Cedella Booker, mother of international reggae icon Bob Marley, has died in her sleep in Miami. I had the privilege of hanging out with this marvelous and vibrant woman several times when I was a guest in her Wilmington, Delaware, home and she a visitor at the farm where I lived. As matriarch of that city's small Jamaican community, she always had an open door and offered a … [Read more...] about Cedella Booker (1926-2008)
Bill Clinton’s Cash Cow Crunch
A $420,000 phone bill? 3.2 million for office rent? As the Politico points out, those are just a few of the bills that William Jefferson Clinton has run up since leaving the White House. "Well," I can hear you saying, "the Clintons have made more than $100 million in the last seven years. I'm sure he can afford it." Yes, he probably could have. But the fact is, you - the … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton’s Cash Cow Crunch
Beijing Olympics & The Moral Low Ground
While it is unlikely that Newton noticed it the day he famously observed that apple falling to the ground, like gravity there is another immutable law of nature that goes something like this: What goes around comes around. And so it is with George Bush, who finds himself in the awkward if familiar position of having no moral gravitas, in this instance when it comes to … [Read more...] about Beijing Olympics & The Moral Low Ground
The Last of A Kind: Speaking of Basra and Baghdad
Long ago, in the 1800s and 1900s, they came for the boys, and forced them into the army. A war needed 'material.' Human material. It's called conscription today. Back then, it was just a round up of village boys. What are called recruiters now, back then were just soldiers on horseback, riding with sabres and rifles, often in the night, arriving almost as a dream in the … [Read more...] about The Last of A Kind: Speaking of Basra and Baghdad
About That “Naked Woman” Reflected In Dick Cheney’s Sunglasses
And now....the Internet mystery of the day. Is that REALLY a naked woman reflected in Vice President Dick Cheney's sunglasses? No hunting, shooting, fly fishing -- or Viagra -- jokes puh-leaze. Perhaps it's more of a reflection on the Internet and how many Americans (new media, old media and consumers of the media) want to vet anything. Here's the photo that has launched … [Read more...] about About That “Naked Woman” Reflected In Dick Cheney’s Sunglasses
Exit Strategy
Larry Wright, The Detroit News … [Read more...] about Exit Strategy
Should Powell Endorse Obama?
Colin Powell's been saying some awfully nice things about Barack Obama, and making much of his stance as an undecided voter. Some are wondering if an endorsement could be in the works. Much as I like Obama and want to see good things happen to him, that would be a very bad move for Powell's reputation. … [Read more...] about Should Powell Endorse Obama?
Anti-China Mood Whipped Up in ‘U.S. Psychological Warfare Laboratories’
Is there a hidden hand behind the anti-China protesting of recent weeks, other than of course the much maligned 'Dalai Clique?' Indeed there is, according to Venezuela's Foreign Ministry. According to a statement, in part published in Venezuela's El Universal, "The manipulation of the media in regard to the protest of violent groups in the Tibet Autonomous Region is an … [Read more...] about Anti-China Mood Whipped Up in ‘U.S. Psychological Warfare Laboratories’
Canadians for Obama
A new poll conducted here in Canada shows that Obama is well ahead of both Clinton and McCain in terms of support among Canadians. Clinton was ahead of Obama by 11 points in January, but he is now ahead of her by 9 points. More: Obama's popularity was highest in Ontario and especially in Alberta, where he held a 23-point lead over Clinton. He also led among all age … [Read more...] about Canadians for Obama
Quote Of The Day: Powell Praises Obama Wright Speech
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell had some words of praise today for Democratic Senator Barack Obama on ABC. Via USA Today's blog: "I'm looking at all three candidates," former secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican, said during a pre-recorded interview with Diane Sawyer for today's Good Morning America. "I know them all very, very well. I consider myself a … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Powell Praises Obama Wright Speech
Suspended Talk Show Host Randi Rhodes Quits Air America (UPDATED)
Campaign 2008 has now claimed its first talk show host for going over the line: Air America talk show host Randi Rhodes, who was suspended from the progressive talk radio network after using expletives to describe Democrats Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro at a meeting of station affiliates, has reportedly quit the network. Now the scramble among reporters will be to … [Read more...] about Suspended Talk Show Host Randi Rhodes Quits Air America (UPDATED)
Torturing from the Top
See, it's not all about John Yoo. The U.S. didn't just start torturing its detainees because a government lawyer said it was okay, or because some executive-branch extremist like David Addington determined that anything and everything was permissible in a time of war, or because some dim-witted troops at Abu Ghraib just didn't know any better. At some point, early on, a … [Read more...] about Torturing from the Top
McCain: Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered
There is an air of disbelief around a New York Times story today that John McCain, who has the insidious Phil Gramm advising him on the economy and the toxic Charles Black plotting his campaign strategy, is turning to the very same neoconversatives who drove the White House wagon off the cliff to advise him on foreign policy. Disbelief as in The Times seems hardly able to … [Read more...] about McCain: Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered
Health Care: Salary vs Fee for Service
The New York Times has an editorial on Quality Care at Bargain Prices that noticed the wide range of cost for end of life treatment cross the nation. Few will be surprised to discover that doctors in high-expenditure institutions are typically paid on a fee-for-service basis, which means they earn more if they do more. Mayo Clinic doctors, by contrast, are on salary and have … [Read more...] about Health Care: Salary vs Fee for Service
Time Poll: Clinton Leads By 6 In Pennsylvania And Obama Faces Obstacles
A new Time magazine poll shows Senator Hillary Clinton is leading by 6 points in Pennsylvania by holding on to her core constituencies -- while rival Senator Barack Obama faces some short and long term obstacles: Backed by more than half of all white female Democrats, Hillary Clinton holds a six point lead over Barack Obama in Pennsylvania, a new statewide poll by TIME … [Read more...] about Time Poll: Clinton Leads By 6 In Pennsylvania And Obama Faces Obstacles
Attack Ads Give Way to Whispers
Holly Robinson alerted several of us to a story in yesterday's Philadelphia Daily News, which was highlighted at Taegan Goddard's Political Wire. The gist of it is that campaign attack ads have all but disappeared leading up to the Pennsylvania primary, but negative campaigning continues via campaign staff on media conference calls and other such indirect forums. Money … [Read more...] about Attack Ads Give Way to Whispers
Spousal Endorsements Hit the Weeklies
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton both received glowing endorsements this week, although in a slightly unusual format. Firstly, the endorsements were printed in US Weekly. Secondly, they were from Obama and Clinton’s respective spouses. Spouse Debate 2008! the headline exclaimed. Who Knows The Candidates Best? Soundbite: “Entering into a presidential race is a very … [Read more...] about Spousal Endorsements Hit the Weeklies
Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere April 10, 2008
The war in Iraq has begun to take center stage with the big hearings in Congress. The Democrats' tooth and nail battle continues in Pennsylvania. And the blogosphere continues to boil with political posts galore. Here's our linkfest taking you to some of them on weblogs of differing opinions. Links do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice or its … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere April 10, 2008
Big Pharma & A Killer Ruling Expected From George Bush’s Activist Supreme Court
There is an old saying that Americans have to live with the decisions of the Supreme Court for the rest of their lives and then some, but that takes on a perverse new meaning for those who are maimed or their lives cut short by shoddily researched and falsely advertised medications that are inadequately vetted by the Food and Drug Administration and let slide by President … [Read more...] about Big Pharma & A Killer Ruling Expected From George Bush’s Activist Supreme Court
Sir Elton John: Racist
Too provocative of a title? I'll let you be the judge, but it calls attention to the unending rhetorical frenzy engendered by the Democratic primary race. The latest example came at a fundraising concert for Hillary Clinton put on by Sir Elton John. Some of his comments caught the attention of the media quickly. "I never cease to be amazed at the misogynist attitude of some … [Read more...] about Sir Elton John: Racist