successfully transitioned to democracy: if anarchists are really anarchists, how could they organize or even think about running for elections? And now, in a new twist on that thought, there's an idea from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who sparked an … [Read more...] about Bloomberg Wants Independents To Organize To Increase Power
Karl Rove Accused by Attorney in Ohio Elections Fraud Case of Intimidating a Witness; Meanwhile, Expert Claims to Have Fresh Evidence of Possible Irregularities
CAVEAT: The underlying facts are still in the process of development. At present, file it away under 'Interesting allegations' against Karl Rove. There have been plenty of others. According to Brad Friedman at The Brad Blog, Ohio Attorney Cliff Arnebeck (lead plaintiffs' attorney in the long-standing Ohio elections fraud case King Lincoln Bronzwell v. … [Read more...] about Karl Rove Accused by Attorney in Ohio Elections Fraud Case of Intimidating a Witness; Meanwhile, Expert Claims to Have Fresh Evidence of Possible Irregularities
Barack Star World Tour
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about Barack Star World Tour
The White House: A Vast ‘Left-Handed’ Conspiracy
Among the oddities that has emerged during the course of the present Presidential election, is that both candidates - John McCain and Barack Obama - are left-handed. Previously, we translated an Arabic article from Iraq about the phenomenon, and today we have this from France's Rue 89. Alluding to the unlikelihood of such a turn of events, Guillemette Faure … [Read more...] about The White House: A Vast ‘Left-Handed’ Conspiracy
The Iraq Hangover
Back in June, as I prepared to go on my annual vacation, I was invited out by some friends to a local watering hole for drinks and a few games of pool. Despite years of experience, good times with good friends stretched the evening out and the phrase “a few” rapidly disappeared from descriptions of both billiards and beverages. At one point I found myself engaged in a heated … [Read more...] about The Iraq Hangover
USA: Why Is World’s Most Self-Confident Nation So Glum?
The Economist believes that If America can learn from its problems, instead of blaming others, it will come back stronger. "Nations, like people, occasionally get the blues...Eight out of ten Americans think their country is heading in the wrong direction. The hapless George Bush is partly to blame for this: his approval ratings are now sub-Nixonian. But many are concerned not … [Read more...] about USA: Why Is World’s Most Self-Confident Nation So Glum?
Legendary US Oil Man Wants To Kick Addiction
In an earlier post I had written about European Union's plans to reduce dependence on oil and to tap the potential of Sahara sun for solar power. Now comes T. Boone Pickens, the 80-year-old founder of one of the largest US oil exploration and production companies, offering alternative energy solutions. 'The simple truth is that cheap and easy oil is gone,' reads a line from his … [Read more...] about Legendary US Oil Man Wants To Kick Addiction
Obama and the Media
Yaakov Kirschen, The Jerusalem Post, Dry Bones … [Read more...] about Obama and the Media
Gordon Brown In Trouble
Following up on my earlier post on the Labour party loss in Scotland, party leaders and now turning an eye on Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Some want him out right now while others are giving him a couple months to get back on track. Dumping Brown would be a mixed bag for the Labour party with hopes that it would improve their position standing up against polls showing they … [Read more...] about Gordon Brown In Trouble