As General David Petraeus prepares to testify before Congress about the surge, the question will arise, "How much progress has there been toward Iraqi national conciliation since the surge began." In order to help answer that question, WORLDMEETS.US has translated this news account from the Al-Iraq News about the status of talks between the Shiite-led government and opposition … [Read more...] about Deadlock in Baghdad as Opposition Refuses to Concede to Government
Obama, Wright and Judgment
Tonight proved to be riveting political theater. I watched Barack Obama interviewed on three straight cable networks. While the talking heads on each channel were predictably different, the interviews took on very similar tacks. How long have you been going to TUCC? Why didn't you distance yourself from Wright before? What do you denounce? Etc. And out of it all I finally … [Read more...] about Obama, Wright and Judgment
Notes From a Black Pastor
Well, considering that I am an African American pastor, I should say something about the whole affair concerning the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, Barack Obama's church. I have to state, in the interest of full disclosure, that I am an ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and also have standing in the United … [Read more...] about Notes From a Black Pastor
Interesting contrast
The word "nigger" is bleeped out in television broadcasts (at least it was in a clip shown on a cable news show I saw the other day). The word "bitch" is used routinely in television shows now, often as a laugh line. Not meaning to pull a Ferraro, but does this reflect something about our culture that we refuse to face honestly? --- Cross-posted to Random Fate. … [Read more...] about Interesting contrast
Polls: Obama Now Hits 50% In Two Polls (UPDATED Previous Post)
For some weeks now Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama have been basically tied in the Gallup Daily tracking poll -- but now Obama has opened up a lead in two polls that put him at 50%. In the Gallup Poll, the Illinois Senator opened up a six point lead: Barack Obama leads Hillary Clinton in national Democratic nomination preferences by a statistically … [Read more...] about Polls: Obama Now Hits 50% In Two Polls (UPDATED Previous Post)
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: A Twofer
Sabato's Crystal Ball put up two articles yesterday: Rhodes Cook on A VIRTUAL TIE: Clinton, Obama divide the Democratic primary vote AND Larry J. Sabato on THE DEMOCRATIC DOGFIGHT: Nomination resolution may be a long time coming … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: A Twofer
All Hell Breaking Loose in our Columbo Economy
Oh yes, I watched way too much television as a child. And one fond memory is Detective Columbo conducting his interview: he would ask a series of obvious, softball questions and come off as slightly bumbling; he would thank the person and turn to go; then almost without fail he would turn back and say "Oh! And one more thing!". Then he would ask the one important question … [Read more...] about All Hell Breaking Loose in our Columbo Economy
Much Ado About Jeremiah Wright
There is much ado at the moment over some inflammatory comments made by "Obama's Pastor," Jeremiah Wright. In brief, Wright has said that the U.S. government gives drugs to and builds prisons for blacks, that blacks should sing "God Damn America," not "God Bless America," and that it was America's own terrorism that brought on the attacks of 9/11. Now, to be fair, some of … [Read more...] about Much Ado About Jeremiah Wright
Bush’s New Plan For Economy: Have Confidence (NO New Stimulus) UPDATED
President George W. Bush has huddled with his economic advisers over the past few weeks. He knows about the foreclosures. He sees the job statistics. He hears warnings that things may get worse. And so he's about to propose his bold new plan: Have confidence. And in addition to "no new taxes," he will be offering No New Stimulus: President George W. Bush today will … [Read more...] about Bush’s New Plan For Economy: Have Confidence (NO New Stimulus) UPDATED
Defining Barack Obama
So what's the bottom line on the war of words between Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign and Senator Barack Obama's? USA Today (one of the most underrated newspapers in the USA) today has this piece about how Democrats are worried that the epic Clinton-Obama battle could mean the party may grab defeat from the jaws of victory on Election Day. But there is a quote that is … [Read more...] about Defining Barack Obama
Quote Of The Day
Resigned Clinton campaign official and former Vice Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro on Democratic Senator Barack Obama: "The enthusiasm that you get from the black community on this black candidate is wonderful, and I don't think you can deny it." … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day
Guest Voice: The Surrogate Votergate
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 The Moderate Voice or its writers. The Surrogate Votergate by Walter Brasch “Vote for Marshbaum! Get your … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: The Surrogate Votergate
Bush Gets EPA To Weaken Ozone Rules
If you talk to people concerned with the environment or visit the sites, they'll tell you that President George Bush has one of the worst environmental records of any President in modern times -- proactively so. The latest example is quite telling: The Environmental Protection Agency weakened one part of its new limits on smog-forming ozone after an unusual last-minute … [Read more...] about Bush Gets EPA To Weaken Ozone Rules
A Reasonable Budget
Congress endorses post-Bush tax hikes Both houses of Congress endorsed the idea of tax increases for millions of Americans Thursday as Democrats pressed ahead with budget plans that would allow some or all of President Bush's reductions to die after he leaves office. Essentially the Democrats are saying that we need to raise revenues to balance the budget without reducing … [Read more...] about A Reasonable Budget
A Nation Obsessed Over the Wrong Drugs
There is a confluence between our national mania for drug testing and the news that as many as 41 million Americans are drinking from water supplies tainted with traces of pharmaceuticals ranging from anti-seizure medications to mood alterers. Americans are obsessed with drugs, but the wrong kind of drugs for the wrong reasons, and that's not the half of it. I understand … [Read more...] about A Nation Obsessed Over the Wrong Drugs
Bush baptizing prisoners
Riber Hansson, Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden … [Read more...] about Bush baptizing prisoners
Clinton Campaign Strategist Penn Says Obama Could Never Be Elected
Some "old media" and new media pundits, as well as TV talking heads, political analysts and journalists, have concluded that Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign's strategy is to make Senator Barack Obama unelectable that they can go to the Superdelegates at a deadlocked convention and say Obama is.....unelectable. (UPDATE: A new Gallup Poll, in fact, finds that Clinton and … [Read more...] about Clinton Campaign Strategist Penn Says Obama Could Never Be Elected
Invading Iraq: Cost of War…
Coming months/years would be spent in assessing whether the US administration's strategy/decisions were worth it. It will be a tough task. Two leading economists seem to have set the agenda for future debate in their book that has attracted media attention. There are lot of questions that arise and deserve convincing, not emotional/ideological, answers. The Three Trillion … [Read more...] about Invading Iraq: Cost of War…
Quiz: If you were a military leader, who would you be?
You can see who I would be here. Since I don't know a lot about military history, I'm not sure what this really means (I'll be googling to learn after I post this). I like the Nobel Peace Prize win though. Who are you? Hattip to Reasoned Audacity. Update: Wow - I know it's only Wikipedia, but it puts me to shame for not knowing all this - I like the comparison to … [Read more...] about Quiz: If you were a military leader, who would you be?
Spitzer’s Fall: A Story That ‘Never Gets Old’
What is it about Eliot Spitzer's downfall that has attracted the attention of people around the world? Is it the power, the sex, the hypocrisy? According to the editorial board of Switzerland's Nachrichten newspaper, the tale of Eliot Spitzer follows a pattern that never really goes out of style. According to Nachrichten, 'American politics without sex scandals is almost … [Read more...] about Spitzer’s Fall: A Story That ‘Never Gets Old’