In this Guest Voice post, blogger Kathy Kattenburg looks at the controversial bipartisan FISA compromise and the reaction to it and takes the Democrats to task for going along with it. This Guest Voice is cross posted at Comments from Left Field. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Moderate Voice or its writers. "It's Christmas at the White … [Read more...] about FISA Compromise: “It’s Christmas at the White House” (Guest Voice)
U.S.-Iraq Security Deal a Bush Scheme to ‘Steal’ the Election for McCain
What is Iran's take on the new long-term security agreement being negotiated between Washington and Baghdad? Teheran's leadership charges that beyond insuring that Iraq becomes a legal launching pad for American attacks on neighboring countries and depriving of its sovereignty, the deal is also part of President Bush's scheme to persuade a war-weary America that Iraqis want … [Read more...] about U.S.-Iraq Security Deal a Bush Scheme to ‘Steal’ the Election for McCain
Blogger Reaction to Obama’s Support of the FISA ‘Compromise’
Certainly he's disappointed many of his supporters. As I said, while I more or less expected it, I felt a distinct thrill of disappointment when I read his statement. While I realize that liberal Dems tend to tack to the right once they know they've got the nod, it seems a bit...previous. We haven't even had the convention yet. Atrios named him Wanker of … [Read more...] about Blogger Reaction to Obama’s Support of the FISA ‘Compromise’
The European Union Gets Tough On Immigration
Many Americans think the hot-button immigration issue is mainly one raging in the United States and that it's only in the United States where passions are aroused. WRONG. Michael van der Galien writes: The European Union has just passed a law that is, quite simply, inhumane and utterly hypocritical. The law allows European governments to lock up illegal immigrants for a … [Read more...] about The European Union Gets Tough On Immigration
Adventures in Modern Miscommunications
It's a beautiful day in New York's scenic 22nd district, with clear skies, a gentle breeze and mild temperatures. In fact, were it not for my having helped to elect a socialist to our Congressional seat, I might have said it was darned near perfect. But... I digress. (Fear not. I'm in therapy twice a week now and my doctor says the prognosis is hopeful.) Returning to my … [Read more...] about Adventures in Modern Miscommunications
Obama’s Rejection Of Public Campaign Financing Video
A special closed-captioned version of the video has been released for any supporters of him who are disillusioned. Will it do the trick? YOU DECIDE. … [Read more...] about Obama’s Rejection Of Public Campaign Financing Video
Obama: Get Ready For GOP To Play The Race Card
In what has to be one of the most blunt preemptive political statements ever, Democratic presumptive nominee Barack Obama has warned supporters at a fund raiser about a rough campaign to come where he fully GOPers to play the race card: "It is going to be very difficult for Republicans to run on their stewardship of the economy or their outstanding foreign policy," Obama … [Read more...] about Obama: Get Ready For GOP To Play The Race Card
Republican National Committee Outraises Democratic National Committee Five Times
To Democrats now giddy about what appears to be a huge campaign funding advantage enjoyed by presumptive Presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, you might control your giddiness: the RNC has out-raised the DNC five times over and is expected to use its money to level the campaign funding playing field for Republican presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain. The Los Angeles … [Read more...] about Republican National Committee Outraises Democratic National Committee Five Times
End of World Postponed. You may return to work.
Following the release of a safety report on the Large Hadron Collider, it appears that the world's largest particle accelerator is on track to begin operations next summer. This comes in spite of fears on the part of some observers that it could create miniature black holes which could destroy the planet. Europe's CERN particle-physics lab has issued its long-awaited report … [Read more...] about End of World Postponed. You may return to work.
Illegal Surveillance Roll Over
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News … [Read more...] about Illegal Surveillance Roll Over
Tim Russert’s E. M. Forster Connection
In the week since he died, after all the millions of words about his life, there is the question of, beyond the self-love of media people celebrating themselves, why do so many people everywhere care so much about Tim Russert's death? Peggy Noonan has the start of an answer: "The world admires, and wants to hold on to, and not lose, goodness. It admires virtue. At the end it … [Read more...] about Tim Russert’s E. M. Forster Connection
Ten Things We’ve Learned So Far In Presidential Campaign 2008
What have we learned so far in Presidential campaign 2008? A lot of things -- and here are just 10 of them: 1. He who blindly believes the conventional wisdom might just as well plan his or her life from predictions given by a part-time telephone psychic. Many scenarios spun by talking heads, partisans, weblogs, analysts based on supposition or personal opinions were … [Read more...] about Ten Things We’ve Learned So Far In Presidential Campaign 2008
Douglas A. Blackmon on Bill Moyers Journal
Slavery by Another Name – The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II, was interviewed on Bill Moyers Journal tonight. He explained how vagrancy laws in the South effectively criminalized Black life so that if, for example, you were unable to prove you were employed -- in a time before pay stubs -- you would be subject to arrest. Broadly applied, … [Read more...] about Douglas A. Blackmon on Bill Moyers Journal
Interview with Rebecca Dick
Once again, thanks to Team TMV for letting me post my periodic interviews re: "the war on terror," and American detention policy. This interview is with Rebecca Dick of the Washington, D.C. office of Dechert, LLP, representing a number of Afghans. Nowithstanding the apparently very favorable Supreme Court decision recently upholding detainees' constitutional rights to pursue … [Read more...] about Interview with Rebecca Dick
McCain Target Of Latest “Google Bomb”
Note to presumptive Republican presidential nominee: get ready for incoming fire .....Internet fire, that is. The latest assault in the Internet political war comes in the form of a "Google bomb" launched your way.... … [Read more...] about McCain Target Of Latest “Google Bomb”
Obama’s Bounce: 15 Points Ahead Of McCain In Newsweek Poll
Pundits and cartoonists can finally stop expressing amazement: it took a while, but a Newsweek poll shows Democratic presumptive Presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama has finally gotten his long anticipated "bounce" in the polls following the rival candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton's suspension of her campaign. A new Newsweek polls shows Obama has now opened up a "substantial … [Read more...] about Obama’s Bounce: 15 Points Ahead Of McCain In Newsweek Poll
The Demise of Economic Globalization?
More interest in alternative fuels, the demise of the SUV industry, higher food prices -- these are some of the outcomes that are likely to result from the rising cost of oil. Newsweek puts forth an additional scenario, and it's well worth chewing on: ...there's concern that as higher oil prices force many Asian economies to reduce or even cut their generous fuel subsidies, … [Read more...] about The Demise of Economic Globalization?
The ‘Miracle’ of U.S. Democrats
Are America's Democrats poised to do what they have done so many times before: blow the presidential race when they are widely expected to win? Introducing his U.S. election forecast, Ilya Fortún, writing for Bolivia's left-leaning daily, La Razon, writes in part: "The North American Democratic Party is poised to become a political miracle-maker. You'll be tempted to … [Read more...] about The ‘Miracle’ of U.S. Democrats
Obama Issues Statement in Support of FISA ‘compromise’
While I pretty much expected it, I still felt a frisson of disappointment. I admit it. It's not a piece of legislation I could ever support. Greenwald has it right, I think. At TPM, Greg Sargent says tersely, 'Obama's statement on the FISA "compromise" is in, and suffice it to say that it won't make opponents of the Dem cave-in very happy. He's supporting it.' He's set … [Read more...] about Obama Issues Statement in Support of FISA ‘compromise’
A Necessary Symbiosis between MSM and Bloggers
A critical key for the future viability of blogging and the future viability of the msm, that most bloggers and quite a few in the msm already understand, is the strong symbiotic relationship developed, and which continues to develop rapidly and creatively, between certain of the msm and the blogosphere... A symbiosis is wherein two or more hosts are nourished by and from … [Read more...] about A Necessary Symbiosis between MSM and Bloggers