Can the United States expect its NATO allies to step up and station more combat troops in Afghanistan's more dangerous regions? Given the commentary in much of the European press with perhaps the exception of the French, that seems like an unlikely prospect. Burkhard von Pappenheim writes for Germany's Frankfurter Rundschau, 'U.S. Defense Secretary Gates' terse words discredit … [Read more...] about Gates’ Words ‘Discredit’ NATO’s Afghan Mission
‘An American Dream’: Why We Watch the U.S. Elections
What impact do American elections have on people around the world? François Sergent of France's Liberation writes, 'Like it or not, the American elections are often more important for the world than our internal elections. Imagine the world today, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza, not to mention global warming, if Bush hadn’t been improperly, so improperly elected eight years … [Read more...] about ‘An American Dream’: Why We Watch the U.S. Elections
India’s Highest Court & The Case Of Handlebar Moustache
The case of Joynath Victor De, an employee of India's national domestic airlines, and his handlebar moustache has tickled the nation's imagination no end. But for him it has been a matter of bread and butter. He was fired in 1999 after refusing to trim it, but was reinstated – complete with his moustache – after a ruling by the Calcutta High Court found in his favour. Then the … [Read more...] about India’s Highest Court & The Case Of Handlebar Moustache
A Clinton Supporter Asks: If Obama Wins it All, What Then?
First the Obama campaign successfully shut down any resistance from the Clintons by succeeding in getting them tagged in the Clinton-loathing media as 'racist' or, at least, 'racist-like'. (i.e., racist if you ignore the actual meaning of the word 'racist,' plus all known facts about Clinton and ignore common sense and the plain meaning of her remark.) Once the … [Read more...] about A Clinton Supporter Asks: If Obama Wins it All, What Then?
Confessions in Search of Conviction
Last week, I crossed party lines to vote for Obama in the Missouri primary. Last night, I noted that I’m increasingly likely to do the same in November. This evolution is more painful than you might imagine … if you could only hear the cacophony in my head. “How can you do this?,” my conservative conscience screams. “You thoroughly distrust government’s ability to be … [Read more...] about Confessions in Search of Conviction
Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere: Special Potomac Primaries Edition
NOTE: This is a special Potomac Primaries edition of our famous Around The Sphere link-fest: it gives you reaction to weblogs of many different viewpoints on yesterday's primaries and the political scene. Links and quotes do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of TMV or its co-writers. REACTION TO THE VICTORIES OF DEMOCRAT BARACK OBAMA AND REPUBLICAN JOHN MCCAIN IN THE … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere: Special Potomac Primaries Edition
Sometimes It’s The Little Things That Count
It isn't written anywhere that a politician has to congratulate, let along acknowledge, an opponnent following a loss, but Hillary Clinton seems to be developing a pretty good case of sour grapes. Last night, for the second election night in a row, Clinton failed to do either after Obama cleaned her clock in the Potamac Primaries. Reports CNN political producer Peter … [Read more...] about Sometimes It’s The Little Things That Count
The Potomac Primary goes to Obama
The Potomac (or Chesapeake) Primary -- which Creature live-blogged (with some remarks from me) -- turned out to be yet another sweep for Obama. Let's go straight to our table (updated after each contest): -- Louisiana (2/9): CHECK (57-36 -- 21 points) -- Nebraska (2/9): CHECK (68-32 -- 36 points) -- Washington (2/9): CHECK (68-31 -- 37 points) -- Virgin Islands (2/9): … [Read more...] about The Potomac Primary goes to Obama
Imad Fayez Mugniyah (1962-2008)
MAY HE ROT IN HELL … [Read more...] about Imad Fayez Mugniyah (1962-2008)
Australia’s ‘Historic Apology’ To Its Aborigines
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Wednesday led the nation in apologising to the 460,000 Aborigines (that comprise 2% of country's population) for "past injustices" towards them, including the forced assimilation of tens of thousands of Aborigines known as the 'Stolen Generations'. Mr Rudd received a standing ovation from MPs and onlookers in parliament, and cheers from … [Read more...] about Australia’s ‘Historic Apology’ To Its Aborigines
McCain, Obama: The Generation Chasm
After years of Bush's would-be and as-if leadership, American voters are choosing authenticity, albeit with a 24-year age gap and a world of difference in personal history and mindset. Of all the accusations that could, and likely will, be made against John McCain and Barack Obama, the least plausible will involve calculation and deceit. Last night's victory speeches laid … [Read more...] about McCain, Obama: The Generation Chasm
Obama’s Avalanche Accelerates, Clinton’s Self-Fulfilling Prophecy & So Much More
Barack Obama made a tentative believer out of me several months ago. I believed that his hope-and-change message had great merit but lacked substance and his candidacy would not have the legs to survive the Super Tuesday primaries. Despite a setback in New Hampshire and a draw in Nevada, Obama has been literally hell bent for election for weeks now. He has added substance to … [Read more...] about Obama’s Avalanche Accelerates, Clinton’s Self-Fulfilling Prophecy & So Much More
General Kayani: USA’s New ‘Poster Boy’ In Pakistan?
For years General Pervez Musharraf appeared as the sole 'saviour' of Pakistan...that is, if one relied on the statements appearing in the American media quoting, among others, the big chief presiding at the White House. Poor Musharraf must be ruing the day when he decided to shed his military uniform for an 'assured' term of five years as Pakistan's president. (Remember...Once … [Read more...] about General Kayani: USA’s New ‘Poster Boy’ In Pakistan?
Obama, Clinton and McCain: ‘Good News from Americans’ …
While Barack Obama has received unrivaled praise from around the world, in some quarters it seems any of the three remaining contenders will go a long way toward dispelling the perceived stench of the Bush years. In regard to the three U.S. presidential frontrunners, Kennedy Alencar of Brazil's Folha newspaper writes, 'The three seem capable of positively exercising America's … [Read more...] about Obama, Clinton and McCain: ‘Good News from Americans’ …
McCain’s Decent Conservatism
As I was coming home tonight, I listened to some of John McCain's victory speech after winning today's Potomac Primaries. I found the speech interesting, because it seems to offer a window into John McCain's philosophy and character. I could be totally wrong, but he seems to offer a more decent and civil conservatism that is far different from the stuff we are used to … [Read more...] about McCain’s Decent Conservatism
Attention Hillary Clinton: Step Away From The Nomination Race
Talk about tough love and breaking from dysfunction: read this letter to Senator Hillary Clinton, written by Erin Kotecki Vest. Here's part: I truly believed you would be the best person for the job, and I had this nagging thought in the back of my mind that is now at the forefront. The thought that drove me on Super Tuesday to Vote for Senator Obama and the thought that is … [Read more...] about Attention Hillary Clinton: Step Away From The Nomination Race
Why Hillary Clinton is Losing
Hillary Clinton has lost tonight to Barack Obama in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. I believe--and have for some time--that Clinton will lose the nomination fight to Obama. Why will she lose? Some will say that America was more ready for a black president than for a woman president. Some will say that people bought flash over substance. But to understand … [Read more...] about Why Hillary Clinton is Losing
A campaign without a Clinton is like…what, exactly?
Senator Barack Obama appears to have won the "Potomac Primary" - Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Delegates will be delivered proportionately to both Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. Squabbles over the role and use of superdelegates continue. And Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania are now being called the firewall for Clinton that other states with votes long since counted … [Read more...] about A campaign without a Clinton is like…what, exactly?
McCain Wins Virginia, Maryland And Washington D.C Primaries Despite Conservative Ire
NBC has projected that Arizona Senator John McCain will be the winner of the Virginia and Maryland primaries -- and has just projected he will win in Washington D.C. as well, virtually assuring what was already assured: that he will be his party's 2008 Presidential nominee. But McCain got good news -- and bad news. The good news is that exit polls shows that a large … [Read more...] about McCain Wins Virginia, Maryland And Washington D.C Primaries Despite Conservative Ire
Rolling Over in His Grave
My Uncle G was a Richmond, Va., resident for much of his adult life, until the day he passed on nearly six years ago. I respected him for many things, not the least of which were his intelligence, his ambition, and his notable successes as an engineer and businessman, one who accumulated, enjoyed, and left behind considerable wealth. Small surprise that Uncle G was a … [Read more...] about Rolling Over in His Grave