Baldilocks says "screw them" to the Supreme Court (for rejecting the death penalty for child rape) and "fry them" to all child rapists. Baldilocks' entire post is framed in her devout Christian beliefs. And even though I'm not a Christian. And even though I identify more with the transhumanism crowd than the religious crowd, I agree with her 110%. I've seen victims of … [Read more...] about One way ticket to the other side!
McCain Obama Campaigns: The Same Old Same Old?
MSNBC's Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro, writing in First Read note that the bloom is falling off the John McCain "Straight Talk Express" and Barack Obama "Change You Can Believe In" campaigns: A different kind of campaign? Hardly: There’s a common theme running in Dan Balz’s column (which notes that the McCain-Obama contest isn’t any different from past … [Read more...] about McCain Obama Campaigns: The Same Old Same Old?
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The Nomination Gap
I apologize, it appears that I have missed several Sabato's Crystal Ball emails due to accidental unsubscribing. Here is today's article - I will post the others as I have time to read them. Today's article is by Michael Baudinet of the U.Va. Center for Politics: Time Is On My Side: The Nomination Gap Much has been made in the past of presidential candidates' … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The Nomination Gap
The Corruption and Decay of the Supreme Court
Just to be clear, I happened to agree with and applaud the SCOTUS decision today regarding Second Amendment rights. You may see it differently, I know, but that's one of the great things about our country. We can disagree on things like that. I just feel that the Second Amendment speaks to an individual right to keep and bear arms, not a right restricted to members of the … [Read more...] about The Corruption and Decay of the Supreme Court
Senator Dodd Special
RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about Senator Dodd Special
Interview: Bernard Finel
Is American support for Israel really a catalyst for terrorism? Should the United States engage with "moderate" Islamists? Is al-Qaeda facing an internal rebellion? Shamless plug here: Analyst Matt Eckel, who also writes for Foreign Policy Watch, has conducted an illuminating interview with Bernard Finel, a former Associate Professor at the National War College and a senior … [Read more...] about Interview: Bernard Finel
News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: June 26th
A regular feature of news and opinion pieces from the Israeli and Palestinian press. 1.) There are indications that, just days after the agreement was reached, the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas may be on the verge of collapse. Islamic Jihad has threatened to continue shooting rockets at Israel; over the past few days, several Qassams fired by the militant group have … [Read more...] about News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: June 26th
Gitmo’s Got to Go… but where?
In the face of growing national discontent and an increasingly-complicated legal situation, both Senators Barack Obama and John McCain have called for the closing of the United States detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. McCain has suggested moving at least some of the alleged terrorist detainees to Fort Leavenworth. (We need to say 'alleged' until we find a way to give … [Read more...] about Gitmo’s Got to Go… but where?
Novak: McCain Worried About Republican Obamacons Defectors
Republican presumptive Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain is worried about Republican "Obamacons" who could openly or all-but-openly support rival Democratic Senator Barack Obama come November, columnist Robert Novak writes. What's a Republican with a reputation for being independent who wants to distance himself just enough from the Bush administration so he doesn't … [Read more...] about Novak: McCain Worried About Republican Obamacons Defectors
Divine Intervention for Obama: Hindu Style
Oy. As if Senator Obama's team doesn't already have a full time job swatting down rumors that he's a double secret Muslim, over in India the Hindus are trying to help out Obama's campaign. They are doing so by praying for him and sending a gift half way around the world. NEW DELHI: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama can now expect help from an unexpected quarter … [Read more...] about Divine Intervention for Obama: Hindu Style
On bans on handheld cellphones while driving
When we did this in NYC, even the police ignored it (a visit last month found them still chatting away in their cars). I live in Georgia now. But come July 1 in California... ...drivers talking on their mobile phones without a hands-free device are subject to a $20 fine and a run-in with the law. The Golden State's new traffic ordinance follows similar versions adopted in … [Read more...] about On bans on handheld cellphones while driving
Willfully Ignoring The Past & Future: Why My Iraq War Mea Culpa Is Staying On Ice
There has been a . . . um, surge of revisionist thinking lately over the Iraq war in general and the Surge strategy in particular, and you may find yourself climbing aboard the Mission Finally Accomplished bandwagon. If so, then you'd better fasten your seatbelt because you're forgetting the past, are going skin deep on the present and giving short shrift to the treacherous … [Read more...] about Willfully Ignoring The Past & Future: Why My Iraq War Mea Culpa Is Staying On Ice
Conflating Luddites with Fair Trade Advocates
Some attention is being given to an only partly humorous video from reason.tv which takes a fairly disparaging look at American reactions to various labor threats. The phrasing is worth noting: Sometimes the threat comes from China, Japan, or outsourcing to India. Today, it’s NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement—you know, all those Mexicans taking our jobs. The … [Read more...] about Conflating Luddites with Fair Trade Advocates
United Nations: Blighted Machinations
I spoke to Ed Warner last night, a board member of the Sand County Foundation that has great heart and works in Zimbabwe. The Foundation has expanded from being caretaker of The Leopold Memorial Reserve -- 1500 acres of cooperatively mananged private land-- to advising the managers of hundreds of thousands of acres of land in several countries. The Foundation works with private … [Read more...] about United Nations: Blighted Machinations
Iraq On the Verge of a ‘Fresh Wave of Violence’
Those hoping that the 'surge' in Iraq has brought anything resembling long-lasting stability are likely to be disappointed, according to one of Iraq's most prolific columnists, Fateh Abdulsalam. Writing for Iraq's Azzaman newspaper, Abdulsalam suggests that the government's four-year policy of coddling and cooperating with militias and 'falling into the orbit of foreign … [Read more...] about Iraq On the Verge of a ‘Fresh Wave of Violence’
Clinton’s Clincher for Obama
As they begin their unity tour this week, Hillary Clinton has a powerful argument to win over diehard supporters who resist backing Barack Obama because he kept her from becoming the first woman in the Oval Office. If John McCain is elected, they can kiss goodbye to Roe v Wade, which has been teetering in the Supreme Court balance since Bush started naming Justices and would … [Read more...] about Clinton’s Clincher for Obama
Obama Weighs in Again on Telecom Amnesty…
And what he says isn't going to cheer you up if you oppose it. It had crossed my mind that perhaps Dodd's and Feingold's repudiation of the bill was at least partly motivated by a wish to mitigate the disappointment many Democrats feel in Obama's stance on FISA. I don't really know how these things work. But after all, Obama did suggest, didn't he, that he wasn't happy … [Read more...] about Obama Weighs in Again on Telecom Amnesty…
Cinderella Visits Omaha
I admit it's not exactly the normal kind of post for TMV but I had to chime in on one of the best stories to come out of the sports world in quite a while. The Fresno State University Bulldogs are not exactly who you would pick as serious contenders for a national title. They started out the regular season with a record of 8 and 12 and then turned things around to make it … [Read more...] about Cinderella Visits Omaha
Countrywide In More Trouble
Countrywide Home Loans has pretty much been the poster child for the mortgage meltdown of the last 18 months or so. I can certainly understand why since many of my bankruptcy filings have included Countrywide. In many cases they held not just a first but also a second and even third mortgage on the homes. Various attorneys general have filed lawsuits against the lender … [Read more...] about Countrywide In More Trouble
‘Man-Killer’ MacArthur is No Hero!
To mark the 58th anniversary of the Korean War, the North Korean regime's rigidly-controlled media has published this 'commentary' lashing out the publication of a new book being distributed to South Korean students praising the United States and General Douglas MacArthur for saving their nation from communist domination. Quoting from the Rodong Sinmun, which could be … [Read more...] about ‘Man-Killer’ MacArthur is No Hero!