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
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
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
What A Wicked Web They Weave
McCAIN'S NEW TV AD INCLUDES CLINTON SLUR OF OBAMA. … [Read more...] about What A Wicked Web They Weave
Russia v. Georgia
OTB has done the heavy lifting for those who want to understand what's going on in the escalating conflict. … [Read more...] about Russia v. Georgia
Political Quote of The Day: Silent Majority, Obama-Dewey, McCain-Truman?
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?
Cut Back on the Caffeine, Please
H/t Daily Dish. Photographer insists on Pledge of Allegiance at Obama rally … [Read more...] about Cut Back on the Caffeine, Please
Open Letter to the Memphis Electorate
I have to admit, I had my doubts as to whether Nikki Tinker's ugly campaign tactics would pay off. But given Steve Cohen's crushing victory last night, I owe you all a huge apology. … [Read more...] about Open Letter to the Memphis Electorate
Scientific proof of the good that religions provide
Andrew Sullivan points to The Economist suggestion that Religious diversity may be caused by disease: SOME people, notably Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist at Oxford University, regard religion as a disease. It spreads, they suggest, like a virus, except that the “viruses” are similar to those infecting computers—bits of cultural software that take over the hardware … [Read more...] about Scientific proof of the good that religions provide
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/08/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Texas has executed another illegal immigrant in a case with similar fact patterns to Medellin. ...And the Washington Post asks why Texas hates America. A federal judge ruled that the government owes Indian tribes $455 million for mismanaged oil and gas revenues -- far less than the $47 billion they were seeking. Even … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/08/08
Music Man Minds
It's no secret that a certain six-letter word has had its fair share of exercise this election season. I'm talking, of course, about "change." The funny thing about change is that, the further along this election season moves, and the more we read and talk with people about it, the more we see hints that the masses are starting to migrate -- from hunger for change to fear … [Read more...] about Music Man Minds
Four Innocent Victims; Two Dead
MORE HERE. … [Read more...] about Four Innocent Victims; Two Dead
Kick off the Olympics with a new war!
What better way to note the opening day of the Olympics than with a new war. James Joyner reports that Russi has tanks rolling over the border into the Caucasus region of South Ossetia in Georgia. (For all of you who consider yourself "caucasian" this may be your homeland. Ok... enough snark.) Indeed, news reports have already begun pouring in about military activity in the … [Read more...] about Kick off the Olympics with a new war!
That Habbush Letter… Redux
Can someone explain this to me, please? This isn't some sort of rhetorical device, by the way. I honestly would like some help in understanding the questions surrounding Ron Suskind's allegations regarding the forged documents which sought to tie Saddam to AQ in an effort to gin up support for the Iraq war. According to his account, George Tenet delivered the order from the … [Read more...] about That Habbush Letter… Redux
Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf In Trouble?
Yes, says The Economist. It seems that Pakistan's rival centers of power are converging on one theme. "After showdown talks on August 6th and 7th Mr Nawaz Sharif and the PPP’s leader, Asif Zardari, reached a provisional agreement to impeach the president and restore the judges (sacked by President Musharraf). (Meanwhile in a dramatic development President Pervez Musharraf on … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf In Trouble?
Beware The Double Helix Of History
History has a funny way of bending back on itself. Contemporary events uncannily echo past events and past events suddenly present themselves not as hoary old newsreel images but as preludes to today. It is easy to dismiss this double helix of history as merely a series of coincidences. Were it only that simple. It is not, as several of today's posts at my blog make … [Read more...] about Beware The Double Helix Of History
Foreign News Roundup
We all tend to focus on stories in our own country so I thought I'd post just a few of the stories that are making news overseas. In Brazil while the economy around the world remains sluggish the people of this South American nation are enjoying a boom thanks in part to efforts to balance the left and the right in management of the economy. But the government does make … [Read more...] about Foreign News Roundup
McGovern Opposes EFCA
In something of a surprise former Senator and Presidential Candidate George McGovern has come out in opposition to the so called Employee Free Choice Act which is being pushed by labor unions. The EFCA seeks to amend current labor laws with regard to how they deal with the formation and certification of unions in the workplace. Right now there can be a secret ballot to … [Read more...] about McGovern Opposes EFCA
Myanmar Still A Disaster
Despite being ruled by the "glorious and wonderful government" of Than Shwe and his cronies things continue to get worse and worse in Myanmar. According to the United Nations there is still little progress towards fixing the damage caused by Cyclone Nargis earlier this year. Officially at least 140,000 people died but many believe the true death toll may actually be closer … [Read more...] about Myanmar Still A Disaster
Perhaps We Fret Too Much
The race between Steve Cohen and Nikki Tinker has certainly caused some stress for those of us concerned with Black/Jewish relations, but we may have worried too much: With 67% reporting, Cohen is stomping Tinker by 60 points. Presumably, if a strong Tinker challenge fueled by anti-Semitic themes would have strained Black/Jewish relations, a majority Black district … [Read more...] about Perhaps We Fret Too Much