An important news has come from Pakistan. "Pakistan's notorious ISI spy agency, a mainstay of the military's domination of the nation's politics, was last night placed under civilian control for the first time since it was founded in 1948, reports The Australian. "A brief announcement from the Prime Minister's office said the ISI and the country's other principal security … [Read more...] about Clipping Pakistan Spy Agency’s Wings?
Bomb Attacks in Western India: Who Did It?
While Indian leaders have appealed for calm after a series of co-ordinated bombings ripped through the Western Indian city of Ahmedabad on Saturday, leaving at least 45 people dead and more than 100 wounded, some things about the bombings make little sense, says The Independent. "While Gujarat – whose recently re-elected Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, has been accused of … [Read more...] about Bomb Attacks in Western India: Who Did It?
Sarkozy and the Press Respond to ‘the Call of Obama’: Le Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien
After the open display of affection and support Barack Obama received from French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris on Saturday - John McCain cannot be pleased. On the other hand, such a display could serve to hurt Obama, which is something that will perhaps become clear in the coming days. The French are not oblivious to this. Referencing the danger for Obama, Nicolas … [Read more...] about Sarkozy and the Press Respond to ‘the Call of Obama’: Le Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien
Bill Kristol—In Anticipation
I have no idea what Bill Kristol will pontificate about tomorrow in his much-awaited Monday, New York Times column...I can't wait But, if it is about Obama's astoundingly successful overseas tour, I have no doubt that he will join the chorus of nay-saying, right-wing pundits and that he will have at best some sarcastic, sour-grapes observations and, at worse, various … [Read more...] about Bill Kristol—In Anticipation
Election 2008: New Jersey
New Jersey is one of those states that likes to flirt with one party during the campaign but always ends up going with the other side. In this case the jilted party is the Republicans and they will likely come up short again in November. President: The last Republican to win the state (or even come close) was George Bush in 1988. This November will extend that losing streak … [Read more...] about Election 2008: New Jersey
Election 2008: New Hampshire
New Hampshire has always been important during the primary season but in recent years it has evolved into a swing state, voting for Bush in 2000 and Kerry in 2004. Overall however the trend is towards the Democrats. President: Senator McCain has always been popular in New England and he is probably one of the few GOP contenders who would have a chance in New Hampshire. But … [Read more...] about Election 2008: New Hampshire
Election 2008: Nevada
At the risk of making a bad joke it is fair to say that both parties will be gambling on a win in the Silver State this November. President: Both McCain and Obama are expected to spend a lot of time in Nevada, a state that has been moving from the GOP to a swing state. It voted twice for Clinton and twice for Bush but has generally voted Republican for President. Recent … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Nevada
Election 2008: Nebraska
Although Nebraska is a basically Republican state there have been some Democrats who have managed to become quite successful here, including former Senator Bob Kerry. But for the moment the GOP remains largely in the drivers seat. President: Only the most optimistic Obama supporter would expect him to carry Nebraska. The polls all show McCain with a wide lead. Safe … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Nebraska
Election 2008: Montana
Montana is one of the few states to have a race for Governor in 2008 but there will be little excitement attached to most of the contests in November. President: Montana is part of the Republican oriented Rocky Mountain region but it has shown a willingness to vote for Democrats, supporting Bill Clinton in 1992. Obama will make this a target state and recent polls have shown … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Montana
Mass Shooting at My Unitarian Church in Knoxville Today
Terrible news this morning. Some man entered our church with a shotgun and started shooting I was not there this morning as we had friends visiting from out of town. But we seriously considered attending with our friends. This is such a shock to the community here. Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church is such a welcoming community. Though it's decidedly more … [Read more...] about Mass Shooting at My Unitarian Church in Knoxville Today
Brandon McInerney: No 14-year-old deserves the threat of life in prison
Last week a California judge ruled that trying a 14-year-old boy accused of murder in an adult court does not violate the constitution: "I cannot say that this is unconstitutional," said Ventura County Superior Court Judge Douglas Daily. Teenage defendant Brandon McInerney of Oxnard is charged with first-degree murder and a hate crime in connection with the Feb. 12 killing … [Read more...] about Brandon McInerney: No 14-year-old deserves the threat of life in prison
McCain Cashing in on Big Oil Bucks? Well, yes, but…
The Washington Post attempts to make some hay over oil company contributions to the McCain campaign following his call for increased domestic oil production. Here's the lede, just to set the tone of the piece. Campaign contributions from oil industry executives to Sen. John McCain rose dramatically in the last half of June, after the senator from Arizona made a high-profile … [Read more...] about McCain Cashing in on Big Oil Bucks? Well, yes, but…
McCain Campaign Ad: Obama Chose Going To Gym Over Visiting Troops
Republican Senator John McCain's presidential campaign opened both political barrels on rival Democratic Senator Barack Obama with a short but blistering TV campaign ad that charges that Obama chose to go to the gym rather than visit wounded troops because the Pentagon wouldn't allow cameras to go with him. It's an ad (watch ad yourself at the bottom of this post) that is … [Read more...] about McCain Campaign Ad: Obama Chose Going To Gym Over Visiting Troops
From Iraq’s Azzaman Newspaper: Whoever in Iraq Can Obama ‘Really’ Trust?
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