Studying in Damascus in 2005-6, I was struck by the Syrian obsession with the Golan Heights. Since the Israelis took the fertile territory back in 1967, the Syrians have made its reacquisition a central goal of their foreign policy. They tried unsuccessfully to retake the land in 1973, and they now jealously guard a UN-staffed ceasefire line. The Syrian town along the … [Read more...] about The Golan Factor
If Iraq asked us, would we leave?
Iran's president doesn't appear to have had anything new to say during his visit to Iraq: BAGHDAD - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday dismissed U.S. accusations that his country is training extremists and demanded that the Americans withdraw from Iraq. My first reaction was that his opinion on the matter isn't the one that counts. If it were the Iraqi … [Read more...] about If Iraq asked us, would we leave?
On Israeli Journalism
A must-read for foreign affairs watchers: Yonatan Mendel's recent article in the London Review of Books. … [Read more...] about On Israeli Journalism
Doing My Civic Duty & Getting Involved
It turns out that the local Hillary Clinton HQ is about a five-minute drive from my apartment, so I went over there this morning. Since I cannot phone-bank (I'm HOH) I took some yard signs to put up in likely places. Here is my handiwork at the busy intersection of Galbraith Rd. & Vine St: Being a responsible citizen, I will remove the signs after the election and … [Read more...] about Doing My Civic Duty & Getting Involved
Joseph C. Wilson Defends Hillary on Foreign Policy Issues; Questions Obama’s Judgment
Yesterday, during a campaign speech, Barack Obama criticized Hillary Clinton's 2002 Iraq war vote (The Swamp, via Memeorandum). This is not the first time that Obama has brought up the issue, so it's fair game. Yesterday, Joseph Wilson -- retired Ambassador to African nations and Iraq who worked under Presidents Bush-I and Clinton (and the husband of Valerie … [Read more...] about Joseph C. Wilson Defends Hillary on Foreign Policy Issues; Questions Obama’s Judgment
(Updated) Dumb, Dumber & Dumbest?
Charlotte Allen has unleashed a spitstorm with publication in the Washington Post of an op-ed piece in which she asserts that women are . . . well, dummies. While the piece itself is amazingly dumb, I was struck by the reaction of the feminist bloggers whom I sampled who to a woman didn't bother to offer intelligent point-counterpoint responses to the piece but instead … [Read more...] about (Updated) Dumb, Dumber & Dumbest?
Poll: Obama Gains In Ohio But Ohio Texas Democratic Primaries Too Close To Call
A new Zogby International poll for Reuters/C-SPAN/Houston Chronicle two-day telephone tracking poll shows shows the Democratic primary races in Ohio and Texas are "too close to call," although Obama seems to have gained slightly in Ohio. But, in essence, Ohio remains a see-saw stalemate: (See an earlier post HERE that details an Ohio Poll that has Clinton ahead by 9 … [Read more...] about Poll: Obama Gains In Ohio But Ohio Texas Democratic Primaries Too Close To Call
What a Difference a Year Makes
Last March 4th, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, arms linked with civil rights leaders, were reenacting the 1965 march in Selma, united in declaring their debt to the non-violence of Martin Luther King. Today, they are at the precipice of divisions that could be suicidal for their party in November. In Obama's grasp for the nomination and Clinton's last stand in Texas and … [Read more...] about What a Difference a Year Makes
Last Ohio Poll numbers have Clinton over Obama by 9%
From the Ohio Poll (it's a PDF) (dates taken: 2/28/-3/2): Clinton 51% Obama 42 Edwards 6 ME: 3.9% Republican: McCain 53% Huckabee 24% ME: 5.4% I sense Clinton will pull it out in Ohio but it's hard to say. The most disturbing thing I'm seeing in the Ohio blogs is a mini-blog swarm about how Clinton is paying people $10/hour to get out there for her, when I … [Read more...] about Last Ohio Poll numbers have Clinton over Obama by 9%
Unemployment, Underemployment, and Hunger Boosting Obama’s Chances in Ohio
Here in Logan, Ohio, where I've served as pastor of Saint Matthew Lutheran Church for four months, concerns about the economy run high. That's because this town of 6000, nestled in the beautiful Hocking Hills and county seat Hocking County, has been hard hit by a number of plant closings over the past decade. People who once worked decent-paying factory jobs are, in many cases, … [Read more...] about Unemployment, Underemployment, and Hunger Boosting Obama’s Chances in Ohio
Fuggedabout the Primaries. It’s Time For The Main Event: That’s Obama & McCain
For not entirely altruistic reasons – including a mix of over stimulation and exhaustion -- I hope that when the sun comes up on Wednesday morning Hillary Clinton will have seen the light and is heading home to Chappaqua with with Bill and Chelsea. The mathematical chances of Clinton taking the Democratic nomination away from Barack Obama without huge victories in both Texas … [Read more...] about Fuggedabout the Primaries. It’s Time For The Main Event: That’s Obama & McCain
Animated Cartoon Commentary: Frisky Business
A new song sung by a Presidential campaign political celebrity....the creation of Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Walt Handelsman (who wrote, drew and voiced it). … [Read more...] about Animated Cartoon Commentary: Frisky Business
Bipartisan “Congress Debates”
On Tuesday there was a bipartisan debate on the Economy called "Congress Debates" You can go to the DLC site and read news reports about the event and link to a video. The DLC has this to say about it: Spirited political debate always has been -- and always should be -- essential to the conduct of our nation's business. But the big ideas that have changed America -- from … [Read more...] about Bipartisan “Congress Debates”
Hugo Goes to War?
MSNBC: President Hugo Chavez orders 10 battalions to Venezuela's border with Colombia Let's see what happens. BBC: Venezuela sends tanks to border … [Read more...] about Hugo Goes to War?
Texas Poll: Democratic Primary Tie As Clinton Obama Divide Electorate
A new poll two days away from what many analysts believe will be one of a pivotal election 2008 primary in Texas shows Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in a virtual tie -- and underscores how each candidate is winning over different parts of the electorate. The Star-Telegram/McClatchy/MSNBC poll of likely Democratic primary voters finds 46 percent for Obama and 45 … [Read more...] about Texas Poll: Democratic Primary Tie As Clinton Obama Divide Electorate
The Foreign Policy Crapshoot
In response to an article today in the Times of London, blogger Jeralyn at TalkLeft writes that she doesn't feel comfortable with what she knows about Barack Obama, and that if he wins the Democratic nomination, she'll "be voting for him with [her] fingers crossed". (My own response to the Times article is here.) Here on TMV, our own Holly has similarly given voice to … [Read more...] about The Foreign Policy Crapshoot
Dispatch from Ohio: Even The Wave radio station is all political ads, all the time
I just received a very distressed phone call from someone running errands this morning in NE Ohio. His first words were, "Someone is making a lot of money." He went on to say that, It's one political ad after another on the radio - even 107! Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones hawking this one, Barack Obama telling us about hope in the other one - it's insane and it's … [Read more...] about Dispatch from Ohio: Even The Wave radio station is all political ads, all the time
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
What does it say about the state of world affairs that when high-ranking U.S. officials visit Iraq they wear flak jackets, there is no advance notice and the trips are rushed and cloaked in secrecy, whereas when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad drops by as he did today his trip and itinerary are announced well in advance and he is greeted with pomp and … [Read more...] about What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Wakeup Call on the Red Phone Ads
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have been running dueling commercials about who is better suited to be President when the phone rings at 3 A.M. with news of a terror attack. Wrong question. While it's important to have a White House occupant who will respond, rather than keep reading "My Pet Goat" to school children, that moment will call for coordinating a response based … [Read more...] about Wakeup Call on the Red Phone Ads
New Polls Show Clinton Obama Texas Ohio Primary Showdowns Are Nail Biters
Tuesday's nail-biting Democratic Presidential primaries in Texas and Ohio have become even more dramatic with the release of polls showing Senator Hillary Clinton is starting to regain her Texas base and narrow the lead on Senator Barack Obama -- and clings to an increasingly slim lead in Ohio. In essence, if you look at a variety of polls, the bottom line is that they're … [Read more...] about New Polls Show Clinton Obama Texas Ohio Primary Showdowns Are Nail Biters