On The Media did its program from China last week. A story on pitching brand China to the world took a fascinating tour of that nation's emerging business, fashion and cultural media. Almost in passing, there came this important truth: BROOKE GLADSTONE: Publisher and blogger Hong Huang says that the deepest generational divide separates those born before 1980 and those born … [Read more...] about Disney’s involuntary contribution to the peaceful evolution in China
Bill Clinton Endorses Obama Amid Announcement He’ll Play “Big” Campaign Role
What a difference a few (political) days makes. Several days ago Reuters reported that former President Bill Clinton smilingly -- and pointedly -- didn't answer when pressed by reporters whether he'd endorse Democratic presumptive Presidential nominee Barack Obama. But things happen and change in politics. Perhaps the Reuters report raised some eyebrows (and perhaps some … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton Endorses Obama Amid Announcement He’ll Play “Big” Campaign Role
Bittersweet Iraq Success Story
The good news is that roadside bomb fatalities last month were down by almost 90 percent from the last year, largely as a result of almost 7,000 heavily armored Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles being rushed to Iraq since then. The sad news is that four months ago members of Congress were seeking whistle-blower protection for a Pentagon analyst who claimed that … [Read more...] about Bittersweet Iraq Success Story
How America Generates its Political Superstars …
As has been repeatedly demonstrated over the past year, the world is riveted by the way Americans are choosing their president. This op-ed from France's Liberation examines the primary process and how it results in the selection of America's 'highly-trained' political athletes. Anne-Lorraine Bujon writes for Liberation: "The 2008 Democratic primary race illustrated … [Read more...] about How America Generates its Political Superstars …
GOP Wipeout ?? Not So Fast….
Political pro Stuart Rothenberg has a very interesting post up today where he calls into question the idea that things are going to be a disaster for the GOP in November. He does not give entirely encouraging news to Republicans, pointing out that the Democrats are certain to gain seats this November. But he points out that things have seemed to improve somewhat for the GOP … [Read more...] about GOP Wipeout ?? Not So Fast….
Palestinians Must Campaign to ‘Alter Obama’s Position’ …
Let the Arab-Israeli battle for Barack Obama's heart and mind begin ... For Yemen's Al-Wahdawi newspaper, Ziyad Abu Shaawish writes of the crushing disappointment felt by Palestinians when Obama appeared before the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee calling for a united Jerusalem under Israeli control. … [Read more...] about Palestinians Must Campaign to ‘Alter Obama’s Position’ …
Obama Flip Flop
Mike Lester, The Rome News-Tribune … [Read more...] about Obama Flip Flop
Sue OPEC To Lower Fuel Prices
That's, at least, what former presidential advisor Thomas Evans boldly called for in a recent op-ed for The New York Times. But you have to wonder what the consequences of such an action might be...and whether or not we can just sue ourselves out of this crisis. … [Read more...] about Sue OPEC To Lower Fuel Prices
A House of Cards: Al-Qaeda’s Ideological Rift
Sayyid Imam al-Sharif, known as “Dr Fadl,” is the subject of a must-read piece by author Lawrence Wright in The New Yorker. One of the most prominent jihadists – the man who literally wrote the ideological playbook for terrorists – al-Sharif recently had an unexpected epiphany. In a move that sparked intense debate in the jihadi world, al-Sharif came out last year with a … [Read more...] about A House of Cards: Al-Qaeda’s Ideological Rift
Mapping the Political ‘Sphere
My apologies to those of you who have already discovered this analysis, but for those (like me) who missed it, check it out: a map of the political blogosphere, courtesy of Presidential Watch '08. TMV ranks right up there with the others. And while this analysis shades us as "liberal," we're situated almost smack dab in the center of the cloud, just to the left (barely) of … [Read more...] about Mapping the Political ‘Sphere
Back in the Saddle
Yes -- for those who missed me (all four or five of you) -- I'm back. Though I didn't want to divulge travel plans prior to leaving -- I have a certain paranoia about publicly flagging when I'll be out of town and country -- I suppose it's now safe to share that our three-person family unit enjoyed a trip to New York and then London, with side-trips via train to Liverpool … [Read more...] about Back in the Saddle
Imus Steps In It Again With Race Comment Controversy
Yes, he has been back on the airwaves. And now, so is a new racial comment controversy swirling around radio talk show host Don Imus that some suggest is somewhat akin to one that got the broadcast radio talk show giant into hot water and forced to do a series of mea culpas and booted from his CBS radio and MSNBC morning gigs. Imus is insisting people are truly twisting this … [Read more...] about Imus Steps In It Again With Race Comment Controversy
On the radio today, CERN LHC debate & Liz Mair of RNC
Today on Mid Stream Radio, (1:00 PM eastern, 10:00 AM pacific) we're scheduled to interview prominent astrophysicist author and educator Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. (At the time of this writing, Dr. Tyson's assistant is working through some scheduling issues, but we still hope to pull this together today.) Either way, during the first half hour we'll be covering some of the base … [Read more...] about On the radio today, CERN LHC debate & Liz Mair of RNC
A rare look inside the Gill Action Fund
The Advocate is out with a rare look inside the most effective pro-gay political weapon you never heard of: Gill Action, in my estimation, bears some resemblance to GOPAC, the political action committee Gingrich wielded to obtain the GOP’s landslide victories in 1994, when -- along with taking control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in four decades -- … [Read more...] about A rare look inside the Gill Action Fund
George Carlin Memorial
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about George Carlin Memorial
Don’t Go There! Ugh… too late.
This just in from the Department of Unforced Errors. John McCain's chief strategist Charlie Black sat down with Fortune Magazine and probably got a wee bit too relaxed when talking about the realities of national defense in relation to the election. We saw how that might play out early in the campaign, when one good scare, one timely reminder of the chaos lurking in the … [Read more...] about Don’t Go There! Ugh… too late.
Afghanistan: First Woman Soldier Killed
The young Corporal Sarah Bryant, a member of the British Intelligence Corps, has become the first female soldier to be killed in Afghanistan. The mortal remains of Sarah and three other soldiers killed on June 17, when a device exploded in Helmand province near their base at Lashkar Gar, have reached Britain. (Photo above of Sarah on her wedding day to her husband Carl Bryant … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: First Woman Soldier Killed
Rove Says Obama Is Like “Arrogant” Martini Drinking Country Club Member
Comments by former White House political maven Karl Rove about presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama to some Republican insiders underscore what's to come in campaign 2008 -- and what's wrong with American politics...how it has descended to All Personalities All The Time where frantically trying to define someone negatively often replaces serious … [Read more...] about Rove Says Obama Is Like “Arrogant” Martini Drinking Country Club Member
Vietnamese and Iraqi Refugees–Revisited
Yesterday, I wrote a column comparing--contrasting--the Vietnamese refugee crisis with the present and ongoing Iraqi refugee crisis. My comments were based mostly on personal experiences and on personal views on the issue. Most of the experiences came from a stint of military duty in 1975 at one of the Vietnamese refugee camps as a Senior Refugee Liaison Officer--a tour of … [Read more...] about Vietnamese and Iraqi Refugees–Revisited
BRITAIN’S INDEPENDENT ON CARLIN: Seven Words That Shook a Nation
Continuing our coverage of the global reaction to the death of George Carlin, WORLDMEETS.US has posted a poignant tribute from Britain's Independent that touches on the unique dilemma confronting 'responsible news organizations' covering his Carlin's passing: "George Carlin, the standup comedian who made legal history by uttering seven rude words, died on Sunday at the … [Read more...] about BRITAIN’S INDEPENDENT ON CARLIN: Seven Words That Shook a Nation