The economy has now become a campaign issue almost as big as the two presumptive Presidential candidates' flip flops. Here are some links to websites of varying viewpoints. Links do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice or its writers. SO WHO WOULD OBAMA NOMINATE TO THE SUPREME COURT? Orin Kerr has a list... YESTERDAY WAS THE DAY OF DUELING MCCAIN … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere July 8, 2008
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/08/08
Daily Roundup of Civil Rights and Related News A new study confirms that having gay members in the military doesn't damage unit cohesion, or have any negative effects whatsoever. Elie Wiesel testifies in case of assailant. He feared he was being kidnapped -- the perpetrator has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. A Turkish Studies Institute has been roiled by … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 07/08/08
Ballet World Premiere Review: Mark Morris’s ‘Romeo & Juliet, Motifs of Shakespeare’
As oft danced as Serge Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet has been over the last 70 years, the great Soviet composer's original score and all of the original accompanying dances have never been performed. Yes, never, and therein lies a tale. That changed over Independence Day weekend with the world premiere of Romeo & Juliet: On Motifs of Shakespeare at Bard SummerScape danced by … [Read more...] about Ballet World Premiere Review: Mark Morris’s ‘Romeo & Juliet, Motifs of Shakespeare’
Are We Really This Simple-Minded?
Unfortunately, the answer is probably, "Yes." H/t Alan Stewart Carl. … [Read more...] about Are We Really This Simple-Minded?
Some Advice For Consumers Of Campaign 2008 Political News
It has been an exciting, breathtaking, political season crammed with surprises and drama -- and a seemingly infinite supply and variety of political reporting in both the "old" and "new" media. News consumers can become overwhelmed -- and Dick Meyer has some sage advice. Meyer previously worked on CBS web operations and did a popular centrist "Against The Grain" column. Now … [Read more...] about Some Advice For Consumers Of Campaign 2008 Political News
Middle Man
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about Middle Man
Benjamin Barber on Islam, religion, and democracy
From a paper by Benjamin R. Barber, the Kekst Professor of Civil Society at the University of Maryland and a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos in New York City, presented at the Istanbul Seminars organized by Reset Dialogues on Civilizations in Istanbul last month: There is a powerful rhetoric around today that claims Islam – not just fundamentalist or Wahhabist or Salafist … [Read more...] about Benjamin Barber on Islam, religion, and democracy
Baker, Christopher, and War
In today's New York Times, the co-chairs of the National War Powers Commission, both former secretaries of state -- James Baker (under Bush the Elder) and Warren Christopher (during Bill Clinton's first term) -- outline their recommendations for restoring balance to the war-making process. I applaud their intent, though I question some of the particulars. Perhaps I read it … [Read more...] about Baker, Christopher, and War
When the Bloom is off Obama’s Rose
Vacation offers a chance for reflection and introspection, (perhaps too much?) and mine has been no exception. While catching up on the news around the political sphere, I have found a heavy dose of my typical old cynicism sneaking up on me. A major portion of this has come about regarding the shifting tides of the Obama campaign. While I still swear no fealty to either … [Read more...] about When the Bloom is off Obama’s Rose
This Just In!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: Liberal Bloggers Accuse Obama of Trying to Win Election Nominee Called Traitor to Democrats' Losing Tradition The liberal blogosphere was aflame today with new accusations that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) is trying to win the 2008 presidential election. Suspicions about Sen. Obama's true motives have been building … [Read more...] about This Just In!
Fashionable Political Footwear
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Fashionable Political Footwear
Hillary: A Heroine for Women, Taken Down By Male-Dominated Media
Was Hillary badly treated by America's male dominated media elite? That debate is not only an American one. In fact, it's apparently a debate that has been sanctioned by China's Communist Party. According to this article from China's state-controlled People's Daily, Hillary is a modern feminist hero defeated by both the age-old bias against 'the second sex' and 'radical … [Read more...] about Hillary: A Heroine for Women, Taken Down By Male-Dominated Media
Alberto Gonzales’ Impudent Advice
After his disgraceful tenure as U.S. Attorney General and his humiliating resignation, I did not expect to hear from Alberto Gonzales for at least the number of years John McCain says we will be in Iraq. But, lo-and-behold, on July 2, Alberto Gonzales published an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times. That alone is surprising. But what is even more remarkable is the … [Read more...] about Alberto Gonzales’ Impudent Advice
Webb Says No to VP Slot
Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) has taken himself out of contention as a running mate for Barack Obama. This makes him the second major contender (the other being Ohio Governor Strickland) to rule out running on the 2008 national ticket. I find it kind of interesting that we have people ruling themselves out like this given that everyone seems to consider Obama a shoo-in for … [Read more...] about Webb Says No to VP Slot
Obama Girls
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Obama Girls
Gordon Brown Warns: “Don’t Waste Food!”
The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has emerged as the first leader in the world who seems to have understood the implications of the looming food crisis and taken a practical step. Brown has issued a clarion call to his countrymen to wake up and stop wasting food. Will the G8 leaders support him in making this a worldwide campaign? (More than 1,300,000 tonnes of food … [Read more...] about Gordon Brown Warns: “Don’t Waste Food!”
North Korean People ‘Feel Sorrow’ Over Protests Against U.S. Beef
Here's an interesting question: What do North Koreans, who risk Kim Jong-il's wrath by watching South Korean TV, think about the mass protests against American beef that have been taking place in the South for the past two months? According to this article from the Daily North Korea, a publication staffed in part by North Korean defectors, a letter recently received from … [Read more...] about North Korean People ‘Feel Sorrow’ Over Protests Against U.S. Beef
American or Belgian Bud
Gary McCoy, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about American or Belgian Bud
The Sherry Palmerization of Michelle Obama
In this Guest Voice post, National Examiner columnist Tony Campbell wonders whether art (TV) imitates life (politics) or life (politics) imitates art (TV) when it comes to Michelle Obama. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. The Sherry Palmerization of Michelle Obama by Tony Campbell Several weeks ago, I wrote a column comparing … [Read more...] about The Sherry Palmerization of Michelle Obama
Obama in Denver: So You Thought You Might Like to Go to the Show
It's so funny because it could be true. From The Plank's Jason Zengerle: As if expectations for Obama's convention speech weren't already ludicrously high, it now looks like he's going to give it in a 75,000-seat football stadium (as opposed to a 20,000-seat basketball arena). Meanwhile, in a bid to further lower expectations, McCain is expected to announce that he's moving … [Read more...] about Obama in Denver: So You Thought You Might Like to Go to the Show