The Bush administration has for days denied that it was trying--secretly--to hammer out a (secret) treaty with Iraq that would guarantee the U.S. military the right to maintain more than 50 bases indefinitely in Iraq, along with many other rights that a sovereign nation usually does not grant to a foreign power--including immunity from prosecution for U.S. military, … [Read more...] about Not So Secret Anymore–But Still Imperious
Puerto Rico’s Dilemma: To Be Or Not to Be a U.S. State
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a place most Americans rarely consider unless they are going on vacation in mid-winter. But according to this article from Spain's La Vanguardia, the recent Democratic primary in the territory exposed an uncomfortable vein of seperatism there. For La Vanguardia of Spain, Eusebio Val sums up the current state of Puerto Rican … [Read more...] about Puerto Rico’s Dilemma: To Be Or Not to Be a U.S. State
McCain: Four More Years of Mumbling? (Guest Voice)
This Guest Voice column is by Michael Reagan, the son of former President Ronald Reagan who is is a popular radio talk show host. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice or its writers. McCain: Four More Years of Mumbling? by Michael Reagan The last thing America needs is another four years of listening to a president mumble. I … [Read more...] about McCain: Four More Years of Mumbling? (Guest Voice)
Assault With Deadly Weapon
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about Assault With Deadly Weapon
News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: June 13th
A regular feature of news and opinion pieces from the Israeli and Palestinian press. 1.) A new poll has revealed that a majority of both Israelis and Palestinians are highly disillusioned with the current round of peace negotiations. As Haaretz reports, "55 percent of Israeli respondents and 68 percent of the Palestinian respondents think U.S.-backed talks between Prime … [Read more...] about News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: June 13th
Father’s Day 2008: Mowing the Meadow, Shaving The Chocolate
(I'd prepared this article earlier to run during the day today, but in no way wanted to put a clang in the middle of the news and memoriums about the passing of Tim Russert. I hope it is alright to post it now overnight as the shocks of the day begin to recede a little. This piece was meant to commemorate bright moments that most often occur in the most mundane ways between … [Read more...] about Father’s Day 2008: Mowing the Meadow, Shaving The Chocolate
McCain campaign cancels event w/TX oilman who compared rape to the weather
Just in case people can't come up with enough reasons on their own why John McCain is not the choice for women, ABC News reports on how one Texas oilman, Clayton Williams, who is a McCain supporter slipped up: ABC's Rick Klein reports: Sen. John McCain on Friday abruptly cancelled a Monday fundraiser that had been scheduled at the home of a Texas oilman, after ABC News … [Read more...] about McCain campaign cancels event w/TX oilman who compared rape to the weather
Tim Russert, 1950-2008
RJ Matson, Roll Call UPDATE: Here's NBC's Tom Brokaw breaking the news on NBC (amid his own personal grief): … [Read more...] about Tim Russert, 1950-2008
Campaign Finance Reform and Unintended Consequences
Today the D.C Court of Appeals struck down a variety of FEC regulations that were too loose and vague to reflect the intentions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA). Details follow courtesy of Democracy21 While I am reassured that the intentions of the BCRA are being enforced I question whether the paradigm of trying to restrict the flow of money into politics is … [Read more...] about Campaign Finance Reform and Unintended Consequences
Tim Russert and Big Russ: When A Father Buries His Son
There's nothing equal. Not supposed to happen this way. The children bury their parents, dont they? No parent ought to have to bury their child. That's what we humans think of as the natural order. But sometimes, it's just not meant to be. This is a picture of Big Russ, Tim's dad whom he wrote a book about, Big Russ and Me. On the left is Tim's son Luke, who just … [Read more...] about Tim Russert and Big Russ: When A Father Buries His Son
AP comments on Drudge Retort DMCA takedowns
Jim Kennedy, VP and Director of Strategy for AP, writes to clarify and reassure bloggers in response to my earlier post: AP wants to fill in some facts and perspective on its recent actions with the Drudge Retort, and also reassure those in the blogosphere about AP's view of these situations. Yes, indeed, we are trying to protect our intellectual property online, as most news … [Read more...] about AP comments on Drudge Retort DMCA takedowns
Tim Russert: An Appreciation
Anyone with any news background or passion for traditional news reporting has to feel a special sharp stab to their hearts today with the news that NBC's Tim Russert -- one of the early 21st century's towering news figures and a journalistic descendant of 20th century journalism greats -- died suddenly of a heart attack while on the job at the NBC News bureau at age 58. It's … [Read more...] about Tim Russert: An Appreciation
The Legend of ‘Little Russ’
As a journalist who has watched Meet the Press almost every Sunday for as long as I can remember, I am shocked and saddened over the loss of Tim Russert. He was a journalist in the great tradition of Edward R. Murrow: fearless, polite and well-prepared, and concerned for the direction of our craft. WORLDMEETS.US will be posting the global reaction to his loss over the next … [Read more...] about The Legend of ‘Little Russ’
The Loss Of A True Gentleman
As I learned the shocking news of the death of Tim Russert at the young age of 58 I could not help but think that we have lost a true class act. As I sit here listening to the tributes pouring over all of the news networks I hear the people talk about how wonderful of a person he was. Normally you might think that they are simply being kind to the departed, but in this case … [Read more...] about The Loss Of A True Gentleman
Tim Russert Dead of a Heart Attack, His Family Says
(Update Below in the CODA, re cause of death. An autopsy has been performed.) Tim Russert, died of an apparent heart attack at age 58. He passed away at his office. Author of Big Russ and Me, about his one of a kind father, Russert also has a son Luke, who just graduated from Boston College this week. His son hosts the XM radio show 60/20 Sports with James Carville. Tim … [Read more...] about Tim Russert Dead of a Heart Attack, His Family Says
McCain on Bush’s Failed Guantanamo Policies
McCain has weighed in on the Supreme Court's decision in Boumediene v. Bush. He doesn't like it. The United States Supreme Court yesterday rendered a decision which I think is one of the worst decisions in the history of this country. Sen. Graham and Sen. Lieberman and I had worked very hard to make sure that we didn't torture any prisoners, that we didn't mistreat … [Read more...] about McCain on Bush’s Failed Guantanamo Policies
Up in Arms over Nuclear Weapons
It's an unorthodox alliance. George Shultz (Secretary of State during the Reagan administration), Henry Kissinger (Nixon's National Security Advisor), William Perry (Clinton's second Secretary of Defense), and Sam Nunn (former Senator from Georgia) have united around a common cause: The complete disarmament of the world's nuclear arsenal. … [Read more...] about Up in Arms over Nuclear Weapons
The Reagan Connection
I try not to make it a habit of responding to every op-ed piece that lashes out at Obama's willingness to negotiate with foreign adversaries, but I can't resist this time. The latest offending article is written by Mr. Karl Rove, for the Wall Street Journal, in which he attacks the Democratic nominee-to-be for the recent parallels that he has drawn between his own stance and … [Read more...] about The Reagan Connection
McCain’s Mousetrap Springs Prematurely
When John McCain initially proposed a series of ten "Town Hall" style meetings with Barack Obama, the Illinois Senator seemed open to the idea. Many observers also welcomed the concept of a format steering clear of the normal alphabet soup network debates we are treated to in the fall. But among Obama's supporters, the whispers were already swelling to a strong breeze. Don't … [Read more...] about McCain’s Mousetrap Springs Prematurely
Nouri al-Maliki Concedes The Obvious
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says that talks on a status-of-forces agreement that would give the U.S. the ranch and Iraq the specter of an American military presence without end are kaput. Al-Maliki said the initial framework agreed upon was to have been an accord "between two completely sovereign states," but the U.S. proposals "do not take into consideration Iraq's … [Read more...] about Nouri al-Maliki Concedes The Obvious