Patrick Chappatte, The International Herald Tribune … [Read more...] about DOLLAR at its LOWEST
Narrowing News and Drive-By Journalism
Two stories hogged the attention of Americans in 2007 with "reverse trajectories," at first the war in Iraq, which declined in interest as the '08 Presidential elections took over the spotlight. That's a main conclusion of the State of the News Media 2008 report, just released by the Project for Excellence in Journalism, which also cites "markedly short attention span" … [Read more...] about Narrowing News and Drive-By Journalism
‘Our America’ Needs a Forum Without the United States …
Would the nations of Latin America be better off replacing the Organization of American States with a new grouping that leaves out the U.S.? After the success of last week's Group of Rio Summit - which the U.S. did not attend - in defusing a military-diplomatic crisis involving Colombia and a number of its neighbors, there are many people south of the United States that seem to … [Read more...] about ‘Our America’ Needs a Forum Without the United States …
Founding Parents
The HBO miniseries on John Adams began this evening and I was riveted. Letting myself immerse into the story I swelled with pride and awe at the courage, tenacity, inspiration and skill of our founding parents. They let themselves rise from the frustration of tyranny to envision and commit to a new standard of rights for all of Humankind. It is so easy to take the American … [Read more...] about Founding Parents
Ness Plus Ultra
The name of Eliot Ness, that iconic crime fighter if the early 20th century - has reverberated down through history as the definition of justice and incorruptibility. In writing about his namesake Eliot Spitzer, Serge Truffaut of Canada's French-language Le Devior writes in part, 'You cannot make this up. … The first name of Governor Spitzer of New York is Eliot. The same as … [Read more...] about Ness Plus Ultra
News From The Israeli And Palestinian Front: March 16th
As part of this biweekly feature, I'll be presenting a slate of news and opinion pieces from the Israeli and Palestinian press. 1.) The Syrians have been making a strong push to restart peace talks with the Israelis. Between 2004-2006, there had been unofficial, track two discussions between a prominent Syrian-American businessman and a former Israeli official; these … [Read more...] about News From The Israeli And Palestinian Front: March 16th
Obama Pastor Jeremiah Wright
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Obama Pastor Jeremiah Wright
McCain Visits Iraq In Fact-Finding Credibility And Image Builder
As Democratic Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton battle -- and tarnish -- each other in their increasingly-bitter struggle for the Democratic party's Presidential nomination, virtually-certain Republican nominee John McCain made an unannounced visit to Iraq,complete with official photo of him released by the Air Force. The imagery could not be better for McCain and … [Read more...] about McCain Visits Iraq In Fact-Finding Credibility And Image Builder
Obubble
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com … [Read more...] about Obubble
Poll: McCain Beats Obama Clinton With Nader Impact
A new Zogby poll shows that GOP nominee-to-be Senator John McCain would beat both Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama in a general election -- and that third party candidate Ralph Nader would definitely have an impact. In fact, Pollster Zogby writes, there are signs that Nader may win enough support in the polls to get into the Presidential … [Read more...] about Poll: McCain Beats Obama Clinton With Nader Impact
What Do Jews Do: Purim 2008
Today starts the Purim cycle - I say "start" because the holiday doesn't begin until Thursday after sunset but today - AH! Today is the Purim carnival at our synagogue. A parents' craziness to behold. The kids - they have a great time or cry or both - it's loud and bright and full of food and cheap prizes. And costumes - how can we forget the costumes! But this year, as … [Read more...] about What Do Jews Do: Purim 2008
Relationships are funny things…
THE BLACK PANTHERS I was born to and raised by former members of the Black Panther Party. I also grew up around my parents' friends (other former members). Throughout a childhood filled with love and support, the ideas of militant activism rubbed off on me. You could say I was an honorary member of the now-defunct Black Panthers. I fell in love with them. Their … [Read more...] about Relationships are funny things…
Book Review: ‘Shadow of the Silk Road’
A MING DYNASTY TEMPLE (TOP) IN JIAYUGUAN ON THE SILK ROAD (MAP) I have read perhaps a dozen books in recent years about the Silk Road, the amazing ancient network of trade and cultural routes linking China and the Mediterranean coast. All were good in their own right and I recommend a couple of them below, but none have the combination of beautiful prose and deep insight as … [Read more...] about Book Review: ‘Shadow of the Silk Road’
Who Wanted the Head of the New York Governor?
Black Conservatism in Large and Small Caps
About a year ago, I penned a post entitled "Taking Thomas Seriously", about the particularly political ideology held by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. In it, I noted that both liberals and conservatives misunderstood Thomas' orientation because the tried to map him onto "standard" (White) political categories. Thomas is a conservative, yes, but specifically he is a … [Read more...] about Black Conservatism in Large and Small Caps
Obama Suddenly Tied With Clinton In Poll: Wright Impact?
A new Rasmussen Reports poll shows an abrupt drop for Democratic Senator Barack Obama in the wake of the continuing controversy over his pastor's incendiary comments: The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton essentially even in the race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. It’s Obama 46% Clinton 45% . … [Read more...] about Obama Suddenly Tied With Clinton In Poll: Wright Impact?
Daily Kos “Bloggers’ Strike” Shows Increasingly Bitter Obama Clinton Democratic Rift
In yet the latest sign of how bitter the divisions in the Democratic party are getting in the epic battle between Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama for their party's presidential nomination, some writers at Daily Kos have gone on "strike" due to what they charge is abuse aimed at them and Hillary Clinton. These writers write the diaries on the right side of … [Read more...] about Daily Kos “Bloggers’ Strike” Shows Increasingly Bitter Obama Clinton Democratic Rift
The Inescapable Standard of “Reasonableness”
In The Right Kind Of Gun Rights Jonathan Rauch writes about our central right to defend ourselves. He illustrates this with a story about a gay fellow who successfully defended himself from a gay bashing mob. The Supreme Court is soon to decide a case that deals with the line between self defense and irrational excess. And it appears that the only reasonable option is to … [Read more...] about The Inescapable Standard of “Reasonableness”
Will Glib Be Good Enough?
Barack Obama has had to confront his twin albatrosses, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and the decidedly secular Tony Rezko. In his rounds of the cable news shows last night, Obama was articulate, as always, but for the first time, glib bordering on shifty. On Countdown with a deferential Keith Olbermann, he distanced himself from Wright's racist rants but asked voters to believe … [Read more...] about Will Glib Be Good Enough?
Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere March 15, 2008
The campaign and talk radio are now boiling with the controversy over Barack Obama's pastor. Here's our linkfest taking you Around The Sphere. NOTE: Links and quotes do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of TMV or its co-writers. Barack Obama's Controversial Pastor Has Quit The Obama Campaign but now that Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. is out, some wonder if Obama's … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere March 15, 2008