I happen to think the FISA bill is a terrible piece of legislation -- and not just because of the telecom issue --- but I am pretty sure it's going to pass. That's not what this is about. What this is about is the reasons I'm hearing from various highly-placed public officials why I and America need this so-called compromise. Do they take me for a fool? Yes, they … [Read more...] about Three Oft-Cited Reasons for Supporting Telecom Amnesty that Aren’t
Iran’s Position Unchanged Despite Offered Incentives Package
The other day I posted a piece about the most recent set of negotiations (by the EU and others) with Iran. Lots of incentives were promised....if only Iran would stop its uranium enrichment program (BN-Politics). The Iranians have returned a reply. In the first official comments since Iran submitted its response to the EU, spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said that Iran "will … [Read more...] about Iran’s Position Unchanged Despite Offered Incentives Package
Supermen
Will Smith's long awaited movie Hancock opened this week as a box office dollar bonanza, but was received by critics with a disappointed sigh. The film was as bold in its initial concept as it was flawed in execution, but I believe it still merits a look from any true movie fan. The film's intriguing plot, though, has sent my mind on another of those dangerous flights of fancy. … [Read more...] about Supermen
Green Screen Challenge: McCain gets interesting
Did you realize this was a result of Stephen Colbert's Green Screen Challenge? Other entries of note: Elvis, Pulp Fiction, Star Trek. Here's Stephen with some others (the brain in a vat is especially fun). … [Read more...] about Green Screen Challenge: McCain gets interesting
Cry If You Want To: Presidents Not Wanted at the Party?
Certain GOP members think it might be best for everyone if Bush just doesn't go to the GOP Convention. Damn, that's just sad. As The New York Times poignantly puts it:What if your family was planning a big end-of-summer bash (a Grand Old Party, you might call it) but preferred that you not be seen — or heard?...“I don’t think there are a lot of people who want to … [Read more...] about Cry If You Want To: Presidents Not Wanted at the Party?
A Last Celebration
While we are nearing the end of Independence Day, I thought I'd add one more video from a man who came to America as a visitor, but stayed and became a citizen. … [Read more...] about A Last Celebration
Anti War Left Shows Bad Form
In what has become an annual tradition for Independence Day, President Bush welcomed a number of new citizens at a naturalization ceremony. This one was held at Monticello in Virginia. You would think that such a ceremony would be one where everyone could agree to honor the new citizens and give them their day. But not for the hard core anti-war left crowd who chose to … [Read more...] about Anti War Left Shows Bad Form
Some Clinton Supporters Still Not Sold On Obama
According to a new CNN poll, some Clinton supporters are still not backing Senator Obama. Although the number who plan to defect to John McCain has dropped, some are still planning to remain at home on Election Day. One month ago 60% of Clinton voters planned to back Obama in November, now it is down to 54%. The number of Democrats who want Clinton as the nominee has risen … [Read more...] about Some Clinton Supporters Still Not Sold On Obama
Random on the 4th: Because We Live in Interesting Times
WHERE'S FREDO? Join the hunt for Alberto Gonzales. Anyone can play. Condi Rice is proud ---PROUD, I TELL YOU --- that the US went to war in Iraq. And she's sure that the world isn't more dangerous as a consequence. Meanwhile, some Republicans are apparently in a state of alarm and despondency over the President's current activities. They're worried about the President, … [Read more...] about Random on the 4th: Because We Live in Interesting Times
El Tiempo of Colombia: McCain’s Visit a ‘Brassy, Tawdry Show’
In the United States there has been quite a bit of criticism of John McCain's visit to Latin America for being ill-timed - although his partisans argue that the trip will shore up his foreign-policy credentials. So what do Colombians think of the Republican candidate's visit and the effusive welcome he received from Colombian President Uribe? For Colombia's top-selling … [Read more...] about El Tiempo of Colombia: McCain’s Visit a ‘Brassy, Tawdry Show’
Israel, the US, Iran and nuclear warheads
An air strike by Israel on Iran’s nuclear facilities will shatter both Washington’s credibility in world affairs and its own long term security. The intensified chatter that Israel may act before the November election or soon afterwards should be cause for consternation to all its supporters. Whatever Teheran’s rhetoric of peace, we should work on the premise that it is … [Read more...] about Israel, the US, Iran and nuclear warheads
America: A Work in Progress
I was just reading one of many glowing proclomations on this, our Nation's birthday, exhorting readers to remember the greatness of our nation, the ineffable wisdom of the founding fathers and the sacrosanct nature of the documents they left to guide through the centuries. And, of course, there is much to love about America today. But it is also worth remembering as we … [Read more...] about America: A Work in Progress
The Star-Spangled Banner, an unusual anthem
There is something rather unusual about our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". We only sing part of it, and the last words of the part we commonly sing are a question: Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? It makes sense in the context of why it was written by Francis Scott Key, but most national … [Read more...] about The Star-Spangled Banner, an unusual anthem
The Capitol Steps: Politics Takes A Holiday!
LISTEN to The Capitol Steps on-line [or on your local NPR affiliate]: This year's and last year's Fourth of July broadcasts are available for download here in RealAudio format. Fourth of July 2008 Edition: Politics Takes A Holiday! NEW Recorded live at the Ronald Reagan Building in DC. (One half hour: 4.5 MB) RealAudio/RA Fourth of July 2007 Edition: Politics Takes A … [Read more...] about The Capitol Steps: Politics Takes A Holiday!
Helms dead at 86: a harbinger of things to come
Conservative icon dies. Long live the Millennials: Today we celebrate the spirit of America, which always has been one of hope. It's elusive this summer, with a war raging and the economy plunging, but there's always one promising place to look: our kids. And in many ways, youths today embody more promise of a better tomorrow than we've seen in years. They're voting and … [Read more...] about Helms dead at 86: a harbinger of things to come
News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: July 4th
A regular feature of news and opinion pieces from the Israeli and Palestinian press. 1.) A new poll has affirmed the centrality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the worldview of most Middle Easterners. "According to the study, 88 percent of Egyptians rank it among the top three most important issues [facing the region], while 100 percent of Jordanians do the same. In … [Read more...] about News From the Israeli and Palestinian Front: July 4th
Montana Gets Ready For 4th Of July As Obama Visits And Obama Campaign Ads Air
ROUNDUP, Montana -- Driving into Montana last night, one thing was clear as my Chevy Venture van passed through various towns and cities: Montana was celebrating the 4th of July bigtime, with roadside stands capped with signs screaming "FIREWORKS", and sporadic bursts of initial fireworks lighting up the state's famous big sky. But this morning, something else was clear: … [Read more...] about Montana Gets Ready For 4th Of July As Obama Visits And Obama Campaign Ads Air
Jesse Helms Has Died
MSNBC: Former Republican Senator Jesse Helms dies at 86 … [Read more...] about Jesse Helms Has Died
Is General Wesley Clark a “Swiftboater”?
Happy Fourth of July. I actually got a head-start on the holiday because I read the July 4 issue of that great military newspaper, the Stars and Stripes, on July 3. You see, because of the time difference, the Middle East edition of the Stars and Stripes is published around 2 PM Central Standard Time, in effect “the day before.“ In the July 4 issue there is an opinion … [Read more...] about Is General Wesley Clark a “Swiftboater”?
The Rocket’s Red Glare May Be Chinese (Guest Voice)
This is a Guest Voice post by journalism professor and author Walter Brasch who is also a syndicated newspaper columnist and radio commentator, and president of the Pennsylvania Press Club. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. The Rocket's Red Glare May Be Chinese by Walter Brasch Wearing a pith helmet and brandishing a … [Read more...] about The Rocket’s Red Glare May Be Chinese (Guest Voice)