Often when I post my rantings around here I expect to get some opposing comments from our readers and even a fellow writer or two. But today I think we can all agree that the capture of Radovan Karadzic is a good thing for everyone concerned. He was one of the most brutal and repressive of the many warlords who ravaged Bosnia and Serbia during the 1990's. According to the … [Read more...] about A Really Rotten Guy Gets Justice
Interview with Steven Wax
As the United States opens its first "war crimes trial" since the aftermath of World War II, not with OBL, but with one of his motor-pool drivers (remember how we tried Hitler's valet, gardener and chauffeur at Nuremberg?), I take this opportunity to continue my series of interviews with players (mostly lawyers) in "the war on terror;" the interview below is with Steven Wax, … [Read more...] about Interview with Steven Wax
Obama’s Popularity Abroad, a Blessing or a Curse?
I can only listen to the Limbaugh show a little bit at a time. Yesterday morning was one of those “little bits,” and I immediately noticed an unusually shrill, angry, agitated tone in the voice of the man on loan from Godddddd. His ranting appeared to be directed at, among other, the huge media attention Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is receiving during … [Read more...] about Obama’s Popularity Abroad, a Blessing or a Curse?
God’s love, satellite delivered: Christian radio opposes local provisions
A bedrock of the traditional broadcasting model has long been localism. Among the best ways to meet the FCC mandate to serve the "public interest, convenience, and necessity" is to produce quality local programming. To that end the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking last November proposing a range of options that encourage more locally-oriented radio. Ars Technica … [Read more...] about God’s love, satellite delivered: Christian radio opposes local provisions
More distorted Iraq history from McCain
As per my post yesterday on the real chronology of the surge, I criticized the tendency of McCain to claim all credit for security improvements in Iraq. The surge was a part of that improvement, to be sure, but the majority of the solution came from events outside the control of US troops: the Anbar Awakening that began months before the surge, Sadr's ceasefire and, sadly, the … [Read more...] about More distorted Iraq history from McCain
Obama: Winning the Iraq Argument
Shaun Mullen discusses the ramifications for McCain's of McCain's argument here. Michael Stickings rounds up commentary by bloggers here. This piece rounds up related quotes and commentary, including a couple of fairly lame counterjabs from the McCain-supporting (or Obama-dissing) side which prove to be fairly easily seen off. After all, McCain's whole argument against … [Read more...] about Obama: Winning the Iraq Argument
India-US Nuclear Deal: Nail-Biting Parliamentary Result
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George W. Bush have a reason to celebrate. In a way the triumphant nail-biting passage on Tuesday of the India-US Nuclear Deal in the Indian Parliament is their personal victory. "The U.S. will urge other board members of the International Atomic Energy Agency to support an inspection plan tied to the accord during a … [Read more...] about India-US Nuclear Deal: Nail-Biting Parliamentary Result
Obama & McCain On Iraq (A Primer In Verse)
About Iraq the dueling pair Have a very different take; McCain thinks 'twas a good idea, Obama a mistake. Barack says that if he gets in We'll leave "I'll set a day." While John says he won't get us out 'Til Petraeus says O.K. So here's the choice, one that's quite clear Not hard at all to see: Move on from this unending quest Or stay, Come what may, And pray, … [Read more...] about Obama & McCain On Iraq (A Primer In Verse)
Hello, Dolly. Now Get Outta Here
UPDATES FROM THE WEATHER NERD … [Read more...] about Hello, Dolly. Now Get Outta Here
Too Clever By Half
President Bush is thinking about extending pre-emptive pardons to his torture-implicated cronies? Bring 'em on. … [Read more...] about Too Clever By Half
Estelle Getty (1924-2008)
MORE HERE. … [Read more...] about Estelle Getty (1924-2008)
The ‘Other’ Races
After consuming American and foreign media, you might be forgiven for walking away with the impression that there's only one contest for one office that matters in November. Now, a joint project between Politico and Real Clear Politics obliges the whims of political junkies and casual observers alike, who are hungry for something more than which presidential candidate has … [Read more...] about The ‘Other’ Races
Police Taser a Blind Diabetic Women with Cancer ‘to Facilitate Cuffing’
Nationally recognized legal scholar Jonathan Turley calls it 'a very problematic rationale.' I'll say. The police came to her apartment looking for her son.(WDTN.com) Her family said she was yelling at officers because she was scared. "She was terrified. She was extremely terrified," said Harris's niece, Dionna. "She was scared … [Read more...] about Police Taser a Blind Diabetic Women with Cancer ‘to Facilitate Cuffing’
On the Radio Today
Ever want to reach through your computer screen and either throttle or shake the hand of any of the writers here at TMV? Well, we can't quite deliver that, but you can listen to and even have a word with some of us. Today, on Mid Stream Radio, at 1 pm Eastern, 10 am pacific, you can tune in and catch up with myself and my co-host Cindy as we talk during the first half with … [Read more...] about On the Radio Today
The Red Cross: A Disaster Area
The latest chapter in the catastrophic recent history of the organization Americans depend on for disaster relief is the revelation that the Red Cross, which collects and distributes almost half of the blood given to patients in this country, is so sloppy it may be endangering their lives. The FDA has found "shortcomings in the way the Red Cross screens donors for possible … [Read more...] about The Red Cross: A Disaster Area
Forever in Ink
Richard Cohen waxes philosophical today, declaring that Americans with ink in their skin are - if I'm following him correctly - delusional losers. The tattoo is the battle flag of today in its war with tomorrow. It is carried by sure losers. I asked a college professor what she thought of tattoos, and she said that for young people, they represent permanence in an … [Read more...] about Forever in Ink
“We’re F***ed” — or, What Maliki’s Endorsement of Obama’s Iraq Plan Means for McCain
As you must know by now, Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki has publicly endorsed Obama's plan for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. How is that playing in Republican circles? Er, not well... Allahpundit at Hot Air: "So discombobulated is Team Maverick that they seem to be spinning in two different directions (while partially redeeming themselves by the pointed use of the term … [Read more...] about “We’re F***ed” — or, What Maliki’s Endorsement of Obama’s Iraq Plan Means for McCain
(Update II) McCain Screws The Pooch On Iraq
After months of peddling a position on the Iraq war that has included an American troop presence anywhere from 100 years down to five years as he has had to repeatedly backpedal, John McCain now finds himself marginalized with Nouri Al-Maliki and Barack Obama, of all people, stealing his thunder on his war. The presumptive Republican nominee already was on shaky ground by … [Read more...] about (Update II) McCain Screws The Pooch On Iraq
Joe Lieberman’s Jewish Problem
Jews are among the smartest and most engaged voters when it comes to public affairs and knowing when they are being played, so it seemed like only a matter of time before they began parting ways with Joe Lieberman, John McCain's very own Uriah Heep and a senator whose political dishonesty runs at a flood-tide pace these days. Among high-profile Jews in Congress, Lieberman is … [Read more...] about Joe Lieberman’s Jewish Problem
Hillary: Bush Administration to Redefine Contraception as Abortion (‘A Dire Threat to Women’s Health’)
Annnnd....attempts by state and federal governments to interfere with a woman's freedom to control what goes on inside her own personal womb continue apace. Joe Windish has an earlier piece about an 8th Circuit decision that unleashes the State of South Dakota on women who seek abortion in that state by letting the state insert a word or two on behalf of its legislature into … [Read more...] about Hillary: Bush Administration to Redefine Contraception as Abortion (‘A Dire Threat to Women’s Health’)